How to make the most of your game day experience at T-Mobile Park

Whether you’re a Mariners fan traveling from afar or just visiting Seattle and taking in a ballgame, here’s where to sit, what to eat, and how to make the most of your game day experience at T-Mobile Park

We’re a little biased around here, but we really believe T-Mobile Park (née Safeco Field) is a top-tier baseball park. With sweeping views of both the skyline and Elliot Bay, better-than-average food and drink offerings, and plenty of room to roam and explore, there’s lots to do at the stadium. Here are some of our expert tips to make your game day experience smooth and memorable.

Getting there

The best way to get to T-Mobile Park—and to get around Seattle in general—is the light rail, which is located just across the street on the east side of the stadium. The light rail line runs north (Lynwood) to south (Angle Lake), and will also take you to other popular destinations like the University of Washington, Capitol Hill, downtown and the International District. One thing to be aware of: the trains get very crowded postgame, so you might plan to have a nightcap or stroll up through historic Pioneer Square to the next station. Tickets for the light rail can be purchased at the station; more information can be found here.

The 21 line, serving West Seattle, also picks up right outside the stadium. You can also take a short (20-minute, all flat) walk to the waterfront, where you can pick up a variety of express bus lines or take a ferry (or the water taxi to West Seattle’s Alki Beach).

If you have to drive, be prepared to pay between 25-80 dollars to park, depending on the game and location. The Mariners garage, connected to the stadium, will be the most convenient but also the most expensive, and spaces are extremely limited. There are pay lots further south on First Avenue which get more inexpensive the further south you go; read signs carefully, and do not hand anyone cash. If you’re there very early, you might be able to find some free spots on Utah Avenue, but park at your own risk.

Where to sit

If you’re coming from out of town, you’ve probably already gotten your seats, but just in case you’re planning on grabbing some last-minute deals, we strongly recommend either the left-field bleachers (the 180s) or the View Level on the first base line (320-325), which will provide the best views of the skyline, similar to those featured in the header art for this article.

For those spending a bit more, the Terrace Club (200-level) is well worth it if you prefer a less hectic game day experience. With cushiony seats, a dedicated and less-crowded concourse, and nicer restrooms, it’s a little touch of luxury at a still-affordable price. If you’re attending a game with people who need a little more time or space or those with sensory sensitivities, it’s really the best way to go.

What to do in the stadium

If you get to the game early and don’t feel like sitting in your seats yet or want to explore, there’s plenty to do. If you’re making it a whole baseball day, consider booking a tour of T-Mobile Park. Maybe the coolest free thing is the Mariners Hall of Fame/Museum of Pacific Northwest Baseball located on the main concourse on the third base side (near sections 135-141). There’s a neat photo opp to recreate the Griffey slide or rob a home run catch. If you have kids with you, there’s a play structure on the main concourse in center field, and t-ball cages and space to run around on the first-base side of the 300 level.

Pregame, most fans will opt to hang out in the T-Mobile Bullpen (“the ‘Pen”). Kids are allowed in this area, but it’s not an ideal place for them to hang out during the game because visibility is limited, although they’ll have a lot of fun standing near the field to try and catch a batting practice home run ball. The bullpens at T-Mobile communicate directly with the fan area, so it’s a great place to try to get some pregame autographs or just say hi to your favorite reliever. Happy Hour is in the T-Mobile Bullpen (“the ‘Pen”) every day from gates opening until an hour and a half before first pitch. Other favorite places are Edgar’s Porch or Edgar’s Cantina, both in left field; note these spaces are 21 and over. Poquito’s, located in the ‘Pen, is where you’ll find the toasted grasshoppers (chapulines), if that’s something you’re looking for.

What to eat

If grasshoppers aren’t your thing, there are plenty of other options, starting at Edgar’s Cantina; the cantina nachos are a cut above standard ballpark plastic cheese-and-chips, with white queso, smoky pulled pork, and all the delicious toppings you could want (you can find them throughout the park, not just at the ‘Pen, and if plastic cheese is your passion, you’ll find value nachos around ,as well). The long lines at Moto Pizza are worth it for filling French bread-style pizza that will keep you warm on a chilly night, although nothing beats a bread bull full of clam chowder from Ivar’s if you’re intent on that warm-belly feeling. Don’t miss the Area 206 curry at Tamari Bar, knocking off the Marination lunch platter as the longtime champion of best bang for your ballpark buck, although both are quite good (and vegans will thrill to the tofu tots at Marination). Garlic fries are an institution at the park, but we won’t tell anyone if you opt to skip having garlic breath for the rest of the day. Find a full map of the park offerings here, and a deeper dive on the ballpark’s food scene here. Take special note of the value menu: the Mariners have spent significant time improving their value offerings to make games more family-friendly (the Pocky sticks are hands-down the best value in the park, if not all of baseball), but there’s plenty of value beer options as well, and ones that go well beyond the macrobreweries.

Photo Ops

Outside of the stadium, the two most famous statues at T-Mobile Park are located at the main gate, at the “corner of Edgar and Dave”: the Griffey statue and the Edgar statue. At the left field gate, Gerard Tsutakawa’s oversized bronze baseball mitt also makes for a great photo. Inside the stadium, visit the statue of famed Mariners broadcaster Dave Niehaus, located on the main concourse in center field. If city views are your thing, head up to the 300 level (the aptly-named “View Level”); the left field corner will give you the best combination of water and city views, but if you want to check out Mount Rainier, that’s along the first base line. Make sure to take plenty of pictures of your day at the park, truly one of baseball’s most beautiful.

Our best insider tips

If you read all the way to the end of this article, here’s your prize. These are our best tips and tricks culled from years of visiting the park.

• First of all, definitely pay attention to park policies regarding what you can and can’t bring in; it’s a bummer to wait in a long line on a busy day and then get held up at security.
• If you’re headed to the park for your first time ever, make sure to enter through the main gate to see the spectacular baseball bat chandelier and ascend up the grand staircase. But if you’re on a return visit, the left or right (provided it isn’t a season ticket holder day) field gates will be quicker for entry.
• Make sure to wear LAYERS, even if the sun is out earlier (a thermal or warm hoodie, along with a jacket, is the part we see people forget most often). When the sun goes down the ballpark can get breezy and cold in a hurry, especially in late spring/early summer. If you’re sitting down the first base line or in right field, bring sunglasses and/or a hat, because the sun will be right in your eyes for the first hour of a night game/last hour of a day game. If you’re sitting in the bleachers, definitely bring sunglasses and a hat as well as a healthy coat of SPF, and if it’s a day game, bring sunscreen and reapply; that metal reflects and you will get burned.
• If it’s your child’s first Mariners game ever, tell any usher and they will direct you to a guest services kiosk behind home plate on the 100 level where you can get a cute “my first Mariners game” certificate. Also make sure to stop by center field on the main concourse to sign up for the Mariners’ kids club, if you haven’t already; the kids will walk away with some Mariners swag, and it’s free.
• On super crowded days, the main concourse can be a nightmare to navigate. Speedrun the area between left and center field by walking up the stairs that lead to the left field bleachers and walking along the catwalk there; you’ll avoid a particularly dreadful choke point around Edgar’s Porch and the ‘Pen stairs.
• Don’t be afraid to say hi! Mariners fans are generally friendly and have a good sense of humor about the team and their long history of struggle. Although if you’re an Astros fan, you might want to keep that to yourself.