Who wants to go for a ride?! 3 dog-friendly Minor League road trips
Minor League Baseball is going to the dogs.
In just about every corner of the country, you can find a team with a Bark at the Park night on the calendar. If MiLB and your dog sounds like a pretty good combo, add in another classic summertime tradition: the road trip.
Here, with a few Ballpark Guide Road Trip proposals presented by Wyndham, you'll find one itinerary for each of the next three months of the Minor League season. These trips are designed to hit many bark-in-the-park nights in a limited time -- and in minimal hours of the dog cooped up in the car -- and with ample opportunities for walks and good eats along the way.
In just about every instance, it'd be possible to extend the journey for another few days by adding another bark-in-the-park stop on one end or the other, and it'd also be easy to truncate any of them to accommodate a tighter schedule. To adapt these trips or plan your own, use our Minor League Ballpark Guides.
Whenever you're bringing your pup to a game, do be sure to check specific ballpark rules and requirements ahead of time.
June
Before the summer reaches its hottest point, get down to the historic cradle of Minor League Baseball -- the American Southeast. This itinerary starts with games on back-to-back days and the longest drive of the trip (from the South Carolina coast to northwestern Georgia, about six hours), then provides a few days for exploration and R&R before two more games.
Charleston RiverDogs (Single-A Rays), Double Dog Tuesday -- June 18
The 'Dogs of the Carolina League love dogs so much they've added a "puppy playground" to the park this year. Pup Cups are available during Double Dog Tuesdays, which feature a parade for a different breed each time. This week? Retrievers. Tickets ?
Rome Emperors (High-A Braves), Double Dog Wednesday -- June 19
As sure as the moonrise follows the sunset, Double Dog Tuesday gives way to Double Dog Wednesday. The longest drive of this journey -- about six hours -- is out of the way by the time you settle in for first pitch of the second leg. The Braves affiliate club offers specials on hot dogs while hosting you and your furry companion on Wednesdays. Plus, if the Emperors reign in the ballpark, dogs are given royal treatment all over Rome -- a self-proclaimed "pooch-friendly town." Tickets ?
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Gwinnett Stripers (Triple-A Braves), Wet Nose Wednesday -- June 26
After the Emperors game, take some time to explore the John's Mountain Wildlife Management Area and/or Carters Lake -- dog-friendly hiking, camping and swimming abound. When you're ready to get back on the road, head down to Gwinnett. The Stripers love seeing dogs at Coolray Field. The Triple-A affiliate of the Braves host Wet Nose Wednesdays every Wednesday home game, and this one will also feature Gwinnett's Copa de la Diversi¨Žn identity -- the Xolos. Tickets ?
Augusta GreenJackets (Single-A Braves), Bark in the Park -- June 30
Wrap up the trip with a journey back to the Savannah River. With a few days between the Stripers game and the GreenJackets finale, there are myriad opportunities for another camping or hiking detour upriver, or just hang out in the Atlanta area until Sunday morning before taking a drive of less than three hours to the S.C.-Ga. border. This one's a day game -- bring a big water dish. After, consider cooling Fido off with a dip at the Rae's Creek Aqueduct. Tickets ?
July
Start -- and end -- a Mid-Atlantic journey in the Keystone State, beginning with a true Minor League ballpark gem, making time for a few beach days and circling back to the Pennsylvania MiLB park that's literally on the Susquehanna River.
Reading Fightin Phils (Double-A Phillies), Bring Your Dog to the Game -- July 14
The home of the Phillies' Double-A affiliate since the 1960s, FirstEnergy Stadium opens up to pups on Sundays. This one also offers an Aaron Nola bobblehead to the first 1,500 kids through the gates, but with or without a bobblehead you and your pooch are sure to enjoy the Fightin Phils. Tickets ?
Brooklyn Cyclones (High-A Mets), Bark in the Park -- July 23
There may not be a more raucous environment in Minor League Baseball than Coney Island's Maimonides Park, so for dogs with extroverted personality types and a high tolerance for loud noise and stimulus, the Cyclones' canine-friendly promo is probably the best in the game. Seating for doggos is in one of two sections on the right-field line, with the famous Parachute Jump looming over your right shoulder as you face the action. Tickets ?
Jersey Shore BlueClaws (High-A Phillies), Pups in the Park -- July 28
The BlueClaws welcome dogs to every Sunday home game. Get there early -- ShoreTown Ballpark has been known to host a pregame "Doggy Talent Show," and there's plenty to explore. Either you or your furry companion is going to want to get a taste of a Jersey staple at the Taylor Pork Roll Stand. Maybe both of you. Tickets ?
Delmarva Shorebirds (Single-A Orioles), Wag Your Tail Tuesday -- July 30
Your dog gets in free here if you bring a donation -- food, treats, paper towels, etc. -- for a local animal shelter. Before or after the game, you'll likely want to give your pup some time on the water. The many beaches of the Delmarva Peninsula have various rules (some don't allow pets on the beach at all in July), so plan ahead. Perhaps start by taking a look at Lewes Beach, about an hour from the park, for a morning or evening visit. Tickets ?
Harrisburg Senators (Double-A Nationals), Wet Nose Wednesday -- July 31
As sure as sunup follows sundown, Wag Your Tail Tuesday gives way to Wet Nose Wednesday. At least for you and your companion on this road trip. The Sens play in a ballpark on City Island in the middle of the Susquehanna River, and you'll love the opportunity to stroll to the yard over the Walnut Street Bridge, which is free of motor vehicle traffic. Tickets ?
August
There's something special about the Midwest in the late summer. The ice cream is a little sweeter, the dips in the rivers a little more relaxing, the breezes off the Great Lakes a marvelous antidote to the humidity. This trip takes you and your dog to some truly outstanding Minors parks just before the calendar flips to September.
South Bend Cubs (High-A Cubs), Paws and Claws Night -- Aug. 20
In a clever sponsor partnership, you can bring your dog to this one and enjoy $4 White Claws for yourself. You'll also find a lovely grass berm down the right-field line, and the walkable concourse that set the standard when Four Winds Fields opened in 1988. Tickets ?
Quad Cities River Bandits (High-A Royals), Bark in the Park -- Aug. 22
Modern Woodmen Park is right on the Mississippi, with a 110-foot-tall Ferris Wheel towering over a terrific grassy seating area beyond the left-field fence. If you're doing this trip in part for the 'Gram, you'll definitely want to bring Fido out here for a little photo shoot. Tickets ?
Peoria Chiefs (High-A Cardinals), Bark in the Park -- Aug. 25
The Chiefs host Bark in the Park every Sunday home game, and this is the penultimate one of the season. Make time for an introduction to Homer, Peoria's mascot, if only to see how your dog reacts to a human dressed as a Dalmatian dressed as a firefighter. Tickets ?
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (High-A Brewers), Bark in the Park -- Aug. 27
The Timber Rattlers set aside the left-field berm for dogs and their human companions at Bark in the Park nights (be sure to have vaccination records on hand). A 12-minute drive from Fox Cities Stadium is McFleshman's Brewing Co., where dogs are welcome at the outdoor beer garden. Tickets ?
Beloit Sky Carp (High-A Marlins), Waggin' One Price -- Aug. 28
Is Beloit baseball's Bargain City? Waggin' One Price means for 18 bucks, you and your dog get entry to the game, a frankfurter and a soda. How the two of you divvy up the spoils is up to you. While you're in town, check out Lucy's Burger Bar, which features not only a dog-friendly outdoor area but a "pawtio" menu. Tickets ?