My family recently went on the Scotts Ballpark Tour at Great American Ballpark.
I have a sports family and even though I’m not as much of a die hard sports fan, I was interested in seeing the behind the scenes aspect of the Reds Ballpark.
The tour starts at the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame which is located next to the ballpark. Our tour guide first showed us the “Rose” garden that is technically located outside of the ballpark. The white rose in the middle is the exact spot at the old Riverfront Stadium where the ball landed when Pete Rose broke Ty Cobb’s career record for hits.
The tour takes you from the main level followed by a view from the top.
You can really appreciate how nice the ballpark and it’s surroundings are from this vantage point.
Below is the whiffle ball field that my kids love to play on when we go to a game.
After learning about the stadium and the field, we toured the Riverfront Club. This room has great views of the ballpark and the city and can be rented out for special occasions.
It also has a special dining area with great views of the game. You can dine here with any ticket for that day’s game. With an inexpensive ticket, you could be upgrading your view of the game with a great meal!
*** Reservations can be made up to two weeks in advance.
Field View (first seating): Guest are asked to vacate their table by the end of the National Anthem
Field View (second seating): Guest may stay for duration of game.
The FOX Sports Ohio Champions Club is also another area that can double as a venue for special occasions.
Ticket holders for this area have great views and can eat from two different areas within the club.
During the tour, you get a new vantage point for Crosley Terrace, that is the main entrance into the ballpark.
Our tour took us to the press box next. It was great to see the vantage point that the media get during the games.
Our next stop was the Diamond Club that is for more high end dining and also might give you the opportunity to watch the players come out on the field.
This window toward the back of the dining area gives patrons the chance to watch the players walk by on their way to the dugout. This is also a way to view a mural of a certain player that you won’t find displayed anywhere else in the ballpark.
Do you see which player is on there twice?
My favorite part of the tour was getting to step on the warning track and going into the dugout.
What kid wouldn’t love to dream of gracing this field one day?
It was great to take it all in and picture the players in these spaces.
You will encounter many photo opps on the tour so bring your camera or smart phone.
Insert irony below.
A ballpark tour is a great memory to make with family or friends. Even if you aren’t an avid sports fan, you can appreciate the tour.
Prices for the Ballpark Tour also include admission to the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Museum. You can read more about the museum here. I feel like this is a really good value because the museum has sooooo much to see and do as well and the tour is only a little more than the admission for the museum.
Disclosure: I was given complimentary admission for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
Batter up! It’s baseball season and a great way to enjoy some family fun is at a Cincinnati Reds game.
Great review and photos! I did this tour in 2012 and it was one of the coolest attractions I had ever experienced (Cincinnati or elsewhere). I’d highly recommend it to anyone – well worth the price!