Greetings Baseball Fans and ballpark nerds! This is your invaluable and well-researched Target Field seating guide! I’ve done all of the investigating for you, and put it all here for your next baseball game at the home of the Minnesota Twins.

Whether you’re a first timer or a regular, there’s tons of valuable info here. Use this to find the best seats at Target Field for your taste and budget!

Again, there’s a lot here, so I’m breaking it down into parts. Skip anything you don’t need. (See the Target Field seating chart for where everything is.)

Best Seats at Target Field: Champions Club
More Premium Seating: Thrivent Club
Field Level (100) Seating
Mezzanine Level Seating (Legends Landing)
Terrace Level (200-300) Seating
Lower Outfield Seats – Left Field Bleachers, Cove, Dock + Corona Patio
Upper Outfield Seats – Delta SKY360 Suite, Home Run Deck + Grandstand
Best Standing Room Spots For Twins Games
Where To Find Shade at Target Field
Accessible Seating at Target Field
A Few More Tips

Ready to rock? Here we go, after this quick word from my friends at Gametime (please support this great blog’s sponsors!)…

Gametime has your cheap Twins tickets…with a lowest price guarantee, panoramic seat view photos, and great last minute deals…even after the game starts!

(See why Ballpark E-Guides loves Gametime here!)

The Twins, like all teams, offer lots of high end seating to their corporate clients. That’s baseball. I’m not going to bother with the suites…if you can afford those, you don’t need my help. That said, there’s more info here if you’d like to know from the Twins directly.

I’m also not going to get into the party areas, since that’s worthy of a separate post. Here’s more from the Twins on that.

So then, let’s start with the best seats at Target Field, the Champions Club.

When you feel like you’re on an airplane, life is good.

Target Field Seating, Part #1) Champions Club. The Champions Club is the 400 extra wide, higher back, comfortably cushioned seats behind home plate, in four sections of 12 rows each. They definitely stand out among the rest of the seats.

Not only is the view fantastic of course…the front row is just 50 feet from home plate…but of course it comes with “you or someone you work for has arrived” amenities. If you’ve never seen hitters practice in a batting cage, it’s pretty cool.

The Club itself is a spacious lounge that features artifacts from great Twins moments, including the two World Series trophies. There’s plenty of comfortable places to chill, and TVs everywhere to watch the game if it’s too cold outside.

“The game’s on! Who’s got the remote?”

There’s more…excellent complimentary food and drinks, except for the liquor and “premium” beer and wine, and you can order from your seat. You also get valet parking for every four tickets and a private entrance. If you’d like to visit the Thrivent Club, you can do that too.

Needless to say, these tickets aren’t cheap; the first row (Row A) is upwards of $300 per game, and it’s only available through season ticket plans. So if you’d like to try these out, you’ll have to go third party…see this post for help with that, especially choosing a contest.

If you’re lucky enough to land a Champions Club seat, save room for dessert!

Because when you pay premium prices, you deserve to sit in front of sportswriters.

Target Field Seating, Part #2) Thrivent Club Seating. Like most teams, the Twins recognize that baseball fans love bird’s eye views, and they offer premium seating just above the field level.

The Thrivent Club seats are between home plate and third base, and are fairly close to the action, although they are mostly behind the 100 level seating. The seats are cushioned and low by club seating standards, and there are only ten rows, making for less traffic.

The seats on the third base side especially offer a first class view with the city backdrop, although I love the view of the impressive scoreboard on the first base side too. The real advantage, though, especially in the Minneapolis climate, is access to a spacious climate-controlled bar and lounge area. No small thing, private restrooms.

Say it with me Twins fans: “We will see you tomorrow night!”

The lounge features sections dedicated to Twins greatness like the Carew Atrium and Club 573 (Harmon Killebrew’s home run total). There are plenty of high end food and drink options, although it’s not complimentary here. You can also watch the game from inside the club, while sitting along a drink rail.

The Twins casually mention that you can sometimes find Twins alumni in the Thrivent Club; they feature photo sessions from time to time.

Again, the Thrivent Club is only for season ticket holders, so you’ll need to go through a third party like Gametime for a single game. But if you can find something around or under triple digits, it’s well worth it, especially if the weather isn’t conducive to baseball.

Don’t try to hop the railing for a cushioned seat. They have ushers watching.

Target Field Seating, Part #3) Field Level (100) Seating. The lower level of Target Field is divided into multiple sections and price ranges, but they fall under three general categories.

Dugout Box Infield and Dugout Box sections are closest to the field; Dugout Box Infield are on either side of the Champions Club sections. They aren’t as large or wide, but they do have cushions.

They‘re great seats, of course, but there’s the extra bonus of access to the First and Third Base lounges. Which means shorter lines for food and bathrooms and an escape from the elements. You do have to descend a flight of steps to get to the clubs, though.

If you want to offer encouragement to either team, the Twins dugout is on the first base side. Incidentally, if you have Row 5 behind a dugout, that’s the first row.

Sure, there’s no cushions or food included, but there’s lots of money left over!

Home Plate Box and Infield Box seats are behind the Champions Club and Dugout Box seats; those sections typically have about 15 rows so you’re still pretty close. These are the best seats that aren’t considered “premium” at Target Field, and are priced accordingly.

These are bigger sections too (with multiple price ranges) so there’s more traffic. They elevated the sections above the Dugout sections nicely; you shouldn’t have a problem with people walking in front of you.

Shade, nice sightlines, and proximity to Banh Mi brats!

I’ll talk more about shade later, but Rows 13 and up in these sections are generally under the overhang, for rain and sun protection. Don’t go too high up though, or you won’t be able to see the scoreboard or skyline, a worthy part of the Target Field experience.

Compared to higher end seating that isn’t much closer, these are a pretty good deal. You might be able to score a nice price on a low demand night. There’s plenty of great food in the concourses too.

Nicely inclined for the kids.

The Diamond Box and Field Box sections are down the baselines, with Field Box in the corners. They’re further away from home plate, but you can get closer to the field, and they’re nicely angled towards the infield.

More than anywhere else in Target Field, with Diamond and Field Box, which corner you choose depends on your view preferences; the impressive scoreboard over left field, or the stunning cityscape past right field. Twins fans talk about this a lot.

If you’re a foodie, what you’ll be close to could figure into your decision too; Papa Pete’s donuts are closer to right field, while Red Cow burgers are closer to left field, for example. You can use the MLB Ballpark app and this post to learn more about that.

The incline in these sections is less steep, so there could be a problem if your kid sits behind a tall person like me. I’m a nice guy though, so I’ll switch if you need me to.

Only a few yards further from home plate, and your food’s free!

Target Field Seating, Part #4) Other Mezzanine Level Seating (+ Legends Landing). Other than the Thrivent Club sections on the mezzanine level, you’ll see four sections in the left field corner. These are called the Legends Landing. The right field corner features suites, including the Sensory Suite, which I’ll discuss in the Accessible section.

In addition to a nice view of the Minneapolis skyline, Legends Landing seats include all you can eat of what the Twins call “a comprehensive assortment of ballpark delicacies”. In other words, hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders, popcorn, peanuts, chips, soda, juice, etc. No alcohol unfortunately.

Munch all you want, they’ll make more!

That’s a decent enough selection, certainly so for the price range. As I write this, a Legends Landing seat is just $39 for Extra Value games. I can easily put away $39 worth of food at ballpark prices. It’s a great spot for families, and the Twins market it as such.

In addition, since the concessions area is roped off, only Legends Landing ticket holders can access it, so there are short lines especially since you don’t have to show a credit card.

Again, save some room for dessert; they offer ice cream bars and such too.

Just how do you get to that top level?

Target Field Seating, Part #5) Terrace Level (200-300) Seating.

The upper level of Target Field consists of what the Twins call “Terrace” (200) and “View” (300) sections. Like many modern ballparks, the upper tier is high up because of open concourses and suite level seating, but the view is still pretty good. Seats are steep up here too, so it might be troublesome for the acrophobic.

Ticket prices are based on proximity to home plate, so View seats in the corners are among the cheapest seats at Target Field. Being behind home plate is best, but Target Field is overall very nice to look at from anywhere. Many fans prefer the third base side for the skyline view.

No need to go up any more steps than you have to.

It’s worth shelling out a few extra bucks for Terrace seats. There are fewer rows (eight) in the Terrace section, and the view is better. For View level, you have to use a walkway above the concourse, so it takes some steps to get to your seat. It can be inconvenient; I recommend picking up your food before going to your seat.

Speaking of that, the concourse is much narrower on the upper level than on the lower level. Lines get longer and it gets more crowded, especially on high attendance nights, another reason to grab your grub early.

As you can see, shade sometimes isn’t popular in Minneapolis.

That said, View sections are mostly covered by the impressively large roof, so fans are protected from the rain and sun at least. It most definitely can get hot in the summer here, so that’s a nice bonus. (Again, more about shade in a bit.)

Minneapolis weather is what it is. I can tell you from personal experience that the wind can be fierce. It can be rough enough in April that in 2024 the Twins closed off the upper level for the whole month.

Don’t be shy…really, go ahead inside!

If the weather is challenging, you can duck into the Twins Pub that takes up much of the first base side of the concourse. You can order a drink and watch the game through the windows inside, although you might have to stand behind people. And say hi to Sue Nelson, the longtime organist for the Twins. She’s a sweetheart and greets everyone.

Finally, Section 324 in left field is the “TickPick Family Section”, which is alcohol-free and includes a free hot dog and Pepsi with your ticket. Not great seats, but a fair deal for the kids.

If you love baseball, you don’t mind a little cheek rubbin’.

Target Field Seating, Part #6) Lower Outfield Seats – Left Field Bleachers, Cove, Dock + Corona Patio.

The Twins know that people who sit in the outfield like to have a good time, and they designed Target Field accordingly. There are many flavors of outfield seats here, each with their own style. So here’s the skinny on all of them…

The Left Field Bleachers are benches tucked under the Home Run Deck sections. The seats do have backs, so Wrigley it’s not. Given their location, they’re among the cheaper seats at Target, so you’ll see a lot of families here. The upper rows are also almost entirely covered and protected from the elements, and you can bring a cushion.

Support your Twins…sit near the opposing bullpen and bring your heckling best!

Another cool feature of the Left Field bleachers, especially Section 131, is their proximity to the bullpens. Watching pitchers warm up from up close is really cool, and you can shout friendly encouragement too. If this matters to you, the Twins bullpen is in the back.

That said, you have no view of the impressive scoreboard here, and in the higher rows you don’t see much of the skyline either. There are TVs, but you probably have one of those at home. If you prefer the views, I would look elsewhere. It’s great if there’s a rain delay, but that’s not something you hope for.

Clearly, the lady sitting down is the only one unafraid of blisters.

The Treasure Island Cove sections are under the Grandstand in right center field. You may have noticed that these seats have wooden backs on them (like the Thrivent Club seats)…which, so I’m told, was to blend in with the color scheme. It does that nicely, but the seats aren’t any more comfortable.

Like the Left Field Bleachers, the Cove seats are almost entirely undercover. There are only four rows, but you’ll have a better view of everything in the first row (including deep outfield plays). And again, there are TVs, which are closer to you here.

One nice feature of the Cove, aside from its proximity to great donuts, is the mounted overhead heaters. If you’re an outfield sort, it makes for a good inexpensive choice in September. It’s also mostly shielded from the wind.

Don’t worry about sitting in the front. It won’t tip over.

The Overlook sections are to the right of the Cove. Unlike the Cove though, these sections are completely out in the open…true bleachers in that sense. These seats offer a better overall view of everything without the overhang, but you’ll also be more in the sun and wind.

This section actually juts out eight feet over the field somewhat, in a nod to Tiger Stadium. Balls that hit the façade are in play, so don’t pull a Jeffrey Maier. Before the game the Overlook is an excellent spot for batting practice home runs, but you don’t need a ticket for that.

One nice thing about the Overlook is that it’s just in front of the Target Plaza, where the Twins often have activities for kids (and sometimes discounted food and drinks). If your little ones get bored easily, it might be a good spot. Tickets are very cheap.

“DOWN IN FRONT!”

In the back of the Overlook area, the Twins built a small, interesting looking spot called “The Dock”. This is exclusive seating for groups of 12, with tickets going for around triple digits per person.

You do get a lot for the money with your not-so-great view…a $30 concessions credit, and very comfortable and large swivel chairs, and access to “lakeside” style food. (Minnesota thing, see.) Like with the Overlook seats, keep in mind these are among the last to see shade.

Never underestimate the value of having a place to put your bobblehead.

Next to the Dock in the right field corner is the Corona Right Field Porch, which is also for groups. These are nice for your baseball party, with stools and drink rail counters. Each ticket comes with a small concessions credit, and the price isn’t too bad given the value of drink rails.

The location offers some advantages, being close to the Target Plaza and its activities being one, and it’s easy to duck into the concourse in right field. You also will want to sit somewhere where the foul pole isn’t in your way.

The Right Field Porch sections are mostly for groups, so you have to go through the Twins for that, but they do sell individual tickets from time to time.

I wouldn’t expect to catch a home run ball in the Home Run Deck.

Target Field Seating, Part #7) Upper Outfield Seats – Delta SKY360 Suite, Home Run Deck + Grandstand.

Not enough outfield seating info for you? We’ve still got a second deck to cover, stay with me…

The left field sections under the impressive scoreboard make up the Home Run Deck, although I wouldn’t expect to catch a homer there. In the upper upper seats especially, you might not even know whether a hit is a home run until you hear crowd reaction.

There are two tiers, so to speak, which like the upper level elsewhere are also called “Terrace” and “View”. And again, Terrace seats are significantly better, with fewer rows and far fewer steps to get to your seat.

No problem sitting behind tall people here!

The View sections get pretty high up and are very steep, and you’re pretty far from the action. But it’s got some nice things about it. They’re among the cheapest seats in Target Field, for one. And not to harp on that skyline view too much, but it’s very impressive from this standpoint. The big scoreboard is behind you, though.

This area is close to great concessions; there’s a Red Cow, Pizza Luce, big cheese curds and great dessert choices nearby, and the Town Ball Tavern with wacky cocktails is close too. If you like to go cheap and use money for grub, this is a good spot…and if you choose View seats, you’ll definitely burn some calories using the numerous steps.

Home Run Deck seats are uncovered and face the setting sun, which is nice in the colder months but can be rough in July.

You can pretend you’re at the Rebel base on Star Wars night.

That center field area under the ultra-cool Minnie and Paul neon sign is actually two sections. The Delta Sky360 Suite is the lower portion; it’s an exclusive area for season ticket holders. You can try Gametime for this if you want to check it out.

Despite its distance from the action, there are some cool amenities…all-inclusive high end food and drinks from a changing menu, lounge seating (no view of the field with that), and barstools with drink rails. You can even order food from your seat. You can start grubbing tough two hours before the game.

For the record though, there’s no climate-controlled lounge or private bathroom, but for the price (somewhere around triple digits) and what’s included it’s not a bad deal.

If you think the big sign is cool from a distance, try standing under it!

Above the Delta Suite is what is now called the Cutwater Cocktail Bar; there’s no seating here per se, just barstools and tables. And of course, a cocktail bar. It’s now open to all guests, so for socializing sorts it could be a nice spot. If you have a standing room ticket, you can grab a barstool seat if you’re on time.

Like the left field sections, the center field spots are close to Red Cow and Pizza Luce.

Is it me or does it look like they ran out of seats?

Then there’s that odd-looking Grandstand in right center field, above the Cove seats. It always struck me why the highest seats are furthest from home plate; the nice Target Field tour guide informed me it was to maximize the tiny space Target Field was built into. Fair enough.

Bring some energy for these sections; you will travel up quite a few steps to get to them. I also would avoid these if you’re acrophobic or prone to vertigo; the seats here are probably the steepest in the ballpark and can be nerve-wracking to descend. The highest section (237) has 22 rows, and you will be quite far from the action at that point.

The person at the top of the mountain didn’t fall there!

You’ll also encounter some view issues here; many of the seats miss a portion of the outfield, and you may have to judge what happened by crowd reaction (it’s not terribly bad). You’ll also have your back to the skyline view, and it’s among the last places to see shade for a night game.

Sold yet? Okay, they’re not the best seats. But they’re cheap, make for great exercise, and are close to the gate at the B parking lot, if you want a quick exit. It’s also a popular spot during batting practice; a few homers will land up there.

Almost an entire building dedicated to people who stand for baseball.

Target Field Seating, Part #8) Best Standing Room Spots. If the Twins are good, they could sell out a few games, especially on summer weekends against a high value opponent like the Cubs. When they do, they’ll make a few standing room tickets available, and your options are many and actually pretty good.

For locals, the Twins also offer the Twins Pass, which includes free standing room tickets for a month; you can use the thing all year if you like. It’s a sweet deal if you use it for enough games. Go on the giveaway nights and you’ll make out like a bandit.

Were I presented with standing room tickets at Target Field, my first move would probably be to one of the lounge areas in the left field corner. The lowest tier is the Gray Duck Deck, the second tier is the Summit Brewing Pub, and the Budweiser Roof Deck is the top level. The Bud Roof Decks is for groups, but the rest is open to all ticket holders.

Get there early for a stool with a view.

There are plenty of spots at the Gray Duck Deck and Summit Brewing Pub to sit and rest your food/drinks, including barstools and drink rails with a view of the field. You can also hang out at the center field bar area.

These are popular places though. For sold out games, you would have to arrive early to stake out a good spot near the left field foul pole. Both areas also feature comfortable seating inside around the bar, albeit without a view of the field.

There are standing spots behind most all of the outfield seating, including some drink rails behind the Cove and Corona Corner, popular SRO spots. The Cove is in the shade, the Corona Corner is not. If you don’t mind being higher up, there are counters behind the Home Run Deck.

It’s far away and you have to lean over the counter, but there’s no wind!

If being in the left field corner or outfield doesn’t work for you, you can find a spot in the lower concourse, and possibly a drink rail. The drawback is that with the overhang you won’t see the scoreboard, skyline or fly balls. You could move towards the outfield for a better view.

Not done yet…you can also use the Truly On Deck restaurant in the upper level of right field. There is indoor and outdoor seating, so you have weather options. The view isn’t great, but there are barstools and counters. I don’t know if you have to eat there or not, but no one bothered me when I visited.

Just go ahead and take a seat, no one cares up here…

Even when games sell out, some fans roam, and in the lower corners and upper deck especially ushers aren’t very tough on seat poaching by most accounts. It might be different for a sold out night, just know your limitations.

Here’s a pro tip I read and probably shouldn’t share, so you didn’t hear this from me. If you have standing room tickets, check the MLB Ballpark app and see if there are seats available. That way you can find a seat that no one’s bought. Hey, at least you bought a ticket.

Buy two seats, and switch during the game!

Target Field Seating, Part #9) Where To Find Shade at Target Field. Minneapolis can get hot in the summer. That said, there are also days where you’d prefer to be in the sun than in the shade. You can get more in depth about finding shade at Target Field, but here are some general tips.

The sun sets on the first base side of the ballpark, closer to home plate, and this affects day games as well as night games. For evening games the first base side is in the shade earlier, and day games see shade on that side earlier in the afternoon.

Shade, or lack of it, is a reason premium seats allow access to climate controlled lounges: Champions Club seats see very little shade especially for day games, so you’ll probably want to duck into the Club at times. The upper rows (starting about Row 9) of the Thrivent Club seats are covered during day games, again more so on the first base side.

That big ol’ roof does come in handy in July.

On the lower level, again, the first base side is better for shade, and the upper rows (starting about Row 15) are covered by the overhang, including on the third base side. For day games, lower rows on the third base side will be in the sun the whole game.

Left Field Bleachers are shaded in the upper rows, but the first 5-6 rows are directly facing the sun early in night games. The Cove’s upper rows are covered, making it a popular spot in the summer.

It takes a while to get shade in the left field corner.

With the large upper level roof, much of the View (300) sections are in the shade for day games, especially from home plate to right field. If you want to be on the third base side, go for a higher row. As the afternoon goes on, the Terrace (200) sections see more shade; the left field corner sections are the last to be in the sun.

In the upper outfield, the Home Run Porch seats are facing the sun and uncovered, and it can be really annoying on a hot summer evening. The Grandstand seats, Overlook and Corona Patio are also unprotected from sun for day games, although you won’t be directly facing the sun.

Remember, being in the sun can be a good thing here, so read this backwards if you’re seeking a warmer spot in April.

“Catch Health”. Ah, I see what they did there.

Target Field Seating, Part #10) Accessible Seating at Target Field. Like I said, I’m not going to get into the details about the suites. They’re nice seats with a heater overhead, and include lots of cool stuff like the Champions Club seats.

But I will give a shout to the United Healthcare Sensory Suite. The Twins dedicate a suite for those who for neuroatypical reasons need to escape the noise or other factors of the ballpark environment. The suite offers sensory kits, toys and features for the kids. You can also view the game from the suite or the attached balcony.

A nice thing for them to do, offering an actual suite for fans in need.

Nicely placed close to concessions too.

As far as accessible seating, there are wheelchair areas behind multiple sections throughout the ballpark, including for premium seating and in the outfield. These spots have electrical outlets, and the Twins will supply folding chairs for anyone not requiring a wheelchair. In the Cove section, there is a handicapped area with no seating in front of it.

All of the accessible areas in the lower level are in the back and well-protected from the sun and rain. This isn’t the case in the Terrace level and Home Run Deck, so choose accordingly.

I don’t know if the Twins charge less for “partial scoreboard view”.

Target Field Seating, Part #11) A Few More Tips. Not enough information for you? Really? You’re my kind of fan! So I’m offering a few more seating tips:

I’ve found precious little about obstructed views at Target Field, but there are a couple of things. As I’ve mentioned, a lot of the upper rows of outfield seating miss a portion of the outfield. There are also some problems in right field corner, where tucked away seats lose a lot of the outfield.

This is a very small number of seats, though. In my opinion, the worst seats for view problems are the seats under overhangs that block the scoreboard and skyline.

First rows of sections throughout the ballpark have railings in front of them, and this may require you to lean a lot to see the action.

Have a seat and watch the game on a large TV while you thaw.

In the colder months, if you need to warm up, you have a few options: there are heaters at the entrances of most sections, and the numerous lounge areas are usually warm and dry too. Minnesota gets the most rain in June and July. During these months, it might be a consideration to find covered seats…see the shade section.

Facing the field, Seat 1 is always on the right side of a section. Something to be mindful of to avoid late arrivals blocking your view.

Yes, maybe they could charge more for this view.

