Suggestions for AZ visit during Spring Training

[Underachiever]

Heading to Arizona for some Spring Training games. I’ve been before, but this time I’m going with a friend who is a huge baseball fan, instead of my wife, who is not a fan at all. I’ll be based in Tempe, so what should I plan on doing? Best parks? Best complex? Thanks.

[wildcat2237]

I live in AZ and have attended games at all of the current parks/complexes.  Im happy to answer any specific questions about specific parks or areas of Phoenix. A general overview of all the parks would probably result in me writing a 100 page guide about Spring Training in Arizona. 

 

[RightFieldCoder]

How early do you suggest getting to the ballparks? I'll have a rental car and plan to park near the fields.

[kestrel79]

My wife and I are going down for the first time ever. Was thinking the Mariners road game and maybe a home game as well. Then sightseeing another day.

 

Good places to eat around by the ballpark? I think we are staying west of Maryvale 5-10 minutes down the highway Air BnB.

 

Places to rent a car?

[wildcat2237]

21 minutes ago, RightFieldCoder said:

How early do you suggest getting to the ballparks? I'll have a rental car and plan to park near the fields.

Depends on the stadium. Some (like Sloan Park/Cubs Complex) are a nightmare due to huge crowds every game. Others like Goodyear(Reds/Guardians) and Surprise(Royals/Rangers) are much more subdued. 

As a general rule, if its your first time out, I would plan to arrive 1.5 hrs before the game if you want to park close. Get parked, take your time walking in, explore the ballpark prior to first pitch etc. 

[wildcat2237]

12 minutes ago, kestrel79 said:

My wife and I are going down for the first time ever. Was thinking the Mariners road game and maybe a home game as well. Then sightseeing another day.

 

Good places to eat around by the ballpark? I think we are staying west of Maryvale 5-10 minutes down the highway Air BnB.

 

Places to rent a car?

Good plan on Peoria and Maryvale. I have a soft spot for Peoria as I was in attendance the day that stadium opened in the 1990's. Peoria has been renovated and so has Maryvale so two very good choices. Both also very average as far as attendance/craziness. Good choices for a first trip out. 

There are tons of restaurants right near Peoria stadium. So just eat right there. That stadium is at Bell and the 101. There are literally 30 restaurents right there to choose from. 

I wouldnt try to eat near Maryvale the day you go to a Brewers game. Drive to west towards your air BNB and eat in Glendale/Surprise/Peoria. Better yet, venture east and eat in Tempe/Chandler/or Scottsdale. 

Maryvale is 100% safe during the day and right before and after games. However, I wouldnt linger there into the evenings. 

[kestrel79]

Yeah I've heard that about Maryvale around the ballpark after years of lurking on these forums. Note taken sounds good. Hope our Air BnB is in an ok area now...checking.

[wildcat2237]

9 minutes ago, kestrel79 said:

Yeah I've heard that about Maryvale around the ballpark after years of lurking on these forums. Note taken sounds good. Hope our Air BnB is in an ok area now...checking.

My first thought when reading your airBNB is 10 min west of Maryvale is that you may not be in a great area. Hopefully you are further west in Surprise etc. 

The Maryvale/hood stuff has been a bit overblown on here. But that said, if I was visiting from out of town I wouldnt intentionally wander around there after dark. 

If you are flying into Sky Harbor I would just rent a car right there. 

[nate82]

5 minutes ago, RightFieldCoder said:

How early do you suggest getting to the ballparks? I'll have a rental car and plan to park near the fields.

Depends on where you are driving from and to?  During the day traffic is not that bad the only time traffic is bad in Phoenix is from 8am - 10am and then from 3pm-6pm.  A lot of office workers work East coast shifts so traffic starts to pick up around 3pm. 

Depending on if you want to see a team stretch and practice arrive about an hour early. 

Just now, kestrel79 said:

My wife and I are going down for the first time ever. Was thinking the Mariners road game and maybe a home game as well. Then sightseeing another day.

 

Good places to eat around by the ballpark? I think we are staying west of Maryvale 5-10 minutes down the highway Air BnB.

 

Places to rent a car?

Usually the airport is the cheapest to rent a car otherwise Uber and Lyft are fairly reasonable just don't take an Uber or Lyft from the airport as it will add about $20-30 to your fare.  Depending on where you are staying take the sky tram from the airport to 44th and washington.  From there take the light rail to downtown Phoenix either get off on Washington and Central or Van Buren and Central.  Either will work and the Uber or Lyft ride to where you are staying will be cheaper.  The sky tram is free and the light rail is cheaper than paying the airport fee for Uber or Lyft.  If you have luggage with you don't use the light rail and just get a cab or rent a car at the airport.  If you just have a carry on then the light rail should be fine it can get cramped during the day sometimes. 

Depending on where you are staying in Maryvale it could be fine or not there is a small area where it is bad which is basically right by the Brewers spring training area otherwise Maryvale is ok. 

[nate82]

For restaurants don't be afraid too go into downtown Phoenix.  There are some really good restaurants down there some you can also find in Tempe and Scottsdale like the Cornish Pastry but my favorite spicy food place is Monroe's Hot Chicken.  They have the best southern style chicken.  The mild is actually really spicy so be careful if you don't like spicy food if you go anything above mild you may have a bad time. 

[wildcat2237]

Just now, nate82 said:

For restaurants don't be afraid too go into downtown Phoenix.  There are some really good restaurants down there some you can also find in Tempe and Scottsdale like the Cornish Pastry but my favorite spicy food place is Monroe's Hot Chicken.  They have the best southern style chicken.  The mild is actually really spicy so be careful if you don't like spicy food if you go anything above mild you may have a bad time. 

I can second going downtown. Im a big fan of a newer place called Rough Rider. Typically you need a reservation.  But there are other good ones as Nate wrote.