Southwest Airlines - Travel Mom

The Travel Mom

A Traveling Mom's Tips for Trips

Take Me Out To The Ballgame… Fly Me There On Southwest

Southwest Airlines and Major League Baseball® have so much in common; the fun, the fans, and the peanuts, just to name a few. Baseball season is officially underway and Southwest flies into so many cities that it is easy to go and watch your favorite teams. True baseball enthusiasts will also enjoy exploring some of the important historic aspects of America’s favorite pastime, and Southwest can get you to those locations, too.

Ballparks are as much a part of the game as the teams themselves and many of them are open for tours. Southwest offers service into two different Boston Area Airports (Manchester and Providence) so Red Sox fans can easily make a visit to Fenway Park where daily tours take place from 9 am –3 pm. With loads of flights into Chicago, folks who want to visit Wrigley Field can make a trip into The Windy City to participate in a 90-minute tour for a historic walk through 90 years of baseball memories. SAFECO Park in Seattle is the new home to the Mariners and fans are able to explore the 19.59-acre baseball park, complete with a retractable roof, to experience the newest technologies in stadiums.

Also new in baseball parks are additions to the already extensive food offerings. Let Southwest bring you to St. Louis where fans at Busch Stadium can customize their own stir fry entrees at Asian action carts or indulge in sweet treats like eight different flavors of gelato or a cupcake bar. Texas Rangers fans can spice up their ballpark taste buds with made-to-order burritos and a special seating area with all-you-can-eat options.

Looking to marry a fun getaway with a baseball game experience? Southwest makes it easy to get to all of these cities with low fares and lots of flights. Take in a Padres game by choosing something like the package at the San Diego Omni Hotel where they include game tickets, hotel accommodations, and breakfast for two. Colorado Rockies fans can fly Southwest into Denver and partake in the “Hit A Home Run”package at Hotel Teatro that includes transportation to and from Coors Field, tours of the stadium for two, a baseball cap, and hotel room. There are two options from Southwest to get you to Washington, D.C. where fans can stay at the Fairmont Hotel and enjoy tickets to a Nationals baseball game, Metro passes, and a luxurious guest room.

Cooperstown is home to the Baseball Hall Of Fame. The closest airport to this historic location is Albany, and Southwest can get you there too. Fans of the game can enjoy museums, exhibits, and special events. This summer, the 61st annual Hall Of Fame Game will be played between the Chicago Cubs and the San Diego Padres on Doubleday Field on June 16, 2008. The Hall Of Fame weekend is scheduled for July 25 –28, 2008, and will bring together baseball lovers of all ages for a multi-generational celebration of America’s favorite pastime.

Baseball, apple pie, and Southwest Airlines are a great recipe for some terrific summer fun. I hope you enjoy making memories at baseball parks and in the air.