Interested to know about the life and times of one of the greatest American athletes ever? Head to the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum and the Sports Legend Museum at Camden Yards in Baltimore.
The museum (216 Emory St., Baltimore) was once the home where George Herman "Babe" Ruth grew up. But by the late 1960s, the property had fallen into poor condition and was scheduled for demolition. Hirsh Goldberg, press secretary for Baltimore's Mayor Theodore McKeldin, ran a successful campaign to save the property, and it opened to the public in 1974.
With exhibits that showcase several baseball themes as well as artifacts about Babe Ruth, including the 500 Home Run Club, Babe Batted Here (featuring artifacts from Babe's time learning to play ball on the streets), and an exhibit about the house itself. See rooms decorated as they looked when Babe was, well, a baby in 1895.
In the early '80s, the site expanded to become the official museum of the Baltimore Orioles (the first MLB team to sign Ruth), but after Camden Yards opened, attendance swelled, and the Sports Legends Museum opened in 2005.
With both facilities located within walking distance of Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Camden Yards, these museums provide a great outing for any sports fanatic. With several restaurants and small shops surrounding the museums and ballpark, you can easily turn this into all-day trip.
Both museums are open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $6 adults; $4 kids at the Birthplace Museum, and $8 adults; $4 kids at the Sports Legends Museum.
