Greetings baseball fans, ballpark nerds and Braves game goers! This here is my fully detailed, info-rich Truist Park seating guide. Whether you’re a first timer or frequent visitor, I’m here to help you make the best seat choice for your next game at the home of the Atlanta Braves (it was called SunTrust Park, but it’s the same place).

I’m covering most everything on the Atlanta Braves seating chart here (except group spaces and party suites…that’s for another post). This post tells you what to expect with premium seating, what makes Chop House seats special, where you can find shade from the Atlanta sun, and much more.

There’s a lot to go through here, so I’ve broken it down for you:

The Best Seats at Truist Park – Premium Seating
The Chop House Seats
Field Level (100) Seating
Terrace Level (200) Seating
Vista Level (300) Seating + Coca-Cola Corner
The Cheap Seats: Grandstand Level (400) Seating + General Admission
Outfield Seats + Home Run Porch
Truist Park Standing Room Tips
Best Seats For Shade at Truist Park
Accessible Seating
A Few More Tips

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Truist Park Seating Tips, Part 1) The Best Seats at Truist Park – Premium Seating.

The Truist Club Seats. Where you pay more because you can.

The first and second levels (100-200) between the bases is all premium seating at Truist Park. This is how the Braves afford great players. If this is too rich for your blood, skip to the 100 section.

Truist Club Seats are the best seats in Truist Park, and are priced accordingly, for multiple reasons. These are the lowest sections directly behind home plate, with just nine rows of 23” wide, cushioned seats, and…get this…TVs to watch the game on.

Seats include a countertop for your food, which you can order from in-seat service. The menu in the very high end Truist Club lounge includes a carving station, charcuterie, etc. Complimentary alcoholic drinks at full-service bars too. All the modern amenities to remind you that you’ve made it enough to ridiculously overpay for live baseball.

You also get complimentary valet parking in the convenient Orange Deck (no small thing here), a private entrance (short lines!), and access to the Delta Sky360 Club. We’ll talk about that in a minute.

Sure, there’s no obvious difference when you can’t see the TV sets.

Chairman’s Seats are the sections directly behind the Truist Club seats, and are almost equally desirable. These are great seats too; they’re wide and cushioned and a bit more elevated. They include everything that goes with the Truist Club seats, except the TV at your seat and access to the Truist Club. You can stare at people entering the Truist Club wistfully and hope someday you won’t be a nobody anymore.

The seats in the back are just as comfortable.

Executive Seats are directly behind the Chairman’s seats, completing the 100 section around home plate. Again, these are wide and cushioned seats with in-seat wait service, and access to the Delta Sky360 Club Lounge. The only difference is no valet parking, just a pass to a premium lot. This saves you a few bucks tipping the driver, you financial wizard you!

Sections 122 and 130 now have multiple tables, where you can place your stuff and watch the game.

It’s baseball…let’s get swanky!

So, now about this Delta Sky 360 Club Lounge access included with these seats. It’s, we’ll just say, sweet…bring your appetite. Ticket holders get endless inclusive food prepared by executive chefs…stations everywhere with pizza, tacos, nachos, sliders, chili dogs, salads, you get it. Complimentary beer and wine (the Truist Club includes hard liquor, but the Delta Lounge charges for it). And of course, lots of dessert items to save room for.

Needless to say, the club is climate-controlled, and there are TVs everywhere to watch the game. And you can check out great Braves history throughout the club, awards on display and such.

All of these premium sections include access to the Xfinity Club on the 200 level as well.

If you’ve never sat in mesh seats at a ballgame before, you really should.

Dugout Seats are the front sections on the field level, past the premium seats. They extend to the corners in three price ranges. Dugout seats are, literally, very cool…they are made with a comfortable mesh fabric, so it’s kind of like you’re sitting in a hammock. They’re cooler on warmer game days, which Atlanta has a few of. There’s also fewer seats per row here than usual.

You get a small concessions credit, and access to the Dugout Lounges near the outfield corners. These are climate-controlled spaces with drinks and complimentary snacks. Chipper’s Lounge on the third base side features memorabilia from the great Chipper Jones himself. Needless to say, the seats offer the closest views without the extensive “look rich” fee.

No, they aren’t reserved for Xfinity customers.

Finally, (whew!) the Xfinity Club seats and tables are on the 200 level, again the full sections between the bases. These seats have that nice bird’s eye view, and include access to the large (and climate-controlled of course) Xfinity Club behind you. Enjoy some complimentary popcorn or peanuts, and use your $15 concession credit towards a drink at one of the full service bars.

The Xfinity Club isn’t as lavish as the Delta or Truist Clubs. Food and booze isn’t complimentary. But they have a variety of decent food options there, including Mr. B’s Bourbon, and it’s a great space to duck out of the elements. That and the padded seats are worth the few extra bucks.

“Have a seat here, we’ll discuss financing for your tickets.”

So, how do you get the finest Braves seats with access to exclusive clubs? Well, from the Braves, you need an A-List Membership, which I presume includes going to multiple games. Perhaps you can persuade your employer on the numerous benefits of live Braves baseball.

For single game tickets from the Braves, you might find Dugout Club seats, but little else. If you want to go third party and see what’s out there, you can, but good luck. They aren’t cheap. Try waiting till the last minute, or get a cheap ticket and look for an upgrade from the Ballpark mobile app when you get there. Couldn’t hurt to try.

Sometime soon I’ll post knowledge about finding cheap Braves tickets, so stay tuned; maybe I can help you with the premium stuff.

Truist Park Seating Tips, Part 2) The Chop House Seats.

The Braves know how to make seats better.

The seats in front of the Chop House restaurant in right field are still premium seats of sorts. But I gave them a separate section, because they’re very popular among Braves-loving faithful.

The Chop House Deck is a multi-terraced section beyond the right field fence, featuring the Chop House restaurant itself. Some sections, like the Below The Chop area, are held mostly for groups. But you can go third party for Chop House Deck seats.

The view isn’t the best by premium seats standards, but there’s a lot of cool amenities. For one, the seats are bar-style with backs, made with that comfortable mesh. There’s a table in front of you for your food and drinks…which you can order from your seat. There’s even refrigerated cup holders! If anything is worth a premium price, it’s keeping your beer cold in Atlanta.

Because you’re going to have cups.

Not done…there’s phone chargers near each seat, and tickets include a parking pass and a concessions credit…which you can use at Fox Bros. BBQ or H&F Burgers nearby, which are true grub staples here. And of course, the Chop House restaurant is right behind you.

Like I said, these seats are very popular (much like they were at Turner Field), and the area gets crowded. Get here early for a good spot; tables are first come first served. It might not be the best spot for families, since it’s a drinking and socializing type of spot and the sun can be rough.

Again, this is a premium Braves experience, and are season tickets only, so if you want to try it, try checking TickPick close to game time.

Truist Park Seating Tips, Part 3) Field Level Seating (100 Level).

The people closer to the shade might be the smarter ones.

So, as we’ve discussed, much of the field level seating is premium seats, but there are sections for the rest of us. Seats behind the Dugout seats down the lines are called Diamond seats, and are in three pricing tiers based on distance from home plate.

These seats offer value in being closer to the field; as you get higher in levels seats are significantly further from home plate. This is especially true in corner sections, something to consider if you want to be close to the action.

I’ll discuss finding shade more later, but since people care about covered seating: seats covered by the overhang usually start around rows 8-10. If you get into row 15 or higher, though, the overhang could block your view of the Big Board, especially on the third base side. (Incidentally, this is only a problem on the 100 level.)

You might not have a cup holder, but we’ll see who’s laughing when the rain starts!

If you’re going somewhat economical, the right field corner sections aren’t bad…they’re mostly covered for shade, are angled towards the field, and close to the kids’ area and several great eating spots. Keep in mind they’ll still be behind the Dugout sections. Left field corner is more in the sun and not as good.

So overall on the Field Level, go for first base side over third base side, as per every Braves fan who offers opinions online. Besides better shade, the Braves Monument Garden is on the first base side concourse, and it’s a must visit spot for any baseball fan.

Truist Park Seating Tips, Part 4) Terrace Level Seating (200 Level).

Not bad, as far as seats for the rest of us go.

Like the 100 Level seats, on the Terrace 200 Level all the seats between the bases are premium seats, Xfinity Club in this case. But beyond that, everything is available to the public, save for Hank Aaron Terrace seats overlooking left field, which are reserved for groups.

It’s debatable whether 200 level “Lexus” seats are worth the higher price than the 300 level seats just above them, especially for sitting between the bases. They’re lower, but the view isn’t significantly better, and the concessions choices are actually inferior, what with the Xfinity club and suites taking up so much of the concourse.

They are cheaper than the Chop House though. Just saying.

At my first game at Truist, I had seats in the right field corner; in my opinion those sections are too far from the field for 2nd-deck seats. They were further than I expected, anyway. I would get as close to home plate as possible. The corner seats are angled towards the field, which is nice.

Not totally denigrating the 200 level; some fans consider the Terrace level to be the best value for seats at Truist Park. The rows numbered about 14 and higher are covered by the overhang, but never enough to lose the view of the Big Board. Closer to home plate it’s a nice bird’s eye view.

I read a complaint from one fan about the speakers being placed just above the higher rows, and the resulting noise level. I haven’t experienced this at Truist, but I have elsewhere, and I agree it can be grating. Something to keep in mind.

Truist Park Seating Tips, Part 5) Vista Level Seating (300 Level).

Not much higher or further back, and much cheaper. I personally never cared for Xfinity anyway.

As stated, I’ve read accounts from people that believe Vista Level seating is a better deal than Terrace Level. For the price, you get a nice view of pretty much everything, including the Big Board. Vista Level is also the best deal to sit behind home plate without spending triple digits; scrap the upscale food options and spend your money in the Battery Atlanta. Seats are higher and further back though, and it gets close to acrophobia level here.

Some caveats: the 300 level has less overhang covering (about the last three rows are covered), so check out my shade tips if that matters. One fan also said to avoid the lowest rows, because of the slightly annoying railing/plexiglass obstruction. Again, as you get to the corners, seats are pretty far from the action, but at this price you likely won’t complain.

See that little opening there with the sunlight? Take note of that.

For another opportunity to stay cool (take what you can get here), try Vista Reserved sections just beyond the bases, Sections 315-317 or 335-339. One nice Reddit poster pointed out that these seats get frequent breezes from the open areas behind them. Needless to say, it works the other way on a cold night. 315-317 past first base is better.

Finally, the upper deck concourse can be tough to navigate up here, accommodating both 300 and 400 level fans. On a sold out night, I’d get food and drinks beforehand if at all possible.

All that said, 300 level seats at Truist are a pretty good value…especially being cheaper than outfield seats in most cases. They do go fast though, so plan ahead for high demand games.

Who knew that simply offering a free Coke could draw so many fans!

The Coca-Cola Corner is on the Vista Level in left field. Like the Chop House, this is a carry-over of sorts from Turner Field, although it doesn’t include fun stuff for kids. These seats are as far from home plate as can be and feature zero shade, but they do include a 20 oz. Coca-Cola beverage for your trouble.

There is a big huge chair and huge Coke bottles behind this section for photo-ops. Bathrooms right there as well. You might enjoy the nice elevated view of the buildings around the ballpark. The seats are cheap, but remember the distance, limited view of the Big Board, and lack of shade. You’ll need that complimentary Coke.

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Truist Park Seating Tips, Part 6) Cheap Seats at Truist Park – Grandstand Level and General Admission (400 Level).

When you go to a game in July, you’ll understand the big roof.

The Grandstand Level seats are way up there, and are the most affordable seats for Braves games. The cheapest seats in Truist Park are the five general admission sections in the left field corner…super economical, first come first serve seats.

There are actually some nice benefits to sitting in the top level here, if you can handle the acrophobia. For one, nearly all the Grandstand seats are covered by the extensive roof, for much needed protection from the elements. The upper concourse also seems to offer better food selection than the 200 level, much of which is the Xfinity Club.

That said, there are disadvantages too…and reasons the Grandstand seats are so cheap. The biggest challenge is simply getting to them…from the 300 concourse, you have to climb up steps past duct work and HVAC equipment to get there. It’s odd.

In addition, the sections themselves aren’t quite steep enough to prevent partially blocked views from tall people in front of you. Like on the 300 level, the plexiglass railings can be an annoyance in the first couple of rows too.

Yep, this is the 400 level concourse.

Still, if you’re able-bodied enough to handle it and don’t mind the nosebleed level, Grandstand can be a great deal, especially behind home plate. I enjoy panoramic ballpark views. 400 seats are super cheap, covered by the roof, and even offer a nice breeze in the top rows.

If you’re doing General Admission, get there early to snag a good spot. Especially for high attendance nights. If it’s a low attendance night, you can probably improve your lie to a lower section or closer to behind home plate in later innings.

Both the 300 and 400 levels access the same concourse, and there’s a rooftop patio in the right field corner. Views of the action aren’t great from the patio, but the panoramic view there is pretty sweet.

Truist Park Seating Tips, Part 7) Outfield (Home Run Porch) Seats.

See anyone without a hat? Just saying.

The Braves call the outfield seats the “Home Run Porch”. Presumably they hope fans forget their infinitesimally small chances of catching a Braves home run ball. All the outfield seats are on the 100 Level.

There are multiple reasons not to sit in the outfield at Truist Park. For one, most of the seats, except in the upper rows of left field, are out in the Atlanta sun. All day, and often well into the evening with the sun directly in your eyes in left field seats at sunset.

Another flaw of the Home Run Porch is in the far right field sections. Upper rows especially can lose quite a bit of the field to the Chop House fence. On top of that, you have to crane your neck to view the impressive Big Board scoreboard, if you can see it at all.

Yes, that is the Braves bullpen. No, pitchers won’t friend you on Facebook.

So there’s three strikes against outfield seating. Any good reasons to sit there? Well, the Braves bullpen is in front of Sections 152-153, and the visitors’ bullpen is in front of Sections 144-145. If you want to offer encouragement to Braves relievers or hassle Phillies relievers, there’s your chance. In addition, most of Sections 144-146 are covered by the Hank Aaron Terrace seats, so there’s some shade. No view of the Big Board there though.

The outfield seats are also close to Hope & Will’s Sandlot in the right field concourse, which is a very cool play area, so if you’re bringing the kids you could do worse. However, I would go for right field corner before outfield seats in this case, where you’ll see more shade.

That’s another thing, though: the kids’ area is a concourse bottleneck and makes it difficult to pass through if you want a beer at the Terrapin Taproom. Another reason to avoid outfield seats if you’re not bringing kids.

Interestingly enough, while they are cheaper than most tickets here, outfield seats are more expensive than most of the 300-400 level seats. Which is baffling to me for the reasons I just described, but I’m not a billionaire sports team owner. Unless you’re cheap and acrophobic, or just want to be close to the field cheaply, you can do better than outfield seats at Truist Park.

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Truist Park Seating Tips, Part 8) Standing Room Advice.

Yes, you can stand here! Shade and everything! Just no view of the Big Board.

The Braves will make a handful of standing room tickets available for sold out games, which are somewhat frequent in this town. Standing room is a great deal if you just want to get into the ballpark. Where you can stand depends on your taste, but here’s some ideas.

The Top of The Chop at the Chop House is a popular standing spot with younger folks; if you’re early enough you can stake out a good place to stand. You’ll need someone to get your food or drinks or hold that good spot though. You can take turns ducking out of the elements in the restaurant itself, and if no one is renting out the Deck (unlikely), you can stand there.

But if that’s not an optimal viewpoint, there’s plenty of great spots throughout the 100 level. The 100 level has railings everywhere for your drinks and food. Better yet, the infield SRO areas are mostly in the shade, and there are huge concourse fans blowing air around. You won’t likely see the Big Board with the overhang, but you could do worse. Remember what I said about the right field concourse, though…try to avoid going through it for food or answering nature’s call.

About 500 feet from home plate, but railings, barstools, and a view of the Big Board.

The 200 level has standing room space where the bases are and beyond, but there’s no place to rest your drink or elbows. Not really a good spot. On the 300 level in right field, there is the aforementioned rooftop patio, which while far from the field is fun in its own way and close to drinks. The patio includes some chairs along the railing, so you might even find a place to sit.

As of 2024, the Braves no longer offer a Ballpark Pass with a month’s worth of standing room tickets. If that changes, let me know and I’ll update this.

Truist Park Seating Tips, Part 9) Where To Find Shade at a Braves Game.

This picture makes it pretty clear. But there’s more.

It being an outdoor venue in Atlanta, finding shade at Truist Park is super important. I probably should led off with this part, but here’s some tips for how to stay out of the sun:

First, Truist Park is shaped as such so that the first base side sees shade for night games far sooner than the third base side and the outfield. Most any frequent visitor to Truist will tell you the importance of this. Not only will you be baking on the third base side and outfield during early innings, the sun will likely be in your eyes as well. Always go first base side for shade.

Second, surprisingly, nearly all of the premium seating is uncovered and unprotected by the sun. As I’ve said, the Dugout Club seats are made of a cooler mesh, but those leather seats in the high end clubs probably aren’t ideal in the heat. That said, you have climate-controlled club access, so you can always escape the oven there.

The upper 100 sections and 400 sections offer the best coverage.

Third, as I’ve described, there are overhangs and roofs that do offer quite a bit of protection from the sun. On the 400 level especially, nearly all of the seats are covered. You should be fine regardless of the time of day. In the 100 level, rows 10 and higher are usually covered, but remember the highest rows can lose the Big Board. On the 200 and 300 levels, you have to go to nearly the top rows for protection during the day.

Finally, for shade in afternoon games, avoid the third base side and outfield entirely. The sun will grow progressively worse there through the game. Stay on the first base side, and try to find something under an overhang. This is easier in 100 or 400 than it is in 200 or 300.

Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen if you can’t manage a shady seat.

Truist Park Seating Tips, Part 10) Truist Park Accessible Seating.

No breakdancing on the aisle steps.

You can find out more about what the Braves offer for handicapped seating on this page, but let me just briefly offer a summary.

The Braves have designated accessible seating throughout the 100, 200, and 300 levels, including behind the Truist Club and Chairman’s Club seats. Accessible seating is at the top end of sections. On the Truist Park seating chart, you can see the wheelchair logo at designated sections if you squint. There’s plenty of spaces, and most all of them offer decent views.

Yes, you will almost certainly be in the shade.

Many of the sections behind the 100 level will be under the overhang. You’ll be in shade but could miss the Big Board. If that matters and you don’t mind being higher, you can take an elevator to the 200 or 300 levels.

The team has a dedicated phone number and email address (accessibleservices@braves.com) for info about these sections. Contact them and let them know what you need; they can accommodate groups as well. The Braves also have wheelchair attendants and service, and they will let you use any wheelchairs they have for the game.

When you’re buying tickets through the Braves website, you can filter out “accessible seating”.

Truist Park Seating Tips, Part 11) A Few More Notes.

OKAY, I know where the general admission shaded overhang bullpen club chop seats are! What the heck else do I need?

Yes, believe it or not, I have a few more tips to share with you about Truist Park seating…

There really isn’t much to see outside the ballpark from the seating bowl except a couple of tall buildings. Don’t expect a great view of downtown Atlanta; Camden Yards or PNC Park this is not. The huge Braves “A” towering over right field is kind of cool, but not worth getting a special ticket for.

I don’t encourage seat poaching, but in the 300-400 levels especially, you should be easily able to move somewhere closer to home plate or somewhere in the shade, especially after a few innings. It’s tougher on the lower levels, where ushers are (probably rightly) more strict.

Just wanted to remind you about the Dugout Club mesh seats.

The Atlanta Braves dugout is on the first base side, in front of Sections 16-21. The visiting team dugout is on the third base side, in front of Sections 31-35. The Braves bullpen is in front of Sections 152-153 in right field; the visitors’ bullpen is in front of Sections 144-145 at the left field foul pole.

Facing the field, seat numbers always start with seat 1 on the right.

Finally, the Braves feature an outstanding Virtual Venue page on their site, where you can literally select almost any section in the ballpark and see a 360-degree view from that seat, including general shade. You can even compare two seating sections. It’s a bit wonky trying to move your view around, but it’s well worth using.

You should be able to pick one now. Hope this helps.

Okay, did you get all that? Sorry if I went a little long. But hopefully, you have all the info you need. Now you can make an informed seating choice for your next baseball game at the home of the Atlanta Braves. Or any upcoming events. Remember, stay in the shade!

Stay tuned for more Truist Park info, including how to score cheap Atlanta Braves tickets. And check out the rest of this highly informative blog for great ballpark tips. Feel free to drop me a line if you have a question.

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Milwaukee is a town full of crazed Brewers fans, and every game day is a celebration. In addition to the insane tailgating, dozens of taverns and bars offer free shuttle service to American Family Field for Brewers games. (Call it Miller Park if you want, but it’s an insurance place now.)

A Brewers shuttle offers multiple advantages. Baseball fans can park for free, enjoy great food offerings or drinks without paying ballpark prices, and avoid sitting in post-game traffic. If you’re staying at a hotel or near a bar with a shuttle, it’s a great way to avoid drinking and driving afterwards too.

So as a public service, I’ve compiled this complete list of establishments that will give you a ride to the Brewers game, or any major events at the retractable roof wonder. I’ve included some info about each one. Here is also a helpful map with their locations, so you can make a decision based on where you want to be.

Here’s the breakdown:

Blue Mound Road + Nearby Establishments
Downtown Milwaukee
West Milwaukee + West Allis
Wauwatosa + West Wauwatosa
From A Bit Farther Away
Hotel Shuttles

So after this quick word from our sponsor, we’ll get started:

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Don’t worry, they’ll find someone to drive too.

American Family Field Shuttles: Blue Mound Road + Nearby

Blue Mound Road is almost walking distance to American Family Field, so these joints are not far from the ballpark. There is usually free street parking near these places, and some of them have their own lots.

Balistreri’s Bluemound Inn (6501 West Blue Mound Road). Balistreri’s is an Italian lunch and dinner restaurant; they were once voted “Best Late Night Food” by Milwaukee Magazine. They have Friday fish frys and highly rated pizza. They don’t say anything about their shuttle on their website, but they’re on everyone’s list and they do have a large private parking lot.

Brewski’s Sports Pub (304 North 76th Street). Brewski’s, according to their Facebook page, offers craft beer, cocktails, and a dog-friendly patio. I doubt you can leave your dog there when you go to the game though. It’s basically a sports bar with a menu featuring nachos, totchos, Buffalo chicken wontons, wings, etc. They also have fish frys on Fridays. Their shuttles run starting two hours before game time, and they sometimes offer drink specials for shuttle users.

Dugout 54 (5328 West Blue Mound Road). Dugout 54 was formerly Derry Hegarty’s, and you can still see the name in signage at the place. The Dugout has all of 32 beer tap lines with multiple craft beers, but they also offer table seating for families. The menu includes burgers and sandwiches, wings with numerous sauces, and a “pretty sizeable pretzel”. Incidentally these are the same folks who run Kelly’s Bleachers…more on Kelly’s in a minute.

Are you welcoming me or Jagermeister? (Both!)

J&B’s Sports Bar & Blue Ribbon Taproom (5230 West Blue Mound Road). J&B’s Blue Ribbon took over the popular Long Wong’s tavern, and they’ve done a fine job remodeling, including billiards tables and a taproom. They call themselves the home of Milwaukee’s best chicken strips, in case your kids like that sort of thing. They also have pizza, wings, burgers, and of course, Friday Fish Frys.

Kelly’s Bleachers (5218 West Blue Mound Road). Kelly’s Bleachers has all sorts of fun stuff going on…music bingo, beer pong tournament Fridays, and most importantly, Happy Hour discounts. Their menu’s signature items are the Reuben rolls, the “Best Tater Tots Ever” (like anyone can even know that), and a Western burger. They serve a limited menu to meet the demand on game day, but I’m sure they have the good stuff.

Kelly’s website, for some reason, is really awful…it looks like it hasn’t been updated since the early days of the Internet. Don’t let that sway you though, they’re cool folks.

Magoo’s on the Mound (5841 West Blue Mound Road). Magoo’s features burgers, bar appetizers like the famous Wisconsin cheese curds, a “Bavarian Beast” soft pretzel, and that Friday fish fry of course. The beer on tap selection is decent, and their special include Taco Tuesdays and Burger Thursdays. Pool, darts, bags, lots to do.

Yes, it’s named after that Mr. Magoo from the cartoons, and you’re dating yourself if you recognize him. Magoo’s was formerly Steve’s on Bluemound, in case anyone recommends Steve’s to you.

McGinn’s (5901 West Blue Mound Road). McGinn’s calls itself an “All-Star Sports Bar”. Their nightly specials include Thursday wing night and a Steak Special on Wednesdays. McGinn’s Happy Hours include $3 domestic tap and domestic bottles (at least that’s what their Facebook header says, but it is 2024), which is a pretty good deal. I presume that includes game nights. They also have Sunday brunches, great for day games.

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Perhaps the chef got tired of pronouncing “Coerpers”.

Milwaukee Steakhouse (6024 West Blue Mound Road). The Milwaukee Steakhouse doesn’t mess around with their steaks. As they say, they only offer the best cuts of USDA Choice Black Angus Beef (their capitalization, not mine). Get your steak with garlic, peppercorn, fried onions, or even bearnaise style. They also have signature martinis. Needless to say, this is fine dining, so I wouldn’t expect pub fare here.

O’Brien’s Irish American Pub (4928 West Vliet Street). O’Brien’s actually has their own hydroponic garden, so they can grow their own fresh ingredients. Now that’s thinking of your customers. The menu (with fresh ingredients!) features wings, nachos, wraps, sandwiches, pizza and much more. And of course, they have lots of beers on tap and two Brewers shuttles. O’Brien’s even features a “birthday club”, with perks well worth signing up for.

Rounding Third (6317 West Blue Mound Road). Rounding Third offers up wings in a variety of flavors (I’ve tried the Jamaican Jerk dry rub wings and they’re very good). They also have a Milwaukee cheesesteak, half pound Angus burgers, stone fired pizza, and of course that Friday fish fry. Rounding Third’s prices seem a tad lower than most joints, and they have beer specials, although their beer selection isn’t as varied as others.

Is it me or does the Saz’s building look like a surprised face?

Saz’s State House Restaurant (5539 West State Street). Saz’s bills itself as a first rate restaurant and sports bar, and their menu reflects that…fancy apps like low country shrimp, onion straw baskets, and candied bacon. More importantly, this is a BBQ spot, with ribs, walleye, chicken and waffles, and (wait for it) cornbread chicken pot pie. Not done yet…fancy burgers too, and a gluten free menu. A bit pricier than other joints, but undoubtedly worth it.

They even provide some extra information about their Brewers shuttle. Drink specials on game days. Love that.

Spitfires on State (5018 West State Street). Spitfires is aptly named…if you’re a wing person, this is the place for you. Their wing sauce flavors include ginger sesame, Thai peanut, and blueberry BBQ (check out the full selection…it’s impressive). But they have other stuff too, like burgers, apps (wonton mozz stix!), and sandwiches at reasonable prices. The wide selection of beer and cocktails is also reasonable too, if their website menu is to be believed.

No, the shuttle doesn’t run on beer. That would be pretty cool though.

American Family Field Shuttles: Downtown Milwaukee

These establishments are located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, good if you’re staying there or making a day of Milwaukee with, say, the Harley-Davidson Museum. Check this helpful map to see more attractions nearby.

City Lights Brewing (2200 West Mount Vernon Avenue). Okay, an actual craft brewery, now we’re living right. City Lights has won multiple awards for beer excellence, including from the Great American Beer Festival. Their beer offerings include even a coconut porter, and they describe the flavors on their site. Oh, and they have food too, even if it’s a limited menu. Burgers, apps, and of course the obligatory Friday fish fry. (Milwaukee makes it easy to be a Catholic.) And their shuttle is nicely decorated.

City Tours MKE (1130 North 9th Street). Okay, so this one isn’t a free ride…but it’s technically a shuttle so it counts. City Tours Milwaukee includes a “Milwaukee Ultimate Tailgate Tour”, where for a set price they’ll take your group to the game in their electric vehicle, fire up the coals, and set up the tables and stuff for you so you can all tailgate like pros. You have to bring your own food and booze, but that’s small potatoes when someone else drives and cleans up!

Fat Daddy’s (120 West National Avenue). The first words you see on Fat Daddy’s website is “Milwaukee’s Most Organized Volleyball”. Great for Brewers fans that are fed up with disorganized volleyball games. But seriously, outdoor volleyball tournaments on sand here, so that’s unique.

Fat Daddy’s has a limited menu of pizza and snacks, but their list of beers on tap and cocktails is lengthy. Daily drink specials here too. You can ride to the game in the “Fatmobile” and talk with fans about how well organized the volleyball was.

Spirits, good times, and a ride to a baseball game. It doesn’t get more American than Jack’s.

Jack’s American Pub (1323 East Brady Street). Have you ever watched a game on a 200” TV? At Jack’s, you can, while enjoying steak fries, Santa Fe rolls, award-winning wings with “gun powder”, or a jalapeno mac and cheese burger. There’s other enticing stuff on the menu too, and several high end beers on tap and in cans. They have multiple shuttles, so you shouldn’t have to wait long for one.

Jack’s (along with some other taverns) actually has tailgate parties at the ballpark too, so they’re all in for Brewers fans. Oh, and brunch for Sunday afternoon games.

Milwaukee Brat House (1013 North King Drive). The Brat House bills itself as a “professional drinking establishment”, so it’s safe if you’re serious about a good time on game day. They actually have “a whole fleet of shuttles”, so they’re clearly here to help.

As the name suggests, they offer “Milwaukee’s Best Bratwurst”. You can try the sampler of bratwurst, Polish, Italian and Hungarian sausage for yourself. Or get your sausage in a gyro, a German-style sandwich, stuffed with honey mustard, etc. They have daily food and drink specials and an impressive selection of brews. The Brat House does tailgates as well.

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O’Lydia’s (338 South First Street). The O’Lydia’s building was built in the 1800s, but the O’Lydia’s people truly saw the potential. There’s a four season patio and 13 large flat screen TVs. O’Lydia’s has some interesting stuff on their menu, including a Reuben mac, Nashville hot chicken mac, and a triple “B” burger.

O’Lydia’s a late night menu, weekend brunch, the obligatory Friday fish fry, and good specials like Thursday Burger Night. They don’t say much about drinks, so I would come here more for Irish pub grub than for serious craft brew tasting.

Oscar’s Pub & Grill (1712 West Pierce Street). Oscar’s website was blocked by my antivirus, but don’t take that personally…my antivirus blocks anything with capital letters on it. Anyway, they’re the first I’ve seen here to mention Bloody Marys, which are popular in Milwaukee. Oscar’s actually garnishes Bloody Marys with mozzarella and bacon, which should be obvious. They also boast about fresh cut fries, and (wait for it) a Friday fish fry.

So if you like burgers and Bloody Marys, you could do worse than Oscar’s.

Milwaukee’s #1 Sports Bar (?)

Steny’s Tavern (800 South Second Street). Steny’s calls itself Milwaukee’s #1 Sports Bar, which is a pretty bold statement. But they definitely don’t mess around…get your wings brined, fried, sauced and/or baked, and with sauces that include butter garlic parmesan, Carolina gold and lemon pepper. Lots of other great stuff on the menu too, like specialty pizzas, shareable apps platters, double burgers, and salads.

Steny’s has a very impressive craft beer and drinks list, as the #1 sports bar in Milwaukee should. They shuttle fans to every Brewers game. Don’t forget to get the hand stamp though.

Who’s on Third (1007 North King Drive). Who’s On Third also claims to be Milwaukee’s #1 sports bar. They were ranked in the Top 19 in America by Business Insider, so they’re not alone in liking their establishment. The menu features spicy mac and cheese, a nice selection of salads, half pound burgers and sandwiches, and chef’s gumbo. They also have a late night menu of apps if you’re hungry after the game, and the drinks menu features a lot of fancy cocktails. Might be a good place to impress a date.

Wurstbar MKE (1239 East Brady Street). Instead of deciding between two sports bars that call themselves #1, you could go to the Wurstbar in Milwaukee (snort). Wurstbar MKE is on Brady Street, which they call a lively entertainment district. Fair enough. They’re one of the eateries that do tailgates as well.

Their menu features neat apps like crab Rangoon dip and mini corn dogs, and they have several wursts as you would expect…German style, jalapeno popper, and “Miltown”, which was featured on A&E’s Best In Chow. Wurstbar has a Sunday brunch with breakfast items too. They have multiple shuttles, so in theory you shouldn’t be waiting long.

You can tell just by the font that you can probably get a decent gyro here.

American Family Field Shuttles: West Milwaukee + West Allis

Aris Sports Bar (1657 South 108th Street, West Allis). The Aris Sports Bar is part of the Pallas restaurant, so you don’t get confused. They have separate menus, but you can get burgers, ribs, steaks, and Greek specialties like souvlaki and gyros at the sports bar. For breakfast on Sundays you can get Greek breakfast burritos. All good. If you’d like a fancier meal, you can go to the Pallas. It’s not far.

The Aris has a BBQ menu too, with sandwiches and platters of pork, smoked turkey and sausage. Good place for a nice meal and a ride.

Braun’s Power House (7100 West National Avenue, West Allis). Braun’s has bar grub and breakfasts, and their prices are a tad more reasonable than most. Their specials include Build A Burger Mondays, starting at just $3! Better yet, 32 oz. beers for just five bucks, at least according to their Facebook header. Apps include powerhouse nachos, loaded waffle fries, and bacon-wrapped water chestnuts. True. They also have boneless wings with multiple sauces and dry rubs, smash burgers, and that ubiquitous Milwaukee Friday fish fry.

Braun’s is a good spot if you’re going cheap, which is probably a factor in your taking a shuttle in the first place, right?

Flapper’s Bar (7527 West Becher Street, West Allis). Flapper’s doesn’t tell the public much about its bar, except that it’s a “fun kinda joint”, which might be good enough. They do offer free pool (as in billiards, I assume) and drink specials until 6:00 PM some nights. You can get baked or deep fried cod, chicken fajita quesadillas, or wonton wrapped mozzarella logs. There are a lot of pics of food on their FB page, so you could have a look at that.

Where it’s all about the liquids.

Liquid Johnny’s (540 South 76th Street, West Allis). Liquid Johnny’s pronounces itself “The Best Fish Fry In Town”, a bold claim indeed, and they have a page on their menu dedicated to it. They have other stuff too, of course…like ”frickles”, wings with a variety of dipping sauces, burgers and sandwiches. The beer list isn’t too shabby…multiple premium beers on tap and in bottles, and they have some hard seltzers too.

Liquid Johnny’s has some neat specials…the Burger of The Month as I write this is the “Almost Elvis Burger”. It’s topped with peanut butter, bacon and cheddar. Eat like the King.

Lucky’s Ice House (4238 West Orchard Avenue, West Milwaukee). Lucky’s, like many places, brags on their Friday Fish Fry too. But I’m not complaining about pics of fried perch and tater tots. Lucky’s menu also features apps like “haystack onions”, wraps, sandwiches, and burgers. The “Who Hot Burger” looks good if you’re into spicy. There’s also salads for healthier sorts.

Lucky’s adds a gratuity to parties of six or more. Something to be aware of if you are many.

National Pizza Pub and Grille (Best Western) (5501 West National Avenue). The National Pizza Pub and Grille is part of the Best Western Milwaukee West, making it easy for guests to eat and get to the game. They have a lot of specialty pizzas, like Buffalo chicken, Mexican fiesta, and Reuben (!). It’s not just pizza though, they also have steaks, ribs and fish, as well as multiple burgers and sandwiches. Their apps include Reuben rolls and pulled pork bites. And wings. They actually have a chef here.

This place is pretty reasonable, and with the varied menu it should be good for families. And of course, super convenient if you’re staying at the Best Western.

Paulie’s Pub & Eatery (8031 West Greenfield Avenue, West Allis). Forget Milwaukee…Paulie’s calls itself the “best pub and eatery in Southeastern Wisconsin!” Stretch your horizons! Paulie’s features live music and entertainment, 18 beers on tap, and a location near the state park, so that does bolster the case a bit.

The menu includes wings with…let me see here…12 sauces and seasonings. There’s nachos with beef, chicken or pork, pizzas, and double burgers with multiple toppings. There’s also specialty sandwiches like the Ultimate Grilled Cheese. And a Friday fish fry, as required if you’re gonna call yourself the best.

You can’t beat a plate of macho nachos outside.

American Family Field Shuttles: Wauwatosa + West Wauwatosa

Camp Bar Wauwatosa (6600 West North Avenue). The Camp Bar offers an interesting twist…it’s designed like a log cabin lodge, with a fireplace, moose head in the wall, etc. They have an impressive selection of beers and microbrews, and signature drinks include the “Camp Bar Side Car” and a 22 oz. Bloody Mary. They have a small selection of food…pizzas and apps like tots and Buffalo chicken bites. Great place to go for atmosphere, and in Milwaukee a fireplace can always come in handy.

