Inside the Park:

It may not be the flashiest or one of the classic ballparks, but there are some cool things to check out inside the stadium. Chase Field definitely promotes a family focused atmosphere. The Sandlot on the Upper Concourse in Left Field is an interesting destination pre-game. Kids can play whiffle ball on a miniature Chase Field, and there is also a playground and batting cages. If you don't have kids, maybe stop by one of two Oasis Beer Gardens, on either end of the Upper Concourse, or stop by the top floor lounge at Sliders Grill. (see below)

Seating:

The foul territory is larger than most, and 80% of the park's seats are actually in foul territory. The upper decks is also one of the highest in baseball. With a seating capacity of over 49,000, it is a huge stadium, but all seats are angled toward home plate, so there's not an uncomfortable view in the house. 

Food and Drink:

There are a couple of sit down restaurants to check out. Overlooking left field, Fridays' Front Row Restaurant has the best variety of drinks (cocktails and imported beers like Stella Artois) as well as food but you need to reserve seats. Tickets are $20 on an individual seat basis, or a table of 4 goes from $40-65 per seat depending on the view. To buy tickets: 602-462-3503 or visit the Diamond's website. 

On the Gila River Casino Plaza, you'll find Sliders All American Grill, serving up pretty good sandwiches and appetizers. It's a great place pre-game to meet up with friends.  

As for other concessions, there isn't a HUGE variety around, but there's some good Southwestern fare like tamales at ReyGlorias (Sec 138) or quesadillas and tacos at Macayo's (several locations). There's also a couple of Fatburger stands (Sec 121, 142), a favorite West coast burger joint.  

At Big Dawg's (Sec 130) you'll find a new item for 2011 - The Big Cheese Rip and Dip - a foot and half long garlic foccacia covered in Asiago, Romano, and Parmesan, and accompanied with dipping sauces. A fan-favorite from the Club Level is the gourmet Niman Ranch Sausage which comes to the Main Concourse now - find it at the Red Hot stand at Section 126.  Also new for this year - healthier items at select  Red Hot and Double Header stands. There's a vegetable salad, veggie burger, and a Veg Out Cup with hummus and veggies. 

Grab a Sauza Margarita at any of the stands on the Main Concourse and Upper Level. For beer, there is A LOT of Miller and Budweiser products around. You can, however, find imports like Corona or Heineken at some Beer Carts as well as Sonora, a local beer. Also, near section 139 there's a Leinenkugel's stand

If you have a large group, The Miller Lite Diamond Club is a good option. Located on the Main Concourse, it's a  more upscale club area and has plenty of lounge and bar seating on a first come first serve basis, unlike Friday's Front Row which has reserved seating. There is also a large standing room space, a pool table, plenty of television, and a full service bar with cocktail staff.

The Park and Neighborhood:

Opened in 1998 in the heart of downtown Phoenix, Chase Field was the first stadium built in the United States with a retractable roof. Even when closed, the design of the park allows in just enough sunlight, so that games can be played in true daylight, yet without overheating the massive stadium. Whether you'll see a game with the roof open or closed is decided on a a day-to-day and depends on the weather. Good news is that Chase Field is air-conditioned. It's also one of the most family friendly parks we've seen. 

Because of its downtown location, there are several places not too far away to grab food and drinks before or after a game, many within walking distance. Check out our "Before & After the Game" map for some suggestions, as there are a variety of options.

Getting There and Parking: 

The I-10 and I-17 freeways will give you easy access to downtown, but try to avoid 7th Street at all costs, as it gets very congested on game days. Try using Washington to get to the game. 

With its proximity to the US Airways Center where the Phoenix Suns play, there are ample lots and garages in the area. Most will run you about $10-20 if you park close to the field. The main garage is just south of the railroad tracks on 4th street (between Jefferson and Lincoln) There are several small, privately owned lots that aren't too far away that tend to be slightly less expensive. Look for the parking icons on our exterior map for specific locations and to book directly online in advance.

If you don't mind walking half a mile to save money, you can certainly find street parking, particularly north of Van Buren on streets like Pierce, McKinley, or Garfield. 

Public Transportation:

For only $1.75 you can get to the game via Light Rail. The Washington at 3rd Street stop (also known as Convention Center/Ballpark) is right near the park, and is the metro is designed to handle large crowds. There are several Park and Ride locations where you can leave your car to take the train in. For more info: www.MetroLightRail.org.

Another way to get to the game if you're coming from the Tucson area is the D-Backs luxury bus. It travels from the Foothills Mall to Chase Field for $18 round trip for adults. Check out the Diamondbacks website for further info. 

Be sure to also read our "Info Inside the Stadium" section for some great things inside Chase Field.