Bucket List Baseball Trip: PNC Park Edition

Arrive at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), located about 30 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. If you have some extra time, tap into the city’s celebration of sports history by checking out the Franco Harris statue, which depicts his iconic Steelers “Immaculate Reception” play.

Check-In & Settle In

Before venturing out to experience Pittsburgh’s energy, drop your bags where you’ll lay your head. Choose from neighborhoods like the conveniently located North Shore (just steps away from PNC Park), the lively downtown area, the locally beloved Strip District or the hip Lawrenceville neighborhood.

Explore The Steel City

There’s no better way to kick off your baseball adventure in Pittsburgh than with a visit to the Clemente Museum – created in honor of one of the sport’s greatest figures, Roberto Clemente. This immersive museum invites visitors to explore his life, legendary career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and impactful humanitarian work through artifacts, memorabilia and photos. Advance tour booking is required.

When you’re ready for more sports-related exploration, head to the Senator John Heinz History Center to experience the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. Through interactive displays and artifacts, you’ll discover the inspiring stories of its franchise teams, including the Pirates, Steelers and Penguins.

Evening Wind Down

Stick around the Strip District and shop local as you explore boutique shops, markets and merchants that offer an authentic taste of Pittsburgh. When your taste buds are calling, grab classic diner fare from one of the city’s many local restaurants.

End your first day with a ride on the Duquesne Incline. Named one of the “10 Most Beautiful Views in America” by USA Today Weekend Magazine, you’ll take in stunning views of Pittsburgh’s skyline and Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers from a cable car.

Morning Exploration

Start the day with a visit to Point State Park. Here is where you’ll find the confluence point of Pittsburgh’s three rivers. You’ll also find hiking and biking trails, as well as the Fort Pitt blockhouse and museum – it’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the fresh air, nature and a touch of Pittsburgh history.

Pre-Game Excitement

As you make your way to PNC Park, take time to walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge to get into the spirit of the game and admire skyline views. You can also spot the other two bridges that make up the “Three Sisters,” the only set of identical bridges in the world: the Andy Warhol Bridge and the Rachel Carson Bridge, both named after notable figures with roots in Pittsburgh.

Join a walk-up, gameday or pregame tour at PNC Park, where you may experience areas including the warning track, bullpens, Pop’s Plaza, Pittsburgh Baseball Club Level, premium suites, press box, batting cages or dugouts (depending on which of these amenities are included in your respective tour type). It’s an awesome way to start feeling the buzzing energy that radiates from every corner of the stadium and field!

Pirates Game at PNC Park

It’s time to “raise the Jolly Roger” as the game gets underway! Settle into your seat for an exhilarating match-up and enjoy terrific views of the city skyline – you may even catch an awe-inspiring fireworks show. When it’s time to munch on something while watching the game, grab a signature sandwich from Primanti Brothers, a slice from Caliente Pizza & Draft House or a Polish cannonball from Cannonball Stand.

And just when you think the game can’t get any better, keep an eye out for the Pirates Pierogies, who take the field after the fifth inning to run the Great Pittsburgh Pierogi Race!

Post-Game Fun

When the game is over, keep the energy going at a local sports bar where you can grab a beverage, unwind and bask in the camaraderie among other sports fans. If you want to cap off your night taking in a little bit more of the city air, take a relaxing stroll along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail to take in views of the city and its iconic waterways.

Morning Adventures

There’s even more excitement during the second leg of your baseball adventure once you reach Cooperstown! Before starting your journey to New York, consider visiting one of Pittsburgh’s cultural attractions, such as the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center,the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium or the Andy Warhol Museum.

Travel to Cooperstown

Your next stop is New York State. The best option is to toss your bags in the car and enjoy a roughly seven-hour road trip. Flying to Albany International Airport (ALB) and then renting a car to drive to Cooperstown is also an option – just keep in mind you may have a connecting flight in between.

Evening in Cooperstown

Arrive in Cooperstown with time to explore the village’s charming Main Street filled with baseball-themed shops and memorabilia. Relax by Otsego Lake and get ready for an unforgettable day ahead at the Hall of Fame.

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! Walk through the doors of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and take a step into the game’s revered past. Start your visit in the Grandstand Theater to see the short film Generations of the Game, shown exclusively at the Museum.  Don’t miss The Souls of the Game, which opened in 2024, and the new Yakyu | Baseball exhibit opening in July. The new exhibit showcases the enduring connection between Japanese and American baseball and celebrates the iconic Japanese super stars including Hideo Nomo, Ichiro Suzuki and Shohei Ohtani. Be sure to allow plenty of time to see the iconic Hall of Fame Plaque Gallery, where the members of the Baseball Hall of Fame are honored, then complete your visit with a stop in the Museum Store. 

Becoming a Museum Member will get you unlimited FREE admission, a discount in the Museum Store and a subscription to Memories & Dreams, the official magazine of the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MEMBERSHIP

During our visit be sure to check out the Starting Nine, a scavenger hunt built for the ultimate baseball fan. The Museum challenges you to find your team’s Starting Nine, a lineup of must-sees from our vast collection containing tens of thousands of artifacts that preserve the magical moments and memorable stories of our National Pastime.

FIND YOUR TEAM'S STARTING NINE

More Baseball Attractions

Your visit wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Doubleday Field, where the spirit of one of baseball’s earliest games still lingers. The field is renowned the world over and has been hallowed ground to baseball fans for more than eight decades.  

Owned and operated by the village of Cooperstown, Doubleday Field will play host to more than 350 baseball games this year, ranging from youth baseball to high school and collegiate tournaments to senior leagues.

Explore Beyond Baseball

Cooperstown means baseball. And golf. And sightseeing, shopping and dining. History and culture. And much, much more.

Craft Beverages

Brewery Ommegang is just one of eight stops on the Cooperstown Beverage Trail. Hit the road and drop by all the breweries, wineries and even a hard cidery stretched out over 37 miles – with a designated driver, of course!

Golf

The picturesque Leatherstocking Golf Course sits on the shore of Otsego Lake, a legendary body of water dubbed "Glimmerglass" in the works of native son James Fenimore Cooper. For more than a century, this course has challenged and enchanted golfers who never tire of its incredible lake-view fairways.

History and Culture

The art collection at the Fenimore Art Museum inspires and educates each visitor on the rich history of American Art and how it has shaped American culture.

Immerse yourself in the experience of life in a 19th-century village. The Fenimore Farm & Country Village brings history to life in an experience to remember.

Dinner & Final Evening

Round out your day with dinner at one of Cooperstown’s many eateries. From cozy local taverns, to internationally influenced cuisine and authentic American classics, Cooperstown has it all. Share stories from your adventure over great food and drink before retreating for a peaceful night in this little slice of Americana.

After several full days of travel and the energizing baseball activity, it’ll be hard to say goodbye. Head back to Pittsburgh or make your way to the Albany airport for your flight home – or consider extending your adventure with a visit to New York City.

This trip is one for the ages, and you’ll want to relive it – whether in memory, as a retelling of your experience to others or as a return visit! Pittsburgh’s team spirit and vibrant culture set the stage for the baseball pride that awaits in Cooperstown, where the town’s charm and leisure pace offer the perfect balance. It’s time to make this journey happen!

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