Tips for trips to Mariners games

By Jackson Hutton in Sports, Travel on April 22nd, 2011 | 2 comments

If you’ve spent any time in the City of Seattle, you’re probably familiar with the reality that traffic can become a major problem at just about any time of day, any day of the week.

I kept this in mind as I planned my annual trip to Seattle for the Mariners’ first home game of the Major League Baseball season. I’ve made the trip to Safeco Field many times, and so, as I came upon the bumper-to-bumper slowdown in Chehalis, Washington, some 85 miles south of my destination, I was not the least bit surprised.

My wife and 9-year-old son became inevitably grumpy and bored as we crept along, rarely topping 20 miles per hour, but I was resigned to the situation, and oddly content. I had made this drive for the Mariners’ home opener 18 times prior, and keeping the possibility of a traffic disaster in mind, I had built in a four-hour cushion for our travel schedule. Although disappointed that our dinner plans would have to be altered, I had faith that we would make it in time to see the first pitch.

For many baseball fans living in Oregon, a Mariners game at Safeco Field represents the closest available MLB option. It is a trip that is certainly worth taking, but is by no means a trivial undertaking. Being prepared and planning ahead will enhance your experience immeasurably.

First and foremost, let me dispel one popular myth — taking Interstate 205 to get around Portland is NOT the best option. Not only is this route approximately 10 miles longer, it has been my experience that the traffic is always worse. The best route is to just stay on I-5 straight through Portland. Do your best to avoid the morning and evening rush hours, but otherwise traffic is fairly manageable. For evening games in Seattle, I always try to leave the Eugene/Springfield area around 9 a.m., that way I will miss the morning rush hour and get through Portland around 11 a.m., just prior to lunchtime traffic.

Parking in Seattle can seem like an immense challenge for an “out of towner.” There are plenty of options available in the industrial area to the south of Safeco Field. To get to these lots from Interstate 5, simply follow the signs from the freeway to Safeco Field (Exit 164) and then look for the guys with “Parking” signs and orange flags. In my opinion, however, these lots are not the best option for your buck. These lots generally charge at least $20, and you will still have to walk 10 to 12 blocks to the stadium.

Although the downtown area may seem intimidating to the first-time visitor, there are actually many parking options available that will not only save you money, but also place you closer to restaurants and shopping. I almost always opt for a pay lot that is located just west of 1st Avenue, between Columbia and Marion streets. After 5 p.m., the lot charges only $10, plus tax, and is about a 10-block walk to Safeco Field. To reach this lot, take the Seneca Street Exit, turn left onto 5th Avenue, turn right onto Columbia, and the lot will be on your right after crossing 1st Avenue. If this lot is full, there are several others in the immediate vicinity.

Directly across Post Avenue from the parking lot is a great little Irish Pub called The Owl ‘N’ Thistle. All ages are welcome at The Owl, and they have an outstanding happy hour menu, available from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., which features several food items for only $3.50. I always opt for the happy hour fish & chips and a hummus plate. There are several other restaurants in the immediate vicinity, all of which offer food options that are far superior to ballpark food at a much better price.

Many times, when arriving around or just after 5 p.m., when many people are getting off of work and heading home, I have been fortunate enough to find a metered parking spot on the street in this area. There are plenty of options surrounding the pay parking lot, and under the viaduct to the west. Meters are only enforced until 6 p.m., so you only have to pay a couple of bucks to park for the rest of the evening. Timing is of the essence, as these spots go quick.

A short walk, about 10 blocks south along First Avenue, will take you directly to the northwest entrance to Safeco Field.

If you have given yourself enough time for dinner, and have been fortunate enough to avoid a traffic jam, I highly recommend The Crab Pot Restaurant. Located at 1301 Alaskan Way, just north of the Seattle Ferry Station and about a mile from Safeco Field, the Crab Pot is an experience in and of itself. After making your choice from several seafood combo options, your waiter will cover your table with wax paper, provide you with a wooden mallet, a bib and a large roll of paper towels. When your food is ready, it will be dumped in a pile directly on your table, and a bucket will be placed on the floor next to your chair for you to discard clam shells, empty crab legs and the like. Dig In! It may sound barbaric, but the food is wonderful and the experience is fun and unique.

In the event you are fortunate enough to make the trip to Seattle the day or evening before the game, you might consider traveling up the Kitsap peninsula to Bremerton and taking a ferry across Puget Sound to downtown Seattle. My son and I took advantage of this option two years ago for opening day, and the little guy enjoyed it immensely. I will never forget the look on his face as we drove our car onto the huge boat. Taking advantage of online resources, we found a great deal on a hotel room in the City Center, and the following day, prior to the ballgame, we took in a spectacular view of the city from the top of the Space Needle. Tickets for the elevator ride up are a bit spendy at $18 for adults and $11 for kids 4 to 12 years of age, but my son was once again enthralled with the experience. After descending from the tower, we took the short walk to the Monorail station and caught the elevated train downtown, and from there caught a free shuttle to Safeco Field. My son talks about this particular trip every time we return to Seattle, and for that reason alone, I feel it was well worth the extra cost and time.

The weather in Seattle in April is inevitably cold and windy, with a significant chance of rain. I rarely opt to bring rain gear, simply because the only time it may be necessary is during the walk to and from the ballpark. On rainy days, the retractable roof will be closed at Safeco Field, and carrying around a wet raincoat becomes more trouble than it is worth, in my opinion. Instead, I choose a suitable outer coat that I can take off after arriving at the park for the purposes of drying it out. It WILL get chilly, especially at an evening game, so warm clothing is a must, and a blanket is a great idea. I generally carry my extra sources of warmth in a backpack, which of course, slows down my entry to the ballpark as it is subjected to a routine search. I do not generally attempt to sneak in any bottled or canned beverages, which greatly accelerates this process. Sometimes, a nice usher lets us slide with a bottle of water, in violation of official stadium policy. Even during the summertime, Safeco Field can get a bit chilly and breezy once the sun goes down.

Post game, Seattle’s Pioneer Square offers a plethora of watering holes for evening libations. A stroll from Safeco, north on 1st Avenue, will take you past many bars and taverns, all worth a visit. The J&M Café is one of Seattle’s oldest and busiest bars, with an authentic old style saloon feel. The J&M is located at 201 1st Avenue South. An upscale Irish Pub, “Fado” is located on the corner of 1st and Columbia. Other Pioneer Square spots worth visiting include The Central Saloon, Triangle Pub, Sluggers Sports Bar, Fuel, Collins Pub and King Street Bar & Oven.

At Seattle’s home opener for the 2011 season, the Mariners were unceremoniously whipped 12-3 by the Cleveland Indians. It appears that the Mariners will struggle to compete in the American League this year, as the talent simply isn’t there. Fortunately, Safeco Field is a beautiful stadium in a wonderful city, Ichiro Suzuki still plays right field, and one other Major League team will be playing in each of Seattle’s home games this year.

For all of these reasons, a trip to Seattle for a Mariners game is well worth the taking for a baseball enthusiast in Oregon.

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