Seattle, Washington

Sea-Tac International Airport (SEA)

13.5 miles/20 minute drive to T-Mobile Park

Take the Link light rail directly from Sea-Tac Airport to T-Mobile Park. This 30-minute ride is a great option if not renting a car while in Seattle. 

WHERE TO STAY? Hotels Near T-Mobile Park (All below are within 3 miles)

Unlimited budget

Silver Cloud Inn (across the street from Safeco) 

The Inn at the Market

Best Western Pioneer Square Hotel

Hotel 1000

Moderate budget

The Inn at Virginia Mason

Hampton Inn & Suites- Seattle Airport (12 miles from T-Mobile Park)

Hilton Bellevue - 6 miles from T-Mobile Park

Comfort Suites Airport - 12 miles from T-Mobile Park

Chaser budget traveler- Unfortunately, you will need to leave downtown Seattle to find quality lodging under $100 per night. Even under $200 per night is difficult to find in downtown Seattle. Ballpark Chasers does not currently recommend any downtown hotels/motels in the chaser budget category.

WHERE TO PARK?

Street, metered, paid lots and garage parking are available. Depending on the day of week and the Mariners record, parking can range from $5 to $40. 

Ballpark Chasers Tip: Find the intersection between 1^st Ave. S. and Holgate Street. Look for the alley to the West as it offers blocks of free parking. Come early as these fill up quickly!

WHERE TO EAT?

Located across the street from T-Mobile Park, the Pyramid Alehouse is the place to be before a Mariners game. Whether you want to stay for a sit down meal inside their fabulous brew house or just grab a drink in the beer garden, the Pyramid is a Ballpark Chaser favorite. Don't leave without trying the Pyramid burger and Haywire Hefeweizen. For those staying in the nearby Silver Cloud Hotel, check out their restaurant, Jimmy's on First (across the street from the Left Field gate). If you are looking for a quicker option, find the alley between Occidental and Royal Brougham Way. Dozens of vendors are found selling everything from polish sausage to kettle corn and is much more affordable option than eating inside the ballpark. Our last recommendation requires transportation as the closest location is a 10 minute drive. Katsu Burgers are a local favorite and a must have for you burger lovers. These Japanese style burgers are hand formed, miso seasoned, breaded and fried for a taste you have never experienced before. Our favorite is the Tokyo Classic with spice fries and a milkshake. 

Ballpark Chasers Favorite Bar- Pyramid Alehouse

Once inside the ballpark, the food selection gets even better. T-Mobile Park is a Ballpark Chaser favorite when it comes to concessions. Din Tai Fung serves incredible pork wontons, mushrooms and vermicelli noodles, wonton soup, and steamed traditional bao buns filled with pork along with vegetarian options. Liege waffles — made from a rich Brioche yeasted dough studded with pearls of sugar topped with powdered sugar or dipped in dark or white chocolate. But nothing intrigues us more than the beer-float. You read that correctly. Ice-cream mixed with a stout beer! You can find these floats at the Frozen Rope Sandwich company. For a non alcoholic dessert, check out Metropolitan Market's "The Cookie". This will be the best chocolate chip cookie you have ever tasted! 

Our favorite part of the ballpark is called "The Pen". This area beyond the center field fence offers a cocktail lounge with fire-pit, a one of a kind vantage point of both bullpens, and a plethora of concession stands. Gates open to The Pen 2 ½ hours before first pitch (a half hour earlier than all other ballpark gates). Come early for happy hour as beers are only $7.00 up to one hour before first pitch. Enjoy tasty food choices from local celebrity chef, Ethan Stowell, and happy hour specials all season long. Dynamite Chicken, a local Seattle restaurant, offers  fried chicken sandwiches, hot wings, tater tots topped with cheese and all the fixings. Ballard Pizza Co. serves pizza by the slice as well as Caesar salads. T-Mobile Park's best burger is found at Great State Burger. Their classic American burgers feature organically raised beef with a single or double patty, with or without cheese. There's also Great State's signature veggie burger (organic grains and seasonal vegetables, deep-fried). Sides include crinkle cut fries and organic chocolate, strawberry or vanilla milkshakes.

