Nothing says summer like a road trip! And with baseball being a favorite American pastime, why not incorporate the two?! That was the plan when my husband and I took off to catch a Pittsburgh Pirates game in August.

Pittsburgh is a three-hour drive from Buffalo – perfect for a weekend getaway! We had the opportunity to travel in a 2019 Chevy Equinox – after all, Chevrolet is the official vehicle of Major League Baseball! 

But for now, back to baseball! It’s no surprise that PNC Park is a favorite among locals and tourists. It’s located right along the Allegheny River and you get a great baseball vibe upon arrival – they were even giving out free shirts! The fans were all welcoming and we struck up conversations with a lot of the people around us! A boy in our row was even lucky enough to get a baseball from one of the players! The weather was perfect, and it was a great night for baseball!

After we celebrated the Pirates 14-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds, we followed the crowd and walked over the Roberto Clemente bridge to check out Pork & Beans, a bar and restaurant that features some fun decorations. We continued our walk back to our hotel, the Marriott Pittsburgh City Center, a AAA three diamond hotel, to grab a bite to eat at the hotel lounge, Crafted North, where you’ll find yummy burgers and sandwiches! 

For me, no road trip is complete without some morning exploring so we headed out early for a great walk in downtown Pittsburgh. We walked back over to PNC Park and strolled along the river’s edge before crossing back over the bridge, where many couples declare their love for one another with a lock – it felt like we were in Europe where that custom is a tradition! (Note to self: next time bring a lock!)

Then it was time to hop back into the Chevy Equinox for our drive home – the navigation system was easy to use with step by step driving directions. Plus, the vehicle’s built-in WiFi easily allows the passenger to share photos from a weekend getaway while the driver can safely focus on the road! 

Even though summer road trip and baseball seasons are winding down, that doesn’t mean road trip season has to end. At AAA Western and Central New York, we are seeing a new trend with travelers booking early for fall trips! Top destinations include Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont for fall foliage tours and the Fingers Lakes and Niagara County for winery tours. No matter where you're headed, use caution and make it a safe trip!

Fall Group Tours