Sports Travel and Tours’ Central Express trip will offer an incredible eight baseball games and tours of three stadiums: Miller Park in Milwaukee, Busch Stadium in St. Louis and Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Here’s a look at what you can expect to experience at each. Miller Park Date/Time: The tour, which is scheduled for Friday, June 10, is expected to last approximately 75 minutes. Tour Stops: While tour stops are subject to change depending on their availability, the classic tour experience brings travelers to the dugout, the luxury suite level, the visiting clubhouse, the press box and Bob Uecker’s broadcast booth, among other behind-the-scenes attractions. You’re certain to notice Uecker’s presence during the tour in more ways than one; having called play-by-play for the Brewers’ radio broadcasts since 1971, he is honored at the stadium with a meeting room bearing his name and, better yet, a statue, located in section 422 near the Home Plate Gate. Notable Eateries: Bernie’s Clubhouse (also located in section 422, so if you find Uecker’s statue, you’re sure to find Bernie’s Clubhouse!) Friday’s and Friday’s Beer Garden (both located near the Left Field Gate) B’s Diner (behind section 125) Busch Stadium Date/Time: The tour, which is scheduled for Wednesday, June 15, is expected to last approximately one hour. Tour Stops: While the tour route is subject to change, the experience traditionally includes stops at the radio broadcast booth, the Cardinals’ dugout, the Redbird Club, the Cardinals Club and even the Champions Club, which houses all of the Cardinals’ World Series trophies. All tours begin at Gate 3 on 8th Street, next to the Musial Statue. This magnificent statue is dedicated to Hall of Famer Stan Musial, who played his entire career with the Cardinals, racking up .331 lifetime batting average, 3,630 hits and 475 homeruns. Musial fans are in for a great photo opportunity and a chance to share the late ballplayer’s successes with family members. Each tour covers a walking distance of approximately a half mile, both inside and outside, and is conducted rain or shine. As a bonus, each guest is eligible for discounted prices at the Official Cardinals Team Store with his or her ticket stub. Notable Eateries: Crowd the Plate (located in section 148) Double Play Tab and Grill (section 135) Plaza Grill (in Ford Plaza) Wrigley Field Date/Time: The tour, which is scheduled for Friday, June 17, is expected to last approximately 75 to 90 minutes. Tour Stops: Again, all stops are subject to availability, and game day tours differ from non-game day tours. Because this tour is scheduled on a game day—the Cubs will play the Pittsburgh Pirates at 1:20 p.m.—the list of scheduled stops includes the seating bowl, the upper deck, the Jack Daniels Patio and, perhaps best of all, the field itself. While game day tours do not visit the clubhouses, the press box or the dugout, tourists instead get to enter the ballpark before gates open, and experience the excitement of a game day at Wrigley Field. The indoor batting cage is added as an additional stop. These outdoor walking tours, which take place rain or shine, span a distance of approximately one mile. Pack for all weather conditions and make sure to bring comfortable footwear! To check in for your tour, visit the tour table located underneath the beautiful and iconic Red Marquee at the corner of Clark Street and Addison Street, another great photo opportunity! Notable Eateries: Decade Diner (located behind section 140) The aforementioned Jack Daniels Patio (behind section 420) The Broadcast Grill (section 137) Travelers on the Central Express trip will also make stops at three other ballparks, for which tours are not part of the Sports Travel and Tours package: U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago on Thursday, June 9; Target Field in Minneapolis on Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, June 12; and Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Monday, June 13. Learn more about the Central Express trip, which is scheduled from Wednesday, June 8 to Saturday, June 18.
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Four Bagger Trip Offers Memorable Journey
Visiting the home stadium of the St. Louis Cardinals, 11-time World Series Champions with the second-most wins of any major league team, is enough to excite any devoted baseball fan. Adding in a chance to see the 2015 champion Kansas City Royals and a stop at iconic Wrigley Field, then, is just the icing on the cake. All that and more is at your fingertips with Sports Travel and Tours’ Four Bagger trip. Scheduled from Monday, June 13 to Saturday, June 18, the Four Bagger features four games at three different ballparks and two stadium tours. After landing in Kansas City, Missouri, on Monday, travelers indeed hit the ground running with a trip reception, at which they will get to know their host and each other before heading to a game between the Royals and the Cleveland Indians starting at 7:15 p.m. at Kauffman Stadium. While in Kansas City, guests will room at the Hampton Inn & Suites, a hotel with all the amenities you’d expect including a 24-hour business center, a fitness center, free breakfasts and evening receptions, and an indoor heated pool. On Tuesday, it’s off to St. Louis to check out the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum, which boasts one of the largest team-specific collections of artifacts and memorabilia in the world. Cardinals fans will not be disappointed! The experience is made even better with an evening game in which the Cardinals will play the Houston Astros at Busch Stadium. The two teams will go head-to-head for a second time on Wednesday, though the itinerary also includes an extensive tour of Busch Stadium and a visit to the iconic St. Louis Gateway Arch. This 630-foot monument to the vision of Thomas Jefferson and St. Louis’ role in the westward expansion of the United States offers regular tram rides up to the very top. From there, take in incredible views of the surrounding city, the Mississippi River and Busch Stadium like you’ve never seen it before. While