Jackson’s Blue Ribbon Pub (11302 West Blue Mound Road). The Jackson’s folks are modest. They claim to be “known for our lively and inviting atmosphere, excellent quality food and great service.” Sounds good to me. The menu includes Macho Nachos, wings with nine seasoning/sauce selections, brisket sandwiches, Reubens, and pizza. They seem to have a better selection of wines than most, and a decent beer selection.

Jackson’s is also closest of all of the shuttle bars to the County Zoo, if you’re making a day of that.

McBob’s Pub & Grill (4919 West North Avenue). Who’s “McBob”? It’s owner Christine McRoberts, who has made the place a staple in Milwaukee. They share a customer’s claim that “McBob’s has simply the absolute best corned beef this side of heaven”. The menu is definitely Irish pub fare: Scotch eggs, Irish spring rolls, Reubens, Irish meatloaf and corned beef hash are all here. They have typically American burgers, nachos, and sandwiches too. McBob’s has some nice specials…Happy Hours most days, with $3 tap beer and a $5 limited app menu.

McBob’s does Friday fish frys too, and they’re gluten-free even.

So, why do you call this place the “Redbar”?

American Family Field Shuttles: From A Bit Farther Away

Credit these taverns for literally going the extra mile:

Fin N Feather (4060 West Loomis Road). Fin N Feather has lengthy Happy Hours…like noon to 6:00 PM on Fridays. Other than free billiards though, they don’t specify what’s cheaper, but hey, free pool is good. They don’t say much about the menu on their Facebook page, other than Luige’s pizza with typical toppings. The reviewers seem to agree that the value for drinks here is pretty good, so it might be a good thrifty place to try.

Friends on Forest Home (5614 West Forest Home Avenue, Greenfield). Maybe not the most electric name for a sports bar, but it’s what we have in Greenfield. The shuttle is only for Friday and Saturday home games, so keep that in mind. I can’t find much about their menu, but reviewers praise the food and drink prices. There’s also a lot of activities going on with them, so you can follow their Facebook page to see if anything entices you to visit Greenfield.

Milwaukee Brat House (4022 North Oakland Avenue, Shorewood). This is the “other” location of the aforementioned Brat House; they have a shuttle too but it may take a little longer. The menu is similar; there’s a jalapeno popper mac and cheese brat that looks amazing and lots of other sausages. Signature burgers and chicken sandwiches, fish fry Fridays, and some decent Happy Hour specials. This one does tailgates too.

Again, their specialty is definitely sausages, and if you’re into brats it’s probably the place to be.

Redbar (2245 East Street Francis Avenue, St Francis). Redbar is part of the Saucy Swine restaurant, but the Redbar itself has a dine-in menu. The Saucy Swine is a popular BBQ joint with the locals, with six house sauces, especially since there aren’t many Brewers shuttles in this part of town. Some very unusual apps here, like Korean fried Brussels sprouts, pork belly bites, and bacon cheese bombs. Try the “Queben” sandwich.

Who’s the real Ambassador?

American Family Field Shuttles: Hotels

I have to imagine there are other hotels in Milwaukee with complimentary shuttle service, but here’s the roster of hotels I found that mention the Brewers:

Ambassador Hotel (2308 West Wisconsin Avenue). The Ambassador is easy to find with the cool old-fashioned sign on the roof. They boast of the largest hotel rooms in the area, extreme high speed internet, and Apple TV in each room. There’s actually three places to eat here, for whatever your mood, or you could just walk to a McDonald’s or Taco Bell if you’ve spent too much on the hotel room.

The Ambassador is a nice departure from typical hotel chains (although it is Wyndham), and while it’s not cheap, it’s not out of this world expensive. Incidentally, they extend free parking and shuttle service to anyone who dines there, so no need to stay the night.

Best Western Milwaukee West (5501 West National Avenue, West Milwaukee). As described earlier, the Best Western is where you can find the National Pizza Pub and Grille, so they have an eatery with your Brewers ride. Like most Best Westerns, this one is reasonable, and it’s actually pretty close to the ballpark. They say it’s walking distance…it’s about a mile, so judge that for yourself.

The rooms have cable TV (STOP THE CAR!!!), can have kitchenettes, and include a free breakfast. (It’s the typical hotel breakfast, which for free isn’t bad.) There’s also an indoor pool, fun for the kids. And a pizza joint.

“I’ll have a craft brew, a clean room, and a place to park please.”

Brewhouse Inn & Suites (1215 North 10th Street). The Brewhouse Inn & Suites is actually the site of the original Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewery. It’s now a hotel…but the best part is you can get craft brews there. Nice rooms, too…kitchenettes, brick walls and large windows. Stays include a complimentary buffet breakfast, but there is a fee for parking.

The Brewhouse has their own restaurant (On Tap), with pub grub like beer-brined wings, specialty pizzas and a Blue Ribbon Burger. They have over 40 craft beers and signature cocktails. Game day specials too. Definitely worth a look if you’re visiting Milwaukee, enjoy good beer, and are planning a Brewers game.

Hampton Inn & Suites Milwaukee West (8201 West Greenfield Avenue, West Allis). Hampton says that “American Family Field ballgames are five minutes from our door via free shuttle.” So it’s clearly a selling point. Hampton Inns are generally pretty nice places, and this one includes a free hot breakfast, an indoor pool, EV charging, free parking, and even room service.

They don’t actually have a restaurant on the site (I don’t think), but there’s quite a few eateries right here, including Big Deal Burgers & Custard, Peace & Love Sourdough, McDonald’s (!), and the aforementioned Paulie’s Pub with their own shuttle. Win-win!

Sonesta Milwaukee West Wauwatosa (10499 West Innovation Drive, Wauwatosa). The Sonesta is actually a pet-friendly hotel, although I’m not sure what you’d do with your dog during the game. They also go above and beyond just a shuttle to games…the Sonesta offers a Brewers package, which includes a bucket of beer, complimentary transportation to the game, and a “ballpark buffet”…I’m not sure what that includes.

Sonesta has an indoor pool and hot tub, and free parking. It seems geared to business travelers, but hey, Brewers fans mean business. Their “Innovation” restaurant is closed as I write this, but Ally’s Power House Café is very close if a meal is in your plans.

Because Red wants you to get to the ballgame safely.

Whew! Well there you have it fans; your complete list of shuttle options for Milwaukee Brewers home games. In case it matters to you, the Brewers offer a downloadable map of drop-off points at the ballpark; you can find that here.

Thanks for reading…I know I went long here! But plenty more where that came from. Check out more American Family Field tips here, including this useful post on parking at Brewers games, some helpful tailgating tips, and some info when you’re bringing the kids!

Note: this post contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Whether you’re going to your first Cubs game at Wrigley Field, or you’re a Cubs fan regular, it’s always a challenge to find cheap Chicago Cubs tickets. Actually, maybe “cheap” isn’t the right word. Cubs tix are often among the most expensive in baseball, so I’m here to help you find the best deal, and save money on your next visit to the Friendly Confines.

(Plenty more great Wrigley Field tips on this site…check out my complete seating guide, what you can eat at Wrigley, and this useful parking guide. More coming!)

Saving money on Cubs tickets takes some effort. You should plan ahead, know your ticket avenues, and be patient. I’m going to list all of your options for buying tickets here, and a few strategies to use, all of which have their own merits.

It’s a lot, so I’ll break this down for you.

The Chicago Cubs Website
The Wrigley Field Box Office
Third Party Sites
Ticket Agencies
Facebook Forums/Craigslist/Scalpers
Choose The Right Game + Opponent
Wait Till The Last Minute, Maybe
Use That Weather
Bring Your Friends
Use The Cheap Seats

So read through this post, know your options, plan ahead, and shop around. Let’s get started after this quick and applicable word from our sponsor…

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Unfortunately I can’t help you pay 2015 prices for Cubs tickets. But trust me anyway.

Cheap Chicago Cubs Tickets, Tip #1) The Cubs Website. The team website is your first and easiest option, but it’s not always the cheapest of course. The Cubs do not sell paper tickets; you’ll need the MLB Ballpark App to access them.

The Cubs apply “dynamic pricing” to ticket prices, meaning prices rise and drop by demand. They have a very nice virtual map of the ballpark on their site, and you can click on the seating and pricing chart to see ticket prices for every section.

When buying tickets, you can also enter the opponent you’d like to see, the section you’d like to sit in and the day of the week you can go, and the Cubs will show you all of your available options. This is quite helpful for reasons I’ll explain.

The most important advice I can give you for finding deals on Cubs tickets is to sign up for the Cubs’ ticket alert emails. The Cubs will let you know what day regular season tickets go on sale (a very important thing to know), and what sort of bargain nights they’ll have. In addition, if tickets for an upcoming game get released, you’ll be the first to know.

It doesn’t hurt to follow the team on Facebook or X (Twitter) either; sometimes the Cubs offer exclusive deals on X especially.

Or wherever you get your important news!

Knowing when tickets go on sale for the season is very useful…on occasion the Cubs will have pre-sales exclusive to email subscribers, where you can get high demand tickets at face value, which is often the best price for such games. Incidentally, the Cubs only accepted MasterCard for pre-sales in the past, so I would order one if you don’t have one.

Should I mention that you should already have an MLB account before you order? I didn’t think so. You can also order tickets by phone (!), but you’ll still be paying all of the fees.

One last piece of advice, and this applies to any outlet you use…always go all the way to the checkout screen to see what you’re really paying for Cubs tickets. There isn’t just fees, there’s a Chicago “entertainment tax” too (sigh), and the fees can be very different in the final price.

Even in the early days of Cubs baseball, there were “fees”.

Cheap Chicago Cubs Tickets, Tip #2) The Wrigley Field Box Office. If the Cubs box office is where it was in my last visit, it’s on Clark Street north of the iconic Wrigley marquee. As I write this, it’s open from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM on weekdays, and 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM on weekends. They also open two hours before each game.

You need a credit/debit card, no cash. Since tickets are paperless, the Cubs will be putting them on your Ballpark app. They’re very helpful and will show you how to do it.

The Cubs don’t charge the service fees at the box office, so if you’re going to pay face price you might as well try at the box office, especially when tickets first go on sale. It’s good if there’s still tickets left for a high demand game, but you’d do well to check the third parties first.

But remember, there will be fees with the third parties too. Compare with the Cubs website, and remember, go to the checkout screen on both. You will still pay that Chicago entertainment tax at the box office.

In other words, if you’re already at the ballpark, and the Cubs are offering the best or close to the best deal online for tickets, go to the box office rather than buying online. You’ll save yourself the considerable fees.

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Cheap Chicago Cubs Tickets, Tip #3) Third Party Sellers. The Cubs allow season ticket holders to sell their extras on SeatGeek, so in theory that should be the first third party site for you to try when searching for the best price on Cubs tickets.

In reality, you can find Cubs tickets on a variety of third party outlets like StubHub and Vivid Seats. My favorite is TickPick (full disclosure: they’re my affiliate), because you know up front what you’re paying for tickets and don’t get surprised by fees. (I’m like you…I intensely dislike ticket fees.)

Here’s a pro tip buying from third parties: remember bleacher seats are general admission (except in the postseason), so you don’t need to buy the exact quantity. If you’re looking for four tickets, try searching for the best deals on two or even one ticket and use a combination of them.

The policy of when third party sites must stop selling tickets changes frequently, but currently you can buy them right up until game time, which is the best time for great deals. I would check the policy though; sometimes it’s two hours before game time, and it’s been as much as five hours.

I’ll talk more about it in a bit, but buying as close to game time as possible is usually when you find the lowest prices on third party sites.

Remember, go to the checkout screen to see the actual price!

You can just call on the phone too.

Cheap Chicago Cubs Tickets, Tip #4) Wrigleyville Ticket Agencies. Ah, the ticket agencies…they were once a fixture in Wrigleyville. Many of them closed up their brick and mortar stores when Cubs tickets went electronic.

However, many of them are still selling Cubs tickets, and you might actually find some sweet deals through them. A few of them are: TicketsAlways (a.k.a. Box Office Tickets), Gold Coast Tickets, Ticket Chest, and Sitclose.

I reached out to a few of them to ask about their process these days. Steve Buzil at Sitclose got back to me and explained it. Sitclose carries a stock of tickets, and will put the tickets on your Ballpark app for you.

Buzil told me that this can actually be your best route for finding Cubs ticket deals…many of his clients are corporate entities who buy tickets in groups, so Sitclose has built a reputation that way. I’m not sure about the rest of the agencies, but Buzil assured me that Sitclose won’t be undersold, so there you go.

Serving Cubs fans since there were actual tickets!

Some of the agencies don’t sell tickets directly through their website, but if you’re looking for a deal, try calling Sitclose or another agency and see what they can do for you.

TicketsAlways (Box Office) also got back to me and said that they do set up a game day location near Rizzo’s bar, across from Gallagher Way. Again, if you have time, you can check with them and see what they offer; they told me they source tickets at wholesale prices, which could be a great deal.

Most of the agencies have their own websites, so if you’re using TickPick or another outlet in your search for tickets, and the seller has the agency’s name, check their website. I’ve read that some agencies will list their tickets on both outlets, but it will be cheaper on their own site.

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“Let me hear ya, who’s got tickets?”

Cheap Chicago Cubs Tickets, Tip #5) Facebook Forums, Scalpers, and Craigslist. There are in fact several Facebook groups where people unload their Cubs tickets. Here are a couple: Chicago Cubs Tickets *Verified Sellers*, and Chicago Cubs VIP Bleacher Season Tickets. They have thousands of members, who resell their season tickets without the fees.

I hope these folks don’t get mad at me for mentioning them in the same section as scalpers. I probably shouldn’t, since they do a lot to verify things. They seem very much like they simply want to help Cubs fans avoid the fees everyone hates. There’s many more forums, by the way, and you can search them.

You do have to join the groups and they’re private, which you would want obviously. So it might be better for frequent Wrigley attendees, which I wish I were.

“Look for the yellow ice cream truck. I’ll have my hat on backwards so you can find me.”

If you love the thrill of a non-guaranteed ticket, you might be able to score a great deal through scalpers or Craigslist. Wrigleyville isn’t crawling with aggressive scalpers like it once was, but I’m told they’re still out there. I’m guessing they can email you tickets or transfer them to you some other way.

Scalpers are tough here, but once the game starts they’ll likely drop the price. I know, I hate missing baseball too, but by about the third inning you can find a sweet deal. Not every game sells out, in case you are intercepted before you get to the ticket window and told as such.

I’ve written more about buying baseball tickets on Craigslist here; basically treat Craigslist sellers like you would scalpers. These days, I would have a backup plan in case the tickets have been voided somehow, which does happen to people, but there are plenty of legit sellers too.

The fewer tickets you’re looking for, the better; a single ticket is your best chance for a bargain.

Get ’em while they’re cold!

Cheap Chicago Cubs Tickets, Tip #6) Choose The Right Game + Opponent. I can’t stress this enough, dear baseball fans. It’s key to finding the best deal on Cubs tickets. The difference in average ticket price between high and low demand games can sometimes be in the hundreds of dollars.

If all you want is to see a Cubs game at Wrigley Field, don’t pick a game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers or New York Yankees. Choose a game against the San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies or another distant opponent whose fans don’t travel well. (Usually that’s any bad team, but there’s other factors.)

Similarly, it’s easier to find the deals on Cubs tickets during colder months, especially April, than it is for July and August games. Weekend games are in more demand than weekday games, but if you must go on a weekend, go for a Sunday. Most baseball travelers are gone by then.

A weeknight game in April against the Athletics can cost a third as much or even less as a summer weekend game against the Cardinals. Remember what I’ve told you about dynamic pricing. Even through the Cubs, picking the right game can save you a lot of cash.

Again, Rockies or Marlins over Cardinals or White Sox, weekdays over weekends, and April and May over July and August, if you can deal with the cold. (This is one reason the sunny bleachers are very popular here.)

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When you’re at this point, it’s pretty close to go time on getting tickets.

Cheap Chicago Cubs Tickets, Tip #7) Wait Till The Last Minute. This is a tip that a lot of Cubs fans will pass on to you; ticket prices for low demand games especially will drop as game time gets closer, especially on third party sites. If you’d like to see this phenomenon in action, check ticket prices starting a week out on TickPick, up until game time. You’ll see.

With so many ticket sellers having their own apps, you can literally just buy a ticket on your phone as you get off of the train at Addison Station. I saw a lot of Redditors recommend the Gametime app for this, I’ve never used it so I can’t say for myself. I still prefer TickPick but that’s me.

As valuable as this tip is, don’t go this route if a) the game is high demand and very important to you, b) you need a larger quantity of tickets, say more than four, or c) you want to sit in the bleachers. Remember the Wrigley bleachers are general admission and extremely popular. For a good seat you are looking at arriving three and a half hours before game time at the least. Not kidding.

Waiting till the last minute also probably affords you less time to shop around, but if you can, remember…go all the way to the checkout screen! (Have I said that enough?)

Note the absence of shade for bleacher seats. A key thing.

Cheap Chicago Cubs Tickets, Tip #8) Use That Weather. This one’s for locals, of course, or at least people within a couple hours of the ballpark (e.g. Brewers fans!). If you have flexibility, check for tickets on days where the weather doesn’t look great.

If you live there, I don’t need to tell you that Chicago weather isn’t always conducive to enjoying live baseball. But what that also means is that season ticket holders sometimes will unload tickets if the temps drop. Or, honestly, if the temps are through the roof in the summer, which does happen.

You can always duck out of the elements temporarily in the team store, the concourses or even the bathroom. (True…I found the men’s room at Wrigley to be an excellent place to warm up if you don’t mind the social discomfort).

Shoot for the bleachers on cold days, which face away from Lake Michigan wind. Or at least avoid the shaded seats. My complete guide to Wrigley Field seating should help here.

Heck, you might even find a season ticket that includes some club access very cheap.

Shout your Cubs fandom from the rooftops! (Just not the Wrigley rooftops.)

Cheap Chicago Cubs Tickets, Tip #9) Bring Your Friends. The Cubs offer sweet deals on group tickets. Best of all, you only need to find 14 friends or co-workers interested in going to a baseball game. If you can’t pull that off in Chicago, find a new place to work without such killjoys.

The Cubs include a group discount calendar on their website. You can choose the cheapest games of course, but best of all, (pay attention here) the Cubs waive the ticket fees! According to Megh, the nice Cubs rep that informed me of this, that works out to a discount of about $10 per ticket on average. If you can get 250 fans to go, they’ll even throw in tickets to a future game. Bet you weren’t expecting to learn how to get FREE Cubs tix here!

The Cubs’ newsletter (remember to sign up!) should tell you what discounts for groups are happening. Find out well in advance.

Incidentally, the Cubs will help you if you’re doing a Cubs game as a fundraiser too. They’ll donate $4 back to your organization for each ticket you sell through a dedicated link. It’s not technically a way to get cheap tickets, but it’s something to consider for your non-profit.

Unfortunately, the “amusement tax” is still included, but it can still be a heck of a deal.

If you just sit between those poles over there, you’ll be doing all right!

Cheap Chicago Cubs Tickets, Tip #10) Use The Cheap Seats. If you only care about getting into the ballpark, you can try SRO or seats on the outer edge of the upper deck. Not great seats of course, but they go cheap, especially for low demand games.

The Cubs sometimes offer steals on the cheap seats for low demand games (check your newsletter). Use the box office if you can and avoid the fees.

I don’t endorse people moving into seats that they haven’t paid for (even though I sometimes do it). But even if I did, Wrigley isn’t an easy place to improve your lie during the game. The ushers can be pretty tough from what I’ve read, especially in the lower level.

At the Friendly Confines, you’re never far from the action!

That said, for cheap seats, the Friendly Confines does offer some of the better views in MLB. You could sit at the top and not be as high as in Milwaukee or the South Side. Yes, the views tend to be not so great further into the outfield. But there’s far fewer acrophobia-level seats at Wrigley.

Other cheap seats at Wrigley include those infamous “obstructed view” seats…and there are ways to minimize that. Here’s some helpful tips.

The Cubs say that they will make a limited number of standing room tickets available on game day. You could try the box office early.

You’re in? Great! No need to thank me, it’s all in a day’s work for Ballpark E-Guides!

There you go friend, all my valuable advice for finding deals and saving money at your next Chicago Cubs game. Be sure to check out my complete guide to the Friendly Confines. By the way, I have a lot of tips for the White Sox ballpark too, if you’re out this way.

I hope this post saves you enough for at least a Wrigley hot dog at the concession stand. Please pass the word and support our sponsors, and thanks for reading!

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If you’re going to Comerica Park to see a Detroit Tigers game (or any event), there’s great ways to get there without driving and parking. Not that there’s anything wrong with driving; I offer some useful parking tips here, and here’s a few sports bar locations that will offer you a ride. (Also, definitely use my friends at SpotHero to book your parking in advance!)

However, this post will cover plenty of options for you…mostly public transportation in downtown Detroit, but also some unusual methods for getting to the home of the Tigers.

There’s a lot here, so I’ve broken it down for you:

The QLine Streetcar
The Detroit People Mover
Detroit Bus: DDOT Bus
From Suburbs: SMART Bus (including the FAST Bus)
From Canada: Transit Windsor
Detroit Party Bus
Party Bus Detroit (yes, it’s different)
From Other Cities: Amtrak
Also From Other Cities: Megabus
For Exercise: By Bicycle
Bikeshare to Comerica: MoGo
Taxicab/Rideshare

OK, let’s get started…after this quick word from our sponsor:

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The “Q” stands for Rocket Mortgage. True.

QLine Streetcar. The “QLine” streetcar is a light rail route that runs along Woodward Avenue through the business districts and downtown, with dedicated lanes and traffic signals in spots to speed up the ride. The Montcalm station is right there at Comerica Park main entrance. Best of all, it’s free! The QLine stops running at midnight weeknights and at 9:00 Sunday nights; if it’s not running you should be able to take a DDOT bus back.

The QLine is great for making a day of Detroit without getting shafted on parking; you can park at the Fox Theatre garage across the street from Comerica and pay the early bird rate, and use the QLine to visit other Motor City attractions before a game. There are also numerous parking lots along the route. (Remember, book your parking spot in advance with SpotHero!)

The QLine is also a convenient option if you’re coming from the Amtrak station…and makes Amtrak a much easier option to get to games from out of town, say if you’re using that ultra-fast Wolverine from Chicago.

Remember though, free attracts everyone, so cars can be crowded and you may be standing for much of the ride.

Because people like to move in Detroit.

People Mover. The Detroit People Mover is an elevated monorail system that carries folks to the main downtown attractions in a compact area. The monorail runs counterclockwise around the area, costs just 75 cents a ride as of this writing and moves from stop to stop quickly. The Broadway and Grand Circus Park stations are a short walk through a small park to Comerica.

The People Mover, like the QLine, is good for folks making a day of visiting Detroit attractions like Greektown (there’s a lot of great eateries near the People Mover); again, try the Fox Theatre garage or another lot with an early bird rate close to Comerica.

There are parking locations near stops, but you’re not likely to find a bargain that makes the hassle worth it except for the easy out. You should be able to find baseball parking cheaper and closer to Comerica than the People Mover.

The DPM runs till 10:30 on weekdays, so it might not be a good idea for weeknight games. It does run until midnight Fridays and Saturdays. It is generally safe during the day and before and after games, but at other times you should be reasonably careful.

Never drive to Comerica Park without a plan…

Book your Tigers game parking spot now with SpotHero!

Click here to book parking for your next Tigers game now!

Strategically placing the sign in front of gas prices!

By Bus. There are plenty of buses operated by DDOT (Detroit Department of Transportation) and SMART (Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation) that get you to the front door of Comerica or somewhere nearby.

Both DDOT and SMART have “Trip Planners” on their websites; or you can use Google Maps from your destination to find the route to Comerica and back. Fares are inexpensive as big city transit goes.

So convenient you won’t tell the authorities about their parking in front of a fire hydrant!

DDOT. The DDOT system is for people within the city limits. These buses are white with green and yellow and have two-digit numbers.

The 4 DDOT bus stops at the front door of Comerica on Woodward Avenue (as does the QLine, which you’d probably prefer). Multiple other routes come within a block or two; Google Maps can help you find one. There are numerous other buses that have stops near People Mover and QLine stops, which, while inexpensive, is a convoluted way to get to a ballgame.

Bus service on busier routes like those on Woodward is usually 24 hours a day; with other routes you should check the schedule first.

Not a lot of baseball fans use DDOT to get to Tigers games, especially now with the QLine being a better option. If the QLine and People Mover aren’t convenient, it might be a way to have a look around the city on the way, but otherwise you usually have better options.

Once you see the flags with the Tigers D logo, pull the emergency stop cord.

SMART. SMART buses are generally for people coming from the suburbs from Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties. SMART’s downtown buses all stop either at Comerica, or a People Mover/QLine station. Can save you quite a few bucks over driving and parking at the ballpark.

Most buses run throughout most of the night, and the routes that go directly to the ballpark run more frequently than others. Not all of their buses run late enough to take you back after a night game, so be sure to check the schedule.

SMART buses are a bit better maintained than DDOT, but like DDOT buses, they take time getting through Detroit.

SMART also operates FAST buses, with several routes that stop at or near Comerica. FAST routes arrive more frequently than others and are designed for going to events. SMART even lists park-and-ride locations for you, and there’s Wi-Fi on the buses. If I were doing a bus to Comerica, I’d probably use a FAST bus.

From reviews I’ve read, neither SMART nor DDOT are held in very high regard by locals. There are complaints about unreliability with SMART and sharing the bus with strange characters on DDOT. Nothing out of the ordinary for big city public transit, I suppose. But some people are happy with being able to get to the ballpark more cheaply than if they had driven.

$$$ Tightwad Tip! $$$

$ – Both SMART and DDOT have discounts for students, seniors, disabled riders, and young children. Kids under 44” can ride DDOT for free with a paying adult. With the discount the ride is darn near free, so if you have a Medicare card there’s no need to drive to the game.

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Lots of cool stuff to your left here.

Transit Windsor. From Windsor, Ontario, the Transit Windsor Special Events buses run every game day starting at the Windsor Transit Terminal, 75 minutes and 45 minutes before the game. The buses go through the Windsor-Detroit tunnel and drop riders off near the Broadway-Grand Circus Park garage, near the Detroit Opera House. Nicely walking distance to the right field entrance.

After the game (or fireworks), the buses return to Windsor until 30 minutes afterward, so don’t dawdle getting out. You can pay with American or Canadian money.

There are several parking garages at the transit center in Windsor, and lots of metered parking as well. Garages charge an hourly rate until 6:00 PM and then a small flat fee for the rest of the evening, while most metered parking is free after 6:00 PM.

This is a fairly convenient and inexpensive way for Canadians or those staying in Windsor to get to the game, but remember that it will cross a border and thusly have to pass through customs, so you’ll need proof of citizenship. If there’s a problem at customs it could delay the trip a while.

There are Tunnel bus services to Detroit throughout the day, so you can get there earlier if you like, and doing so to avoid rush hour is a good idea. You can take any bus to downtown and get on the People Mover, but be sure it will be available for the way back.

I don’t know if they have a “postseason” bus, but this’ll do. (logo courtesy of Social Connection)

Detroit Party Bus. The Detroit Tigers Party Bus is a popular way to both enjoy a ride to the game with other Tigers fans and not have to worry about driving at least until you’re back in Royal Oak, Novi, or Partridge Creek.

Two buses depart from each location, one and two hours before game time, and include Labatt’s beer and Tito’s vodka cocktails. You can BYOB. They only serve water on the return trip.

The Tigers Party Bus includes packages that include a game ticket to the Kaline’s Corner section for an extra few bucks, so you can sit with the people you’ve met on the bus…great for mingling or perhaps even meeting a Tigers fan mate. You can get the cheaper bus ride without the ticket too. It’s a great deal if you like to socialize with fellow fans, and avoid the traffic and parking hassle too.

I don’t see anything from Social Connection about 2024 party buses, but I don’t see that they’ve cancelled them either. You can contact them here.

$$$ Tightwad Tip! $$$

$ – If you help the Tigers Party Bus people, they’ll help you…they offer free rides (drinks included) to folks who are willing to volunteer their efforts to help seat people and make sure they have drinks. Kind of like being a bartender and getting to go to the party for free. They will also reward people who bring a group with free ride tickets.

The Tigers love designated drivers almost as much as you do!

Party Bus Detroit (not to be confused with the Detroit Party Bus…the two are different entities). The folks at Party Bus Detroit has a fleet of high end limo buses that carry groups ranging from 16-22 passengers; buses feature a cooler and a bar and some crazy neon lighting inside for that dizzy feeling. Obviously you’re allowed to have a drink on the bus. The driver is a professional chauffeur, so he probably knows how to avoid the bumps that spill drinks.

The buses are not cheap, but this is a limo service after all, and if everyone chips in it could be a great deal and a blast of fun. They do have a separate website just for Tigers game goers, so I expect it’s a popular thing for them.

Renting a limo to get to a Tigers baseball game is a popular thing…Epic Party Bus, Varsity Limousine and several others offer luxury buses to events. There’s even a party bus outfit coming from Lansing. Someday I’ll do a separate post on that.

Not a lot of details from this sign, but you should know you’re in Detroit at this point.

Amtrak. The Amtrak station in Detroit is located on the corner of Baltimore and Woodward Avenue, north of I-94. Should you be using the Wolverine train from Pontiac or Kalamazoo (or Chicago, but that’s a long ride), the station is about two miles from Comerica, and can be reached using the QLine or a DDOT bus. (It’s also not far from Z’s Villa, if you’d like to try their excellent pizza.)

The Wolverine coming from Chicago passes through a high-speed corridor and reaches 90 MPH in spots, which is pretty cool and would make the ride from Chicago much quicker than the five hour drive that it normally is. It doesn’t run very frequently, however, so a game would probably require an overnight stay.

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When they’re in service, they’re pretty good. Just saying.

Megabus. Megabus is a bus service that brings people to Detroit from Kalamazoo, Ypsilanti, Elkhart, Indianapolis and other metropolises in the region. Google Maps currently lists the Megabus stop at West Forest Avenue, near Woodward Avenue. You can use a 4 bus or take a short walk to the QLine stop at Canfield Street.

Megabuses are relatively comfortable as buses go, with air conditioning, wireless Internet and whatnot. Prices can be as low as a dollar, although it’s tricky pulling that one off (in fact prices seem a bit high to ride a bus to Detroit). You may want to grab an earlier bus, because all bus services get behind schedule.

Yep, there’s your bike rack…

Bicycle. The Tigers say nothing about bicycle racks, so you’d have to find some place to park it…and I can tell you that it’s not easy. The team did offer a bicycle valet for games in the past; we’ll see if that gets offered again in the future. (It should be in the Tigers ticket alert newsletter if so.)

In my searches I did see a small rack on Montcalm Avenue, where the Tigers’ McLaren garage is. This is right at the home plate gate, so finding your way back to your bicycle is easy. It doesn’t open until the lot does though.

Here’s a useful map for bicycling downtown, if that helps. There are also bicycle racks on DDOT and SMART buses, and bikes are allowed on the QLine streetcars. You cannot take your bike onto a Transit Windsor bus unless you can put it in a bag, which is a bit of a challenge.

In other words, you might as well use a bikeshare service…

Now, this is more like it!

MoGo. Detroit has a bicycle-sharing system called MoGo; you can buy a pass at any station or with the app, and they have several options for your needs.

MoGo isn’t generally cheap enough to make this a money-saving alternative to parking. A one hour pass is $10 as I write this. This is mostly for cycling enthusiasts or people who don’t want to ride their own bike in Detroit. They have monthly and yearly passes too.

Most of the 75-plus stations where you can borrow or return bikes are downtown, including two stations near Comerica. A few stretch into neighborhoods like Mexicantown or along Woodward Avenue. MoGo plus the Q-Line could make for an economical ride that includes exercise and an easy exit after the game.

This is your drop off point. Tell your driver not to park at the hydrant.

Taxicab/Rideshare. There is a taxi stand just outside of Gate B on Witherell Street, past right field. Generally you should have no problem finding one in this area after the game. The problem is there will be post-game traffic that you’ll be sitting in with the meter running. The taxi fares in Detroit are state regulated, but that still won’t be cheap.

According to the Lyft people, Comerica is the top event space destination for riders. It wouldn’t hurt to see if they run any specials from time to time. The Tigers recommend Metrocars as a ride service; they offer some really nice vehicles.

I think you can take it from here.

So, does all that help? Hopefully I’ve offered some of the best ways for you to get to the home of the Detroit Tigers without using your car. But just remember, I’ve included parking tips and sports bar shuttles on this blog as well. Oh, and here’s how to pick a great seat!

Incidentally, Comerica Park is part of District Detroit. These tips can help you with getting to Little Caesars Arena and Ford Field too. So bookmark away.

Thanks for reading, and please support our sponsors!

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Okay baseball fans, here’s all you need to know for how to get to Rogers Centre for Blue Jays baseball games! I’m focusing on mostly using a train ride to get there. It’s easily the best way…and part of the fan experience.

If you really want to drive, here’s some tips about Green P parking that should help. It’s also a good idea to book your Jays parking ahead of time with SpotHero. I’ll cover Rogers Centre parking in the future, I promise, but this post covers your better options.

(Need more Rogers Centre help? I got ya! Check out this complete seating guide, some tips for bringing in outside food, and this helpful post for bringing the kids to a Blue Jays game!)

I’ve broken down all of these tips for you, based on where you’re coming from and how you go:

From The City + Suburbs, Part 1: TTC Subway
From The City + Suburbs, Part 2: TTC Buses + Streetcars
From Longer Distances: GO Transit
From The YYZ Airport: UP Express
From Other Cities, Part 1: Amtrak/VIA Rail
From Other Cities, Part 2: Greyhound/Megabus
Letting Someone Else Drive: Taxicab/Rideshare
For Some Exercise: By Bicycle
Exercise Around The City: Bikeshare Toronto
From The Islands (+ YTZ Airport): Ferry
From A Short Distance: Walking + PATH

Okay here we go, after a short message from our sponsor:

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The Skywalk is the key. Use it to your advantage.

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the public transit system covering most of Toronto proper. They have an elaborate system of subways, buses, and light rail transit, all of which can get you to Rogers Centre fairly easily.

Subway The TTC operates three connecting subway lines. The Yonge-University-Spadina (#1) line drops riders off at Union Station, which in turn links to Rogers via the glass-enclosed Skywalk bridge, offering a view of the city and an escape from Toronto weather. The St. Andrews station is also close to Rogers Centre, for those looking to exit (or enter) a crowded train a stop earlier or avoid the Union Station/Skywalk rush.

(For you Canada visitors, Yonge is pronounced “young”, Spadina is pronounced “spa-deye-nah”, and Dundas is pronounced “dun-dass” if you’re out that way. Here the Yonge-University-Spadina line will be called the Yonge line.)

Because of its U-shape, to decide what train to get on after the game, you have to pay attention: the top of the train will show the destination: Downsview is the destination on the west side; the east side runs along Yonge Street towards Finch.

The Bloor-Danforth (#2) and Sheppard (#3) subway/train lines connect to the Yonge line. If you’re transferring to the Bloor-Danforth, (as you can see from the TTC subway map) it doesn’t really matter which direction you go.

Just 2 minutes? But I’m still texting!

Trains rarely take more than five minutes to arrive, so if the train you’re waiting for is too crowded, just wait for the next one. The TTC adds trains for Blue Jays playoff games.

The Yonge line’s last train leaves Union just after 1:30 AM, so you should be okay to party a bit after the game. The last trains leaving the Bloor-Yonge station on the Bloor-Danforth line are just after 1:50 AM; the last train leaving the Sheppard-Yonge station leaves at 2:14 AM, so transferring isn’t likely to be a problem either. If you do miss the last train, there should be a corresponding bus route available.

Most of the parking lots along train lines have reasonable rates that are geared at commuters more than tourists, which is good for your purposes. For example, parking at Downsview on the Yonge line is just $2 after 3:00 PM, which works fine for a night game. Even during the day, lots aren’t all that much, usually about $7.

Union Station can be a bit confusing to get around, especially on the outside. It also gets very busy at rush hour. But there are plenty of helpful signs inside the station pointing the way to the Skywalk, and they’ll be plenty of fans in blue t-shirts you can follow to the Centre and back. The CN Tower is in the same direction, so you can move up to the street and find it that way.

Don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to take in the sights…

Buses/Streetcars TTC operates three bus routes that stop at Union Station—the 19 Bay from Dupont Street, the 72 Pape from Danforth Avenue (yes, the corner of Danforth & Pape for you Rush fans), and the 97 Yonge from Steeles Avenue routes. These three run at all times every day, and during rush hour there are additional buses. Drivers do not make change; be sure to have tokens or coins on hand.

