The Top Three Baseball Stadiums and Their Cities (as voted by me)
Now, baseball isn't exactly my cup of tea. Watching a televised baseball game is surely one of the seven circles of hell and only topped by televised golf on the boring scale. Live baseball games on the other hand, when you add in beer, people watching and junk food, aren't so bad - you might even say that they are fun (ok, I say it too!). So, while traveling around to different ball parks isn't exactly my top choice for adventure, it makes the husband happy and has been an invitation to see some fine American cities.
According to US News, Pittsburg, Philadelphia and Detroit are the top three cities for baseball fans to visit. I'm not too sure who is doing the ranking here but I sure would like to know their criteria! So while I'm sure Pitsburg is a perfectly lovely city, ahem, I don't think I will base my travel plans on their assessment. In the hope of offering a second, let's say more 'limited' offering, I want to release my own top three baseball cities and parks to rival this obviously East Coast-centric listing.
#1. AT&T Park in San Francisco
Okay, yes, I am biased as this is my home team field, but come on! You cannot get a more beautiful stadium than AT&T Park. The first time I went there (with amazing tickets 10 rows behind home plate) I felt like I was at Disneyland, everything was so new and colorful and plastic. The views of San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge are amazing. And who wouldn't want to spend a weekend in the city by the Bay? There are a wealth of activities and sites for the tourist to take in along with a baseball game, Golden Gate Park anyone!
AT&T Park also offers fun alternatives for kids with a mini baseball diamond and two giant slides. And if kids are your jam, there are some excellent food alternatives. And how many stadiums can you access by ferry or kayak! If you have time before or after the game you can enjoy the Embarcadero with a long stroll along San Francisco's piers.
#2. Seattle's Safeco Field
Seattle is a gorgeous city and the skyline makes a great backdrop for Safeco Field. The stadium is also super easy to get to on the Link Light Rail system. After spending sometime wandering this compact and hilly city, a baseball game is the perfect way to enjoy the views of the city, Puget Sound, and oh yeah, you can see the game action really good too!
The stadium is in the heart of Seattle's sports world with the Seahawk's and Sounders' shared CenturyLink Field right next door. Get out of the game and join the crowds milling around for a soccer game - Seattle's real past time, and you'll feel like you're right in the action.
Safeco also had a great place to watch players warm up before the game. You get pretty up close and personal with the players. I think they close this off once the game starts so make sure you cruise by early.
#3. Chicago's Wrigley Field
You will feel the history of the stadium and American baseball with buildings neighboring brick buildings forming part of the stadium and classic baseball icons honored throughout. And, while Cubs fans are pretty spirited, the crowd is friendly and fun to watch. We went a few years ago before the Cubs were doing well and we could pretty much roam wherever and changed seats several times. For baseball fans, Wrigley Field is a must-see institution.
We really liked this old hand-operated scoreboard and I was sad to hear that new electronic scoreboards have since been added, overshadowing this salute to baseball history. While Wrigley Field felt old, it was in a way that felt nostalgic and interesting, rather than just run down.
And talk about a fun city to visit! I'll write more on the joys of Chicago, but for now I'll just say, hello Lake Michigan, Navy Pier, Second City, Millennium Park, John Hancock Center, and Duck Boats!
So sure, I'm not overly excited to make it to Pittsburg or Cleveland but bring on Boston and New York. Even Milwaukee has charm, I'm sure, when viewed through beer-filled baseball goggles. Now, what are your top three baseball cities?
