Striking Ballparks To Visit in America

There is a drama that unfolds almost every day and night across the United States from early spring until late fall. Each story is different.

The pitcher expected to have a break out year can’t seem to find the strike zone. A grand slam in the bottom of the ninth changes an entire eight innings of struggle. A diving catch saves the game. One swing of the bat changes the momentum.

The story is always different, but the setting is always the same. Visitors to the American baseball stadium see drama unfold nightly, usually with hotdog in hand.

From the shores of the Pacific to the salty Atlantic, the United States is filled with baseball stadiums. If you are looking for an excuse to do some sports-related traveling, here are a few of baseball’s striking settings.

Some more well known and older than the others, some are newer and shinier with plenty of the bells and whistles. Catch a game in these beautiful stadiums and you won’t be disappointed, even if baseball isn’t really your game.

Coors Field, Denver, Colorado—Home to the Colorado Rockies, Coors Field is known for its size. Across 76 acres in the heart of downtown Denver, baseballs seem to travel farther at 5,280 feet. With some seats offering views of the Rocky Mountains, this is the place to be in Denver throughout spring and summer, especially when Tulo and Cargo are in fine form. Come to a night game and watch the big sky of the West amaze at dusk.

AT&T Park, San Francisco, California—The home turf of the reigning World Series champions, the San Francisco Giants, AT&T Park has location on its side. Here it is perfectly fine to wear orange and black at the same time, outside of Halloween. If you are in town and catch a game, hope someone hits a home run into McCovey Cove. Then watch as kayakers scramble to retrieve the home run ball. Fans can usually see the Bay Bridge and the marina while watching a game at AT&T Park. Catch the defending World Champs with cheap flights to San Francisco.

Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois—If you head to Wrigley Field after stopping in Denver for a game, it may seem incredibly small. The second oldest major league stadium however is worth a visit for its history. Wrigley Field may not see as many Cubs’ victories as fans would like, but its classic elements live and breathe America in the spring. Manually operated scoreboard and all, Wrigley Field may pack in the fans and curses, but it is a piece of American baseball history worth seeing. Want to see Wrigley up close? Check out cheap flights to Chicago.

Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri—One of the newest ballparks in the United States, Kauffman Stadium debuted in 2009 after undergoing a $250 million renovation. Here, the king is the Crown Vision HD scoreboard, actually topped by a crown. Coming to Kauffman Stadium for a Royals game may feel more like walking into a giant entertainment center. Complete with batting and pitching cages, a mini-golf course and a carousel, if you get bored with the game, chances are there is a wealth of activities to fill up game time.

Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts—On April 20, 1912, Fenway Park opened its doors. Since that time, the park has become the iconic home of the Boston Red Sox. Across eight decades, baseball legends have won and lost here, with the Green Monster watching over it all. Planning to visit Fenway soon? Make a vacation out of it with cheap flights to Boston.

What is your favorite place to catch a baseball game in the United States?