Born in Baltimore on February 6, 1895, George Herman Ruth, best known as "The Babe," epitomized baseball during the 1920s and '30s. In an era when teams traveled by train and fans gathered around living room radios, Babe Ruth was larger than life - both on and off the field. Yankee Stadium, known as "The House that Ruth Built," was his stage for 15 seasons, and the birthplace of a legend.

Getting out to the old ballpark to catch a game with the family has been a treat ever since The Babe graced the diamond. For baseball enthusiasts, hitting the road this summer for a three-day weekend to trace Ruth's iconic past is a great way to experience the history of the sport. In fact, the 2006 season marks one of the last opportunities to visit Ruth's beloved Yankee Stadium, as officials plan to tear down this baseball landmark to make way for a modern stadium in a few years.

From Baltimore to New York City and Boston, the following historic road trip will take you along the Babe Ruth Trail.

Day 1 - Baltimore - Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Baltimore, the birthplace of Ruth and the home of his first professional baseball team, is an ideal location to start the journey on the Babe Ruth Trail. While widely unknown to many, The Babe was originally signed by the Baltimore Orioles, then a minor league team for the Boston Red Sox. Ruth spent just five months with the Orioles organization before the Red Sox purchased his contract and brought him up to join the team in 1915. While in Baltimore, be sure to check out these sights:

• Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum - Ruth was born in 1895 at 216 Emory Street in downtown Baltimore, directly across the street from the stadium. In 1983, The Babe's home was turned into a museum and later expanded to become the official museum of the Baltimore Orioles, the team that signed Ruth to his first professional contract.
• Oriole Park at Camden Yards - The new home of the Baltimore Orioles, Oriole Park opened on April 6, 1992. This baseball-only facility contains a sunroof over the gentle slope of the upper deck, a natural grass turf, and an asymmetrical playing field. The stadium is only two blocks from Ruth's birthplace. Ruth's father operated Ruth's Cafe at 406 Conway Street, the site of which is now located in center field.
• Best Bets in 2006: Some of the best dates to catch Orioles games this summer include:
  1. Orioles vs. Yankees: June 2 - 4
  2. Orioles vs. Nationals: June 23 - 25
  3. Orioles vs. White Sox: July 28 - 30

Where to Stay:

Best Western Hotel & Conference Center
5625 O'Donnell Street, Baltimore

The hotel offers a complimentary buffet breakfast, free parking and free shuttle service to the downtown Inner Harbor Area near Oriole Park and Raven's Stadium as well as the BWI Airport. Additionally, the full-service hotel features an indoor pool with sauna and whirlpool, a fitness center, game area and a 24-hour gift shop. To check rates and availability for this hotel, click here>

Day 2 - New York City - the Bronx and Yankee Stadium

Time to head up to the Big Apple and Yankee Stadium, the home of the Babe for most of his illustrious 22-year professional career. Prepare to budget about three-and-a-half hours for this drive. Exit Baltimore on I-95 heading north and catch I-295 North in Delaware to connect to the New Jersey Turnpike. From here, follow the signs to enter New York City via the Lincoln Tunnel. While in Manhattan and later the Bronx to catch the Bronx Bombers, some unique places for the Babe Ruth fan and baseball purist to visit include:

• Babe Ruth's Grave at the Cemetery of the Gate of Heaven - Ruth was laid to rest in 1948 in Hawthorne, New York, just north of Manhattan. He is buried in section 25, plot 115 in the center of graves three and four. Many fans make the short drive from Manhattan to pay respects to one of the greatest personalities ever to grace the diamond. Manager Billy Martin and former New York Giants Owner Tim Mara also have been laid to rest here.
• 50 Gramercy Park North - The Babe, known for his legendary appetite for food and fun, would frequent this Manhattan landmark, mostly for its famous bar. It has retained its bohemian charm over the years, serving as a watering hole to generations of artists, writers and athletes.
• Keens Steakhouse - This historic steakhouse (72 W. 36th Street), which displays in one of its private rooms the playbill owners claim President Lincoln held when shot, was a hot spot for Yankee greats in the early part of the 20th Century. Keens was a favorite of the Babe, both for its mouth-watering steak, as well as its classy pipe room.
• Yankee Stadium - Located at East 161st and River Avenue, Yankee Stadium is "The House that Ruth Built." Completed in 1923 and renovated in 1976, the stadium will serve as the home to the Yankees for just another three seasons, with a new park set to open in 2009. Behind left-center field, various monuments and plaques remembering Yankee greats are available for public view.
• Best Bets in 2006: Some of the best dates to catch Yankees games this summer include:
  1. Yankees vs. Mets: June 30 - July 2
  2. Yankees vs. Orioles: August 15 - 17
  3. Yankees vs. Red Sox: September 15 - 17
  

