SABR 54: Transportation Tips and Area Attractions

SABR 54 will be held July 29–August 2, 2026, at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio. All baseball fans are welcome to attend.

We hope you’ll join us for what promises to be a spectacular SABR 54 convention. Visit SABR.org/convention for more details on panelists and presentations, or to register.

Whether you’re attending your first SABR convention or returning as a longtime regular, this is a great year to be part of the experience. Newcomers will find plenty of opportunities to connect and build baseball friendships, while veteran attendees can look forward to a richly layered event. It promises to be an unforgettable week of baseball fellowship in “The Land,” and we hope you’ll join us!

Members of the host Jack Graney Cleveland Chapter have compiled a list of transportation tips to help visitors and convention attendees enjoy their stay in Cleveland. If you have any questions during your stay, please don’t hesitate to ask a friendly SABR 54 volunteer for assistance.

Our fantastic hotel property at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown is conveniently located within walking distance of Progressive Field and other downtown attractions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Directions to the hotel

The Hilton Cleveland Downtown is located at 100 Lakeside Ave E., Cleveland, OH 44114.

Driving from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
Distance: 13.6 miles southwest from the hotel

Follow signs out of the airport for I-71 North / OH-237 N. Turn left out of the airport and stay left toward I-71/I-480/Cleveland. Merge left onto I-71 North and continue for 7.4 miles. Stay in the left lane to merge onto I-90 East and continue for 1.3 miles. Take Exit 172A toward 9th Street/Downtown. Continue on 9th Street for 1.3 miles. Turn left on Lakeside Ave. The hotel entrance will be on your left after four blocks.

Taxi/rideshare
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport offers a dedicated taxicab service. To use the taxi service, look for the taxi entrance at the south end on the Baggage Claim level (carousel #11). Pickups are made in this area only. Taxi cab drop-offs can be made anywhere at the airport. Taxi cab service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Rideshare pick-up and drop-off can be coordinated on either the upper (departures) or lower (arrivals) roadways.

Public transit
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) offers convenient rail service between the airport and Downtown Cleveland via the Tower City Station, which is about a 10-minute walk (0.6 miles) from the Hilton Cleveland Downtown hotel. The trip takes 25 minutes; Red Line trains depart from the airport’s Terminal Lower Level every 20 minutes. A one-way pass costs $2.50, a daily pass costs $5.00 and a 5-trip fare costs $12.50. Download RTA’s free mobile app for more information. Be sure to check the RTA website for travel advisories.

Parking at or near the hotel

The Hilton Cleveland Downtown offers self-parking for $50 daily or $60 valet. Parking is located at 1141 West 3rd St, about two blocks north of the hotel. Please note that when self-parking, there are convenient, reserved spots on the second level especially for hotel guests. If unavailable, please feel free to park in any available, unmarked spot in the garage.

Directions to the Guardians game

Progressive Field is located at 2401 Ontario St, Cleveland, Ohio 44115. The ballpark is a 20-minute walk from the Hilton Cleveland Downtown hotel. Click here for a map.

Directions: From the Hilton hotel, turn right on Lakeside Ave. Go four blocks and turn right on 9th Street. Walk 0.6 miles to the ballpark and enter through the plaza at the center field gate.

All attendees with a ticket in the SABR 54 block will gather in the Paul Davis Pennant District before the game for an all-you-can-eat pregame buffet menu that includes beef hamburgers, veggie burgers, Kosher hot dogs, pretzel bites, potato chips, popcorn, mac ‘n cheese, baked beans, cookies, and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages; food served from the time gates open at 5:00 p.m. until one hour after scheduled first pitch.

Parking: If you are driving by car, the Great Day Improvements Garage (650 E. Huron Rd.) opens 3 hours before game time. Tickets must be purchased in advance at cleguardians.com or over the phone with a Fan Services team member. Click here for more information and a parking map.

Taxi/rideshare: Lyft rides are available to Progressive Field for approximately $10-20 one-way from the Hilton hotel. Lyft will have a dedicated pickup and drop-off area on Erie Court for fans to easily get a ride to and from Progressive Field. Dedicated signage will be in the area to easily alert fans to the designated location.

Click here for Progressive Field bag policies and more ballpark information.

Getting around Cleveland

Downtown Cleveland sits proudly on the shore of Lake Erie, the center of a region filled with gorgeous natural landscapes, remarkable history, must-see attractions, cold craft brews and more. Visit ThisIsCleveland.com to learn more.

Taxis/rideshares: Click here for a list of local cab companies from This Is Cleveland.

Public transit: Cleveland’s Regional Transit Authority system is substantial with bus, trolley and train lines all throughout the city. Visit RTA’s website to plan your routes and purchase fares online before heading to the city. Be sure to check the RTA website for travel advisories.

Parking: Nearby parking lots and garages are conveniently marked on this map of Downtown Cleveland.

Progressive Field tours

Progressive Field tours provide a unique look at the home of the Cleveland Guardians. Tours are a great experience for families, friends, and groups to explore behind-the-scenes areas of Progressive Field and learn more about the history of the ballpark from the team’s knowledgeable tour guides.

On Wednesday, July 29 and Thursday, July 30, tours are offered at 10:15 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person.

Click here to book your ticket for a Progressive Field tour at MLB.com.

Please note: A Progressive Field tour is on your own and not included as part of SABR 54 registration.

Area attractions

Nearby restaurants

Downtown Cleveland is ground zero for sports, concerts and nightlife. East Fourth Street is a great place to start. That’s where you’ll get comfortably messy with Chef Michael Symon’s signature Cleveland-style barbecue at Mabel’s BBQ. Or indulge in high-end sushi and sake at Chef Dante Boccuzzi’s GOMA.

Or click here for a list of nearby restaurants.

Baseball Sightseeing

To find nearby baseball-related historical landmarks, statues, gravesites and more, visit the SABR Baseball Map. More than two dozen landmarks around Northeast Ohio are currently included on the SABR Baseball Map.

For more information on the SABR 54 convention, visit SABR.org/convention.

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