TTC also has light rail streetcars you could use; the 509 Harbourfront from Exhibition Place, and the 510 Spadina route from the University subway station where the Yonge and Bloor-Danforth lines meet. Both of these lines stop at Union Station and also at Rees Street, which is a short walk to the Centre. The 504 King route also stops at St. Andrews station close by. All three lines run 24/7.

One knock on the current state of the TTC is that the subway doesn’t cover enough ground (which is a somewhat legit gripe), so you may need to use a bus or a streetcar to get to a subway station. If you do the transfer is free, but you may need to ask for a paper transfer ahead of time. There is a useful trip planner on the TTC website.

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Even big vehicles have to obey the street signs.

Riding a bus or streetcar might be fun the first time, enabling you to see the city. They are generally comfortable and quiet. But in most cases, if you have a choice of bus/streetcar vs. subway, use the subway. Toronto traffic can tie up a streetcar or a bus nicely. The 510 Spadina route is a bit better than most, being separated from the traffic (the Spadina/Bremner stop is actually closer to the ballpark than Union Station), but it still has slow moments.

Staying near the Pearson International Airport (YYZ), there are several bus lines that run there from town and back, and most all of them run all night. The 192 Rocket is a nice express ride, making only four stops.

Eschew the tokens and score some savings with a TTC day pass!

$$$ Tightwad Tip! $$$ – If you’re making a day of visiting the city, a TTC day pass will pay for itself with four rides, and it’s good on any of TTC’s services. Better yet, on weekends and holidays (July 1 is Canada Day) you can buy a group/family pass that is good for two adults and up to four kids, or one adult and five kids under 19, for the price of one person. Great savings for the family, and cheaper than parking at the game.

Another tip: If you’re staying or live near the Airport, you can save beaucoups bucks with the TTC bus lines to the city and back. The aforementioned 192 Rocket runs from Kipling Station to Pearson, and this is just one fare including the ride to Kipling. That’s two transfers, but neither should be a long wait, and the cost for the trip can’t be beat—a cab for this would cost upwards of $60.

Should be enough space on this train. Cute little logo too.

GO Transit GO (Government of Ontario) Transit runs seven rail lines of double-decker trains stretching into much of southern Ontario, all of which converge at Union Station. There are parallel bus routes extending as far as Niagara Falls bringing folks to rail stations, and they also have bus service to the airport.

It isn’t the cheapest suburban rail service, but it can save some money over driving in—with a group of three or more it might be better to drive and park near a TTC station and take a subway, depending on the distance. There is a fare calculator on the GO Transit website; the price per ride increases as one gets further away from the city.

GO trains are popular with Jays fans and get crowded with limited seating occasionally before or after games. Try an earlier one if you can. Here’s a trick: if a train is leaving from two platforms, head for the side that is harder to get to, for a less crowded entrance to the train.

Parking is free at GO Transit stations, and if you use a TTC train before and after riding a GO train, your transfer is free.

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Have mercy…been waitin’ for the train all night…

Check the schedule using GO trains. Many of them won’t take you all the way back late at night, but you can usually pick up a GO bus for the rest of the way. It’s a minor hassle, and the wait for the bus shouldn’t be long, but a hassle nonetheless and you don’t want to depend on it.

The only other complaint for Jays fans is the infrequency of nighttime and weekend trains: often they run just once an hour or even two hours as opposed to every 15-30 minutes on a weekday. On the way back, you may have to hustle or wait a while—so it’s good to get a round trip ticket for easier departure. Union Station has restaurants and stores; it’s not the worst place for waiting.

GO Transit encourages the use of added value PRESTO cards (yes, another Rush reference); if you live in the area this makes for less hassle boarding GO and TTC vehicles, and can save you money on rides and transfers.

You can save a bit on billets if you plan ahead.

Some more money-saver tips for you: Buying a weekday or weekend GO pass offers a discount on fares. If you’re going to use GO say, four times, and you don’t mind the effort, this can save you a few dollars on the slightly pricey fares. If you’re taking the family to the game on a weekend, check out their group passes; you can save quite a few bucks.

One more thing to know…if a GO train is more than 15 minutes late, which does happen, especially in the late evening (I speak from experience), they’ll refund you the cost of the ride.

Ballpark E-Guides was all over this!

UP Express If for some reason you are coming from the Airport (or the Bloor or Weston GO stations) you can ride the extremely efficient UP Express train to Union Station. It’s not the cheapest ride, but it will get you from the airport to Union Station in just 25 minutes (which is much quicker than the Rocket/subway route to Union), and you never have to wait more than 15 minutes for a train. The last UP train leaves Union at 1:00 AM.

Like with GO, you can use a PRESTO card for your UP fare. It’s especially great if you want to get back to the airport or stations quickly and with no transfers, but decide for yourself if that’s worth the significant extra cost over the TTC Rocket. Like with GO, there are ways to save on passes and such for the family. Parking at the airport costs $35 as I write this.

Never Drive To Rogers Centre Without A Plan…

Book Your Parking Spot NOW With My Friends at SpotHero!

Be a smart fan…book your Toronto Blue Jays parking now!

In case you need to get to Montreal quickly after the game.

Amtrak/VIA Rail Union Station is also a stop for the VIA Rail System that covers the rest of Canada and connects with Amtrak in the U.S., but this is generally for people making a trek to Toronto from another major metropolis out of GO’s reach.

This isn’t a method you would likely use just to get to a game, since the service from Amtrak and VIA from most destinations is rather infrequent, but it’s there if you can think of some reason.

If you find the guy with a Blue Jays sweater under a black jacket, he’ll secretly lead you to the Megabus.

Greyhound/Megabus For those of you familiar with the ubiquitous continental bus services, both Greyhound Canada and Megabus stop at 81 Bay Street, a 15 minute walk from the ballpark through the Skywalk.

I’m a big fan of Megabus; you can get to Toronto from multiple locations in Canada and the U.S., including Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa, Windsor and Detroit, for as low as a buck if you book the trip early enough. Even if you don’t get the dollar fare, it is usually reasonable, and the buses are comfortable as buses go.

If you use Megabus, you have to use either the American or Canadian version of the website depending on where you’re coming from. Just FYI, Canadians call non-local buses “coaches”, so you know.

Well, they seem to know how to find the place at least.

Taxicab/Rideshare If you’re looking for a cab or rideshare, your best spots are north of the Centre on Front Street or south on the corner of Bremner and Rees Streets. Taxis drop you off right there at the gate.

There are ample taxis and Uber/Lyft drivers available both before and after games, but keep in mind that you will probably be stuck in post-game traffic with the meter running. Unless you’re a luxury suites during the World Series type, you probably won’t want to pay that. Rideshares like Uber include “surge pricing” fees, and they often apply to after a ballgame. I also wouldn’t use a taxi, unless I were staying nearby and had the cash to spare.

Believe it or not, you do need to get here early. But parking is indeed free.

Bicycle You can ride your bicycle straight to the game; there are a few bicycle stands at nearly all of the gates for bicycles only, and they do get used. Scooters will be towed. You’re also allowed to take your bike onto selected TTC buses and streetcars, and there are bicycle lockups at some of the TTC subway stations.

The city of Toronto has taken considerable steps to make the city more bicycle friendly, with painted bike routes on major streets. Along the Harbourfront on Queens Quay Boulevard is a very nice route that is used by many riders.

You can get a free cycling map at libraries or bicycle shops, or you can download one online.

Yes, you’re seeing more bicycle parking than car parking here.

Bike Share Toronto Bike Share runs a system of bicycle rentals in several major cities. Users can buy a subscription for a time period ranging from one day to a year, and then rent a bicycle from any of 700 stations (!) and return it to another station. It is designed for short rides of 30 minutes or less, which are free to members; longer rides cost a bit extra.

It’s an inexpensive way to get some exercise, see the city and get to the game.

There are stations all over downtown (they’re usually marked by advertisers, rather than with the Bike Share logo), including four near Rogers Centre and a few near Union Station. You can bike from Union to the game if you like, but you can’t use the Skywalk for that.

You can actually see the Toronto Islands from inside the ballpark.

Ferry I can’t think of a way that this method would be convenient, but I’m sharing it anyway. Should you be flying into the Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ) on the Toronto Islands south of the city, there is a free ferry that takes you to the mainland, about a half mile walk or streetcar ride from Rogers Centre.

Porter Airlines runs a free shuttle from the ferry dock to the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, but you’re not exactly saving money there.

If you’re heading back that night, the last ferry leaves the mainland just after midnight, except on Saturdays, when it leaves around 8:00.

Again I don’t know if or how well this works, because I’m presuming that you’d be staying overnight, which means you’d have to go to the hotel first to drop off your stuff anyway. There aren’t any hotels on the Islands. Just putting it out there. It might work for a day trip from Ottawa or Montreal or something like that.

Any path to a ballpark should include a food court!

Walking There are plenty of hotels in the downtown area (including the Toronto Marriott City Centre Hotel in the ballpark itself), and Toronto is an attractive, walkable city with plenty to interest you on the way to a Jays game. Not only are there lots of shops and restaurants around, but there are some highly original street performers in the area. Toronto is as safe as cities can be, just exercise common sense.

Toronto has a network of underground tunnels called PATH that protects you from the elements and can take you to dozens of points of interest including a Blue Jays game. A map of the PATH underground city is available on the city’s website.

You can use the PATH to find some great pre- and post-game spots. Rogers is kind of a part of the entertainment district here. Most of the buildings closest to the ballpark are banks and office buildings, but further north are hotels and shopping centers. Keep in mind that many of them are closed on the weekends, though.

Still no parking to be seen. But I think you can take it from here.

There’s all of the ways I know to get to Blue Jays home games and other Rogers Centre events! That’s including football games with the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts. Trust me, public transportation is almost always your best bet.

Be sure to check out more Rogers Centre tips here. Thanks for reading, and please support our sponsors!

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Hello Baseball Fans! I’m here to help you with all of the best ways to get to Nationals Park in Washington D.C., at least if you’re not driving, which you shouldn’t.

I promise I’ll cover driving and parking when I can (use SpotHero to book your parking if you must), but this post contains lots of info on your alternatives, especially public transportation…which is almost always the best way.

I’ve broken your routes down so you can skip to what you want to know:

(Need more Nationals Park help? I got ya! Check out this complete guide to D.C.’s ballpark, this list of great food items at Nats baseball games, and some tips for scoring cheap tickets! And click here if you’re coming from Baltimore.)

From Metro D.C.: Using Metro Rail / WMATA To Nationals Park
Parking at Metro Stations
From Inside D.C., Part 2: Metrobus
From Suburbs (On Weekdays): VRE / MARC
From Other Cities: Amtrak, Megabus
For A Day in The Capital: D.C. Circulator
Something Different: D.C. Pedicabs
Green and Healthy: By Bicycle
Capital Bikeshare
Taxicab / Rideshare

So here we go, after a quick word from our friends at TickPick:

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Thankfully, Metro is no longer using “Unsafetrack”!

The Best Way To Get To Nationals Park: WMATA. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority, known almost exclusively here as the “Metro”, operates an efficient and reliable network of trains and buses that gets high marks for being clean, safe and easy to use. Metrorail is particularly nice if you’re staying in the city within walking distance to a station, and it’s the favorite choice of Nationals fans.

If trains aren’t running for whatever reason, free (but slower) buses are provided.

Riding WMATA requires a “SmarTrip” card, which you add value onto and use to pay for each ride and for parking. Definitely make sure you have enough value on your card after the game.

Setting up a hot dog stand on the way to the ballpark from the train station. It’s…it’s…genious!

Tip #1) Metrorail. The Navy Yard-Ballpark Metrorail Station on the Green Line drops riders off at M and Half Street, a block from the center field gate. This stop can handle up to 24,000 riders per hour, so crowds don’t usually delay things for long. From the station, it is a short walk past inexpensive chili dogs, water bottles, souvenir vendors and a beer garden to easily Nats Park’s most visually appealing entrance.

You can transfer to the Green Line for free from other lines at several locations. Transfer stations can be busy on game days. If you transfer from the Red Line, don’t stay too late. The last Green Line train does not transfer to the Red Line.

With multiple transfer locations, there’s no reason why you can’t skip the first stop and use the next one. If you’re getting on the Yellow Line southbound after the game, for example, you can go one stop past L’Enfant to Archives and transfer there. You’ll have better luck finding a seat before the large L’Enfant crowd gets on.

From the furthest stations, it’s usually less than an hour to the Navy Yard-Ballpark station. You’d do well to load value on your SmarTrip card beforehand, so you aren’t ferociously trying to make change with a bunch of patrons waiting behind you at the crowded ballpark station.

If you want to avoid Green Line game crowds, you can exit from Capitol South on the Blue/Orange lines and walk just under a mile from there. Or you can use the Red to Union Station and ride the D.C. Circulator (more on that in a bit). The Nats also suggest exiting the Blue/Orange Line at the Eastern Market Station and passing by a lot of restaurants, but this is a mile walk (uphill, both ways), so be sure you’re up for it.

Remember, approximately 30,000 of these people will be using the same method of transit as you are. Pay attention…

Here’s a key tip from WMATA’s website: during peak hours (which can include game nights), some Green Line trains run just two minutes apart. You can look at the message signs on the train platform and see if you only have a two minute wait for a less crowded train, and a better chance of landing a seat. Also, the last two cars on the train are usually the least crowded.

Crowds for the train start to thin out not long after the game ends, so you can spend 15-20 minutes buying a souvenir or two on Half Street. You can also use the far station entrance, just make a right turn on M Street and walk a couple of blocks east to the entrance just before New Jersey Avenue. It’s a longer walk, but you’ll get to the platform a little easier and avoid the masses.

Or scrap that and get on at Waterfront Station, about 3/4 of a mile away on M Street. The platforms aren’t any less crowded, but you pass by some fine eateries on the way.

In most cases, the last trains leave late enough that after the game you should have no problem. On weekends the last train leaves after 2:00 AM. But there have been complaints about the lack of service after, say, a rain-delayed game, so have a backup plan just in case. It may require an Uber or Lyft, which obviously wouldn’t be cheap.

On Sundays the last train leaves at 10:52 PM, so I would recommend a different route to get there for Sunday night games.

Important note if you’re heading to Greenbelt after the game (as Baltimore area fans probably would be): check the destination on the front of the train, because if it’s Mount Vernon Square you may have to get off and hop on another train to Greenbelt. Not a big deal, but it can be confusing.

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Don’t be fooled by that fire hydrant there. This lot is legit. I’m almost sure.

Tip #2) Parking at Metro Stations. Metrorail’s tentacles have a long reach in Maryland and Virginia. On the outer reaches of most rail lines (near the I-95/495 Beltway) are ample park-and-ride stations. Parking lots are inexpensive compared to ballpark parking garages, and they’re free on weekends. The lots fill up on weekdays with commuters, so you’d do well to seek out the less popular stations unless you don’t mind a walk.

The WMATA website informs you how much it costs to park at each station (the Nationals list the stations on their website, but not parking prices).

You need to use your SmarTrip card to pay your way out of the lot. If you don’t have sufficient fare, there are Exitfare machines inside the station to add funding. Many stations have started accepting credit cards for parking, but not all of them, so be prepared.

The only venue in sports whose name changes less frequently than the home team’s.

One important note: should you use the Largo Town Center park and ride, be sure that there is not an event at nearby FedEx Field, which applies an “event parking” rate that you definitely won’t want to pay. You’ll also probably get towed if you try parking at the nearby mall. There are adequate nearby park-and-rides, like at New Carrollton Station, that are not far out of the way.

You might be able to find what the city deems “normal demand parking” near a station, where meters are $.75 an hour until 6:30 PM. The high demand parking is enforced until 10:00, so that wouldn’t be worth it.

The aptly named Anacostia Station just across the Anacostia River is not far at all from the ballpark, and has very cheap all day parking, but I’ve read some stories about this station not being in the greatest of areas. Maybe for a day game it would be okay and a good money saver (and not a bad walk on a nice day), but keep your eyes open if you try this one.

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Tip #3) Metrobus. Baseball fans don’t use Metrobus as much as the rail system, so they’re less crowded; unfortunately they are subject to the same traffic laws as the rest of us and can be a slow ride. Nice view of the city though.

The Metro website lists a number of bus routes as having stops at Nationals Park. Many routes pass near Nationals Park (or the Navy Yard, which isn’t far), and you can use them to get to a Metro stop or a parking area. Check the schedule of any route you plan to use and be sure that they will be available after the game. Most run until a little bit past midnight; a few have late night service.

You can jump on the N22 bus from the Red Line at Union Station, and use it to return to Union, saving yourself a transfer and the crowds on the Green Line. If you don’t have a SmarTrip card or pass, you will need exact change.

Yep, you can do the double after an Orioles game! (You need another route back though.)

Tip #4) VRE/MARC. The Virginia Railway Express and Maryland Area Regional Commuter lines offer transit from Virginia and Maryland suburbs. These lines are for commuters, so you would only be able to use them for weekday games. But they are an inexpensive and very easy way to get to D.C. from further away points like Fredericksburg and Baltimore. Could be a great choice for Opening Day.

Both MARC and VRE trains stop at Union Station, from which you can use a Red-Green ride to get to the game (or a Blue/Orange train to Capital South); The Manassas VRE line stops at L’Enfant Plaza, a short Green Line ride away from the ballpark. If you don’t want the additional transfer after the MARC trip, the Camden Line from Baltimore stops at the Greenbelt station, and you can use the Green Line from there.

Again, this is only good for weekday games, but they’re great for that. To get from Camden Station in Baltimore to Greenbelt for under $10 one way can’t be beat. And most stations have free parking.

As you can see, New Carrollton Station’s got you covered for trains.

Tip #5) Amtrak/Megabus. If you’re coming from out of town on an Amtrak train, there are plenty of points from which you can hop on a Metro train: New Carrollton Station on the Orange line; Rockville and Union Station on the Red line; and King Street Station on the Blue/Yellow line. From there it’s a two-train ride (see Metrorail) with a free transfer to Nats Park.

Megabus is a great low cost service that you can use from another nearby metropolis like Philly or even Atlanta, for as low as $1 if you book it early enough. Nice comfortable buses with wi-fi, and they stop at Union Station as well. From Baltimore, you can hop on at the White Marsh Mall easy peezy.

If you stop at Union Station, you could also hop on a D.C. Circulator bus for a cheap if slower ride to the park with a fine view.

“Thanks, Danny, I love Washington.”

Tip #6) D.C. Circulator. The D.C. Circulator bus is a cheaper way to travel around the city and recommended if you’re making a day around town. There are four separate routes, which take visitors to all of D.C.’s tourist destinations for just a buck per ride. A day pass is just $3. The Circulator drops riders off at the Navy Yard Station entrance.

You can see the National Mall, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial and other sights using the Purple Route, and then transfer to the Blue Route to get to the ballpark. The Blue Route (but only the Blue Route) extends service on game days, running until midnight for night games or about 9:00 PM for day games, including on weekends. It only runs until 10:00 on Sunday nights.

You can use the WMATA SmarTrip card to ride the Circulator. Transfers are free from another Circulator or Metrobus, and very cheap from Metrorail, with a SmarTrip card. Good if you have more than one destination in mind. Again, the Circulator stops at Union Station, if you’re using the Red Line and want to avoid the Green Line crowds.

Circulator buses tend to circle their route every ten minutes or so. You can find out where yours is on their website.

Unfortunately the Potomac Riverboat water taxi to Nats games is no longer running; I’ll update this if I hear otherwise.

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A much better view of the city than from the train, and enough space for your date!

Tip #7) Pedicabs. There are now a few Pedicab companies available to take you to ballgames at Nationals Park. Pedicabs are rickshaws towed by fit cyclists; they generally take you wherever you need to go while avoiding traffic hassles, pointing out tourist sites and engaging you in friendly conversation. It’s a neat way to get around the nation’s capital without fuming at the gridlock.

There used to be several pedicab services that were free, and cyclists lived on tips, but nowadays they mostly offer fairly expensive tours of the city, and I’m not sure what they’ll do for baseball fans. There are sometimes cyclists available at the center field entrance or on New Jersey Avenue after games.

If you can find the Anacostia River, you can find Nationals Park.

Tip #8) Bicycle. Should you two-wheel it to Nationals Park yourself, the Nationals actually have a bicycle valet in the Red Garage C, the ballpark garage on the corner of N and 1st Street. It starts two hours before game time and closes one hour after the last pitch. There are also plenty of bike racks outside to lock up your two-wheeler, if you don’t like the discomfort of feeling the need to tip your valet.

The new 28-mile Anacostia Riverwalk along both banks of the river makes for a swell bike ride, but I have read about some incidents, so just be sure to keep your wits about you. I’m told it’s very cool lit up at night, if you’re comfortable cycling then.

D.C. is a very bicycle-friendly city, with multiple bicycle lanes and trails; you can order a map from DDOT. You can also easily park your bike at most Metrorail stations, especially the outer perimeter ones.

A bicycle valet may be nice, but a rented bike allows for a quick escape!

Tip #9) Capital Bikeshare. Capital Bikeshare is a bicycle rental service that allows members to borrow bicycles from over 700 stations (!) all over D.C. proper, including a station on the east side of the ballpark where you can check it in and lock it. If they are all full, there’s other docks at 1st and K, New Jersey and M, and 3rd and Tingey Streets. You can even cycle from the Alexandria area and over the Williams Bridge.

The first 30 minutes are free if you’re a member (the cost of membership varies by length of membership), so if you hustle you can get a free ride to the ballpark and some great exercise to boot. I’ve read that you can take a Metro to the Eastern Market or Capitol South stations, and use a bike from there instead of standing on the crowded Green Line trains. Nice and less pushy alternative.

There are now a bunch of dockless bikeshare services in D.C, like Lime, Spin (with scooters!) and more…too many to list here. They don’t require finding a docking station, and you can download apps for them that can tell you where a vehicle is available.

You can download the “Transit” app to stay aware of them all.

I’m quite certain this is designed to be confusing.

Tip #10) Taxicab/Rideshare. There is now a specific location for Lyft and Uber pickups, on the west curb of New Jersey Avenue between M and N Street. There’s an additional one on New Jersey at the I-695 overpass. Uber listed Nationals Park as one of their top ten destinations of 2019, so clearly people with the means prefer it to Metro a bit.

Ride sharing and taxis are expensive, especially with post-game traffic and surge pricing. But it might be a little easier and quicker than using the Metro depending on where you’re coming from. If you can get someone to go in with you on the cost, this might work better for you, and you won’t have to worry about service being available after the game…like you sometimes will with Metro.

Sure, it would be nice if it were this easy.

Get all that? There you go…making it as easy as possible to get to your next game at the home of the Washington Nationals! If you’d like some parking tips, click here (or just use my friends at SpotHero), but I promise I’ll cover parking in more depth down the road.

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“Where are the best seats in PNC Park?” I get asked this by many fans planning a trip to Pittsburgh to see a Pirates game in one of the most beautiful ballparks in baseball. I’m happy to help…this complete PNC Park seating guide will tell you everything you need to know about every seating area!

Everyone’s taste is different, and everyone has different budget levels, so there isn’t one right answer to where the best seats are in PNC Park are. I’ll help you find the best option for your budget, from the most expensive to the cheap seats, including standing room spots and ideal places for shade.

Yes, they’re all good. But I’ll help you find the one with your name on it!

PNC Park Seating Guide – Table of Contents

Here is the breakdown, from premium to cheap seats at PNC Park:

PNC Park Layout
Luxury Suites
Club Seats, Part 1: The Home Plate Club
Club Seats, Part 2: Club Cambria
Club Seats, Part 3: Pittsburgh Baseball Club Level
Field Level Seating
Upper Level Seating
All You Can Eat Seats
Outfield Seats
Bleacher Sections
PNC Park Standing Room
A Few More PNC Park Seating Tips

OK, lots of useful information here…so we’ll get right to it after this message! (Thanks for supporting our sponsors!)

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I took this picture so I know how to find seats near food.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #1: Ballpark Layout. PNC Park abuts the Allegheny River in the outfield, with home plate in the northwest corner, which in turn causes the setting sun to blind people in the left field stands and the third base side rather than in right field like most ballparks.

There are technically two tiers and those extend generally from foul pole to foul pole; the luxury suites are neatly tucked underneath the upper tier. You need to use a stairway, elevator or rotunda to get to the main level concourse, which is elevated above the bleachers level in the outfield.

Easy to navigate ramps to get to another level with great views.

There are two rotunda ramps that fans can use to get to the main and upper levels; one is plainly visible in left field, the other is behind home plate at the main entrance.

The concourses are open on the lower level, enabling fans to see the action. There is a River Walk behind the outfield seats, where people can take in the Allegheny and a stunning view of the Roberto Clemente Bridge, and try the fancier concessions like Manny’s.

Here is the Pirates’ useful PNC Park seating chart with views from each section; the total seating capacity is 38,362 as of 2023. Rows are lettered rather than numbered, and there is no Row I. Facing the field, seat numbers start with 1 on the right.

Here’s the score on all of the seating areas, from most to least expensive:

Add a bed and you could make this a seriously lucrative hotel room.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #2: Luxury Suites. The suites at PNC Park come in two forms, Luxury and World Series Suites. The luxury suites hold about 15 people and are built for indoor and outdoor game watching, with a full-service bar, leather couch, TVs, and catering options (costs extra) from a diverse menu. And a private restroom of course.

The World Series suites are for larger groups of up to 100 and are located down the left field line (beyond Club Cambria) of the suite level, making for a better view of the skyline. They are named for championship years in Pirates history, 1960, 1971, 1979, etc. Suites closer to home plate are more expensive than those in the outfield.

Bill Mazeroski earned his place in the Hall the moment he swung.

Both types of suites include VIP parking passes, Wi-Fi and access to the PBC Clubs. Again, premium suites cost less than at most ballparks; for a World Series suite you could pay less than $100 a person with parking passes to boot, although you need to chip in for the food. Probably still better for corporate types, but they’re within range of middle class groups.

You work hard. At least be as comfortable at the game as you would on an airplane.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #3: Home Plate Club Seats. The six sections of Home Plate Club seats are the finest and most expensive seats at PNC Park. They are located behind home plate (making them aptly named), with seats closer to the batter than the pitcher who worked much harder to get there.

The seats are wide and comfortably padded. The front row is the most expensive, Rows B through J are slightly less; Rows K through M are for cheapskates.

Home Plate Club seats include a private entrance, access to a complimentary chef-prepared high end buffet through the third inning and in seat service, and entry into the luxurious Home Plate Club and any exclusive club on the Club level.

(Cool fan experience tidbit: The Home Plate Club has a “candy wall” with candies from each World Series winning year for the Bucs, like Bit-O-Honey from 1925.)

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Heck yes. This is how baseball should be watched.

Home Plate Club seats are sold on a season package basis, or as individual games for season ticket holders of other seats in the ballpark. Keep this in mind if you know a season ticket holder.

As these types of seats go, ticket prices here are more affordable than at most ballparks. You can sometimes find these on third party sites for $150 or less.

A fine view of the city, but you’ll really appreciate the air conditioning.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #4: Club Cambria. In response to lackluster suite sales in lean years, the Pirates knocked out a few walls on the third base side and created Club Cambria. It’s on the second deck with the rest of the private club areas.

Club Cambria is for those who aren’t interested enough in the game to spring for Home Plate Club seats but still want to appear well-off at Pirates games. Tickets are sold in season packages or as individual games to season ticket holders.

Oh and being out of the rain too.

Again, you have access to a fine upscale climate-controlled club to entertain clients with a nice write-off, padded and comfortable seating, a full bar and high end buffet (alcoholic drinks cost extra), a private street-level entrance, and best of all a fine view of the Pittsburgh skyline.

As with the Home Plate Club, Rows A and B costs more than Row C, etc. For Row C, the price isn’t bad at all for everything that is included.

Club membership is all about having a place to rest your drink.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #5: Pittsburgh Baseball Club Seats. The wide and padded Club seats, though possibly short on the view of the game and the comfort that Home Plate Club seats offer or the view of the skyline in Club Cambria, may be the best bang for the buck if you’re willing to spring a bit for premium seats.

The Pittsburgh Baseball Club, or PBC, sections are in the 200 lower section of the upper level, out to just past the bases.

With the suites placed under the upper level, the PBC seats are much closer to being on top of the action than at most ballparks. There are about ten rows in most sections; the first three rows are slightly more expensive.

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They’ll turn the lights on when you get there. At least I’m pretty sure they will.

PBC tickets include access to three climate controlled clubs on the private concourse: Club 3000 (named for a hit milestone passed by three Pirates), Gunner’s, and the Keystone Corner.

These clubs have pool tables, arcade games, full service bars and outdoor patios to see the game, and Gunner’s has a porch behind home plate for the best view on the Club Level. All of the clubs have lounge areas and TVs to watch the game; they’re a great place to wait out a rain delay.

You can buy PBC Club tickets for individual games. The food isn’t included in the ticket, unfortunately, and neither is in-seat service. But the price is very good for all that is included, and you can save a bundle bringing a group.

Again, try TickPick on a low demand night and you might find a great deal.

Even with so many amazing seats available, some folks prefer to stand. But hey, your preference.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #6: Field Level. The lower level seating at PNC Park is broken down into seven pricing levels now. Seats drop in price past the bases and at the foul lines, and the back rows cost less than the front rows.

Baseline Box (lowest level in the corners) is cheaper than Lower Infield Box (behind the Home Plate Club seats), so you can figure that in if you like being closer to the field. Seats are angled towards second base as you get past the bases.

With the best lower level seats, you’re usually better off buying through the Pirates in advance than through a third party.

Most of these seats aren’t backbreakers as far as your wallet, and honestly, none of the seats are bad, although you should avoid seating down the right field corner or outfield if you want a nice view of the city or fireworks (third base side sells out first on fireworks nights).

There isn’t a lot of foul territory, so you don’t have to spring for the most expensive seats.

Not AS padded, but more comfortable than most.

The Dugout Box seats on either side of the Home Plate Club seats are also padded, but they are nowhere near as large and don’t include the amenities (or the additional $100 in price).

If you’re in a section directly behind the dugout, the first seven rows or so are skipped, so if you have Row H you’re right on top of everything and can lean on the dugout.

Behind the Dugout Box seats are the Infield Box seats; these are priced the same all the way out to the bases, so the ones behind home plate are in high demand.

PNC is one of the best ballparks when it comes to overhang problems; even if you’re in Row JJ (which is row 35 or so, and the last in most sections), you’ll still be able to see pretty much everything, which is not often the case at ballparks.

As long as someone over seven feet tall doesn’t stand in front of you, you should be fine.

One caveat to be aware of is that there is a walkway in between the first ten rows or so and the seats behind them; the seats are raised but there may still be a foot traffic view problem in the first couple of rows.

The only other issue is that the concourse does get crowded about an hour from game time; if you would like to get your grub then you may be waiting in line a bit. The food court with the best selection is in the left field corner, if a short walk to cool food items matters to you when choosing your seat.

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Some Pirates fans like to sit where they can be reminded of years when ownership put a good team on the field.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #7: Upper Level. Behind the Club seating on the upper level are the Grandstand and Upper Grandstand sections.

There is no Upper grandstand behind home plate, this being the location of the press box, behind the grandstand (another thing the PNC designers got right). Just about all upper deck seats have a sweet view of the city.

The upper level is close to the action here (the Pirates brag that the highest seat is just 88 feet from the field), and there’s nothing wrong with the panoramic view of the whole ballpark from just about anywhere.

These seats are a relative bargain; Upper Outfield Grandstand seats are especially a great deal. You can’t see the Clemente Bridge as well from left field, although there is still a great view of the Pittsburgh city skyline.

“Oh come on ump, he swung at that!”

Beware, though. Some of the seats on this level may have a bit of an obstructed view, with glass stairway landings placed between Club and Grandstand seating. The problem is nowhere near as bad as it is at Citi Field in New York, but in sections with landings like 313, 315, etc. (you can see them on the Pirates’ 3-D seating map), it can be annoying.

Just avoid low numbered seats in Rows H-K on the third base side, and high numbered seats in those rows on the first base side.

The Pirates made the most of their limited space for seats.

Behind home plate there are support poles holding up the press box, which can (but won’t likely) cause you a problem in Sections 315-317. Avoid the highest row (R, usually) if you can. Also, down the left field line, some sections miss the scoreboard to the rotunda ramp in left.

With helpful lamps in case you’d like to read.

There is a roof covering the highest rows; Rows Q and higher are under the roof if you’re interested in shade.

Finally, the upper concourse at PNC is also fairly tight, and on big attendance nights it can get congested. Best to get your dog and beer before the game.

Imagine working at a job where you make hungry people happy.

All You Can Eat Seats at PNC Park: The club level sections of seats down the left field line used to be called the Cove; the Pirates now just all them All You Can Eat seats to avoid confusion.

For a decent price you get a wristband and can grub on all of the hot dogs, burgers, nachos, popcorn, peanuts, and non-alcoholic beverages you can handle in seven innings. There is a separate North Shore stand set up for this.

Unlimited hot dogs + this view = a pretty good life.

The view of the game is just okay here, but the view of the river, bridge and Riverwalk area is still terrific. If the game isn’t keeping you interested you can watch boats go by on the Allegheny.

It’s just my opinion but I’m not big on all you can eat at a ballgame; lines get long and food sometimes doesn’t get fully cooked, or the dogs are kid-sized portions, and from what I’ve read PNC is no exception.

But it’s a good deal if you’re hungry and don’t need anything fancy like a sandwich with French fries and slaw stuffed into it. One fan suggested wearing cargo shorts to put extra bags of peanuts in your pockets. I love the way baseball fans think.

You can’t see the skyline or what other teams are doing. This section is for people who came to see Bucs baseball!

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #8: Outfield Seats. The Outfield Reserved seating in right and center field costs a bit less than the sections down the right field line; however, if you would like a good view of the game these might actually be better, at least in terms of not requiring a neck twist to watch the game.

Lesser view of Pittsburgh from here though, and it gets more direct sun than the right field line seating in foul territory.

The right field seats are raised over the out-of-town scoreboard in the right field wall, and the wall is 21 feet high in honor of Roberto Clemente’s number 21. So these seats could miss some of the action on balls hit to right field, which isn’t a big deal.

Hyundai, Xfinity, and the Pittsburgh Pirates…two beloved institutions in Pittsburgh.

The sections in center field are lower; they are a bit further out but are closer to the field for the same price. Section 139 could miss some of left field if you’re close to the fence, so avoid low-numbered seats there if possible which are closest.

On a hot sunny day you will definitely bake sitting in the outfield seats (I speak from experience); I would be sure to bring water, a hat and sunscreen.

Because nothing is more baseball than rubbing cheeks with your fellow fan.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #9: Bleachers. Yep, most of the hard metal benches in left field in front of the scoreboard are reserved seating. But they are cheap, costing about the same as the Grandstand seating and less than the reserved seating in right field. And they have backs, so it’s not all bad.

Behind the Bleachers is the General Admission bleachers section. The Pirates sell more tickets for this than there are seats, so you should get there early or be a large person if you have a GA ticket. This isn’t the best area to be, but the Bucs did add a drink rail for standing patrons, so it’s not awful if it gets you into the ballpark.

Not to worry if you can’t see the scoreboard…you won’t be allowed to forget who sponsored this nice ballpark.

Keep in mind these seats are in front of the Big Board, so you’d need to crane your neck to see the pre-game cartoon (I kid; the PNC Park scoreboard is actually quite impressive). There are two tiers, and the lower tier is probably your best chance to catch home runs (it’s a good spot during batting practice).

The Pirates won’t let you throw an opposing team’s home run ball back on the field, but if you catch one hit by a Pirate, they’ll have him autograph it for you.

One nice thing about the bleachers is the proximity to the new bar under the rotunda and the Left Field Lounge, so you have a place to get a craft brew or duck out of the elements. Which you may need to with the sun bearing down.

Not the best heckling spot, unless you want to heckle the groundskeeper. Which can be fun.

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #10: Standing Room. The Pirates have millennial-friendly standing room space now; the Left Field Terrace behind the bleachers is a nice spot to stand, lean and rest your drink, and it’s close to the Left Field Lounge for shelter if needed.

There is an outdoor bar at the entrance to the lounge on the center field side, if it gets too hot for you.

Remember when you ordered baseball tickets with your phone? Ah, the good old days.

The Pirates offer a standing room Ballpark Pass for just $29.99 a month (you can upgrade it for actual seats). This can be great if you’re in town to see a few high demand games (i.e. weekends against the Yankees). Well worth it with just 3-4 visits.

At the bottom of the rotunda is a full bar with craft beers. The Pirates sell it as a gathering spot to watch the game, but most of the area, including the bar and tables and drink rail, doesn’t have a view of the action on the field. It’s in an odd spot, truthfully, so it’s really more of a place to get a brew or wait out a rain delay watching something on the ginormous TV.

“Hey, lean over and tell me if the Mets are winning, will ya?”

You may have noticed the people watching from a covered area below the outfield seats in right field; this is standing room and handicapped space and you can hang out there if you want.

