10 Baseball Cities Worth Exploring Beyond the Ballpark

It's the start of another baseball season, America's beloved sport, and the thrill is back. Stadiums full of cheering fans, organ music, and the wonderful sound of a bat sending the ball over the fence for a home run. I grew up with baseball, thanks to my grandfather who was an avid Cleveland Indians fan. We'd take the train into the city, grab a quick lunch and settle into our seats ready for the game to start. Of course, Cracker Jacks and peanuts were all part of the experience. I still love baseball and thankfully over the years, I've managed to get to many other baseball stadiums around the country to enjoy the game. Great baseball cities not only offer exciting sport cultures, unique stadiums, and distinct personalities, but they provide lots to do and see outside of the ballpark. Let's look at some of our favorite US baseball cities that have more to offer than just America's favorite pastime.

Home to the Yankees and the Mets, both of these New York teams have their share of avid loyal fans. But baseball aside, the Big Apple sports a myriad of things to do. There's simply no place in the world like New York City. The Empire State Building and Top of the Rock at Rockefeller Center offer stunning vistas. History lovers can tour Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. If you're into musicals, Broadway is the bomb. And then, there's the food and the nightlife, and the vibe of a city that never sleeps.

Though Boston fans can be described as irreverent and rowdy, they love their Red Sox to a fault. Outside of Fenway Park, the oldest stadium in Major League Baseball, Boston offers visitors so many things to enjoy and experience in this historic New England city. Boston wears history on its sleeve and one of our favorite things to do is tread in the footsteps of our Founding Fathers on the Freedom Trail. Seaport District is a thriving place to eat and play. USS Constitution aka Old Ironsides is a big draw. The pubs are lively and fun, and you can get your share of Boston's favorite foods like clam chowder and the famous lobster roll.

You'll find the San Diego Padre's stadium, Petco Park, right in the heart of the historic Gaslamp district. It's a beautiful stadium with absolutely stunning views. But those coming to San Diego are here for far more than baseball as America's Finest City offers some of the best weather in the world and tons of activities and attractions. With 70 miles of coastline, a world-famous zoo, vibrant Embarcadero, a myriad of outdoor activities, it's no wonder this is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US.

The Pirate's stadium PNC Park sits less than 500 feet from the Allegheny River, offering one-of-a-kind views of the city skyline. Even cheaper nosebleed seats offer breathtaking vistas. The city, once known for its steel mills has transformed into a destination that wows visitors with its rivers, parks, unique shopping, great dining, and entertainment. Pittsburgh is also home to impressive museums, a first-rate art scene, and a lively night life.

Home to both the Cubs on the North Side and the White Sox on the South Side, Chicago loves its baseball. Wrigley Field is another one of those special places in baseball history, opening in 1914. When you're not enjoying a game, the Windy City, located on Lake Michigan, is stuffed with things to do. Visitors can chill out around the lakefront along the Navy Pier, take a boat tour, ride the rail loop on the "El" that crosses the Chicago River, explore the incredible museums or take in a play. Our favorite thing to do here? Eat a delicious deep dish pizza pie!

There's no doubt that the St. Louis Cardinals are one of the top teams in baseball. But a winning record and a fanatic fan base isn't the only reason St. Louis is a great baseball city. Known as the Gateway to the West, the city's iconic landmark is its famous Gateway Arch. America's tallest national monument soars 630 feet above downtown and the Mississippi River. The Museum of Westward Expansion traces the journey of Lewis and Clark and other intrepid explorers. Its strong musical heritage and cultural aspects of the city give visitors plenty of reason to sing "meet me in St. Louis."

No other Major League Baseball team can claim direct ferry access to their ballpark, but the San Francisco Giants can. Though the team didn't move to San Francisco until 1957, they certainly have a solid fan base, and San Francisco Bay views from AT&T Park are awe-inspiring. Whether it's a visit, there's so much to do in this beautiful cosmopolitan city, the list is endless. The Golden Gate Bridge is jaw-dropping, Fisherman's Wharf still serves up incredibly fresh seafood and sourdough bread, Chinatown is a must-do, as is riding a historic cable car. And Alcatraz Island still invites visitors to tour this famous reportedly-haunted prison.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a magnificent facility that incorporated the old Baltimore; Ohio Railroad Warehouse building into its design when it opened in 1992. The stadium is located in downtown Baltimore, just a few blocks from the Inner Harbor. What we love about this city is its world-class National Aquarium, Inner Harbor, historic sites and neighborhoods, some with cobblestone street. Baltimore is full of trendy, tasty places to dine in Fell's Point, Federal Hill, and other neighborhoods. Blue crabs and crabcakes here are some of the best you'll ever find. And if you're into following the great players, the Baltimore row house Babe Ruth grew up in is a museum worth a visit.

Denver is home to the Colorado Rockies who play at Coors Field, a supposed hitter-friendly park due to its high altitude and thin air creating less drag on the ball. Who really knows? And though we love coming to a game here in the Mile High City, Denver is a super fun place to hang out due to its plethora of breweries, eclectic eateries, art galleries and the Denver Art Museum. It's also home to one of the most beautiful train stations in the US, Denver Union Station. Nature lovers also enjoy the many outdoor options and celebrating the wellness factor Colorado is renowned for.

Often called the wettest, wildest city in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle was once a gritty maritime depot and a jumping off point for Alaska-bound gold diggers. Today, the city is home to the Mariners, and of course, Starbucks. It's of no surprise that the ballpark has a retractable roof stadium. What to do here? There's plenty of fun for everyone. Pike Place Market is the oldest covered market in the country filled with fresh fish, produce, and artisan goods. The Space Needle is the most iconic structure in Seattle. Then there's the wonderfully strollable waterfront and the funky Freemont neighborhood. Visitors can also catch a ferry to a number of picturesque nearby Puget Sound islands.