NY Baseball, Root Root Root for the Home Team!
Published: June 8th, 2018Baseball is such a big part of New York City. When you think of visiting our concrete jungle, you probably think of skyscrapers, the theater, Wall Street, or maybe “the city that never sleeps”. That’s all great but in the heart of the summer when the weather is perfect and it’s a calm cool sunny day, there is nothing like visiting a beautiful New York City park. Central Park, the Highline, Liberty Park, Bryant Park, Bronx Botanical Gardens are just a few of the popular ones but there are two beautiful parks I enjoy that most people visiting NYC might forget about. Citi Field & Yankee Stadium are the homes for our local baseball teams. Each is just a short subway ride away so they make for a great afternoon or evening events.
If you’re in town when the New York Mets or New York Yankees are home, you’re in luck. Both stadiums were opened in 2009 and with these new stadiums came something that was more than just a baseball game. The food is no longer just about peanuts, cracker jacks and hot dogs (although I dare you to not be tempted by a ballpark dog).
De Grom pitching at Citi Field
CITI FIELD:
Citi Field features food from restaurateur Danny Meyer’s Union Square Hospitality Group. There are a variety of food stands and restaurants on every level. If you’re looking for a healthier option there are fresh fruit stands located throughout the park. The family entertainment area is just behind the center field scoreboard, and a Mets Hall of Fame and Museum is right next to the main entrance. If you’re looking for this just ask for the “Jackie Robinson Rotunda” and you will be pointed in the right place. Of course, there are a ton of extras not mentioned, but we don’t want to ruin the surprise.
I have been a fan of the Mets since I was a kid. My grandparents grew up in Brooklyn as Dodgers fans and when the Dodgers left for Los Angeles they jumped on with the blue and orange. I remember going to games as a kid to the old ballpark (Shea Stadium it was called then) and let me tell you… the upgrades to the new stadium have made this a must-do during your trip to New York. It’s so easy to get there from our hotel by subway! Just 3 blocks from us you can pick up the ‘6’ train at 51st and Lexington Ave, transfer to the ‘7’ train towards Queens and stay on until the Mets-Willet Point stop. Door to door your total travel time is 40 minutes tops! You get a great experience at one of New York City’s newest parks, great food, plenty of ice cold beverages to choose from and a three hour sporting event with some of the best talents that Major League Baseball has to offer.
Yankee Stadium
YANKEE STADIUM:
I know I mentioned I am a long time Mets fan but the other team just north of Manhattan in the Bronx is pretty special too. New York City invested a few billion dollars into both Yankee Stadium and Citi Field in 2009. Even though I am a life-long, diehard Mets fan that doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy a game for the other team! Getting to the stadium is just as easy as Citi Field is from our hotel. A few blocks away on 59th Street and Lexington Avenue you can grab a ‘4’ train heading uptown all the way to 161st St – Yankee Stadium Stop. It’s just a quick 30 minute ride. Yankee Stadium also stepped up its food game. Fans can enjoy an amazing area called “Monument Park” that boasts monuments and plaques of some of the all time Yankee greats. I recently had an outing with my colleagues to a Yankee game (wearing my Mets hat of course) and it was a special day. We walked through museum, enjoyed the game and ate very well.
Juan with the game winning home run ball at the Yankees baseball game
One feature of the ballpark that makes it different is the propensity for allowing home runs. Luckily, the game we enjoyed offered us perfect seats in the perfect spot for catching one of these home run hits. Guess what? WE GOT ONE! Not only was it a home run hit, but it was the GAME WINNING home run hit. Caught by our very own Guest Service Agent, Juan!
With all the history of these teams and the love of baseball New Yorkers have there is definitely a reason to put “a trip to the stadium” on your agenda the next time you’re in town.
Team Elysee rooting for the Yankees
Our Concierge is always happy to help you find tickets or map your route to either stadium! Feel free to reach out to them at info@elyseehotel.com, rooms@casablancahotel.com; information@hotelgiraffe.com; or stay@libraryhotel.com
If you’re still looking for rooms because you’re coming in for a special game you can check our availability here!