If you’re there, check out “Baseball Joe” Vogel, the world’s #1 Pirates fan, who’s been to over 2,500 games. I find Baseball Joe and hang out with him whenever I visit Pittsburgh…he’s great.

Offering shade and cover from the rain as well.

You can also watch from anywhere in the left field rotunda, which is a popular spot for standing room fans; they know they may get on TV there.

If you want a standing spot in the lower level, especially in the infield, you should stake it out early; the arrangement of concessions and handicapped seating makes the space for standing small in the main concourse. I had an usher kick me off of the handicapped platform in one visit. (He was polite though.)

This picture has been brought to you by Coppertone!

PNC Park Seating Tips, Part #11: A Few More Tips. Because of the orientation of home plate, the setting sun affects those on the third base side and in the left field bleachers. The seats on the third base side have better views of the downtown Pittsburgh skyline, but that’s the trade-off. You’d do well to have sunglasses and sunscreen on the third base side in the early evening.

PNC has some seats on the end of certain rows with no armrests for handicapped or oversized among us. You can order these by phone or at the box office.

It’s a great place to be.

The best entrance to use will be marked on your ticket, and this can come in handy in a quirky ballpark with a lot of nooks in it. Besides, it’s pretty neat to look at on the outside too.

Even with all of the details I shared here, the good news if you don’t remember it all is that PNC Park has very, very few bad seats. Some are better than others, but as you can see that depends on your taste. You’ll probably be happy wherever you sit, but hopefully this helps!

Love models like this. It makes me want to be a tiny person.

Thanks for reading this complete guide to PNC Park seating! I hope you enjoyed it and that it helps you make the most of your next visit to this superb ballpark. Happy to share more PNC Park tips here, and please support this website’s sponsors!

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The PNC Park food menu doesn’t quite reflect the culinary city delights like, say, Progressive Field in Cleveland does. But there’s more than ample choices to sample local food favorites at the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Below I’ve listed seven of the best PNC Park food choices, including some new menu items. This by no means covers the varied menu at this classic ballpark, but if you’re looking for some great Pittsburgh eats, this should help.

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“Hey, could you just put the fries and slaw in the sandwich? I’m kind of rushed.”

PNC Park Food Tip #1: The Primanti Brothers Sandwich. The Primanti Bros. sandwich is as iconic Pittsburgh as it gets. At their PNC Park concession stand, you have a choice of steak, capicola or roast beef, covered with cheese and on airy Italian bread. But rather than put your French fries and cole slaw on the side, they just pile the stuff into the sandwich. Yes!

On the Primanti Bros. website, they tell the story about how this sandwich style came about, including how the eatery became popular with truckers who could eat with one hand and steer with the other.

It is indeed a unique and delicious sandwich. I do recommend sitting down at a nearby picnic table to eat one though. If you eat it at your seat you’ll be picking fry bits out of your lap, and that just isn’t baseball.

Primanti Bros. is on the main concourse, near the right field corner.

You’re ready for some Pirates baseball now, aren’t you?

PNC Park Food Tip #2: Caliente Pizza. It’s really bold to call yourself the World’s Best Pizza, but you have to have a lot of confidence to put it in your URL. (True: it’s https://worldsbestpizza.com/) Caliente’s states on their website that their Mee-Maw pizza was named Best Pizza in America in 2019, but they don’t say by whom.

That said, I trust them. Caliente’s is popular enough in Pittsburgh to have over a half a dozen locations, including all of the sports venues in the city.

It’s a good sized slice of pizza for a ballpark, including by thickness standards. It’s got the right mix of dough, sauce, cheese and pepperoni, in other words, lots of everything.

Unfortunately, like most ballparks for some strange reason, pepperoni is your only topping option. But as MLB ballpark pizza goes, this is definitely one of the better options, especially for value.

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Yes, it’s a hot dog. Just because you can’t see the bun doesn’t make it so. (In fact, that kinda makes it better.)

PNC Park Food Tip #3: Smallman Street Deli Reuben Dog. Sure, PNC Park has hot dogs everywhere. But this hot dog is truly Pittsburgh in its “no rules” attitude towards sandwiches. It’s based on one of the available selections from the Smallman Street Deli in the Strip District.

This particular number is the Reuben Dog, and it features corned beef, thousand island dressing, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut. I didn’t try it, but it looks amazing enough as you can see.

The Smallman Street Deli is dedicated to Jewish deli food “the way it used to be”. Their corned beef recipe is over 60 years old, so obviously they’ve hit on something. You can find this stand in the left field corner near the rotunda.

If they still have that pierogi stacker, go for it. It will probably cost more though.

PNC Park Food Options, #4: Manny’s BBQ Platters. Longtime Bucs fans of course remember Manny Sanguillen, the star catcher of the great 1970s Pirates teams. Today Manny sits and meets with fans on occasion, like Boog in Baltimore.

Manny’s has house smoked pulled pork and chicken sandwiches and Angus burgers; they can be had on a platter with beans and slaw. Their burgers are grilled on smokers in full view behind the counter and across the aisle. Loaded burgers especially get good reviews, and the platters with beans and slaw offer decent bang for your ballpark buck.

Manny’s is located in the Riverwalk area in center field. There is a sit down area a short walk away with tables and a nice view of the Allegheny River, but it’s in the hot sun.

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No, that isn’t motor oil. Although you probably could run your car with that potent sauce.

PNC Park Food Tip #5: Quaker Steak Wings. Quaker Steak’s logo is similar to Quaker State Motor Oil’s, big and green with white lettering, so you can’t miss it. I’m fairly sure they don’t use motor oil for cooking wings though, or their wings might not be as popular.

Quaker Steak has regular and boneless wings in several flavors; last I checked the flavors were “Louisiana Lickers”, “Arizona Ranch”, “BBQ”, in hot or medium. You can get a large bucket to share, although at ballpark prices you may think it costs an awful lot for wings.

The bleu cheese sauces aren’t included and cost a bit extra, so if you like bleu cheese keep this in mind, because the cup of cheese is fairly small and you may need more than one.

Quaker Steak & Lube is in Smorgasburgh next door to Primanti Bros., and there’s an outdoor picnic area nearby where you can reduce the risk of wing sauce on your Pirates jersey. There’s also a stand on the upper level.

This nice lady let me photograph fer crab fries. I didn’t ask for any though. I know my limits.

PNC Park Food Options, #6: Chickie’s and Pete’s Crab Fries. It pains me to see Philadelphia food in Pittsburgh, but they could have done worse. If you’ve been to Citizens Bank Park in Philly, you are probably familiar with Chickie’s and Pete’s crab fries; they are crinkle-cut fries jiggled in an Old Bay style seasoning and served with cheese sauce (which costs extra). The cheese sauce is something of a mixture of American cheese and ranch dressing.

The crab fries are extremely popular in Philadelphia; and they’re growing in popularity in Pittsburgh too. There might be a line, but it usually moves quickly. You can get a Philly cheesesteak here also, but it’s not popular from reviews I’ve read.

You can find Chickie’s and Pete’s in the main concourse, and there’s a stand in the left field food court and on the upper deck level.

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A Papa Duke’s gyro. There’s meat in there, I promise.

PNC Park Food Options, #7: The Market. The creatively named Market behind home plate is a grab and go type of joint, but unlike at most ballpark grab and go shops there’s some unique and hot sandwich offerings here that are made deli-style.

The Market is a good spot for healthier types. They have wraps and salads here, including a quinoa salad. The Market has the Papa Duke’s gyro that used to be at its own stand but I imagine is just as good here. Papa Duke’s is actually a place, by the way, it’s not named after Willie Stargell or anything.

That said, get your water bottles and such outside, it’s much cheaper and you can bring it in soft-sided coolers. Lots of stands set up around the ballpark on game days, including at the foot of the Roberto Clemente Bridge.

There you go, seven food choices at the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates that are (almost) uniquely downtown Pittsburgh. I know I’ve left out some good stuff, like the club level options, the Nashville hot chicken sandwich, and variations on obvious ballpark favorites. But these are among my top choices at a Pirates game.

If you’re visiting PNC Park on your next ballpark trip, or even if you’re a regular, I’ve got plenty more fan experience tips for you on my PNC Park page, including this very detailed guide for finding a great seat at your next game.

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Here it is Chicago tourists and baseball fans…your complete and ridiculously detailed guide for how to get to Guaranteed Rate Field, the home of the Chicago White Sox! I’ve researched the ways to get to a White Sox home game thoroughly, and have lots of helpful tips below for you below.

First a disclaimer: if you’re simply going to drive and park, that’s fine…it’s probably the easiest way to get to a White Sox baseball game. But that’s a whole thing in itself. You have multiple options as far as alternate routes, parking locations, and even restaurant shuttles, so I devoted a separate post to Guaranteed Rate Field parking. Plenty of useful knowledge there, if that’s your plan I’d check that out first.

So this post will cover public transit and other ways to get to Guaranteed Rate Field, including by bicycle!

Here’s the list broken down, so you can skip to what you want:

From Chicago, Part 1: CTA Red Line + Connections
From Chicago, Part 2: CTA Purple Line
From Chicago, Part 3: CTA Green Line
From Chicago, Part 4: CTA Bus Routes
From Illinois Suburbs, Part 1: Metra Rail (+ The Lou Jones Station)
From Illinois Suburbs, Part 2: Pace Express Bus
From Indiana Suburbs: The South Shore Line
From Milwaukee + Other Cities: Megabus/Amtrak
Plan Your Route With RTA
Guaranteed Rate Field By Bicycle
Divvy Bikeshare
Taxi/Rideshare

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When you can see the station from the ballpark, that’s a plus.

How To Get To Guaranteed Rate Field: CTA Red Line. The venerable CTA Red Line train is the most commonly used train to get to Guaranteed Rate. The aptly named Sox-35th Street station is a very short and easy walk away east of the ballpark. Coming off the train, just follow the mass of White Sox fans over the bridge crossing the Dan Ryan Expressway. Try to ride in the front of the train, which is closest to the stairs at the station.

White Sox fans are packed on the Red Line both before and after games, although it’s nowhere near as bad as it can be for Cubs games. After the game is over, you can usually wait on the platform (or at the ChiSox Bar & Grill) for another car or two before a seat becomes available, especially on a weeknight. You shouldn’t have to wait too long. Gate 6 near left field is the closest gate to the station.

The Red Line isn’t modern and screeches in spots, but it is ruthlessly efficient. Trains run 24/7 on the Red (and Blue) Line. You should never have to wait more than 12-15 minutes for a train, and they are more frequent during rush hour.

All the other CTA subway lines transfer to the Red Line in the downtown Loop area of the city (so named because all of the CTA routes loop around it), so from just about anywhere in Chicago you can get to the Sox-35th stop with one transfer or less. Use whatever park-and-ride works; Howard at the north end is $6 for 12 hours, and Linden on the north end of the Purple Line is just $4 a day as I write this.

There are street parking spots close to the Red Line at certain stations, like near the Berwyn station or previously mentioned Chinatown. Most natives say that these neighborhoods are okay to leave your car in. I would book it in advance with SpotHero, of course.

Ah, there’s the Purple! Wait…where’s the Red?

How To Get To Guaranteed Rate Field: CTA Purple Line. For fans sneaking their way to the South Side from the north, the Purple Line is an express line that connects to the Red Line at Howard station, and continues southbound to the Loop during rush hour for a faster ride. You can transfer to the Red Line at several stations downtown (State/Lake is probably the shortest walk) and save yourself quite a few stops.

The Purple Line is a better alternative to the Red Line if it’s available and if you’re parking at the Howard station at the north end of the Red Line, since it is less likely to be crowded.

The Purple Line doesn’t run late enough to use it all the way back for night games, so you shouldn’t use it from Linden or anywhere else that the Red Line can’t reach. I’ve read that CTA provides extra service for the Purple and the Yellow Line to Skokie after night games, but I couldn’t confirm that.

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You might be a couple more blocks away, but you got to sit on the train!

How To Get To Guaranteed Rate Field: CTA Green Line. From other points in Chicago, you can also transfer to or use the Green Line and either transfer to the Red Line at the Roosevelt station (as opposed to State/Lake station in the Loop, which has much more traffic), or stay on the Green Line to the 35th-Bronzeville-IIT station, which is three short blocks east of the ballpark and fewer stops from downtown.

This part of town used to be not so great and this method wasn’t recommended for newbies, but there is a police station nearby and the neighborhood has reportedly improved. If you know what you’re doing and want to avoid Red Line crowds, you should be fine. There will likely be a contingent of Sox fans at the 35th-Bronzeville-IIT stop after the game, but not a Red Line size crowd.

Green Line trains do not run all night—the last one usually leaves 35th St. at around 1:30 AM. You should probably be out of the area by then anyway.

From Clark/Lake station, you can move around Chicago like a queen on a chessboard.

All of the other El/subway lines transfer to the Red or Green Lines in the Loop. Transfers from the Blue Line to the Red at Jackson or the Green Line at Clark/Lake are free, although for Clark/Lake you will still need to run your Ventra card through a turnstile. The CTA says your card will not be charged for that transfer.

Transferring from another line will mean a long ride though. Riding the Blue from O’Hare to Sox-35th (transferring to the Red at Jackson) for example, will take close to an hour, so be prepared for the wait. I speak from experience.

Whatever train you use, be sure to get a round trip ticket or pass or Ventra card, and save yourself the pressure of buying another ticket with fans waiting in line behind you.

This bus named after Charlie Wentworth, who pitched for the White Sox. OK, maybe not.

How To Get To Guaranteed Rate Field: CTA Bus. The White Sox suggest using any of a number of CTA buses to get to the ballpark, including the #1, #4, #24, #29, #35, #39, and #44. All of these buses drop riders off at or near the park, but not all of them run late into the evening; only the #4 (Cottage Grove) and the #35 (35th Street) run past midnight. The #4 runs “owl” service all night and you can jump on the Red Line at Washington and State Streets.

The #4 runs north-south for the most part and the #35 runs generally east-west. Other buses should probably only be used for day games; check the schedule on the CTA website before trying one. It’s not a bad idea for day games though, since few people think to use them. There are a multitude of buses that connect with the Red Line, and you may be able to find a viable park-and-ride for one of them. (See my RTA tip below.)

Near the 35th-Bronzeville-IIT Green Line stop that Green Line riders use to get to the park is the stop for the #29 bus, which runs on a generally parallel (and less crowded) route to the Red Line up to the Navy Pier and its attractions. The #29 runs north until about 11:30 PM on weeknights, so that is an alternative you could use to get downtown. Again, this wasn’t the best neighborhood, so check with a native to see if this is worthwhile.

CTA and Pace Bus (more about Pace in a minute) make “Ventra” cards available; which are transit debit cards on which you add value and then use for travel. If you live in the area, are spending a few days in Chicago, or traveling with multiple people, this saves the trouble of buying tickets and passes. As of this writing Ventra passes are not yet available for Metra trains.

$$$ Tightwad Tip! $$$ All train and bus lines all offer discounts for seniors, military personnel, disabled riders, students and children. If you or someone joining you falls under these categories, have a look on their websites for reduced fare information. Or you can look for it at the RTA website, which covers all of the Chicago transit entities.

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Again, being able to see the venue from the station is key.

How To Get To Guaranteed Rate Field: Metra Rail. Metra is a commuter rail service designed for commuters outside of the metropolitan area. Before 2011, fans could take any Metra route into the heart of the city and then take a short walk to the Red Line or a bus that would carry them the rest of the way to a game. But the kind folks at Metra actually built a new station for IIT students and Sox fans.

The Lou Jones-Bronzeville Metra station is on 35th and LaSalle, just east of the Expressway, and is the second to last stop on the Rock Island Line coming from Joliet. Metra has added extra service before and following Sox games–they run trains at 9:52 PM and 11:22 PM. Set your alarm if the game goes extras.

Other Metra routes are perfectly viable for getting to Guaranteed Rate. Metra has 12 lines that head into downtown Chicago from all directions, all of them end somewhere in the Loop. Several lines stop at the Ogilvie Transportation Center, just over a block south of the Clinton station on the Green Line.

The White Sox inexplicably don’t give directions on how to use Metra for a game, so if you can stand to do it, use the Cubs website. It gives directions (under “driving directions”, for some reason) to get to the Red Line from most of the Metra lines. You can shower afterward.

You can see Chicago too. And Chicago can see you.

Some of the Cubs’ suggestions involve bus rides, so check the schedule of the buses too. Or check Google maps, because sometimes you can find an easier route than the Cubs recommend if you don’t mind walking a couple of blocks.

For example, coming from the south, the Cubs suggest using the Rock Island Line and then getting on the Brown Line at LaSalle and then transferring to the Red Line at Fullerton. In fact you can walk a block north on State Street and get on the Red Line at Jackson Station, saving a transfer.

Metra trains run frequently during rush hours, but otherwise they are quite infrequent, arriving on about an hourly basis. Check the schedule of your route beforehand so you aren’t sitting in the station too long and get there on time (there is a small shelter there). You can use Metra for a night game, but most of the last trains leave Chicago a little after midnight, so don’t dawdle too late. Remember to figure in the time getting to the Metra station from the Red Line.

Metra fares are broken down by zones; each zone you pass through will add to your fare. Again, get your tickets in advance rather than paying the conductor on the train, which is more expensive. There is a trip planner on Metra’s website, if this sounds as complicated to you as it does to me.

Metra is well regarded; it is fast and efficient and you can even drink alcohol on the train. I would make sure it’s not too difficult to get to the Red or Green Line though.

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I haven’t been to Chicago since it was U.S. Cellular Field. However, the bus is just as cool.

How To Get To Guaranteed Rate Field: Pace Bus. Pace, the bus service for out-of-town commuters, runs three “Guaranteed Rate Field Express” buses from six locations for nearly all Sox games, the exception being weekday games in April, May and September.

NOTE: As I write this, the Pace Express service is temporarily suspended due to staffing shortages. Rats. I’m still including this in case it starts up again though, because I’m a fan.

The locations and addresses are listed both on Pace’s and the Sox’s website: Markham, Tinley Park, Palos Heights, Oak Lawn, Bolingbrook and Burr Ridge. Pace has a flyer on their website that lists the departure times, generally 2-2.5 hours before the game.

All of the locations have free parking, and the bus ride is unbeatably cheap; just $4.50 each way as of this writing. You will need exact change or $1 bills. The bus drops you off at the door near the ChiSox Bar & Grille, which is kind of the main entrance. You do need to hustle back to your bus, since they depart 30 minutes after the last out. It’s a good idea to remember the route number too, since they are all similar.

Again, the Pace Bus is a great deal; parking is free, you’re spared traffic hassles, and best of all you can make new friends with the South Siders on the bus.

Check out the specials! (That’s why I’m here.)

How To Get To Guaranteed Rate Field: South Shore Line. The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) South Shore Line runs Indiana commuters as far east as South Bend to downtown Chicago, in case Notre Dame students decide to see a Sox game.

The South Shore Line ends at Millennium Station in Chicago, which is a short walk on Randolph Street to State Street and the Lake Station on the Red Line. Or you can hop off at the Museum Campus/11th Street station for a slightly longer walk to the Roosevelt Station and use the Red or Green lines. Fares on the South Shore Line are in relation to distance, similar to Metra, and are pretty reasonable. Parking lots are available at some stations but fills up quickly.

South Shore Line trains run till a little past midnight, so you should be okay using it. Just keep in mind the Red Line ride and walk to get there…give yourself at least an hour. Like Metra, they are infrequent later in the evening and you might wait a while for one.

$$$ Tightwad Tip! $$$ Metra and South Shore Line offer certain discounts as well. Kids can ride free on weekends, and you can get a weekend Metra pass for unlimited rides, which means a lot of bang for your buck if you’re some distance away. You can get significant group discounts on Metra, which may turn out to be easier than finding someone who is willing to drive the bus through the South Side.

When they are in service, they’re great. Just saying.

How To Get To Guaranteed Rate Field: Megabus. If you’re coming from a nearby metropolis like Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland or other cities, Megabus is a very low cost bus service that can take you from city to city for as low as $1 (not likely, but definitely possible if you book early enough). The bus stops at Chicago Union Station; from there you can walk about six blocks or take the 151 bus to the Jackson station of the Red Line. Pass by the Willis Tower on the way.

Megabus is as efficient as you’d expect city-to-city bus services to be; there are some complaints about their punctuality, so you may want to get there early. The buses are fairly comfortable and have wi-fi, and you can’t beat the price. I’ve saved a bunch a money on Megabuses.

Thank you. Any hot dog stands around?

How To Get To Guaranteed Rate Field: Greyhound/Amtrak. If you’re coming into Chicago on Amtrak, the train drops you off at Union Station; from there you can follow the steps listed in the Metra section. The Greyhound Station is not far from the Clinton Station of the Blue Line.

Coming from Milwaukee or points between, Amtrak runs a daily commuter train called the Hiawatha, which can get you from the Milwaukee Intermodal Station to Union Station in about 90 minutes. It’s not the cheapest ride (just over $40 round trip), but it’s very comfortable, features at-seat cart service, and saves mucho traffic trouble. The Hiawatha doesn’t run late enough to make it viable for night games, but it’s a cool way to get to a day game if you have the means.

Lots of resources to help you get to this point.

How To Get To Guaranteed Rate Field: Use The RTA. If you use public transportation, the nice Chicago transit people have created a Regional Transit Authority, whose website has a comprehensive trip planner that shows you how to get from point A to point Sox and back using CTA, Metra and/or Pace. I highly recommend this if you’re using any of the suggestions here.

You can plug in your starting point and destination and find the easiest route using all of Chicago’s public transit systems—it will usually list multiple itineraries to choose from with fares included. You can also decide whether you want the quickest trip, fewest transfers or least walking. This is extremely helpful, given how complex the overall system really is.

Don’t forget to plug in the return trip as well…not all of the transit routes run all night.

No bicycle racing on the train!

How To Get To Guaranteed Rate Field: Bicycle. You can two-wheel it to a Sox game; there are bike racks between Gates 2 and 3 and at the ChiSox Bar. If you are using a combination of bicycling and public transit, you can lock your bike up at most CTA stations, carry your bicycle on certain cars of the train, or put it on a bike rack on any CTA bus. There is a nice large bike rack (that gets used plenty) at the Sox-35th St. Station.

Chicago is a proudly bicycle-friendly city; there are over 400 miles of designated bike routes, including on 31st Street through the IIT campus. You can request a bicycle map from the city’s website.

Pace buses are also equipped with bicycle racks on the front end. The CTA website even features helpful instructions for how to secure your bicycle on a bus rack.

CTA and Metra allow you to carry your bike onto the train during non-rush hour (7-9 AM and 4-6 PM) periods, but if you’re using the Red Line to the game that will be difficult. You could be waiting a few trains before there is enough space for you to carry your bike on.

Yes, you can take this bicycle to a White Sox game and leave it there.

How To Get To Guaranteed Rate Field: Divvy Bikeshare. Divvy Bikeshare is the bicycle sharing system in Chicago; in July of 2016 they added a station at Guaranteed Rate Field (at 35th and Wentworth). For Cubs games they actually offered free valet service to ensure a station for each bike, but I doubt they will do that for most Sox games. There are several other stations nearby, including one at IIT near the Green Line station.

Divvy members who pay an annual fee can rent a bicycle from any of hundreds of stations in the city and drop it off at another station; if you are lucky enough to have tickets to a Cubs game the same day, you can grab a bike from a station near Wrigley and cycle to Guaranteed Rate (I truly think of everything for baseball fans). Ride off that deep dish and save money on parking to boot.

Divvy also offers e-bikes and scooters too, in case you’re too tired to pedal after the game.

If you’re this close, you’re probably paying too much.

How To Get To Guaranteed Rate Field: Taxicab/Rideshare. Finally, I highly recommend against using a taxi especially after the game; before the game you can get dropped off a block or two away from the park to avoid getting caught up in traffic with the meter running.

The Sox suggest hailing a cab or Uber/Lyft between Gate 4 and Gate 6 on 35th, but many people may be trying this, and sitting in postgame traffic can get expensive. In addition, unless you’re familiar with the area, you probably won’t be comfortable wandering the south side of Chicago to find a cab. The Red Line is a better bet.

If all else fails, catch a ride with this guy!

There you are my friends, your complete and ultimate guide for getting to a game or event at the new Comiskey Park (I really dislike the ballpark’s current name)!

Happy to help you more with your next Chicago White Sox game or Guaranteed Rate Field event…be sure to check out how to get a great seat, some great food items, and other tips here! (And check out my Wrigley Field advice too!)

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Here it is my friends…all of my best tips for how to score cheap New York Yankees tickets. I’ve listed everything I’ve found in my extensive research on finding discounts, specials, and more, and helping you save money for your next baseball game at Yankee Stadium.

(Need more Yankee Stadium help? Check out my detailed primers on seating including the cheap seats, worthwhile parking lots, best ways to get there, and the food menu at the home of the New York Yankees!)

There’s lots of useful information here and plenty of options to save money, so I’m breaking it down for you:

My Best Tip For Cheap Yankees Tickets
Yankees Website Deals (MasterCard!)
Buying From TickPick And Other Third Parties
Choosing The Right Game
The Yankees Box Office + Buying On Game Day
The Yankees Universe Fan Club
The Pinstripe Pass
Discounts For Groups + Beloved Folks
Helping The Community
A Few Extra Notes

Okay, ready? Here we go, after this quick word from our sponsor…

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People still come to Yankee Stadium to see pictures of Babe Ruth.

Cheap Yankees Tickets Tip #1) Subscribe To The E-Mail Newsletter. If you’re looking to find deals on Yankees tickets, do this now: click here and subscribe to team ticket alerts.

When you sign up, the Yankees will tell you about great deals offered on various seating areas through the season. You’ll want to take advantage of these, because they go very fast. Ticket offers include $5 games, half-price tickets in the Terrace, Grandstand and Bleachers; $10 Grandstand tickets; and a variety of other specials that you will like.

The Yankees’ ticket alert e-mail newsletter will also inform you of the day regular season tickets will go on sale, be they season tickets, group tickets, or single game tickets. This is your best opportunity to get high demand games at face value, which is often the cheapest that you’ll find them.

If you’re looking to save on premium seating, this could help too. Since high end tickets are priced at a premium, the Yankees will offer deals on them if they’re not able to move such seats. Always check the newsletter before paying face price for premium seats especially.

You can also text the Yankees at (917) 809-4227 and get offers on your phone. It also doesn’t hurt to follow the Yankees on Facebook and Twitter; sometimes there are exclusive deals to be had there.

Yeah, I suppose you could still order tickets by phone, but that’s just weird.

Cheap Yankees Tickets Tip #2) Buying From The New York Yankees Website. When you’re buying tickets, the Yankees have a seating map that actually gives the locations of the available seats, for an even more detailed picture than on most third party sites. They will even let you select a price range for tickets before they snicker at the number you give them.

Yankees tickets are completely paperless now, so you’ll need the MLB Ballpark app on your mobile device. It also means there’s no point in going to the box office, although I have emailed the Yankees to ask if there’s a way to avoid the ticket fees.

It helps greatly to plan ahead. Cheaper seats move much more quickly, so if you buy tickets through the Yankees you must get online early in the year and buy then, or use a third party seller. This is another reason to get the email alerts…so you know exactly when tickets go on sale.

The Yankees employ “dynamic pricing”; as of this writing “prime” games are Opening Day, Old Timer’s Day and Red Sox or Mets games. These games are more expensive but still likely less than the usual third-party markup, so get them in advance if you can.

If people knew how good the MasterCard deals were, she’d be a lot busier!

The Yankees love MasterCard…if you’re a Yankees fan especially you should own one. (Bonus tip! Make it a Citi MasterCard and you’ll get deals with the Mets at Citi Field too. That’s what Kurt does!)

MasterCard specials include $5 games (for Terrace and Grandstand seats even), Monday game discounts, half-price games and savings in general on most tickets. This in addition to deals on food and merchandise, and pre-sale opportunities. Get one…it’s well worth it.

So because you’re reading this, I just helped you get into Yankee Stadium for a finski. At Ballpark E-Guides, we’ve got your back!

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Cheap Yankees Tickets Tip #3) Buying From Third Parties. SeatGeek is the official third party ticket provider for the Yankees, and I’ve got no beef with them, but TickPick is my favorite reseller, because they let me know up front how much I’ll be paying. I’m sure hidden service fees make you want to slap someone too.

Know that really good seats are much cheaper from the Yankees through a full season ticket plan, and discounted as part of partial season ticket plans. Chances are that season ticket holders will be selling their unsold tickets on TickPick cheaper than the advance ticket price, especially for non-premium games. For low demand games, you could score a very nice deal over face price for high end seats on TickPick.

Most of the time on the secondary market, ticket prices drop as you get closer to the event. If the game is a must for you, though, I would start looking for deals about a week out from game day. If not, go ahead and wait until the last minute and you could save a lot.

If you want the dark blue seats cheap, timing is the key.

Good deals don’t last long; if you see something you like, grab it. If you’re driving to the ballpark, check if tickets include a parking pass.

If you’re looking to save money (and you obviously are if you’re here) compare prices with the Yankees website and other third party sites for the best deal. But remember the fees! If you’re not using TickPick, go all the way to the checkout screen to know what you’re really paying.

The best way to find a deal on TickPick for cheaper Yankees tickets, of course, is choosing the right contest. If you can be picky, check my next tip.

The Yankees don’t admit it, but there are other baseball teams. They have to play somebody after all.

Cheap Yankees Tickets Tip #4) Choosing The Right Game + Opponent. You can score a much better deal on Yankees tickets, especially on the secondary market, by selecting a low demand game.

The biggest crowds are almost always games against the Boston Red Sox; interleague New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies games are also big draws. The Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles are also bringing in more fans these days. Opening Day and Old Timer’s games honoring Yankee greats also draw large numbers.

Games against weaker west coast opponents often have the smallest crowds.

Saturday is the biggest day of the week for attendance, followed by Sunday and Friday, with Tuesday and Wednesday being the smallest. Tuesdays can still bring in decent crowds though, possibly because of the deals the Yankees offer on Tuesday nights (see the MasterCard bit).

No one month stands out much as far as crowd size; but April and September tend to have the smallest crowds, and if the Bronx Bombers aren’t contending in September, their fans ain’t showing up, and you can often find very cheap tickets on TickPick.

So to sum this up, if you just want to visit Yankee Stadium, pick a weekday game in April against Colorado or similar opponent. If you want to see the Red Sox, try for a weekday game. You get the idea.

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The good news is, this line is probably shorter now.

Cheap Yankees Tickets Tip #5) Buying From The Box Office. In the past buying tickets at the box office was a way to avoid the sometimes considerable ticket fees, although the Yankees did charge more on game day and lines could be long.

Nowadays with tickets being paperless, the Yankees only say that they’ll help you get mobile tickets on your phone if you show up at the box office. (Which, of course, begs the question…what are those <expletive> “convenience” fees for then?)

I’ve contacted the Yankees to ask if there’s a benefit to going to the box office, when they basically just offer technical help that any baseball fan who’s been to a game in the last five years can do for you. I’ll update this if I hear back from them, but for now I doubt it.

They even help you with how to join!

Cheap Yankees Tickets Tip #6) Join The Yankees Universe. Before you shell out big bucks for better seats, check out the Yankees Universe fan club. There are three levels of membership; from most to least expensive they are MVP, Rookie and Explorer.

All memberships include discounts on merchandise and food, a separate entrance (which is no small thing here, believe me), tickets to a game, and most importantly an occasional promotional offer to buy discounted premium tickets. They still may be overpriced, but if you plan on getting higher level tickets you should definitely fork over the bucks for membership. It pays for itself with just the included tickets.

The MVP membership is miles ahead of the rest in price but is well worth it; it includes Field Level tickets to a Yankees game; and at Field Level ticket prices that’s definitely a bargain. There are limited quantities of this level of membership and they sell out fast, so grab them while you can.

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Counters aren’t technically included, but they’re there!

Cheap Yankees Tickets Tip #7) The Pinstripe Pass. The Yankees offer a Pinstripe Pass for nearly every home game, which is a standing room ticket with a beer or Pepsi product thrown in for a very reasonable price. At ballpark beer prices, it’s almost like you’re getting in for free.

I talk a bit more about Yankee Stadium standing room here; there’s a lot of areas in the outfield especially where you can hang out and perhaps even find a stool. You might even be able to snag a seat in the bleachers, even though the Yankees say that’s not allowed.

These Yankees fans know where to party…well out of the range of foul balls.

Cheap Yankees Tickets Tip #8) Groups + Beloved Folks. People bringing a bunch of friends to a Yankees game get discounts for non-premium weekday games, and you only need to bring nine friends.

Group tickets are available for almost all of the new standing room areas, and you can have your gathering there. Some schools and organizations can buy tickets at a group discount; it doesn’t hurt to email the Yankees and ask.

There are quite a few games where you can get group tickets in the Grandstand or Terrace level for half price. Have a look at the Group Ticket Specials section of the Yankees website; you might find a really sweet deal if you can find just nine people to go to a game.

The Yankees, like most teams, partnered with GovX.com to offer discounted tickets to members of the military. Active military members with ID can get free low end tickets or discounted high end tickets through the site.

The Yankees also offer specials for college students, first responders, etc. Check their Ticket Specials page to see if you qualify as someone the Yankees like.

Help New York, and the Yankees just might help you.

Cheap Yankees Tickets Tip #9) Helping The Community. The Yankees in the past have offered tickets to people who donate blood at the New York Blood Centers; you can check the “Community” page of the Yankees website to see if you can help save lives and get a couple of tickets for your sacrifice. (These opportunities may also show up in your newsletter.)

The Yankees also provide tickets as incentives to other charitable efforts, like back-to-school immunizations, food drives and such. If you’re thinking about it, give it a look, there might be something you’d like to be involved in that the Yankees offer tickets for.

“You’re doing an excellent job keeping me away from scalpers.”

Cheap Yankees Tickets Tip #10) Other Stuff. Children three years old and younger, or under 30 inches tall, get in for free…so don’t put a cap on your little guy until he’s safely in. They won’t supply a seat though, so you’ll have to have the little one in your lap.

With paperless tickets, I’m guessing there probably aren’t scalpers like there used to be all over Macombs Dam Park and near Stan’s Sports Bar. You could sometimes score a good deal that way; if I hear anything I’ll update this. It’s a pain to check the conditions of your ticket anyway, and you have better choices these days.

That said, some folks do still try to unload their extras on Craigslist despite the paperless handicap, and again you have to deal with the trust issues before you Venmo someone your hard earned money and hope they’ll transfer the barcodes properly (and share your e-mail address). That’s up to you, but if you’re willing to risk it (and the large majority of sellers are legit), you might find a nice price without a fee.

“Get your Yankees barcodes here!!”

There you go folks…lots of useful information for finding the best deals on Yankees tickets. The Yankees are the most successful team in major league baseball history, with 27 World Series championships, so they have a lot of fans and home games almost always draw large crowds.

Lots more Yankee Stadium info where that came from…click here to read my complete guide to Yankee Stadium! And if you’ve got any questions, feel free to reach out to me!

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So you’re planning a baseball game to the home of the Detroit Tigers? I’m here to help…below is your complete and detailed Comerica Park seating guide! I’ve thoroughly researched the place for you, and listed my best tips for every seating area in the place below.

There’s a lot to cover here Tigers fans and Comerica visitors, so I’ve broken it down for you…feel free to skip the suite parts.

Comerica Park Luxury Suites
Comerica Park Party Suites + Group Areas
Tiger Den Seats
Terrace Seats
Lower Level Seating
Upper Level + Club Seating
Mezzanine Seating
Outfield Seating (+ Kaline’s Corner)
Right Field Balcony
Standing Room
Shade Spots and Other Comerica Seating Tips

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So, now, here is the lowdown on different seating areas for Detroit Tigers games, from most to least expensive. If you need to see where these spots are on the Comerica Park seating chart, here’s the official layout. Comerica Park’s seating capacity is 41,083 for Tigers home games.

They wouldn’t let me in, even on the tour, but I hear they’re nice.

Comerica Park Seating Tips, #1) Suites. Suites at Comerica are mostly located on two levels behind home plate and on the third base side. Nothing unique compared to most ballparks but it’s a nice spot: there is indoor and outdoor seating, a comfortable leather couch, TVs and private restrooms inside, and a food credit is included.

The Comerica Park suite menu is quite extensive; you might find some nice items like Polish sausages, Italian subs, lobster mac and cheese etc. The Tigers boast about a “decadent dessert cart” too.

Parking passes are included for the Tigers garage next to the ballpark, which shaves a few bucks from the total cost (it’s also the best parking spot, no small thing here). The suites, as with the Champions Club, Tiger Club and Tiger Den, have their own private entrance. The suite entrance is through the walkway on the third floor of the Tigers garage on Montcalm Street.

Detroit weather can definitely make you want to be indoors.

Comerica Park Seating Tips, #2) Party Suites + Group Areas. The Tigers have climate-controlled indoor party suites for small to large groups with extra cash, or a group can be mostly outdoors in one of the party deck areas on the mezzanine concourse. The suites are about twice the cost as the decks per person.

