Stadium Secrets
 

Imagine someone from out of town is coming to a sports stadium that you frequent. What is there that they should know that is not obvious? Where's the best food, the best beer? Any secret parking places? Seats that are cheap that ought to cost a lot more? Perhaps a bar or restaurant nearby that's a great place to hang out before or after a game?

I'll start with the new Busch Stadium in St. Louis. First, parking. Parking close to the stadium is now $15, and the traffic afterwards is horrific. But if you park north of the stadium and make about a 10 minute walk, 15 at a leisurely pace, you can park for as little as $3. Even with the walk, you'll be out of downtown faster than if you parked closer.

Next, beer. Being St. Louis, the place is littered with AB products. If you like real beer, you don't drink AB products. But, for some strange reason, there is always a place in the stadium where you can buy non-AB products. That place is now the Casino Queen Party Porch, where they have a full service bar, four microbrews on draft (Schlafley, Boulevard, Goose Island, and Widmer), plus more micros in bottles, all for the same price as the AB crap. And considering that's $6.50/16 oz, I'm not paying that to drink Bud Light.

Haven't tracked down any decent food yet, but St. Louis has always paled compared to other cities in the stadium food department.

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The Metrodome in Minneapolis

If you go to a game, park on Washington Ave a few blocks further than most the cars. You save like $5 to walk a block or two. Instead of going East on Washington to get to 35W, go West, go across the river on 1st St, turn right (East) on University and take that to 35.

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Shea Stadium.

I can't believe I discovered this one with less than 2 years to go in this shrine.

Normally for the 45K+ crowd games (Opening Day, Yanks games, some Braves games, Fireworks Night, Playoffs, etc.) I am sitting in the Upper Deck, and if I need to urinate, I have to wait friggin' 20 minutes in line for some hole-in-the-wall bathroom that has 4 urinals in it.

Well this past Saturday I discovered the mens bathroom outside of Section 10 of the Upper Deck. UNBELIEVABLE! This lavatory heaven had 2 separate areas with urinals, totaling at least 25 in all. No line whatsoever. In and out in no time. It was beautiful.

It also used to be that you could walk into the bar (I forget the name) on the field level without a field level ticket stub, and then simply walk out the other exit which emptied out into field level seats. But after a few years they got smart and put an usher at the exit. I'm sure he accepts cash though.

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My roomate was at a game at Fenway a few weeks ago and he was talking to this guy sitting next to him who claimed that he hadn't paid for a ticket since 2004. This guy said that somewhere around Gate A there's a place you can just unhook a chain/rope and slip right in as long as no one is patrolling.

I'm not sure there's any truth to this....but I figured I'd throw it out there to see if anyone else knew about this.

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BallPark at Arlington (or whatever it is now called)

Haven't been in a couple of years, but the bleachers in centerfield are great seats for the price. If I remember correctly, they were $8 a person like 5 years ago, and you can pretty much sit anywhere, including right up at the wall. But, they are miserable on a hot day b/c there is no shade.


RFK Stadium

Way to big of stadium for baseball so huge number of seats. Due to gift regulations for Congress, good seats right along the 1st or 3rd baseline are capped at $50. When I was there two summers ago, all of those seats got to go up in the outfield behind the game for all you can eat food, and all you can drink cocktails and beer. If you are looking to pound a few back, this is probably worth it alone. Also, directly behind home plate is $90 a seat, but you get free food and beer all game from the guys who bring stuff around.

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at the Fleet Center in Boston, you only need a ticket stub to get into the Luxury Box area. so if you happen to be at a game with buddies who are in a box, one of them can come down with an extra stub, give it to you, and bring you up. commence free drinking/eating/civilized bathroom usage!!

this was true as of a few years ago, not sure if it still works.

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

[ QUOTE ]
My roomate was at a game at Fenway a few weeks ago and he was talking to this guy sitting next to him who claimed that he hadn't paid for a ticket since 2004. This guy said that somewhere around Gate A there's a place you can just unhook a chain/rope and slip right in as long as no one is patrolling.

I'm not sure there's any truth to this....but I figured I'd throw it out there to see if anyone else knew about this.

[/ QUOTE ]

here are 2 possible Fenway ones:

- on the afternoon of evening games, they often release tickets that had previously been reserved for VIP's/Players/whatever they don't end up being used. you can sometimes call the box office up and buy sweet tickets this way (I got Monster seats once this way).

- This one is trickier and YMMV and is certainly unethical; I stumbled into in by mistake. There is a new outdoor area you need a ticket to get into. You normally need to go through an official ticket booth to get in. However, there is also a normal bar in this area, and the backdoor of this bar goes out into some alley that is open to the public. Think of the bar as a tunnel between the stadium and the outside. The bouncers aren't supposed to let people leave/come back, but these are sometimes dim-witted types who are easily tricked. I was able to leave the bar once through the back alley and come back in showing only my stub. (I had to show my stub to the back door bouncer, who did not have a ticket scanner or anything like that). I would imagine it's possible to go outside with a couple stubs, give one to a buddy, and smooth talk your way past the unsuspecting bouncer. Its also possible the bouncer may not be there at all.

