In 1997, I attended my first baseball game at the former Yankee Stadium. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that was the start of my journey to becoming an avid baseball fan. Eventually, it became a personal goal of mine to visit all 30 active MLB stadiums. After nearly three decades of traveling around the country, I finally accomplished that feat in 2025. Looking back, I can say that each ballpark had something to offer and that I have fond memories of all the games I got to experience in person. But some stadiums stood out more than others, and as a baseball superfan who views the sport as a great excuse to travel to a new city, I set out to rank all 30 ballparks in the league, hoping to help other travelers narrow down their bucket lists. Without further ado, here is my ultimate (and highly subjective) ranking of the best baseball stadiums in America.
30. Sutter Health Park – West Sacramento, California

Located roughly a mile west of the California State Capitol, Sutter Health Park was originally built in 2000 as a Minor League Baseball stadium. However, it currently serves as the temporary home of the Athletics (formerly of Oakland) until their planned relocation to Las Vegas in 2028. It was also the 30th and final active MLB ballpark I needed to visit to finish my goal of visiting every single stadium. I enjoyed the stadium for what it was, but the reality is it’s a small ballpark with limited amenities, so it lands at the bottom of my ranking. That said, Sutter Health Park will always hold a special place in my heart for being the last stop on my journey in July 2025 — at least until future MLB stadiums are built.
29. George M. Steinbrenner Field – Tampa, Florida

George M. Steinbrenner FIeld, located in northwest Tampa, is technically administered by the New York Yankees, who hold spring training there each year. As of 2025, however, it’s also the current home of the Tampa Bay Rays, who are temporarily displaced due to extensive damage to their usual home stadium, Tropicana Field, from Hurricane Milton in 2024. I have fond memories of visiting Steinbrenner Field in 2004 to see my beloved Yankees train for the season ahead. But, like Sutter Health Park, it’s a small stadium with fewer amenities than a true MLB ballpark. I’ll add that I did see the Rays play at Tropicana Field in 2023, so as soon as they move back after renovations, expect their home field to get bumped up a few spots in my ranking of the best MLB stadiums.
28. Rate Field – Chicago, Illinois

As far as permanent MLB stadiums, I rank the home of the Chicago White Sox last — though that’s not to say I consider it a bad stadium by any means. Located on the South Side of Chicago, Rate Field is easily accessible via the CTA’s Red Line and has served as the home of the White Sox since 1991. I visited first in 2001 and again for the 2003 MLB All-Star Game, which was one of my favorite baseball memories. While I find many elements of the stadium to be unremarkable, there are several features that pay homage to the team’s original home — including colorful pinwheels atop the scoreboard, plus a shower in the outfield concourse that used to be part of Comiskey Park, where fans can cool down during the game.
27. Angel Stadium – Anaheim, California

While nearby Disneyland is said to be the “happiest place on Earth,” I’d consider Angel Stadium to be the “most adequate place to watch a baseball game.” Though the park, built in 1966, is the fourth-oldest in MLB, it doesn’t exactly feel unique, nor does it seem to embrace its history. That said, Angel Stadium benefits from the beautiful year-round weather of Southern California and the wonderful talents who have played there. In 2018, I watched three-time MLB MVP Shohei Ohtani pitch during his rookie season, which will always be a fond memory for me.
26. LoanDepot Park – Miami, Florida

When I visited this home of the Miami Marlins in 2023, I was impressed by many of its modern features, including the retractable roof that remained open for the games I attended. But at the same time, I found the concessions — and the crowd — to be somewhat lacking. Part of that might be due to the stadium’s location (2 miles west of downtown Miami, which can be a headache to navigate through traffic), but I still enjoyed sitting just a few rows behind home plate for less money than I’d pay to sit in the upper deck at Yankee Stadium.
25. Rogers Centre – Toronto, Ontario

I’ll be the first to admit that my ranking of the Rogers Centre is somewhat dated, as I last visited in 2008, well before an extensive renovation process that took place in the 2020s. While I can only speak to my time there long before those upgrades — which added wider seating and improved concessions — it remains true that, when the stadium’s roof is open, guests are still treated to incredible views of the CN Tower looming overhead. I also think that the hotel built directly into the stadium is a delightful quirk (one you won’t find at any other MLB stadium), and the stadium’s convenient proximity to downtown Toronto can’t be topped.
24. Coors Field – Denver, Colorado

When you step foot in Coors Field — as I did for the first time back in 2012 — you’ll probably notice a row of purple seats located in the upper deck. This unique feature denotes the chairs located exactly 1 mile above sea level. It’s one of the many memorable details I enjoyed about this home of the Colorado Rockies, which opened in 1995 in downtown Denver. Coors Field also offers the most unique ballpark concession I’ve ever consumed: fried rocky mountain oysters. While I’d probably opt for a hot dog next time, it was, without question, a memorable culinary experience.
23. Nationals Park – Washington, D.C.

