Ultimate Baseball
Road Trip Blog

If you're a baseball fan and you have a bucket list, then this East Coast Tour is for you. You'll start this tour in Boston, home of Historic Fenway Park. The game should be a night game so arrive early and see some sites before we head over to the park and enjoy all the fun around Yawkey Way.

You'll leave mid-day on Saturday to make the trip to New York where you will have the evening on your own and plenty of time to explore Manhattan from your Midtown hotel. Sunday we'll head to Yankee Stadium, for, what we expect to be, an afternoon game when the Yankees are hosting the Pirates. We'll head back to Manhattan after the game and you'll have the evening on your own in the city.

You an option on Monday to direct the itinerary the best way for you and your companions. You can choose to spend the day in the city or take the day-trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Tuesday will allow you more time to see some sites in the city and then we'll head out to Citi Field to see the Dodgers and Mets game.

After 4 great nights in New York, the tour will head to Washington, DC on Wednesday. We should arrive early afternoon in the district and get checked into the hotel, which will give us plenty of time to get over to Nationals Park for the game between the Reds and Nationals. 

On Thursday, we'll take a short trip up the road to Baltimore. We'll be staying near Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the Inner Harbor. The game will probably be an afternoon game which will give you time to grab dinner at one of the restaurants nearby.

We'll most likely take a tour of Oriole Park Friday morning before heading to Philadelphia for you final night of the tour. It's a short trip to Philly, where we'll be staying in the heart of the city - close to sites like the Liberty Bell and Freedom Hall and close to Citizens Bank Park. 

Along the way, there will be stadium tours, an MLB player Experience and other Big League Tours extras. You could also consider coming into Boston early or staying over in Philadelphia. Let us know if you'd like to customize your tour in anyway. 

An always popular baseball tour is a trip to the West Coast to see all of the California baseball stadiums plus Safeco Field in Seattle. And that's just what this tour has to offer. You'll have three nights in Los Angeles/Anaheim to take in a couple of games as well as explore some sites.

The first day of the tour, you'll see the Yankees play the Angels at Angel Stadium. We expect this to be a night game so you'll have time to get to the hotel, check in and get settled, and then meet the tour group to go to the ballpark.

The next day is a completely free day. You could spend the day at Disneyland or Knott's Berry Farm, take a tour of Hollywood, or hang out on the beach. It's completely up to you.

The following day offers a game at historic Dodger Stadium. You'll be amazed that this ballpark is over 60 years old! You'll arrive early with time to explore the stadium before settling into lower-level seats for the game. The last day in Southern California is in San Diego, where we'll stay in the Gaslamp Quarter and be there in plenty of time for a game at PETCO Park.

Then, on Saturday, it's off to San Francisco. It's a short flight and then you'll check into the hotel in the heart of the city. You'll have the evening on your own to explore the city, eat at a great restaurant, or just relax. On Sunday, the game is at AT&T Park between the Braves and the Giants.

Monday, you'll have more time to take in the Bay Area sites. This would be a perfect day to go to Alcatraz, take a trip up to wine country, visit Ghirardelli square, or take a ride on a San Francisco trolley. Then you'll meet up with the group to catch the game at the Oakland Coliseum between the Rays and Athletics.

The final day of the tour has you jumping on a quick flight to Seattle, taking in a game at Safeco Field, and staying at a hotel in the middle of the action in Seattle. Extend your stay in Seattle or plan to leave late in the day so that you can see the Space Needle, visit Pikes Place Market, or take in some beat poetry in ways that only Seattle can serve it up. Want some food suggestions? Let us know - we can help!

As always, you’ll enjoy first class hotels, lower level seats, stadium tours, an MLB player experience and memories that will last a lifetime. No tour company does it like Big League Tours. We hope you will join us on this extensive tour. 

One of our first baseball tours of the 2014 season is our Sunbelt Tour. As with our Southwest Tour, we wanted to get to these baseball stadiums before the heat of the summer. This tour starts in Arlington, Texas, home of the Texas Rangers. The Mariners are in town to take on their American League West rivals at Rangers Ballpark. 

The next day we'll drive down to Houston's Minute Maid Park to see the Astros and Royals in what's likely to be an afternoon game. We'll check into the hotel after the game and spendthe evening in Houston.

Friday morning you will fly to Florida to catch games at Marlins Park that evening and Tropicana Field on Saturday evening. We'll drive between those cities and get to both ballparks in plenty of time to explore them to see the fish tanks behind home plate and the ginourmous structure in the outfield in Miami and the tank of Rays and the Ted Williams Museum in Tampa Bay.

On Sunday we'll head to the airport and hop a quick flight to Atlanta. We'll stay downtown where you'll have access to attractions like the CNN and Coca-Cola headquarters, the Georgia Aquarium, and lots of shopping and restaurants. Monday night we'll head out to Turner Field to see the Braves host the Marlins.  