Most all of them include buffets—the party suite buffet includes dogs, burgers, chicken tenders and a few other ballpark favorites until the 7th inning. Party suites are down the left field line and behind home plate.

The price is more per person than seats behind home plate, but for food and heat in April, it’s still pretty reasonable.

Sure, it’s half a mile from home plate. But there’s potato chips!

If you’re planning a big get together at Comerica, they have an impressive menu of breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners and desserts. You can rent a chef to serve from a carvery or pasta or seafood and other stations, and get well or top-shelf liquor. They do tack on the Michigan sales tax and an 18% gratuity to the price, because they can.

The Tigers offer nice deals on party suites and decks for low demand April games (and there’s a fire pit, I’ll get to that); if you can get a group together it includes some nice bonuses, like parking passes and Tiger Club access for the entire season.

If you really want to be high up and far away, you can have your get together at the Vizzy Hard Seltzer View…this is above the Pitcher’s Pub in right center field, and trust me, it’s up there and out there. They do have gazebos for shade, drink rails and counters, and a menu of food included, so it’s not all bad, but for a decent view of the game I’d pick a better spot.

Even though they’re made of wood and would float anyway, they’re covered from the rain.

Comerica Park Seating Tips, #3) Tiger Den Seats. The Tiger Den seats are located behind the lower level sections in the infield. They are luxury boxes of sorts; wide, cushioned, wooden chairs with tables in front of them and lots of leg room.

These seats include wait service and access to exclusive clubs, like the Tiger Den Club and Lounge (including the private entrance), in case you’d like to duck out of the heat or use a less crowded restroom. Tiger Den seats are slightly less in price than the “On Deck Circle” seats behind home plate, so it’s a pretty good value for everything thrown in.

They’re good for people wanting to relax and have a good time (not that they don’t enthusiastically cheer on the Tigers, of course), but they aren’t quite the best seats view-wise. Not only are they 35-plus rows from home plate, the higher rows are covered and the overhang can block the view of the impressive video board (henceforth called the Big Board here) on the third base side especially. I love the Big Board here, it’s definitely a distinguishing feature, so I’d want a view of it.

That said, Tiger Den seats are great in the rain or a hot day, and for mobility in your seat. A padded seat with ample space in the shade isn’t a bad fan experience. Occasionally there is a complaint about the proximity to the speakers, but it’s nice to be able to hear all of the announcements, like if your car has its lights on.

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Just put a lid on your drink in case the person in front of you has a pony tail.

Comerica Park Seating Tips, #4) Terrace Seats. Past the bases the seating at the Tiger Den level become the Terrace seats. They are much cheaper than the Tiger Den seats and do not feature wait service, but they are still larger and comfortable and include little tables, and they’re also protected from the elements. That’s a lot of bonuses, especially since you’ll probably be eating and drinking something.

The same view rules for the Tiger Den seats generally apply to Terrace seats, so you should avoid third base side seating if you like looking at the Big Board.

No, you can’t actually go out onto the field, but you can talk with people who can!

Comerica Park Seating Tips, #5) Lower Level. The first 13 rows of the lower deck behind home plate and the dugouts are called the “On Deck Circle” seats and are the most expensive in the ballpark aside of the suites.

They aren’t padded like the second mortgage price seats in many ballparks these days, but they are a bit wider, and they include in-seat wait service and access to the Tiger Den Lounge and Tiger Club restaurant. That might be worth a few extra bucks on cold April days.

The rest of the lower level seating does not include any such access to clubs. Just behind the On Deck Circle is now called the “Lower Infield Box”, which are more pricey.

It’s much cheaper to make fun of the right fielder.

The lower level seats decrease in price significantly as they move toward the outfield, with Outfield and then Baseline Box near the foul lines being the cheapest. Like in most ballparks, as the seats get past the bases they are angled more towards home plate (actually more towards second base, but you get the idea).

The seats in the outermost sections may lose a bit of the outfield, but probably not enough to make you unhappy about it. The first row behind the dugouts is Row 7, and the Tigers dugout is on the third base side.

Since the Tiger Den and Terrace sections are under the overhang of the second level, you shouldn’t have any overhang view problems in lower level sections, but you also won’t likely have much protection from the elements in a day game.

Unfortunately the seats aren’t color-coded, but they are numbered for your convenience.

Comerica Park Seating Tips, #6) Upper Level. The upper deck (300 level) at Comerica Park doesn’t have the steep slope that some of the newer ballparks do; so the angle is less frightening, but you will be a bit further from the action. Still, there’s nothing wrong with an upper deck seat here…sweet view of the Detroit skyline anyway.

If the steps and ramps are too much to handle, there is an escalator to get to them near the Big Cat Court on the first base side, and elevators behind Section 109 and 130. Rows 17 and up are covered by the small roof.

The upper deck is divided into two tiers, with the upper tier raised over foot traffic. When you enter the upper level from the concourse, you’ll be moving downstairs to get to the “Club” rows.

This wouldn’t be a good spot to say, “I worked my tail off to get where I am today!”

Sections 344 and 345…called the “Skyline” seats…used to be the cheapest seats in Comerica Park; not sure if standing room is cheaper nowadays. It’s still budget-friendly, but nowadays it’s worth a few extra bucks to get a better ticket, since the left field foul pole will be in your view. You might be able to move to a better seat at least in the upper level; the Tigers’ ushers patrol the lower level more strongly.

Given the choice, if I were looking for cheap seats at Comerica Park, I’d go with Kaline’s Corner or the bleachers over the skyline seats. Remember the Big Board!

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These folks are Ballpark E-Guides certified Smart Fans!

The first 3-5 rows of the upper level sections between the bases are the Club seats, a misnomer since they don’t include any club access. Still, these seats are padded and a bit wider, and the view is certainly nice for the price. In fact Club seats be the best overall value seats in Comerica Park…I recommend the first base side for the view of the Big Board.

Past first base (and a few sections past third base), club level seats become Upper Box, which cost about the same as the Upper Reserved seats behind home plate.

Club and upper box rows start with the letter A. In front of Row A (and Row 6 of Upper Box) there is a slightly annoying railing obstruction. I would avoid that if you can. As with the lower level, the seats in the outermost sections are angled towards home.

On the upper level concourse is the Blue Moon Brewhouse/Upper Deck Lounge, which is open to all ticket holders. The Lounge is climate-controlled, with a bar and restrooms for a place to wait out a rain delay or escape the heat.

This section has been specially built to reduce nosebleeds at the game!

Comerica Park Seating Tips, #7) Mezzanine. On the first base side of the upper level, there is a gap just past first, created to lower the seating of outer sections. After the first few upper box sections is the Tiger Club restaurant, and some more box seating.

The upper section past the gap is called the Mezzanine; tickets here are among the cheapest and the view is a bit better here than in the left field upper level (now called “Upper Grandstand”), with a much better view of the Big Board and downtown Detroit. (I know I keep harping on the Big Board, but trust me, it’s great here.) These are the only 200-level seats in Comerica.

The mezzanine concourse area leads to the party areas in the outfield, and there are three separate areas with picnic tables that can be rented depending on the size of your party. The picnic deck parties include a buffet and mezzanine seats; the price isn’t high at all, if you don’t mind the distance from home plate.

It’s like they’re still wondering what number to give Cobb.

Comerica Park Seating Tips, #8) Outfield Seats. There are four types of outfield seating in Comerica: Pavilion in left field under the big scoreboard, Bleachers in right field; the Right Field Grandstand below the bleachers, and Kaline’s Corner near the right field foul pole.

Like in most sections in the lower level, there can be 35-40 rows in each. Those back rows are really far away, but one nice thing about it is the proximity to the picnic areas, fountains and statues of Tigers greats, and also to the covered walkway in right center lest you need to duck out of the rain. (Nothing to see there though.)

The Pavilion seats are behind both teams’ bullpens, which were placed there to move the once ridiculously far left field fences in to encourage home runs. This makes for a fine view of pitchers warming up for the people in lower seats, but the Big Board is directly behind you and requires a painful neck twist to see, and these seats are far from home plate.

Because there’s never too much sunlight to keep score.

The Bleacher seats in right field are benches with no armrests, but they do have backs and are numbered for less of that uncomfortable cheek-sharing. The lower bleachers in right center field can be right up on the action with no bullpens in the way. Keep in mind that in Section 101 you can lose a portion of the outfield.

The Right Field Grandstand seats are closer to the foul pole and are actual seats. For some reason, perhaps the chance of catching a home run ball, Right Field Grandstand is somewhat pricier than the rest of the outfield seats.

If you want to impress your date, tell her the whole story about where alkaline batteries got their name.

Kaline’s Corner, named for Tigers great Al Kaline of course, is located behind the foul pole down the right field line. The seats directly face home plate unlike the lower level section next to it, making them a much better value. They are priced about the same as Bleacher and Pavilion seats.

You may have the foul pole in your way, which isn’t usually a big deal, but avoid the first few rows. Kaline’s Corner is a bargain section, and is far from the ferris wheel and all that, so it might not be the best place to bring the kids.

Most outfield sections start with Row A, with Row AA being the 26th row. There is no Row I.

Enjoy Tigers baseball AND play cards between innings!

Comerica Park Seating Tips, #9) Right Field Balcony. The Right Field Balcony is located directly beneath the “Pepsi Porch” sign in right field. There’s 426 seats, a 50-foot long stone fire pit (!), and a bar with a full selection of beers and spirits that’s better than at most spots at the ballpark.

The seats with counters require tickets, but anyone with a ticket to the ballpark can hang out in the area. You can’t see the game from behind the bar, but they have TVs. There are even tables with four seats facing the field.

The balcony is very popular and the Tigers actually sell a lot of season tickets here, so if you want to experience it your best bet is to look for a low-demand game on TickPick.

It won’t keep your beer cold, but it’s relaxing.

The area may be great for parties and the fire pit is great on cold nights, but it’s not the greatest place to watch a game (keep in mind the outfield fence distances), and it takes some walking up stairways to get to it if you’re not using an elevator.

There is a great view of the fountains in center field from here, and people-watching from above the center field walkway. There is also often entertainment here before the game. It can be an enjoyable experience.

There’s a nice view of the scoreboard and Ford Field here. Plus you can lock your bicycle up.

Comerica Park Seating Tips, #10) Standing Room. The Tigers will make some standing room available for sold out games, but ticket prices are higher than standing room should be. They have designated areas for standing room ticket holders, behind the handicapped seating or in the outfield. Obviously for a sold out game, you won’t likely be able to move to a seat in the early innings.

People seem to prefer the right field area and aforementioned balcony for standing room; it’s got an unblocked view and is near several concessions. The left field standing area is closer to the statues if you’d like to stand next to Hank Greenberg’s likeness, and the view is about equally good. If you like a bird’s eye view, head up to the balcony where there are drink rails to lean on.

There is a pavilion in left field with a bar and some seats with tables and drink rails; it’s not a bad place to stand and watch, but I presume if you were sitting the view would be blocked by people standing at the drink rails.

In July and August, you want to sit on the “cool” side.

Comerica Park Seating Tips, #11) Other Notes. Get all that? It’s a lot, I know. Hang with me though, we’re almost done. Here are a few general notes about Comerica Park seating:

Seat 1 is always on the right end of a row when facing the playing field, a key thing to remember in certain sections, like in Kaline’s Corner where the foul pole can get in your way.

Comerica’s home plate is located in the northeast corner, so unlike in most parks, the sun sets on the first base side and the left field area gets the most sun; people sitting there often complain about the sun being directly in their eyes early in a night game. It’s a good idea to bring sunscreen and sunglasses for a day game if you’re sitting in the left field area or in the upper deck.

Comerica’s seating slopes are lesser than in most ballparks, so if you’re not a particularly tall person you may have trouble seeing over the person in front of you.

If you like having a varied food selection, the Big Cat food court is on the first base side in the lower level, and it’s where you’ll usually find most any kind of cuisine you’re looking for.

Even the really cheap seats have a nice view of downtown Detroit. The tiger on the scoreboard might make you nervous though.

The excellent view of the Detroit skyline is visible from just about all locations except for the right field and Kaline’s Corner seats. The Big Board can be seen from just about anywhere that isn’t covered, but the first base side definitely has a better view.

Season ticket holders can use a private entrance, something to keep in mind should someone sell you or give you their extras. This can save you a lot of time.

Finally, if you completely strike out getting tickets, you can see much of the game from behind the fence on Adams Street. You may have to climb up onto a ledge, but it’s free and you can stay provided you don’t cause any trouble.

You’re not so intimidated in choosing a seat now, are you? Glad to help.

There you go my friends, all of the knowledge you need to choose a great seat at your next game at Comerica Park, the beautiful home of the Detroit Tigers. Be sure to check out some more great Comerica tips here, like how to get cheap Tigers tickets and choose a great parking spot, and how to get there without paying parking prices. Thanks for reading!

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Click here to start booking your trip to Detroit and Comerica Park today!

Next time you’re headed to a game at the home of the Chicago White Sox, be prepared to know what to eat! I’ve listed here a dozen great options for Guaranteed Rate Field food, with helpful photos.

I decided to discuss the food items with staying power. In 2023, for example, the White Sox added a Kung Pao chicken wrap, a “Champagne of Dogs” (footlong spicy chili cheese dog), and the Belgian Banger sausage with red cabbage slaw to the menu.

All good, but the fancy items tend to come and go. What I’ve listed below are great food options at a White Sox game that have been around since the U.S. Cellular Field days. They seem to be staples of the Guaranteed Rate Field menu.

(Need more Guaranteed Rate Field help? Check out this excellent primer on finding a great seat, this complete parking guide, and some more tips for newbies!)

Anyway, here we go, after this quick word from our sponsor:

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“Who put all of these poppy seeds on my roll?!?”

Guaranteed Rate Field Food, Tip #1) Comiskey Dogs. You can get simple hot dogs or a sausage at a baseball game, or you can find one of the Comiskey Dogs kiosks and get your regular or footlong dog south side of Chicago style. If you’re visiting, this would be my best choice for White Sox game food.

For the uninitiated (if you’re from Chicago, I apologize for boring you), a Chicago-style dog is a Vienna Beef frank topped with (in order) yellow mustard, chopped onions, neon green relish, a pickle spear, tomato chunks, sport peppers and celery salt, all on a poppy seed roll.

Chicago natives call this a dog “dragged through the garden”, which makes it sound nice and healthy. I don’t know if you get Comiskey Dogs on the upper deck, so keep that in mind buying your tickets.

We are going to need more than one roll.

Guaranteed Rate Field Food, Tip #2) Sausage and Peppers. You can find generic stands named for Sox greats like Chico Carrasquel and Dick Allen or for various baseball terms, most everywhere here. They have Bobak’s spicy Polish sausage or Italian sausage topped with grilled peppers and onions.

The sausages are so popular here that White Sox fans talk about the smell of them in their praise of the ballpark. Probably true of any ballpark, but most people don’t talk about it as much elsewhere.

Besides that, this not being one of the fancier items, it’s usually a better value than most, if you neglected to enjoy tailgating in the parking lot.

This is a good way to attract fans to your stand.

Guaranteed Rate Field Food, Tip #3) Comiskey Burgers. Burger Barn is the place for the popular “Comiskey Burger”…two fairly large patties with cheddar cheese, pico salsa and other Chicago dog ingredients on a gourmet bun. I would have some napkins for this.

Burger Barn kiosks are pretty self-explanatory; it’s the place to get something other than the basic burger at generic stands. Pay a couple of extra bucks for that double burger with extra toppings. You’re worth it!

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The White Sox get that there’s no excuse for mediocre pizza in a Chicago ballpark.

Guaranteed Rate Field Food, Tip #4) Beggars Pizza. Beggars Pizza has been the official pizza of the White Sox for some time now. Beggars is a local chain, with over two dozen locations in Chicago and northern Indiana.

Beggars offers their classic thin crust, but they have a deep dish edition last I checked. They’re generous with the cheese…their slogan is “We lay it on thick!” You can get your slice with pepperoni or sausage at most stands. Beggars also offers a gluten-free pizza.

“Pizza! Peanuts! Did we mention pizza and peanuts?”

Any stand that serves pizza serves Beggars, but they have their own colorful stands and you can’t miss them, including the “Pizza Pub” in left center field. You can hobnob with other fans and have toasted ravioli or chicken parm sandwiches, or unusual pizza types like with Italian beef and giardiniera.

I am sure it’s more than $8 now. I just wanted to show you what is possible for your ballgame sandwich.

Guaranteed Rate Field Food, Tip #5) Deli Sandwiches. The menu at the Carvery (it was called the Triple Play Carvery last I looked) includes deli-style sandwiches with superlative names like the Ultimate Turkey Club and the Supreme Corned Beef.

They’re not playing around at least. The Ultimate Turkey Club, for example, features turkey, bacon, Monterey Jack cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onion, and apricot chili aioli (!) on wheat bread. You need to stretch your mouth to get a biteful of that.

There is an Xfinity Zone that also offers carvery sandwiches as well as spots to sit. It’s a good spot to enjoy a sloppy deli sandwich.

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Because sometimes, you just want the decision to be simple.

Guaranteed Rate Field Food, Tip #6) Southside Sandwiches. In 2013 the Sox added the Southside Sandwiches kiosk, which keeps it simple: meatball or Buona Italian beef sandwiches (in Chicago, just call it “Italian beef”).

Both are put into an Italian roll; the meatball includes real parmesan and marinara, and you can get Kelsey D’s giardiniera, a veggie mixture with peppers for some kick on either sandwich. They call it “mild”, though.

These sandwiches aren’t too bad a deal, at ballpark prices anyway, and it’s another chance to try something uniquely Chicago.

“Cuban? No, Dutch Irish.”

Guaranteed Rate Field Food, Tip #7) Cuban Sandwiches. Minnie Minoso was nicknamed “the Cuban Comet” for his base-stealing ability, so the Sox naturally named their stand selling Cuban sandwiches for him.

A Cuban sandwich is a hot pressed sandwich on a flatter bread; the Sox version includes ham, pork, Swiss cheese, mustard, pickles and “mojo” (garlic and lime) sauce. Cubans are a nice alternative to typical ballpark food; there’s a nice gooeyness about them.

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Don’t worry about giving them a complicated order. These men are trained professionals.

Guaranteed Rate Field Food, Tip #8) Build Your Own Nachos. Tex Mex nachos stands are fairly prevalent at the Rate. Here you can build your own nachos, fajitas, or tacos with lettuce, tomatoes, beans, Monterey Jack cheese, etc., an idea that was a long time coming in baseball.

Tex-Mex stands sell barbacoa (pulled pork, beef or chicken) to put on your nachos. To heck with that melted Velveeta noise—skip the basic joints and come here if you want real nachos. You can even get them in a big souvenir helmet. I strongly suggest washing the helmet before wearing it. I speak from experience. (I’m joking. I think.)

If you don’t need anything fancy for nachos there’s a few plain nachos kiosks elsewhere in the ballpark. But hey, if you’re here, you must be curious about how you can live better at the game.

Ah, 35th Street. I see what they did there.

Guaranteed Rate Field Food, Tip #9) 35th Street Tacos. 35th Street is another variation on ballpark food. The kiosk has beef tacos with chopped lettuce, tomatoes and shredded cheddar, and pork carnitas with onions and cilantro. Both on a soft shell taco, and you can get a side of refried beans for a small fee.

I’ve read some nice reviews of this stand; the meat is nice and tender and the toppings are always fresh. The taco shells are corn, which I presume means they are gluten-free.

Because mayo makes everything better.

Guaranteed Rate Field Food, Tip #10) Elotes. The Elotes kiosks, found on the upper and lower level concourses, sell bowls of corn shucked off the cob, popularly called “elotes”. The corn is then mixed with mayonnaise, butter, salt, hot peppers, shaker cheese, lemon juice and other flavorings, which effectively helps you forget that you’re eating a vegetable at a ballgame.

If you’re wondering why it’s not just called “corn”, it’s because they shuck the corn right there for you. I’ve read that the corn is taken off of the cob because the cobs could then become projectiles. But whatever, they’re popular with a lot of fans, and you can even get an elote corndog now.

This might make a nice dessert for two.

Guaranteed Rate Field Food, Tip #11) Churros. Many of the dessert stands on the lower level have churros, and I will tell you I haven’t seen churros in a lot of ballparks. There are some kiosks dedicated just to churros with multiple flavors. I’ve read you can get a churro ice cream sandwich at Section 157, near the left field pole.

If you want a churro, you should probably get one early before they get stale. A stale churro in the 8th inning is just not cool.

Because confectioner sugar is simply underrated.

Guaranteed Rate Field Food, Tip #12) Funnel Cake Factory. The Sox don’t say as much on their website, but you can get a fine funnel cake or less messy funnel fries, with toppings if you so desire, on the lower level concourse. Or the classic ballpark corndog.

If you’re really into testing your scale you can get a “Bases Loaded Sundae” at the ballpark. It’s a funnel cake with three scoops of soft serve, chocolate syrup and nuts. Now that’s major league baseball food.

Just remember, when all else fails, Comiskey dogs.

There you go my friends…that should be more than enough to help you eat well at the home of the White Sox on game day. Remember that these are mainstay items; if you’re looking for something fancy, try the club sections or one of the new breweries like the Blue Moon Balcony. (For what you’re paying at a ballpark, you might as well go for craft beers.)

Check out more New Comiskey Park (I really dislike the current name of this place) tips here. Oh, and if you’re in Chicago for a baseball trip, don’t forget to read my complete guide to the home of the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field!

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If you’ve read my ballpark tips for a while, you know that I will always recommend whether to use your car or public transit to a game. But if you’re driving and parking at or near the ballpark, you should always have a plan. You do NOT want to be driving around Baltimore or Boston looking for a decent and affordable spot. (I speak from experience!)

Using SpotHero makes the process simple, and even fun if you do it right!

Sitting in ungodly slow traffic with a full bladder in Toronto or Washington can make for a memorable ballgame experience for the wrong reasons. You could also, of course, seriously overpay for parking if you go without a plan (see: Fenway Park).

So while I offer a lot of advice here, it does come down to booking in advance. This is especially the case if the ballpark is in the heart of the city, as many of the newer ones are. If most fans going to the game use public transit because of traffic and costs, SpotHero is your best bet for parking.

You can do better than this. Stick with me.

What I love about SpotHero is that I can choose well ahead of time where I’d like to park, and I choose my spot based on a number of factors.

In Baltimore, for example, I find a garage near the Inner Harbor for a nice waterfront walk before or after the game.

In Pittsburgh, I find a spot near the other side of the Clemente Bridge, for a stunning approach to the ballpark.

In Boston, I get a spot near the Prudential Center…it’s a long walk, but I can also use Commuter Rail (or a Boston Pedicab!) and get off a fly ball away from the ballpark…at a lot where people paid five times as much as I did to park.

In Atlanta, I just want to be able to find my car after the game.

And of course, you get the bonus of parking your own car. No one likes to park someone else’s at the game.

You can choose your spot based on the easiest exit, be near other city attractions or eateries, or simply go cheap.

Here’s a favorite trick of mine in several cities: if you’re making a day of visiting the city with your baseball, you can land a spot near a public transit station that will take you to the game and back (or the other way around). In some places, you can park close to the ballpark before the event rate kicks in, and enjoy a day in the city before the game. I’ve done this numerous times and saved a bundle.

SpotHero provides other details too, including if your car will be under elevated train tracks and may get oil spilled on it. (That’s a thing in Chicago. True.) Each spot description shows a star based review, whether you have in/out privileges, and even a photo of the lot or garage entrance so you know what it looks like, which is very helpful in a big city.

This is a pretty sweet evening rate for baseball parking. Even in Canadian dollars.

Order the spot, get the address, put it in your map app, and go. Show your barcode at the entrance and you’re in. Easy peezy.

As some of you know, I used to be a fan of ParkWhiz. They aren’t bad, but I’ve definitely found that SpotHero offers a larger selection and is better for baseball game parking. When I found myself using SpotHero instead of ParkWhiz based on that, I switched my affiliation, and now SpotHero is the Official Prepaid Parking of Ballpark E-Guides!

(Again, that’s not really a thing, but it sounds good.)

So many choices. Who wants to think about it on game day?

In a downtown city ballpark especially, try SpotHero for your ballgame parking. Or any prepaid parking, for that matter.

And please use this link to tell ‘em Ballpark E-Guides sent you!

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Planning to go to a Chicago White Sox baseball game? Here are my best Guaranteed Rate Field parking tips – including alternate routes, tavern shuttles, and of course, money saving advice!

Guaranteed Rate Field, unlike its neighbor Wrigley Field to the north, offers ample enough parking that getting there by car is generally easy enough, and in some cases preferable to getting there by CTA train or other means. (I’ll discuss those in a future post.)

I’ve covered a lot here, so I’m breaking it down for you:

Alternate Routes to Guaranteed Rate Field
Chicago White Sox Parking Lots
Chicago White Sox Tailgating
Other Parking Lots + Street Parking
White Sox Tavern Shuttles

I know, there are so many. Not to worry, I’ll help you pick a spot!

Okay, ready? Let’s get started after this quick word from our sponsor:

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Visualize yourself using the right exit!

Guaranteed Rate Field Parking Tip #1: Alternate Routes to White Sox Games. Guaranteed Rate is located at Exit 55 (35th Street exit) off Interstate 90/94, also called the Dan Ryan Expressway. It is visible from the highway, and the parking lots at the ballpark are right there after exiting.

The Dan Ryan was once ranked by a heavy traffic research company as the second worst bottleneck of traffic in America. But the positive of such problems is that generous and busy Internet users post alternate routes, which can still be used today for high attendance games.

I haven’t tried these routes myself, but they might be worth a look if you don’t want to get caught up in the herd:

If you end up in Indiana, you’ve gone too far.

Going north on I-57 from the south: Exit at Halstead Street just before the merge with I-90/94. Turn left to go north on Halstead, then turn left on 95th St. (U.S. Route 12/20) and then right on Ashland Avenue. Follow Ashland all the way to 35th St., and then turn right towards the ballpark.

Going north on I-90/94 from south of the city: Instead of using exit 55A onto South LaSalle St., use exit 55B to S. LaSalle, and then make a left onto Pershing Road. From there you can make a right onto South Princeton Avenue towards the ballpark.

This route backwards, incidentally, can make for an easier exit. (I mean following the steps in reverse, not actually driving backwards.)

They put a ramp there for you and everything. Chicago’s got your back!

Coming from the south using I-90 or I-94: Use the Stony Island Avenue exit (it’s closer to the park from I-90). Go north on Stony Island Avenue, following the signs to Lake Shore Drive (Stony Island turns into South Cornell Avenue and East 57th Street).

Head north on Lake Shore Drive (U.S. Route 41) to 31st Street, and make a left and head west on 31st. After passing under I-90/94, turn left on Wentworth and head south on Wentworth till you get to the ballpark.

Follow the smart people to the White Sox game!

Coming from southwest on I-55 (Stevenson Expressway) North: Use the South Ashland Avenue exit and make a right onto S. Ashland. Take S. Ashland to 35th St. and turn left towards the ballpark.

Coming from the west on I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway): Use the Ashland Avenue exit; head south on Ashland and make a left on 35th.

OK so the signs need some straightening, but you get the idea.

From the northwest/O’Hare: Use I-90 and merge with I-90/94 east, use the Roosevelt Road exit, and head west on Roosevelt to Halstead. Make a left on Halstead and head south until reaching 35th St. Turn left on 35th towards the ballpark.

Again, I would only use these if the I-90/94 Dan Ryan traffic is particularly bad. The Dan Ryan is supposedly much better since the construction period. In many cases, you can just use Halstead St. or Ashland Avenue if you’re looking for a back road.

If you’re from metropolitan Chicago, you know.

One more thing about driving to Guaranteed Rate Field: coming from outside metropolitan Chicago, be sure to have an EZPass or IPass. Illinois rivals New Jersey in toll roads (and that’s saying something). If you don’t have a toll pass, just go to the Illinois Tollway website and look up your license plate.
 

Get a view of the city, and keep an eye on your car!

Guaranteed Rate Field Parking Tip #2: White Sox Parking. The White Sox have a large amount of available parking in their official lots close to the ballpark, approximately 7,000 parking spaces. It’s usually enough, especially since plenty of fans use public transportation to go to games. You can view their parking info here.

As of 2023, the parking price is $27 when pre-paid, and $30 at the gate; for Sunday games that drops to $17 and $20 respectively. All of the Sox lots cost the same, so no need to waste time circling the park. The Sox sell their advance parking through ParkWhiz, and there’s a fee included, so there isn’t any savings buying in advance, but you’ll have a better spot.

Season ticket and multi-game plan members can buy their parking in advance at a cheaper price (about $5 less a game), and you might find a cheaper pass on eBay. The coupons require parking in a certain lot, so you can check the Sox website if you land one to see where to use it.

They don’t take cash anymore, but that’s not why I haven’t gone to a game since.

The signs directing drivers to the parking areas are color-coded for pre-paid coupons. The pre-paid red lots A, B, and C are north of the ballpark and are far more accessible to and from the Interstate; green lots F and L are west and south of the ballpark take longer to exit. You should probably get a pre-paid pass, just to be in a better spot.

If you haven’t bought a parking pass, keep in mind you’ll be parking in Lots F or L south of the ballpark, so plan your entrance accordingly. Also, don’t bother with cash…it’s credit cards or debit parking only on the day of game nowadays. I’ve read they’ll take cash, but the attendants won’t be happy about it.

The Sox open their lots two hours before first pitch on game days. If you’re early enough you don’t need to worry about pre-purchasing a spot, except for Opening Day or a Cubs game, but it’s only a buck or two more to do it.

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The Green Line station offers a fine view of additional parking.

If parking does fill up, which is rare, the Sox will provide shuttle service from The McCormick Place Garage C (29th Street and Fort Dearborn Drive), and at IIT east of the ballpark.

Lot A is now designated for rideshare service and bus parking; it stays open an hour after the game ends.

If you break down in the lot after the game, you can go to a Guest Relations booth or find a parking lot supervisor, and they’ll usually arrange for towing your car if needed.

Finally, if the game is postponed, you can use the parking coupon for a future game. Details on the back of the coupon.

The parking lot is even closer than the train station!

Honestly, even though it’s pricey by major league baseball standards, my best advice for White Sox game parking is to buy a pre-paid pass and park in one of the official lots. Arrive early if you can to avoid the bottlenecks. If you want to save money and are including a meal with your game, try one of the tavern shuttles below.

And of course, remember you can book your parking anywhere in Chicago in advance with the pros at SpotHero.

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Book Your Parking Spot NOW With My Friends at SpotHero!

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“And at game time, the score is still zed-zed!”

Guaranteed Rate Field Parking Tip #3: White Sox Tailgating. The Sox encourage tailgating, even to the point of offering picnic tables and space for private tailgating parties. Should you gather a group for a party, the Sox give discounts for tickets and will even throw in some parking passes. No kegs, large grills, DJs, or loud music unfortunately. Remember to park your bus in Lot A.

The tailgating scene at the South Side is popular in White Sox fandom. It’s not quite at the level of American Family Field 90 miles north in Milwaukee, but often there will be bands playing, bag-throwing games or folks giving out freebies. Tailgating stops when the game starts and is not allowed after the game—and nor is bringing alcohol outside of the lot.

Featuring ivy on the fence for that Chicago baseball experience!

There are restrooms near the main entrance of the park or in the ChiSox Bar & Grill restaurant that you can use, and there are receptacles in most lots to dump your hot coals.

If you’d like to reserve a tailgating spot from the White Sox for your baseball party, you can do that here. The nice part of that is that you can show up three hours before game time instead of two, so no need to slam those beers down on the clock.

Since the Sox reserve tailgating spaces in Lots B and E, that’s the place to wander around if you want to have a brew and sausage with tailgating Sox faithful.

And if you’re a VIP, we won’t park you in!

Guaranteed Rate Field Parking Tip #4: Street Parking and Other Lots. You won’t have an easy time finding nearby street parking at the ballpark. Since the neighborhood has been condo-fied, street ordinances have been put in place to protect the locals’ parking spots. Parking without a residential parking permit in the wrong spot will get you a very stiff fine and a towing.

West of the park in the Halstead St. area are meters that only need to be fed until 6:00 PM, but you could have some difficulty finding these, and unless you live in the area, you may not be comfortable leaving your car there.

I had a very nice conversation with this lovely lady. Chicago folks are really cool.

Some residents and businesses west of the park on 35th, like the 35th Street Red Hots people, will sell you their parking spots, but you probably won’t find any real bargains—the main attraction is the easy exit after the game, so they claim. Not sure how, since you’re further from the interstate, but maybe it’s because it takes a while to empty those large White Sox lots.

What better way to sell White Sox gear than to offer game day parking?

The Grandstand store west of the ballpark on 35th has a lot across the street, and you’re close to a great Chicago sports team store with cool gear there if that interests you. I’m guessing stuff there is cheaper than at the ballpark.

I’ve read in forums that you can park for free on side streets off of 35th; just east of the Dan Ryan near IIT and the Green Line stop. That is where the neighborhood has reportedly improved, but it’s the south side of Chicago, so that one is up to you.

With the new pitch clock, you can make it back in three hours!

Try Chinatown… There is a parking lot near the Cermak-Chinatown Station of the CTA Red Line north of the park; parking there for ten hours is cheaper than at the ballpark and it’s a one-stop trip on the Red Line (it’s a long walk, about 15 blocks, I wouldn’t do it at night).

On weekdays you might be able to find cheap metered parking in the area, and even with the extra few bucks for the Red Line, it’s still a good deal.

There is even some free street parking in Chinatown (I’ve seen cars parked on Wentworth Street), if you have time to look around near the station a bit and get lucky. But if you see a sign that says “Don’t Park Here”, obey it.

Dumplings make great ballpark food.

There are also many places where you can grab a bite or fill up your goody bag in Chinatown; remember you can bring your own food into the ballpark.

For that matter, you could book a cheaper spot anywhere near the Red Line or Green Line if you’re comfortable with an area in Chicago, or want to be somewhere in the city after the game. Both lines have a station near the ballpark.

Wings, beer, a free ride and a free shuttle to the White Sox game…and they even sponsor this comfortable Chicago street bench!

Guaranteed Rate Field Parking Tip #5: White Sox Game Shuttles. So, where do you go if you don’t want to pay the parking fees? There are actually dining establishments in the area that will take you to the park:

The shuttle bus beats walking!

Buffalo Wings and Rings on South Halstead St. west of the park runs a shuttle an hour before the game and will pick you up for 30 minutes after the game. They have free valet parking and parking in the back if there is space available, and there is also metered parking nearby on Halstead.

It’s ideal if you love beer and wings. Wings come in a large variety of flavors, including sweet Thai chili, lemon pepper, and (I’m not making this up) blueberry chipotle BBQ. Blueberry chipotle BBQ wings, beer and free parking…what could go better with White Sox baseball!

You can even help them deliver a few pizzas on the way.

Connie’s Pizza The Bridgeport location of Connie’s Pizza offers free parking in their lot, and if you dine in their restaurant, they’ll give you a ride in their free shuttle bus. The bus runs for an hour before and after games.

Their pizza is no slouch of course…as I write this, it’s #322 of 10,820 Chicago restaurants on TripAdvisor, putting Connie’s in the something percentile which is pretty good in this town. It’s true deep dish pizza, and combined with a White Sox game is a full Chicago experience.

Connie’s also offers game day specials, so enjoy a beer or two before the game, especially since you won’t have to drive.

With helpful instructions right there on the sign!

Note: I contacted the Ricobene’s folks and they’re not offering shuttle service to White Sox games at the moment. Nuts. But I’m leaving this here in case things change. You can tell them I sent you!

Ricobene’s The Ricobene’s restaurant on West 26th St. has a free shuttle to Sox games for patrons; they draw pretty good crowds on Sox game nights not just for the shuttle but for the food; the hefty breaded steak sandwich and pizzas are especially popular. Check out the Yelp reviews…this place is revered.

Ricobene’s has ample parking with a lot under I-90 and there’s some street parking nearby, and reportedly they’re very good about accommodating anyone who needs a lift to the game, even for leaving the game early.

You can’t not want to ride in the Reggies Rock Bus. (photo courtesy of Reggies Live)

Reggies Live on South State St. is a good hike away from the park but will take patrons to and from Sox games on their own very cool-looking “Reggies Rock Bus”. It’s just a block away from the Chinatown station on the Red Line or the Cermak-McCormick Place station on the Green Line. You can use those if you don’t want to wait or if you miss the bus after the game.

There is some metered parking on State St., but it is difficult to find, and there is a cover to get in, so this is best for folks interested in a show or a party after the game. That said, lots of folks will tell you Reggies is worth it.

Reggie’s occasionally even throws in a package that includes free bleacher ticket to the game and a BBQ with the ride, so it can make for a pretty cool and economical Chicago evening. You can hang out in the music club or on a rooftop deck (there’s even a retro record store), and the wings here are mighty popular.