As someone who used to consider the Montreal Expos my second-favorite team, I was disappointed when they moved to D.C. in 2005 and became the Washington Nationals. But when the team opened up a new stadium in 2008, I decided to let bygones be bygones and attend a game. During my 2010 visit, I was struck by how convenient it was to get to the ballpark aboard the D.C. Metro. I was also quite impressed by the stadium itself — it didn’t seem like there was a bad seat in the house. I’ve visited many times since, usually indulging in a half-smoke hot dog from Ben’s Chili Bowl each time.
22. Busch Stadium – St. Louis, Missouri

Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals, offers one of the most majestic views of any baseball stadium, with the Gateway Arch located less than a half mile past centerfield. But landmarks aside, it’s simply a great place to watch baseball. During my two visits to Busch in 2012 and 2018, I found it to be a comfortable and affordable place to take in a ballgame with one of the most storied teams in the MLB. My only criticism is of the closed concourses, which make it difficult to see what’s happening on the field while you go to buy food or head to the bathroom.
21. Chase Field – Phoenix, Arizona

Waiting in line to get into Chase Field in 105-degree Arizona heat certainly wasn’t fun, but thankfully, I felt relief the moment I stepped inside. The stadium, which opened in 1998 in the central part of Phoenix as the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, has a retractable roof to keep the sun out and spectators comfortable. One of the ballpark’s most interesting features is the pool in right field, though my ticket didn’t provide me access, so that bucket-list opportunity will have to wait for another day. But I still enjoyed a delicious churro dog — a play on a typical hot dog with a churro instead of meat, a long glazed doughnut instead of a bun, and caramel and chocolate sauce instead of mustard and ketchup.
20. Globe Life Field – Arlington, Texas

In 2024, I visited the newest MLB stadium to date, Globe Life Field, which was built in 2020 for the Texas Rangers. The field is located in an Arlington sports and entertainment complex that also hosts the Dallas Cowboys. One of the best features of Globe Life Field is its retractable roof, which thankfully remained closed the entire time I was there because of the sweltering heat outside. I also enjoyed the state-of-the-art video boards broadcasting images in crystal-clear quality and the comfortable and affordable seats just a few rows from the field.
19. Oriole Park at Camden Yards – Baltimore, Maryland

A No. 19 ranking for Camden Yards may be controversial among die-hard baseball fans, but we’ve reached the point in our rankings where I have mostly positive things to say about each remaining stadium. Camden Yards is no exception. Located in downtown Baltimore near the Inner Harbor, the ballpark opened in 1992, helping to usher in a new era of stadium design that diverged from many of the less interesting, cookie-cutter fields that preceded it. Among the stadium’s most notable features is the old warehouse located on Eutaw Street beyond the right-field wall and the many brass markers commemorating past home runs that landed on the street over the course of the stadium’s history.
18. Yankee Stadium – The Bronx, New York

As a lifelong Yankees fan and someone who attends dozens of home games each year, I spend a lot of time in the new Yankee Stadium, which opened in 2009. Unfortunately, I feel that it lacks the character of the old stadium in many ways — it’s a little too polished and corporate. But despite those criticisms, it also provides many comforts that were lacking in its predecessor. For instance, all of the seats on the lower level are padded, which is a major step up from the hard, plastic seats found in many other ballparks. Additionally, the stadium is a quick 20-minute subway ride from midtown Manhattan up to the Bronx.
17. Great American Ball Park – Cincinnati, Ohio

When I visited the home of the Cincinnati Reds in April 2018, I was surprised by how few other people were in attendance at such a nice ballpark. The park is located conveniently in downtown Cincinnati, and I was able to walk to the stadium from my hotel across the river in Covington, Kentucky. I also enjoyed taking a stroll through the adjacent Hall of Fame and Museum, which contained many fascinating relics from Cincinnati Reds history. As for the ballpark itself, there isn’t a bad seat in the house, in my opinion.
16. Progressive Field – Cleveland, Ohio

