Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Pro Football Hall of Fame, located in Canton Ohio, was opened in 1963 with 17 charter inductees. Today, the museum features scores of players, coaches, and owners as well as exhibits about football, the super bowl, and the history of the game.

History:
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has drawn thousands of visitors each year since it opened in 1963. The football-shaped building is located in Canton, Ohio, about an hour's drive south of Cleveland. Canton was chosen for the site because the city was the original home of the American Professional Football Association, the forerunner of the NFL.

The Exhibits:
Everything about the Pro Football Hall of Fame is larger than life. The first thing you see when you enter is a seven-foot statue of Jim Thorpe, pro football's first big-name star. The exhibits take you through 100 year of football history. In addition to profile on the over 200 inductees, there is a dazzling display of Super Bowl rings and a "behind the scenes" film about a team preparing for game day.

The Inductees:
Each of the over 200 inductees has a profile displaying personal memorabilia and statistics about their football career. Unlike the Baseball Hall of Fame, players do not represent a particular team. Rather all of the teams for whom they have played are listed.

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, a player must receive support from at least 80 percent of the 39-member selection committee and have been retired at least five years.

Visiting the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is located just off of I-77 about an hour's drive south of downtown Cleveland. The site has ample parking. The Hall of Fame Festival and induction ceremony occur the last weekend in July each year.

Hours and Admission:
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is open 9am - 8pm between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The rest of the year, the hours are 9am - 5pm. Admission is $18 for adults, $15for seniors (over 62), and $12 for children ages 14 and younger.

The Hall of Fame also offers a "Hall Pass" that includes admission to the hall of fame and Cleveland's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The "hall pass" is $36 for adults, $28 for senior (60+), and $22 for children 14 and younger.

Contact Information:
Pro Football Hall of Fame
2121 George Halas Dr. NW
Canton, OH
330 456-8207
Web site: www.profootballhof.com

Hotels near the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
Hotels near the Pro Football Hall of Fame include the elegant McKinley Grand Hotel (check rates), located right across the street from the site. Other area hotels include the Canton Residence Inn (check rates) and the Fairfield Inn (check rates).

^{(last updated 1-08-08)}