A meal and a ride to the ballgame is great, but these things tend to be shaky…I would check with any of these establishments before making them part of your game plan, even though I’m sharing these four because they seem to be consistent.

“And then when the game’s over, we’ll be the first ones out! We’re Griswolds!”

There you go my friends, all of my best tips for Chicago White Sox game parking. Hope you found it useful…stay tuned, I’ll soon be offering other ways to get to games at the new Comiskey Park.

Thanks for reading, and if you need more Guaranteed Rate Field game tips, click here! Check out this great post for choosing a seat, and see some great food options here.

(And click here for some great tips for Chicago Cubs home games!)

Planning a trip to Chicago? Save a bunch of money on hotels, flights and rental cars…book your trip with my friends at Hotwire! (It’s still Kurt’s favorite!)

Click here to start booking your trip to Chicago and Guaranteed Rate Field today!

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Here it is Rays fans and Tampa Bay visitors…your complete Tropicana Field parking guide for your next Rays baseball game! I’m here to help you find the best Rays parking…whether you’re looking to be close to the ballpark, save some money, enjoy a pre- or post-game party, or even take advantage of the useful shuttles to the Trop.

I’m even throwing in some alternate routes, to help you with the much-maligned traffic problem in Tampa Bay.

You actually have a lot of options, so I’m breaking this down:

Alternate Routes to Tropicana Field
Tampa Bay Rays Parking
Ferg’s Parking For Rays Games
Satellite Tropicana Field Parking Lots + Garages
Free And Cheap Street Parking
The Baseball Shuttle and Pier Parking
The SunRunner
The Brew Bus
The Cross-Bay Ferry

Okay here we go, after this quick word from our sponsor:

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All roads lead right…to congestion.

Tropicana Field Parking, Tip #1) Alternate Routes to Rays Games. Driving to the Trop is simple enough in theory. The Trop is easily accessible by I-275 at exits 21 and 23B (I-175 and I-375 also feed into the ballpark area), and the big white dome is visible for miles. The Rays have a nice little parking map on their website with some helpful info.

That said, traffic can be a major issue on weeknights, especially for folks coming from Tampa or Orlando. This is one of the bigger knocks on the location of the ballpark…and one oft-cited reason for chronic low attendance despite a perennially good team.

Coming from east of the bay, I highly suggest leaving early, before rush hour if you can. Having driven on I-4 (the route of Disney-destined tourists), I’d far rather pay the toll for a lesser-used route. If you don’t have one, it’s definitely a good idea to get a SunPass to avoid sitting at tollbooths (EZPass works fine if you’re not a Floridian).

Don’t believe the hype…there’s alternatives!

Here are some suggestions for avoiding traffic that I’ve read. I haven’t tried these, so don’t hold me to them, but they might help.

Coming from the north, you can get off I-275 at 22nd Avenue and make a right onto 16th Street; this could route you past I-275 backups, and the Trop itself is on 16th Street South.

Coming from south Tampa, using Gandy Boulevard (CR-600 or U.S. 92) over the Gandy Bridge to 4th Street (also U.S. 92) is reportedly a bit easier than using I-275 and the Howard Frankland Bridge over Tampa Bay. It doesn’t look easier on a map, but people say traffic really moves.

Coming from areas south of St. Petersburg, like Bradenton, etc., drivers have to use I-275 over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which costs a small toll. From the south you can exit I-275 at 26th Avenue, make a right onto 26th, and then a left onto 16th towards the ballpark. Or you could use the 31st Street exit and make a right onto 5th Street.

If traffic is particularly bad, you can use the 54th Street exit, make a left onto 31st and a right onto 26th.

Here’s Tropicana Field on Google Maps to help you visualize all of this.

See it? You can just make it out through the trees.

Tropicana Field Parking, Tip #2) Tampa Bay Rays Parking. There are about 7,000 spaces directly at the Trop. The Rays sell prepaid parking passes on their website, but you probably won’t need it for most games if you’re here an hour or more before game time, especially on a weeknight. Like with tickets, parking for premium games (Yankees, Red Sox, World Series, etc.) is more expensive.

“Premier” lots 1 and 5, with easy access in and out, are a few bucks more than the other lots, and these are lots that people usually prepay for (and they will tell you it’s worth the few extra bucks). The Rays don’t accept cash payment for parking anymore, so borrow someone’s credit card.

The Rays offer wheelchair and accessible parking spaces in Lots 1 and 7. They are very well laid out and close to the center field and home plate entrances. They also have a drop-off area at the corner of 4th Avenue and 16th Street, near the home plate entrance (which is not the rotunda, btw).

Tailgating is permitted in the Rays general parking lots, and there are port-a-potties available for relief. It’s nowhere near Milwaukee as far as the scene, but a few folks set up grills and eat and drink beforehand. On occasion there is entertainment outside.

I’m here for the good times…AND the convenient parking!

Tropicana Field Parking, Tip #3) Ferg’s Sports Bar. Outside of the Rays parking lots there is some parking at Ferg’s, the popular post-game hangout that is close enough to the Trop to make the parking price a relative bargain. It’s literally right there at the ballpark…it’s actually closer than some of the Rays’ official lots. They even have tunnel access from the venue to the ballpark, great for those stormy Florida days.

Ferg’s will occasionally give discount coupons for their tavern to folks that park there. Perfect if you were including some time at Ferg’s in your plans, as many Rays fans do…they’ve got craft beers, burgers and wings, and 90-something TV sets.

Ferg’s is a big and popular place with a great location, and if you’re into sports bars and pre- or post-game libations you’ll love it. Even if you’re not doing a party, Ferg’s might be the best value for Tropicana Field parking.

You don’t need a middle school education to park within view of Tropicana Field!

Tropicana Field Parking, Tip #4) City Lots. If you don’t mind walking a bit in downtown St. Petersburg for a cheaper option, there are an additional 4,000 spaces in nearby street lots. East of the ballpark along 1st Avenue, or north of the Trop along 16th Street, there are several St. Petersburg-approved lots that can be much cheaper than the Rays lots on game nights.

Keep in mind that the Rays’ lots east of the ballpark are fairly large, so if you choose one of these it could be at least a 5-10 minute walk to get to the rotunda entrance. Several fans online have recommended the Johns Hopkins Middle School parking lot southwest of the Trop. It’s among the cheaper options and just a half mile walk.

You can look for the signs with a blue P; this means the lot is city-approved. Most lots charge about half or what the Trop charges, so if there are less than three of you this is a better deal. No tailgating though.

It might be cool to have Elvis tow your car, but I doubt it would be worth the price.

Tropicana Field Parking, Tip #5) Street Parking. Near the shuttle stop at the Pier, or north of the ballpark on Central Avenue, you might find some metered parking that is deactivated for the evening, but unless you see something that says it is, don’t try a metered spot either here or near the Trop.

Most meters only have enough time for two hours and run until 11:00 PM. I’ve read differing accounts on how tough St. Petersburg is on street parking regulations; just pay a few bucks for a lot if you’re not certain. Garages at the waterfront are cheap and a better option, as I’ll discuss in a moment.

According to the St. Pete Times, there is some free street parking on 3rd Avenue South between 4th and 8th Streets. They admit it’s at least a five-block walk, but the exercise can’t hurt. There’s also reportedly free street parking on 2nd Avenue, between 6th and 7th Streets.

With a helpful police officer to direct you across the street afterward.

On the south side of the Trop is a handicapped accessible pedestrian overpass that was built to enable people living in the Campbell Park area to cross I-175 to get to Rays games. There are two parking lots in the park there (not sure what they cost if anything), and it’s fairly close to the ballpark with a nice view crossing a highway. I might not do it at night (I’ve read it isn’t the best of areas), but it could be pleasant for day games.

If you’re taking a bus with a group, the city will let you park for free on 4th Avenue South, between 9th and 10th Streets.

As far as other free parking options, I’ve read some tips in the Reddit world. Suggestions include north of the ballpark on Burlington Avenue, between 14th and 15th Streets (this is a hike), and some of the side streets close to the pier (this is an even longer hike, but check out the shuttles bit coming). Honestly it’s probably not going to be worth the trouble here.

“Have mercy…been waitin’ for the baseball shuttle all day…”

Tropicana Field Parking, Tip #6) Baseball Shuttle. For all home games now, even games that have a post-game concert, the Rays and St. Petersburg offer a free Baseball Shuttle (also called the Baseball Looper Trolley) that runs from 2nd St. between Central and First Avenues (under the pedestrian bridge), and from 16th Street just south of 3rd Avenue to the ballpark.

The shuttle starts picking up passengers 90 minutes before the game, and runs for one hour after the game, with service approximately every 5-10 minutes. It will also continue to run after a post-game concert.

I’ve used the baseball shuttle with a family of four, and I’m a big fan. Nothing like very cheap parking and much less congestion. You might be waiting a bit after the game, but otherwise it’s well worth it.

The schedule sign is kind of tough to read driving by it. I’d pull over for a good look.

If the Baseball Shuttle isn’t running (the policy changes from season to season for which games it’s available), the PSTA Central Avenue Trolley bus runs from the pier and along Central Avenue, with a couple of stops near the Trop.

This can be used on Friday and Saturday nights for a tiny fee, and there is inexpensive parking near the Pier, but check the schedule to make sure you can get back on time. If you’re out of the ballpark by 10:30 or so you should be fine, although extra innings might be a problem.

The shuttles are nice because you have dining and entertainment options downtown before or after the game; but again, check the schedule.

Incidentally, several PSTA bus routes stop at 1st Avenue and 2nd Street north of the shuttle; might not be bad for a weekend game if the PSTA schedule permits.

There are several major lots near the Baseball Shuttle pickup location:

Real progress is naming a minor league ballpark after an actual person!

Rays Shuttle Parking: Al Lang Stadium. Al Lang Stadium (formerly Progress Energy Park) has a fair amount of inexpensive parking right at the Pier, and it’s a short walk to the Shuttle stop. You can usually park all day for a small fee at Al Lang, so if you want to include a visit to the Salvador Dali museum across the street it’s very convenient.

“Duck!”

Rays Shuttle Parking: Sundial Parking Garage. The Sundial is for the entertainment complex located on the corner of 2nd St. and 2nd Avenue North. It is at the shuttle stop, and the walkway to get to it is well lit at night. The easiest entrance to this lot is traveling south on 2nd St.

According to the nice lady I contacted from the Pier, the event rate doesn’t apply to Rays games because of the distance, but it does kick in for outings at the Pier. Something to be mindful of, although the event rate isn’t usually too high. If there isn’t anything going on, parking is cheap.

You don’t need to have a car as small as a Smart car, but I wouldn’t try parking a FedEx truck here.

Rays Shuttle Parking: South Core Garage. The South Core Garage is located right off of 1st Avenue South, a block away from the pier. This is also close to the shuttle and inexpensive; as with the Sundial garage, the event rate kicks in for local events but not ballgames.

Generally the South Core Garage fills up on Opening Day, so have a backup plan if you need it; most of the time the overflow goes to the Sundial.

Showing team spirit no less! (photo courtesy of PSTA)

Tropicana Field Parking, Tip #7) The SunRunner. PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) has added a nice new service that makes getting to Rays games a bit easier. The SunRunner is an eco-friendly bus that uses designated lanes to bypass traffic. Even better, at the moment it’s free (that may change after 2023). It stops on the north side of Tropicana Field.

The SunRunner’s route extends from St. Pete Beach to near the Pier and Cross Bay Ferry. It also stops near the Albert Whitted Airport if you’re flying in for a game. It is a pretty long route, so there’s plenty places to park along it. Plan ahead and park near a good restaurant or attraction (there are plenty of them).

There’s two advantages to using the SunRunner. The first is that with separate lanes for its route, it avoids ballgame traffic that your car can’t. The second is that you can save on parking, without adding to your walk. Brilliant!

The PSTA folks tout “free on-street parking” as one of your options using the SunRunner. I’m sure that’s true, but if you don’t know the area you can use a public lot or garage near the route. It should be easy to find something cheap.

The SunRunner runs until midnight. You should be easily able to make it back, especially with ballgames being faster these days. Buses run every 30 minutes after 8:00 PM.

I haven’t yet found an easy solution for avoiding traffic and wasting gas going to a Rays game. There’s not much as far as public transportation from outside St. Petersburg. But here are some options if you’re across the bay (and if you share this annoyance with other fans in the area):

And of course, you feel smart riding on this bus. (photo courtesy of Brew Bus Tours)

Tropicana Field Parking, Tip #8) The Brew Bus. The Brew Bus people are based in several Florida cities. Their focus is providing transportation to folks that want to tour breweries in South Florida or Tampa Bay, but they offer shuttle service to Tropicana Field for select regular season games.

They’ll take you from Cigar City Brewing in Tampa (you can park there for free) to Ferg’s across the street from the Trop and back afterward. They throw your game ticket and a couple of beers in the package too. Good craft beers too, not the generic stuff. So this is extra cool, especially to avoid navigating through the traffic and finding a spot.

The price is reasonable for everything included, and the Brew Bus people are popular with locals. You may decide you’d like to do a brewery tour with them sometime.

The bus leaves to go back 20 minutes after the game, so be sure to be back by then.

Being so close to the pier opens up options!

Tropicana Field Parking, Tip #9) The Cross-Bay Ferry. OK, maybe it isn’t a parking tip, but just putting this out there.

The Cross-Bay Ferry runs from the Tampa Convention Center and drops riders off near the St. Petersburg Pier. Presumably from there you could use the Baseball Shuttle or the SunRunner to get to the ballpark. You should be able to find parking near the Convention Center easily enough, although I don’t know if it would be free.

Unfortunately the ferry doesn’t run late enough to make it viable for weeknight games, and on weekends traffic isn’t that bad from Tampa anyway. It might be nice for a romantic outing or something, but it won’t save you any traffic headaches or money.

Baseball. Parking. The two just go together.

There you go baseball fans…your exhaustive user-friendly guide to parking at Tropicana Field! I hope you’ve found this useful for all your future Tampa Bay Rays games, and I gave you some options you might not have known about. Remember, getting to the ballpark is half the fun!

Click here for some more Tropicana Field tips…and thanks for reading. Please support Ballpark E-Guides sponsors, and keep this website rolling!

Planning a trip to Tampa Bay to see the Rays? Save a bunch of money on hotels, flights and rental cars…book your trip with my friends at Hotwire! (It’s still Kurt’s favorite!)

Click here to start booking your trip to Tampa Bay and Tropicana Field today!

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It’s baseball season! If you’re planning a trip to Baltimore for an Orioles game, you’re probably interested in the Camden Yards food menu. At the very least, you would want to know what Baltimore local favorites are represented in the concession stands.

I’m here to help…below I’ve listed ten of my favorite Oriole Park at Camden Yards food choices, including some new food offerings. And of course, I’ve included some tasty pictures!

Hope you enjoy it…but first, a quick word from our sponsor:

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We’ll start with five picks that can arguably be “only in Baltimore” (well, almost…I think they have Boardwalk Fries in Washington too):

We owe a great debt of gratitude to Boog Powell for single-handedly making ballpark food spectacular.

Camden Yards Food, Tip #1) Boog’s BBQ. Topping the list, of course, is Boog’s BBQ, named for the star first baseman of the early 1970s teams. Boog Powell still occasionally meets and greets with fans, although he’s not there as often as he used to be.

Given that it’s survived for 30+ seasons, and that the lines still get long, I’d say Orioles fans still think that Boog’s BBQ sandwiches and platters are the best of the Oriole Park food options. It’s not technically a regional food, but it doesn’t get more Baltimore than a plate of Boog’s BBQ at Camden Yards.

Boog told me he liked my tie.

It’s truly amazing grub…pit beef, turkey or brisket sandwiches, or platters that include beans and Old Bay chips, with an above average station of condiment choices nearby.

It’s easy to find Boog’s; it’s the central attraction of Eutaw Street and you can sometimes see smoke wafting from the place. Again, lines get long early on game day, so if you want to try it without missing the rest of the ballpark, get there when the gates open if you can.

I had an Orioles employee share a great pro tip with me…bring your own roll, and ask for your sandwich “naked” to get more meat on your plate. I love people who baseball fan right.

If this is making your mouth water, I am succeeding in my mission.

Camden Yards Food, Tip #2) Stuggy’s Crab Mac and Cheese Dogs. This is one local joint that thankfully the Orioles kept around. Stuggy’s is your place to get unusual hot dogs Baltimore-style. The restaurant itself is a Fells Point institution in the city, and they’re known for hot dogs with wacky toppings. You could take a trip there and try some of their fancier offerings; Fells Point isn’t far from the Yard.

At Camden Yards though their signature Maryland thing stands out…the crab mac and cheese dog. Check out the pic; enough said. Pretty much all of the food stuffs you need for a Baltimore baseball meal, including Old Bay seasoning.

Incidentally, Stuggy’s dogs are a challenge to keep on a plate; I would sit down with a fork and napkins to eat one.

I’ll take them all, please. My family can get something else.

Camden Yards Food, Tip #3) Jimmy’s Famous Seafood Sandwiches. Jimmy’s Famous Seafood is a Baltimore restaurant whose Maryland-style crab cakes (is there any other style?) have been featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” and “Beat Bobby Flay”, so a TV network dedicated to food likes their stuff.

Their stand in the left field corner features crab cake sandwiches, shrimp rolls, Mo Gabba’s fried shrimp and a crab cake egg roll. All with bay sauce of course. Oh, and crabby fries to go with.

April through November is peak Maryland blue crab season, so your Jimmy’s sandwich will rock even if in the unlikely event that the Orioles make the World Series. You can try Jimmy’s food outside of the ballpark, even if you don’t live in the area; just order it on their website.

The Harris Creek Oyster stand appears to be gone unfortunately, so Jimmy’s appears to be the spot for seafood.

Never Drive To Camden Yards Without A Plan…

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Tacos + margaritas + Orioles baseball = Living at its best.

Camden Yards Food, Tip #4) Vida Taco Bar. The Vida Taco Bar, near home plate on the first base side of the lower concourse, is another local establishment with a few locations in the region, although they’ve closed their outpost at the Inner Harbor.

At Oriole Park they have chicken, beef or pork tacos…and for vegetarian sorts, they have a sweet potato hash vegetarian taco. You can get chicken or beef loaded nachos and street corn dipped in queso dip here too. It’s the best place here to get your Mexican food fix on.

Vida sources their ingredients locally and fresh squeezes their juices daily, as any taco provider should. So it’s above average tacos. They claim their soup of the day is always Tequila – and you can get a margarita here.

Chesapeake fries? Works for any Baltimore baseball fan.

Camden Yards Food, Tip #5) Boardwalk Fries. Boardwalk Fries has been a staple of Camden Yards grub for as long as I can remember, and I remember when the place opened. They originated in White Marsh, Maryland and are all over the Ocean City boardwalk, they’ve even expanded to places like Qatar. (Sorry if you didn’t read that in time for your World Cup visit.)

They’re on the first base side in the lower concourse; top your amazing crispy fries with Old Bay, crab queso and green onions (ask for “Chesapeake fries”). Or get Buffalo or hibachi fries. Again, these get messy and I would sit down with them, but I can personally testify that Boardwalk Fries are all that.

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More Camden Yards sustenance not to be missed. Do you see the necessity of blogs like this one?

For hot dogs and sausages, sadly they’re not Esskay anymore, but the Orioles didn’t venture too far from Baltimore:

Camden Yards Food, Tip #6) Camden Franks. It’s never hard to find a hot dog at a ballpark, but Camden Franks stands feature your jumbo dogs, and the dogs are made by Hoffman’s Meats in Hagerstown. So even with hot dogs you’re getting authentic regional eats.

If you’re in Baltimore for baseball and crab stuff, Camden Franks has a Maryland Dog, which is a quarter pound hot dog with crab dip and Old Bay potato sticks piled on. Again, bring fork and napkins…

Camden Franks stands are scattered around the upper and main concourse, and they’re easy to find.

No doubt, ballpark sausages were a key part of Uncle Charley’s vision.

Camden Yards Food, Tip #7) Ballpark Sausage. “Ballpark Sausage” doesn’t sound terribly unique. Most of us probably could have thought of that name without much effort. But I thought I’d at least give a mention to the sausages at Oriole Park being made by Uncle Charley’s.

Uncle Charley Armitage was a seasoning and spice man, so he undoubtedly knew a bit about making a great sausage. All natural casings and no additives too. He was from western PA, so not entirely local, but a good ballpark sausage is worth a few hundred miles.

In addition to the spice blends, there’s also (more Maryland flavor coming!) the Uncle Charley’s Chesapeake sausage here, with caramelized onions, orange peppers (get it?), and Old Bay queso on a hoagie roll.

Whew! There is a jerk chicken sandwich at Camden Yards. Was starting to get a little worried.

My next two aren’t actually Baltimore institutions, but there is a small link to being so with each:

Camden Yards Food, Tip #8) Butcher’s Hill Deli. If you’d like to eat slightly healthier, the Butcher’s Hill Deli might be a good spot…they have deli-style sandwiches, of which the “Kingston” looked most appealing to me: a jerk chicken sandwich with pineapple chutney, spicy slaw, greens and garlic mayo on a toasted potato bun. If you like Cuban sandwiches, they have a “Havana” here too.

There isn’t an actual Butcher’s Hill Deli to my knowledge…Butcher’s Hill is a neighborhood in East Baltimore, and I presume that if here was a deli there sandwiches would be much like this. Or whatever.

Whether it’s pretzel nuggets or tater tots, this is a winner.

Camden Yards Food, Tip #9) The Hot Corner. In case you’re not a big baseball fan, the “Hot Corner” is another name for third base, which is where this stand is located. Kind of a pun since this stand offers spicy stuff.

They add local flavor here too…there are boneless wings with Capital City Hot Mambo hot sauce, and crab pretzel bites (so they say; is it me or do they look like tots in the picture?) covered with house crab dip, cheddar and green onions. I was mighty mad at myself for eating before I got to this stand…save some room.

Just keep reading, check out what’s in the Rutsch Sundae!

Finally, while there are several dessert options at Camden Yards, including Dippin’ Dots and Rita’s water ice, I chose a local spot to include here:

Camden Yards Food, Tip #10) South Mountain Creamery. The South Mountain Creamery is a family-owned farm in Middletown, MD. Their website states that their milk is processed by the same family that milks the cows. They say you can taste the difference, but I expect you’d have to be a true milk aficionado. Their ice cream is available at Nationals Park too, so maybe there’s something to that. Those folks must wake up stupid early.

Anyway, their menu at Camden Yards is fairly limited, but they do have a “Rutsch Sundae”, named for the Orioles star catcher: it’s orange dreamsicle ice cream with vanilla pound cake, dark chocolate sauce, chocolate sprinkles, whip cream and a baseball cake pop. Whew! That’s a lotta lotta sugar but hey, at ballpark prices you’ve earned it.

Okay, just so you know, they have funnel cakes. The Orioles have got your back.

So there you go; ten fan favorites for food at the home of the Baltimore Orioles that should make you happy to have gone to a baseball game.

I left out a few things of course, like the impressive funnel cakes, the 1729 pizza, the Buffalo Bird Dog, and the Charm City chicken tenders. There’s nothing wrong with any of them, but I didn’t think they were essential Baltimore enough to include here (although the O-shaped soft pretzel might be an exception). Baseline Burgers are okay, but there are better burgers at a more reasonable price across the street at Pickles Pub.

I hope you found this helpful…if you haven’t bought your Orioles game ticket yet, be sure to read this helpful guide to landing a great seat at Camden Yards, and check this page for many more great Orioles game pro tips!

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Doing PNC Park with kids? Great idea…it’s a great time to expose them to baseball in one of the planet’s most beautiful settings for it. When the Pirates are competitive, it’s plenty exciting, but it’s a pretty fun experience (and cheaper) even when the Bucs linger near the bottom of the NL Central. (As they unfortunately often do.)

If you’re bringing the kids to PNC Park, here are a few things you should know…starting with a quick word from my friends at TickPick:

My friends at TickPick have Pirates tickets…they offer a best price guarantee, a buyer’s trust guarantee, and NO service fees. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!

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Oh no, this isn’t nightmare fuel…yeesh.

PNC Park With Kids, Tip #1) Go on Sunday.

Sunday is by far the best day of the week for kids at PNC. Federal Street north of the ballpark is already closed to traffic, and on Sunday it becomes the Fan Zone, with inflatable rides, face painting and a bunch of other stuff for the kids.

Sundays are also kids run the bases days, where the little ones can run around the infield after the game. This is a very popular promotion, which brings me to PNC Park With Kids Tip #2…

I’m so proud of my little Bucaroo…

PNC Park With Kids, Tip #2) Join the Bucaroos.

By all means have your kid enrolled in the Pirates Bucaroos fan club. There are free memberships that include tickets and buy-one-get-one offers, but the paid membership is well worth the few extra bucks: four tickets and front of the line privileges on run the bases days.

The kids also get cool Pirates stuff like a Pirates cap and drawstring bag with the paid membership. They’ll treasure it forever.

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It’s more popular than it looks. I was early.

PNC Park With Kids, Tip #3) The Kids Play Area.

The Pirates have built a respectable kids play area in the right field corner of the ballpark (keep this in mind choosing seats, incidentally). There’s a wiffle ball field and slides and such, and it’s a place where the kids can burn off energy before the game. If you want to be the first ones there, try going in through the much lesser used right field gate.

Oh, one other thing…don’t forget that there’s a Bucaroos food stand in the left field corner, with smaller portions and prices for kids. Bonus tip at no extra charge!

There you go…some helpful things to know for your next Pirates game with the little ones. Stay tuned for more tips, I got a million of ’em!

(Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)

You need a plan when you’re attending a Guardians game…I’m here to help, with this detailed and useful Progressive Field parking guide! This page is full of great Cleveland Guardians game parking tips, whether you’re looking to save money, be close to the ballpark, get an easier out after the game, or enjoy a meal and drink with your baseball.

(Need more Progressive Field help? Check out this guide to finding a great seat, and this post about the amazing food selection at the home of the Guardians!

Well this is helpful…I guess I’ll take a picture and use that next time.

There’s a wide variety of options, so I’ve broken it down (but read it all if you can, great tips here!):

Progressive Field Parking Tips

Alternate Routes To Cleveland Guardians Games
General Parking Notes
Gateway East Garage
East 9th Street Parking Lots
Nearby Restaurant Parking
Tower City Garage
Other Third Party Lots
Free and Cheap Street Parking
Shuttles to Progressive Field

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Never drive to Progressive Field without a plan…

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You want to be where all of these cars aren’t.

Progressive Field Parking, Tip #1) Alternate Routes to Progressive Field. I love the GPS apps you can use to get places these days, but they often underestimate how long it takes to get through city traffic, so I’m offering some alternate routes to the ballpark here.

Progressive Field is easy enough to get to from I-90 and I-71 (which are the same road near the ballpark) from the southwest, and on I-77 from the southeast. However, there isn’t a super-sized parking facility located at the ballpark, so you don’t necessarily want to just put “Progressive Field” in your GPS.

Auto and pedestrian traffic can get heavy, and the Guardians suggest avoiding the streets bordering the ballpark close to game time (and I second that).

Since Progressive Field is located at several interstate exits and most people will be using those, you can try approaching the ballpark from the north or west.

There’s lots of roads you can use. In fact, use them all and practice!

From I-77, for example, you can use the East 14th St. exit and stay on East 14th to Prospect Avenue, and then make a left onto Prospect and nearby slightly cheaper parking. From I-90 there is now an East 9th Street exit, but you can also use the East 22nd Street exit, and head north on East 22nd to Prospect.

Most people use East 9th, and there isn’t much in the way of parking on the west side of the park (Ontario Street) until you get near Tower City. If you can find a way to approach the ballpark from the north or east using the Shoreway (Ohio Route 2 from I-90 east of the ballpark, and U.S. 6/20 west of the park), you may have an easier time of it, especially with construction going on.

Oh yeah, did I mention there could be another thing people are coming to see?

You should definitely be aware if there is a Cavaliers home game. The Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is just a few feet away from Progressive Field, and decent parking becomes scarcer when both teams are playing or if there is another event going on. If the Cavs are home that night, you should either get there very early, or consider using RTA rail.

Leaving the ballpark, unless you’re parked right off of the Interstate, it might be easier to head north on East 9th and then make a right onto Superior Avenue to get to I-90. From I-90 you can easily access I-77 and I-71.

The city has removed the direct entrance to I-77 from E. 9th (you’ll thank them); you can now hop on the interstate from Orange Avenue and you can detour onto Broadway Avenue if Orange is too congested.

Here’s the Google map of the Progressive Field area to help you visualize all of this.

Getting to this point is pretty much the easy part.

Progressive Field Parking, Tip #2) General Parking Notes. There isn’t a lot of area parking that’s run by the team, but there are numerous lots in the downtown Cleveland area that work fine for a ballgame.

The Guardians claim that there is enough entertainment complex parking to accommodate a simultaneous Guardians and Cavaliers sellout. The key phrase there is “in the area”—that could mean you’ll be walking a little bit; and expect a price hike if the Cavs are in the playoffs. (Again, if both teams are playing, I suggest using rapid transit if you can.)

Parking prices for most Guardians games ranges from $10 to $50 as of this writing. It isn’t difficult to find a decent spot at a good price, so long as you don’t grab the first thing you see, especially coming from I-77. Prices will increase in many lots if the Yankees or another high-value opponent is in town.

For a weekday game, you should arrive earlier and use the Gateway East lot, since most of the other lots will be filled with commuters. You can (and should) book a parking space ahead of time for an easier entrance, either through the Guardians or my friends at SpotHero.

Here’s the lowdown on popular parking options:

Having windows at the stairways is an underrated parking garage feature.

Progressive Field Parking, Tip #3) Gateway East Garage. The closest thing to a main Guardians garage is the Gateway East garage, which is among the largest and most convenient, abutting Progressive Field on Larry Doby Way (formerly Eagle Avenue).

If you’re not overly concerned about the price, and it’s reasonable, this is as good a spot as any and not too far from the highways. The price is usually consistent regardless of opponent or what’s happening in the area, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t arrive earlier (and buy a pass beforehand) when an event is going on at Rocket Mortgage Field House, or on fireworks nights. The lower levels are reserved for employees of both venues, so you’ll be using the upper levels, but there is an elevator.

Very important note! In 2023, with construction in the downtown area, the Guardians have warned that there is a limited number of spaces in the Gateway East garage. When buying game tickets through the team, if there are spaces available, they will offer passes to you. If you’d like to park here, definitely get the pass!

All things considered, the Gateway East garage is probably the best parking spot at Progressive Field, especially if you’re a newbie.

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With a helpful picture of the ballpark on the sign!

Progressive Field Parking, Tip #4) East 9th Street Lots. If you want to be close to the ballpark and interstates, and don’t care about the price, the best bet is the lot on the corner of East 9th St. and Carnegie Avenue (G49 on Google Maps), or at the Hilton Garden Inn across the street. Both are across the street from the ballpark and exit easily onto I-90 or I-77. You will pay more for this privilege, however, at least as much as any other lot.

The parking lot at the Cross Country Mortgage building at the corner of East 9th and Bolivar might be slightly cheaper, and you can’t beat the convenience of being this close to the center field entrance and the amazing food selection in the ballpark.

There are a couple of lots just north of Bolivar on E. 9th, and they’re close too, but these will charge about as much as the closer lots to the interstate. You can go a couple blocks further north on E. 9th and usually find cheaper lots. After the game you can use the aforementioned route to I-90 via Superior Ave; Superior is U.S. 6/322 from E. 9th.

Just hand over your cash to that guy sitting in the car there.

Progressive Field Parking, Tip #5) Nearby Restaurants. There are several restaurants a short walk from Progressive Field with event parking spots nearby. These are higher in price than the Gateway East garage, but they are very convenient to the ballpark and these joints are known for being fun places to celebrate a Guardians victory. Both charge less earlier in the day, but they’ll kick you out or make you pay the event rate once the time comes.

Here’s a few links to restaurants near Progressive Field that have nearby lots, and their specialties (I’ve included the address of the parking lot, not the restaurant):

Thirsty Parrot (lot at 811 Bolivar Road) – Pre- and post-game parties, limited menu of burgers, sandwiches, and appetizers.

Headliner Bar & Eatery (lot at 501 Huron Road East) – Restaurant for the Hotel Indigo, high end tavern and dining.

Flannery’s Pub (lot at 2065 East 3rd Street) – Craft beers, handcrafted cocktails, burgers, sandwiches and appetizers. Mabel’s BBQ is also close to this lot – Cleveland style BBQ (with Bertman’s mustard as a BBQ sauce ingredient), brisket, sandwiches and sides, beer and cocktails.

Someone say hairy buffalo? Now I’m hungry!

Harry Buffalo (lot at 2118 East 4th Street) – Burgers, sandwiches, pizza, wings, tacos, and appetizers, and weekday specials. Primo African Quisine is also near this lot – Grilled lamb and seafood entrees, traditional African dishes, sandwiches and appetizers, craft beers and fancy drinks.

Clevelander Bar & Grill (lot at 750 Huron Road East) – Burgers, sandwiches, wings, and appetizers; beer and drinks.

Those are a few for you, but there’s plenty of bars and eateries in the area north of the ballpark; you can use these addresses when booking your parking on SpotHero.

The parking garage is just a bonus.

Progressive Field Parking, Tip #6) Tower City Garage. The Tower City center parking garage is a fair amount of walking from the ballpark, but the nice thing is that the walkway is indoors all the way from the Tower complex to the Cavs’ arena. The garage is located off of Huron Road.

Parking is cheaper here than nearby lots, it’s often good for all day, and you can spend some time in the Tower City shopping center. It’s also easier to get to the interstates after the game, especially since the crowd will be mostly cleared out by the time you get to the garage. Since the RTA public transit station is at Tower City, you’ll see plenty of baseball fans walking there after the game.

The other benefit of parking here is that there are a lot of eateries in Tower City; you can grab a cheaper bite or fill up your goody bag with less expensive food for the game. The Tower City garage is probably your best option for cheap parking at a Guardians game.

Even saints eventually end their shift.

On Carnegie Avenue east of the ballpark is the St. Maron Catholic Church, which allows parking in its covered lot for non-Sunday games. The location is great, and it’s also an easy exit onto the highway. And what could be safer than having Jesus watch over your car? I’ve also mentioned the Hilton Garden Inn lot, which in some cases can be half the price of lots across the street. You can usually book these on SpotHero.

You literally can’t even be a tall person in this garage.

The Halle Garage on Huron Avenue is cheaper and a 5-minute walk, but it does get some poor reviews for its lack of space inside. There are other lots on East 14th St.; if you don’t mind passing by a cemetery at night. With the new ramp on East 14th, these should be an easier exit onto I-77.

North and east of the ballpark on St. Clair Avenue are close to a dozen lots that you can book very cheaply. These are about a mile from the ballpark though, and not in a great area. I would avoid these for a night game especially, even though they’re cheap.

When they tell you what to do in the event of a break-in, it’s probably not a great spot.

Some of the lots in the Prospect/Bolivar/East 14th St. area, are also in less safe areas of downtown. I’ve read some reviews from folks whose cars were broken into, and you will frequently see orange signs imploring you to “put your junk in your trunk” (which I would think is obvious anywhere).

The lots are usually cheap, but if cheap means more to you than convenience, I would go for the lots east of the ballpark on Carnegie Avenue.

Don’t buy into this. They still charge for parking.

The JACK Casino at Public Square charges for parking on game days; it’s not a good option and not any cheaper for the distance. The lot is open 24/7, if you’d like to enjoy some slots before or after the game. Parking is free for members or folks who play enough to earn points for it, but it will probably cost you more than it’s worth. I’ve read that it can be very slow exiting after games as well.

Ultimately remember that the most used highway ramps are from East 9th Street and Carnegie Avenue. Use any parking spot closer to another exit for an easier out.

The trick is to just act like you do it all the time.

Progressive Field Parking, Tip #8) Cheap Or Free Street Parking. You won’t find any place to park for free nearby on East 9th St. close to game time, but there are spots on side streets where you can park on the street at certain times.

On Prospect Avenue near the watering holes are metered spots which become free after 6:00 PM, so you can feed the meter cheaply until then. Many meters are inactive on weekends and holidays, so you could land a free spot for a weekend game if you’re early. The city bans a lot of street parking before playoff and high demand games.

Carnegie Avenue east of the ballpark also has parking on the street for free on evenings and weekends, and it’s a great spot, but you will need some good timing to land one of these for a ballgame.

I wish they would make up their minds.

On Huron Road East near Tower City there is parking that is free after 6:00; if you can’t find anything there, try the numbered streets like East 6th, north of the ballpark, or Chester Avenue off of East 9th. You can find some street parking on East 2nd Street for night games.

As always with street parking, be careful that you’re parking on the right side of the street, and that the regulations are clear on any applicable sign. If it’s confusing, it’s probably designed to be. And put your junk in your trunk.

