Summer Escape: MLB's Best Ballparks

As we approach the All-Star break, take a look at these amazing ballparks that have more to offer than just baseball games.

The home of the Pittsburgh Pirates opened in 2001, can hold about 38,000 people, and cost $262 million to build. PNC Park was built like Forbes Field, which was the Pirates’ old stadium. The highest seat is only 88 feet from the field to give every fan a great view. The Pirates have an outdoor barbecue run by former Pirate Manny Sanguillen. The right field wall, named in honor of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente (who wore number 21), is 21-feet high in rightfield and only six feet in left.

AT&T Park opened in April 2000 and holds about 47,000 fans. The Giants home is very unique with all the different things going on there. There are places where fans can hangs out, such as the Coca-Cola Fan Lot. They can also slide into home plate from one of the four slides of the ballpark’s wooden Coca-Cola bottle and take a trip up the world’s largest baseball glove. Another unique part about AT&T Park is McCovey Cove, where you might see a fan in canoe try to catch a home run ball. There are also a ton of food trucks outside that you can order from. At AT&T Park the Giants have won three World Series and hosted the 2007 All-Star Game.

Fenway opened in 1912 and holds about 37,000 fans. Fenway had a big fire in January 1934 that destroyed a bunch of construction but was rebuilt by April of that year. Fenway Park was home to Ted Williams and Babe Ruth (before he went to the Yankees). One of Fenway’s most prized possessions is the Green Monster, which wasn’t always green. Up until 1947 the Green Monster was covered in ads. Then the Sox painted it green and covered it with hard plastic. At Fenway the Red Sox have won seven World Series, and the park has also hosted the All-Star Game three times: in 1946, ’61, and 1999.

Wrigley opened in 1914 and holds about 41,000 people. It is the second oldest ballpark and has a ton of history. For example, Babe Ruth supposedly called his shot during the 1932 World Series. Wrigley is also the place where Ernie Banks, A.K.A Mr. Cub, hit his 500th career home run. Kerry Wood threw 20 strikeouts at Wrigley in 1998. One of the most famous parts of Wrigley is the outfield ivy. The ivy covers the outfield wall, and you would be surprised how many balls get stuck in there. Another famous part about Wrigley is the rightfield bleachers, where the bleacher bums sit. The Cubs, however, have never won a World Series at Wrigley. The Cubs also hosted the 1947, ’62, and ’90 All-Star Games.

This $411 million ballpark opened on April 10, 2006, and can hold about 46,000 people. Busch Stadium is in downtown St. Louis with a great view of the Gateway Arch. There are also party and gathering areas where fans can play games and hang out, such as the Coca-Cola Rooftop Deck and Backstop Bar. In 2014, Busch Stadium got Ballpark Village, a three-story building containing the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum and Cardinal Nation restaurant. At Busch Stadium the Cardinals won two World Series, one in 2006 and one in 2011. The stadium also held the 80th MLB All-Star Game in 2009.