New Food at T-Mobile Park

Li'l Woody's - Seattle’s grass fed burger chain offers two of their favorite burgers alongside a vegetarian option (Impossible patty). Also you can find chicken tenders, fries, and ice cream shakes.

Fat's Chicken - a five spice fried chicken thigh sandwich, buttermilk fried chicken strips and fries, three styles of wings, poutine, mac and cheese, and rice topped with Andouille sausage gravy.

Paseo - Caribbean roast sandwiches, loaded with slow-roasted pork shoulder, caramelized onion, cilantro, pickled jalapeño and romaine lettuce and slathered with garlic aioli. Other menu items will include a chicken thigh sandwich, tofu sandwich, Caribbean bowl, and roasted corn on the cob. 

WHERE TO BUY TICKETS?

Same day tickets at the box office usually not a problem when attending a Mariners game. With that being said, the Mariners have high expectations this season so look for tickets to be more in demand if they are competing. For the best ticket deals, Ballpark Chasers recommends pre-purchasing your tickets through the Mariners ticket office. 

Ballpark Chasers tip: Scalpers are readily available outside of T-Mobile Park. Don't fall for their first offer. Always walk away and you can save yourself another $5 per ticket. If they ask you to make an offer, always start $10 under face value.

WHEN TO GO?

It is hit or miss in Seattle, Washington. However, T-Mobile Park has a retractable roof so there are no rain-outs to spoil your trip. The best months to travel to Seattle are July, August and September. Bring a light rain jacket and enjoy a nice cup of coffee to go along with the drizzle.

WHAT ELSE TO SEE?

Pike Place Market is a short cab ride away from T-Mobile Park. This is a great place to come for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Fun local vendors, great people watching and of course the famous flying fishes make for an entertaining stop before the game.

Just 2.5 miles from T-Mobile Park, the Space Needle is a token Seattle landmark to visit year round. Adults can expect to pay $19 ($12 for children under 13) for a ride up to the viewing deck. We recommend staying for a meal to enjoy more of the Seattle skyline. The SkyCity restaurant serves lunch and dinner throughout the week and brunch and dinner on the weekends. Lunch plates start at $25 and dinner plates start at $34.  A short walk from the Space Needle is one of the country's most unique looking buildings. The Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) is a must-see for anyone who has an appreciation for music, film, television and pop culture. The EMP is an interactive museum that does a fabulous job representing all types of music, including the rich history of Seattle's music scene. Another great half-day trip is to the Museum of Flight, home of one of the largest collections of air and spacecraft. Only a 10-minute drive from T-Mobile Park, the Museum of Flight is a perfect way to spend an afternoon before taking in an evening Mariners game. The museum includes the "Red Barn" (Boeing's original manufacturing facility), an old Air Force One 707, a Concorde jetliner, the fastest plane in the world and numerous interactive activities for all ages. 

Our final recommendation is Bill Speidel's Underground Tour. Located about 1 mile from T-Mobile Park, this guided tour of Seattle's underground is one of the most unique tours in North America. Make sure to bring cash for your ticket as well as a few extra dollars to tip your guide, as they make the tour lighthearted and very entertaining.

BALLPARK CHASERS VACATION?

Unfortunately, T-Mobile Park is the lone Major League Baseball stadium in the Northwest. Therefore, make this trip a quick 3-day weekend getaway and see a couple of Mariner games. If you go with a rental car, the Tacoma Rainers and Everett Aquasox are a short drive away for some good Minor League baseball. The Rainers play at newly renovated Cheney Stadium; a 40-minute drive South of Seattle. The Aquasox play at Everett Memorial Stadium; a 30-minute drive North of Seattle. A little further away is Scotia Bank ballpark, in Vancouver, Canada. The Vancouver Canadians are Class A Short Season Affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Don't forget your passport!