The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum opened in Cooperstown, N.Y. all the way back in June 1939. Since then, more than 17 million people have visited it to see the plaques set up for the former Major Leaguers who have been inducted into it.
Are you planning on taking a Baseball Hall of Fame tour sometime soon to see what it’s all about? You won’t regret doing it. It’s one of the coolest Hall of Fames to see in person in all of sports.
Prior to taking a trip to Cooperstown, though, you should make sure that you prepare for your Baseball Hall of Fame tour. When you plan ahead, you won’t have to worry about missing anything while you’re walking around in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Check out some tips that will make your trip a total success below.
Find the Best Way to Get to Cooperstown
First things first: How are you going to get to Cooperstown for your Baseball Hall of Fame tour?
If you live somewhere on the East Coast, you can probably drive there. But if you’re coming in from another part of the country, flying will be your best option. You can fly into:
- Albany International Airport in Albany, N.Y.
- Greater Binghamton Airport in Binghamton, N.Y.
- Syracuse Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, N.Y.
All three of these airports will put you about 90 minutes outside of Cooperstown, so you may want to arrange to have a taxi service pick you up. Parking in Cooperstown can be difficult to do, so calling on taxis to take you around will likely be a better option than renting a car.
Buy Tickets for the Baseball Hall of Fame in Advance
If you’re a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, you won’t have to worry about paying to get in. Your admission will be 100% free.
But if you’re not a member, you’ll need to pay to get into the Baseball Hall of Fame each day. It costs $25 for adults to enter and $15 for kids. There are senior citizen discounts and discounts for veterans available if you qualify for them.
You can also save money on your Baseball Hall of Fame tour by going to the museum with a group. If you’re able to gather at least 20 adults or 10 kids, you can get a great deal on admission.
Plan to Arrive at the Baseball Hall of Fame Early
As we mentioned earlier, there is a lot to see during a Baseball Hall of Fame tour. There are more than 300 former players, coaches, broadcasters, and more who have been inducted.
Additionally, there is all kinds of memorabilia to see inside the Baseball Hall of Fame. It can take you a really long time to work your way through it all.
With these things in mind, you should plan to show up at the Baseball Hall of Fame right as they’re opening. The museum opens at 9 a.m. every day of the week, including weekends, and is only closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
In between Memorial Day and Labor Day, you’ll have until 9 p.m. every day to walk through the Baseball Hall of Fame. Throughout the rest of the year, the museum will close at 5 p.m.
Map Out the Things You Know You Want to See at the Baseball Hall of Fame
Are there some specific things that you want to see during your Baseball Hall of Fame tour? You should make a long list of them and bring the list along with you when you visit the museum.
If, for example, you’re dying to check out Babe Ruth’s plaque at the Baseball Hall of Fame, make sure that’s on your list. Or if you want to see the latest inductees, write down their names and make them must-see material.
You might struggle to see everything that you want to see during a Baseball Hall of Fame tour. But you can increase your chances of doing it by creating a list before your visit.
Take Lots of Photos During Your Baseball Hall of Fame Tour
There are some museums that discourage people from taking photos when they’re walking through them. The Baseball Hall of Fame is not one of these museums!
The museum actually makes it a point to say that flash photography and video recordings are “encouraged.” So you shouldn’t be shy about bringing a camera along with you to document your tour.
You’re going to be looking at so many things in the Baseball Hall of Fame that you might not remember them all. Your photos and videos will help jog your memory later.
Share Your Baseball Hall of Fame Experience on Social Media
In addition to encouraging people to take photos and videos in the Baseball Hall of Fame, the museum also encourages people to share their Hall of Fame experiences on social media with their followers.
You can connect your smartphone to the museum’s free WiFi when you arrive and post photos on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more. You can also tag @baseballhall on Facebook and Instagram for the chance to have your photos shared on the Baseball Hall of Fame’s social media pages.
Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts and photos on social media early and often. It’ll enhance your Baseball Hall of Fame experience and allow you to make the most of your tour.
Start Planning a Trip to Cooperstown Today
If you consider yourself to be an avid baseball fan, you need to make the trek to Cooperstown at least once during your lifetime. Your baseball fandom won’t be complete without a Baseball Hall of Fame tour.
You also need to plan for your trip accordingly so that you see everything you can while you’re in Cooperstown. You might only make it there once, so you should do everything in your power to really make it count.
Would you like to read more articles about baseball? Browse through the articles that we have available on our blog to learn all about your favorite sport.
