The Top 10 Major League Baseball Ballparks
#10 -
Busch Stadium
On our MLB stadium tour (a tour that lasted 10 years), we saved one of the best for last! Even with already visiting the other 29 ballparks, Busch Stadium did not disappoint. Like many St. Louis attractions, it’s perfectly placed downtown and provides amazing centerfield views of the Gateway Arch and is surrounded by restaurants and hotels. Come see the team that has rostered so many legends of the game, including Stan Musial, Bob Gibson, and Albert Pujols. The Cardinals have hosted over 3 million visitors per year since it opened in 2006, making them one of the most popular teams in the league. The single game attendance record was set on Mother’s Day in 2019, when 48,556 people watched the Cards take on the Pirates, so maybe grab your mom and bring her out to one of the best ballparks in Major League Baseball!
#9 -
Wrigley Field
Come visit the Friendly Confines, home to the Chicago Cubs for over a century! As the oldest ballpark in the National League, opening in 1914 as Weeghman Park, it has become an iconic symbol of the city. Visit the historic ivy wall, look up at the manually operated scoreboard, behold its famous red sign, all why enjoying America’s favorite pastime. You will be sitting alongside history as well as the site of many movies, Babe Ruth’s “Called Shot”, and the place where “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” became a 7th inning tradition. You can even take a tour or visit the surrounding Wrigleyville area for pre and post game fun! This area features many restaurants, bars, shops, and live music. Most people recommend taking the CTA Red Line to get to the stadium to avoid crowded parking and high rates. But however you arrive, leave with a feeling of the Cubs historical charm. Go Cubs Go!
#8 -
Oracle Park
Oracle Park, formally known as AT&T Park, formally known as SBC Park, formally known as Pacific Bell Park, is home to MLB’s San Francisco Giants. The ballpark lies along the San Francisco Bay, making it one of the most picturesque stadiums of Major League Baseball. The views, along with the food (hello garlic fries and wine bar), make it one of the best places to catch a baseball game in the country. It has a fun play area for kids and many street level bars and restaurants for pre and post game get togethers. Make the most of your trip to San Francisco and visit out blog post of the top 10 things to do in the city. Even as Dodger fans, we can admit that it’s a beautiful ballpark.
#7 -
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
This gorgeous ballpark in downtown Baltimore opened in 1992 and ushered in a new era of MLB stadiums. At the time, cities were building multi-purpose stadiums that would be shared between sports. Camden Yards broke that trend and started a new way by creating this throwback ballpark. Part of the stadium’s signature style was created by incorporating the B&O Warehouse into the design. The old railroad warehouse building is over 120 years old, with construction having begun in 1899. No player has ever hit the building in a game, however, the Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. did hit a homer off of it during the 1993 Home Run Derby, which elated the fans in attendance. They have also included bronze baseballs here to mark the spots where home runs have been hit over the outfield wall. The stadium is modern yet vintage, and pioneered a new era of amazing MLB ballparks. While here, make sure to visit the statues commemorating all of their Hall of Famers. This ballpark also has one of the friendliest staff and one of the best tours we’ve encountered! For these reasons and many more, it’s definitely worthy of a top 10 ranking.
#6 -
Nationals Park
Representing our nation’s capital, and home to the aptly named Washington Nationals, this premier ballpark brings to you America’s pastime just south of the country’s Capitol building and Washington Monument. In fact, these can even be seen from the stadium, along with a view of the conjoining riverfront. The playing field was built 24 feet below ground level, making it unique and less strenuous for the fans to get to the other levels of the park. The stadium boasts many luxury padded seats and suites, along with many food options. Most notable are its PNC Diamond Club and the Red Porch Restaurant located in centerfield. National’s Park also has a children’s play area dubbed “Strike Zone” as well as its famous cherry blossom trees that represent the city. The stadium tour offers something that no other MLB stadium tour offers: an opportunity to throw some pitches in the bullpen! Our group had a great time throwing some balls off the same mound that countless MLBers have thrown off of before. It has great sights and is easily accessible by way of public transport, and is even bike friendly! When in D.C., make it a point to stop by and enjoy a game!