I’m not sure if the Twins still do this, but seats on the third base side could cost a couple bucks more than on the first base side, since people love the downtown Minneapolis view so much. Secondary market prices somewhat reflect this, so people seem to think it’s worth it. As I’ve said, I find the huge scoreboard just as impressive, so it doesn’t matter to me.

You can find escalators to the upper level near the corners, but there are also 13 elevators to make it easy to get to the upper levels. They’re all around the ballpark, but mostly in the foul territory sections.

If you’re sitting in the Thrivent Club or on that level, Parking Ramp A includes a “skyway” walkway directly to the Club level. Nice and convenient. Not a bad idea to choose your parking accordingly. (I’ll put up a post about parking soon.)

Welcome to Target Field…one of these seats’ll work!

There you are my baseball fan and ballpark roadtripper friends! Everything you need to know to pick the best seats at Target Field for your taste and budget. I hope you enjoyed the read and found it helpful.

Be sure to learn how to get cheap Twins tickets, and there’s some great local grub at Target Field too.

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Search no more friends…this is your complete Wrigley Field seating guide, with all the info you need…including about avoiding obstructed views to how to truly do the bleachers. I’m here to help you find the best seats at Wrigley Field, whatever your budget size!

As much as I love Wrigley, I wish I’d read what you’re about to read before I went to my first few games there. Your choice of seat definitely matters at the Friendly Confines, for reasons like proximity to Wrigley Field food stuffs, Chicago weather, and the best unobstructed view.

To the best of my knowledge, all the info here is up to date. I’ve also got plenty more Wrigley info for ya…check out my guides to parking, food, and scoring the best deals on Cubs tickets!

Even this seat isn’t so bad, but I’ll help you pick out a better one.

Here is the breakdown:

The Cubs Seating Chart – New Section And Seat Numbering
Wrigley Field Lower Level Seating – Premium, Club, Field and Terrace Seats
Wrigley Field Upper Level Seating – Upper Box and Reserved
Avoiding Obstructed Views at Wrigley
Home Of The Bums: The Wrigley Field Bleachers
Wrigley Field Standing Room Options
Finding Shade, And Other Stuff About Wrigley Field Seating

Gametime has your cheap Cubs tickets…with a lowest price guarantee, panoramic seat view photos, and great last minute deals…even after the game starts!

(See why Ballpark E-Guides loves Gametime here!)

2015, I know. But it’s only obsolete if you squint to see the section numbers.

The Cubs Seating Chart – New Section And Seat Numbering

The Cubs website has their perfectly nice seating map, which when buying tickets shows you some nice views. The team recently reconfigured the seat and section numbering at Wrigley, and this is a good thing.

The bleachers are now the 500 sections instead of 300, and the 400 and 500 upper levels are now the 300 and 400 levels, respectively. The Cubs’ comical reasoning for this was that people don’t fully appreciate the excellent view from the now 300 level. Certainly a lower first digit will convince the masses otherwise.

I’m joking. The 300 level seats truly are excellent, and are among the best upper level seats in baseball. But they aren’t any closer with the new section numbers.

A hundred years ago, seat numbering like this seemed like a good idea. Don’t knock them – our generation contributed the DH.

With the new seat numbering, it’s now a low number at one end of a row and a high number at the other end. As you would expect. It definitely makes the seating much less confusing, especially without having seat 15 next to seat 115 in a row. Never understood that.

Also, in the upper level, section numbers have an L or R after them; this designates what side of the field you’ll be on, e.g. L is left field.

Even in a ballpark 100+ years old, you need cup holders.

Wrigley Field Seating, Lower Level – Premium, Club, Field and Terrace

First we’ll talk about what is now premium seating at Wrigley. These are only available as part of season ticket packages, so to score one for an individual game you’ll need to go third market. (This post can help you with that.)

The American Airlines 1914 Club seats are the first three rows in Sections 13-22; the recently added W Club and Maker’s Mark Barrel Room seats are on the outer side of both teams’ dugouts. All of these go for a very premium price and each section has its own high end club. More importantly, they are cushioned and have cup holders.

These seats are so close to the action that you may hear dugout conversations (although ballplayers don’t usually say anything interesting). They are also so expensive that they are not likely to attract those who offer discouragement to opposing players; but should you be so inclined, the visiting team dugout is on the first base side.

Club seats no longer offer a sporty view of the bullpen. Nor do any other seats.

Club Box seats are the rest of the seats behind the 1914 and Bullpen Box sections. Club Box seats are more expensive between the bases, but are next to the field once you get past the Bullpen Box seats.

Club and Field Box seats heading down the foul lines begin to rise along the outfield wall; this can cause you to miss balls hit in areas close to you (which isn’t a big deal). Club Box seats are turned towards home plate as you get further out though, sparing you neck strain.

The dark, ominous Bartman seat is no more.

I’m hearing your question. Where’s the Steve Bartman Seat?

The Bartman seat, for better or for worse, is no longer here. I spoke with an usher about it and he told me they replaced the existing club seats in that area with more comfortable premium seats. Conveniently, that included removing a seat marking one of the darkest moments in Cubs history.

Honestly I can’t say I blame them, but just in case you were wondering. The general area is between Sections 4 and 5 and up against the wall, if you want to see if you’d go for the foul ball.

Sure Braves fans, no one will be walking in front of you there…

Field Box seats are behind Club Box seats. Again, infield Field Box seats are costlier, significantly so for prime games, but the difference isn’t large for value games.

Field Boxes are separated from the Club Boxes by a walkway; in the first couple of rows this means you will have foot traffic in front of you. It’s not likely to be a big problem once the game gets going, but in early innings it can be annoying.

Otherwise though, Field Box sections are great seats – close enough to the action without the “Friends of the Ricketts” price tag.

Yes, those poles can be a problem. Stay tuned.

The Terrace level is behind the Field Box seats. There is a walkway between Terrace and Field Box, but Terrace seats are somewhat elevated to help patrons see over pedestrians. Terrace Box seats are the first six rows; these are in front of the support poles and thusly offer unimpeded views.

Most all Terrace Reserved sections are in the shade of the upper deck, which can be a good or bad thing here…bring a jacket. Only the seats down at the end of the foul lines are out in the open.

Terrace Reserved seats also risk being close to a support pole, causing the dreaded obstructed view. Stay tuned for how to avoid that.

The Cubs know to make the most of good seats.

Wrigley Field Seating, Upper Level – Upper Box and Reserved

Upper Box (300 level) seats are close to the field and offer a terrific bird’s eye view; many folks prefer these seats to Terrace Box seats (and they are priced about the same).

The Cubs recognized this, so they remade the four sections behind home plate. These are now the high end Catalina Club seats. They cost a lot more than they used to, but like the lower premium seats, they’re cushioned and have cup holders. And of course they include access to the much-coveted Catalina Club, just under the press box.

Even beyond the Catalina Club sections though, upper box seats are still great seats. Many frequent Wrigley patrons will tell you they’re the best bang for the buck, with the bird’s eye view and proximity to the field. Even if “Upper Box Midfield” is actually outfield, it’s a good deal.

Remember, the support poles are your friend!

Upper Reserved (400 level) seats also have the problem of support poles; in this case poles hold up a roof that protects patrons from the sun and rain. Upper Reserved only has nine rows, so in Row 9 you will be all the way at the top and almost leaning against that outside fence.

The Upper Reserved sections are elevated, but there is still foot traffic in front of the first row, which can be very distracting as patrons snap photos and chat and Instagram themselves at Wrigley while you’re actually trying to watch the game. You may want to avoid Row 1 of Upper Reserved.

Almost close enough to grab a beer from rooftop patrons.

Some more notes about the upper level. Past the bases, seating is not angled towards home, so the furthest seats require a minor neck twist—although they do offer great bleachers and Rooftop people-watching.

Word of advice here…getting to the upper level requires a long trek up several ramps (which are behind the Terrace seats) and up steep steps with no railing to get to an Upper Reserved seat. This can be tough on the elderly and less fit among us, especially after the game when everyone is leaving. There are elevators, but it can still be a hassle.

With the improved upper concourse, bathrooms are now much easier to find. The heated restrooms, by the way, are a good place to spend a few minutes warming up on a cold Chicago evening if you can handle the social awkwardness. There are also TVs hung from the rafters in the upper level, to keep you posted on anything you might miss.

Never drive to Wrigley Field without a plan…

Book your Cubs parking spot now with SpotHero!

Well, I guess it’s better than having the upper level collapse on you.

Avoiding Obstructed Views at Wrigley

You can get really scientific about how to avoid obstructed views at Wrigley Field, but here are some basic tips:

Terrace Reserved and Upper Reserved sections have support poles in front of them, which explains their lower prices compared to the rest of the Wrigley Field seating bowl. The worst seats have “limited view” marked on the ticket, but the Cubs have a high standard for this, and the seat has to be really bad.

The Cubs also sell what they call “Terrace Reserved Preferred” seats, which are less likely to have a view problem, for a few extra bucks.

Ah, that’s the trick…get between the poles!

In most Terrace sections, there are 23 rows. The pole is usually at Row 6, although they are in higher numbered rows in the sections towards the outfield (where you should just shoot for a low row). In Section 230, for example, the pole is in Row 17, in front of Seat 6. In Section 205, it’s in front of Row 9, Seat 19.

Except for down the third base line in Sections 210-215, the poles are at the end of section, so seats numbered between 5-12 or so should be an okay bet. In Sections 210-215, try to get low numbered seats, especially in Sections 212-213.

If you want to keep it simple, go for something between the 10th and 15th row, where the pole isn’t likely to be much of a big deal and you can still see the video boards.

Go as high as you can and try not to look to the left.

Similarly, in the upper level, the support poles are in the first row of the Upper Reserved sections, at the end of a section. Try to avoid low-numbered, low row seats…not just to avoid the pole, but also to avoid the aforementioned foot traffic. In most Upper Reserved sections, the pole is in front of Seat 1 or Seat 22.

Again, there are only nine rows in the Upper Reserved sections, so chances are that there will be a pole in your sight somewhere. But with the angle of the seats, it’s usually not bad unless you’re in the first few rows directly behind them.

It gets worse in outer sections, however, and you may want a seat in a higher row just in case.

No, I didn’t photoshop that scoreboard into this picture. It was really there.

Aside from support poles, the highest rows in Terrace Reserved, starting at about Row 16, have the overhang blocking views of the outfield scoreboards, including the hand-operated scoreboard, one of the more striking visual aspects of Wrigley Field.

There is a mini scoreboard with vital info, and the Cubs put TVs in the rafters in case you miss anything, so it’s not all bad. But given the choice, an upper level seat would likely be a better option, especially if it’s your first time at the Friendly Confines.

Yes, someone will pay for these seats. Because Wrigley.

My Best Obstructed Views Tip For Wrigley: Hopefully my advice is useful, but you’d be reading all day if I covered everything. So try the excellent “A View From My Seat” website, that offers you excellent photos of what the view from your chosen seat, or at least a nearby one, will look like.

You can plug in your section number and see the views for yourself. It may take some work, but this is a fantastic resource. Here is their Wrigley Field page…I recommend highly using it to get a great seat at a great price.

A big scoreboard? Finally some shade!

Home Of The Bums: The Wrigley Field Bleachers

The Wrigley Field Bleachers used to be the most inexpensive seats in the park and were packed with the venerable “Bleacher Bums”. Neither is the case anymore, but even at the inflated prices the Bleachers are still the only place to be for many fans.

The Bleacher experience can be a blast or an annoyance depending on your mindset, but there’s unquestionably no baseball experience like it. That said, there’s a few things you should know:

Bleacher fans are serious about a good time.

Pick Your Seat On Game Day – When I say “get here early to pick a seat“, it has a different meaning at Wrigley. For a good spot you are looking at arriving three and a half hours before gametime at the least. People get in line very early, and the first seats to be taken are the front rows of the left field seats, where folks scramble for souvenirs during batting practice.

Sneaky Pro Tip: Speaking of souvenir baseballs, if you’re looking to snag some, try looking under seats as soon as you get in to see if any have already been hit there.

Weekday game. This is why people get in line.

If you can’t land these, at least stay away from the Batter’s Eye in center field, lest you lose a portion of the field to the protruding restaurant.

Aisle seats, by the way, make going for a dog or a brew a little easier. For the most part, fans will gladly keep an eye on your seat during the game, provided you aren’t rooting for the other team.

Once the bleachers are full, it becomes SRO for late arrivals. The Cubs reportedly sell more tickets than there are seats for prime games (and that’s most of them), but if you get there late ask an usher if there are any seats available. You might be surprised.

Keep this in mind in October: there are heaters under the scoreboard in center field.

Featuring numbered seats for Cubs playoff runs!

Bring A Cushion – Bleacher seats are metal and backless, meaning you could be sharing your seat with your neighbor’s cheek, and you should bring a cushion on a cold day (actually, it’s not a bad idea anytime).

Consider Your Fellow Fans – The bleachers are often full of hardcore party animals; meaning some people drink more than they should and do and say things that they shouldn’t. It may not always be the best place for kids, especially on weekends. Fans wearing opposing teams’ gear will take good-natured abuse at the least.

FORBIDDEN! Well, okay, maybe an opposing home run ball. Or an opposing team fan. But otherwise FORBIDDEN!

If you catch a home run hit by the other team, just throw it back. It’s not worth the souvenir. (Some fans keep an additional ball in their pocket to throw back just in case.)

Important note: The Bleachers are zoned off from the rest of Wrigley. You can only access the area with a Bleachers ticket. If you have a bleachers ticket you can still roam around the rest of the ballpark, which is nice. They have a walkway in the left field corner leading to the concourse.

One more thing. You will have to ascend steps to get to the bleachers; I believe they probably have an elevator somewhere, but just something to know.

Cubs fans know the value of counter space.

Part of the recent Cubs’ renovation in Wrigley is group spaces in the bleachers; including the Left Field Patio behind the left field bleachers, the Budweiser Patio in right field, and the Hornitos Hacienda, which is the well in front of the left field seats. The center field batter’s eye restaurant is also a climate-controlled suite now.

All of these spaces feature stools and counters for your drinks, but probably not enough seats for the size of the group. They’re not cheap, but they’re all-inclusive and great fun for a party if you have the means.

You can’t see the score, who’s at bat, or the scores of other games. But you can still see the ivy!

Wrigley Field Standing Room Options

The Cubs say that they make a limited number of standing room tickets available on game day, which doesn’t say much. Wrigley isn’t a great place to have a standing room ticket anyway; the lower concourse area is behind the high rows of Terrace Reserved seats that have overhang view problems to begin with.

You likely won’t find any usable space in the upper level, especially now that the pavilion behind home plate is the Catalina Club.

It wouldn’t be too bad if you could bring a barcalounger.

There is some standing room space on the outer edges of the upper level that isn’t terrible (some Cubs fan friends of mine tell me they love it), but it’s far from home plate and there’s nothing to lean on.

Wrigley is one of the tougher ballparks to poach a seat; you won’t have an easy time getting past ushers here. Chances are good you’ll get caught unless you occupy a vacant seat after the 7th inning stretch. You likely won’t get ejected, just thrown back into the concourse. But that’s embarrassing enough.

In an early April evening, savvy Cubs fans choose the “sun” spot.

Finding Shade And Other Stuff About Wrigley Field Seating

No Chicago native needs to be told this, but you should always be prepared for the weather at Wrigley, and take into account where you’re sitting.

The sun sets on the third base side, so that side will have shade first for afternoon and night games and will also cool down first. In the higher rows of Field Box seats you will see shade earlier on the third base side. To stay out of the sun, avoid the lower level seats down the right field line.

I would avoid the bleachers if you don’t like being in the sun. The bleachers now have some shaded spots, although most all of the seats are in direct sunlight. If it gets to be too much for you, you can duck under a scoreboard, but you’ll be far from home plate.

As you can see, the roof protects patrons from the sun that might actually thaw protruding body parts.

In the upper level, the roof provides shade for Upper Reserved seats especially on the third base side, but Upper Box could still see sun.

Chicago climate being what it is, you could be at Wrigley on a windy day and see people sweating in the bleachers (which are generally protected from the Lake Michigan breeze), while people in the seating bowl are bundled up trying to stay warm. I’ve shivered in the Terrace seats in June.

For April and October night games at Wrigley, fans dress extremely warmly, and with good reason. Be prepared…on a cold night you will be sitting on a metal seat for a long time. (Remember my tip about restrooms!)

Hopefully, I’ve made the job of choosing one of these a bit easier.

There you have it my friends, your complete primer on choosing a seat at Wrigley Field…compiled from my own and others’ experiences. I hope you’ve enjoyed the read and found it useful.

If you want to find the best deals on Cubs tickets, check out this post, and read this for a full primer on how to get to Wrigley. And this should help you decide what to eat. Hope it helps, and I’ll see you at the Yard!

(Note: this article contains affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides earns a commission. Thanks for your support!)

Greetings baseball fans…this is your complete and highly informative Truist Park parking guide! This post contains tons of valuable tips for your next game at the home of the Atlanta Braves.

Whether you want to find cheap parking lots, convenient parking, an easy out or to be close to entertainment and food options, I’m here to help. Parking at a Braves game (or any Truist Park event) can be a real challenge…be prepared!

Since there’s a lot to know, I’ve broken this down for you:

Official Atlanta Braves / Battery ATL Parking
Braves North + Braves South Parking
Braves East Parking
Satellite Non-Braves Parking (+ Free Parking Options)
Hotel Parking (Plus Shuttles)
Motorcycle, Bus + RV Parking
Truist Park Tailgating
Avoiding The Worst Braves Game Traffic
Important Truist Park Parking Tips

Before everything else, here is my most important tip for Braves game parking at Truist Park…book your space beforehand, with my friends at SpotHero (and thank you for supporting this blog’s sponsors)!

Batteries included!

Truist Park Parking Tip #1: Official Braves / Battery Atlanta Parking

To start, here is the official Braves parking map so you can visualize all of this. I’d keep it open as you’re reading.

The Braves operate most of the garages that are closest to Truist Park. These include the Delta, Red, and Orange garages, and the B9 and B11 garages across the Circle 75 Parkway.

The ones that aren’t marked on the map are (clockwise starting from the top) the Green, Purple, and Yellow garages; Battery Atlanta runs those. There is another one at the Doubletree Hotel operated by Official Parking (great name). That one gets poor reviews; just saying.

The Orange garage is for Premium Club members, so you’d have to get a game ticket from one of them. Same with the Delta Deck near the home plate entrance; that’s for Delta Sky and Infiniti Club season seat holders. It’s one of the nicer perks if you can snag one, incidentally, including valet service.

(Learn more about Braves premium seating in my highly informative Truist Park Seating Guide!)

“Ooooh, that’s a nice purple lot, very purply!”

The Red, Green, Yellow and Purple decks, as I write this, cost $50. They’re all a short walk to the center field plaza entrance, through Battery dining and shops. Convenient and nice atmosphere.

Hefty charge, right? Yes, but if you spend $50 anywhere with the Battery merchants…and that includes dinner in the Terrapin Taproom…you can get your receipt validated with that merchant and your parking is free!

It’s a great deal, especially if you plan on having a meal before or after the game and buying souvenirs at the Braves Clubhouse Store, which also counts.

These garages can be very slow to exit, though; the Red Deck in particular gets some guff online about machines not always working. Plus gridlock. There’s plenty to do in the Battery, so you might want to wait out the traffic there.

You can pull up and park most games (credit card only), but I highly recommend booking your parking in advance. I’ll talk more about that.
 

“You just go straight ahead, you can’t miss it.”

The B9 and B11 garages are across the Circle 75 Parkway, and very convenient to the ballpark; B11’s main entrance is literally across the street from the left field gate. These are, to my knowledge, available to everyone, and cost a bit less than Battery garages. B9 is closer to the Red Deck, so you could walk through the Red Deck and be in the Battery area.

From what I’m reading, B9 is better on weeknights, while B11 is better on weekends; I expect that may be because of office buildings nearby. But either is a good choice to be close to the ballpark for about the same price as Battery garages (and an easier exit).
 

Relax. It’s not 285 stairs to climb.

Truist Park Parking Tip #2: Braves North + Braves South Parking

The Braves South parking garages are across I-285 from the ballpark; there is a well-lit pedestrian crossing so you can watch lots of cars go under you. It’s kind of nice actually. South 60 is at the Cobb Galleria Centre (and close to the Cumberland Mall), in case you’d like to attend a convention.

South 60 and 61 are about a ten minute walk to the ballpark and Battery, and they’re again cheaper than the closer garages. Even better, many fans praise the ease of exiting onto I-285 after the game. Great for spending less money if you don’t mind a short walk.

In the past there was a “South 65” lot with shuttle service; currently that isn’t happening, but always in motion is the future.

I always tell people, if you’re going to tailgate, do it downhill.

The North 25 and North 29 lots are at the corner of Circle 75 and Herodian Way. These are also about a ten minute walk to the ballpark and easier to access from I-75. North 29 is the only Braves lot that allows tailgating; I’ll discuss that more later.

For sellout games, North 29 can be very slow to exit; for some reason they only use one entrance. Once you do get out, traffic is easy, but be aware.

These lots are cheaper than Battery lots (and good if you want to avoid Battery crowds), but it is uphill getting to the ballpark, so be mindful of that if you’re imbibing before the game.
 

Employment at Lockheed includes many perks…like a ride to the Braves game!

The Lockheed/Dobbins lot, a ways north just off U.S. 41, is available for weekday and playoff games. It’s some distance away, but the Braves offer shuttle service from the lot which is nice.

Shuttle buses drop you at the first base side on Battery Avenue, and they’ll be waiting there to take you back after the game. That takes some time, but it’s beauty to avoid dealing with ballgame traffic once you’re back in your car.

Plus it’s cheaper, although I don’t know the exact rate right now. (Here’s the Braves current parking prices.) Great if you want to spend less money without extra walking.
 

Nothing like Braves fans arriving to signal the end of your workday.

Truist Park Parking Tip #3: Braves East Parking (Even Further Away)

So now we’re getting a little further away from the ballpark and to the point where you’re crossing I-75 via Windy Ridge Parkway.

East 31, East 43 and East 44 are the most convenient of these, being right off of Windy Ridge, which leads directly to the ballpark (you’ll see Truist from Windy Ridge). These go for about $20 as I write this and are about a ten minute walk. East 43 is only available on Fridays and weekends.

These lots also offer an easy exit back onto I-75 and I-285, especially with traffic clearing out as you walk back. East 31 is especially useful for an easy egress, and is closest to Truist.