As always, you'll stay in first class hotels, sit in lower level seats, and enjoy a Big League Player Experience. Don't miss your chance to visit these stadiums on one great tour. 

The Southwest Tour is a new offering from us in 2014. We wanted to offer an early season baseball tour for those who wanted to get out early. In addition, we wanted to get to a few of these cities before it gets too hot to really enjoy them. So we'll kick off the season's tours in Phoenix.

We'll stay in downtown Phoenix, within walking distance of Chase Field, where we'll see the Diamondbacks host the Mets for a game on April 15. Want some extra time in Phoenix? Come in early and play golf at one of the city's great courses, go horseback riding at one of the parks, and enjoy some of the city's fantastic dining and entertainment.

From Phoenix we'll fly to Dallas/Arlington to see the Mariners and Rangers play at Rangers Ballpark. We'll stay near the ballpark here, too, but not within walking distance. As long as the game time allows, we'll likely have a stadium tour of the Ballpark at Arlington. Make sure to get a bacon-wrapped hot dog and a Shiner Bock at the game to complete your experience! 

On Thursday, we'll drive down to Houston. The game at Minute Maid Park is between the Royals and Astros. We expect it to be an afternoon game as it's a getaway game for both teams. So we'll (most likely) drive straight to the ballpark, catch the game, and then check-in at the hotel afterward.

Then, on the last day, you'll fly to Denver to catch a game at Coors Field. This is the perfect way to finish off this trip. Downtown Denver, where we'll stay, has a lotto offer. The ballpark is located in the warehouse district with a ton of restaurants and brewpubs. By the way, it would also be a great place to extend the tour and stay an extra day or two. Let us know if you'd like to stay another night or two.

As always, you'll stay in first class hotels, sit in lower level seats, and enjoy a Big League Player Experience. Don't miss your chance to visit these stadiums on one great tour. 

The new Marlins Ballpark was opened in 2012. It was the first new Major League ballpark since the Twins' new facility, Target Field, opened in April 2012 in Minneapolis. If you had ever gone to a Marlins game at Dolphin Stadium, you knew it would be great if the team had a facility that was dedicated to baseball. 

Unlike Dolphin Stadium, which is right off the interstate and very easy to get in and out of, Marlins Ballpark is tucked into a neighborhood that makes it harder to get in and out of the game. For this visit, we were headed to the ballpark not as a group tour, but just as a family tour. We paid for stadium parking in advance, which at least eliminated our concern about where to park. It didn't help us get out any faster, though. 

The outside of the ballpark is very space-age looking. The columns in this picture support the roof when they open up the stadium. There was a threat of thunderstorms when we were there so they kept the roof closed. 

Inside, the park carries the sites and sounds of Miami throughout - Latin-influenced and very colorful. Even the smells in the stadium were different than others because of the wide range of food offerings. 

My overall impression? It's a much needed improvement over Dolphin Stadium to see a baseball game. My opinion is undoubtedly tainted in that I don't like watching baseball games under a roof. I understand the reason for it, but I think it kills the atmosphere of a game that's supposed to be played out doors. (My opinion is the same of all dome or retractable roof stadiums in the Majors...)

What could have helped? If the roof would have been open, I'm sure it would have influenced my opinion. If the ballpark had been built in a neighborhood that either grew up with it (think Fenway Park or Wrigley Field) or had developed around it (think Coors Field or Camden Yards), then it could have been a better experience. (Once you go in doors, though, it doesn't really matter.) The locals will tell you that fielding a better team would make all the difference in the world. I can't blame them...

Without any new ballparks under construction anywhere in the Majors, Marlins Ballpark will remain the newest park for the next several years. If you're planning to make a trek to Miami for a game, my suggestion would be to go at night (hoping the roof will be open), choose an opponent with a large road following (so there will at least be somebody's fans in attendance), and give yourself plenty of time to get in and out of the ballpark. 

Where has the time gone? We've been putting the finishing touches on our baseball vacation packages and hosting the tours. We're now looking up and realizing that we're in the midst of our final tour for the 2013 season. Yikes!

We'll catch up with our blogging activity to share with you some of the details and great fun that we had on the road this summer - starting with our Midwest to our West Coast to the East Coast and several variations in between.

While we're doing that, you can also check out our Facebook page with pictures and some highlights of our tours: https://www.facebook.com/BigLeagueTours.  

Baseball Tour Operator Offers Its Largest Selection of Baseball Vacations

Luxury baseball tour provider, Big League Tours, begins its eighth year by announcing its largest selection of baseball tours offered to date. The official announcement came at a launch party held at the company’s new headquarters outside of Indianapolis. Chris Welsh, former Major League pitcher and current Reds broadcaster, was on hand to assist company President and Founder Glenn Dunlap in introducing the luxury tour packages. In addition to its traditional Multi-City Tours, Big League Tours is offering shorter Destination Tours and Getaway Day Tours in 2013.

