Top 5 MLB stadiums to visit this season

With the highly anticipated 2025 MLB season just being kicked off, one thing that baseball analysts will not highlight this opening week are the cathedrals of America’s pastime.

These structures from the outside look like mega buildings, only to find a beautiful baseball diamond with Kentucky blue grass inside. Having visited 23 out of 30 MLB stadiums, I am going to rank my top 5 stadiums you should visit this year and why.

5. Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Home of the Cardinals

Starting off strong with a candidate for one of the most complete ballpark experiences. St. Louis has what is called the "Ballpark Village".

In this ballpark village, you can find numerous things to do, including the Bally Sports Live complex. A multifunction area where fans can enjoy watching the game on a massive jumbotron while also visiting multiple bars and restaurants within the facility.

The best place to go within this grand facility is the Bud Deck. From across the street, fans can enjoy a view of the ballpark that makes you feel like you’re in the stadium.

Around Bally Sports Live, there are tons of outdoor spaces filled with Cardinals history. One specific area being a baseball diamond-shaped patio that is oriented in the exact location of the original stadium’s basepath before it was knocked down in 2006.

There is also a yellow line on the ground next to the entrance that was where the outfield wall was.

In the stadium, there are many things to highlight. First, the view. A magnificent panoramic view of the St. Louis skyline and the most famous Gateway arch. This certainly makes the ballpark unique to the city and makes it a cool atmosphere for visitors.

Wherever you sit, you will have a good view, as this is one of the parks that does not require you to purchase a 500-dollar ticket to go enjoy the sights and sounds of baseball while also watching the game for the players, such as future Hall of Famer Nolan Arenado putting out dingers in the left field stands called Big Mac Land.

P.S. Take note of the outfield wall that features all Hall of Fame players and the only owner in sports to retire themselves.

4. Rogers Centre, Toronto, Home of the Blue Jays

This newly renovated, state-of-the-art complex has the first fully retractable stadium roof in the world. In my opinion, this is the cleanest ballpark in the Major Leagues.

This stadium is in the heart of downtown Toronto next to the CN Tower, which makes for a unique sight when the roof is open.

The open concourse allows for an efficient way to make it around the stadium while being distracted by the many delicious food items, including their poutine and their maple candied bacon hotdog.

Arguably the coolest part of the park is not a part of the park at all but sits out above center field.

The Marriott hotel is one of the most unique stays in the world. It includes a 5-star experience where people can look at the game from their hotel room. The hotel is built into the stadium and is a part of the main architecture.

The Blue Jays have some great fan engagement opportunities with many chants and the infamous Ok, Blue Jays song which involves some fun dance moves after the seventh inning stretch.

When the Blue Jays hit a home run, they have a massive horn in center field just to remind the pitcher that he had given up a long ball. It adds a fun aspect to the already electric crowd environment.

Speaking of the crowd, I went last season where the Blue Jays were last in the division and their team was struggling on a losing streak. I was expecting to not see that many people on a Friday.

The game was almost sold out, and it was that way for the whole series. The next day, the roof was open, and my friend and I looked into the ballpark and watched the game from the top of the CN Tower. While that experience was lucky, if you are able, I would certainly try.

3. Fenway Park, Boston, Home of the Red Sox

Home to the green monster and whole lotta history. This is the oldest active stadium in the majors. Walking into Fenway Park is like taking a step back in time to watch Ted Williams hit a 500+ foot home run.

This stadium was built into the city grid, and because of that, it has some of the most unique field dimensions in baseball.

One of these dimensions is the green monster in left field that spans 231 feet long and 37 feet high. This turns home runs into doubles and pop outs into home runs.

Being 310 feet from the plate, it is one of the shortest porches in the league. I hope you are not afraid of heights, as you can sit atop the beast for one of the best views in the sport.

Among the numerous famous parts of this stadium is the Pesky Pole, named after a former Red Sox player. It’s a tradition to sign the poll as a fan. Just try not to get yelled at by a stadium attendant.

A great tradition that the Red Sox do is sing Sweet Caroline in the eighth inning, and the crowd loves it every time. The fans are extremely passionate and have a good knowledge of baseball. I suggest attending one of the greatest rivalries in sports.