Because these spaces are for office buildings, you may have to wait for workers to leave on weeknights. More about that later.

Despite the name, Pennant Park is a hike from the ballpark. Uphill. Both ways.

East 32, East 41 and East 47 are further away on side avenues from Windy Ridge; you probably don’t want to use these unless you have to. It’s a longer walk (close to 20 minutes), and unless you know exactly where you’re going, it’s easy to get lost. East 32 is near Pennant Park, if you need a landmark.

If you do use them, they will be the cheapest of Braves lots. But be prepared for a hike…and an uphill one at times, especially from East 41. You might find some pedicabs that can bicycle you there, but that kind of defeats the purpose for saving money.

There used to be an East 35 and East 42 lot, but the Braves no longer operate those. You might find them on SpotHero. There’s also no more lots in the 50s that included Braves shuttle service at this time, but you can check back on the Braves website in case that changes.
 

Might want to leave a tip so they can afford a bigger gazebo.

Truist Park Parking Tip #4: Satellite Non-Braves Parking (+ Free Parking Options)

There is, of course, lots of parking (see what I did there?) that isn’t run by the Braves, and you can often find a nice deal or an easier exit this way. Again, book these in advance with SpotHero if you know where you want to park; if not, bring cash with you.

Here are some recommendations from forum dwellers that I’ve found:

200 Galleria Parkway: This garage is right next to the Braves South 61 lot at the Cobb Galleria Centre, and offers a similarly convenient walk across the pedestrian bridge to the ballpark. It can be cheaper by comparison if you book ahead, and offers an easy exit afterward onto either interstate in most cases.

I hope you don’t need to go get your stuff during a Braves game.

Herodian Way: There are a few lots on Herodian that are inexpensive and about a 10-15 minute walk (a bit further than the North 25 lot). There is a Public Storage location with a lot, and the Atrium office building at 2400 Herodian is a popular spot. I believe both lots take credit cards.

I’ve read that the Atrium lot offers a shuttle for weekend games, but I can’t confirm that. Regardless, it’s cheap, fairly convenient, and offers an easy exit.

Cobb Parkway (U.S. 41): Cobb Parkway (named for Braves great Cobb Parkway) runs south and west of Truist, and you can find decently priced parking at the corners of Cobb and Windy Ridge Parkway.

Fans recommend parking at the Red Lobster or KFC at that corner. These are closer to the Battery than the Herodian Way lots, and cheaper than Battery lots. And you can order some biscuits for your bring-in bag.

Not that you need an extra reason to eat at Murph’s, but here you go!

Murph’s: The lot near Murph’s restaurant is in front of the Galleria Centre. They offer a discount on parking for people dining there. Win-win! Murph’s is about a 10-minute walk, and the pedestrian bridge over I-285 is close by.

Chuck Douglas at Murph’s confirmed for me that parking is just $10 for diners. He did add that the Braves use their lot for some games, so just tell the attendant you’re eating at Murph’s and they’ll tell you where to park.

Applebee’s: The Applebee’s on Spring Road just south of Cobb Parkway is about a 12-minute walk, and as recently as 2023 they offered free Braves parking for diners. I don’t know if they still do; you can call them at (770) 432-1974 and ask.

Plenty of free parking…and shopping!

Free parking at Braves games is, of course, at your own risk, but here are some possible suggestions:

Akers Mill Square: This lot is a strip mall a bit further away (there’s a Whataburger there), it’s about a 20 minute walk. You can use the pedestrian bridge from the Renaissance Hotel. The lot is well-lit, but you might be uneasy walking back at night. Likely better for day games.

Windy Hill Hospital: This is close to a 25-30 minute walk west of Truist, but the lot should have plenty of spaces. So far no reports of anyone being towed, but I wouldn’t try it unless you’re familiar with the area.

Side Streets: You might be able to find a free street spot on the side streets off of Cobb Parkway or Spring Road south of the ballpark. One fan recommended the area near the Racetrac station. Again, this is a bit of a hike, and check for signs carefully.

I wouldn’t even try parking behind this sign.

Some things you should NOT try include looking for metered parking, which can be $10 per hour, or using the Cumberland Mall parking lot, which is for their customers and merchants. I’ve read reports of tickets. (One fan did say that the Cumberland Mall people recommended Akers Mill Square for free parking.)
 

Sure, parking, but get you some shuttle action too!

Truist Park Parking Tip #5: Hotel Parking

With a ballpark, entertainment options, and a convention center here, there are numerous hotels in the area. Many of them are within walking distance to Truist Park + Battery, which, if you’re staying here, could make it worth the cost.

I am not going to go into detail about all of them, but here’s a bit about a few that may help your decision if you go this route. I have to credit Southeast Travel Guide for some of this info, by all means check this page out if you’d like more info about the Truist Park hotels.

Many of the local hotels charge for parking, which kind of defeats the purpose, but a few have free parking: the Hampton Inn & Suites, the Wingate by Wyndham, and the Courtyard by Marriott (which is a lengthy walk). Homewood Suites on Cobb Parkway offers cheap parking, but it’s more than a mile walk. (It’s near Akers Mill Square is, btw, see free parking above.)

Pro tip: You don’t need a baseball package to do this!

There are also hotels that offer shuttle service to Truist Park, even if they’re walking distance. The aforementioned Wingate is one, as is the Marriott Northwest, and the Sonesta Atlanta Northwest Galleria.

So if you’re going cheap and don’t want to walk, Wingate is a good option.

The Omni offers a baseball package, but I expect you could do all of what’s included much more cheaply than what they likely charge for it. It wouldn’t sway me unless I already had the funds to stay at an Omni.
 

You can put your RV in the tailgating lot, but you gotta buy more than one spot.

Truist Park Parking Tip #6: Motorcycle, Bus + RV Parking

Motorcycle parking is easy enough at Truist…anywhere you want in the Braves lots. Next.

If you’re bringing your RV to the game for tailgating, it’s simple enough, since the Braves designate the North 29 lot for RV parking as well. Needless to say you’ll pay a higher charge, and you’ll have to order your pass beforehand.

The Atlanta Marietta RV Park is about 4 miles from the ballpark, too long to walk, but it’s only about a mile from the Lockheed Dobbins lot. For day games, you could use the Lockheed lot bus for free. 20 minutes or so walk, but you’re not navigating heavy traffic.

If you find a walkway, you can drop everyone off there.

The Braves have designated parking areas for buses. They won’t say where they are exactly, but I expect they’re on Windy Ridge Parkway near the ballpark. Charter buses can park there for free, but you’ll need a pass.

Since you’ll bringing a group obviously if you have a bus (unless you’re a little weird), you’ll likely be using a Braves representative for your tickets; be sure to ask them about bus parking. They will give you a pass you can use.
 

Tailgating…helping you avoid the “atmosphere fee” since…forever.

Truist Park Parking Tip #7: Tailgating

As previously stated, the Braves North 29 lot is the only Braves-approved tailgating lot. They have some rules, of course: no grilling except in grassy areas, no tents, no personal restrooms (snicker), no loud music, no lewd behavior and no illegal drugs.

Yeesh, what’s the point, right? Well, all I can say is if you get there early enough, you can park close to the grass where you can actually grill. You can arrive four hours before the game during the week, and 10:00 AM on weekends (It’s five o’clock somewhere).

There is a fair amount of tailgating here, it can be a fun time and help you avoid paying the always outrageous “atmosphere fee” for beer inside the ballpark. The walk isn’t too far, and if the steps to get to the pedestrian bridge are too much you can use the accessible ramp. You can also continue the party for two hours after the game (and wait out the slow exit), but let someone else drive.
 

Even this many lanes aren’t enough at game time.

Truist Park Parking Tip #8: Avoiding Braves Game Day Traffic

For weeknight games especially, Braves game traffic can be profoundly irritating. Between all of the people leaving work from the office buildings, shopping in the area, and going to the game, it can be a real something show.

The situation is why the Braves partnered with Waze to be their official traffic app, partly because that’s a lot easier and cheaper than building a viable public transit option. (I’ll talk about that in another post.)

Anyway, yes, get the Waze app on your phone if you haven’t already, order your parking beforehand, and use Waze to get there. It should route you around the worst traffic bottlenecks. If at all possible, avoid the intersection of I-285 and Cobb Parkway, which will be bad in all directions. Use side streets, and plan your route ahead of time.

It’s not SunTrust Park anymore, but thankfully they didn’t move the lots.

Speaking of that, your lot selection should include traffic as a factor, at least if you’re not parking in the Battery area.

The Braves help with this…they offer suggestions for lots based on the direction you’re coming from. Here they are:

• Coming from north or east: Use B11, East 41, East 42, East 43, East 44, or East 47.
• Coming from north or west: Use North 25, North 29, or Lockheed-Dobbins.
• Coming from south or east: Use East 31 or East 35.
• Coming from south or west: Use B9, South 60, or South 61.

So as you can imagine, if you search on SpotHero for satellite spots, you can use this as a guide to help you pick your spot. If an independent lot is near East 31, for example, it should be good coming from south or east.

And if you can, arrive early…remember, there’s plenty to do besides the game.
 

Anyone got a magazine to read?

Truist Park Parking Tip #9: Last But Definitely Not Least…Important Braves Parking Tips

Thanks for sticking with me this far. I probably should have included these in the beginning, but these tips are profoundly important, so if I could have your attention just a bit longer…

If I haven’t yet stressed enough buying your pass ahead of time and using Waze, let me repeat it. Book your space on SpotHero or through the Braves. Do NOT try to just drive to Truist Park without a plan and look for a spot. You will not be happy with the traffic and prices.

The corollary of this rule is to be aware when your lot opens. The Braves tell you the opening times here. Keep this in mind choosing a lot. Many lots share spaces with office buildings that have to empty out first. If you’re early you could be waiting a bit.

OK now turn around…wait no up the ramp…wait…

If you’ve never been or aren’t very familiar with the area, do something to remember where you parked. (I speak from experience on this.) Truist Park parking in spread wide in a lot of directions. It’s very easy to get disoriented in the streets, buildings, walkways and hills.

The area isn’t easy to navigate, so remember which direction to go after the game. To leave, I would use the same entrance to the ballpark that you entered from. You definitely don’t want to be wandering around in the Atlanta heat looking for your car.

Speaking of that Atlanta heat, be wary of that too in your parking. If you’re walking a distance, and you could be, it would be wise to have sunscreen and some water with you, especially if you’re bringing the kids or some elderly folks. Wear comfortable footwear, and be ready to ascend hills.

I mentioned pedicabs earlier; the Battery ATL website lists Joyride Pedicabs as their official provider. You’ll probably see a few from the farther lots. If you’re too tired to walk to that far away lot after the game, you can reach out to them.

It must have taken hours to build this ramp.

The Braves offer accessible parking in the Red Deck; if that’s too pricey for you, you can use North 29 with accessible spots. (Yes, that’s the tailgating lot. Don’t blame me.) The Braves even offer shuttle service from there; you can e-mail them to find out more.

If you have car trouble after the game in a Braves lot, AAA will come and help out, free of charge. Just put your hood up and tell the parking lot attendant. If you leave your car there, it will be towed at your expense, so let them help.

Battery lots all have EV charging stations; the Red Deck has the most with nine. Subject to availability of course.

Finally, remember that a surface lot usually beats a garage for a quick exit.

See, it’s not all that far!

There you are my friends, all of the information you need to navigate the never-ending challenge of finding Atlanta Braves game parking! I sincerely hope you found this useful.

If you’re visiting Truist Park for the first time, or even if you’re a regular, I’ve got much more for you. Check out my detailed Truist Park seating page here, and this excellent primer for finding cheap Braves tickets. More coming, stay tuned!

Thanks for reading, be sure to sign up for Ballpark E-Guides emails!

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Deciding what to eat at a Phillies game can be frustrating…there is a large variety of food items, and many are very good and offer a great sampling of Philly. I’m here to help…here is your complete and hugely helpful guide to the Citizens Bank Park food menu!

This post goes into detail about the food offerings at the home of the Phillies, and to help you decide on something for your taste. There’s lots of great stuff, and iconic Philly food stuff, so know before you go. (And if you want seating, parking and ticket advice for a Phillies game, you can check this out).

Whiz wit.

Like I said, there’s a lot, so I’ve broken this down into parts:

Citizens Bank Park Restaurants
Philly Cheesesteaks
Ashburn Alley – Pizza, Crab Fries, Chicken Sandwiches + Wings
Coca-Cola Corner – Hot Dogs, Sausages, BBQ + Donuts
Generic Stuff – Cheesesteaks, Dogs + Fries, Etc.
Vegetarian, Vegan + Gluten-Free
Dessert – Ice Cream + Water Ice
Bring Your Own Food + More Tightwad Tips

So after this quick word from our sponsor, we’ll talk some Citizens Bank Park food!

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With numbered tables in case you have your wedding reception here.

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 1) Restaurants

There are three sit down restaurants for the non-suite and non-club types at the Phillies ballpark:

What was the Harry The K’s restaurant on the lower level is now the Miller Lite Liberty Landing. Sigh. Really, Phillies?

The Landing is an outdoor but covered seating area behind the left field seats. It is no longer the spot for a menu of food items you can’t get elsewhere, like a vegan cheesesteak. You can get Manco & Manco’s pizza (more on that in a bit) there, and some other items that you see around the concourses like hot dogs.

Along the wall are murals of Connie Mack Stadium, Veterans Stadium, and Citizens Bank Park. Imagine a full bar tavern with a great view, and still covered from the rain and sun.

It’s a nice spot to duck out of the elements and enjoy a bite with a view of the game, but for a full menu, including healthier items, Pass and Stow is now the spot.

The quarters are kind of tight, so you may want to take care of nature’s call before sitting down, lest you knock over someone’s sandwich. If you’ve got a standing room ticket for the game, later in the game they may let you sit for the duration.

There is a miniature Harry The K’s now with a standing area on the upper level below the scoreboard, with a very basic ballgame menu; nothing worth the trek up the steps unless you like the view. That’s what the Miller Lite people think of Harry.

Wood-fired oven? Check. Pepperoni? Check. It’s a good night.

Pass And Stow is an eatery with indoor and outdoor dining that replaced the somewhat shaky McFadden’s Pub. It’s a good pre- and post-game spot for your night out…there’s no view of the game from Pass and Stow, but there are 44 TVs to watch the action if you want a break.

There is a beer garden, and wood-fired brick oven pizza from Manco & Manco’s made with pepperoni or margherita-style. Pass and Stow also has South Philly Disco Fries, and listen to this lineup: fries topped with roast pork, melted sharp provolone cheese, broccoli rabe, and roasted red peppers. Think of the classic Tony Luke’s roast pork sandwich but with fries instead of bread. Ding!

They also have Mexican street popcorn, with a Tajin chile spice blend, lime juice, and cotija cheese. Oh, and Big Mozz sticks…which I’ve tried and are quite good…definitely a step above the typical mozzarella stick (You can also get these at the 1883 Burger Co.).

Finally, in 2024 they added a Bratwurst Sandwich, a grilled brat with fried onions and spicy mustard on a Liscio’s roll.

Wouldn’t it be great if you actually could grow beer?

The nice thing about Pass and Stow is that there’s plenty of space and seating, which can’t be said for Harry’s the Liberty Landing on a crowded evening. It’s not a bad place to duck out of the elements with lots of shade, fire pits, and indoor and outdoor seating.

It’s a considerably more pleasant atmosphere than McFadden’s was, I can testify. In case you never saw National Treasure, Pass and Stow is named for the foundry workers who cast the original Liberty Bell. Philadelphia thing, you see. (Ah, I get it!)

A Shackburger. Take it in.

The Shake Shack first became known for ballpark burgers at Philly’s rival ballpark Citi Field, but the Phillies took it a step further, giving the Shack…whose burgers are well known for attracting long lines…its own sit down spot, occupying the rest of the former McFadden’s space.

It’s not anything fancy…think fast food joint…but it’s ideal for grubbing tough on the world-famous Shackburgers, crinkle-cut fries and hand-spun shakes.

I don’t know if the situation is similar to Citi Field, but people really love the Shake Shack, and if you’re looking for a quality burger at Citizens Bank Park, this is the spot…especially since other than Boardwalk Eats and the generic joints I can’t think of any other stands here that sell burgers.

I am a big fan of Shake Shack’s fries, and truthfully it’s better to have a sit down spot. Shake Shack is open along with the rest of the concessions, but not after the game like Pass and Stow is.

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Does this picture not create a sense of good things coming your way?

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 2) Cheesesteaks

Cheesesteaks are, of course, why you come to Philly, and Citizens Bank Park has several to choose from, including from two Philadelphia icons. You can even have a serious argument comparing them. If you want to try one of the big name cheesesteaks at Citizens Bank Park, again, get to Ashburn Alley early.

Six each of the broccoli rabe and hot peppers, please.

Tony Luke’s is the mainstay of Citizens Bank Park, and they are as famous with locals for their roast pork sandwiches with provolone as for their ribeye beef cheesesteaks with Cheez Whiz. It’s that garlicky broccoli rabe, probably…don’t forget to ask for it.

The selection is limited compared to their actual restaurants; there aren’t any cheesesteak hoagies here, but they do sometimes have additional items like panzarottis.

Tony Luke’s is well known in the area (he did beat Bobby Flay after all), and the stand grows long lines that don’t diminish from about a half hour before the game starts to about the 7th inning.

If you’re early enough, you can jump on that roast pork with provolone and broccoli rabe before the line gets long; on high attendance nights I wouldn’t wait.

And in this corner, the Heater with the Works!

Campo’s may not quite have the name recognition that Tony Luke’s does, but they are more than well-known enough among Philadelphians. The original deli on Market Street has been ranked the city’s best by AOL Insider and Philadelphia Magazine among others, so they can easily hold their own. The lines here can get about as long as for Tony Luke’s; the two stands are a short fly ball apart.

Campo’s has beef and chicken cheesesteaks, pizza steaks, even veggie steak sandwiches, which is a bit of an oxymoron. Their most popular sandwich is the “Heater”, with Buffalo hot sauce and jalapeno cheddar cheese. (It’s very hot, trust me, especially with jalapenos piled on it.) They also have an award-winning meatball sandwich to go with the cheesesteaks.

The real winner in the battle of Citizens Bank Park cheesesteaks? The fans!

If you’re trying to choose between Campo’s and Tony Luke’s (gutless cop-out coming!), they both make a good sandwich. The difference is more the variety than anything…the Tony Luke’s roast pork sandwich and the Campo’s Heater are both great but very different.

Sorry if that doesn’t help; I’ll just say I’ve tried both and I’m in the Campo’s camp. (Pro tip coming!) I usually get a Heater with the Works included…which they’ll do for you if you ask. Campo’s was once voted the 2nd best ballpark food by USA Today, but my opinion is worth more than theirs.

Sure, get two. When are you gonna be in Philly again?

Uncle Charlie’s Steaks is named for Charlie Manuel, the even-keeled manager who led the Fightin’ Phils to their glorious championship of 2008. It’s fresh cheesesteaks on Liscio’s seeded rolls (another Philly area institution) with Herr’s (Lancaster, but close enough) kettle chips.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that you can get Cheez Whiz on your sandwich here.

I’m not sure if it’s Uncle Charlie’s recipe or not, but you now have another choice…this makes four types of cheesesteaks at Citizens Bank Park, not including the ones you can get at Geno’s at Xfinity Live! or at Oregon Steaks close to some of the satellite lots. Love that.

The generic Buffalo chicken cheesesteak at Citizens Bank Park, finally emerging from the shadows.

Around the rest of the ballpark you can find stands like City Steak and Cobblestone Grill that serve the generic cheesesteaks. These aren’t terrible by any means, but you might prefer the authentic edition. I believe you can still get a Buffalo chicken cheesesteak, though, which is a favorite of mine.

It’s a mystery who makes the meat for the sandwiches; in the past it’s been Original Philly and Delco’s Original but the Phillies aren’t saying at the moment. I was a big Delco’s fan, so I wouldn’t mind running with that, especially at a slightly smaller price.

Philly sports food begins and ends with crab fries.

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 3) Ashburn Alley – Pizza, Crab Fries, Sandwiches + Wings

I’ve already mentioned the iconic cheesesteak choices, but there is a plethora of excellent and Philadelphia-based food choices in Ashburn Alley beyond center field. If you want the true Citizens Bank Park food experience, get to the ballpark when the gates open and enjoy the shorter lines.

When you work with your evil twin to make pizza, the result is pizza genius.

When I saw that Manco & Manco’s Pizza had been added to the Citizens Bank Park food menu, I literally pumped my fist…a South Philly ballpark needs to represent on pizza.

In case you didn’t know, Manco & Manco’s has been a staple of the Ocean City NJ boardwalk for longer than I’ve been alive (which is a long time), and a Jersey Shore boardwalk is not an easy place to thrive for a long time with a pizza shop.

Anyway, to explain, Manco & Manco’s pizza is a thin crust boardwalk style pizza, with sauce that has the right amount of zing and cheese that I think is a mixture of mozzarella and sharp cheddar.

It’s a quality pizza worthy of South Philly, and you’ll probably see lines here similar to the outpost in Ocean City. They have plain, pepperoni, and a rotating series special pizza.

Manco & Manco is easier to find around the ballpark now, being the official pizza of the ballpark everywhere, including at the Landing and Pass and Stow.

Now you know where to find a good Buffalo chicken wrap at the ballpark.

Long ago when I first started writing for the first class publication JerseyMan Magazine, they had me write a piece stacking up P.J. Whelihan’s against Chickie’s and Pete’s. I gave the nod to Chickie’s and Pete’s, but it was VERY close.

P.J. Whelihan’s outpost at Citizens Bank Park has tasty and not overly hot wings and chicken wraps, along with several craft beer selections. They feature a wing flavor every month, including “Flamin’ Pickleback”. If you like fries, try the Ballpark Bomb Fries.

In 2022 P.J.’s introduced an alternative to typical ballpark nachos…the Wicked Chicken Nachos. Shredded cheddar and jack cheese, cheese sauce, scallions, sliced chicken, and any of their famous sauces.

Living in South Jersey, I’ve never had a bad meal at a P.J.’s anywhere, I think you can trust them.

And you thought Ryan Howard was a superstar as a player!
(photo courtesy of Colbie’s)

Colbie’s Southern Kissed Chicken is also new and a win-win for Phillies ballpark food. Colbie’s is partially owned by former Phillies star Ryan Howard, and the recipes for their “Southern-kissed” fried chicken sandwiches were inspired by chef Fabio Viviani of “Top Chef” fame. They have three other locations, including one in Kissimmee, FL, presumably for spring training fans.

