The Top 5 Ballpark Neighborhoods in the US

If you're a baseball fan who loves to travel and see new things, catching a game can actually be a great way to start exploring local cityscapes and cultures. Especially over the last 10 or 15 years, there has been a trend of building baseball stadiums that are integrated with the look and feel of vibrant downtown neighborhoods. Several team organizations have taken this step, and fans have benefited considerably.

When going to a game at one of these stadiums, be sure to leave a lot of room on your itinerary before or after the game for exploring the neighborhood.

Coors Field, Denver: Coors Field in Denver set the modern trend for downtown ballparks. When developers drew up plans for the park, the LoDo neighborhood was a gritty area with several breweries and close proximity to 16th street, the main downtown strip. After the park opened, LoDo quickly became one of the most interesting neighborhoods in the city. The breweries became popular brewpubs, and a wide variety of dining and bar options began to thrive in the area. If you're not a fan of the bar scene walk, four blocks southwest to find the 16th Street Mall, Denver's popular mile-long pedestrian mall.

AT&T Park, San Francisco: The Giants' ballpark made its debut in 2000. Anchoring San Francisco's South Beach neighborhood, the park is in easy walking distance from a variety of hip and lively bars, cafes, restaurants, museums, and markets. It's also very close to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and it's near the Ferry Building farmers market, where visitors can browse an extensive collection of local and organic meats, cheeses, and vegetables.

Safeco Field, Seattle: The Mariners' field was built in Pioneer Square, Seattle's oldest neighborhood and home to much of the city's most interesting architecture and urban spaces. Because of its downtown location, the ballpark is also near a huge variety of dining and recreation options. By walking north or northeast, visitors will treat themselves to some of Seattle's best unique local flavor.

Fenway Park, Boston: Unlike the other parks on this list, Fenway park is old, now nearing its 100th anniversary. Because of its age, the park has seen all kinds of changes to its surrounding area. The Fenway-Kenmore neighborhood is home to several museums, including the Museum of Fine Art, and it's within shouting distance from the South End neighborhood, which is one of Boston's hippest and most vibrant neighborhoods.

PNC Park, Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh's downtown area has undergone a startling revitalization over the last few years, and the new home of the Pirates has played a central role in the process. Located in Pittsburgh's central North Side neighborhood, the park is directly across the river from the city's breathtaking skyline, and park visitors are treated to a clear view of the city's architecture. The park has become the center of a thriving neighborhood for dining and nightlife, and it's just down the street from Pittsburgh's famed Warhol Museum.

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