The Yankees and Red Sox series are always sold out, and they draw the most passionate of fans. Truly a spectacle, as every game is a good one. Very rarely the score will be a blowout, and that pays a tribute to the series' great history.

The only unfortunate part of this park is that you cannot experience it all in one day. A key part of this experience is learning all the history and taking a tour of the ballpark, which you cannot take on gameday.

Another fantastic part of the gameday experience is going to Lansdown Street and seeing the surrounding neighborhoods. Boston is home to many fun attractions, and many of them are achievable before gametime without sacrificing any of the ballpark experience.

Lastly, don’t forget to visit one of the best team stores in the league. Across the street, it is still part of the stadium. Complete with a fantastic jersey collection to choose from as well as a baseball card and memorabilia room.

2. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, Home of the Dodgers

Home of the world champion Dodgers, walking into this stadium is like walking onto a Hollywood movie set in the 1960s starring Sandy Koufax and the LA Dodgers.

But instead of seeing Koufax, it’s the tall Shohei Ohtani standing amongst the palm trees that surround Dodger Stadium. This team moved from the lights of the big apple at Ebbetts Field to the glitz and glammer of Los Angeles.

You will find many of Hollywood’s finest sitting at the ballpark enjoying a Dodger dog while taking in the beauty of the mountains beyond the outfield. Being that these confines were built into the side of a mountain, traffic and parking you may find to be troublesome. But then again, it is LA.

Beyond that outfield wall you will not only find those beautiful views, but there always seems to be a party with concessions and a beautiful Hall of Fame Walk featuring Hall of Fame players from LA with their baseball cards.

Much like St. Louis, there is not a bad seat in the ballpark. When you are sitting up high, the stadium is built in a way that you are still close to the field.

The way they do this is by building multiple decks instead of having longer seating sections. The stands are built on top of each other, which makes it seem close and cozy.

This is also one of the only ballparks in the MLB that has a functioning organ. The sounds of the organ add to the baseball experience in a way that words can’t describe. You just need to experience it.

The LA community also makes this place special because of their unwavering support of their dodgers. You will see many memorials across the stadium and in the press box for the late great Vin Scully.

This venue is rarely not sold out. Make sure to get your tickets early and book one of the best stadium tours in the league before the game.

Taking a trip to blue heaven is certainly worth it.

1. Camden Yards at Orioles Park, Baltimore, Home of the orioles

If you are a baseball purist, this stadium screams baseball. From the all-brick structure to the location being across the street of the birthplace of the great bambino. Baseball was meant to be played here.

This is not a park where you expect a fancy meal, a tricked-out roof, or a pool in the outfield. Get some Boogs barbeque and a homegrown beer. With that, you are set to enjoy some good baseball in a beautiful ballpark.

Being built into the city fabric, it pays homage to the city's history with Eutaw Street in the outfield in front of the warehouse.

When you visit the street, make sure you look down at the discs on the ground, which mark where each player, Oriole or not, hit a home run onto Eutaw Street.

There has only been one ball that has hit the warehouse in history that was hit by Ken Griffey Jr. He has a black and gold disc on the warehouse for all fans to take pictures of.

The warehouse is a symbol of Baltimore’s history, and it is excellent to see that the Orioles do not stray away from their industrial past.

Built into city fabric, this stadium is easy to have fun while pregaming at the local bars and then head to the stadium.

The walk around the stadium is breathtaking because of the outdoor concourse in the stands. People can enjoy 360 views while being outside, which makes the standing room tickets very valuable.

Baltimore is a chill place to watch a game. In the 7th inning, after the stretch, they sing Thank God I’m a Country Boy by John Denver. It's a very cool way to get engaged with the game, and it fits the ballpark.

Behind the bullpen, you can walk with the legends, as they have numerous statues of the Orioles legends.

While these stadiums are incredible, there are many more across the nation that could arguably also be in this top 5. People have many different opinions on the matter, but the best way to settle this debate is to visit the ballparks yourself.

Honorable mentions include

Oracle Park, San Francisco, Home of the Giants

Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Home of the Phillies

PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Home of the Pirates

Coors Field, Colorado, Home of the Rockies

Jacob Gold is a first-year majoring in communications. To contact him, email jrg6474@psu.edu.