Anyway, this is your spot for an amazing fried chicken sandwich Southern-style, including one called The Big Piece (bacon, lettuce, tomato and pickles and a Hawaiian bun). They also offer a Nashville Hot (Nashville hot sauce, spicy aioli, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and pepper Jack cheese), and for dessert get your Peach Spoon Pie or fried chocolate sandwich cookies (which I presume means “fried Oreos”, but I expect they can’t legally say that).

Colbie’s isn’t technically in Ashburn Alley, but it’s close enough on the first base side.

The fries don’t actually have crab meat in them, even though that would be cool.

You probably won’t be inside Citizens Bank Park for more than five minutes before you see someone carrying a bucket of Chickie’s and Pete’s Crab Fries. For the uninitiated, these are crinkle-cut fries jiggled in Old Bay-style seasoning, and with a cheese sauce that is a mixture of melted American cheese and ranch dressing.

Philadelphians swear by the crab fries (I remember their not lasting long in my first try…they are definitely addictive), and again, lines get long. But the lines move quickly, and there’s a neat mural of Phillies history to look at while you’re waiting.

Cheaper crab fries and a ride to the ballpark. Bryce doesn’t even get that deal!

If you’re bent on trying the crab fries and want to save a few bucks, try using the Taxi Crab to the actual Chickie’s and Pete’s and have a basket there. (More about the advantages of the Taxi Crab here.)

It’s cheaper, and you get two cups of cheese sauce (as opposed to paying a couple dollars extra for one at the ballpark), you don’t have to stand in line, and you can get a much less expensive beer when the seasoning catches up.

They could win awards just on photos of their sandwiches.

Primo Hoagies. If you’re gonna build a ballpark in Philadelphia, you have to sell hoagies there. In 2024 we celebrated the return of Primo Hoagies, who seem to have an on-again, off-again relationship with the Phillies.

I can say that Primo is value added on the menu (there’s one near me, so you can trust me on that). USA Today voted Primo the Best Sandwich Shop in America in 2023.

In their past appearances you had a number of great sandwich choices, including Italian, turkey and cheese, Nonna’s veggie and the “Bada Bing” – a chicken cutlet sandwich with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe. All on fresh sesame seeded rolls.

Not sure what the menu is now, but if it’s different, let me know.

Because when word gets out about the Bull Dogs, you need to make a lot.

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 4) Coca-Cola Corner – Hot Dogs, Sausages, BBQ + Donuts

Older Phils fans remember Greg “The Bull” Luzinski and his titanic home run shots from the great late 1970s teams. As he did as a player, he’s giving fans their money’s worth at Bull’s BBQ, with smoked food cooked on a monstrous grill along with the opportunity to pose with and get the autograph of a Phillies great.

If he never hit a home run in his career, I’d still shake Luzinski’s hand for this.

Bull’s BBQ is, obviously, something of a homage to Boog’s in Baltimore, but it’s every bit as good as Boog’s in my humble opinion (and that is no knock on Boog). The Bull serves first-class pulled pork, big turkey legs, addictive mac and cheese, and the “Bull Dog”, a huge glazed kielbasa, with baked beans and slaw for sides. All get rave reviews.

There are kiddie plates here for a decent value meal, homestand specials, and sampler plates if you’d like to try all of it. If you like the BBQ sauce, you can buy a bottle of that, too.

Federal Donuts don’t play.

There was a big buzz about Federal Donuts being added to Citizens Bank Park some years ago, with a stand out in left field by the escalator, and with good reason.

Federal Donuts at the ballpark is known for just two things; fried chicken and donuts, but it’s enough. The chicken is made in flavors like buttermilk ranch or chili garlic, and the donuts are made with a “doughnut robot” and come in various flavors. They have crispy chicken tenders with their “Everything Rooster” dipping sauce.

The cost of two donuts is reasonable for a ballpark, and the donuts come out warm and crispy if you like your donuts that way. Take my word for it, they’re superb donuts…whenever someone I know is going to a game, I always have them bring me back a couple. The fried chicken is no slouch either.

There’s no boardwalk, but there’s no pesky seagulls either.

The Boardwalk Eats stand doesn’t feature local eatery items like Chickie’s and Pete’s or Shake Shack, but that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the food.

They have Hatfield hot dogs and Italian sausages, along with fresh made burgers and fries…in other words, it’s like eating at one of the Jersey Shore boardwalk eateries on a good day. They have turkey burgers if you’re watching your waistline, along with veggie burgers and dogs.

In 2024 the Phillies added Schwarburger 2.0, an extension of a playoff series burger they sold for charity in 2023. This one has a beef patty with American cheese, pepper bacon, a fried egg, crispy onions and some sort of signature sauce. Hopefully still there for your next trip.

Boardwalk Eats, like Bull’s BBQ, is next to a picnic area, making it easy to sit down with your grub.

The underrated part? No lines!

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 5) Generic Hot Dogs, Sausages, Pizza, Etc.

As you get away from Ashburn Alley the food choices become significantly more generic, with the focus on Hatfield hot dogs and sausages, generic cheesesteaks (I can’t believe I just put those two words together), and Manco & Manco’s pizza.

Hatfield Quality Meats is a longtime staple in the region; they’ve been selling pork products in the region for over 125 years (although I think their hot dogs are made with beef). They make the point that their pork is “raised with no added hormones or steroids to enhance growth”. I thought that was illegal in baseball anyway, but whatever. You can buy Phillies franks on their website.

With rolls even!

The dogs and sausages are more than adequate, with some calling the sausage and peppers the best value for food in the ballpark. If you search a bit you might find a fancy hot dog; in the past the Phillies had one with broccoli rabe, roasted peppers and aged provolone called the South Philly Dog.

And now, for your viewing pleasure, Buffalo chicken tenders.

Similarly the Fairmount Fries aren’t Shake Shack or Chickie’s and Pete’s quality but again aren’t bad…they even leave the skin on…and a bit cheaper. You can get garlic fries last I checked, and I quite like the Buffalo chicken tenders at the Fries stands.

You can see why I’m including this, just in case.

In the past there was a Bull’s BBQ Express stand on the mezzanine level. It became just the BBQ Express later, and I don’t know if it’s still there, but it was a place to get BBQ pork or chicken nachos. Otherwise just the orange whiz glop and jalapenos, but a filling nacho meal at least.

Again, don’t hold me to that still being there. I don’t see it on the team website.
 

Yes, for everyone. Lots of roughage for the Mets fan next to you.

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 6) Vegetarian, Vegan + Gluten-Free

Citizens Bank Park has been voted multiple times by PETA as the most vegetarian friendly ballpark in baseball; Chickie’s and Pete’s crab fries might have something to do with that. All the same, you have a lot of vegan and vegetarian options here, even from the bigger names.

There’s a Vegetarian Grill stand behind Section 125, with cheesesteaks and sausages made from plants for people who insist they don’t miss meat. This stand carries an Impossible Foods® cheesesteak…with their brand of faux meat, Gouda cheese sauce, tomato jam and crispy onions.

The chicken parm panini. Making Philly baseball better. (photo courtesy of Greens and Grains)

Greens and Grains is a vegan and vegetarian food joint with locations mostly in South Jersey, where I live. They’re offering up their Chik’n Parm Pesto Panini sandwich, the Gyro Pita sandwich (with what they call Homemade Seitan Gyro “Meat”), a Buffalo Chik’n Hoagie and a Moving Mountains plant-based vegan hot dog.

I love gyros and they’re an underrated ballpark food, and I’m eating healthier these days, so I’m happy about this.

Chickie’s and Pete’s fries, Manco & Manco’s plain pizza, the veggie burgers and dogs at Boardwalk Eats, and the veggie steak from Campo’s are all vegetarian. Campo’s can make you a vegan cheesesteak with Impossible® non-meat too.

The MENU is there. You have to look harder for the food.

The Phils are kinder to the celiac-afflicted among us than some ballparks. They’ve dedicated a stand just for celiacs; it is located at Section 122 and features all of the classic ballpark options in gluten-free format: hot dogs, cheesesteaks, Bull’s BBQ sandwiches and pizza. The Phillies also occasionally host a Celiac Awareness Night.

Manco & Manco’s has a gluten-free pizza, but they state on their website that they can’t guarantee the safety of it, so I expect that’s probably the case at the ballpark too. Campo’s can make a gluten-free cheesesteak, but be sure to ask about the rolls.

And if all else fails, Chickie’s and Pete’s crab fries are gluten-free. (Hooray!)

I’ll soon be discussing that you can get away with bringing in your own food to Citizens Bank Park, so if you need to bring in some Udi’s rolls or something and ask for your Bull Dog to be put on that roll, you can probably do it.
 

Chocolate covered bananas…eat healthy!

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 7) And For Dessert…

When I researched this piece I noticed Turkey Hill and their “Graham Slam” ice cream is no longer at Citizens Bank Park. OK, I didn’t weep about it, but it did cause a tinge of sadness.

Anyway, Richman’s is the brand of ice cream at Phillies games now, and the soft serve in the miniature Phillies helmet with toppings is available at Boardwalk Eats, the Old City Creamery stands, and at other generic stands throughout the ballpark. In the Coca-Cola Corner, you can get a funnel cake fry sundae.

Richman’s claims on their website that their ice cream “tastes the same it did over a hundred years ago”. Props for their preservative technique! Aren’t you glad you read this far?

Colorful and tasty on a hot day, and there are plenty of those in Philly.

It turns out that Richman’s is owned by Philadelphia Water Ice, which explains the presence of both here. In addition to ice cream, there’s the locally famous water ice kiosks around the ballpark. I don’t know what flavors they have, but I expect orange, lemon, cherry and blueberry are prominent.

The water ice kiosks are very popular on hot days, so you might be waiting in line for it. On cold nights you might find hot chocolate and homemade soup here.

Cotton candy and Dippin’ Dots are easy to find just about anywhere at the Bank.

You can fit a few sandwiches in a 16*16*8 bag. Good ones.

Citizens Bank Park Food, Part 8) Bring Your Own + Other Tightwad Tips

Yes, you can bring your own food into Citizens Bank Park, sort of. You can carry a clear bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12 bag into the place, so long as it does not contain alcohol, bottles or cans. So here are some things you can try:

I mentioned the Taxi Crab from Chickie’s and Pete’s; you can get takeout crab fries there and get your cheese sauce included as opposed to paying extra for it. Saves a few bucks.

In the Chickie’s and Pete’s plaza is also an excellent pasta shop and deli called Pastaficio’s; people rave online about their sandwiches and talk about including them in a trip to the game. (I’ve done that myself and not regretted it.)

A heaven-sent store for thrifty South Jersey Phillies fans.

If you’re a South Jersey native, here’s one of my favorite tricks: If you’re using the PATCO-SEPTA train combo from NJ, there is an excellent nuts and candy shop called “Nuts 2 You” on 13th and Walnut Streets. Whenever I use PATCO I stop there and fill up with their warm and fresh peanuts and sesame sticks.

There’s also Xfinity Live! across the street from the ballpark, of course; you can order takeout from a number of joints here, including Chickie’s and Pete’s crab fries and Geno’s cheesesteaks, but there’s a definite markup and I don’t know that there’s enough of a cost savings to make it worth the trouble.

If you’re taking using Regional Rail to get to the ballpark, at Suburban Station (where you transfer to the Board Street Line) there are several fast food joints and even sushi bars to load up your bag. Bring as much to drink in plastic bottles as you can; you will likely be thirsty.

Note the concentration of salt in the center of the soft pretzels. That’s actually authentic.

Before and after games there are vendors on Pattison Avenue, selling soft pretzels and bottled water much cheaper than inside. If you’re interested in a soft pretzel (the other food staple of Philly), you should get one outside, and get a water or two because they’re salty. If you think of it, have a couple of mustard packets on hand to put mustard on your pretzel so it isn’t so dry. You financial wizard you.

Here’s a few more tightwad tips to help you save money on food at Citizens Bank Park:

The Phillies sell souvenir cups of soda; they cost a bit extra but you get a free refill, making it well worth the extra couple of bucks. You can get a bottomless popcorn too, and you won’t get arrested if you share it.

Be a good sport and encourage your friends to have a few.

If you don’t plan to drink alcohol, you can get a coupon for a free soda at the Designated Driver Signup, in exchange for a pledge to drive your partners home. If you drink the soda fast enough you can fill your cup of ice with water at the fountains. Last I checked, the booth was near the kids play area.

If you have kids with you, or if you don’t mind smaller portions, there are Phanatic Kids Corner stands selling smaller dogs and PB&J sandwiches at reduced prices for kids. Smaller portions, but the kids won’t care.

The Phillies have about a half dozen BOGO Dog Nights each season, which is an okay deal I suppose. They did away with “Dollar Dog Night” in 2024 unfortunately…the team claimed it was because too many fans were using them as projectiles. Come on, Philly fans? No way!

Here’s one more pic of a Citizens Bank Park cheesesteak for you.

There you have it my friends…your complete guide to the Citizens Bank Park food menu. Philly sports fans have it pretty good, yes? You are now armed with the knowledge you need to make an informed selection at the game, and help your friends (or date) with the challenging selection too.

If you’d like to know how to choose a great seat at Citizens Bank Park, check out this highly detailed seating guide…and if you’d like to know how to score cheap Phillies tickets, the best way to get to there, and what to do with the kids, check out this highly informative and useful guide to Citizens Bank Park.

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If a Minnesota Twins game at Target Field is in your plans, good for you…it’s a great ballpark! You will need tickets though obviously, and if you’re on a budget, you’ll want to save money on Twins tickets, or find a great deal on great seats.

I’m here to help! Below I’ve listed a baker’s dozen tips to help you save $$$ on Twins tickets. You can probably find something that will help here…use that money to try a great food item!

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

Minnesota Twins Ticket Alerts
The Twins Website
The Twins Box Office
Third Party Tickets (Gametime, SeatGeek, etc.)
Ticket Upgrades
Seek Low Demand Games
Use The Minneapolis Weather
Facebook Groups
Kids Club Memberships
Bring Your Friends
The Twins Pass
Wait Till The Last Minute
The Twins Community Page

You could have known about this just from checking your e-mail!

Save Money on Twins Tickets, Tip #1) Team Ticket Alerts. This is, with any team, my #1 tip for finding deals on tickets. Do this: subscribe to the Twins’ e-mail ticket alerts. It also doesn’t hurt to request text alerts and follow the team on social media outlets too.

There’s multiple benefits to Twins e-mail alerts…they’ll inform you about ticket deals, of course, but they’ll also tell you about giveaway nights, discounts for certain folks like military members or students, and other specials like $1 hot dog night.

You’ll also know when tickets go on sale for the season…useful when you want to score good seats for a high demand game at face price. For a July weekend game against the Cubs, face price might be your best deal. Always get the ticket alerts, lots of good stuff!

Flo thinks you should check the Twins website too.

Save Money on Twins Tickets, Tip #2) The Team Website. Buying from the Twins website is convenient of course, but pay attention to the newsletter for deals. You’ll pay fees of course, so if you want to compare prices with third party sites, go all the way to the checkout screen.

The Twins offer a number of deals for fans, like senior and student discounts, half-price tickets for veterans, and special savings days. The 612 Saturdays (named for the Target Field area code) are popular…$6 drinks, $1 snacks and $2 food items. They list their specials here.

You can filter by month, day, time and opponent to choose a game…which I’ll talk about in a bit. Depending on demand, tickets could still be cheapest buying from the website if you can’t go to the box office.

Speaking of that…

Tickets on sale for HOME games, no less!

Save Money on Twins Tickets, Tip #3) The Twins Box Office. The Twins have an ample number of ticket windows at Target Field; even on game day you shouldn’t have to wait long to buy tickets.

The Twins don’t sell paper tickets anymore, but they will put electronic tickets on your phone through the MLB Ballpark app. They’re very nice and patient with folks who have trouble with the technology.

With no ticket fees (a significant expense), the box office is a cheaper alternative if it’s convenient enough for you. The Twins don’t often sell out, so even on game day it’s usually a viable option.

Welp, looks like we’re going third party…

Save Money on Twins Tickets, Tip #4) Third Party Sellers. Again, the Twins don’t sell out a lot of games, so you can often find deals with brokers like Gametime, StubHub, SeatGeek, etc. Gametime is my favorite…see why here.

Remember that most all third party sites include fees; you can usually set the listings to show you the full price. If you can’t go to the checkout screen to compare. The fees DO make a difference.

Usually for low demand games, tickets will cost less on third party sites, but not always. It’s best to shop around and compare with Twins website prices.

This is a good time to demand better in your life.

Save Money on Twins Tickets, Tip #5) Seat Upgrades. You need the MLB Ballpark app to get tickets onto your phone anyway; but you can also upgrade your seats once you get into the game.

So try buying the cheap seats, and then see what’s available once you’re in. You might find a better deal than usual on high end seats. This is especially the case for April games, which don’t draw well. Worth a look.

Divisional rival games can be hot tickets…even on Monday.

Save Money on Twins Tickets, Tip #6) Choose Low Demand Games. You can find tickets on third parties for well below face price if you pick the right game. The Twins use dynamic pricing, so you might even find deals on their website.

The Twins draw the smallest crowds in April and May, and weekday games sell fewer tickets than weekends. You can also choose games against teams that don’t pack them in. A game against the Rockies or Rays will sell fewer tickets than a game against the Cubs or Yankees.

April games draw so poorly (and probably with good reason) that the Twins didn’t even sell upper level seats in April of 2024. So if you can deal with the cold (I’ll help you with that), April is a great time to save big on third party sites.

Cold day at Target Field? Not in the Truly On Deck restaurant!

Save Money on Twins Tickets, Tip #7) Use That Weather. Minnesota especially features some weather that keeps fans at home, but that can happen in the summer too.

If you live in the area and are flexible about when you can go to games, check around when the weather isn’t conducive to baseball. They have very cold and windy nights in Minneapolis, but they do get some blazing hot days in the summer too.

There’s ways to duck out of the elements, by the way. The Roof Deck in left field has multiple levels of shaded and heated areas. The Twins Pub on the Terrace level is also out of the elements, and you can watch the game from the Truly On Deck restaurant if you snag a spot early.

Premium seat holders might sell their wares too, by the way. And high end seats include access to climate-controlled clubs, great on a cold (or hot) day. Great opportunity to score a deal.

While less savvy baseball fans on Facebook were arguing politics, you scored Twins tickets with a private entrance!

Save Money on Twins Tickets, Tip #8) Facebook Groups. Season ticket holders can’t go to all the games, and a few of them unite to spare buyers from ticket fees that no one likes.

You can join a couple of Facebook groups where Twins season ticket holders sell their extras without fees. Here are three: the Minnesota Twins Ticket Marketplace, the Minnesota Ticket Exchange, and Minnesota Twins Tickets.

I presume they vet their sellers and verify them, but obviously exercise caution. That said, you can very often find a decent deal if you check on game day. (Remember the low demand and weather tips!)

Half price tickets, and selfies with a Twins-themed Mickey!

Save Money on Twins Tickets, Tip #9) The Kids Club. The Twins have a T.C. Sluggers Kids Club for your little ones. For a small price, the kid gets cool swag like a backpack, sunglasses, and a lanyard. Most of all, they get ticket discounts.

Membership includes a free ticket for every April home game except Opening Day, and half price tickets for Sunday games through the year. You need to be there with the kid obviously, but that’s still a savings over full price for both of you.

Besides that, Sundays are great days for the kids, especially with running the bases after the game and half off kids meals.

You could schmooze the guy at Group Tickets HQ, but online works just as well.

Save Money on Twins Tickets, Tip #10) Bring Your Friends. If you can persuade your fellow Twins fans to go to a game with you, the Twins will help you out. In addition to slightly cheaper tickets, they don’t charge fees for groups of 20 or more.

The Twins also offer cheaper prices for 501c3 organizations and student gatherings too, so if you’re involved in a charitable function, maybe you can suggest a game and talk up discounted tickets for Twins baseball.

On top of that, if you’re a group organizer, you get all kinds of other perks too. Take some batting practice!

Just tell them the secret code!

Save Money on Twins Tickets, Tip #11) The Twins Pass. This one’s for locals, but it’s a great value. The Twins Pass allows you to attend every home game for a month for one reasonable price.

The Twins say you can “watch the game from any of Target Field’s variety of outdoor and indoor social spaces on all levels of the ballpark”. In other words, it’s a standing room ticket. But there will probably be empty seats you can use…and the Twins aren’t tough on seat poaching in the upper level especially. There’s also the roof deck in left field too, with plenty of good spots.

And remember the upgrade…you can check for a deal on a better seat once you’re in the ballpark.

Even as standing room, the Twins Pass pays for itself with four or five games. Go on all the giveaway nights, and you’ll make out pretty well.

Don’t tell the Twins I told you, but they do still sell tickets on game days.

Save Money on Twins Tickets, Tip #12) Wait Till The Last Minute. As game time gets closer (say, about an hour before first pitch) and season ticket holders can’t sell their extras, tickets can drop significantly in price on third party sites.

Some third party sites…I believe StubHub does this…will drop the prices automatically at a certain time before the game. Gametime also specializes in last minute tickets, but you can find deals elsewhere too.

This strategy works best for one or two people, and if the game you have in mind isn’t that important. Single tickets especially are easy to find deals for as game time gets close.

Getting more kids in the game! You know, when they’re there.

Save Money on Twins Tickets, Tip #13) Check The Community Page. Most people probably don’t think of this, but for Twins tickets, try checking the Twins’ Community page. Sometimes you may find something that you can use, while helping your fellow human to boot.

For example, as I write this sentence, you can apply for Twins tickets through a grant for underprivileged kids to attend games. There’s also a program called Learning Through Baseball, that include a BOGO ticket deal for a 2024 game. And the Twins love military folks as much as the rest of us, with ticket offers for veterans.

You could also sign up for the Twins Community newsletter (the form is on the Community page); they might hold charitable events and programs that include tickets.

Who knows, you may be encouraged to coach youth baseball.

Not only do the Twins win, but you win too!

There you go my friends…13 ways to save money on Twins tickets, and enjoy Target Field with some extra money for the great food items and souvenirs. Feel free to drop me a line with any questions or comments, and check out other great tips on this blog…like how to find your ideal seat at Target Field, and some of the great food options!

Be sure to Follow Ballpark E-Guides on Facebook and Pinterest for new posts too!

Going to a Minnesota Twins game and don’t know what to eat? I get it…it’s a tough decision. Target Field food ranges from sausages to soul food bowls to cheese curds. It’s also a great place to get a taste of local favorites.

