MLB National Tour - Next Stop Busch Stadium (park, place)

[aragx6]

Did they have the roof open at Miller when you were there? I saw a game there a few years back and really didn't like the vibe from the inside (and I agree it's in a rather odd location!) but that might well be because I'd never seen baseball inside. I was not a fan of that -- and it wasn't even cold or rainy outside!

I adore Wrigley and the neighborhood around it is a blast -- the only downside to that place is that it took two full innings once to make it through the bathroom line (the guys have those troughs which makes everything go quicker I imagine!)

Kauffman is a great stadium but the area around it leaves a lot to be desired -- traffic shouldn't be too bad after the game though because not a lot of people go. After Chiefs games it can easily take 2 hours to get out of the parking lot.

[Fishtacos]

Originally Posted by jamespurdy2

Mike, I am from Philadelphia and I currently live in Baltimore. So I have to say, I already had my fair share of culture, experience, food, cool stadiums, night life, etc.

So far I have been to about 13 I think. This trip I am adding KC and STL. My favorite stadium so far is Miller Park in Milwaukee. It lacks the nightlife and other things to do around the stadium but it is just cool looking. Everyone there is friendly as well and we found an awesome strip of bars in the downtown area.

Other than that, I'd say Wrigley was my favorite. The park is just cool with its history and how small it is. There is a TON of stuff to do around the park as well. You really don't need to go far.

Fenway has a similar feel but the actual park is kind of industrial feeling. It is cool because it's old but that is about it. Red Sox fans might want to kill me for saying that.

Philly is awesome but if you ever get a chance to go to Baltimore, I'd highly recommend.

I'd recommend doing the trip no matter how into baseball you are. You can probably tell from my comments above that the actual baseball component of the trip has almost little to do with anything. I am going more for the experience of the city. Also, this year we specifically decided to go to games the Phillies were NOT playing. Philly people travel well and we tended to lose some of the home town flavor with red hats and the small group of trashy people that give us a bad reputation.

This is something of a hobby of mine. Imo, if you like Miller Park a lot, you'd really like Safeco Field in Seattle which imo is much better as a park. Miller Park is more similar to Arizona, which to me is just okay. Tailgaiting is always huge at Miller Park, like football. And, in recent years the team has been more competitive which adds to the fun and excitement. But as a park itself, Miller Park is just okay, somewhat sterile.

Wrigley in your example is great for the neighborhood, the history, and close sight lines, but it's falling apart and has lots of problems too.

As a park itself, Busch III in Stl is nothing more than middle of the road average, built on the cheap. Missed opportunity. And, of course the Ball Park Village disaster is well documented. But the team is in contention most years, stands are crowded, and the people love their baseball.

I like Camden Yards in Baltimore, the first of the new retro parks, and, it's held up well over time. San Francisco is probably my favorite.

[mike0421]

This is rapidly turning into a great thread. I love reading other posters experiences about ballparks and the cities they are in.

My experiences include:

Old Cleveland Municipal Stadium (Indians)
Old Shea Stadium (Mets)
Old Yankee Stadium (Yankees)
Old Three Rivers Stadium (Pirates)
Old Veteran's Stadium (Phillies)
Joe Robbie Stadium (Marlins)
Wrigley Field
Fenway Park

The last stadium I stepped foot in was Yankee Stadium in 1994, hence the several "olds"!

[billiken]

I haven't been to an extreme number of stadiums, but my husband and his best friend are on a mission to see all of them.

I've been to Busch Stadium (STL), Wrigley Field (Chicago), US Cellular (Chicago), Miller (Milwaukee), Coors Field (Denver), PNC Park(Pittsburgh), Tropicana Field (Tampa), Angels Stadium (Anaheim, CA). Husband has been to many, many more.

I have very positive thoughts toward Wrigley, Miller, and PNC. Wrigley is just an experience - old stadium, the old scoreboard, the surrounding bars and lively neighborhood. Miller is fun because they tailgate for baseball! Love it, even though the location is just ehh. PNC offers a gorgeous view, and good food offerings.

I'm fairly inddiferent towards Busch Stadium, US Cellular, and Coors Field. The crazy fans of STL are really what make Busch, not the stadium itself or the location/surrounding area. US Cellular is pretty kid friendly in my opinion, but nothing special. I like Coors Field for what it's done for downtown Denver (totally transformed the area into a very vibrant downtown), but the views are pretty bleh, and it's never full because the team is so bad. I like that they have some pretty awesome beer in there, though (mmm, right field red)!

Places I wouldn't go back to: Tropicana Field is awful. Baseball should be watched outdoors. Anaheim felt generic and nothing seems fun to me about going to baseball so close to Disneyland. Not much energy/excitement from the crowd either.

[aragx6]

I wonder if, had we been able to tailgate, (and again if the roof had been open) my experience might have been different at Miller. We took the train up to Milwaukee from Chicago and then cabbed it to the game, and it sounds like we missed out on a lot of fun!

Royals games are great for tailgating too -- it just sucks that there's no public transit so someone ends up having to be sober chauffeur.

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by jamespurdy2

Arag, that may be my best bet. I think I am just going to fly in and priceline something when I get there. If I get nothing, I will just stay at one of the airport hotels. I will let you know and I am definitely going to check out the Broadway Oyster Bar. Thanks a million!

I thought further about this, and I thought it was worthwhile for me to write back to you, for the reason being I would consider trying Priceline, because staying in proximity to downtown > airport area. I was driving through St. John yesterday on Saint Charles Rock Road and Natural Bridge Road, and let's just say you will come away from this place with an unecessarily bad vibe if you do. You want to stay around Clayton or downtown if it can be helped.

[jamespurdy2]

Originally Posted by mike0421

I thought further about this, and I thought it was worthwhile for me to write back to you, for the reason being I would consider trying Priceline, because staying in proximity to downtown > airport area. I was driving through St. John yesterday on Saint Charles Rock Road and Natural Bridge Road, and let's just say you will come away from this place with an unecessarily bad vibe if you do. You want to stay around Clayton or downtown if it can be helped.

Funny you should mention it. I just pricelined a place right by the arch. It's a four star hotel that I barely paid anything for. It's a good thing because I would have done the Natural Bridge thing but you are right, not nearly as fun.

[billiken]

Originally Posted by jamespurdy2

Funny you should mention it. I just pricelined a place right by the arch. It's a four star hotel that I barely paid anything for. It's a good thing because I would have done the Natural Bridge thing but you are right, not nearly as fun.

Priceline really is the way to go! I use it almost exclusively for personal travel in the US.

[jamespurdy2]

All,

What are your thoughts on the water front area where Jakes and all those other bars are?

[billiken]

The Landing? In my opinion, skip it and hit up Washington Avenue instead (also downtown). The landing is kind of filled with trashy underagers, bachelorette parties, and creepy old men.