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Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia:

Parking: The Holiday Inn (5 minute walk, is usually 5 bucks cheaper than the lots next to the stadium)

Beer: There are several bars including a McFadden's and smaller stands throughout which you can get Victory and some other local name beers

Food: Tony Luke's cheesesteaks.. don't miss this. Also, Harry K's has some good food.

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Ballpark in Arlington -

JWS43YALE is correct. Buy the bleacher seats, they are now $15 each, but great value for the price (and as he said, no covering, so on a Texas Summer Day be careful aka miserable). Another option is if you go for a non-holiday, weeknight game you can just buy the cheap $6 3rd level seats and sit anywhere in the lower deck outfield with no hassle. The main thing is to sit in the back few rows as they sell the seats from the wall back.

Stay away from the Garlic Fries, they use fresh garlic which is nice, but the fries are less than desirable. Better off sticking to dogs and nachos.

American Airlines Center - Park in the city owned lots around Hooters (under Woodall Rodgers) for $5. Not a bad walk at any point of the year.

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Minute Maid Park: Houston

Tickets:
Buy standing room only ($5)and sit in the resturant (Los Nine Amigos) in right center field. You can also heckle Brad Lidge for blowing another game cause the bullpen is right there.

Beer:
You get the best value for beer from the mobile stands that sell the 22oz beers for like $1 more than the regular stands and vendors.

Food:
Right behind the Crawford Boxes (Left Field Corner) there is a vendor that sells foot long jalapeno sausages on a bun. Complete with onions and peppers. The best thing in the ballpark and this is the only spot they sell them.

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If you take the 4 train to Yankee Stadium, get in the very last car. It will let you off right next to the stairwell leading down to the stadium entrance. Also, the 3rd tier seats behind home plate are closer to the action than the 2nd tier seats beyond 1st base.

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SBC/ATT/Whatever Park, San Francisco.

Take the Muni or BART to the games. WAYYYYY faster and less waiting time.

Don't go to MoMo's, its packed.

Go to Orlando Cepeda's Carribean Grill, easily best ballpark food ive ever had.

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

I don't really have anything to contribute, but this is a cool thread.

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

Fenway: (let's see if I get this right, it's been a couple of years for me but this is important)

Going home, if you're catching the Green Line back to Park St., don't follow the whole stadium to the crowded underground subway stop. Instead, walk down the B line for a stop or two, and catch the train at an earlier point.

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

[ QUOTE ]
I don't really have anything to contribute, but this is a cool thread.

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Re: Stadium Secrets
 

[ QUOTE ]
Fenway: (let's see if I get this right, it's been a couple of years for me but this is important)

Going home, if you're catching the Green Line back to Park St., don't follow the whole stadium to the crowded underground subway stop. Instead, walk down the B line for a stop or two, and catch the train at an earlier point.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll just add to that and say:

1) if you are going to take the green line home, then go out for a beer after the game. the crowds crush is awful, you're better off just waiting a half-hour

2) make sure you buy your T pass/card before the game. you absolutely don't want to buy one after the game

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

[ QUOTE ]
Fenway: (let's see if I get this right, it's been a couple of years for me but this is important)

Going home, if you're catching the Green Line back to Park St., don't follow the whole stadium to the crowded underground subway stop. Instead, walk down the B line for a stop or two, and catch the train at an earlier point.

[/ QUOTE ]
On a similar note...
I usually ride the D line from points west. When leaving the park, everyone heading outbound on the D line heads to the Fenway T stop.
Do this and you're doomed to wait your turn to board, and likely will be stuck standing for most of your ride.
Instead, head the other way and get on at Kenmore. Empty trains and no wait guarantees you a seat on the next ride coming through.

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

Its not really a secret to locals, but I don't know how well known it is to out-of-towners, and if you don't have the money or time for a Giants game at AT&T park its a nice tip. If you walk along McCovey Cove toward right field, part of the outfield wall is made of chain link fence, and you can watch a game for free. Can't beat free.

I have a feeling if this next one gets abused they will be changing it, but eff them for leaving Oakland anyway so...

At the Oakland Coliseum it costs $15 to park at the stadium, but parking at BART is free. Take the tunnel into the BART station, then the bridge out of it, and in 5 minutes your at the Coliseum with free parking.

