Weekends and long summer days are made for road trips. What better way to show the kids what makes America great with visits to the places celebrating some of our legendary musicians, sportsmen and more? Here are 9 Hall of Fames that you should plug into your GPS.
Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum
Pay homage to the great American game of baseball with a visit to Cooperstown, N.Y. The national hall of fame showcases baseball’s history, including women’s baseball, Caribbean-based baseball, and star players who made their own history. Players, umpires, managers and more have been honored here, with a special Induction Weekend taking place annually. 25 Main Street, Cooperstown, N.Y.
Open: 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (winter), 9 p.m. (summer)
Admission: $23 (13 – 64), $12 (7 – 12), free (6 and younger)
Country Music Hall of Fame
Nashville is the capital of country music, and this 350,000-square-foot museum honors and preserves country music with exhibits, inductions, and educational programs. Special exhibits honor legendary performers like Loretta Lynn, and a concert hall brings in big acts of today. 222 Fifth Avenue, S. Nashville, TN
Open: 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Admission: $25 (13+), $15 (6 – 12), free (5 and younger)
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
In Western Massachusetts awaits the 40,000-square foot museum and shrine to basketball. Featuring a basketball-shaped entrance, the museum is named for the inventor of baseball more than a century ago. In Springfield, Mass., James Naismith introduced the game and since that day in 1891, the sport has spread around the world with the history and star players of the sport highlighted here. 1000 Hall of Fame Avenue, Springfield, MA
Open: Daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (summer) to 4 p.m. (spring), and closed Monday and Tuesdays in the winter
Admission: $24 (16 – 64), $16 (5 – 15), free (4 and younger)
NCAA Hall of Champions
More basketball can be found in Indianapolis at this tribute to the sport at the college level. Student athletes who made history at school, beyond, and the Olympics are subject of the exhibits and displays found at this large museum. 700 w. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN
Open: Tues. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sun. 12 – 5 p.m. (March – December); Closed Monday/Tuesday, January – February.
Admission: $5, $3 (6 – 18), free (5 and younger)
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
The Pro Football Hall of Fame
American football lovers head to Canton, Ohio, near Cleveland, to visit this museum dedicated to the sport’s professional teams and players. Exhibits with artifacts from big games, big plays and big players can be found at every turn. 2121 George Halas Drive NW, Canton, OH
Open: 7 days a week, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. (summer), 5 p.m. (winter)
Admission: $25 (13-64), $18 (6 – 12), free (5 and younger)
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Also in Cleveland is your chance to rock out with the kids at the hall of fame honoring musicians and songwriters since 1995. Every year, a coveted list of inductees performs a show featuring their popular songs, and a visit to the museum features clothing, instruments, and other artifacts from those who brought rock and roll to the world. 1100 Rock and Roll Boulevard, Cleveland, OH
Open: Daily, hours vary; check schedule
Admission: $23.50 (13+), $13.75 (6 – 12), free (5 and younger)
The National Toy Hall of Fame
Located in Rochester, N.Y., kids will especially love visiting this museum celebrating toys inspiring creative play and popularity. More than 50 toys have been inducted to the hall of fame, include Barbie and dominoes, at the hall of fame located within The Strong National Museum of Play. One Manhattan Square, Rochester, NY
Open: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Mon. – Thurs., to 8 p.m. Fri. – Sat.; 12 to 5 p.m., Sun.
Admission: $14.50, free (2 and younger)
The International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum
You don’t need another reason to visit the quaint seaside town of Newport, R.I., but if you did, the grass courts at the historic Newport Casino can draw you in. With tennis artifacts and history dating back to the 12th century, you’ll also see the likes of recent tennis stars, including John McEnroe, still playing tournaments often played here in the summer months. 194 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, R.I.
Open: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily; closed Tuesdays Jan. – Mar.
Admission: $15, free (16 and younger)
NASCAR Hall of Fame
If you child feels the need for speed, drop on into Charlotte, North Carolina’s museum dedicated to NASCAR. The history of the motor sport is told in video and exhibits, with a Hall of Honor wall for the honorees of the Heritage Speedway. 400 East Martin Luther King Blvd., Charlotte, N.C.
Open: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
Admission: $25, $18 (8-12), $12 (3-7)
Coming Soon
The Official Hip-Hop Hall of Fame Museum will open on 125th Street in Harlem in February 2018. The museum will showcase hip-hop music and culture from around the world. When it opens, visitors can visit the second-floor museum and ground-floor café and gallery.
Written by Lissa Poirot