The last stop in our 30 before 30 MLB Stadium tour was Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners. I’ve always wanted to visit Seattle, and this trip did not disappoint.
We ate lunch at the SkyCity Restaurant at the top of the Space Needle, which is quite an experience. If you’re wanting to grab a meal there, make reservations at least two weeks in advance, go during the lunch hour (much cheaper), and ask for a window seat. It doesn’t feel like you’re rotating at all, but the constant change in view gives you a great 360 of Seattle during your meal.
After our Space Needle lunch, we walked to the “original” Starbucks, the “Gum Wall”, and then made our way through the Pike Place Fish Market. We also made the two-hour drive north to Friday Harbor for a whale watching tour. No whales, but we did get a rain check for a reunion tour.
Of course, the main reason for our visit was checking our last stadium off our list. Three summers, 30 stadiums, more flight and road miles than I can keep track of, and our bucket list is now complete. The Mariners rallied with 4-run 8th inning and held off the Rangers with a final score of 6-5. It felt a little anticlimactic to visit our last stadium, but we were glad to say we saw all 30 MLB stadiums before we turn 30.
If you’re wanting to check out Safeco Field, here are a few tips you might want to know:
- People kept telling me to pack rain gear for Seattle, but we had sunshine every day of our trip. I’d still recommend packing rain gear, just in case. Safeco has a retractable roof though, which means you’ll only need the rain gear outside the ballpark.
- Safeco Field is right down the street from CenturyLink, home of the Seahawks. They give tours during the offseason and it’s worth trying to line up your tour with a Mariners nightcap. Unfortunately, our plans didn’t line up. Bummer.
- We weren’t allowed to bring in any outside food or drink, including water! Plan ahead and be prepared for price gougers once you’re inside the gate.
- We’re glad we stayed with friends in Seattle. Hotels are expensive! If you do need a place to stay, I’d recommend something close to the airport.
- The food at Safeco is very impressive. They have a whole variety of food and beer on tap to pair well with your taste buds and budget. If you want to grab a bite to eat before the game, check out the Pyramid Ale House for a great atmosphere.
- Tickets weren’t that expensive, even with Rangers, a division rival, in town. Safeco does have the largest Jumbotron in MLB and the view is worth paying extra.
Thus ends our MLB tour. We’re planning on visiting new stadiums as they open, but for now, we’re content with saying we’ve been there, done that.