Edited to add - The best beer bargain at the Coliseum is the $10 "Big Beer". I can't recall how many ounces it is, but its like double the usual beer size and is only a couple bucks more. Plus they still will sell you 2 per ID, so its like 4 beers per trip. Its Corona, but what can you do. If you go in the main entrance, the one behind home on the 3rd base side, the stand is on the ground level just to your left as you come in.

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

One more about the Oakland Coliseum, but its too late to edit.

If you ask for the "best seats", they give you the ones closes to home plate, the ones that are central (in line with CFer-pitcher-catcher). The thing is, you might be back 20 rows or more, and its ofter better to ask for seats in sections down the first and third baselines, where (what with the poor attendance and all) its often possible to get seats in the first few rows.

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Safeco Field

I think the best parking is south of the stadium, along 6th avenue. You have to walk 10-15 minutes, but you can park for free on the street. Plus, after the game, you can either head south on 6th to get to I-5, or swing over to 4th and get on the new I-90 onramp.

Your best chance to buy good tickets is when the box office opens two hours before game time. That's when the VIP tickets that are held for the front office get released back to the ticket office if they're not being used. Those seats are sold, so it's possible - even on near sellout days - to get seats in the first few rows near first or third if you're willing to shell out the bucks.

The Dixie's BBQ stand on the first base side had Mac&Jack's, and unlike the individual beer stands, they take credit cards so you don't need to have cash.

Finally, this is really elementary but some people aren't aware. You can pack food into the game, so buy peanuts or sandwiches at the store to bring in instead of paying crappy ballpark prices. Makes it a little easier to pay $8 for a 16 oz beer.

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

Sedgewick Ave near Yankee Stadium is maybe the only free place to park where you won't feel like you'll get mugged on the way. It's about a 7-10 minute walk from the stadium. Go past the Deegan North on-ramp and your set.

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/6729/parkingia1.jpg

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PNC Park/Heinz Field

http://img461.imageshack.us/img461/9008/pncng1.jpg

Meter (read: free) parking on Allegheny Square E, which is just a short walk to either stadium. Right above where S Commons is a parking garage that's pretty cheap also if all the meters are taken up.

Works best for Pirate games but if you go early enough, you can do it for Steelers/Panthers games also.

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If approaching any of the Philadelphia stadiums from 95 South bound police often don't let you make a right turn onto broad street/611. Get off at this exit anyway, continue straight through the loop down terminal ave (I believe) then make a quick left back onto 11th street (about 80 yards after the broad street light) and that will take you to broad street. Saves a few minutes especially for Flyers/Eagles games.

From 95 getting off at Packer ave is much quicker if going to a phillies game instead of the broad st exit. Also, Tony lukes (duh).

General lot parking tips. Park closer to the major exit points - surprisingly tons of people would rather park closer to the stadium in the lot than the exit when the walking difference is <5 min. Reverse into your spot if possible so you don't have to backout. Often they open up certain sections of lots at specific times - if you're a regular know when these times are so you can get a better space.

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

[ QUOTE ]
SBC/ATT/Whatever Park, San Francisco.

Go to Orlando Cepeda's Carribean Grill, easily best ballpark food ive ever had.

[/ QUOTE ]

cha cha bowls FTW!
bonus: you might even be able to hook some primo ganja if orlando is around that day.

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

Big House at the University of Michigan: Pray there is not a fire or a terrorist attack, since there is absolutely no way to get out of the stadium quickly when everyone is leaving.

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

[ QUOTE ]
Big House at the University of Michigan: Pray there is not a fire or a terrorist attack, since there is absolutely no way to get out of the stadium quickly when everyone is leaving.

[/ QUOTE ]

Isn't this true at any stadium?

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

Not nearly as bad as there, I guarantee you. Biggest stadium in America plus one exit for every two ENTIRE sections = massive problem if there were ever an emergency.

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

Fun thread.

Baseball in Cincinnati I would typically park at Fountain Square for $5 and walk to the stadium. No idea if they only charge $5 still.

Also...get your peanuts OUTSIDE the stadium. More peanut-bang for your buck.

Fountain Square is the shot you see at the beginning of WKRP in Cincinnati. But now it occurs to me that many of you are so young you probably aren't familiar with that TV show.


Also, Generic Stadium rule imo -
the first scalpers are usually charging the most.
Just keep walking and don't even bother bargaining if their price isn't even close to what you're looking for.
Better bargains to be had nearer the stadium a lot of times.


Went to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis and some guy way far away from the stadium was charging $50 for so-so seats.
Ummm, no thanks.
Pass a couple other guys with similar offers.
Get nearer the stadium and some guy has a bunch of decent seats for $10 each that he's trying to unload.