This is the way to go to a baseball game.

Progressive Field Parking, Tip #9) Guardians Game Shuttles. Ballpark E-Guides always goes the extra mile, so I’m adding a couple shuttle options you can use to save some cash. I highly recommend the first for a pre-game meal and drink:

Flat Iron Café The Flatty, as regulars call it, is an Irish pub located on Center Street near U.S. 6-20; they have a shuttle that I believe runs for all of the Guardians home games. Parking is free on the street after 6:00 PM and on weekends, or you can use a very inexpensive lot across the street. To use the shuttle, you have to spend a small amount in the restaurant.

The menu is Irish pub fare, burgers, sandwiches, wings, and appetizers like giant onion rings, fish and chips and potato skins. Good variety and prices are reasonable, and there’s beer of course. It draws a larger crowd on game nights; some Guardians fans use the shuttle regularly.

For the most part people who share opinions online think very highly of the Flatty. The location also makes it a much easier exit after the game, especially heading west.

As of this moment the Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Fatty Wagon isn’t running, but that may change. Drop a line if you hear anything.

Because a smile doesn’t cost anything!

RTA Trolleys RTA has two free downtown trolleys—the E-Line and B-Line—that have stops at Tower City; they are free to ride but are available only during the day on weekdays.

If you can score some free parking near a trolley stop on a weekday, it’s a nice deal, but again, this is only for weekday games, of which there aren’t many. The Guardians and the city do often suggest the use of trolleys for Opening Day, though, should you be lucky enough to attend. Not a bad idea considering that most nearby lots will be full and expensive.

If you can’t find the ballpark from here, I don’t know what to tell you.

There you have it my friends…your complete and handy guide for parking at Progressive Field to see your Cleveland Guardians. I hope this was helpful to you…and be sure to read my Progressive Field guide for lots more great Guardians baseball game tips!

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Going to a White Sox game? Below is your complete Guaranteed Rate Field seating guide, where I share everything you need to know to choose a great seat for your taste and budget at the home of the Chicago White Sox. Stick with me, kid…I’ll help you get the most of your visit.

There’s a lot to cover here, so I’m breaking it down by section and price level.

Guaranteed Rate Field Seating Guide Contents

Guaranteed Rate Field Layout
Wintrust Scout Seats
Premium Seating – Diamond Suites, Other Suites and Guaranteed Rate Club
Club Level Seating
Lower Level Seating
Outfield Seats and Bleachers (+ Obstructed Views)
Upper Level Seating (+ More Obstructed Views)
Group and Party Areas
Standing Room

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I took this pic in 2015, but the ballpark’s shape is the same.

Guaranteed Rate Field Seating Tips, Part 1) Ballpark Layout. The layout of Guaranteed Rate Field is simple enough, especially with its (now unusual) symmetry. Here is the Guaranteed Rate Field seating chart from the White Sox website.

The lower deck seats are on the 100 level, and the upper deck is the 500 level. The luxury seating levels and suites are the 200, 300, and 400 level sections, between the upper and lower decks.

Do not purchase tickets in Section 532…you will find yourself in the Invalid Ticket Vortex!

The upper deck section numbering is a bit weird. Every so often it skips a number in the sections, so there’s no Section 532, for example. This was done to even it up with the lower sections, which were cut in half to reduce butts (or worse) in seated people’s faces and thus cover smaller space per section.

If you’re concerned about shade on a hot day (or a cold one…it is Chicago), the sun shines brightest and latest on the left field bleachers, as opposed to the right field seating in most ballparks.

Facing the field, Seat 1 in any section is always closest to home plate. Guaranteed Rate Field’s seating capacity is 40,615.

Here’s the lowdown on the seating sections, starting with the most expensive:

Nothing says “you’ve made it” like cushioned seats and cup holders at the ballgame.

Guaranteed Rate Field Seating Tips, Part 2) Wintrust Scout Seats. The Wintrust Scout Seats are the best seats at Guaranteed Rate Field, for many reasons, and are priced as such. These are padded and wide leather seats directly behind home plate, and they include waitresses bringing you food items from a small menu. If you’re willing to get up, you may help yourself to more lavish buffet and open bar. There’s even a little desk on the side of the seat in case you need to work on that proposal at the game.

The Scout Seats have their own private entrance, a nice thing here. The buffet includes all of those high-quality food items from Levy Restaurants…carved meats, gourmet desserts, all the high end food items that baseball is all about.

Just a small fence separating the well-to-do from the riffraff!

For the price, though, most times you can just get a Platinum Box seat and buy enough food to split your pants with the money left over. But there’s probably something to be said for a cushioned seat with a great view and access to a climate controlled lounge.

If you want to score Scout Seats for a lesser demand game, try the TickPick or third party route and wait until game time draws closer. Chances are you’ll pay less than face price on a slow night (and the Sox have a lot of those), and face value is pretty darn high for these.

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Be sure to ask about our climate-controlled buffet!

Guaranteed Rate Field Seating Tips, Part 3) Premium Seating. One thing White Sox ownership got out of their new Comiskey Park is plenty of luxury suites and seating, as anyone can see looking at the mezzanine levels of the ballpark.

Still, there are lots of seats that aren’t out of the price range of the everyday fan. Most Club level seats, for example, are available at the same pricing levels as other seats. You can get them for a lower price when the Sox aren’t playing a popular opponent, in which case the cost isn’t bad at all.

If you’re going to a game in April or May, you may be glad you got a premium seat and access to a climate controlled concourse. Chicago is not baseball friendly in early spring.

The real bonus is that if no one in your group cares about the actual game, there’s plenty of empty seats!

White Sox Premium Seating: Diamond Suites. The Diamond Suites surrounding the ballpark hold 20 to 60 people, and include their own bar, comfortable seating, in-seat wait service, a private entrance with an elevator, and premium parking. Diamond Suites are at the highest part of the Club Level (400), so the view isn’t as great as you might think it should be for the price.

Like with most premium seating, there is a basic food menu that includes wings, roast beef and turkey sandwiches with the hot dogs, peanuts and beer; you can upgrade the food or the bar and have baby back ribs and Tanqueray, etc. for an additional fee. Suites have private restrooms, a benefit not truly appreciated until you’re sharing with a bunch of others after a game.

Most of the Diamond Suites are reserved for full or partial season packages to corporate types, but they occasionally are available for individual games. In 2017 the Sox added a suite on the field level behind home plate called Suite 134; good for 25 fans who have the considerable means (somewhere in the neighborhood of $200 a ticket).

The naming rights change frequently, but the amenities and views remain constant.

White Sox Premium Seating: Guaranteed Rate Club. The Guaranteed Rate Club (formerly the Home Plate Club and Gold Coast Tickets Club) is the outdoor but covered section of seats behind home plate on the 200 level. There are just four rows of seats here, which is nice. The seats are padded and wide like the Scout Seats, with a nice bird’s eye view of the field. You can only access this level by a private elevator.

Fans (or their rich uncles) can access the private lounge with a view of the field and its high class buffet and open bar, even after the game. The prices for drinks go up after the game, reportedly. Season ticket holders get free parking in Lot D next to the ballpark, no small thing.

They even supply a concierge, in case you need to have a pizza delivered.

Because you belong above it all!

White Sox Premium Seating: Terrace Suites. The Terrace Suites are located down near the left field foul pole at the top of the club level. These are for group outings and can hold up to 400 people. Not the best view from here, the suites and clubs behind home plate might be better if your group cares. But you do get the full bar, and with a climate controlled area the price isn’t terrible at all.

The Upper Terrace does feature a nice view of the city of Chicago, but you can get that on the upper concourse.

Okay, so maybe you can’t put your feet up. But the view is almost as good here.

White Sox Premium Seating: All-Star Suite. The 22-person All-Star Suite is located at Section 439 on the third base side. It appears to be similar to a Diamond Suite, although the White Sox tout its new furniture and refurbished private area. Not sure exactly what the improvement is, unless you’re looking to sit over the home team dugout. It is reasonable as suites go.

Like with the other suites, you can get a food upgrade with fancier items than the chicken wings and sandwiches usually served, and the bar is upgrade-able too. It also includes four parking passes.

Okay, whew! Now about the seating for us actual baseball fans…

Fewer rows and steps to reduce your nachos spilling risk.

Guaranteed Rate Field Seating Tips, Part 4) Club Level. The Club area, in the middle (300) tier of the mezzanine level between the bases, features outside seats in front of the climate-controlled lounge area, with a full bar and a premium menu with fancy extras.

If you plan to eat in the Club concourse, you should order as soon as possible, because it does tend to get crowded. The food isn’t complimentary here, but there is a better selection of it than in the lower or upper concourses.

Tickets for this level are reasonable by club seat standards in baseball. The Club sections increase in price as they get closer to home plate, costing almost double the price behind home as they do closer to the foul lines. The Premium Club seats do sport a much better view; and the White Sox ballpark is one place where that is worth springing for. You might find a good deal on TickPick.

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You could just sit lower than all of those premium seating types. Works just fine.

Guaranteed Rate Field Seating Tips, Part 5) Lower Level. The lower level at Guaranteed Rate in foul territory consists of the aforementioned Scout Seats, Gold and Silver Box, Premium Lower Box, and Lower Reserved. In that order.

The White Sox now rate types of seats by rows, so Rows 26 and higher of Sections 119 and 120 are cheaper than the rows in front of them, for example. In Section 111 there are three different price levels. So presumably, you can save a few bucks in the front row of a “tier”. When you’re buying tickets through the Sox, check the price of the different rows. No point in paying more for Row 14 when Row 15 is just two more feet away from the field.

Since the ballpark is symmetrical, there isn’t much difference whether you’re on the first or third base side, except for the fact that the sun sets behind the first base side and third base is in the shade last. The White Sox also adjusted the seats in the outer Lower Box sections to face closer to the home plate, making for a better viewing angle.

You can tell people to just go around to the other side now!

One very nice thing in the lower level is that sections have fewer seats in each row (usually eight) than in most ballparks, so you won’t have as much of a problem of folks getting up in front of you.

Remember that lower level seating obviously includes access to the lower concourse, and the rest of the ballpark for that matter, something upper level seats do not include. More on that in a bit.

There are usually 30-35 rows in lower level sections, and the upper deck overhang covers the seats from about Row 26 up, so don’t expect much protection from the sun especially for day games.

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Proximity to a bullpen allows for fun encouragement for pitchers.

Guaranteed Rate Field Seating Tips, Part 6) Outfield Seats + Bleachers. The Lower Reserved seats in the outfield are in left field near the foul pole and in all of right field. These are actual seats as opposed to the bleacher-style benches in left center, which are cheaper. Surprisingly, bleacher seats are often more expensive than most of the seating in the upper level.

The bleachers in left center field are bench-style seats, but they have backs on them with numbers, so you still have an assigned seat as opposed to most ballpark bleachers. You still might have to share with a neighbor’s cheek a little bit, but at least they are easier on your back.

Lots of sun-baked metal, but in April in Chicago that might not be a bad thing.

Remember that the sun sets behind first base and it can be particularly blinding and hot in the left field seats. (Incidentally that’s why they call them “bleachers”, since they get bleached by the sun.) I highly recommend sunscreen and sunglasses sitting here.

The visiting team’s bullpen is in right field, all the better for heckling. If you get seats in front of either bullpen, the row numbers start with 8 in left and 9 in right. The bleachers in left are a good spot to catch batting practice home runs.

If your girlfriend has a crush on a right fielder, maybe this isn’t a bad thing.

Obstructed View Alert #1: In the small section to the right of the batter’s eye is Section 100, which, along with the benches in Section 164 on the left field side, may have an obstructed view with the batter’s eye blocking a portion of the opposite field. It can also affect Sections 101 and 163 if you’re sitting high enough. With White Sox attendance you probably won’t have to deal with this, but just saying.

Be sure to get a low row if you get seats in these sections, from high up a good portion of the opposite field could be blocked from view, and you won’t like that. (The Sox will alert you about this before you buy the ticket, but I’m not sure that third party sellers will.)

It’s kind of like Eutaw Street in Baltimore, except without the warehouse, BBQ stand, restaurant…okay maybe it’s not.

The outfield seats have a nice and wide concourse area to roam around in, and they’re also close to the ballpark’s extra amenities, like the kids’ play area, the Plumbing Council shower, and the Craft Lodge in right field. They’re not the best or cheapest outfield seats in major league baseball, but they do have some things going for them.

By the way, this isn’t Wrigley Field—if you catch a home run here, you can be ejected for throwing it back on the field.

If you can handle the vertigo, these seats are a bargain.

Guaranteed Rate Field Seating Tips, Part 7) Upper Level. The upper deck seats at Guaranteed Rate are better than they once were. Before the top eight rows were eliminated, the height and angle of upper level seats could be terrifying. Much was made of how the first row of seats in the upper level are further from home plate than the last rows at the old Comiskey.

Fortunately, the situation has improved. You can only go so high now, and while the angle is still dizzyingly steep, now it’s just “unnerving”. There is a flat iron roof covering the top two-thirds of the highest seats. There are 21 rows of seats in most upper level sections; like in the lower level, the lower rows are more expensive.

The Upper Corner sections are now the cheapest tickets in Guaranteed Rate Field (and most of baseball, for that matter). There’s a good reason for it though, as a Chicago native friend put it to me: “The Waveland rooftops are closer!”

For what it’s worth though, the upper concourse here is one of the nicer ones in baseball; it’s got murals of White Sox greatness and is covered with panels that let the sun in but not the rain. There is a decent food and drink selection too.

OK, but do you really need to see home plate?

Obstructed View Alert #2: There are support poles holding up the new roof on this level; from Row 17 up at this level you could have a pole blocking a good portion of your view. Behind home plate and in the outfield it’s not much of a problem, but down the lines it can be annoying. Again, you probably won’t likely have to deal with it given current White Sox attendance numbers, but just so you know.

Remember, Seat 1 in any section is closest to home plate. So in the high rows down either line, seats 1-5 are likely to be the most problematic with the views. I would go for outfield seats rather than the sections down the line given the choice.

This kind of sucks, so you should be aware of it before you go.

Pay attention, this is important: Upper deck ticket holders are not allowed in the lower level concourse, and the Sox enforce this–a matter of great irritation to some fans. So upper deck seats preclude shopping at the best gift shop, enjoying the more interesting food offerings, seeking autographs, and a number of photo-ops like posing with player statues.

So if you want the entire Guaranteed Rate Field experience, avoid upper level tickets, or use your Ballpark app to get an upgrade. Remember you can’t do standing room in the closed upper concourse here either.

If you want to be a cheapskate…and upper level tickets can be super cheap…you can get someone with a lower level ticket to give you a copy of their ticket, which you can then show to ushers, although you then risk using the wrong ticket to get in and a well deserved whupping. Or you can nicely complain to an usher or Guest Services and tell them you’re a tourist. They may let you down in later innings.

Heading up to the top level on the outside ramps does give one a striking view of the south side of Chicago, so you’re not missing everything. There’s a nice view at the top of the stands too, although it does get windy.

When the beer is complimentary, upper outfield seats are A-OK.

Guaranteed Rate Field Seating Tips, Part 8) Group and Party Areas. Finally, the recent renovation created some sparkling new party areas at Guaranteed Rate Field, for those looking to entertain at a reasonable price:

They’ve upgraded this, but this is the general gist of it.

White Sox Party Areas: Miller Lite Landing. The Miller Lite Landing (formerly the Goose Island) is the outfield lounge and seating area at the foul pole in right field. The seating area includes cushioned seats, food and drinks, and drink rails which are always useful. The back rows are standing room, but still include the counters to lean on. The landing is in front of a bar with Miller products.

The lower rows of the Miller Lite Landing feature large and comfortable leather chairs, TVs since you’re pretty far from the action, charging ports, cup holders, and an extra $20 of concessions value in your ticket. All of the rows except for standing room include wait staff.

The lower seating area is at field level and you can watch the game through the fence, while sitting next to the visitors’ bullpen presumably to give opposing pitchers a hard time. Watching a game through a fence isn’t fun though, so I would go for higher row seats here.

Under the landing seats is the Leinenkugel’s Craft Lodge, where you can duck out of the elements and try any number of great craft brews…and since you’re paying what you’re paying for beer at the ballgame, you might as well drink something good.

Note that these tables in particular do not offer an optimal view.

White Sox Party Areas: CIBC Fan Deck. The CIBC Fan Deck is the two-tiered patio in center field, which is available for group outings of up to 150, at about $100 a person. The plan includes the barstool seating with drink rails and picnic tables in front of the scoreboard, and a low-level pregame buffet of normal ballpark fare; beer is included which is certainly worth a few bucks. Service starts when the park opens and ends as the game starts.

The Fan Deck is good fun for parties, but they definitely aren’t the best seats in the ballpark, being in straightaway center and elevated. The back rows especially lose quite a bit of the field, and the seating as it slopes off to the side isn’t good at all. You also can’t see much of the game when you are partaking of the burgers and bratwurst, obviously.

It also gets windy up there, so the Fan Deck might be better for hot summer days, so long as you have sunscreen.

Not a great view. I will say the buffet is impressive though.

White Sox Party Areas: Party Patio. Underneath the stands on the other side of the visiting team’s bullpen in right center field is the Party Patio; this is available for pregame and during-game parties of as many as 1,300 fans (the overwhelming majority of which will not be able to see the game until they head to their seats). In addition to a buffet of fried chicken, dogs and burgers (and beer), fans are treated to a great view of batting practice.

Seeing the game itself from the warning track area costs extra (you need a game ticket to attend the Party anyway), and they’ll kick you out if you haven’t paid for it. Honestly you’re not missing much; it’s a field level view behind a fence, and you can’t see any of the scoreboards–not worth wait staff in my humble opinion.

You can sometimes get a pass for the Party Patio from eBay or third party sellers. Or sign up for the White Sox newsletter; they will offer decent deals on a Patio pass that would be well worth the money at ballpark prices.

Currently, the answer is “no”.

Guaranteed Rate Field Seating Tips, Part 9) Standing Room. The White Sox make standing room tickets available for big games like Opening Day and Cubs games, but since they don’t sell out a lot, standing room tickets aren’t offered too often. The White Sox did offer a FanPass with standing room access for a month’s worth of games in the past, but as of 2023 they’re not doing this.

Should the Sox be playing in the World Series or something and you find SRO tickets, there’s plenty of space in the large outfield concourse to stand and watch the game. The lower level concourse is open, so you could watch the action from there, but with the overhang of the upper level you won’t have much of a view of the scoreboard.

Lots of people roam around the ballpark through the game, so you might be able to find a seat no one is using somewhere in the outfield or the corners.

Now you can choose which one of these is right for you!

There you are my friend, your comprehensive guide to the seating at the home of the White Sox. I hope you’ve enjoyed the read and found it helpful…be sure to check out more Guaranteed Rate Field tips here, including how to choose a great parking spot and what to eat at a White Sox game.

And if you’re visiting Chicago for a baseball trip, be sure to carefully read my Wrigley Field Guide!

Thanks for reading and supporting our sponsors, and feel free to drop me a line with any questions!

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If you’re planning a trip to a Milwaukee Brewers home game, or even if you’re a regular at American Family Field, here are some essential Brewers parking tips. There’s some valuable info here you should know…most importantly, that American Family Field is a very big tailgating destination. (More about that here.)

Here are five helpful tips for parking for Brewers game days, after a quick word from our sponsor:

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Try to get here before all of these nice people do.

American Family Field Parking Tip #1) Arrive as early as you can. All of the lots open three hours prior to the game. You’ll see a long line of cars waiting for the parking gates to open, as Brewers fans itch to fire up the grill. One reason to get there early, other than joining the party, is to keep from sitting in your car for too long.

The American Family Field parking lots have over 12,000 spaces. For most games, you shouldn’t have a problem landing a parking spot. But if you want a decent spot, less walking and a lesser wait, you will need to get there about three hours or more prior to game time. For prime games like Opening Day or against the Chicago Cubs, you’ll need to get there sooner than that.

And because you’re early, you can get a good seat!

There’s things to do, outside of drinking beer, grilling sausages or throwing frisbees, to keep yourself or the kids busy before the first pitch. If you’re a baseball history buff, see the statues for Hank Aaron, Robin Yount, Bud Selig, and Bob Uecker. In Brewers Lot 1, the Brewers marked the spot where Hank Aaron’s 755th home run landed. There’s also a memorial to three workers who lost their lives in the 1999 crane collapse during the ballpark’s construction.

Helfaer Field is a baseball field near the main entrance of the ballpark, on the footprint of old County Stadium. There’s usually activity going on you can watch, and a kids playground nearby. Or obviously you can join the tailgating party. It beats sitting in your car waiting for the long line.

Parking at the Hot Corner? Heck yes!

American Family Field Parking Tip #2) Book your parking in advance (and spring for preferred parking lots). The Brewers have a colorful parking map on their website. Their parking lots are named after Brewers greats like Yount, Molitor, Thomas and others.

Milwaukee Brewers parking is relatively inexpensive by baseball standards, although it is pricier for weekend and Marquee games. For a few extra dollars, you can get a preferred spot. As of 2023, general parking rates range from $13 to $40. Preferred parking passes especially are significantly cheaper when you order in advance.

Most of the Preferred lots are just off of I-94, and surround Helfaer Field and the home plate entrance. They also include the Miller and Gantner lots off of 44th Street. Preferred parking is closer to the ballpark, with easier access to I-94 afterward. Most fans will tell you it’s worth the few extra bucks.

The Molitor lot is usually an easier exit than the Yount or Uecker lots. Use the Aaron or Thomas lot to be close to the home plate gate.

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Welcome to the grand parking lots!

If you’re not in a preferred lot, you’ll likely have to walk on a pedestrian bridge to cross either the Menomonee River or I-94, and it’s a fair bit of walking. There’s nothing wrong with the scenery though—at the foot of the bridge crossing I-94 are blocks of Brewers history, and crossing the Menomonee passes by the Sausage Haus and tailgate pavilions.

Like the Uecker seats inside the ballpark, there’s also a Uecker Lot. It’s in the southeast corner of the cheaper lots, and it is probably the furthest from the park. If you have mobility troubles, you can use a shuttle service that the Brewers provide; call their Guest Relations hotline.

For groups on a bus or RV, the American Family Lot just south of the ballpark is dedicated for bus parking. It costs a chunk of change, but again, you can order parking in advance at a significant discount. The oversized vehicles lot does not have tailgating grids, but people still party there.

The home of Harley-Davidson has to have a motorcycle parking lot at their ballpark.

If you need accessible parking spaces, they’re in the preferred lots close to the home plate entrance. Motorcyclists can park in the Cooper lot near Helfaer Field.

Finally, while there is free parking on streets around the American Family Field area, it’s a ways from the ballpark. For free street parking at Brewers games, your best bet is probably north of the ballpark on Blue Mound Road, or the side streets off of Blue Mound.

If you don’t want to do the walk, you can use one of the tavern shuttle services, like from Kelly’s Bleachers. (You can read about a few of those here.)

This is a lot of info to digest in a few seconds. Best to plan ahead.

American Family Field Parking Tip #3) Use the right route. American Family Field is so essential Milwaukee that it has its very own interchange, exit 308B directly off of I-94, called Stadium Way/Brewers Boulevard (formerly Miller Park Way). Stadium Way is only called such near the ballpark; north of I-94 it is U.S. Route 41, and if you go far enough south it becomes 43rd Street.

The roads circling the lots are Selig Drive to the north and Frederick Miller Way to the south; these driveways are accessible from several other roads in the area. Some of the connecting roads are one-way, inward before and outward after the game.

The Brewers provide directions on their website from each locality, from Green Bay to Chicago. They all end with getting to I-94 and exiting at the ballpark. Which is fine, but know that most everyone drives to American Family Field, and most of them use I-94. As I’ve said, if you’re not early enough, you could run into some traffic backups.

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Because life rewards those on the road less traveled.

Skip this bit if you use Google Maps or another GPS and know where you’re going…but here’s a few alternate routes if you’re behind schedule:

– Coming from west on I-94, get off one exit early at 308A. (The exit is on the left side of the highway.) At the end of the ramp, turn right on Gen. Mitchell/Parkway Drive, which ends at Frederick Miller Way and the west lots.

– Coming from west or east, U.S. Route 18 runs parallel to I-94 north of the park; it is Blue Mound Road on the west side before it merges with Wisconsin Avenue to the east. From Blue Mound just west of Brewers Way, you can turn onto N. Story Parkway and then make a left onto Yount Drive. From Yount Drive you can quickly enter the less expensive Molitor lot, or take it to Selig Drive and the north preferred lots. Very few people use Yount Drive to get to the preferred lots, so you should have little waiting time.

You can also use General Mitchell Boulevard from Blue Mound, which ends at Fred Miller Way as described above.

– From the south or Mitchell Airport, try I-894/I-43 (the Airport Freeway) and exit at Loomis Road/WI-36 north. Turn left onto Loomis and make an immediate left onto 43rd St. 43rd becomes Stadium Way with not too much traffic.

– Coming from points east (including I-43), use Canal Street, which runs parallel to I-94. Canal Street leads directly to the ballpark (often with less traffic than I-94), where it turns into Fred Miller Way at the cheaper lots entrance. This is often an easier exit too.

– From the north on I-41, you can bypass the I-94 interchange and instead use I-43 south of the ballpark; from there you can exit at 43rd St./Stadium Way; you can enter via the easier-to-exit south lots.

One more thing: construction is frequent in Wisconsin. Pay attention to alerts if you can on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation website or @BernieBrewer.

They don’t mess around in Milwaukee.

American Family Field Parking Tip #4) Bring your tailgating supplies. You’ll want to participate in the tailgating. Smelling all of the sausages cooking will make you ravenous.

I’ve written a separate post about the amazing tailgating scene and what you should know, but this is just a reminder to bring supplies. People in discussion forums asking about Brewers games are told to get a disposable grill, charcoal and some Johnsonville, Usinger’s or Klement’s brats.

If you aren’t a tailgating pro (don’t worry; you’ll be surrounded by them), there are several places to find minimal survival equipment.

There is a Metcalfe’s Market on State Street north of the park that is a popular place to get brats. You can stop by Cousins Subs on Wisconsin Avenue or George Webb on Greenfield Avenue for sandwiches. There are a few more takeout joints south of the ballpark on Stadium Way/43rd Street.

The Milwaukee Public Market is a five minute drive away, and features lots of great stuff from local vendors. You can park there for free for a half hour if you can pick up your stuff fast.

Coming from Chicago on I-94, there is a Mars Cheese Castle tourist type of store in Kenosha that has any kind of links, cheese and snacks you need. Love that place…lots of great eats.

You have to let the racing sausages go by. Just saying.

American Family Field Parking Tip #5) Keep your eyes open when leaving. The tailgating party often continues after the game, as the lots gradually empty. People do sometimes leave grills (and other unmentionable stuff) out in the parking lot. On your way out it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for both people and equipment. The Brewers clear the lot an hour after the game.

Should your car fail to start after the game or if you lock your keys in it, MT Towing & Recovery will do their best to help you out free of charge, although you’ll have to spring for towing or repairs. Contact a police officer or Brewers Guest Relations (414-902-4900).

Ain’t nothing wrong with Guest Relations. Guest Relations is a beautiful thing.

Finally, if you’ve had a few too many and shouldn’t drive home, you can call the Brewers’ Guest Relations. They’ll order a cab ride for you if they see the need. Whether they’ll let you leave their car in the lot, you’d have to ask them. It is against Brewers policy, but they might allow it if you ask nicely and get your car out of there before the next game.

There you go my friends; hopefully that helps you in your next trip…remember, when it comes to attending Brewers games, preparation is everything!

Need More American Family Field – Milwaukee Brewers Game Tips?

If you need more help for your next visit to the home of the Milwaukee Brewers, check out my tips for newbies here, some helpful info on choosing a seat here and here, and some party areas and shuttles to the game.

Thanks for reading and supporting our sponsors, and feel free to drop me a line with any questions!

(Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)

Here it is baseball and Mets fans, your astoundingly detailed, enticingly illustrated, and incredibly detailed guide to the Citi Field food menu (updated for 2023!). This post will help you find the best food at Citi Field for your taste at a Mets game, and try some inimitable NYC baseball cuisine. Don’t miss out on some of the best ballpark food in baseball.

Now this is what baseball is all about.

I’m going to cover a lot here, so I’m breaking this down for you; but don’t skip anything!

Citi Field Restaurants
Classic Tastes of NYC
Tastes Like Chicken
Big And Fancy Sides
NYC Pizza – Plus!
Underrated Stuff – Hot Dogs, Burgers, Sausages + Pastrami on Rye
Cookies, Waffles + Other Desserts
Keep It Healthy – Kosher, Vegetarian, Vegan + Gluten Free
Bring Your Own + Other Tips

So let’s get started…after this quick word from our sponsor:

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I’m glad they didn’t put the rest of the tables on the other side.

Citi Field Food, Part 1: Restaurants

I’m not going to go into the really fancy high end clubs; much of what is there is available around the ballpark anyway, but I will talk a bit about the more accessible restaurants at Citi Field.

The Caesars Sportsbook at the Metropolitan Grille restaurant (jeez, that’s a mouthful), in the left field corner on the mezzanine (Excelsior) level, is available to everyone except Promenade less than-Gold and Coca-Cola Corner non-season ticket holders. Your ticket will say if you have access.

Here’s a pro tip: if you’re searching for tickets from a third party, try to buy from a season ticket holder…even the cheapest season tix have access to the reasonably nice clubs.

Pizza should always be well-lit.

By most accounts, the food at Caesars—salads, soups, wood-fired pizzas, hardwood smoked pork ribs, etc. from a chef-prepared buffet—and the views of the field, marina, and city are all extraordinary.

It will cost a little bit, and more if you want a table with a view of the field. Even with a prime ticket, you will likely need a reservation for a spot with a view.

The Mets have a game day lunch menu, where you can fill your plate with a nice variety of food…there’s even an omelet bar for brunches…for a reasonable price by ballpark standards. The dinner menu is a few bucks more. Both are slightly cheaper for kids.

Sometimes it’s fun just to hold the stuff in your hand.
(photo courtesy of Maggie Wiggin)

The Piazza 31 Club lounge, on the Excelsior (mezzanine) level behind home plate and is named for one of the all-time great Mets. Like the Grille, it’s open to Promenade Gold ticket holders and anyone else that paid more for their tickets. It is on top of the front entrance rotunda, and offers fine views of Flushing landmarks like the Unisphere and the Citi Field parking lot, but there’s no view of the game.

Inside the Club are two food options that, to my knowledge, you can’t get anywhere else in the ballpark: the Whole Hog BBQ, with 16-hour smoked pork butt sandwiches slathered with Carolina BBQ sauce and braised pork belly burnt ends with pickled jalapenos. Easily worth the extra bucks for access.

There’s also extremely large Twist homemade soft pretzels that you can get with pepperoni and cheddar or cinnamon sugar. Much better than your typical ballpark soft pretzel, even if that’s a low bar.

Tables with a view of fermentation!

Ebbs Brewing Co. is technically a part the ballpark, but it’s got a separate entrance from being inside. They offer some fine brew selections, including lagers, stouts, IPAs, double IPAs, and several hard seltzers. The menu includes fancy items like house beer cheese soft pretzels, handmade dumplings, and multiple types of sausages.

The prices for beer especially are slightly lower than inside the ballpark, so it’s a place to have one or two better than Budweiser (another low bar) beers before the game. If you can wait until after the game to eat, it’s a good spot to wait out the often bad Citi Field exit traffic.

You’ll never “K” at the K Corner!

Near the center field corner of the ballpark (where McFadden’s used to be) is the K Corner Citi Field restaurant, named for the spot in Shea Stadium where fans would hang Ks for Dwight Gooden strikeouts. It’s a simple sit down eatery with a menu of bar food. You won’t be saving any money on food or beer, but it’s a spot to relax before or after the game.

You don’t need a game ticket to have a meal or drink at the K Corner, but you can enter the ballpark from there…obviously you’ll need a ticket for that. Makes for a good double secret entrance when lines are long.

When in doubt, Shake Shack.

Citi Field Food, Part 2: A Taste of New York City

If you want to really see the amazing culinary offerings that Citi Field has to offer…and there’s quite a bit…start at the Taste of The City food court in center field.

The Shake Shack has a Madison Square Park tradition dating back to 2004. The Shack serves the hugely popular fresh beef Shackburger on potato buns. They also have a very good veggie ‘shroom burger, and very thick milkshakes and frozen custard for dessert.

It’s the wax paper. Chicks dig the wax paper.

The Shackburger is adorned with lettuce, cheese, tomato and Shack Sauce, and an extra patty is available for a few extra bucks (it’s worth it). Incidentally, the fries here with or without cheese are excellent, crinkle cut and crispy.

Judging by the length of lines, Mets fans still consider the Shackburger to be the best food at Citi Field, even with all the great other selections. If you don’t want to wait long, try going as soon as the gates open. If you’re gonna wait, go all out and get a concrete too; you can walk it off.

If I could make one of these, I’d never leave the house.

The glowing Pat LaFrieda’s cart in the center field area is home to the gourmet NYC meat provider’s beef sandwich. LaFrieda’s sandwich is strips of filet mignon with Jack cheese and caramelized onions browned in balsamic vinegar, on a baguette with au jus. I’m told the onions make the sandwich. In 2023, the Mets added a Home Field Double burger, with onions, cheese and Pat’s steak sauce.

There is an additional stand on the Promenade level, where you can also get loaded fries…waffle fries with Pat’s bacon and Jack cheese sauce.

LaFrieda’s sandwiches command a hefty price tag even for a ballpark, but that doesn’t stop anyone; lines can get long here too.

It’s just a picture, but even looking at this it can’t be a bad cheesesteak.

The Home Plate Market is almost hidden (it’s near the Fan Assistance stand on the field level), which is a mystery to me, because it’s a grab and go with some seriously interesting food options at Citi Field.

You can find the Chiddy’s cheesesteak here…and it’s definitely Philly-style, with an ample amount of Cheez Whiz on it. Chiddy’s is a local joint with a location in Queens, and they’re popular with folks that don’t want to make a trip to Philly for an authentic sandwich.

“I’ll just take one of the trays please. Put it on the card.”

The Mets replaced Catch of The Day with the Lobster Shack in the right field corner. Lobster Shack is the Mets’ food guys’ handiwork, but they get it done with their delightfully photogenic fresh Maine lobster roll served with bayside chips. Try the East Shore edition, with lobster dipped in melted butter as nature intended.

They also have loaded chips, covered with lobster, lobster fondue, cilantro dressing and chives, and a creamy lobster bisque.

We have Boog Powell to thank for bringing BBQ to the ballpark.

Pig Beach BBQ exists in both Brooklyn and Queens. They describe their approach to que as “an alchemy of multiple cooking disciplines, with a strong focus on live wood fire.” Whatever that means, at Citi you can get a BBQ platter with pulled pork or beef brisket, which includes purple cole slaw (jalapeno and pineapple) and baked beans (with smoked meats).

But wait, there’s more…choose from a patty melt, the Chef Jeff brisket sandwich, or the pulled pork sandwich. And the patty melt is on marbled rye bread.

I can verify that the tacos are delicious.

In the Hudson Whiskey NY Club are a couple of unique outposts that make it worth the access (see the bit about tickets with club access). First there’s the nicely portioned chicken tinga or spicy tuna tacos from Takumi Taco, another NYC joint known for Japanese-inspired Mexican food.

The Hudson Club also features Empanada Mama’s (wait for it) cheeseburger or mac and cheese empanadas. Or you can find wings and healthier items from Emma’s Torch, a Carroll Gardens eatery whose mission is to empower refugees through culinary education. Who says baseball food can’t be philanthropic?

I’ve lost count of how many chefs are featured at Citi Field.

Finally (whew!), in the right field corner is chef Marc Murphy’s porcetta sandwich stand. Yes, that Marc Murphy, known for “Italian street food”. According to that website, it’s “prepared with sea salt, cracked pepper, minced garlic, fresh picked rosemary, and wild fennel seeds.” Expect a line for this as well, but it’s probably worth it.

It’s a great sandwich and a snicker-worthy name, making it a winner in NYC.

Citi Field Food, Part 3: Tastes Like Chicken

Fuku’s spicy chicken sandwich in the right field corner is the creation of chef David Chang. The Fuku sando is a chicken sandwich with something called “Ssam Korean chili sauce” – which has a hint of habanero – and is cooked just right to be crispy and juicy at the same time. It’s served on a Martin’s potato roll with “Fuku butter”, which is something like mayo.

Fuku is popular in NYC and its addition to Citi was applauded a lot. It’s a very spicy sandwich, so be prepared with a drink if you try it.

When you have not one but two condiments to choose from, that’s Amazin’. (Isn’t that a song lyric?)

