Great tips, everyone. Had to change my plans because of work. My husband and the boys will now have two days of male bonding without me in Atlanta and Chicago before I meet them in NY. I can't say that I'm terribly disappointed - wasn't looking forward to three games in three cities in three days during a heat wave.

Finally booked the flights and hotels for first two stops. It's a good thing we're using mileage because we keep altering our itinerary (the latest change ensures that the boys arrive in Atlanta in time to watch the final NBA game, if there is one).

Yankees are playing Cincinnati, and luckily I think we have a connection for those tickets. But looking at Stubhub, there do seem to be plenty of options. Hardest ticket to get is for the sold-out Emory University tour.

If you have time and are hitting Detroit, the best way to go is through Buffalo and Canada. You'll be near Toronto if they are playing! You hit Niagra Falls that way too. Then you could drive the other way to get to Cleveland. Just bring your birth certificates if going to Canada.

And if hitting Detroit, don't miss the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The best school in the world. Okay, I'm a bit biased.

I see that Cincinnati leaves New York to play Toronto. You could follow the too!

Update:
- Got excellent Cubs/CWS tickets through Craigslist. Same seats were for sale on stubhub for twice as much.

- Seriously considering the Cooperstown/Niagara/Detroit/Cleveland odyssey (after sitting in hot stadiums for half the vacation, should be really fun spending the other half in the car!) But both Cooperstown and Niagara appear to be overrun with cheesy touristy stuff. Niagara now seems like Vegas/Disneyland with nature as an afterthought - Do the falls still seem real?

- kelliebellie, We have already visited U-M, and my son agrees with you - He thinks it's one of the greatest colleges we've seen.

Sorry you can not join the rest of your family for the baseball games tour because it sounds like a great adventure. Would agree U of MI is a great school! DD just graduated from there in April! The out of state tuition is incredibly high, but I guess it paid for itself since DD got a fully paid ride plus stipend to graduate school. She could have stayed at U of MI but opted to go to a different school. Good luck college touring!

Luggage Update: As a poster mentioned, Wrigley has an area to check any sort of oversized bag or parcel. So the boys are good to go.

Detroit restaurant recommendation:

http://www.vicente.us/

Cuban food with a menu posted on their website. It is easy walking from Comerica park and you can go in your grubby ballpark clothes. They have a small outdoor patio which is nice. Really, really good food.

How did you know we love Cuban food? We're hoping for a week without heat waves or tornadoes. Will post a trip report.

Are you going to make it to Detroit then? Hoping for no heat waves or tornados for you. And no rain outs either!

We're in Detroit right now. After several hours of severe thunderstorms, the skies miraculously cleared minutes before the game began. And my son caught a ball!

Tomorrow: Cleveland.

So did your DH and DS enjoy the Cubs/Sox game? For some reason my kids were just fascinated by the idea of them flying in just for the day for that game. Even though my daughter was going crazy getting ready to leave for a three month stay with her future in-laws in Ireland, she kept wondering how my "Fodor's friends" were doing!

For the most part, anything I mention about Fodor's goes in one ear and out the other. But I guess this struck a chord with them because they love Wrigley!

He caught a ball?!? How cool!!! My husband caught one at a minor league game and was all excited. Well, with this insane trip he was owed a ball!

I'm glad the weather held out for you and hopefully you had a good Detroit experience.

CAPH52,
The guys adored their day at Wrigley, and are now obsessed with the Cubs. Even my jaded husband (who has been everywhere) has not stopped bragging/marveling about how he and the boys flew in and out of Chicago just for the game.

kelliebellie,
Our Detroit experience exceeded all expectations - and turned out to be the most relaxing part of the trip. We're now in Cleveland, recuperating from four hours in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, hoping that the rain will let up within the next 90 minutes.

I'm so glad to hear they enjoyed it, crosscheck. My kids will be glad to hear it too!

Enjoy the rest of your trip!