#5 -
PNC Park
Pittsburgh Pirate’s Stadium-Home to the Pittsburgh Pirates since 2001, this stadium is highly revered among baseball fans. It is in a great location showcasing the skyline along the North Shore of the city, with sweeping views of the Allegheny River that sits nearby. It was really fun to walk across the bridge of the river when coming to and leaving the ballpark. The stadium is also loved for its clear angles of the field from every seat and the homage it pays to the four past stadiums and honorable players of the team, such as Roberto Clemente. Seats along the 3rd base line have some of the best views of any MLB stadium, gazing upon the downtown skyline. PNC Park made a tremendous effort to include modern day architectural styles, while still embracing the classic ballpark feel. You can enjoy the game and also the food from one of the many restaurants or food courts. We ate a donut cheeseburger. Yes, you’re reading that correctly, a donut cheeseburger. And it was delicious. You can also walk along the outer promenade for great sights and some of Pittsburgh’s favorite eateries, let the kids run around in the Play Land, or stop for a beer at the 500 seat deck, Brew Pub. We were inspired from their “Great Pierogi Race,” and had to snack on some of that local fare as well. A stadium definitely built for the fans, you can even arrive to music via a riverboat. We definitely recommend a game here while visiting.
#4 - Fenway Park
Home to the Boston Red Sox since 1912, this is the oldest and most iconic of the baseball stadiums. It is distinguished by its infamous Green Monster, a 37 ft. tall wall in left field, “The Triangle”, and Pesky’s Pole. This ballpark has seen many changes throughout its lifespan, but continues to remain a beloved place for fans who still come out in huge crowds. The stadium itself seats less than 40,000, making it one of the smaller parks, but that hasn’t stopped it from hosting 11 World Series and many other city and sporting events. It is located in the Kenmore area of Boston, which is bustling with restaurants, clubs, and sports bars. It is close to museums, gardens, and walking trails as well. Other notable sights include the baseball legends statue on Van Hess Street and the solo red chair, commemorating the great Ted Williams. Taking the stadium tour is a great way to explore all the areas of the stadium and you even get to go above the Green Monster! We would love to go back and highly recommend taking in a game or tour while visiting Massachusetts!
#3 -
Petco Park
Home of the San Diego Padres, Petco Park, more than any other MLB stadium, feels like a part of it’s hometown. They do an amazing job of incorporating aspects of their city into their ballpark. Most of their eateries are local restaurants, they do a great job of paying homage to their military roots (offer great discounts to those who have served), and have a wide open park in the outfield for the kiddos to run around in. It is located right in the heart of the Gaslamp District close to hotels and sports bars! We like to enter the ballpark early, allowing us to try to catch some home runs during batting practice and then enjoy something delicious like Pizza Port!
#2 - Citi Field
One of the newer MLB stadiums, Citi Field has been home to the New York Mets since 2009. The ballpark is modern yet it pays tribute to the past. One of the coolest aspects of the park is the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. You’ll enter the rotunda as you go through the front entrance gate and you’ll be greeted with a vintage ballpark feel. You’ll be surrounded by pictures and quotes from the man who broke baseball’s color barrier in the neighboring Brooklyn in 1947. The Mets spared no expense in creating this beautiful park, which offers private clubs and a ton of food options. We just love all the details they put in, like the “Shea Bridge” in the outfield concourse that pays homage to NY’s bridges and the Mets’ original ballpark (Shea Stadium). They even have a Shake Shack restaurant in centerfield! If you’re staying in Manhattan, getting to the park will involve a decently long subway ride. The purple 7 train will take you to Queens to the Met’s ballpark, look for express trains before and after the game to save some time.
#1 - Dodger Stadium
It’s time for Dodger baseball! Opening its doors in 1962, this stadium is now the third oldest and a piece of California history. It has encompassed so many great moments and great people in its time, including Sandy Koufax, Tommy Lasorda, and Vin Scully. There is nothing quite like going to a Dodger game. Arrive early to walk around, grab a Dodger Dog, and find your seats (not to mention avoiding the traffic). At Dodger Stadium, there is sure to always be a crowd! With one of the largest fan bases, it topped over 3.9 million fans coming through its doors this past season (2019, #1 in MLB). If driving, buy parking online ahead of time for a discount, or take an Uber or shuttle to save some money for drinks. As far as public transportation goes, your only good bet is to take a subway line that connects to union station, and from there you can take the free (with proof of a ticket) Dodger Stadium Express bus. The Dodgers offer more promotional nights than any other team in baseball and they organize an assortment of theme games (Star Wars Night, anyone?). Be sure to check out their website to learn about those promotions.
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