Where to Stay:

Best Western Seaport Inn
33 Peck Slip, New York City

Step back into the tranquility of the Best Western Seaport Inn, a 19th century country guesthouse, centrally located in the heart of downtown New York City near several tourist attractions, including the South Street Seaport, Pier 17, Battery Park and Statue of Liberty and within walking distance of the Financial District. Warm cookies upon arrival, complimentary breakfast and free high-speed Internet access are a few perks available at this hotel that offers terrace rooms with a view of the Brooklyn Bridge. To check rates and availability for this hotel, click here>

Day 3 - Boston - Fenway Park

The end of the Babe Ruth Trail takes you to one of the more famous locations in all of baseball, Boston and Fenway Park - not to mention the home of the "Curse of the Bambino." In 1914, the Red Sox bought Ruth's contract from Baltimore, a club that was at the time a minor league team. After helping the Red Sox win four World Series in his eight years with the club, Ruth was sold to the Yankees for an astounding $100,000 and a $350,000 loan. Since then, the Yankees, who had never won a World Championship before acquiring Ruth, have gone on to win 26, and are arguably one of the greatest success stories in the history of sport. Many consider Boston's performance after the departure of Ruth to be attributable to "The Curse of the Bambino." Famously in folk lore, the "Curse of the Bambino" prevented the Red Sox from winning a pennant (that is, until the 2004 season), because the organization sold The Babe to the dreaded Yankees in 1919.

From Manhattan, you'll need to budget four hours for the drive to Boston. Take I-278 to I-95 all the way to Boston, which will take you through historic Providence. While in Boston, be sure to take in some of the best history in New England, including:

• Spike's Junkyard Dogs - Athletes' diets in the 1920s and '30s weren't the same as they are today, with nutrition crafted to enhance performance. During Ruth's playing days, the slugger was known for his hot dog binges, enjoying 12 to 18 hot dogs often before games. To enjoy one or two of Boston's best, Spike's Junkyard Dogs in Allston, Massachusetts - just a few minutes from the heart of Boston - is your hot dog vendor of choice.
• Huntington Avenue Grounds - Fenway Park has been the home of the Red Sox for more than 90 years. But the organization predates the Green Monster and the famed Citgo Sign. So, that begs the question - where's the first home for the Red Sox? About one-and-a-half miles from Fenway, at the corner of Huntington Avenue and Forsyth Street, Huntington Avenue Grounds hosted Red Sox (better known as the Pilgrims at the time) games from 1901 to 1911. On the campus of Northeastern University, a bronze statue of Cy Young marks where home plate once stood.
• Fenway Park - Home to the Green Monster (and Ruth for eight seasons), Fenway Park is one of the oldest remaining ballparks in the country, opening on April 20, 1912 - just five days after the Titanic sank. The stadium features a manual scoreboard - the last in the major leagues.
• Best Bets in 2006: Some of the best dates to catch Red Sox games this summer include:
  1. Red Sox vs. Phillies: July 23 - 25
  2. Red Sox vs. Orioles: August 11- 13
  3. Red Sox vs. Yankees: August 18 - 21
  

Where to Stay:

Best Western Roundhouse Suites
891 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston

This unique and historic round brick building was constructed in the 1800s as a gas tank and had been vacant for more than 60 years before it was transformed into a hotel in 2001. The all-suites property provides complimentary breakfast, afternoon cookies and tea, free wireless Internet access, as well as free shuttle service to many areas in Boston, including Fenway Park. Children stay for free. To check rates and availability for this hotel, click here>