The Multi-City Tours include trips to some of the country’s greatest cities and visits to multiple baseball stadiums. Travelers will not only sit in the best seats and stay in great hotels, they will also enjoy other great features such as stadium tours, player meet and greets, and special stadium access. Highlights include the East Coast, Hall of Fame, Midwest and West Coast Tours. Details at www.bigleaguetours.com/2013-baseball-tours/multi-city-tours/. 

“Without a doubt, our most popular trips each year are the tours that include Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, The Baseball Hall of Fame and Wrigley Field,” shared Glenn Dunlap, President and Founder of Big League Tours. “But, we have also seen an increase in demand for tours to the West Coast, so fans can see AT&T Park, Dodger Stadium and PETCO Park. We believe we have met that demand with a variety of tours including our Full West Coast, Southern California, and Baseball on the Bay Tours.”

The Destination Tours have been designed for travelers who would like to spend time in one city, enjoy some baseball games and events, and take advantage of custom tour options. Dunlap states, “Taking place on mostly long weekends, these tours will give our guests lots of flexibility and suit the needs for avid, as well as casual, baseball fans.” Highlights include tours to New York, San Francisco, Boston, Denver, and Chicago. Details at www.bigleaguetours.com/2013-baseball-tours/destination-tours/. 

For the first time, Big League Tours is offering Getaway Day Tours. Getaway Day Tours are one- day excursions in some of Big League Tours most popular baseball cities. As with all Big League Tours, guests will enjoy luxury accommodations and lower level infield seats for the game. The 2013 season will feature Getaway Day Tours in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, and Miami. Prices for the Getaway Day Tours start at $500 per person based on double occupancy. Details at www.bigleaguetours.com/2013-baseball-tours/getaway-tours/.

Big League Tours helps fans get closer to the game by securing lower level seats, arranging stadium tours and player experiences, and providing first-class hotel accommodations. Flexible itineraries allow fans to experience the best of the best in the greatest baseball cities across the nation. 

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About Big League Tours

Big League Tours helps fans of all ages experience baseball from a new perspective- from inside the game. Unlike other tour companies, Big League Tours not only takes care of the buses and games for a baseball tour, but also provides all the extras to turn tours into true sports vacations loaded with unique baseball-related events. For more information, contact Big League Tours at www.bigleaguetours.com.

Here's a baseball tour that promises to be great fun - see six baseball stadiums, watch tendifferent teams, stay in four different cities. 

This baseball vacation package starts in Kansas City with a game at "The K", Kauffman Stadium, the site of the 2012 All Star Game. From there we'll make the short trip across Missouri to St. Louis for a game at Busch Stadium. 

We'll hop a quick flight to Chicago where we'll setup for three nights. First, we'll see the White Sox at Sox Park and meet up with Sox Slugger, Ron Kittle. The next day we'll go up to Milwaukee to see the Phillies and Brewers at Miller Park and then head back to Chicago after the game. We'll wrap up our Chicago stay with a game at historic Wrigley Field. 

Monday is reserved for traveling to Minneapolis. We'll fly there so that you'll be able to get settled at the hotel and then take in some local sites in the Twin Cities. Our final day will include a game at Target Field where the Twins host the Phillies for some Inter-league play.

So let's see. That means we'll be sampling barbeque, fried ravioli, Chicago-style pizza and dogs, brats and state fair food. Mmm, mmm... Can't wait!!

Here's a short video with more of the details of this tour. Download the brochure or Purchase This Tour now. We hope you'll join us!!

What better way could there be to start our 2013 baseball trips and tours than one of our Hall of Fame tours? This tour starts in New York City where we'll stay in the heart of Midtown Manhattan giving you great access to all kinds of sites, restaurants, and shopping. The first day of the tour we'll see the Blue Jays face the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The next day we'll see the Reds play the Mets at Citi Field and have our Big League Player Experience with former MLB pitcher and Reds Broadcaster, Chris Welsh. 

We'll then travel to Cooperstown to spend the day at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. You'll have time to explore the exhibits in the Hall as well as the many memorabilia and collectibles shops in the Village. 

After a relaxing evening in upstate New York, we'll head over to Boston for a free day and evening. You'll be in the heart of the city once again. The following day we'll head over to historic Fenway Park to see the Indians and Red Sox.

This tour will also include one or more stadium tours which we'll finalize once the Yankees and Red Sox release their game times. Here's a short video that will give you the quick rundown of the tour. We hope you'll join us!! 

The World Series is set to start next Wednesday. And while it's a great time to watch the best in baseball play for the title, it's also bittersweet as it also signals the end of the baseball season and baseball tours. I recently ran across this quote from former Commissioner of Baseball, Bart Giamatti, that I believe sums it up very well.

"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blooms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fallalone. You count on it, rely on it to buffer the passage of time, to keep the memory of sunshine and high skies alive, and then just when the days are all twilight, when you need it most, it stops."

So for now, we'll soak in the last that baseball has to offer for 2012 and we'll look forward to where our 2013 baseball trips will take us!