The Best Recipe for a Great Mariners Game Night

Get Here Ahead of Time

Depending on the way the game schedule plays out, you might be tempted to try to drive or fly in the day of the game to save a bit of money. However, what you save in dollars may wind up costing you in headaches. The stress of travel alone can be exhausting, plus an early morning arrival means you may come into town too early to check in to your hotel, leaving you without a place to freshen up and get your game face on. Plus, there’s always the possibility that delays or cancellations could bump your arrival time back and make you late for the game. Far better to come in the day before so that you have one less thing to worry about.

Stay in Seattle Southside

In this economy, you want to make every dollar go a little further. That’s why staying in Seattle Southside is the smart choice. First, there’s getting to the hotel in the first place. If you’re flying in, why pay for a pricy taxi or rideshare when many Seattle Southside hotels offer free airport shuttles? If you’re driving into Seattle, you’re looking at a big price tag just to park your car when you stay downtown. In Seattle Southside, parking is either free or significantly lower cost versus downtown locations. Second, in Seattle Southside you are conveniently located for the easiest way to get to the game – the Link light rail system (more on that in the next section). Finally, you’re paying on average 20 to 30% less per night to stay in a Seattle Southside hotel versus a comparable downtown Seattle hotel.

Plan Your Ride

Driving to the game can be a major hassle. Not only is the traffic around the stadiums a major stress factor, you also have to worry about finding (not to mention paying for!) parking. Locals know that taking public transit is the most stress-free way to get to the game. Many Seattle Southside hotels are conveniently located within easy walking distance of a Link light rail station. Ticketing is straightforward and simple, and you’ll find a festive game day atmosphere aboard the train as you ride to the Stadium station.

What (Not) to Bring

If you haven’t been out to the ballpark in a while, you might not know to avoid bringing purses, backpacks, or large bags with you. While there are lockers available for rent across the street from the stadium, it’s better to leave large bags safely in your hotel room. Clear plastic bags no larger than 12”x6”x12” are permitted into the stadium, so if you do have items you need to bring with you, make sure to either bring one with you or pick one up before the game. You can find the full bag policy here. Another thing not to bring? Cash – all of the vendors at the ballpark, including the vendors who walk up and down the aisles during the game, are fully cashless and are enabled for contact-free payment. So bring your credit or debit card, but don’t bother bringing cash.

What to Wear

Obviously you want to wear your Mariners gear – but how warmly do you need to dress? T-Mobile Park is equipped with a rolling roof which can cover the field in the event of rain, so you don’t need to worry about whether or not it’s raining. However, even if the roof is closed, the sides of the stadium are still open to the elements, so the ambient temperature will still vary. Because of this, dressing in layers is the best choice for going to the game – that way you’re prepared for any eventuality. If you are particularly sensitive to the cold, you are permitted to bring blankets into the park, so plan ahead if you need to bring something to bundle up in. And if the sun is out, don’t be fooled by cloud coverage – stay safe, wear sunscreen! If you forgot to pack yours, there is free sunscreen available at the Guest Services Center behind section 128.

Bon Appétit!

The food experience at T-Mobile Park is second to none. Not only can you find all of the ballpark classics, like hot dogs, kettle corn, and garlic fries, but you can also find some flavors you won’t find anywhere else. For example – how many other baseball parks can brag that they have a locally beloved Hawaiian restaurant represented in their stadium? Marination brings the flavors of the islands to Seattle, and now they have an outpost inside the ballpark where you can get favorites like kalua pork, huli huli chicken, or spam musubi. Just Poké and Pure Açai are sister restaurants with a couple of stations in the stadium, where you can pick up fresh, delicious poké bowls and probably my favorite non-alcoholic beverage on offer in T-Mobile Park: the Mariners Matchata, a glass of horchata with a shot of matcha poured on top! These are just a few of the amazing options on offer – you can find a more complete guide to food available at the park here.

Seventh-Inning Stretch

…Or a little earlier than the seventh inning, if the mood strikes you. One of the great things about baseball is that it is a game that takes its time. So if you find yourself wanting to get up and move around, there’s a few spots that you may want to check out around the park.

• Kids’ Corner: If you have little ones with you, they will almost certainly get squirrelly if you keep them cooped up for too long. Thankfully there is a lot to entertain them in the Kids’ Corner, located in the outfield – a play structure, pitching and hitting challenges, a fun fountain that responds to the action on the field, and more!
• The ‘Pen: Located just behind the bullpen is a fantastic bar with great views of the bullpen and the rest of the field. Gates to The ‘Pen open two hours before every ballgame, so you can get in early and enjoy a happy hour beverage or two!
• Edgar’s Cantina: This spot offers great views of left field, delicious food and drink, and a party atmosphere. What more can you ask for?
• Trident Deck: An outdoor terrace in the upper levels of the field, offering stunning views of both the field and the city, including the port and the waters of the Sound. Best place in the park at sunset, hands down.
• Mariners Hall of Fame: A walk through Mariners history, including memorabilia from Mariners legends, footage of great moments in Mariners history, and a photo opportunity to let you recreate Ken Griffey Jr.’s most iconic catch!