The Amazin’ Chicken Co. isn’t a NYC chicken specialty shop…this one comes from the Mets own food preparing folks, who we can trust at this point. This is your spot for chicken tenders, chicken Caesar wraps, and “cheesy tater kegs”…a deep fried potato filled with a three cheese blend. There’s also General Tso’s chicken tenders, free range chicken with Tso’s sauce, sesame seeds and scallions.

They offer a good family meal deal, if your kids are into chicken tenders; a bucket of tenders covered with the tater kegs. The chicken pieces are very large, and you’ll have at least enough for two.

Check out the condiment and sauce station near Amazin’ Chicken; garlic aioli, house ranch, chipotle BBQ, and Buffalo sauce, great additions to already amazin’ poultry offerings.

You’re starting to get hungry for some baseball, aren’t you?
(photo courtesy of Maggie Wiggin)

Sweet Chick, behind the right field seats on the field level, is a chicken and waffles/comfort food joint with several locations in NYC and LA. Sweet Chick is popular around the city for their chicken, so there must be something right about the formula.

Sweet Chick offers chicken and waffles with boneless chicken, honey butter and maple syrup; they also have a spicy Buffalo chicken sandwich with bread and butter pickles, or a simple fried chicken sandwich with lettuce, tomato and herb mayo. Their loaded waffle fries are a big hit.

If you’re having donuts for dessert, this is a big time saver!

In that aforementioned Home Plate Market is this marvel from the Jacob’s Pickles folks: a fried chicken sandwich with honey barbecue sauce and glazed donuts as the rolls. Probably belongs in the dessert section, but there it is.

Yes, they cut an egg carton in half. That’s actually pretty genius.

Citi Field Food, Part 4: Big And Fancy Sides

The Arancini Bros. aren’t actually named “Arancini”; it was two music techs who met on tour and created their own version of deep fried risotto balls. They’re sold at the Essex Street Market, Whole Foods, and of course, Citi Field.

At the ballpark you can get any of six types of risotto balls stuffed with either meat sauce, basil pesto and mozzarella, taco meat with salsa, sour cream and cheddar, even a dessert edition with Nutella and rolled in cinnamon sugar. You can get the full experience and mix and match any of them.

Now you know what to look for to find fries.

The popular Box Frites stand has also been replaced; but if you like fancy French fries, you’ll be fine with the Metropolitan Fry Factory, also in center field. Again, these are the Mets’ guys, making hand-cut fries with four house made sauces: chipotle BBQ, classic Buffalo, house ranch and garlic aioli.

Even more popular than the fried potatoes though, are the deep fried foot long hot dogs; MFF has four offerings including the Steakhouse Ripper with short rib & bacon chili, beer cheese and chives. Or the Tex Mex Ripper, with pickled jalapeno guacamole, chipotle aioli and chili dusted corn tortilla chips.

Kudos to Sunny for going where no ballpark food has gone before!

If you’re looking for unusual sides, try Sunny’s All-American Kitchen, with offerings from celebrity chef Sunny Anderson. Some unusual but tasty stuff here…like nacho skins (!), classic baked mac and cheese, and campfire parfaits, which I’m guessing is a first at a ballpark.

I love cup-shaped pepperoni.

Citi Field Food, Part 5: NYC Pizza – Plus!

Unlike Yankee Stadium for years (Papa John’s…SMH), Citi Field has NYC pizza covered.

Patsy’s Pizzeria in center field (and the Piazza 31 Club) has existed since its beginnings in Harlem in 1933, so they’re arguably right to call themselves “New York’s Original and Preeminent Pizza Dynasty”. Even if I’m not sure exactly what that means, it has my respect.

At the ballpark you have a choice of regular, Margherita, or pepperoni slices, nothing out of the ordinary. Maybe that is on purpose, so that fans save room for a pizza cupcake.

Put candles in them for your birthday!

Did someone say Pizza Cupcakes? Yes, the Pizza Cupcake at the Home Plate Market is a New York delicacy in its own right; it’s a creation of chef Andrea Meggiato.

If you like pepperoni rolls, you’ll like the pizza cupcake…it’s just shaped differently. Or get the Margherita version. The best part? It’s easier to carry around and eat than a slice of pizza. No offense Patsy.

It doesn’t sound exciting, but hear me out.

Citi Field Food, Part 6: Underrated Stuff – Hot Dogs, Burgers, Sausages + Pastrami on Rye

If you like burgers, Citi Field has multiple offerings for you, beyond the aforementioned Shake Shack and Pat LaFrieda Home Field Double.

Sauerkraut and NYC red onion relish. For that food cart feel.

In keeping with Pat LaFrieda’s plan to take over the Mets world, his burgers are the Official Burger of the Mets, much to the delight of fans. The aptly named Burgers & Fries stands sell LaFrieda burgers, Nathan’s dogs, and veggie dogs, plus chicken tenders if you aren’t yet impressed.

Here’s a pro tip…there is no shame in eschewing the Shake Shack for this. Not only is it high-quality beef, but the Mets have some of the best condiment stands I’ve seen in a ballpark. Load up your burger with mushrooms, sauerkraut and/or NYC red onion relish. Works just fine.

Believe it or not, I actually had to do some digging to find hot dog pictures.

There are enough Nathan’s hot dog stands in the rest of the ballpark that you are never far from one. In addition to their famous all-beef regular, footlong dogs, and corn dogs, most Nathan’s stands serve their classic crinkle-cut fries as well. I probably don’t need to tell you that Nathan’s fries are great.

Again, remember the condiment stands…I’m a big fan of NYC onion relish.

Might be enough for me for one game at least.

A good sausage at a ballgame should never be considered underrated…and there are Premio sausage stands throughout the ballpark. Some Mets fans will tell you that the simple sausage and pepper sandwich is the best value at Citi Field. And again, condiment stands!

I’m not sure whether the key word is “classic”, “deli”, or “pastrami”.

The cryptically named Hot Pastrami on Rye stand in the left field corner has nice and hefty pastrami sandwiches and a pastrami dog (a hot dog covered in pastrami and Gold’s deli mustard). The pastrami sandwich is kind of an underrated item here; the stand isn’t in a big food court or anything, but it’s a popular New York thing and aren’t too high on the calories meter.

Any Cubs fan who gets a shirt like this is not going to halfway on his ballpark nachos.

The Mets don’t have a crazy variation of one of baseball’s greatest foods, but the aptly named Goya Nachos kiosks take care of supply; get a large plate of chicken or beef nachos, in a souvenir helmet if you like.

It’s a big enough (and calorie-laden enough) pile of chips with junk for two. But looking at the prices it looks like the helmet is something like $6 extra; if you get that, keep the helmet. Nachos stands also have burritos and burrito bowls…and the burrito is one of the ideal ballpark foods. Portability!

Oreos and like pretty much any dessert are made for each other.

Citi Field Food, Part 7: Cookies, Waffles + Other Desserts

You can go with basic ballpark ice cream and I’m not knocking that, but if you want to reach higher, get to that Hudson Whiskey Club and try one of these Sundae Donuts. Sundae is a Staten Island joint known for donut-infused ice cream. They have several amazing donuts at Citi, including the Oreo donut because they get it.

You can also get a milkshake topped with a glazed donut and Oreo crumbs. Like I said, reach higher.

Oh, the possibilities!

Wowfulls was a staple of food festivals for several years before opening up a store in Manhattan; it’s known for Hong Kong egg waffles, shaped into a cone and filled with ice cream and toppings.

Choose from multiple choices of fancy ice cream…like vanilla rainbow, chocolate brownie batter, or salted caramel cheesecake. Toppings include fruity pebbles, cookie dough bites or Oreo crumbles. All of the desserts have “pocky sticks” too…chocolate coated biscuit sticks. Well worth two hours on the treadmill.

When Citi Field first opened, people complained that there weren’t enough tributes to the Mets. We can now officially put that to bed.
(photo courtesy of Maggie Wiggin)

Cookie Crumz, also in the Home Plate Market, comes from two locations in Astoria and Long Island City. The idea for their cookies was “a simple craving one day for a super indulgent, mind blowing cookie”. Must have been some craving given the result.

Their offerings at Citi include the Fun-Met-I (sounds like confetti, see), with white chocolate chips and Mets-colored sprinkles.

With blue and orange sprinkles, for the Dodgers and Giants.

Mister Softee is the “Official Soft Serve Ice Cream of the Mets”. Mr. Softee cones and milkshakes are found in the concourse areas, and now you can get it in a Home Run Apple bowl…just when you thought simple ice cream at a ballgame wasn’t anything special!

“Strawberry vanilla whip? Strawberry vanilla whip? Three strawberry vanilla whips!”

But if you’d like a healthier sweet snack, try the Dole Whip (here’s the recipe!). It’s at Pig Beach and several other stands. A Dole Whip is something like soft serve ice cream, but it’s fruity and dairy free…at least the half that isn’t mixed with vanilla custard.

Pretzel rolls are one of mankind’s shining achievements.
(photo courtesy of Maggie Wiggin)

Citi Field Food, Part 8: Kosher, Vegan, and Gluten Free at Citi Field

Prime Kosher Sports has been around for a few years at Citi Field, and they have the full gamut of ballpark food, kosher-style: hot dogs, burgers, fries, chicken tenders, deli sandwiches, knishes, even a pulled brisket sandwich on a pretzel roll.

Prime Kosher Sports is close to the center field food court with all the greats.

No need to worry about going to a ballgame as a vegan…there are sausages and dogs.

Since the ability to eat at the ballgame is a stumbling block to veganism for many, the Mets covered that too…Vegan City in the right field corner makes it possible for vegans to eat Beyond Burgers, Beyond Sausage & Peppers, even vegan nachos with Jack Fruit chili, vegan cheese, roasted salsa and guacamole. You might be able to talk me into going vegan now.

Nothing speaks to the evolution of baseball like sushi at the ballpark. But hey, I’m not complaining.

The World’s Fare Market in the right field corner has grab and go stuff, like bags of pistachios and peanuts. There’s also BN (Beyond Nightlife) Sushi, where you can get the sushi, avocado rolls, and Asian salads that are offered in every ballpark these days (when I first wrote that years ago, it was sarcasm).

The World’s Fare in general is a good destination for vegetarians and healthy eaters, if a little pricey.

Making baseball safe for celiacs is a reason to be a Mets fan.

Citi Field also helps out celiac Mets fans, with a Gluten Free food stand in the World’s Fare Market area. They have gluten-free hot dogs and burgers (on gluten-free buns, obviously), turkey burgers, Nathan’s fries, and Glutenberg beer.

Finally, I mentioned Emma’s Torch in the Hudson Whiskey Club earlier; if you’re looking for something to help your digestion they have a black-eyed pea hummus wrap.

Some good and cheap takeout here, but not worth the train ride or walk just to save a few bucks.

Citi Field Food, Part 9: Bring Your Own Food + Other Money-Saving Tips

Yes, you can bring food into Citi Field and avoid the inflated Citi Field menu prices, but there are limits. You’re allowed a 16*16*8 soft bag, and no hard bottles or alcohol. The Mets don’t list food as a prohibited item, but you’re only allowed one plastic bottle of water or soda before the game.

There aren’t many takeout offerings a short walk from Citi Field, but there are places near 7 train stations everywhere. Main Street in Flushing (one stop away on the 7) has several great ethnic takeout joints, but this is a lot of trouble just to save a few bucks. Unless you’re coming from there anyway, I would just put water and peanuts in your bag.

There are four stands that offer smaller portions at smaller prices for kids. They are located behind Sections 114, 121, 408 and 421, including in the upper level food court. The hot dogs are skinny, but they won’t care. The Mr. Met Kitchen in center field has an inexpensive kids meal, with a dog, popcorn and a juice box with a prize included.

Citi cards…endorsed by Mr. Met!

It seems like a small thing, but bring your Citi credit card. Several generic stands offer a couple of bucks off an item with a Citi card. Incidentally, I’ve done pretty well saving money with my Citi MasterCard, especially finding ticket deals.

If you’re not drinking alcohol, you can become a designated driver at one of the pledge booths, and they’ll give you a coupon for a free soda. The booths are behind Section 119, 310, and 418.

There’s no such thing as too many pics of Shackburgers.

There you have it my friends…all of your food choices at the beautiful home of the New York Metropolitans. It’s fitting that a New York City ballpark stepped up its concession game; while the Yankees have their own impressive selections, they don’t come close to the offerings in Queens.

If you’re planning a visit to Citi Field, don’t just bring an empty stomach…get to know the place and save some money doing it, with my full and complete guide to Citi Field! Learn how to save money on tickets, find a great seat, and get to the ballpark easily…we’ve got your back!

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Every baseball fan should make the trip to visit PNC Park, but it’s also a second home to thousands of Bucs fans…we’re all looking for cheap Pirates tickets, right?

Here area few tips for saving money on Pirates tickets, but of course read this to help pick your seats. (You can also read my post about what to eat at the home of the Pirates.)

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You can get this info without actually coming to the ballpark.

Cheap Pirates Tickets, Tip #1) Subscribe to Ticket Alerts. The Pirates e-mail newsletter contains a lot of great ticket offers, and on occasion the Pirates will waive ticket fees, saving you a trip to the box office. You’ll also know about giveaways, concert nights and fireworks nights, and the fireworks nights are popular enough to get your tickets well in advance.

The Pirates also make pre-sales available to subscribers, giving you a chance to land tickets for face value when high value opponents like the Cubs or Phillies come to town.

See what they did there with the two baseball references?

Cheap Pirates Tickets, Tip #2) Check Out Local Institutions. There are quite a few chains and businesses in Pittsburgh that offer ticket deals for Pirates fans.

As this was written, PNC Bank cardholders get discounts on tickets and fan club memberships; Giant Eagle cardholders get discounts for weeknight games; and Slice offers a family pack with tickets and pizza (and it’s great pizza…take it from a South Jersey pizza snob) at a discounted price.

They may be different by the time you read this, but there are still offers in the area. These are all listed on the Pirates website.

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As opposed to using “jiu jitsu” to get your Pirates tickets…

Cheap Pirates Tickets, Tip #3) Get The Ballpark Pass. This one’s for locals who can go to a bunch of games. The Pirates offer a ballpark pass that you download on your phone (using the MLB Ballpark app) that gives you access to every home game in a certain month, for a fantastic price. If you’d like to see all of the Cubs games in a certain month, for example, that alone will almost pay for this.

These passes sell out fast, so make sure that you’re subscribed to the Pirates newsletter to jump on it when it’s available.

There’s a few ways to save a few bucks on Pirates tickets; there are, of course, many other ways to enjoy a Pirates game at PNC Park without striking out your wallet buying tickets, parking or food. Stay tuned!

(Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!) 

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When you’re headed to a Pirates game and are searching for PNC Park parking, you have an abundance of choices, but most of the lots near the ballpark aren’t cheap and/or are set aside for pre-paid parking and season ticket holders.

Fortunately, if you want to go for cheap PNC Park parking, Ballpark E-Guides has a few cool suggestions for you. Including booking your parking in advance with SpotHero!

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You should see this in person.

Cheap and Smart PNC Park Parking, Tip #1) The Fort Duquesne and Sixth Street Garage.

The garage at the foot of the Clemente Bridge is relatively cheap, it’s the closest garage in the downtown “Point” section of the city, and you can enjoy an absolutely stunning view of a beautiful ballpark walking across the Clemente Bridge (which is closed off to vehicular traffic on game days).

And you can get cheap peanuts, drinks and souvenirs from vendors right at the foot of the Bridge.

Hint: North Shore features PNC Park!

Cheap and Smart PNC Park Parking, Tip #2) The First Avenue Garage.

I discovered the garage at First Avenue recently and noticed quite a few Pirates employees using it, so I know it’s a smart choice. It’s a small few bucks to park here, and you can use an elevator to get dropped off right at the platform of the First Avenue Port Authority “T” station. From here you can ride for free to North Shore, literally across the street from the PNC front gate.

Low price, very little walking, and a super easy out after the game back on the highway.

Gamble on a cheap spot!

Cheap and Smart PNC Park Parking, Tip # 3) The Rivers Casino.

I’ve heard differing accounts on whether it costs anything to park here for a Pirates game. According to the casino’s website you pay the event rate four hours before the game, but it’s reimbursed to you if you dine or gamble there. But I’ve also heard plenty of people say they’ve parked for free here. I presume it would be free before the game rate kicks in.

The casino claims it’s $80 for event parking; I don’t know if that includes Pirates games (it’s more likely for the Steelers, because their stadium is much closer), but obviously you can do better than that. Just don’t try it when there’s an event at the football stadium. I’ve heard they charge on Opening Day, but not for other games.

There’s nothing wrong with the walk from here. It features a nice waterfront pathway that goes past several great eateries. But if you’re weary, you can hop on the free T from Allegheny Station to North Shore.

That’s just three cool PNC Park parking options. Remember, you can arrive at PNC almost any way you want…by bus, by boat, or even a bicycle…stay tuned!

(Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!)

New York City being the nub of world activity that it is, there are plenty of ways to get to Yankee Stadium, all with their advantages and disadvantages. If you’re a newbie, the MTA subway or Metro-North railroad is the easiest and best way to get to Yankee Stadium. Taking your car can be done, but driving a car in NYC is not for the faint of heart, and you won’t like parking prices.

So I’ll start with your public transit options, but I’ll cover everything else too. (Need more Yankee Stadium help? Learn how to choose a great seat, what to eat at the game, and some tips for newbies on this site!)

There’s a lot of valuable info here, so I’m breaking it down for you:

From Manhattan, Brooklyn + NYC Boroughs: MTA Subway
From Northern NYC Suburbs and Connecticut: Metro-North Rail
Connecting From Long Island: LIRR
Connecting From New Jersey: NJ Transit Rail + Bus
Arriving By Car + Parking
From Other NYC Boroughs, Part 2: MTA Bus
From Other Cities: Amtrak + Megabus
Using Taxicab, Uber + Rideshares (And Why You Shouldn’t)
Arriving By Bicycle
Ways To Save Money Getting To Yankee Stadium

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How To Get To Yankee Stadium, From Manhattan and NYC Boroughs, Part 1: MTA Subway.

The MTA (Metropolitan Transit Authority) B and D trains on the west side of Manhattan, and the 4 train on the east side, all stop right at the Yankees – East 161st Street Station, at the Hard Rock Cafe entrance. All three train lines extend through Manhattan and Brooklyn, and connect with the rest of the extensive NYC subway system. Coming from Manhattan, the Bronx is always an “Uptown” train.

You should not have to transfer more than once from anywhere in the city, and most transfers are within the subway station and free. Trains get very crowded on game days, adding more fans with each stop, so your chances of having a seat on the ride improve if you get on further south of Grand Central or Times Square.

B trains only operate on weekdays and stop at Yankee Stadium during rush hour. D trains will stop at Yankee Stadium on weekends, but do not stop at the Stadium during rush hour (I have read accounts that it does on game nights, but the MTA doesn’t publicize this).

Here’s a trick for you: going to the game from Manhattan, if you use the express D instead of the B, you can get off at Tremont Avenue and then take a B or a D back–either will stop at Yankee Stadium. You’ll probably have a seat on the ride, and it actually could be a little quicker. (This also works if the D zooms by the Stadium.)

“See that building over there? That’s it.”

The 4 (Lexington Avenue Line) is an express until the late evening when it stops everywhere, so if the game ends late plan for a long trip back, but the 4 always stops at Yankee Stadium. I prefer the 4 for another very good reason…it emerges from underground just before the Yankee Stadium station, so you get a sweet view of the ballpark. I’ll walk a few blocks to get to a 4 for that.

After the game, there WILL be a large crowd waiting for trains. You may have to wait a couple of trains to get on one, but there’s no need to wait for an express train. Also, definitely get your added value MetroCard in advance, and avoid the lines buying tickets after the game.

New York’s subway system is perfectly safe everywhere, so long as you use basic common sense. There are always plenty of riders, and if you get lost, which is not hard to do, you can always ask someone. Trains run 24/7/365.

Featuring fans actually sitting down on the way to the game!

How To Get To Yankee Stadium, From Northern Suburbs and Connecticut: The Metro-North Railroad.

To celebrate the opening of the new Stadium, MTA built a Metro-North railroad stop a short walk from the venue, with game day service on rail lines that extend into the northern suburbs and Connecticut. The Hudson, Harlem and New Haven lines all stop at Yankee Stadium – East 153rd Street Station on game days.

Most Metro-North stations have free or inexpensive parking, especially on weekends, but not all of them do. Some of them, like Tarrytown, will charge on game days. (Tip: You can book parking near a station with SpotHero!)

Metro-North runs game day service from directly to the Stadium on the Hudson Line, and there is a shuttle train that runs from both Grand Central Terminal and the Harlem 125th St. stations in Manhattan. It’s a quick 16 minute ride from midtown, and these are far less crowded trains than the MTA lines.

Much like the LIRR to Citi Field, Metro-North a MUCH more pleasant ride than the subway, and it’s well worth the few extra bucks. The Hudson Line is particularly popular for its Hudson River scenery on the way to the city.

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Unfortunately you do still need tickets.

A peak time travel ticket is required between 4:00 and 8:00 PM, but traveling on the New Haven or Harlem lines you can buy an off-peak travel ticket while transferring to the shuttle. Tickets are cheaper when bought in advance.

Extra trains run after the game, so no need to worry about extra innings, but don’t dilly-dally too much. The last post-game train leaves 45 minutes after the last out.

The MTA website contains more detailed info, such as where connecting services are and which train is the last to leave. They call the game day trains “Yankee Clippers”.

So those are the main rail routes to get to Yankee Stadium; here’s a bit about some connecting services:

Even the Mets will point you to how to get to Yankee Stadium!

How To Get To Yankee Stadium, From Long Island: Long Island Railroad.

From Long Island, most all lines of the LIRR eventually connect to Penn Station or Grand Central Station. From Grand Central you can use Metro-North or a 4 train.

From Penn it’s a short walk to 34th Street-Herald Square and a B or D train to Yankee Stadium. You can also use an A or C train from Penn and transfer to the B/D at 59th (from the A, you can switch at 145th for a quicker ride), or take the 2 to 149th St./Grand Concourse, and transfer there to a 4.

It’s usually better to use the Herald Square, since the 4 will be crowded by 149th, and 149th isn’t the prettiest of stations from what I’ve read.

As with the Metro-North Railroad, LIRR tickets are cheaper bought in advance than on board.

If there’s one thing New Jersey excels at, it’s helping you get out of New Jersey!

How To Get To Yankee Stadium, From New Jersey: NJ Transit.

From New Jersey, riders can get to Yankee Stadium using the NJ Transit trains to Penn Station, where you can follow the Long Island Railroad directions just described. Coming back, the last train leaves Penn Station at about 1:00 AM.

NJ Transit also circulates several buses from suburbs and park-and-ride stations to the Port Authority Terminal, where an A or C train can be taken to the B/D at 59th Street. The North Bergen and other park-and-rides are packages with parking and the round trip ride included, and it’s considerably cheaper than actually driving into the city, especially for one or two people. There are several budget hotels nearby for out-of-town visitors.

Buses should run late enough to get you back, but check the schedules. I barely made the last bus one night coming from an extra-inning Mets game.

The real PITA of driving to Yankee Stadium is that you have to park your own car.

How To Get To Yankee Stadium, By Car + Parking:

The only interstate highway that borders Yankee Stadium is I-87, also called the Major Deegan Expressway. Most routes to the Stadium use the Deegan; traffic obviously gets worse on game days. Access to the Stadium can be at Exits 3-4 northbound and 5-7 southbound; unless you’re very early you’ll likely slow to a crawl no matter which exit you use.

The Yankees provide directions from all of the boroughs, Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut on their website. If you arrive early enough, traffic and parking isn’t too bad at all, but after the game it can be rough exiting.

There’s a lot you should know about driving to the Stadium, especially where to park…so if you’re trying this, check out my extensive Yankee Stadium parking guide, with alternate routes, pluses and minuses of various spots, and even some free street parking you can use.

But my #1 piece of advice, as always, is to book your parking lot beforehand, and my friends at SpotHero are a big help. (My #2 piece of advice…arrive as early as you can, preferably at least two hours before the first pitch.)

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Keep in mind that the bus driver won’t be using any shortcuts.

How To Get To Yankee Stadium, From Manhattan + Other Boroughs, Part 2: MTA Bus.

NYC buses are considerably slower than trains and aren’t the most pleasant of rides. The only reason I can think of to ride the bus is if you want a view of the city. But I’m adding this just in case.

The MTA Bx6 and Bx13 routes drop riders off directly on the corner of 161st and River Avenue, right at the front door of Yankee Stadium. The Bx1 and Bx2 from stop at 161st and the Grand Concourse near the ballpark, as does the express BxM4 from Midtown.

The Bx6 runs all day and all night, but after 1:00 AM there is about an hour wait between buses. The Bx13 picks up fans after the game until about 1:00 AM, so you should be safe. Use a MetroCard or exact change to ride an MTA bus. You can find the routes for the buses on MTA’s website.

There are also express buses that run from other boroughs to Manhattan, where you can use a subway train to the game:

– From Brooklyn, the X28, X29, BM2, and BM3 run to Grand Central Station where you grab a 4 or a Metro-North train.

– From Queens, the QM1, QM1A, QM2, QM2A and QM4 buses run on 34th Street in Manhattan to several locations where you can get on a B, D, or 4 train.

Again, the routes and schedules are on MTA’s website. Bus to subway transfers are free.

Okay, let’s not get carried away here. No one’s paying $1,200 a ticket to ride on Amtrak.

How To Get To Yankee Stadium, From Other Cities: Amtrak + Megabus.

If you’re using Amtrak to get to a Yankees game, there are a bunch of services that stop at Penn Station; from there you can get on the B or D to Yankee Stadium.

Amtrak isn’t the cheapest way to get to the game, but it’s not a bad option for, say, visiting Orioles fans who want to get back to Baltimore without staying overnight. That ride is under three hours most times, which isn’t bad at all, especially knowing you can avoid I-95 traffic and NYC congestion.

Well, when they are in service, they’re pretty good. Just saying.

If you’re saving cash, Megabus is a low cost bus service that drop riders off in a couple of locations in midtown Manhattan. They run buses from several nearby major metropolises, including from Boston and Philadelphia. If you book the ride early enough (as in several months ahead of time) you can ride from Philadelphia or Boston to New York for $1, but even the regular fare is still a big savings over gas, tolls and parking.

Megabus drops you off in midtown Manhattan; from there it’s probably a two train subway ride depending on where you are…the destination address changes from time to time. As I write this it’s close to the 34th Street-Hudson Yards Station…from there you can take the 7 to Grand Central and then get on the 4. (By the way, it’s a single train ride to Citi Field from there.)

Megabus has saved me a ton of cash (I once went from NYC to Boston and back for $2.50 round trip) and they’re comfortable as buses go.

Safely, sure. Quickly, I wouldn’t bet on it even with someone else driving.

How To Get To Yankee Stadium: Taxicab + Ride Sharing.

Taking a cab in New York City is expensive and an ill-advised method of getting to or from Yankee Stadium, but if you need one after the game, you can head to Gate 2 or Gate 4 where there is a car service dispatch. You’ll need it. I saw a few drivers in front of Babe Ruth Plaza, but they took off when I tried to take their picture, so they may not be allowed to hang out there.

If you’re arriving in a cab or Lyft or Uber vehicle, it’s a good idea to ask your driver to drop you off on Jerome Avenue on the opposite side of the Stadium from the B-D-4 madness. There is an Uber pickup area at Jerome and Anderson Avenues.

Word of warning about using a rideshare or taxi, and why I don’t recommend it. While you might be okay without spending an arm and a leg coming to the game, with everyone leaving afterwards there is a LOT of congestion. Getting a ride not only might take a while, but it will cost you mucho dinero leaving the game through the traffic. There’s much easier and cheaper ways to get to Yankee Stadium…as I’ve demonstrated here!

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No, this isn’t the guy you pay to watch your bike. At least I don’t think he is. But he isn’t likely to steal it either.

Unusual Ways To Get To Yankee Stadium: By Bicycle.

The New York City Department of Transportation has a bicycling map of New York City available, or you can get one in any local bicycle store. You shouldn’t have any problem locking up your bike, since the Yankees have enough bicycle racks for 160 bikes. Whether you trust leaving your bicycle here is up to you…most people say if you have a solid lock it will be fine. I have read accounts from people who offer a few bucks to bouncers at Stan’s Sports Bar to watch their bike.

The Bronx isn’t the best of neighborhoods, so if you do this for a night game, you should probably take the subway back afterwards; use the first or last car on the train and be prepared to wait for a few cars before one has the space.

I’ve seen some bicycle paths along the Grand Concourse and such, but closing in on game time crowds around the Stadium get pretty large, so you may end up hopping off as you get closer.

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Some Ways To Save Money Getting To Yankee Stadium

Thanks for sticking with me this far! Here’s a few Tightwad Tips to help you save money getting to the ballpark:

$ – All MTA services feature discounts for seniors, disabled, active duty military and children; three kids under 44 inches tall can ride free with an adult. If you’re in NYC for a few days, a 7-Day Pass will pay for itself in 12 rides (easily done).

$ – The LIRR and Metro-North offer a weekend deal called the CityTicket, for travel at a discounted rate within the city limits. Makes it only slightly more expensive to travel on a much nicer and quicker train coming from, say, Queens.

$ – If you can swing it, try to use the LIRR or Metro-North during off-peak hours (before 4:00 PM on weeknights), where the fare is significantly less.

$ – There are multiple discounts on the NJ Transit website for military members, senior citizens, children of a certain age, etc., so check it out and see if you qualify. Two kids with an adult can ride free on weekends.

Again, if you’re coming by car and looking to save money, consult my Ultimate Yankee Stadium Parking Guide…lots of useful tips there!

And now, you can race me to Yankee Stadium!

So there you go baseball fans…everything you need to know about how to get to Yankee Stadium. If you need more Yankee Stadium help, I’ve got you covered…check out this detailed guide for finding the best seats, the full details about Yankee Stadium food, and even some tips for bringing food into the ballpark. Helpful stuff before you get your Yankees tickets!

Or just check out my complete Yankee Stadium guide here, and if you’re on a baseball trip to NYC, be sure to read my very helpful guide for Citi Field too!

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The Nationals Park food menu offers a few items that are uniquely D.C., a few items that reflect the taste of the region, and a couple items that are popular in other National League East cities for some odd reason.

Below I’ve included some of my favorites here to help you decide what to eat at Nationals Park.

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Now THIS is a ballpark food.

Nationals Park Food Tip #1: Ben’s Chili Bowl. The Chili Half-Smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl is a spicy all beef sausage, with Ben’s special recipe chili piled on, along with cheese, chopped onions and yellow mustard. In my opinion, it’s the best food at Nationals Park.

It’s a truly amazing chili dog, just grab some napkins and maybe a spoon for the abundant chili. Ben’s also has chili cheese fries and chili burgers, and they don’t skimp on the chili or cheese. I persuaded my brother to try one at a game, and three innings later he was getting another.

Now this, my friend, is a plate of ballpark nachos.

Nationals Park Food Tip #2: Hard Times Café. Hard Times is a local chili and burgers chain, so most locals are familiar with it. Hard Times’ nachos—covered with spicy chili, real cheese, sour cream, jalapenos and onions—are one of the better food deals in Nats Park, with easily enough for two people. I’m a big fan.

Last I checked Hard Times also offers a popular Frito pie, chili dogs, chicken wings, and a Cincinnati-style “Chili Mac”, chili and cheese served over spaghetti noodles.

If you make it look delicious enough, you can charge almost any price.

Nationals Park Food Tip #3: Chesapeake Bay Crab Company. Since crabs are a thing in the area, the Nats have a stand selling crab cake grilled cheese sandwiches on large slices of buttered bread. Ballpark plus seafood equals very pricey, but it is a big sandwich.

You can also get crab balls or crab nachos. The nachos are Old Bay kettle chips topped with crab queso, roasted corn and salsa. They’re not as big as the Hard Times nachos, but it’s definitely something different and worth trying.

A partial list of toppings for your hot dog.

Nationals Park Food Tip #4: Haute Dogs & Fries. For the classic ballpark food, Haute Dogs & Fries has some innovative offerings of gourmet beef dogs on New England rolls, including the Haute dog with brown onion relish, mayonnaise and celery salt, and a Banh Mi dog with jalapeno, carrots, cucumber slaw, cilantro and sriracha mayo.

That’s just some examples…they might be different when you visit. Hand cut fries too. Haute Dogs is one of those cheap hot dog joints that is popular enough that even when they’re not cheap at the ballpark they’re still good.

Baseball gets better all the time.

Nationals Park Food Tip #5: See. You. Tater. See. You. Tater. is named for MASN announcer Bob Carpenter’s signature home run call. This joint is about chicken wings and tater tots: wings come in flavors like Buffalo, sweet & spicy BBQ, lemon garlic butter, Old Bay or mango Caribbean jerk.

The tots are the big draw though…a pile of tater tots can be smothered with Buffalo chicken and blue cheese, pork belly and picked cucumbers (called the “Intentional Wok”), BBQ sauce and mac and cheese, or my personal favorite, the Chesapeake Bay with crab meat and crab queso.

Again, probably a good idea to grab a fork to eat these.

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I doubt this guy would be as enthusiastic serving Papa John’s pizza.

Nationals Park Food Tip #6: Enzo’s Pizza. Enzo’s serves up pretty good pizza in my opinion, at least by ballpark standards, with thin crust and ample pepperoni. It’s greasy stuff though…pat it with a napkin if you care about that.

At present there is only cheese and pepperoni, if I see any specialty pizzas I’ll let you know. The pepperoni slice is only slightly more expensive than the cheese slice. Or you can get a full pie for a head-shaking price.

We need something with a lot of ingredients.

Nationals Park Food Tip #7: La Casita Pupuseria. Yep, seven items in I’m already up to three stands serving up some variation of nachos (and I’m not done yet). La Casita Pupuseria is a popular chain in the area with five locations in Maryland, plus a food truck.

Okay so maybe pupusas aren’t exactly nachos…they’re somewhere between nachos and gyros, a thick tortilla covered with typical burrito fillings like chicken or pork, tomatoes, lettuce, cheese etc. It’s a great ballpark snack, easy to carry around if a bit messy.

Don’t ask the guy if you can lick the ladle.

Nationals Park Food Tip #8: Steak of The Union. I’m impressed that Steak of The Union has managed to stick around serving cheesesteaks, given how popular Philadelphia fans are here. But it’s an authentic Philly cheesesteak, “wit” fried onions, peppers and Cheez Whiz.

And of course, more nachos…you can get a truly daunting plate of cheesesteak nachos here, with the all-important whiz glop and cheesesteak meat for that Philly flavor.

Wait…what? There’s something healthy to eat at a ballpark?

Nationals Park Food Tip #9: Melissa’s Field of Greens. Field of Greens stand offers mushroom burgers, salads, wraps, and hummus; it’s a good spot for vegan sorts. Melissa’s Produce is actually a thing; they’re based in California and have a stand in Yankee Stadium too.

Last I looked, the stand had a Portobello mushroom burger with provolone and roasted red peppers, and they even had veggie cheesesteaks and crab cakes. The meat in the cheesesteak is wheat protein made by Vegadelphia; I’m guessing wheat protein isn’t gluten-free.

Finally, it takes some walking, but the Scoreboard Pavilion in right field is home to some cool spots:

Don’t be a jerk…snap your photo and let the fan eat their chicken!

Nationals Park Food Tip #10: Jammin’ Island BBQ. The Jammin’ Island grill near the Loft has very spicy jerk ribs and chicken cooked on a charcoal grill, of which you can get a combo plate with sweet potato fries. You can eat while standing at ample counter space with a view of the field.

I’ve read a lot from Nats fans start declaring Jammin’ Island to be the hidden gem at Nats Park. Employees sometimes hand out samples, which frequently result in purchases.

It’s a burger. And you’re an American.

Nationals Park Food Tip #11: Shake Shack. The Shake Shack is a Citi Field staple (there’s one in Philly’s ballpark now too) but it is equally popular here; lines get very long for the Shackburger, a fresh beef patty topped with lettuce, cheese, tomato and (thousand island style) Shack Sauce on a potato roll. Shell out a few bucks for an extra patty.

There’s also thick milkshakes excellent enough to have a separate (much shorter) line, and I can definitely vouch for the quality of the fries too.

When fries are good enough for neon, you should give them a try.

Nationals Park Food Tip #12: Box Frites. If you like fries, Box Frites (another Citi Field delicacy, SMH) is it…crispy boardwalk-style fries with several dipping sauces that change periodically. You might find smoky bacon or black pepper parm sauce or something like that. Try the garlic parmesan fries…you’ll thank me.

They have several unusual hot dogs here, like a Frites dog or BLT dog. For a fee you can get additional sauce.

I’m really just scratching the surface here; Nationals Park has a seriously long menu. But if you need help deciding what the best food at Nationals Park is, hopefully this helps.

Lots more tips where that came from…be sure to check out my complete guide to Nationals Park! Whether you’re a regular or first timer, there’s lots of tips to help you out.

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