Cincinnati likes to remind visitors that professional baseball started here: the Cincinnati Red Stockings of 1869 were the first openly all-professional team, and the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum tells the story from that season to the present. The museum sits on the riverfront beside Great American Ball Park, and its two floors cover the club's championship eras, above all the Big Red Machine teams of the 1970s, with trophies, uniforms, bats, photographs and the plaques of the Reds Hall of Fame inductees. Interactive displays let you call a play on the radio, test your pitching and see how you measure up against the players. It is a compact, well-designed museum that rewards casual fans as much as devoted ones, and in the offseason it is a dry, warm stop on a riverfront walk. This page links to the museum entry ticket on Tiqets, rated 4.4 from 17 reviews.
Hours in the offseason: from October to March the museum opens Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. It is closed on Mondays, on Sundays when the Cincinnati Bengals play at home and on major holidays, so check the Bengals schedule before you plan a Sunday visit. Adult admission is about fifteen dollars, seniors and students pay a little less, and children 12 and under and military visitors with ID go free.
Ballpark tours: in the offseason the Reds run guided Great American Ball Park tours on Saturdays and Sundays at 11am and 1pm through 14 March, plus extra dates in the Christmas week, and longer Major League Clubhouse Tours on weekend afternoons, which take in the clubhouses, the media room and the batting tunnels. Each tour ticket includes same-day Hall of Fame admission, and there are no tours on Bengals home Sundays. These tours are booked through the Reds rather than the ticket linked here, so they are worth checking if you are a serious fan.
Getting there: the museum is at 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, at the riverfront end of downtown. It is a short walk from the Freedom Center and the restaurants of The Banks, and the free streetcar loop begins nearby. Allow about ninety minutes, or longer if children get hooked on the interactive games. Pair it with the Freedom Center and a riverfront walk for an easy half day downtown.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit to a two-floor sports museum with memorabilia, interactive exhibits and the Reds Hall of Fame gallery.
Best time
A weekday morning in the offseason, or a Saturday when you can combine it with a ballpark tour.
How long
About ninety minutes, a little longer with children who love the interactive games.
Tips
Check the Bengals home schedule before a Sunday visit, remember it is closed on Mondays, and consider a ballpark tour, which includes same-day museum entry.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Baseball fans and families looking for a short, fun museum downtown.
- Families
- Children 12 and under go free, and the pitching and broadcasting games keep them busy.
- Couples
- A quick and cheerful stop before lunch at The Banks, even for the less sporty half.
- Pair with
- The Freedom Center next door and a riverboat sightseeing cruise from the Newport landing.
- Time needed
- About ninety minutes.
Good questions
Is the Reds Hall of Fame open in the offseason?+
Yes, from October to March it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm. It closes on Mondays, on Bengals home Sundays and on major holidays.
How much is admission to the Reds Hall of Fame?+
Adult tickets are about fifteen dollars, with a small discount for seniors and students. Children 12 and under and military visitors go free.
Can I tour Great American Ball Park in winter?+
Yes, the Reds run offseason ballpark tours on weekends, and the tour ticket includes same-day Hall of Fame admission. There are no tours on Bengals home Sundays.
How long does the museum take?+
Most visitors spend about ninety minutes. Keen fans and families with children often stay longer.
Where is the Reds Hall of Fame?+
It is at 100 Joe Nuxhall Way, next to Great American Ball Park on the riverfront. The Freedom Center and The Banks are a short walk away.