I’ve attended games at Progressive Field many times between the mid-2000s and 2019, including a World Series and an All-Star Game. You can always tell how passionate the Cleveland fanbase is about their team — in fact, the stadium sold out 455 consecutive games between 1995 and 2001. Opened in 1994, Progressive Field is just a 25-minute walk from the shores of Lake Erie, placing it in a convenient spot in downtown Cleveland. One of the most notable highlights of the stadium is just how close you can get to the bullpens in right field, allowing you to see pitchers warm up just a few feet away.
15. Kauffman Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri

There’s an ongoing debate in Kansas City over whether and where to build a new stadium for the Royals. Personally, I find that unnecessary, because I consider the current Kauffman Stadium to be among the nicest MLB ballparks in North America. Though the park opened in 1973, it feels much newer. It’s located in a dedicated sports complex adjacent to the home of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, which some would argue is a drawback given how difficult it is to reach without a car. That said, the park has many stunning features, none more beautiful than the fountains and waterfalls beyond the outfield wall. I had a fantastic experience when I visited in 2018, made all the more pleasant by the fact that I took in a game while indulging in some classic Kansas City-style barbecue.
14. Daikin Park – Houston, Texas

There’s no sugar-coating this: As a Yankees fan, I despise the Houston Astros. But I will give their ballpark credit — when I visited in 2024, I was struck by its unique architecture and its convenient proximity to downtown Houston. The stadium, opened in 2000, features a retractable roof that keeps the Houston humidity at bay. As I did a lap around the stadium, I enjoyed looking at the field from the many vantage points throughout the park. These include the Crawford Boxes in left field, which provide an elevated view of the outfield from 19 feet above.
13. American Family Field – Milwaukee, Wisconsin

American Family Field holds a special place in my heart as the first location my family visited on a baseball road trip we took in 2001, and I’ll admit that nostalgia may have bumped it up a few spots in my rankings. The field, located roughly 4 miles west of downtown Milwaukee, opened the very same year I first visited. No trip to this park is complete without seeing the Sausage Race, a competition between five different sausage mascots that happens every game prior to the seventh inning. If you’re wondering, sausages are also sold at various concession stands around the ballpark, so be sure to pick up your favorite flavor during your visit.
12. Comerica Park – Detroit, Michigan

In 2000, the Detroit Tigers replaced the historic Tiger Stadium with Comerica Park, located in downtown Detroit as part of a complex that also hosts the NFL’s Detroit Lions next door. What impressed me about Comerica Park was its no-frills approach — it’s a delightful spot to take in the sport I love, and there’s not a bad seat in the house. There are also activities for the entire family, including a carousel along the first-base concourse. The park’s convenient location and retro design elements make it a must-visit for any baseball fan.
11. T-Mobile Park – Seattle, Washington

Venture to the upper deck at T-Mobile park, and you’re in for quite the treat. Look one way and you’ll see the Space Needle in the distance; gaze the other direction to witness Mount Rainier in all its splendor. But in addition to those stunning views, this home field of the Seattle Mariners excels in its core mission — it is simply a great place to watch baseball. I enjoyed the concessions, from the happy-hour-priced beers before first pitch to the decadent crab sandwich, along with the impressive merchandise selection.
10. Wrigley Field – Chicago, Illinois

When I first visited the home of the Cubs in 2001 as a young child, I didn’t truly appreciate or understand the stadium’s history. But when I came back to Wrigley as an adult in 2014 and again in 2015, I changed my tune. Opened in 1914, Wrigley Field is the second-oldest ballpark in MLB. It boasts many unique and historic features, perhaps none more memorable than the ivy plants that adorn the outfield wall. The ballpark is surrounded by the vibrant Wrigleyville neighborhood, a delightful place to eat, drink, and shop alongside fellow Cubs fans before and after a game.
9. Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles, California

As the third-oldest ballpark in MLB, Dodger Stadium boasts a retro style that hearkens back to the 1960s era when it opened. Some of the seats may not be the most comfortable, and the concessions didn’t leave me especially impressed — sorry to all you Dodger Dog fans out there — but all told, the stadium was a beautiful and memorable spot to watch a baseball game. Though many fans complain about the traffic, it’s just a short walk to the nearby neighborhood of Echo Park, where my friends and I enjoyed a few beers and street hot dogs after the game.
8. Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Citizens Bank Park opened in 2004 as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, which is easily accessible along the city’s Broad Street subway line. My favorite part of the ballpark? The food. The stadium serves up some of the tastiest ballpark concessions I’ve ever ordered, from cheesesteaks to crab fries and roast pork sandwiches. I recently returned to the ballpark earlier in 2025 and was pleased to see that it maintains the same charm and appeal it had when I first visited as a kid back in 2004.
7. Truist Park – Cumberland, Georgia

