Closest Cities: Kansas City, Louisville (Bat factory and MiLB), many other MiLB in the area
Closest Stadiums: Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City Royals), 241 miles; US Cellular Field (Chicago White Sox), 295 miles; Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs), 303 miles
How to get to the ballpark?
Driving to St. Louis’s Busch Stadium is pretty accessible, and there are a lot of parking options. However, the MetroLink is also a great method of transportation. You’re able to go from the airport to the ballpark, and you get to experience the nice ballpark atmosphere before the game (and after).
What to do?
Around St. Louis, there are many things to do, so if you can get there early morning for a night game, that’d be the best option to enjoy the city.
If you’re not using the MetroLink, the Anheuser-Busch Brewery is within driving distance, and provides an excellent tour, teaching you how they make their Budweiser. Along the MetroLink, it is a short walk to the free and outstanding St. Louis Art Museum, pictured below. Within walking distance of the museum is one of the nations best zoos, which is currently expanding, and is also free.
And finally, a short MetroLink ride, or quick walk down (less than 10 minutes) to the Mississippi River will find you at the Gateway Arch. Under the arch is another museum (pictured below) as well as several attractions. While the museum is smaller, it offers a great history of the Arch and the region’s origin as the “gateway” to the western voyage from the Louisiana Purchase.
It should also be noted that before a certain time, tickets are available to go up in the arch, which is a rare experience everyone could enjoy (unless there is a looming fear of heights).
North of the Gateway Arch and Museum of Westward Expansion, lies Laclede’s Landing, which is a famous downtown St. Louis district rich of culture and cuisine. The places in this district are pure to the region, so if you’re from out of town, this should be your destination of choice.
Hopefully, you’ll be able to enjoy a St. Louis style pizza, which has a thin crust and cheese based sauce; it is both different, and delicious.
The Ballpark:
The ballpark is an outstanding facility, with a great city view over the center field wall. As a fan, you can walk the entire ballpark and concourses, with typical club level exceptions. The atmosphere is one of the best I’ve witnessed, bands playing pre-game on a stage behind the center field gates, World Series trophy on display to get pictures, and a fan zone for little kids (which regrettably includes video games).
The fans in general are very friendly and enthusiastic about baseball, and about having fun. It isn’t rare to hear a section burst out in a “Happy Birthday” mid-inning for a seat neighbor, and make them feel like they’re celebrating together.
If you didn’t get enough food, then you might want to enjoy some Nachos, as St. Louis loves cheese; and as mentioned earlier, they also bride themselves in beer. From what the fans are saying, other food they have to offer is good as well, but I couldn’t eat much after stuffing my face at Laclede’s.
The thing that I remembered most about St. Louis was that everyone wanted to have fun while they were there, and even though tickets might be on the expensive side, and you’ll be sitting in a full house, you too, will have a good time.
About how much would this cost?
Tickets can be found at discount, and before beer, food isn’t too expensive; a MetroLink pass can be obtained for less than $10 so with $50, you should be able to enjoy a great day in St. Louis.
Christopher Mehfoud has a website dedicated to his 30 stadium tour and can help plan your next road trip!