Below I’ve listed 16 items you can try out, with helpful photos…there’s plenty more, especially in the restaurants, but these are some favorites with Twin Cities natives.

Here’s the list if you want to skip anything:

Kramarczuk’s Cheese Brat Sausage
Red Cow Ultimate Burger
Tony O.’s Cuban Sandwich
Murray’s Steak Sandwich
Wings & Mac From Official Fried Chicken
Banh Mi Brat From Union Hmong
Walleye Burger from Lord Fletcher’s
Mac and Meat From East Coast BBQ
Chicken Tikka Bowl From Hot Indian
Jerk Chicken Soul Bowl
La Tapatia Chicken Tacos
Bussin’ Birria Tacos
Cheese Curds from Curds-N-Cakes
Baked Potato (w/Stuff)
Papa Pete’s Mini Donuts
Parcelle Smoothies
Bring Your Own! – Pizza Luce, Candyland, etc.

Okay, let’s get started with some tasty food pics!

It’s kind of tough to go wrong with the words “cheese brat”.

Target Field Food, Tip #1: Kramarczuk’s Cheese Brat Sausage

Kramarczuk’s Polish sausages have been a favorite of Twins fans since the opening of Target Field. For that matter, they’re pretty popular in Minnesota. Kramarczuk’s Deli is a northeast Minneapolis staple…they will actually turn your meat into sausage if you bring it to their deli.

As for the ballpark brats, they’re nicely spiced and have a good snap; the cheese brat especially is a win. You can add sauerkraut, onions and peppers. Ask them to pile extra toppings on for you…that’s what Kurt does!

By the way, no disrespect intended to the Schweiger Meats hot dogs here…the quarter pound beef Big Dogs and Dinger Dogs are no slouch. Just saying that with Kramarczuk’s in town, you have an excellent alternative to ballpark classics.

Vegans: “We’re outta here!”

Target Field Food, Tip #2: Red Cow Ultimate Burger

If you want a break from being vegetarian, stop at the Red Cow stand for an Ultimate Burger. Red Cow has six locations in the area (not counting Target Field), where you can find a bigger variety of burgers if you like them here.

The Ultimate number is a seasoned Certified Angus Beef burger with Red Cow sauce (which I’ve read is a smokier style of ketchup), Wisconsin cheddar cheese and of course lettuce, tomato and onion. As ballpark burgers go, it definitely works.

You can also order 60/40 sliders, which are made with 60% beef and 40% bacon and then topped with more candied bacon, cheese and beer mustard. Nothing like a bacon-bacon cheeseburger.

You should know Tony Oliva’s number anyway.

Target Field Food, Tip #3: Tony O.’s Cuban Sandwich

You know who Tony O. is, right? Of course you do…Tony Oliva is the free swinging Hall of Fame Twin who was among the best hitters of the dead ball era. With Oliva being Cuban, of course, the Twins had to have a stand selling Cuban sandwiches named for him. I’ve read he sometimes makes appearances, but I wouldn’t count on it.

That said, the Cuban sandwich is very popular among Twins fans…it’s a pressed Panini-style sandwich with roasted pork, ham, melted Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard. It’s not like you need to meet a Twins superstar to go for that. The roast pork alone easily bats .400. (But yeah, it’s cool to meet Mr. Oliva. He’s a super nice guy by all accounts.)

With a name like Murray, of course it’s a great sandwich.

Target Field Food, Tip #4: Murray’s Steak Sandwich

So who’s Murray and what makes his sandwiches special? They’re actually not a Philly-style sandwich shop…Murray’s steak house restaurant is actually just steps away from Target Field. They call themselves the “Home of The Silver Butter Knife Steak since 1946.” (Capitalization theirs.) This is high end beef my friends.

Their Target Field offering…also available at the Mill City Grill stands…is choice juicy sirloin with caramelized onions and cheese, on a ciabatta roll with a side of garlic toast. You can add peppers to your steak there, I believe.

I did read a complaint from a reporter that it’s missing the au jus and the horseradish sauce isn’t as good as at the home base. Personally that wouldn’t stop me, but remember the restaurant itself is just a couple blocks away.

Dry rub wings? Make it official.

Target Field Food, Tip #5: Wings & Mac From Official Fried Chicken

It’s official…ballparks need fried chicken. Official Fried Chicken at Target shows how to do it. Their new offering as of 2024 is dry rub Buffalo wings with white cheddar mac and cheese. Not that that’s all they’ve got…their chicken sandwiches are a good value by ballpark standards, with tasty wedge fries (costs extra).

Yes, Official Fried Chicken is a brand…they built a very barebones website to say one thing…we’re your Target Field chicken. They point out that you can order from your seat with the MLB app. I believe you can do this with all the food here, but I bring it up because they box your food and make it available in warm ovens, which is pretty cool.

The Official wings are marinated, breaded, and pressure-fried. I hear they offer decent heat and are juicy. You can also get creamy ranch dipping sauce…mix that with your white cheddar mac and cheese. Baseball just gets better.

Don’t be afraid to pronounce it wrong. It’s worth it.

Target Field Food, Tip #6: Banh Mi Brat From Union Hmong

Every so often I reflect on the days of boring hot dogs and popcorn for baseball food, and reading about a Banh Mi brat is one of those times.

Union Hmong Kitchen is the creation of Chef Yia Vang, with two locations in the city. He knows his stuff…especially since by consensus he pulled off the Hmong style brat quite well. Vang says fans visit the actual Union Hmong after trying the food at Target Field. +1 Twins…that’s what ballpark food should be about.

The Banh Mi Brat is a Hmong sausage with pickled jalapenos, carrots and cilantro, and creamy garlic aioli sauce. Incidentally, I believe Kramarczuk’s makes the brat, so 2-for-2 here, although Vang adds his Hmong seasonings.

Anyway, try this out for something very different yet still classic baseball. And check out Vang’s story on Wikipedia, it’s fascinating.

I’m fine with it containing almonds, as long as it contains walleye.

Target Field Food, Tip #7: Walleye Burger from Lord Fletcher’s

One of the foods that natives suggested to me in my visit to Minneapolis, aside from the Jucy Lucy, was walleye fish. You can do that here. The Lord Fletcher’s walleye burger is at the Land of 10,000 Lakes Bar in the outfield.

It’s seared walleye with some lemon zest, and the breading is made with almonds, parmesan and herbs. The patty is topped with lettuce and smoked tomato tartar sauce on a brioche bun. With the breading and the rolls, I’d be wary of this if you’re watching your carbs. I’ve also read complaints about a disproportionate fish to bread ratio.

That said, you can visit the actual Lord Fletcher’s in Spring Park, if you want to get a feel for them before risking your hard-earned ballpark budget. (It’s just $19 there!) The place gets pretty good reviews from the public, and it’s located on the shore of Lake Minnetonka.

Incidentally, you can also try walleye cakes from Mac’s Fish at the Town Ball Tavern restaurant. I still don’t see a Jucy Lucy there though.

Are those East Coast BBQ rib tips? No, that’s just a picture of them.

Target Field Food, Tip #8: Mac and Meat From East Coast BBQ

The East Coast BBQ stand is your place for the BBQ options every ballpark needs these days. East Coast BBQ has two locations, including Nelson’s Market in St. Louis Park and a food truck at the Meadowbrook Golf Course. Perfect pedigree for BBQ ballpark food.

The new mac and meat dish is cheesy elbow macaroni with their signature chicken, rib tips or pulled pork on top. The focus is the meat, of course, but this is comfort food at its best. You’ll need a fork and napkins, of course, and be ready for sneaky heat in the BBQ sauce.

If you’re wondering why “East Coast” food is here in a Midwest ballpark, good question. For the record, according to MPR News, East Coast a blend of southern-style BBQ with flavors from Baltimore, Missouri and Arkansas. East Coast if you draw out the “o”, I guess.

Have a bowl of Indian food with your baseball.

Target Field Food, Tip #9: Chicken Tikka Bowl From Hot Indian

I haven’t eaten a lot of Indian food in my life, but I’ve always enjoyed it when I did. At Twins games (unlike most MLB ballparks, I should add), you can try the chicken tikka bowl…or other offerings…from the Hot Indian stand on the lower concourse.

The chicken tikka bowl is spicy curry chicken with potatoes and some crunchy slaw, with mild spices. You can add spicy sauce to it. It’s a nice filling meal and on the healthy side…this is a gluten-free option if you are among the unfortunate celiacs among us.

I made fun of vegans a little in the Red Cow bit of this post, so in fairness I’m adding that Hot Indian has some vegan offerings too, like their Vegan Channa. Believe it or not, I’ve got your vegan back!

I would buy food from this stand just because of the logo.

Target Field Food, Tip #10: Jerk Chicken Soul Bowl

In case you weren’t aware in a ballpark featuring Kramarczuk’s, Red Cow and Union Hmong, you can get jerk chicken at Target Field too. More specifically, a jerk chicken bowl from Soul Bowl, with spicy pineapple jerk sauce and a side of sweet plantains and yellow rice.

That is, Twins fans are aware of Soul Bowl of course…it’s been around Target for a while. Soul Bowl is the creation of chef Gerard Klass, who brings the jerk chicken and other soul food specialties to Target Center and the Minnesota State Fair too. Oh, and their 4th Street location in the city.

It’s not just jerk chicken here by the way, this is your spot for other soul food greats too, like collard greens, mac and cheese, and those plantains.

These aren’t the ballpark tacos, but it is what La Tapatia does.
(photo courtesy of La Tapatia)

Target Field Food, Tip #11: La Tapatia Chicken Tacos

I didn’t have a good enough pic of the La Tapatia tacos, so the nice folks there let me borrow one. Tacos are a great ballpark food, and La Tapatia’s adobo chicken tacos represent well. You have a choice of street-style tacos with lime juice and pico de gallo, or Cali-style with sauce, chopped tomatoes and shredded lettuce. Both with juicy and tender chicken.

La Tapatia is yet another local institution; they have a location in Roseville serving made-to-order Mexican street food, and a food truck too. It was founded by Martha Ponce in 2016, who brought her Guadalajara-style cooking to Minneapolis. Indeed, reviewers of the place use the word “authentic” a lot.

These are made with corn tortillas, so I presume they would be gluten-free, although the Twins don’t list them as such. You can also find these in the Thrivent Club.

Because Kent Hrbek fans love tacos too.

Target Field Food, Tip #12: Bussin’ Birria Tacos

The Twins are aware that people need more taco choices, so they offer Bussin’ Birria tacos at Hrbek’s restaurant.

Bussin’ Birria is a real place too…well, kind of. Their main outpost is in the Mall of America, so they’re a train ride away if you’d like to try more of them. They source ingredients from Mexican-owned local businesses, “because they do it best”, and who am I to argue.

The tacos here are made with shredded braised beef (brilliant), with cheese, onions, cilantro and lime wedge. The bonus, so people say, is the consommé dipping sauce. The consommé, I gather, is why these are in Hrbek’s restaurant vice the concourse.

I don’t know that there’s a big debate over who’s better between La Tapatia or Bussin’ Birria, but the real winner is the Twins fan!

Because Minnesotans take cheese curds seriously.

Target Field Food, Tip #13: Cheese Curds from Curds-N-Cakes

The problem with cheese curds in a lot of taverns is that they tend to be small nuggets of cheese. Well, okay, maybe that’s not a big problem, but the Curds-N-Cakes people still took the initiative to address it. These hefty cheese curds are available on the second deck behind the Legends Landing.

The Curds & Cakes folks are, like Soul Bowl, mostly dedicated to sports venue food. Their foods are fresh and never frozen, and they get their cheese from the Ellsworth Creamery in Wisconsin, if that helps you over the top with the decision.

This stand also offers corn dogs, deep-fried Oreos, funnel cakes, and other dessert options for that State Fair feel, but trust me, the cheese curds will catch your eye.

So good you have to get a picture from a willing fan!

Target Field Food, Tip #14: Baked Potato (w/Stuff)

This isn’t a food thing you’ll find a replica of in the city, but I’m including it here because it’s a great idea for those April night games at Target Field. The smashed baked potato at T.C. Tater is topped with chopped brisket, bacon bits, beer cheese (kind of like Velveeta), green onions, and/or sour cream. I should add, it’s a sizable potato!

If nothing else, it’s a filling piece of warm food. I saw quite a few people walking around with these in my Target Field visit (and it wasn’t that cold outside), so I expect they’re a popular item. I believe you can choose your toppings, so pile them all on and cover the major food groups.

Okay, now we’ve covered sandwiches and sides, so here are a couple of dessert items for you:

If you don’t think this is worth the wait, I don’t know what to tell you.

Target Field Food, Tip #15: Papa Pete’s Mini Donuts

The mini donuts at the Papa Pete’s stand in Target Field are so popular that you’ll probably be waiting in line for them. But you do get to watch donuts being made, which is always cool when you’re about to walk away with a bucket.

So who is Papa Pete? He is the grandfather of the founder of the company, and apparently he was pretty good at making donuts too. Papa Pete’s is also doing well enough just serving sports venues, and donuts is all they do. It’s all they need.

I don’t need to tell you that fresh and hot homemade mini donuts are worth waiting for at a game, but Papa Pete’s cinches it. They locally source their ingredients, and mix them together and fry them right in front of you so you can oversee the quality control.

You can add chocolate sauce, caramel, or hot honey to dip your donuts in, but they’re plenty good enough on their own.

Your BluePrint for a healthy dessert at the ballgame!
(photo courtesy of Parcelle Organics)

Target Field Food, Tip #16: Parcelle Smoothies

And you thought you were going to read about funnel cakes, right? Yeah, Target Field has that stuff, but I wanted to give the Parcelle smoothies a shout for healthier sorts. Parcelle is an “organic clean eating café”, with a location on East Hennepin Avenue, and they avoid pesticides and herbicides in their food, in case that’s a concern to you.

Their smoothies here are available in two flavors as of 2024. The C.R.E.A.M. smoothie is collagen peptides, with aloe, strawberry, banana, coconut milk, dates and agave syrup. The BluePrint features blueberry, avocado, banana, blue spirulina, vanilla protein, coconut milk and agave.

Okay, maybe it’s not the first thing you think of for ballpark dessert, but you have to digest the Red Cow burger somehow, right? And in fact by most all accounts they’re quite tasty, so you can give them a shot over the funnel cake sometime.

Because you can’t enjoy the game until you have your sour cherry balls.

Target Field Food, Bonus Tip…Bring Your Own! – Pizza Luce, Candyland, etc.

Yes that’s right, in case you didn’t know, you can bring a 16*16*8 bag into Target Field, and fill it with almost anything you like. The only prohibited items are alcohol, and colored drinks that would be easy to mix alcohol in. That’s a good-sized bag, so there’s possibilities.

Twins fans tell stories about bringing in entire pizzas from the Pizza Luce location downtown, which offers better selection and prices than the one at the ballpark. (I saw a few fans doing this.) Or the brick oven pizza from Number 12 Cider just up the road from the ballpark. There’s quite a few takeout joints downtown, so you can plan your parking accordingly with SpotHero.

One of those fan fave fill-up stops is Candyland on 7th Street, also just minutes from the ballpark. They unfortunately don’t sell peanuts, but you can load up on fresh made cheesy popcorn and a host of other ballpark snacks. I wouldn’t call it a huge money saver, but there’s a lot of stuff here for sweet teeth.

So there you go…Ballpark E-Guides has your financial back!

Did I mention Kramarczuk’s?

There’s my list of fantastic food items at the home of the Twins. Yes, I know, I neglected to mention Stepchld sweet potato fritters at Truly On Deck, the vegan brat from the Herbivorous Butcher, and the crazy drinks at the Town Ball Tavern. Well, actually, I guess I just did. There’s a lot of great stuff here, so hopefully this helps.

One more thing, if anyone from the Twins is listening, I love your ballpark, but you’ve got to get a classic Jucy Lucy in the concourse. Someone get in touch with the people at Matt’s Bar or the 5-8 Club stat. That would complete the Twin Cities food representation. Just saying!

Plenty more tips where this came from…check out my tips for finding cheap Twins tickets, and this excellent primer on how to choose a seat at Target Field! Take a look around this website and learn more for your next visit to a great MLB ballpark.

And be sure to Follow me on Facebook to see when new posts are added!

Greetings Baseball Fans and Ballpark Aficionados! I’m here with your complete, info-rich Great American Ball Park parking guide! Below I’ve listed a bunch of great tips for finding your ideal parking spot at the home of the Cincinnati Reds.

Whether you want to go cheap, be near pre- or post-game entertainment, or have an easy out afterward, the Reds, Cincinnati and even nearby towns have you covered.

There’s a lot here, so I’m breaking it down for you:

Getting To Great American Ball Park By Car
Cincinnati Reds Parking Lots + Garages
Downtown Cincinnati Parking (+ The Connector)
Parking in Newport, KY
Parking in Covington, KY
Using The Southbank Shuttle
TANK Park and Rides

Ready to be a Reds baseball game parking expert? Just one quick word from our friends at Gametime…

Gametime has your cheap Reds tickets…with a lowest price guarantee, panoramic seat view photos, and great last minute deals…even after the game starts!

(See why Ballpark E-Guides loves Gametime here!)

Great American Ball Park Parking Tip #1) Arriving By Car + Traffic

Indeed, I would rate access to the Cincinnati ballpark as “excellent”.

There are three interstates that border Great American, I-75 to the west, and I-71 and I-471 to the east. I-71 runs through downtown parallel to 3rd Street, and joins with I-75 going into Kentucky. Here’s the map to help you visualize it.

All three interstates have preferred exits to get to the ballpark, which the Reds detail on their website. Which exit you use depends on your parking choice, and since you have plenty of options you can plan the route accordingly from where you are. Usually the ballpark exits are the most congested. That said, even if you do hit stopped traffic, it’s not likely to last very long.

Your biggest problem might be if you decide to park in downtown Cincinnati, especially during the workday. There are lights at almost every intersection and many of the numbered streets are one way. You also may have a tougher time finding an available parking space.

In my visits, I haven’t seen much congestion outside of Pete Rose Way, Second Street and Mehring Way near the ballpark, which is to be expected on game days. Most of downtown is banks and business buildings, so near game time people clear out and there isn’t a lot of traffic.

Where Reds game parking is available and cheap!

If you decide to park across the Ohio River in Kentucky—in Newport or Covington—heading south especially you shouldn’t have to deal with much traffic at all, in or out. I’ll cover those in a bit.

Exiting the ballpark, the heart of the traffic is underneath the ballpark onto 2nd Street, and the East Garage onto Pete Rose Way. Interestingly, I saw very few people turning from Pete Rose Way onto the Taylor Southgate Bridge after a game. So if you know your way around downtown Newport that could be a time saver. According to a police officer I talked to, the easiest exits are further from the ballpark (which would include Kentucky) and from downtown.

The city has named nearby streets after Reds greats; for reference Pete Rose Way East on the north side of the ballpark is Riverside Drive east of the park; Joe Nuxhall Way is Main Street south of Second Street; and Johnny Bench Way is Broadway Street between Great American and U.S. Bank Arena.

Now, here are your parking choices…

Great American Ball Park Parking Tip #2) Cincinnati Reds Parking

With a strong clue to the garage’s location.

The official Great American Ball Park parking lots are right next to and underneath the ballpark, and on their site the Reds supply a useful PDF map of the rest of the parking lots in the area.

The Reds pre-paid lots are generally for season ticket holders, so sometimes tickets from third party sellers will include this. They tend to be the most expensive, but they’re not terribly pricey compared to some cities. Lots open three hours before game time.

If you’re using the Reds’ official parking lots, it’s a good idea to order a pass ahead of time. There are usually spaces available, but in my travels I saw a lot of “pass only” signs at the entrances. You can buy a pass on the Reds’ website.

The Central Riverfront Garage underneath the ballpark is easily accessible from Pete Rose Way coming from the east and Mehring Way coming from the west. There are plenty of spaces, but it takes a while to exit, so you might want to kill some time in a nearby eatery first.

From the East Garage you can go to the fifth floor and use the walkway past the Heritage Bank Center. It’s less visually appealing, but it’s less crowded with fans and safer, and leads to the Machine Room restaurant entrance. The East Garage is also slow to exit, possibly the slowest of all of them, at least from what I could tell. It is cheaper before the game rate starts, whether you can park there early I don’t know. Central Parking was silent on that when I asked them.

The best thing about football is that it helps people park for baseball.

There are also official Reds lots at Paycor Stadium (Bengals) west of the ballpark. These are slightly cheaper and not much further away, and there are usually ample spaces here. Coming from the west, the stadium lots should be good for convenience and a relatively easy exit. They are also the only lots where I saw any tailgating.

If you’re bringing a busload of folks, the city will let you park the bus at the Riverfront Transit Center for a reasonable price, and it’s just across the street. It’s underground though, and a hike up a lot of steps to the street. I saw a lot of elderly folks huffing and puffing and felt bad for them.

If you have car trouble after the game, you can contact AAA at (513) 762-3222, and they’ll jump start you or fix your flat tire. Not sure what that will cost you if you’re not a member.

That’s just Reds parking. Since there are so many additional parking options for Reds games, I’ve broken them down into locations: downtown Cincinnati, Newport, and Covington. All three have their advantages.

Great American Ball Park Parking Tip #3) Downtown Cincinnati Parking.

Parking for a sawbuck is one reason I love GABP.

Very close to the ballpark are a couple of surface lots—one at 3rd and Main, and one at 204 Broadway—that are very convenient to the ballpark and cost about the same as the Reds lots. The Broadway lot is under an overpass, protecting your car from the elements, and it may be a slightly easier exit than the Reds lots.

North of the ballpark, there are ample lots and garages. The general rule is that the closest ones to the ballpark are the most expensive; lots on 3rd Street can cost close to parking at the ballpark. Since it’s only a block or two before prices start dropping, it’s worth looking for place to park on 5th or 6th Streets. Broadway and Main Streets lead directly to the ballpark, so the closer you are to those the better. You can find some very cheap lots just a few blocks away.

A word of caution though. You can find stories of unsafe areas in the Over The Rhine section of Cincinnati, so I wouldn’t leave my car too far north of the ballpark.

I don’t know if it’s still this cheap. I doubt it. But there’s other advantages!

Fountain Square, on the corner of 5th and Vine, is both convenient to the ballpark and inexpensive; it’s also a stop for the (free) Connector light rail, which I’ll talk about shortly. The game rate starts about three hours before game time. Fountain Square is an especially popular spot for Reds fans; it’s cheap, large and well-lit. There is also good dining nearby and often entertainment in the Square itself.