In 2016, I visited Atlanta to take in a game at Turner Field, the former home of the Braves. But that stadium paled in comparison to their current home, Truist Park, which opened in 2017. I visited in 2023 and found that the area around the stadium features a great selection of bars, restaurants, and other venues for Braves fans to congregate before and after the game. Inside the stadium, I enjoyed delicious barbecue and a tasty craft beer at the Terrapin Taproom in right field, before venturing over to my seat for some baseball. While temperatures were chilly and rainy that night, I still had a blast taking in a game at this lovely stadium.
6. Target Field – Minneapolis, Minnesota

Despite the fact that it was 30 degrees Fahrenheit outside when I visited Target Field in 2024, I still look back fondly on my game there. Target Field opened in 2010 in downtown Minneapolis, replacing the former Metrodome (which I also had the pleasure of visiting). The field is beautifully adorned with limestone, and the heaters along the concourse are a nice touch to keep fans from freezing on those cold early spring nights. I also enjoyed the concessions, including the Asian-style hot dog I got from Union Hmong Kitchen in left field. Leaving the stadium after the game was a breeze, too.
5. Citi Field – Queens, New York

When Citi Field and the new Yankee Stadium both opened in 2009, I wholeheartedly believed that my team had the better park. But as the years have gone by, I’ve come to realize that the Mets have gained the upper hand in making their ballpark a must-visit destination for baseball fans. It starts with the incredible food, which includes New York City staples such as hot pastrami sandwiches, burgers from Shake Shack, slices from Prince Street Pizza, and other local favorites. It’s also just a 30-minute subway ride on the 7 line from Grand Central Station in midtown Manhattan, making it incredibly convenient whether you’re a local or someone visiting the city.
4. Petco Park – San Diego, California

San Diego has a reputation for being a beautiful city, and that extends to their MLB ballpark. In my opinion, the Padres play in one of the most impressively designed stadiums in the league. One of the park’s standout features is the historic Western Metal Supply Co. building in left field, which has been seamlessly integrated into the stadium design. Petco Park also features a 2.8-acre greenspace past centerfield called Gallagher Square, which offers views of the game, a playground for kids, and even an off-leash dog park. The stadium is conveniently located in the city’s Gaslamp Quarter, putting it in close proximity to popular hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
3. Oracle Park – San Francisco, California

When I was young, I spent many hours watching Barry Bonds hit home runs into McCovey Cove on TV. So, it was a bucket-list experience when I finally got to see the stadium with my own eyes in July 2025. The views from inside the stadium are among the best you’ll find in baseball, as the ballpark sits adjacent to San Francisco Bay. The experience is made all the better by the giant plates of garlic fries being served up at various concession stands around the park. I was also lucky to see a memorable game: I witnessed the Giants’ Patrick Bailey hit a walk-off, inside-the-park home run to cap off a wonderful night.
2. PNC Park – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

In terms of modern stadiums, my favorite is PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The stadium, opened in 2001, is located along Allegheny River, near where it converges with the Monongahela River to form the Ohio River. Fans are treated to stunning views of the city skyline, plus tasty concessions such as french fry-stuffed sandwiches from Primanti Bros. I’ve been lucky enough to visit PNC Park on many occasions, including the 2006 All-Star Game, and I eagerly await an opportunity to return.
1. Fenway Park – Boston, Massachusetts

Built in 1912, Fenway Park — the home of the Red Sox — is the oldest MLB stadium still in use. And while it pains me to admit it as a Yankee fan, Fenway is also my favorite ballpark in the league. I’ve been attending games at Fenway since I was 8 years old; in fact, I loved it so much that I used to make a point of visiting at least once a year. Its historic design is unlike any other, especially the Green Monster, a towering 37-foot wall in left field. In 2003, the Red Sox installed seats atop the Green Monster, providing a bird’s-eye view of the field and a memorable experience to anyone lucky enough to sit there. But, truly, no matter where you sit, Fenway is a wonderful place to take in a baseball game — you won’t find a more classic baseball experience anywhere else in the league.
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