Budget Travel Intentions

There is no more pleasurable summer experience than enjoying an afternoon or evening at a great American ballpark. Sitting in the sun, breathing in the fresh air, the smell of popcorn and hot dogs permeating the atmosphere, you can’t help but enjoy America’s original and favorite pastime.

As to which place is best to watch a game, I prefer the traditional locations, so it’s a tossup between Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Boston’s Fenway Park for starters.

Let’s go with the “friendly confines” of Wrigley first. This fantastic venue gets the nod over Fenway due to the party possibilities before and after the game. If you and a companion walk into any of the many bars located across the street from the park wearing Cubs baseball hats, you’ll be sure to get at least one drink on the house. The neighborhood is known as “Wrigleyville” and has a variety of bars and restaurants as well as souvenir shops where, if you are from out of town, you can purchase baseball hats of your favorite team. However, no free beer for you in the highly Cubs biased drinking establishments. Once inside the park you will immediately notice the cozy environment and great sightlines ( assuming you don’t get stuck behind a post securing the upper deck). The bleachers are always popular and the vines covering the outfield walls are a sight to behold. The old scoreboard hovering over center field is iconic in itself. Of course, even after departing the area following the game, Chicago is one of the top tourist spots in all of the U.S with its many parks, museums and landmarks such as the Willis (previously Sears) Tower. A ride down Lake Shore Drive while viewing the majestic skyline must not be missed.

Fenway Park is located in Boston’s Kenmore Square. It is more a warehouse district then a recreational area like Wrigley’s. When inside, the first thing you will probably notice is the “Green Monster”. Thats the tall wall enclosing the parks left field. Baseball hats are available here too, at one of the many souvenir booths and the one with the big red “B” would be my choice sitting among the avid Boston fans. It too, like Wrigley, is small, seating just over 37,000. I hope you enjoy crowds however since entering this season the Red Sox have sold out in excess of 700 straight games. Boston is another city well worth visiting even after the cheers have ended and you leave the game. Many historical sites await your perusal and partaking in some seafood cuisine should not be missed.

Other cities with ballparks I would recommend include the newer retro style parks such as in Detroit, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Philadelphia and Cincinnati. They are normally located near the cities downtown area, many time with the tall buildings providing a backdrop to the field itself. These are styled after parks like Fenway and Wrigley but upgraded with all the modern amenities. These stadiums will offer not just classic baseball hats, but newer versions in a wide array of colors and styles.

Old reliables like Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles and of course the new Yankee Stadium in the “Big Apple” never go out of style.

I guarantee you, no matter which destination you might choose, once you’re taken out to the ballgame and enjoy some peanuts and crackerjacks, you won’t care if you ever get back.

Enjoy the game!

CC Express Monorail