Something to remember about parking in the heart of downtown though. Great American Ball Park is at the foot of a hill, so most any place you park downtown is going to be an uphill walk after the game. You might want to park near the light rail and use that going back…it’s free but it will be crowded after the game.

The best part is, you don’t even need a monthly pass!

Finally, in Sawyer Point, a park east of the ballpark past the Purple People Bridge (more on that in a bit), there are lots that are very cheap on game nights and allow for a fairly easy exit eastbound. They’re not super close, but you can take a fine walk along the banks of the Ohio River to get to the game.

Here is a favorite parking hack of mine that you can use. There are several lots near the ballpark that have a much lower rate before the game rate kicks in. I believe 3rd and Main is one. If you get to such a lot earlier in the day, you can nail a spot close to the ballpark for a fraction of the price.

So what to do then to kill time? Lots! Take the Southbank Shuttle to Newport-On-The-Levee and enjoy all of the entertainment options there. Or use the (free!) Cincinnati Bell Connector to several attractions downtown, like the Findlay Market. Or visit the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. There’s no shortage of fun options…Cincy is a cool town.

Light rail is your friend!

Then head back to the ballpark for the game, and afterwards you have a short walk to your car. And you paid a fraction of what everyone else paid to park there.

I heard this next tip from Jake Cain at Ballpark Savvy, who lives in Cincinnati and knows the area well. There is a lot at International Friendship Park on Riverside Drive, on the riverfront near Montgomery Inn. It’s definitely a hike but free if you can land a spot.

Parking downtown on the street for free is also no longer an option; meter enforcement runs until 9:00 PM and on Sundays. You could feed the meter until then, but it’s probably not worth it. They are free on holidays though, something to remember for Memorial Day, Independence Day or Labor Day.

If you don’t want to spend time looking for a cheap or convenient spot, you can reserve a spot ahead of time with my friends at SpotHero…which I always highly recommend for any ballgame.

One final word about parking downtown—it might not be a good idea for weekday games. Garages even at the ballpark and metered spots will likely be filled, and you might not have much luck searching along the riverfront either. If you’re coming for a weekday game, parking in Kentucky and using the Southbank Shuttle is probably a better bet. So let’s discuss that…

Never drive to a Reds game without a plan…

Book your parking spot now with my friends at SpotHero!

Great American Ball Park Parking Tip #4) Newport, KY

Not just parking, but parking parking.

The most popular place in Newport to park for games is the garages next to the Newport-On-The-Levee entertainment complex. There is an indoor garage there, some outside spaces, and the Aqua Garage next door; they are all very affordable. There is usually ample parking.

The Levee lots are easily accessible from either the Taylor-Southgate Bridge or the Dan C. Beard Bridge (I-471). Coming from the east it’s a fairly easy out onto I-471.

From the Levee lots you have a couple of choices. Either walk across the pedestrian-only Purple People Bridge (the official name is the Newport Southbank Bridge, but you wouldn’t know it from signage) to get to the ballpark. You can also walk across the Taylor-Southgate Bridge, but I did this and found it highly unnerving. Or you can hop on the Southbank Shuttle, which I’ll talk about in a bit.

It’s nice and purple, and people do like to use it, but it’s a hike from the ballpark.

It’s a pretty long walk, this; it takes some time to cross the pedestrian bridge obviously and then you still have a few blocks to get to the ballpark. It’s not something I would do just to save money; there are lots almost as cheap much closer. The walk is good if you enjoy a scenic view—it is that—or you’d like to burn off some calories after the game or before partying in Newport.

If the Newport garage is full, which isn’t likely, there are metered spaces down near the riverfront that are relatively cheap, but you need to climb up and then back down a bunch of steps to get to the PP Bridge. Better to use lots or numbered streets in Newport–these are also just a few bucks, but you’ll want to use the Southbank Shuttle from this distance. Don’t park there on a street-cleaning day.

Newport is a happening spot; there are multiple places to eat or drink and Newport-On-The-Levee is a tourist center with lots to do for kids of all ages. If you plan on post-game good times with your Reds baseball, especially with the kids, Newport is the place to put your car.

$$$ Tightwad Tip! $$$ – You can save a few bucks by arriving at the Newport lots before the game rate starts. The game rate isn’t bad, but parking there before a couple hours before game time is a little less and it’s good for the whole night.

Great American Ball Park Parking Tip #5) Covington, KY

Let this bridge here be your landmark.

Covington, across the John Roebling and Clay Wade Bailey Bridges, isn’t the tourist center that Newport is. In fact, it’s not even close. But that can actually be a good thing if you’re just looking to get to a game and leave afterward.

The Southbank Shuttle runs through Covington…I’ll talk about that next, I promise…and there is a free park and ride for it under the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge.

There isn’t much in the way of major parking lots east and near the foot of the Roebling Bridge, but there are plenty of inexpensive parking meters there. There are spots along the river, and also along Greenup Street, Park Place, and 3rd Street, which are just steps from the Roebling Bridge. There are also quite a few restaurants nearby. (I’m a Skyline Chili fan, but you have several other choices too.)

Unfortunately Covington wised up to people parking there for Reds games, so meters are enforced until 9:00 PM. Still, they’re not terribly expensive. Meters are inactive on Sundays, so chances are good you can find free parking for a game.

On the west side of the bridge are quite a few garages, but they aren’t thought of highly by Googlers, so take that for what you will.

This pretty sweet view is courtesy of the Roebling Bridge.

From the street spots in Covington you can walk across the Roebling Bridge. It’s not as long a walk as the Purple People Bridge from Newport. Again, it isn’t as pedestrian-friendly as the Purple People Bridge (I wouldn’t be able to do it with kids), but it isn’t too bad and it’s historic. Honestly though, using the Shuttle is easier.

Covington isn’t the prettiest of areas, but I didn’t feel terribly unsafe there. It’s also not too long a walk along a scenic walkway via 4th Street to get over to Newport and its attractions. I didn’t try it at night though, so I don’t know how well that works. For a day game, it should be just fine.

Traffic is a little easier leaving Newport, but it’s far easier to exit Covington than from one of the Reds’ lots.

Great American Ball Park Parking Tip #6) Southbank Shuttle.

Shuttles like this were made for savvy blog readers like you.

Okay, so I’ve mentioned the Southbank Shuttle a few times; I love it for the possibilities.

The Southbank Shuttle is TANK’s (Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky) tourist-friendly trolley bus service. It circulates from Covington through Cincinnati and ends at Newport, or back in the other direction, for just a buck (!) as of this writing.

The trolley starts additional service two hours before the game and runs every 15 minutes. So you shouldn’t have to wait long for it. On game nights, the shuttle will run until a half hour after the game.

The Shuttle is more than worth the small price to ride it; it spares you both the indignity of high-priced parking and post-ballgame traffic, which is far easier to deal with in Kentucky. Not to mention avoiding the lengthy walk across the river and a scary bridge.

You can often find free street parking in Covington or Newport and for a dollar get a ride to the game, but there’s also plenty of other affordable options to park near the shuttle. As I’ve said, there is even a TANK Park and Ride location in Covington; it’s at 3rd Street at Pete Rose Pier and parking is free. There is a Shuttle stop right there. Cheap as can be and easy peezy.

They do know that “Ball Park” is two words in Cincinnati, don’t they?

With the demand for folks who need a ride to the game, TANK will provide additional big buses to get to the ballpark. These buses helpfully have “Great American Ball Park” displayed as the destination. They will stop at TANK dropoff points near the Shuttle stops, and are the same price. You need exact change on the bus or the Shuttle.

Be sure that you get on the right Shuttle after the game; the destination will be at the top of the bus. Also, the small trolleys are a bit rickety; if you prefer a smoother ride try one of the big buses.

Again, I love the Southbank Shuttle…it makes it possible for you to both avoid traffic and enjoy some entertainment and dining options in Kentucky. Take advantage of this one folks.

$$$ Tightwad Tip! $$$ – There are a few establishments in the Newport-On-The-Levee complex (and you might find one or two in Covington) that will pay for your Southbank Shuttle ride to the game and back with a purchase. It’s already cheap, but if you’re buying something anyway it could save you another couple of bucks.

Great American Ball Park Parking Tip #7) TANK Park + Rides

Have you opened your eyes to the wonders of Covington yet?

Finally, this could be a useful one for you on occasion. TANK has a fleet of buses with routes throughout Covington and Newport; nearly all of them stop at the Covington Transit Center at the foot of the Roebling Bridge, a half block from a Shuttle stop. Many of them also stop in downtown Cincinnati and in Newport. The longer routes have free park and rides in northern Kentucky, like the aforementioned 3rd Street/Pete Rose Pier location.

Several TANK routes can take you within a fly ball of the ballpark, but check the schedule and make sure you can use it to get back. Just one example: the #8 Eastern Avenue/Crestview Hills bus stops at 4th and Walnut, about a block and a half from GABP.  The last bus departs around 11:30 PM, so you should easily make it.

Bus stops here? Check. Goes to Cincinnati? Check. All good!

For most games, if you’re coming from Northern Kentucky there’s probably a free park and ride you can use; this can save you mucho bucks on gas with TANK being a cheap ride. TANK also has discounted fares for seniors and handicapped folks, and gives free rides to Northern Kentucky University and Gateway students and staff. If you’re staying in a hotel that will shuttle you to the CVG Airport, you can get on a bus there, and get to the ballpark for almost nothing.

Being a great money-saver aside, TANK buses do make a lot of stops. You might find it to be not worth the hassle. Just putting it out there if you want to go really cheap.

There’s also the Queen City Metro option as far as bus rides go, but not a lot of people use it. I’ll talk about non-driving options in a future post.

Having the ballpark in view is always a plus.

There you go; all you need to know and then some for parking for Cincinnati Reds games at this great American ballpark. <grin> I hope you found these tips useful, and if you’ve got a great one to share, feel free to drop me a line!

There’s plenty more tips for your next visit to the home of the Reds on this website, by the way. Check out some seating tips here, here, and here, learn about some great food items at the Cincinnati ballpark, and what to know when you’re bringing the kids.

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Greetings baseball fans and ballpark roadtrippers! Below is your complete guide for how to get to Wrigley Field for your next Chicago Cubs game!

Wrigley Field isn’t built for people driving there. If you do, I suggest reading my separate post for Wrigley Field parking. But this guide is about public transportation, and other easier and cheaper ways to get to the home of the Cubs.

There’s a lot here, so I’m breaking it down:

From Inside Chicago: CTA Rail
Also From Inside Chicago: CTA Bus
Is Riding The CTA Safe?
From The Suburbs, Part 1: Pace Bus (+ The Wrigley Field Express, Maybe)
From The Suburbs, Part 2: Metra Rail
From Indiana: NICTD South Shore Line
From Other Cities, Part 1: Amtrak
From Other Cities, Part 2: Megabus/Greyhound
For Cubs Fan Rockers: The Reggies Rock Bus
For Exercise: Bicycling To Wrigley
For Serious Cyclists: Divvy Bikeshare
You Probably Shouldn’t…Taxicab/Rideshare

Need more help for your next Chicago Cubs game? I got ya! Check out my tips for scoring great deals on Cubs tickets, this detailed guide to finding a great seat, and this list of food options!

Okay, ready? Let’s roll, after this message from my friends at Gametime:

Gametime has your cheap Cubs tickets…with a lowest price guarantee, panoramic seat view photos, and great last minute deals…even after the game starts!

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Best Way To Get To Wrigley Field, #1) CTA Rail.

Yes, the Cubs logo here helps. but remember the name of the station.

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) isn’t just the original name of one of classic rock’s greatest bands. It is the complex transit system that carries millions of folks throughout metropolitan Chicago.

CTA rail is a combination of subways and elevated trains with numerous long tentacles. Most of them can play a part in getting you to Wrigley Field.

Here is the breakdown on key rail lines you can use on game days:

If you can find Wrigley Field in this picture, you’ll be fine.

Red Line: The CTA Red Line is the most common train used to get to Wrigley Field; the Addison Street stop is within view of the ballpark. The Red Line isn’t modern and screeches in spots, but it is ruthlessly efficient most times, and trains run 24/7. You should never have to wait more than 12 minutes for a train, and they’re more frequent during rush hour.

The Red Line is convenient for people living or staying downtown; these days people aren’t always comfortable using the parking lots at Howard or Berwyn stations. If you can find an inexpensive spot downtown near a stop (try SpotHero) though, it can be very efficient.

All other CTA lines transfer to the Red, so from just about anywhere in Chicago you can get to Wrigley with two or fewer rides. You can transfer from other lines at State/Lake, Jackson or Roosevelt (I’m told State/Lake is best to use). The transfer is free, but you will still need to run your transit card or pass through a turnstile.

Here come Cubs fans. Platform is about to get very crowded.

Cubs fans are packed on the Red Line starting about an hour before game time. It makes it easy to find the ballpark, but not always fun to ride the train. One nice thing is that the Sheridan and Belmont stations (north and south of Addison, respectively) aren’t a long walk at all. You can exit the train early and walk past some cool Wrigleyville establishments on the way, like Byron’s Hot Dogs.

Similarly, after the game you can get on a southbound train at Sheridan and have a better chance at landing a seat before the Wrigley crowd shoehorns its way in. Or you can head to one of the many Wrigleyville joints, and wait for the train-riding crowd to thin out (although the Cubby Bear will be crowded too). If you plan to brave the crowd, it’s a good idea to have your return trip ticket beforehand.

If you do want to jump on after the game, exit out of right field, which is closer to the station than the home plate entrance.

The Red Line runs under State Street, in case you’re downtown looking for a station.

Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time, but you probably don’t want to walk it from here.

Blue Line: The Blue Line runs from O’Hare airport to the downtown Loop area (so named because most downtown trains loop around it). If you’re coming from O’Hare or somewhere nearby, exit at the Addison station (not to be confused with the Red or Brown Line’s Addison stations–all are different stations) and then hop on the #152 Addison bus to Wrigley Field.

The CTA calls the #152 bus the Wrigley Express, not to be confused with the Pace Wrigley Express, which I’ll discuss shortly.

If you’re visiting Chicago and staying near O’Hare, the Blue Line has several park-and-rides towards that end of the line. They’re generally inexpensive and safe. Cumberland Station has a large garage and nearly always has spaces available. Or your hotel may be able to shuttle you to the airport/Blue Line. Do NOT park at the O’Hare Station though, unless you like paying more to park than you did for your car.

Get some exercise and a Wrigleyville dog, and ride a less crowded bus!

If you want an alternative to the crowded #152 bus, you can exit the Blue Line at Irving Park station, and use the #80 Irving Park Road (IL Route 19) bus. Then hop off at Sheridan Avenue for a four block walk south to Wrigley (past Wrigleysville Dogs!).

Sheridan turns into Sheffield Avenue south of Byron St. Chicago has special lanes on Irving Park Road westbound for post-game traffic, so this should also be an easier way out. I’ve done this and preferred it to the #152.

If the #152 bus isn’t available to go back (it should be), you can use the Red Line to Lake Street and transfer for free to the Blue Line. Long ride, this, but both the Red and Blue lines run all night.

Yes, this is yet another Addison Street station. The CTA likes to keep it simple.

Brown Line: The Brown Line runs from the Kimball Avenue station to the Loop. The Southport and Belmont stations are both about a 10-15 minute walk to Wrigley, but the Brown Line is far less congested than the Red. This means you will probably have a seat for most of the way–a nice thing to know if you’re coming from downtown.

I like the Brown Line. It gets close enough to Wrigley for me, especially since Belmont Station is steps from Ann Sather’s amazing cinnamon buns. The Brown ride is smoother, but it does not run as frequently as the Red Line. North of the Irving Park station, you may be able to find cheap or even free street parking.

Remember the Addison stop on the Brown Line is not the Wrigley station, but it’s only about a mile walk along Addison to the ballpark should you find yourself there. You can also use the #152 bus to or from if need be, but it will be crowded at that point.

The only drawback of the Brown Line, other than a longer walk, is that it doesn’t run all night, although it should go late enough for you.

It’s not that the train is any “swifter”. It just makes fewer stops.

Yellow Line: The Yellow Line (a.k.a. the “Skokie Swift”) runs from Skokie nonstop to the Howard Station, where you can transfer to the Red or Purple Lines. This isn’t a bad option if coming from the north on I-94 (referred to as the Edens Expressway). You can park at Dempster-Skokie station, where there is inexpensive and ample parking, and use the Yellow Line to the Red or Purple Line with just one stop.

The CTA runs extra Yellow service for evening games, so you have until about midnight to get to the Howard Station, later if it’s a big game. If you miss the last Yellow Line train, you can take a Purple Line to Davis Street and use the #97 bus to get to Skokie.

I’ll talk more about safety on the CTA, but I will say here that the Howard Station is not spoken highly of by many people. Stay tuned.

Belmont Station is just a few blocks from Wrigley, and even closer to Ann Sather’s!

Purple Line: The Purple Line is a rush hour express line that generally follows the route of the Red Line from the Howard station to the Loop. Southbound trains stop at Sheridan station for weeknight games, which is about three blocks from Wrigley. If the Purple doesn’t stop at Sheridan, you can get off at Belmont and walk it as described. (You can also transfer to the Red at Belmont, but it will be crowded.)

The Purple Line is a better alternative to the Red Line if it’s available and convenient for you. It is less likely to be crowded and it doesn’t make any other stops between Howard and Sheridan, while the Red Line stops at close to ten stations and moves fairly slowly in the area. As stated, the Purple Line has extra service for weeknight games.

Another nice thing about the Purple Line is that it extends to Evanston, which according to a Chicago resident friend of mine is a fairly nice place to stay if you’re visiting, and there is cheap or even free parking near the station. The Linden station also has a cheap lot with 300 spaces.

The CTA website lists all of the L stations that have a park-and-ride and their costs to park there. Most charge a small fee for 12 hours. The only station on the Red Line with a park-and-ride is Howard on the northern end of the line; I wouldn’t recommend using that at night.

Best Way To Get To Wrigley Field, #2) CTA Bus.

This is something every thrifty baseball fan should know about.

Not only is Wrigley served by the venerable Red Line; there are numerous ways to get there by CTA bus. Few areas of Chicago are more than two bus rides away from Wrigley Field.

First, the Cubs actually offer free remote parking and free shuttle service to the game and back from 3900 N. Rockwell Street. Yes, you read that right. So if you are driving and looking to go cheap it’s a great option. A free ride attracts everyone though, so prepare for a crowded bus and get to the lot early. Buses start two hours before first pitch.

Other bus routes that run to Wrigley Field are the #8 Halstead, the #22 Clark, and the #152 Addison. The #22 runs all day and night, the #8 runs till shortly after midnight. The CTA added more and longer buses to the #152 route, and there is additional service for the #152 and #80 after big games. Good to know, because buses take a while to board.

The #22 follows a similar route to the Red Line and goes into downtown where you can pick up most other L train lines, so it makes a viable alternative to the Red Line if you prefer buses, but it gets crowded after the game as well. Expect it to be much slower than the Red Line.

There’s extra lanes on Irving Park Road. Just saying.

If you’d like to avoid the crowds on buses and don’t mind walking a bit, you can try several other bus routes that drop riders off a few blocks away from Wrigley. The aforementioned #80 on Irving Park Road is one example. Some of these don’t run late in the evening though, so check the schedule for night games.

Remember that buses have to deal with city traffic (there are dedicated bus lanes on some streets), but at least you’re not the one fuming behind the wheel and you can enjoy seeing the city.

You can ride the CTA buses with a Ventra card or pass; do that instead of going through the hassle of exact change that buses require.

Is Riding The CTA Safe For Chicago Cubs Games?

Yes, danger from high voltage tracks is a thing. But if you don’t step on a third rail you’ll probably be fine.

Whether or not you can safely ride the CTA to Wrigley for a Cubs game is a popular topic these days. Crime in Chicago did rise significantly since the pandemic, and the CTA and Red Line aren’t immune.

Overall, I will tell you that statistically, the chances of something really bad happening to you using the train are extremely small. The CTA has increased security both on trains and at stations, and they make the point here that the level of crime is actually very low, given the large number of people that ride the CTA each day.

However, I won’t tell you that it’s completely, totally 1,000% safe and nothing will ever ever happen. Some folks in forums have told stories about being mugged at the Howard Station. Others advise not to use the Red Line south of Sox-35th or even Jackson Station at night.

That said, there are plenty of natives who ride the CTA every day and believe the danger is overblown (and driven by politics, which can always be a factor). They will also point out to you that statistically, you take a bigger risk driving your car.

You might not want to stand in front of a bus either, but that applies to any transit service.

So here is my advice. If you are staying in downtown Chicago or in that area, with all of the Cubs fans riding the train, you should be just fine using the Red Line. If you’re staying near O’Hare, and you use the Blue Line/#152 combo and park at one of the outer stations, that should be safe too. Just keep your wits about you. I shouldn’t need to say it, but don’t leave valuables in full view in your car.

Mostly, you might see or smell some unpleasant things, which I concede isn’t fun. Your biggest concern is mostly pickpockets on a crowded train, so tuck away your stuff. Also, don’t use a visibly empty car on the train.

If it concerns you enough to drive your car, book your spot with my friends at SpotHero. They’re fantastic, and can help you find a decent spot near the ballpark at a not-so-outrageous price.

For myself, I have never personally had a problem riding CTA trains or buses in my visits to Chicago. I’ve found it to be a very useful if not always pleasant transit system, especially for Cubs and Sox games. But I’m a big dude, and I haven’t used the CTA since the pandemic, so take that for what it’s worth.

NEVER drive to Wrigley Field without a plan…

Book your Cubs parking spot now with SpotHero!

Best Way To Get To Wrigley Field, #3) Pace Bus.

In case they ever return, they’re nicely decorated!

As this sentence was written, Pace Bus has suspended their excellent Wrigley Field Express service, apparently because they need to find people to drive the buses post-pandemic. That could, and hopefully will, change, so I’m leaving this bit in the post. You can check with Pace before your trip.

Anyway, Pace is the bus service extending to the Chicago suburbs. Their Wrigley Express buses are (sorry, were) even neatly decorated to leave no doubt of their purpose.

The Wrigley Express runs (sorry, ran) from two locations, the Northwest Transportation Center (Route 282) in Schaumburg and Yorktown Center (Route 779) in Lombard. You can park there for free and ride the Express bus very cheaply each way. The Pace Express bus runs for all games June through August and for evening and weekend games for the rest of the season, but they don’t usually provide service for playoff games.