For Memphis NBA and minor-league baseball games we usually go a little bit past the stadium and all the $10 and $15 parking signs. And don't park at Peabody Place or somewhere like that. Often-times a rip-off.
The garage we prefer is a little further down on Union avenue and is called 'Parking Can Be Fun' and is only $3. Not too horribly far a walk for the baseball stadium. A bit further for the basketball arena though which can kind of suck in the winter but isn't too bad.

I'm pretty sure that my GF and her brother like parking there just because it's called "Parking Can Be Fun".

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

more tips for RFK pls

best way to get beer into a stadium?

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

[ QUOTE ]
best way to get beer into a stadium?

[/ QUOTE ]

http://thebeerbelly.com/

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

[ QUOTE ]
more tips for RFK pls

best way to get beer into a stadium?

[/ QUOTE ]

I used to put vodka in a ziplock bag, then put that in another ziplock bag. You can, of course, use whiskey or rum or whatever floats your boat, then buy a giant soda in the stadium and viola, cocktails!

No metal for detectors, feels like there's nothing there on a pat down, and I've never had an "accident" with the double bag precaution. If security is less strict you can just take those little liquor bottles or a flask.

I don't generally sneak beer in, preferring to drink my fill (a couple 40s is a nice start) at a tailgate beforehand then just nurse one or two in the game.

Did I mention I'm a cheap [censored]?

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Ralph Wilson Stadium - Home of the Buffalo Bills

Doubt anyone cares, but if you are coming from the East, take Milestrip Road and hop a left onto California Road and enter at Drive 5. Best lot, and you jump all of the traffic on Abbot Road, which is a giant disaster.

When leaving, get in the leftmost lane leaving the lot and smoke everyone (all lanes turn right, and everyone packs the left 6 or so lanes, leaving you a clear shot out).

If you are into tailgating, park near one of the lightposts in the lots, those are where the Port-o-Johns are (not too close, obv.).

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For Autzen football games (UofO in Eugene), if coming from the North like most traffic, take the Springfield exit instead of waiting until the Eugene exit and waiting in traffic before the game.

If you head to the Shovsky center for beers at halftime, the lines for the bathroom are insanely long. Head past the bookstore into a small mezanine area with some trees / bushes you can sneak into for a quick piss.

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[ QUOTE ]
more tips for RFK pls

best way to get beer into a stadium?

[/ QUOTE ]

Drive if you can. The metro is a zoo and because of the way the roads were built and the huge size of the stadium, it is not very hard to get out.

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
more tips for RFK pls

best way to get beer into a stadium?

[/ QUOTE ]

Drive if you can. The metro is a zoo and because of the way the roads were built and the huge size of the stadium, it is not very hard to get out.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not really ideal :-/

for one, when we go my friends and I like to chill, have some beers, and watch the Nats lose. No one wants to worry about having to drive

Plus when you're young the metro is fun [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

I can't believe I am posting this, but I guess I can get with the spirit here...


Here is our free parking for Pacbell Park, Home of the World Famous San Francisco Giants.

Please make a $10 donation to The Human Fund if used. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]


http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/4...parkingwp8.jpg

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/8...arking1qk2.jpg

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

In spirit of By-Tor, and considering I don't live in Pittsburgh anymore, I'll reveal the best place to park for a Steelers game :

Google Maps

Look to the left of Heinz Field and you'll see a street called Lighthill. To call it a street is really a joke, it's just a strip of land between a warehouse and a stadium lot. I have parked there for years and have never had a problem. It usually gets packed because other cars will see you parked there and will join in. Turns into a real good tailgating spot too since you got a stadium lot right there and plenty of room to setup whatever you want.

The one bad thing is you're right on the river, so it can get pretty cold in the winter. I parked there for the AFC Championship game vs New England a few years back. I got out of my car, opened up a Miller Lite bottle, took a big chug, set it down on my car because to grab my jacket out of my car, put on my jacket, grabbed my bottle of beer and it had froze solid.

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

This is an absolutely awesome thread. Fun read. I have nothing to contribute though. I suck at stadium secrets.

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Minute Maid Park: Park down by Bastrop and Rusk or whatever on the other side of highway 59 for free, and find a rickshaw guy, flag them down, they are usually not carrying anyone. Hop in (they can take up to 4 ppl), get to park in about 3 minutes, and just tip the guy. Much more pleasant experience than walking.

Re: Stadium Secrets
 

Fenway - dont bother driving at all,if you want a decent spot you will be paying $60 and will still be stuck in traffic after the game

the sneak in through the bar method someone mentioned earlier will most likely not work. They have a Red Sox employee stationed at the door of the bar with the bouncers.

Food - there are many great restaurants in the immediate area, most of the food in the Park is terrible and overpriced.

Beer - $7 for 16oz of Domestic Beer. There are a few stands where you can pay .75c more and get Guiness, Smithwicks, Harp, Sam Adams, Sam Summer, and Stella. This is probably a better value that a $7 Coors Light.