Best Way to enjoy Busch Stadium

May 26, 2015 9:05 PM

I am going to Busch stadium in June for the Cardinals game and have never been there. I already have tickets- I am looking for suggestions: where should I park? and associated costs.. what is great to do before the game starts on Saturday, food suggestions-just fun things to do..Thanks!
posted by Upon Further Review to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (7 answers total)

The Broadway Oyster Bar is around the corner from the stadium and down three blocks (a short walk) and has amazing cajun food. It's a local fave so you know it's good stuff. Before or after the game you could go to the top floor of the Hilton ( it's right across the street from the stadium) to have a few drinks. There's a really nice, breezy outdoor rooftop bar there with insane views into the stadium; anyone can go regardless of whether or not they're staying at the Hilton. Really good snack foods, good drinks. And go visit the Arch, it's only a couple of blocks away from the stadium.
posted by the webmistress at 9:22 PM on May 26, 2015 [1 favorite]

Depending on where (if?) you're staying and how many people would be in your car, you could consider parking at one of the many park-and-ride lots for the Metrolink. This doesn't make sense if you're staying in or near downtown (you could just walk to the stadium), or if you'd have a car-load of people ($5 round trip per person for Metrolink, vs $15 or $20 lots, so do the math). The Stadium stop is literally across the street from Busch.

Convenient options in Missouri could be the Delmar Loop (15-20 mins) or Brentwood I-64 (30 mins) locations. Many folks park across the river in Illinois at the Casino Queen (10 mins) and take the train from there. If you use the Delmar or Brentwood stations, those are only served by Red or Blue line trains (respectively), so pay attention when you're leaving the stadium (I've seen many an out-of-towner fail to realize they were on the wrong train until it was too late and they had to backtrack).

Note that the further away you board, the less crowded the train will be when you get on (and thus you're likely to get a seat) — hence the first two suggestions above. By the time you get near the stadium, the train will likely be packed (probably at the Casino Queen station, though I've never come from that direction to a game). Alternatively, you could leave well before game-time and explore downtown.

Leaving the stadium to get on the train is bad, if you're not a fan of big crowds. I suggest if you're going west, walk a few blocks north to the 8th and Pine station, and board westbound there, before the throng boards at the stadium. If you're going east, walk several blocks west, to Civic Center, and board eastbound there. In either direction, there should be plenty of folks heading to their cars, especially if the weather's good, so you won't be walking on an otherwise-deserted street.
posted by brentajones at 10:28 PM on May 26, 2015 [1 favorite]

Good food and beer at The Schlafly Tap Room

Dessert at Ted Drewes

Release your inner child at The City Museum

Get your history on The Ulysses S. Grant Historic Site

Then pop down the road to see the pretty horsies
posted by SuperSquirrel at 6:52 AM on May 27, 2015 [2 favorites]

I recommend ball game parking at the Central Downtown Garage - it's a bit cheaper and traffic is a bit easier by virtue of being a few blocks away from the most popular spots.

If you're looking for convenient and easy eats that are pretty good but not high-end or super-impressive, you can't beat Caleco's for location and standard bar fare. (Good pizza!) A good place to cool down after a hot ball game while traffic thins out.

Note that while The City Museum is amazing, it's the kind of place one wants to spend more than an hour or two imo.

Seconding the Schlafly Tap Room for yummies!

The zoo features free admission, if you're OK with zoos. "The River's Edge" area is my favorite.

There's also some pretty steel down by the river, but mind the construction.
posted by Occula at 8:22 AM on May 27, 2015

grab a drink beforehand at Ballpark Village. it's basically a multi-floor mall complex but with sports bars instead of stores. it's right across the street from Busch Stadium so you can easily check it out before or after the game.
posted by ghostbikes at 9:46 AM on May 27, 2015

In addition to the places recommended above, I highly suggest getting a boozy shake and fries with rooster sauce at Baileys' Range. It's about a fifteen-minute leisurely stroll from the stadium, with a nice detour through City Garden.
posted by inky_the_pinky at 5:26 PM on May 27, 2015

Response by poster: Thanks eveyone for all of the great ideas!
posted by Upon Further Review at 8:23 AM on May 29, 2015