If they bring it back, it’s great, trust me.

Pace provides schedules on their site; generally buses leave two hours before the game. Be sure to grab the right Express bus on the way back. Buses going to Yorktown leave from Clark Street north of Waveland, while buses heading to Schaumburg will leave from Clark south of Waveland. So Schaumburg = South, if you use alliteration as a memory tool.

The pickup area will be the same spot where you are dropped off. There are usually six buses, but they leave 30 minutes after the game, so don’t dawdle on the way out.

Aside from the Wrigley Express, other Pace buses connect with a CTA bus route or train station. You can get a multi-ride Ventra pass good for both Pace and CTA if you’re staying in the area, but passes are not fully valid for the Wrigley Express; you need to come up with a couple extra bucks.

It’s also good just for getting to Chicago, just saying.

Pace lists locations of park-and-rides on their website. Most locations are free to park; the ones that do charge are cheap. You need exact change (dollar bills will work) to ride a Pace Bus.

I haven’t used the Wrigley Express, but I did use the White Sox version and I loved it. It’s crazy cheap, a pleasant ride, and you can meet fellow fans on the bus. It’s a great time.

About Ventra: it’s a loaded value app or card that you can use to ride CTA, Metra or Pace vehicles. To use it, you hold your phone to a reader at the station or bus. You can get a 1-day, 3-day or 7-day pass loaded onto it. You’re allowed to share a pass with loaded value but not a day pass.

Best Way To Get To Wrigley Field, #4) Metra Rail.

Chicago is a city of skyscrapers and train tracks.

Like the Pace buses, Metra rail trains are geared towards suburban Chicago commuters, but they are perfectly viable for getting to Wrigley Field, especially since the Cubs play a lot of weekday games. Metra has 12 lines that head into downtown Chicago from all directions, all of them ending somewhere in the Loop near a Red Line station.

On their website, the Cubs also explain how to use Metra trains from every different locale. Some of them involve bus rides, so be sure to check the schedule of those too. And check your app for maps, because sometimes you can find an easier route, 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 the Jackson Station, saving a transfer.

From Union Station, you can also use the #151 Sheridan Avenue bus, which takes you straight to Lake Shore and Addison, a short walk to Wrigley. It takes a while, but it’s good for tourists who want to actually see Chicago. This bus runs “owl” service at night, so it’s good for getting back too.

Or you can take a short walk south to the Clinton Station of the Blue Line, or east to the Quincy/Wells Station and the Brown or Purple Lines. The latter is a nicer walk and more convenient, but both ways require a transfer to the Red Line.

Stay in the comfort of indoors as your train whizzes by!

Metra runs frequently during rush hours, but otherwise they are quite infrequent, arriving on about an hourly basis, and they don’t usually schedule extra service for Cubs games. If you use Metra, check the schedule of the line beforehand so you aren’t sitting in the station too long and get there on time.

You can use Metra for a night game, but the last trains leave Chicago a little after midnight, so don‘t party too late. Remember to figure in the time getting to the Metra station from the Red Line; usually 20-25 minutes.

Metra fares are broken down by zones; each zone you pass through will add to your fare. Chicago offers a trip planner that will show you the cost.

Metra is well regarded; it is fast and efficient and you are even permitted to drink alcohol on the train. The transfers can make for a long ride, though.

You probably won’t park at Wrigley this cheap. Just saying.

Finally, here’s a few “tightwad tips” for saving money on Chicago transit:

$ – CTA, Pace and Metra all offer discounts for disabled riders, students and children. Low income seniors and active military personnel can ride CTA for free. If you or someone joining you falls under these categories (and you owe a game at Wrigley to military folk that you know), have a look on their websites for reduced fare information. Or you can look for specials at the RTA website, which covers all three entities.

$ – Groupon has occasional deals on passes; the last time I looked a 3-day pass that normally costs $20 was going for $9; great for visiting Chicago. You have to catch it at the right time though.

$ – Metra offers other types of discounts as well. Kids can ride free on Metra on weekends, and you can get a weekend pass for unlimited rides. It’s a lot of bang for your buck if you’re some distance away. You can also get group discounts on Metra, which may turn out to be easier than finding someone willing to drive a bus through Wrigleyville.

Best Way To Get To Wrigley Field, #5) South Shore Line.

It’s a big hit with the college kids.

The NICTD (Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District) South Shore Line runs Indiana commuters as far east as South Bend to downtown Chicago, in case Notre Dame students decide to go see a Cubs game.

The South Shore Line ends at Millennium Station in Chicago, which is a short walk on Randolph Street to the Lake Station on the Red Line. It’s also close to the Washington/Wabash and State/Lake stations on the Brown Line.

Fares on NICTD are in relation to distance, similar to Metra, and are reasonable. Parking is available at some stations, but it fills up quickly.

I found this about extra service for playoff games, so clearly people use the service for Cubs games. But check and make sure you’ll be able to get back to your starting point.

South Shore Line trains run till a little past midnight, so you should be okay using it if you don’t hang out too late, but they are infrequent in the evening and you could be waiting a while for one. Remember South Bend is in a different time zone too.

Best Way To Get To Wrigley Field, #6) Amtrak.

Thanks, can you tell me where Ann Sather’s is?

If you’re coming into Chicago on Amtrak, the train will drop you off at Union Station; from there you can follow the steps listed in the Metra section or take a #151 Sheridan bus to the ballpark.

Coming from Milwaukee, or other Wisconsin points between the two cities, Amtrak runs a daily commuter train called the Hiawatha, which can get you from the Milwaukee Intermodal Station downtown to Union Station in about 90 minutes. It’s not the cheapest ride, but it’s very comfortable, features at-seat cart service, and saves you mucho traffic trouble. Great for visiting Milwaukee Brewers fans.

The Hiawatha unfortunately doesn’t run late enough in the evening to make it viable for night games, but it’s a cool and fast way to get to a day game if you have the means.

Best Way To Get To Wrigley Field, #7) Megabus/Greyhound.

Sure, he’s missing legs. But he has a trustworthy face.

Megabus is a very low cost bus service that runs from numerous cities in the U.S. and Canada, so if you’re coming from a nearby metropolis like Milwaukee or Detroit, it’s worth checking out the Megabus site for the schedules. Tickets can be as cheap as $1 if your timing is right.

The buses are nicely maintained and have free Wi-Fi among other life pleasures. Megabus drops riders off in Chicago at Union Station, where it’s a short train ride or two to a hotel or just to Wrigley.

The Greyhound station is at 630 West Harrison Street; this is about a mile from the closest Red Line station at LaSalle Street. The Clinton Blue Line Station is closer, but with the #152 bus that’s a lot of transfers. Megabus seems to be going downhill in service lately, but Greyhound isn’t very convenient for going to Wrigley.

Best Way To Get To Wrigley Field, #8) Reggies Rock Bus.

You really should be seen getting off of this bus. (image courtesy of Reggies Live)

If you want to include live music or a meal with your Cubs outing, check out Reggies Rock Club. They offer packages for Cubs (and White Sox) games that include a bleacher ticket, a pre-game buffet, and a ride to the game on the wicked cool looking Rock Bus. All at a very reasonable price.

Reggies is on State Street close to the Red Line Chinatown Station; there is metered street parking nearby. Even including parking it’s a great deal, and Reggies is a happening live music joint. Great for rocker Cub fans. (And isn’t that all of us?)

Best Way To Get To Wrigley Field, #9) Bicycle.

The best part is there’s burritos just steps away!

Bicycling can be a viable choice to get to the Friendly Confines, for several reasons. First and foremost is the Cubs’ free cyclist-friendly valet, located near the Red Line station. The bike check guys take your bike and give you a number as if it were a coat. No lock needed. It opens three hours before the game and they will keep an eye on your bike for an hour after the game.

You can leave your helmet with them too, even though the Cubs will let you store it under your seat. You’d look pretty silly or like an overly serious fan wearing a helmet at a ballgame anyway. Be sure to tip the gentlemen watching your bike.

There are other racks around the ballpark if the valet is full or if you don’t feel like tipping; Sheffield Avenue has a few. I expect with so many people in the area on game day, you probably wouldn’t have to worry about it if you secure it properly.

You probably don’t want to bring your bicycle onto a train.

The city of Chicago offers bicycle maps here on their website. They look to me like they’re for serious cyclists, but maybe they’ll help you find an easy route to the Friendly Confines.

CTA and Pace buses are equipped with bicycle racks on the front end. CTA and Metra trains allow you to carry your bike onto the train during non-rush-hour periods, but if you’re using the Red Line to get to the game it will be difficult. On the Blue Line, cars that accommodate bikes have a green sticker on them. Most CTA stations have sheltered racks to lock your bike.

Best Way To Get To Wrigley Field, #10) Divvy Bikeshare.

“Race you to Wrigley!”

Divvy Bikeshare is a bicycle-sharing service that maintains bikes and stations throughout Chicago. They have two locations in opposite corners at Wrigley; one at Clark and Waveland and another at the Addison Red Line station.  For big games, Divvy may have a valet service at Sheffield and Waveland, and they’ll park the bike at another station for you.

Divvy members (or you can get a day pass) can pick up a bike at a station and bring it to another station. Stations are monitored so that they’re never too empty or too full, and you can check bicycle availability on their website/app. It’s another option for getting to the game that doesn’t involve crowded trains or parking fees. Technology rocks.

The best part is that both of the Wrigley stations include eBikes. If you’re a member you can cruise through town wherever you’re going back without expending too much energy after those Wrigley nachos. Divvy is literally everywhere in Chicago and even Evanston, so you should be able to get where you need to go.

Not So Great Way To Get To Wrigley Field, #11) Taxicab/Rideshare.

Here’s a good spot to call for an Uber.

Finally, if you decide to take a taxi or rideshare after the game, walk a few blocks in the direction you intend to go before trying to hail one in the crowd. (Even the Cubs recommend this.) Look for one that is heading towards the ballpark and is less likely to be carrying passengers.

Both Lyft and Uber charge more for heavy usage times, and that would include a Cubs game. Uber once listed Wrigley as its #1 Illinois travel destination, so it’s a popular way to get there, but it won’t be cheap.

After the game you can find lots of cabs near the Sports Corner tavern, but there are a lot of pedestrians in that spot too, so if you do flag one down you could be waiting a while with the meter running. It’s a good idea to move a couple of blocks away from the ballpark before hailing a taxi or calling a rideshare. Or you could wait at Murphy’s for the crowd to thin out.

Rideshares are better options than your basic cab companies for Wrigley. You can book a ride with your smartphone, and their services have designated dropoff points. If you haven’t yet, hold off on installing the Lyft app; when you sign up they’ll give you discounts on your first few rides.

That said, unless you have the means, I’d use the train or another method to get to or from Wrigley.

You’re here! Glad I could help. Want to know what to eat now?

There you go my friends, all of the cool and economical ways to get to the home of the Chicago Cubs without using a car. I hope this helps, feel free to drop me a line if you have a question.

First time Wrigley visitor? Lots more for you to know if you’re heading to Wrigley for a baseball game. Check out my detailed seating guide, this overview of the food at Wrigley, and this excellent primer for finding deals on Cubs tickets. Oh, and be sure to check out my Guaranteed Rate Field tips too!

Thanks for reading, and please support this blog’s great sponsors!

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Greetings baseball fans, ballpark road trippers and Fenway visitors. This is your complete guide for how to get to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox!

I’m going to fully cover public transportation to Fenway here, as well as other options, so let’s break this down:

From Greater Boston: MBTA Subway
Also From Greater Boston: MBTA Buses
From The Boston Suburbs: MBTA Commuter Rail
For Short Rides: Taxicab + Rideshares
From Other Cities, Part 1: Amtrak
From Other Cities, Part 2: Megabus
For Something Different: Boston Pedicabs
For Exercise: By Bicycle
Bluebikes + Bikeshare Services
From Nearby: By Foot (!)

(Need more Fenway Park help? I got ya! Check out my insider tips for scoring cheap Red Sox tickets, this highly detailed primer on seating, and this guide to the Fenway Park menu!)

Okay, let’s get started, after this quick word from my friends at Gametime:

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Best Way To Get To Fenway Park, #1) MBTA Subway.

Because nothing says team spirit like standing on a crowded train!

Fenway has precious little parking…so I dedicated a separate post to that. But if you’re a first time Fenway visitor, I highly recommend that you don’t drive…take the “T”. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) runs a plethora of rail and bus lines near Fenway Park, and it’s way better for newbies.

The T runs several inexpensive rail lines throughout the city; the trains are old but air-conditioned and generally safe. The MBTA’s Green Line’s B, C, and D trains drop riders off directly at the Kenmore stop, about a block and a half from Fenway Park along Lansdowne Street (and sports bars). The “E” train drops you off a cliff or something.

There is a “Fenway” stop on the Green Line D train route—this actually drops you off at the Fenway neighborhood rather than at Fenway Park. It may be a trick to wear out Yankees fans before the game. It’s not much further away and you can use it (there’s actually less of a stampede walking there), but Kenmore is still closer to the ballpark.

Green Line trains get extremely crowded both before and after Red Sox games, the blob of sweaty humanity growing with each stop as you get closer to Kenmore. Get your round trip ticket or a “CharlieCard” pass beforehand, rather than stand in line on the way out behind people that don’t know what they’re doing (and there’s always one). After the game, it’s very easy to follow the baseball crowd to the station.

As you can see on this helpful map, Prudential is just a few inches away from Kenmore.

If you don’t mind walking a little bit to avoid a crowded car (it’s a good reason, trust me), you can try the ill-advised E line after all. Fenway is about a 20-minute walk from either one of the Prudential and Symphony stops, and many people park at the Pru Center for games.

The Orange Line similarly isn’t much further at the Massachusetts Avenue or Back Bay stations. There is plenty of inexpensive parking at the stations on the ends of the Orange Line.

The T’s other lines all connect with the Green Line: the Red and Orange Lines transfer at Park Street Station, and the Blue Line (extending to Logan Airport) transfers at Government Center. Park Street is extremely busy, but there are signs there telling you how to get to Fenway Park. You can also access the Green Line from the Silver Bus line at Riverside.

The last T trains run till a little after midnight; remember that this applies to all of them if you need to transfer. Games probably won’t run that late, and sometimes MBTA will hold the last Green Line trains after later games. Just be prepared. If you miss it, there may be a bus you can use depending on your destination; otherwise, you may need a taxi or rideshare.

Fenway is prepared. Are you?

The MBTA actually has ticket vending machines at Fenway, in case you forgot a return trip card or had a fight with your significant other during the game. There are two at Gates A and C, and one at Gate E.

MBTA’s website has a detailed listing of stations on each line and what they charge for parking. Most of the other lines have pay parking on their outer reaches. Coming from outside the city you should seek this out. Inside the city, you may find cheaper lots near the T than at Fenway, but parking will still be high.

As far as I can tell, there aren’t any stations with free parking, and the city has been increasing meter rates near some stations like St. Mary’s. Best to just save the gas and park at stations from outside the city. There is ample parking for the Green Line at the Riverside and Woodland D train stations, for example. Even with a couple of train tickets, it’s still much cheaper than a Fenway lot.

The D goes eastbound to get to Fenway and westbound back, and trains are a tad less crowded than those going to the heart of Beantown. Not to mention no transfers required. It is above ground light rail until just before Kenmore. If I have a choice, I go for D over B or C.

Best Way To Get To Fenway Park, #2) MBTA Bus.

No one getting on…it’s like they don’t even know.

The Red Sox used to run a free Ruggles Shuttle from the Ruggles Station on the Orange Line to save fans a transfer, but no more unfortunately. You can, however, use routes 8 or 19 to get from Ruggles to Fenway (or again, just walk from Back Bay station, about a mile). The bus is only a couple bucks and might be more comfortable than a packed Green Line ride.

The Red Sox list the buses on their website that run to or near Kenmore Square. Check the schedule before using a bus though; some of them don’t run late into the evening. If you know the area well enough, you might find a place to park for free along one of the bus routes.

Sometimes, but not always, the buses get as packed as a T car on game days; on the way back you may prefer to take a T train to avoid standing on a bus in post-game traffic. It takes about 20 minutes to get to Park Street by bus.

Remember that buses deal with Boston traffic; you get a nicer view of the city but it takes longer than a train.

Best Way To Get To Fenway Park, #3) MBTA Commuter Rail.

Because being on time for baseball is important too.

The MBTA runs commuter rail services from the farther reaches of the Boston area. The Framingham/Worcester Line’s Lansdowne Station is about 500 feet from Fenway, where people pay upwards of $60 to park. You can see Fenway from the platform.

Commuter Rail is more expensive, but it is far less congested than the Green Line. You’ll likely have a seat for the whole ride.

Coming from the south, other commuter rail lines connect with the Framingham/Worcester Line at the South or Back Bay Stations; coming from the north it’s easiest to use the Green Line from the North Station. (Here’s the map so you can see what I mean.) Fares are calculated by zones, so transferring doesn’t cost much extra.

She gave me several options!

Most stations charge a small bit for parking, but it’s not much; often it’s as little as $2 for the day. Or you can park at the inexpensive Pru Center or Clarendon garage, and get on the Framingham Line at the Back Bay station (one of my favorite parking hacks). Lansdowne is in the same zone so it’s cheap, and even with one or two people it’s cheaper than parking at Fenway.

The last train on the Framingham/Worcester Line leaves just before midnight, but the MBTA states that departure times change based on the length of the game; I’m guessing that means they’ll stick around for extra innings or rain delayed games.

The Lansdowne Station has been expanded and has about 40 stops at Fenway per day now, with full service back to Worcester. This makes commuter rail a much more viable option for Red Sox games, especially day games. If there’s only one or two of you going, Commuter Rail is a better option than the subway if you’re close to a station.

$$$ Tightwad Tip! $$$ Kids under 11 ride the T free with a paying adult, and there are senior citizen, student and disabled discounts. The MBTA also offers a weekend pass for Commuter Rail, which is very economical for visitors.

OK, so there’s your public transit; here’s a few more ways to get to America’s favorite ballpark after this quick word from SpotHero…

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Best Way To Get To Fenway Park, #4) Taxicab/Rideshare.

With a name like “Top Cab”, you know it’s great service.

With traffic around Fenway being what it is, be ready for a hefty fee using a cab or a rideshare service. I’m not entirely knocking it; it’s nice to avoid having to park your car and ride on a crowded train. But they will charge for peak times before or after games.

The Uber people recommend requesting that you pick up and drop off from Brookline Avenue, Boylston Street, or Ipswich Street. They also suggest avoiding trying to get a ride from Jersey Street, Lansdowne Street or Van Ness Street. (hint: for reference, these streets all border the ballpark.)

Honestly, if you plan to use this option, try to get out of the general area first. Maybe head towards the Pru Center and make the call somewhere along the way.

Best Way To Get To Fenway Park, #5) Amtrak.

Don’t slide down the middle part here. I tried it, you’ll chafe.

If you’re arriving in Boston on an Amtrak train, you can step off at Back Bay Station or South Station, neither of which are far from a T stop. Back Bay isn’t too long a walk from the ballpark, for that matter; it’s about a mile.

From the South Station you can take the Red Line and transfer, or you can use Back Bay Station and take the Green Line at Copley Square, or the Worcester Commuter Rail line for a one ride trip to the park. None are particularly difficult.

Best Way To Get To Fenway Park, #6) Megabus.

Just wait right here.

Megabus is a low cost city-to-city bus service with rates as low as $1 if booked at the right time (early); I’ve done this to get to Fenway myself. I paid just $2.50 to go from NYC and back, a savings of probably close to $100 over gas, tolls and parking. That was a few years ago, but you might still find a great deal if you plan ahead.

The Megabus stop in Boston is at the same South Station where all the other buses and Amtrak stop; from there follow the steps to get to the Red Line T. It’s another transfer to get to the Green Line, but it’s a short ride.

Coming from New York especially this is a great option; as I’ve shown it can be super cheap, and there are plenty of routes. I’ve ridden in a few Megabuses; they’re generally pretty comfortable and their drivers are careful, which I can’t say about every bus service.

Best Way To Get To Fenway Park, #7) Boston Pedicabs.

If you’ve driven in downtown Boston, you know.

Here is a big city American solution to a traffic problem. A company called Boston Pedicabs offers rickshaws with very fit bicyclists. They get you to Fenway while bypassing the unmitigated mess that is Boston traffic. Saves gas and lots of aggravation.

People enjoy the Pedicab rides. The drivers are personable, and fans can enjoy the city without having to focus on the idiot in front of them. Best of all, you pay what you think it’s worth. That’s right, these fellows live entirely on tips; don’t let me hear about you stiffing any of them.

The Boston Pedicabs website says they’ll pick you up just about anywhere in Boston proper; Prudential Center and Copley Square are popular locations, and they’ll be at Gates B, C and on Lansdowne Street after the game. If you can’t find one, you can call or order online and they’ll find you.

Best Way To Get To Fenway Park, #8) Bicycle.

Cycle off those outside sausages!

If you want to two-wheel it to Fenway, the Red Sox have set up a bicycle valet at Gate D (the corner of Jersey Street and Van Ness), which is now available for all games. It’s a great way to avoid traffic and crowded trains, and get some exercise to walk off those nachos.

Just ride your cycle to the ballpark and they’ll park it for you and give you a claim check. It’s safe and free, although I expect you should probably tip them when you get it back.

Making things even better for cyclists, the city is in the midst of completing a “Fenway Path”, a pedestrian and bicycle friendly passageway that extends from the Emerald Necklace in Brookline to Lansdowne Station on the Commuter Rail, steps from Fenway Park.

On a nice day, this could be a superb opportunity to get exercise, see nice parts of Boston, and enjoy a Red Sox game. I haven’t tried it though, so don’t quote me that it’s completely safe.

You can’t bring your bike onto a Green Line train (you wouldn’t want to, believe me), but most MBTA stations have bicycle racks.

Best Way To Get To Fenway Park, #9) Bluebikes Bikeshare.

All for less than the parking meter!

Bluebikes is a bicycle-sharing system that has grown in popularity in Boston. There are now stations at Kenmore Square, Boylston Street and multiple other spots. The Red Sox are kind enough to list them for you.

Bluebikes members pay a monthly fee and can access any bikes around the city for rides of 45 minutes or less. If you can book a little bit, you can get a bike from just about anywhere in the city and get to Fenway very cheaply. Bluebikes also offers single trips and day passes for an affordable fee.

As you can see from their system map, Bluebikes are all over the place, including in nearby Boston suburbs. As I write this, there are over 400 stations and 4,000 bicycles, which should be enough for you. You can use their app to see what’s available and where the closest station is.

