St. Louis Cardinals’ Rich History on Display at Busch Stadium

The International Code Council’s 2023 Annual Conference and Expo (October 8-11) is right around the corner. While the conference schedule is packed, baseball fans should make time to slip away to check out the St. Louis Busch Stadium, located at the heart of America’s Center.

See Related: America’s Center Welcomes the International Code Council’s 2023 Annual Conference

St. Louis’s Busch Stadium

Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals, is roughly a 10-minute walk from the convention center and offers a variety of experiences both on and off-season, including stadium tours and a museum dedicated to the team.

“Our museum is open year-round whether the Cardinals are playing or not, in town or not,” said Amy Berra, Manager and Curator of the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum. “It’s an 8,000 square foot base that covers the long history of the Cardinals, starting with 1882, when we were known as the American Association Browns. The grounding point of the museum is our three stadiums: Sportsman’s Park (Busch I), Busch Memorial Stadium (Busch II) and Busch Stadium (Busch III).”

Busch Stadium began construction on January 17, 2004, and took a little more than two years to complete. The stadium opened on April 10, 2006, and was designed in part by Jim Chibnall, a sports architect who also worked on Progressive Field, Heinz Field, and Globe Life Field, among others.

With an eye on modernization and a goal to build a stadium that fit in with the style of St. Louis’ architecture, Busch Stadium took inspiration from Eads Bridge, the world’s first steel-truss bridge.

The Hall of Fame and Museum opened on the Cardinals’ Opening Day 2014. Museum visitors can learn about the Cardinal’s 11 World Series Championships and 19 pennants. They’ll also have the chance to explore the Cardinal’s logo and the team’s extensive history over more than 100 years.

See Related: St. Louis Zoo Museum District Gives Code Council Conference Attendees Five Ways to Enjoy the City

“We end with a space known as ‘We Are Cardinals Nation,’ which is dedicated to the fans and gives them a sense of appreciation, thanking them for joining,” said Berra. “We have a big map that shows the spread of Cardinal Nation as well. We plan to update all of our technology this coming off-season and look forward to bringing new interactions to our guests.”

During baseball season, fans can even watch a game from the museum’s roof (known as the Hoffmann Brothers Rooftop), which provides a unique view, a full-service bar, and an all-you-can-eat ballpark and casual dining menu.

For those who would like to get up close and personal with the ballpark, Busch Stadium offers tours year-round.

The one-hour-long Classic Tour was designed for hardcore Cardinals fans, complete with a tour guide who shares essential details about the team and the stadium’s incredible legacy. Tour guests can expect to visit the UMB Champions Club, Redbird Club, Broadcast Booth, and the Warning Track/Dugout when available. The Classic Tour is also a cost-effective way to enjoy the Hall of Fame and Museum, as a ticket to the former includes admission to the latter.

Busch Stadium also introduced the 360 Tour this past summer, offering a peek at the stadium’s best views. Stops along this 30- to 45-minute experience include the Press Dining Room, Budweiser Terrace, Scoreboard Patio/Freese’s Landing, and the Warning Track/Dugout when available.

Visitors also have a wide array of restaurants, events, sports bar experiences nearby to explore.

“Ballpark Village has a 25-foot World Series trophy, it’s a great photo opp,” said Berra. “We have the Authentics Shop featuring game-used [and autograph] items. There are other fun things to do around town, including Citygarden, which is open year-round. It’s kind of an art park.”

Berra added that this – the immense variety of activities that St. Louis has to offer – is the best thing about being downtown.

“There’s a lot to do and it’s always in walking distance,” she said. “You can head over to the new soccer park, CityPark. I don’t know if they’re doing tours yet, but the outside of it, architecturally it’s gorgeous.”

See Related: St. Louis Union Station’s Historical Beauty is a Must-See for Code Council Conference and Expo Attendees

Busch Stadium has also served as a musical venue for a number of legendary recording artists, including U2, Paul McCartney, Metallica, Billy Joel, Eagles, Dave Matthews Band, Ed Sheehan, and more. Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, and Guns N’ Roses took the stage earlier this year.

It’s not too late! Learn more and register for the 2023 International Code Council Annual Conference, here.