Midwest baseball trip help please

[dbwdcw]

So I am traveling with some buddies this summer on a trip. In consecutive days, we will go to MLB games in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago (two days and both teams) and Cincinnati. We will be staying downtown near the stadiums each day and will have a couple hours travel time between each city. We will go to the games, go out, and stumble back to our hotel each evening and wake up and drive to the next city - arriving early afternoon at each hopefully. We may plan on hitting the rock n roll hall of fame in Cleveland and the MGM Detroit. Besides those, what are some things that we should do in each city - understanding that we will be in the downtown area and will not have a ton of time. Any bars, restaurants, or sites that we shouldn't miss? And as far as restaurants, I'm not talking fine dining for this trip. More of the greasy spoon kind of place that locals know about and travelers don't find their way to. Any suggestions at any of those stadiums as far as food, drink, seat location, etc.? Thanks much in advance.

 

[RPMNole]

Originally posted by dbwdcw:
So I am traveling with some buddies this summer on a trip. In consecutive days, we will go to MLB games in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago (two days and both teams) and Cincinnati. We will be staying downtown near the stadiums each day and will have a couple hours travel time between each city. We will go to the games, go out, and stumble back to our hotel each evening and wake up and drive to the next city - arriving early afternoon at each hopefully. We may plan on hitting the rock n roll hall of fame in Cleveland and the MGM Detroit. Besides those, what are some things that we should do in each city - understanding that we will be in the downtown area and will not have a ton of time. Any bars, restaurants, or sites that we shouldn't miss? And as far as restaurants, I'm not talking fine dining for this trip. More of the greasy spoon kind of place that locals know about and travelers don't find their way to. Any suggestions at any of those stadiums as far as food, drink, seat location, etc.? Thanks much in advance.

That's a great trip. If you can work in Milwaukee you should go there. Only a couple hours from Chicago and one of my top 5 (I've been to about 75% of MLB stadiums). I also far prefer the Bleachers at Wrigley to the main stands.
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[runkpanole]

Hit up Great Lakes Brewery in Cleveland

 

[Fijimn]

Originally posted by RPMNole:

Originally posted by dbwdcw:
So I am traveling with some buddies this summer on a trip. In consecutive days, we will go to MLB games in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago (two days and both teams) and Cincinnati. We will be staying downtown near the stadiums each day and will have a couple hours travel time between each city. We will go to the games, go out, and stumble back to our hotel each evening and wake up and drive to the next city - arriving early afternoon at each hopefully. We may plan on hitting the rock n roll hall of fame in Cleveland and the MGM Detroit. Besides those, what are some things that we should do in each city - understanding that we will be in the downtown area and will not have a ton of time. Any bars, restaurants, or sites that we shouldn't miss? And as far as restaurants, I'm not talking fine dining for this trip. More of the greasy spoon kind of place that locals know about and travelers don't find their way to. Any suggestions at any of those stadiums as far as food, drink, seat location, etc.? Thanks much in advance.

That's a great trip. If you can work in Milwaukee you should go there. Only a couple hours from Chicago and one of my top 5 (I've been to about 75% of MLB stadiums). I also far prefer the Bleachers at Wrigley to the main stands.

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Second this. Milwaukee is a pretty cool place as well. the Mil o kee restaurant at the Marriott downtown has a great selection of beers and pub food. Several hof braus around there as well.

 

[ncnole1975]

Depending on when you're traveling, Wrigley could still be a mess. The Bleachers probably won't open until late June or early July. The Wrigley experience is outside of the stadium. Sports Corner, Cubby Bear, Casey Moran's etc.
Sox park on the other hand is a nicer stadium with nothing to do in the vicinity.
I would also highly recommend adding Milwaukee. Great stadium. Great town. Brand new casino if you're into that.
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[dbwdcw]

Thanks for the suggestions. We would like to do Milwaukee too and they have a game that we could fit in but I cannot yet convince the others to go. If I cannot make it happen I will schedule another trip in a couple of years to include Minn, Milw, KC and St. Louis. Next year we are looking to go to the northeast for a trip and catch games from Fenway to Camden Yards.

 

[ncnole1975]

Originally posted by dbwdcw:
Thanks for the suggestions. We would like to do Milwaukee too and they have a game that we could fit in but I cannot yet convince the others to go. If I cannot make it happen I will schedule another trip in a couple of years to include Minn, Milw, KC and St. Louis. Next year we are looking to go to the northeast for a trip and catch games from Fenway to Camden Yards.

Driving from KC to minn would totally suck. KC is 3 hrs from STL which is 6 from Milwaukee which is at least 5 to Minn.
On the other hand, Milwaukee is 1:15 from Chicago.
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[RPMNole]

I'd do Milwaukee over Detroit. Stadium is much better and the city is much nicer. Pittsburgh, Wrigley, and Milwaukee are three of the best stadiums in the league.
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[EconSean]

The Pirates' stadium is downtown (well a short walk across the Clemente bridge from downtown; technically it's on the North Side).

I'll post some recommendations shortly (I've lived in the 'burgh for nearly 10 years now).
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[EconSean]

Originally posted by EconSean:
The Pirates' stadium is downtown (well a short walk across the Clemente bridge from downtown; technically it's on the North Side).

I'll post some recommendations shortly (I've lived in the 'burgh for nearly 10 years now).
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Btw, I've got buddies coming up in June for a shorter version of this, but with a cool addition. Rolling Stones on Saturday, Indians on Monday, Pirates on Tuesday.
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[Pacenole]

No stop in St. Louis for a Cardinals game?

 

[dbwdcw]

No - it did not work out that each would have home games a. at the same time and b. in a way that minimized travel time between the cities. We were pretty happy to find a time that we could do all of those on consecutive days in a way that made the most possible sense. I have been to a game there myself a couple years ago anyway but would love to go back.