in St. Louis, travelers will stay in the Drury Inn at Union Station, a beautifully historic building which recently underwent renovations. When transforming the 1907 railroad building, original features like oak paneling and marble stairs were all preserved, making staying at Drury Inn a unique and unforgettable experience. After heading north to the Windy City on Thursday, travelers will have plenty of leisure time before a tour of historic Wrigley Field on Friday. Also on Friday’s agenda is a chance to explore Wrigleyville, one of the city’s most unique neighborhoods with a continued focus on sports, and a game between the Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field. A day of all things Wrigley! Seeing how Chicago, Illinois, is among the most visited cities in America, travelers will have no problem finding ways to spend their leisure time on Thursday. Attractions abound, such as the Museum of Science and Industry, the Symphony Center and the Lincoln Park Zoo, just to name a few. Travelers can also embark on hop-on hop-off sightseeing tours to easily find attractions that peak their interest. During their time in Chicago, travelers will stay in the SpringHill Suites by Residence Inn (a Marriott company). These newly renovated rooms are 25 percent larger than traditional rooms and provide breathtaking views of the surrounding city. With excellent reviews, the hotel offers a complimentary breakfast, dining and drinks at the Hub 51 and an indoor pool and hot tub. Finally, on Saturday, travelers can depart at their leisure from Chicago, though additional pre-trip and post-trip nights are optional. Travelers also receive a trip souvenir, 24-hour trip assistance and transportation between cities and to/from events in a deluxe motor coach, ensuring you will ride in style! The Four Bagger trip also represents the second half of the 11-day Central Express trip, which features previous stops in Chicago, Milwaukee and Minneapolis for games at U.S. Cellular Field, Miller Park and Target Field. Learn more about the Four Bagger or Central Express trips
Read MoreWindy City Plus Hits Three Stadiums in Five Days
With attractions like the Museum of Science and Industry, the Symphony Center and the Lincoln Park Zoo, just to name a few, it is no wonder that Chicago, Illinois, is among the most visited cities in America. For baseball fans, it offers an experience like no other, with two stadiums—historic Wrigley Field and U.S. Cellular—as well as the unique, sports-concentrated neighborhood of Wrigleyville. Through Sports Travel and Tours, baseball fans have the chance to explore the Windy City along with Milwaukee and Minneapolis during the five-day Windy City Plus trip, which features stops at three ballparks and four games. The journey, which represents the first leg of the Central Express trip, commences on Wednesday, June 8, when travelers will arrive in Chicago and attend a trip reception at Harry Caray’s Restaurant. After a potentially long flight, the reception gives travelers a chance to unwind for the evening while getting to know their tour host and fellow guests. While in Chicago, travelers will stay in the SpringHill Suites by Residence Inn (a Marriott company). These newly renovated rooms are 25 percent larger than traditional rooms and provide breathtaking views of the surrounding city. With excellent reviews, the hotel offers a complimentary breakfast, dining and drinks at the Hub 51, and an indoor pool and hot tub. On Thursday, travelers will embark on a half-day city tour that will provide an all-encompassing look at the city, perhaps featuring the aforementioned attractions and undoubtedly much more. Starting at 7:10 p.m., they will attend a game at U.S. Cellular Field, where the Chicago White Sox will play the Washington Nationals. First thing Friday, it’s off to Milwaukee, where travelers will attend a stadium tour of Miller Park before visiting the city’s historic third ward. Known as Milwaukee’s arts and fashion district, the third ward offers a dynamic array of restaurants, spas, theaters, galleries and boutiques all in a historic warehouse setting. Later in the evening, guests will return to Miller Park to watch the Brewers take on the New York Mets, runners up in the 2015 World Series. They will spend the night at the Fairfield Inn & Suites in Madison, Wisconsin, located within a mile of more than 150 shops and restaurants. A complimentary breakfast will help travelers start their day off right as they head next to Minneapolis for a game between the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox at Target Field. The two teams match up again on Sunday, with both games starting at 1:10 p.m., and travelers are given significant leisure time in between. The number one destination in Minneapolis that visitors should explore, according to TripAdvisor, is the Minneapolis Art Institute (Mia), which houses an incredible 89,000 pieces from six continents spanning 20,000 years! Other notable attractions include the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Guthrie Theater and numerous natural beauties, such as Lake Harriet or Lake Calhoun, where canoe rentals are offered for a memorable family experience. While in Minneapolis, travelers will stay in a Hyatt Place hotel, complete with an indoor pool, hot tub and 24-hour StayFit Gym. With the Coffee to Cocktails Bar, the 24-hour Gallery Menu and Grab n’ Go options, guests will not leave hungry. Following the second game between the Twins and the Red Sox, the trip concludes and travelers can depart from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Additional pre-trip and post-trip nights are optional. Travelers also receive a trip souvenir, 24-hour trip assistance and transportation between cities and to and from events in a deluxe motor coach, ensuring you will ride in style! After the Windy City Plus trip concludes, the 11-day Central Express trip continues on to Kansas City, St. Louis and back to Chicago for games at Kauffman Stadium, Busch Stadium and Wrigley Field. Learn more about the Windy City Plus or Central Express trips.
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