Missouri’s three largest cities – Kansas City, St. Louis and Springfield – are all home to professional baseball teams: the Kansas City Royals, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cardinals’ AA minor league affiliate, the Springfield Cardinals. Whether you wear Kansas City Royal blue or St. Louis Cardinal red, few things are more exciting than game day in the Show-Me State. And the best part? The excitement isn’t limited to the stadium.
Root for the Home Team
Learn a little baseball history when you visit the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City or the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum at Ballpark Village (adjacent to Busch Stadium). In Springfield, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame is full of iconic Missouri athletes in every sport.
Cold Beer, Here
Beer and baseball go hand-in-glove, so before or after a game it makes sense to enjoy a tour at one of the more than 70 breweries in Missouri. Check out Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City, Mother’s Brewing Company (tours available Saturdays only) in Springfield, or Budweiser Brewery in St. Louis.
Fun for Young Fans
City Museum in St. Louis, LegoLand Discovery Center in Kansas City, and Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield offer hours of fun for kids of all ages. They’ll remember these outings as much as they’ll remember the game.
Get Your Keepsakes
Take home a memento of your experience when you visit the Gateway Arch in St. Louis or the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, or shop for the latest outdoor apparel and accessories at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Springfield.
Hot Days, Cool Treats
Some Ted Drewes frozen custard after a Cardinals game is almost a requirement in St. Louis. In Springfield, Pineapple Whip is a delicious summer treat. If you’re in Kansas City, try one of the off-the-wall flavors like lavender honey at Betty Rae’s Ice Cream.
If They Don’t Win
Yes, it’s a downer if your team doesn’t win. But it won’t take long to improve your mood (even if your team comes out on top) when you visit Ballpark Village in downtown St. Louis, the pubs and restaurants in downtown Springfield, or the Power and Light District in Kansas City.
The roar of the fans, the smell of the food and the sound of a long home run certainly make baseball games memorable, but the unique character of each team’s home town adds to the experience. Before or after the action on the diamond, be sure to spend some time exploring. You’ll find a wealth of history and culture, not to mention flat-out fun, that turn a trip to the ballpark into an adventure.