It gets even better…Bluebikes even has e-bikes. Look for the bolt on your bicycle icon on the app. Not sure, but you might have to search a bit to find one of those after a Red Sox game.

Best Way To Get To Fenway Park, #10) Walking.

There’s even helpful signage in the city!

Boston is a very compact, walkable city, and generally safe to walk around in. If you’re staying downtown or making a day of visiting one of America’s most historic cities, you can sometimes get to Fenway Park on foot from some spots faster than a T car can (especially adding the wait for one). Keep in mind the Fenway Path if you’re coming from Brookline.

If you don’t mind hoofing it a few blocks, you can hop on a train at a T station that’s less likely to be packed, like the aforementioned Orange Line to Back Bay. Finding your way back to Back Bay is easy enough, with the Pru Center skyscraper in view from the ballpark. I have done this after night games and didn’t feel unsafe at all. (I’m a big dude though, so your mileage may vary.)

Boston is a beautiful city; I’ve greatly enjoyed strolls through town on nice days.

You’re here? Great, my work is done. Would you like to know about the ballpark food?

There you go folks, essential information for how to get to Fenway Park for your next Red Sox game. Fenway Park is a great place for baseball, but you should definitely know what you’re doing. It’s not for amateurs. Be sure you know how to pick a great seat, how you can find deals on tickets, and what to eat at the game!

Hope you enjoyed the read and found it helpful; and of course, I greatly appreciate your supporting Ballpark E-Guides sponsors!

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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 in the concession stands.

I’m here to help…below I’ve listed ten of my favorite Oriole Park at Camden Yards food choices. I included some new food offerings for 2024. And of course, 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”…

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.

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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. As of 2024, you can order their nachos on Eutaw Street too.

I’ll be happy to mash this one with my teeth. (photo courtesy of Fuzzie’s Burgers)

Camden Yards Food, Tip #5) Fuzzie’s Burgers.

Nothing against Baseline Burgers, but Camden Yards needed to rep a local burger joint too, and in 2024 they did that with Fuzzie’s Burgers. Fuzzie’s is a handcrafted, dry-aged, Angus beef burger, which you can watch them actually smash at the ballpark. They even locally source their buns, produce and cheese.

Fuzzie’s started as a pop-up turned food truck during the pandemic, and soon opened a stationary location on 30th Street. They already have a cult following…think Shake Shack for Baltimoreans.

At their new outpost in the City Connect corner of the Yard, there’s multiple burger offerings, including the “Hot Fuzz”…double burger with fruitwood bacon, pimento cheese, hot pepper jelly and sweet fury pickles. Smash it indeed. But you can get that Plainy Janie cheeseburger if you like too.

And if you like the Hot Fuzz, check out the event schedule for their food truck! Fuzzie’s offers some perfectly nice fries too.

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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 now made by Berks Foods in Reading, PA, which is almost local I guess.

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 a 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 significant 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.

Here’s a couple more new items for 2024, including a great new dessert option…

ALRIGHT, I admit it, New York isn’t all bad!

Camden Yards Food, Tip #8) Pat & Stuggs.

Pat & Stuggs, a new stand in 2024 at the Yard, combines two very established institutions for dogs and beef…the aforementioned Stuggy’s of course, along with Pat LaFrieda meats (warning: possible treason alert coming!). If you don’t know who Pat LaFrieda is, he is a New York-based meat purveyor who supplies beef to chefs and restaurants in NYC.

OK, so maybe it’s tough for Orioles fans to embrace anything that came from Yankeeland…but with that kind of track record LaFrieda’s earned the right to at least give him a chance.

The offerings at this stand are amazing (and gather lines). Try the pictured Shaved Ribeye Dog, which as you can see looks like Baltimore and NYC can find a way to get along. There’s also cheesesteaks and cheeseburgers, including a double bacon cheeseburger. (Pat makes the bacon too.)

Can’t knock the value of beef…

I am won over.

Camden Yards Food, Tip #9) Deddle’s Donuts.

Deddle’s mini-donuts, as I write this, are only available for weekend games, but that’s probably just as well…they might be too good for a season ticket holder to have every night.

For a brief history, Deddle’s started as a donuts and fried chicken food truck owned by Robin Holmes in her mother’s memory…she bought the food truck herself for the venture, which is pretty cool. Their hot and fresh donuts are popular enough that they’ll be opening a stand at the Lexington Market soon.

I’m not sure if you can get the donuts made-to-order here; according to the Ballpark app they come in assorted boxes with flavors like funnel cake, honey glaze, and churro. But they are hot and fresh; and mini donuts with some fruity pebbles is a high end ballpark treat.

And if it’s Monday, you can always look for the food truck…

Just keep reading, check out what’s in the Rutsch Sundae!

There are several dessert options at Camden Yards, including Dippin’ Dots and Rita’s water ice. But I chose another 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 actually states that the family that processes their milk is 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, they have a smaller menu here, but they do have a “Rutsch Sundae”, 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 food favorites at the home of the Baltimore Orioles that should make you happy you love baseball.

I left out a few things of course, like the impressive funnel cakes, the Oro and Squire’s pizzas, the Buffalo Bird Dog, and the Fuku chicken sandos. There’s nothing wrong with any of them, but other than the pizzas 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 my friend. If you haven’t bought your Orioles ticket yet, read this guide to landing a seat at Camden Yards. And check this page for many more great Orioles game pro tips!

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Hello baseball fans and Braves game goers! I’m back again with a bunch of insider tips for how to buy cheap Braves tickets, for your next baseball game at beautiful Truist Park! (formerly SunTrust Park)

Not trying to brag, but I have extensively researched the topic, and compiled my best money saving tips for you here. Below are your options to find the best deal on tickets for your next visit to the home of the Atlanta Braves.

I suggest you read through this entire post if you can, because it’s all helpful. But I’m happy to break it into parts for you:

Using The Atlanta Braves Website
Buying From Third Party Sites
Buying From Facebook Forums + Craigslist
Get A Seat Upgrade
The Braves Box Office
Join The Kids Club
Find Low Demand Games
Wait Until The Last Minute, Maybe
Use The Atlanta Weather
Bring Your Friends
Help The Community
When All Else Fails…Use The Cheap Seats

Ready? Okay, here we go, after this highly applicable bit of advice from our sponsor!

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How To Buy Cheap Atlanta Braves Tickets, Tip #1) Using The Braves Website.

The Braves don’t make their website URL obvious, but they do share a helpful search phrase.

Buying tickets through the Atlanta Braves website is, of course, the easiest and most trusted way to buy Braves tickets. You will need the MLB Ballpark app on your phone, and the Braves will send your tickets there. To my knowledge, they don’t do paper tickets anymore (I don’t know any team that does).

Here is my most important tip for saving money on Braves tickets: sign up for the Braves’ ticket alert newsletter. The Braves will frequently send you a special offer or three, as well as info about giveaway nights and other benefits.

Perhaps more importantly, they’ll tell you when tickets go on sale; which is usually the best time to get tickets for high demand games. If you’re looking for tickets to a game against the Phillies in July, buying through the Braves on the day of sale will probably be cheapest. The Braves offer multi-game packs that include high demand games, so if you can go to a few games that could be a swell deal. Give away your extras as Christmas presents.

The Braves use dynamic pricing, which means that ticket prices rise and fall according to demand. In my experience, ticket prices don’t usually drop much, but they can often go up a fair bit. So that’s all the more reason to check your ticket alerts.

I’ll talk more about third party providers in a bit, but currently the Braves feature a link to SeatGeek on their tickets page, as their official reseller. The Braves sell premium seats to season ticket holders only (and there are a lot of premium seats), but you can usually find something on third party sites for single games.

Before you buy tickets on the Braves website, check their ticket specials. As I write this you can take advantage of Coca-Cola Wednesdays, Blue Moon weekdays, and the T-Mobile Value Pack. The Braves offer discounted tickets to military personnel and first responders, and it’s a great deal. Again, they will almost always let you know about these deals in their ticket alert newsletter.

Finally, one last piece of advice that’s pretty important. If you’re comparing ticket prices on the Braves site with third party sites, be sure to go all the way to the checkout screen and know what you’re really paying. You might find a better deal elsewhere when you add in the fees.

It wouldn’t hurt to follow the Braves on your favorite social media platform too, just saying.

How To Buy Cheap Braves Tickets, Tip #2) Using Third Party Sites.

Windows closed? Time for Plan B.

I mentioned the Braves linking to SeatGeek for resales on their tickets page. But you can usually find a similar selection of Braves tickets on other third party sites, including StubHub, Vivid Seats and several others.

Gametime is a favorite of Ballpark E-Guides (full disclosure: they’re an affiliate). In my experience, they offer slightly better deals than most. Gametime curates the best ticket deals for you, you can toggle “all-in” pricing to see the fees included the price, and they’re great for last minute tickets (a key tip I’ll talk about shortly).

Third party sites are your best chance at finding a single game ticket in the premium seats, like the Delta Sky 360, Xfinity Club or Chop House seats. Get access to that exclusive Chipper Jones lounge (no, he doesn’t hang out there). These are exclusive to season ticket holders, and few of them go to every game. If you search closer to game time, you might find a steal on Gametime.

For high demand games, say, a contest against the Yankees on a July weekend, hopefully you’ve bought tickets from the Braves in advance. Face value will still probably be your best bet, so try the Braves website first. If this is in your plans, it helps to plan ahead as much as possible.

If you’re looking for a better deal than what the Braves ask, you might have some luck searching around for low demand games. Try a weekday game in May against Colorado. Again, very important, with third party sites especially, go all the way to the checkout screen! (Usually that’s the screen that has a “Place Your Order” button or something similar.)

How To Buy Cheap Braves Tickets, Tip #3) Buying From Facebook Forums + Craigslist

In Atlanta, baseball fans look out for each other.

This is actually a little-known option to a lot of fans. There are Facebook groups where season ticket holders sell their extras to people…without the fees. Braves Ticket Marketplace is one, Atlanta Braves Ticket Exchange is another. You can also search for “braves tickets” or something similar on Facebook.

That said, there is some inherent risk with buying from a Facebook group. It is similar to Craigslist (or buying from scalpers back in the day, but there aren’t any of those anymore).

You probably won’t get scammed, and the moderators do their best to ensure no one does, but take some precautions. Find out as much as you can about the seller, and don’t go for an offer that looks too good to be true.

Buying from season ticket holders is your best bet for access to premium areas like the Chop House seats. Couldn’t hurt to look. In addition, season ticket holders, depending on their section, get all sorts of perks like parking passes, merch discounts, and access to climate-controlled clubs.

As far as Craigslist, A-List members sell their wares there too. I’ve written more about buying baseball tickets on Craigslist here. Again, there’s no guarantee in place there, so treat Craigslist sellers like scalpers; verify whatever you can.

How To Buy Cheap Braves Tickets, Tip #4) Get An Upgrade You!

Try it tomorrow, too!

I personally love this idea. Did you know that you can upgrade your seats once you’re in the ballpark? Yep…since you’re using the MLB Ballpark app to store your tickets anyway, you can level up on the app after buying a cheap ticket, and potentially save a bundle on the face price for much better seats.

I’ve read several accounts from Braves fans who scored sweet ticket deals doing this. That said, I wouldn’t expect to move from the 400 level to the Truist Club seats for 20 extra bucks. The Braves are smarter than that. But on a low demand night, grab the cheap seats and then see what’s out there once you get in.

I’m not sure that you’ll get access to the exclusive experience clubs, with complimentary food and drinks and all that (you can read about those on my Truist Park seating page), at least not for a small increase. But you can definitely improve your view cheaply with this if seats are available.

The Braves don’t specifically say when this ends during the game. I have read 15 minutes before first pitch. If you want to try it, go for it as soon as you check in at the ballpark.

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How To Buy Cheap Braves Tickets, Tip #5) The Braves Box Office.

Your reference point. And maybe a nice pre-game spot.

Yes, as I write this sentence you can still go to the box office for your Braves tickets. The ticket windows are across from the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre, in the Battery Atlanta.

This isn’t a bad option if you live or are near the ballpark. The Braves don’t charge fees when you buy tickets at the box office (the price of tickets might be slightly higher, but you’ll probably come out ahead). If you go early enough, you can park for free for a couple of hours in the nearby Red Deck, but you’ll have to move before the game unless you want to pay a hefty amount.

Unfortunately at the moment you can only buy tickets on game days; the Braves open their windows a few hours before the event. Hopefully they’ll change this policy in the future, but for now it’s game days only.

Keep in mind also that while you’re at the game, you can also get future game tickets at the windows inside. They close after the 6th inning. If you can land future game tickets at face without fees, score.

How To Buy Cheap Braves Tickets, Tip #6) Join The Kids Club.

When they have someone behind the sign, ask about it.

If you have little ones and are planning a Braves game, definitely make them members of the Braves Kids Club.

Membership currently is free (although that could change), and includes lots of nice stuff. You get a discount on tickets for Kids Club Sundays, and it also includes free games in Hope & Will’s Sandlot. Kids can also run the bases after the game on Kids Club Days, which you’ll want to get in line early for.

The Braves say that they’re working on a bigger and better Kids Club, so check back on this. In my experience, most teams’ Kids Clubs are well worth the cost. In the past paid memberships included a buy one get one ticket offer and some cool swag, so the Braves could bring that or a similar deal back at some point.

How To Buy Cheap Braves Tickets, Tip #7) Find Low Demand Games.

Hmmm, must be the Rockies tonight…

If all you want is to see a game, or if you’re a thrifty ballpark road tripper who just wants to visit Truist Park, it’s well worth the trouble to look for a low demand game. This, combined with waiting to buy your tickets and using third party sites like Gametime, can save you a bundle.

The Braves draw very well, since as I write this they offer a high-quality product. But they draw less on Monday through Wednesday, and they draw fewer fans in April, May, and September than they do in June, July and August. Once July hits, most games get close to sellouts, but weekday games might drop in attendance a bit.

The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies bring in bigger numbers, and the recent resurgence in Baltimore has turned up new crowds of Orioles fans. If the Nationals are good, you’ll probably see larger crowds for that too. That said, the month and day of week matter more than the opponent.

April is the best month for low demand games if you can swing it. Weather wise in Atlanta, it shouldn’t be bad at all. Try for a weekday game against another team than who I’ve listed here.

How To Buy Cheap Braves Tickets, Tip #8) Wait Until The Last Minute, Maybe.

Don’t get shut out of the ballpark, just saying.

One of the reasons I suggest Gametime for your third party tickets is that they’re great for last minute tickets, and in some cases you can score a sweet deal even after the game starts. I know, I don’t like missing baseball, but it’s a great option if you’re already late.

Waiting until the last minute can work well for low demand games. If you are searching for two tickets to a May game against Oakland, there can be some precipitous price drops some hours before the game, including for the high end tickets.

This is, however, a strategy for games that aren’t that important to you. I wouldn’t try it for a specific game you want, weekend contests in July, or if I was going with more than two people. But for one or two tickets, there’s often great opportunities for deals as people get desperate to unload their extras. You could find something at half the price or less than what the Braves ask for it.

If you want to see this for yourself, check Gametime a few times, and compare their prices to the Braves website just before first pitch. You can get an idea of this phenomenon in action.

How To Buy Cheap Braves Tickets, Tip #9) Use The Atlanta Weather.

In July, a lot of those seats in the sun could be available.

Speaking of the weather, it’s a genuine factor in your enjoyment of a game at Truist Park. There’s a reason for that big roof over the 400 level seats. Finding shade can be a big factor in choosing your seat here.

You can, though, use this to your advantage. If it’s a sweltering day, people with tickets in the outfield seats, seats on the third base side of the field, and maybe even premium seats, might decide to enjoy the game in the comfort of their homes instead. Team spirit has its limits everywhere.

So if the weather doesn’t seem to be conducive to enjoying baseball, have a look at resale ticket prices on Gametime. You might score a steal. The Braves draw well even in the Atlanta summer heat, but plenty of people complain about it too.

Remember that if you do land a premium seat, that you’ll have access to some sort of climate-controlled area where you can duck out of the elements. If not, you could also try the upgrade option.

How To Buy Cheap Braves Tickets, Tip #10) Bring Your Friends.

“Come on, we’ll all fit in my truck!”

If you live in the Atlanta area, you may know someone who’s put together a group of people for a Braves game. So you know, that’s a smart fan. (And a pretty cool person, of course.) You have to plan well ahead for this for the best deals, so start looking for 19 other fans to go now.

For just regular seats, the Braves give a discount on tickets, and the higher the ticket price, the bigger the discount. The real benefit though is no per-ticket fees…the Braves charge one single fee for your order, as opposed to per-ticket fees. That’s a big savings with a larger group if you can swing it.

Truist Park also has multiple options for gathering spaces to watch games. (I will post about that someday.) Have your group sit under the Chop House, at the Hank Aaron Terrace, or on a Rooftop patio. And incidentally, some of these spots are pretty sweet.

If you organize a gathering, the Braves might throw in added concessions value, play tokens for the kids, discounted parking passes, stuff like that. You can find out more about your options here. If you like enough people that you work with to spend a night at the game, it’s a great way to save a few bucks on your own tickets.

How To Buy Cheap Braves Tickets, Tip #11) Help The Community.

Look for the Braves’ Giving Gazebo!

If you have a few moments sometime, have a look at the Braves Community page. If nothing else, you’ll learn about blood drives at the ballpark, 5K runs, and other things you can participate in to help your Atlanta area neighbors.

But on occasion, the Braves offer tickets for certain things. As I write this, the team is featuring special days for breast cancer and prostate cancer awareness, and for both games cancer survivors get a free ticket and t-shirt, and their family members get ticket discounts. If you know a breast cancer survivor, they deserve a Braves game.

For another example, right now you can nominate a hero you know for four free tickets to a game through the Braves’ “Dream Seats”. Which is worth doing anyway, so summon some skills. Not that you should do it just so they’ll take you with them, but they probably would.

I won’t say you’ll often find free or cheap ticket opportunities with this, but it doesn’t hurt to look through the Community page, or sign up for the Braves Community newsletter. You may find an opportunity to help your fellow human, and enjoy a game cheaply doing it. Underrated tip, in my opinion.

How To Buy Cheap Braves Tickets, Tip #12) When All Else Fails…Use The Cheap Seats

“HE MISSED THE TAG!!”

Well, finally, I know this isn’t a money-saving tip per se, but there are a large amount of seats at Truist Park that are in the price range of tightwads like me. The cheaper sections are the 400 level, the outer edges of the 300 level, and Coca-Cola Corner seats. These start at a very low price, and buying through the box office without the fees makes for cheap Braves tickets. Remember, the Braves sell tickets during games until the sixth inning.

You can find out more information about the cheap seats in my comprehensive Truist Park seating guide, but just for the record…the 400 level seats are almost entirely covered by the roof, so shade won’t be something you’ll worry about, which is nice. The left field corner of the 400 level is general admission, and they’re the cheapest seats in the ballpark.

If the game isn’t well attended, you should be able to improve your position a little bit, especially if there are only one or two of you. In the 300 and 400 levels especially, ushers aren’t terribly tough, and you can at least look for something in the shade.

And there’s always the upgrade opportunity, which could net you a great seat for a fraction of the cost!
 

You’re in? Fantastic…my work here is done. Check back anytime!

There you go my friends, my best tips for scoring cheap tickets for Atlanta Braves games. Or for any Truist Park special events. I hope you find these tips useful and they save you a few bucks…or help you afford an opportunity for great seats with lots of amenities. Any questions, feel free to drop me a line.

Be sure to check out my Truist Park seating guide, and Follow Ballpark E-Guides on Facebook to see any new Truist Park tips…thanks for reading, and for supporting our sponsors!

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Greetings baseball fans, ballpark nerds and Braves game goers! This here is my fully detailed, info-rich Truist Park seating guide. 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

Ready? OK, let’s get this party started, after this quick word from our sponsor!

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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 Gametime 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.

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.

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 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!)

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, the best ways to get there, 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…

Gametime has your cheap Cubs tickets…with a lowest price guarantee, panoramic seat view photos, and great last minute deals…even after the game starts!

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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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If you can’t find the trailer, just go online!

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 Gametime (full disclosure: they’re my affiliate), because they very often have the best deals, they curate all of their best offers, and they’re fantastic for last minute tickets, which I’ll talk about in a bit.

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 Gametime 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.)
 

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 Gametime, 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…they even offer deals after the game starts, great if you’re late anyway.

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!

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

Hello dear readers! I have recently made a change to my site and wanted to let you know why.

As some of you know, this blog is supported in part by affiliate programs. When I send my readers to certain sites and they make a purchase, this blog receives a percentage of the sale. It helps to pay for hosting, site support, promotional services, and other necessities of running a blog.

Below, I’m sharing why I now recommend Gametime for finding deals on baseball tickets.

I chose Gametime for several reasons. The biggest one was my surprise when I compared them to other resellers. When doing price comparisons, I found that Gametime was offering better prices than SeatGeek, TickPick, StubHub and several others for seats in similar sections. In fact, sometimes the price difference was significant. It may not be always the case, but I did notice it. (You can read more about comparing Gametime to other resellers here.)

In addition, I’ve found multiple benefits with using Gametime that not every other reseller offers. Have you ever been overwhelmed by all the seating choices for an event? Gametime only shows you the better deals. They’re aware you’re not going to pay $4,000 for a Rays bleachers ticket. You can use their panoramic seat view option to see the view from your seat, which helps make the decision easier.

Most importantly, you can toggle “all-in pricing” so you can see the full cost of the ticket…which is a big factor in the price as we all know.

You can stop here for your tickets. Or just use the Gametime app!

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And needless to say, since they are an affiliate, if you use that link and make a purchase, Ballpark E-Guides receives a percentage of the sale, at no extra cost to you. As always, I really appreciate your support. If you have any questions about this or anything else, feel free to contact me.

Thanks for reading, and I’ll see you at the Yard!

(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!)

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 my friends at SpotHero!

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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Order your caps, jerseys, and more now at MLBShop.com and save!

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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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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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 Gametime:

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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.

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.

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.

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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.)

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 Gametime 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.

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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(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 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.
 

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 Gametime 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 Gametime is my favorite reseller (full disclosure, they are also an affiliate), because they offer better deals than most and are great for last minute tickets especially.

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 Gametime 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 Gametime.

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! To compare prices, be sure to go all the way to the checkout screen to know what you’re really paying.

The best way to find a deal on Gametime 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 Gametime.

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.

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

First, this quick word from our sponsor:

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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.