Tropicana Field | Ballpark Info

Tropicana Field | Must Do

Visit the Rays Tank

In center field, you’ll find a 10,000 gallon touch tank full of cownose sting rays — the same species of ray that might encounter in the local water. It’s free to touch the rays after a few moments of safety instructions. Just be sure to get to the tank before it closes approximately two hours after first pitch.

You’ll also have a chance to visit the rays tank if you take a tour of the Trop during the season. The tank is emptied and the rays are sent to The Florida Aquarium during the off season.

Fun fact: Marlin’s Park and Oracle Park also have aquariums featuring local sea life.

Stop By Ballpark & Rec

Three hours before first pitch, Ballpark & Rec opens behind centerfield. It’s a great place to hang out before the ballgame and includes arcade games, lawn games, and skyline views of downtown St. Pete. Ballpark & Rec is open before and after each game at the Trop and has some really great food and drink deals. When you’re ready to enter the ballpark, you’ll find yourself near the centerfield gate and the Budweiser outfield porch.

Check out the Yellow and White Seats

Most of the seats in the Trop are blue, but if you look in right field, you’ll find three different colored seats commemorating Rays history. In right-center, you’ll see a yellow chair marking the first home run hit by the Devil Rays in 1998 (Wade Boggs of course). You’ll also find a yellow seat marking Boggs’ 3000th hit — a home run in 1999. Down the right foul line you’ll find a white seat where Dan Johnson’s magical pinch hit home run tied the game in the 9th inning of game 162 in 2011. You can purchase a ticket for each of these seats, or visit them before or after the game, as long as the seat holder isn’t there yet.

Visit 162 Landing

On the last day of the 2011 regular season, the Rays mounted an amazing comeback against the Yankees after being down 7 runs in the 8th inning. A Red Sox loss would help them punch their most improbable ticket to the postseason. Evan Longoria hit a game winning walk off home run just over the left field line. There, you’ll find a floor marker where the historic home run landed, as well as a wall display recapping the craziness of that night. 162 Landing is open to the public, and can be found in the tunnel between sections 137 & 139.

Tropicana Field | Transportation and Parking

Just like any major city, St. Pete has a heavy rush hour. If you’re trying to get downtown before a 7:00pm ballgame, you’ll want to be sure you leave yourself plenty of time. Remember that the Trop’s parking gates open 4 hours prior to first pitch, and that tailgating is encouraged. You can even park, then leave your car and head to one of the nearby bars or restaurants to pass the time before the game starts.

If you plan to use one of the official Rays lots, be sure to bring a credit card. Remember that the whole ballpark has gone cashfree. This includes the parking lots.

Off-Site / Free Parking Options

There are plenty of discounted, unofficial lots near the ballpark that might save you a few bucks. You’ll see them driving in on 3rd, with prices ranging from $5-$10. You can also park in the parking lot of the grocery store down 3rd Ave for around $5. Just keep in mind that if you have 4 or more people in your car, you can park in the official lots for free.

Uber & Lyft

If you’d rather not drive, Uber and Lyft are great options for getting to and from Tropicana Field.

Drivers know to pick up up in the official rideshare spot, near gate 5. This is the opposite side of the park from the major parking lots, so traffic flows pretty well. If you’re not in a rush after the game, consider heading over to a nearby bar to wait out the post-game rush.

If you’re new to Uber, you can use this link to get a discount on your first few rides.

Tropicana Field | Best Seats

Best Seats for Rays History

As mentioned in the must do section, there are several historic seats at the Trop. In section 144 you’ll find a yellow seat marking the first franchise home run hit by Wade Boggs. Not too far off in section 148 you’ll find another marking his 3,000th hit, also a home run. In section 140, Row T, Seat 10, you’ll find a white seat marking Dan Johnson’s pinch-hit home run in 2011’s game 162. All of these seats are sold for each game.

Down the left field line, you’ll find an on-field, group area that can 75 – 150 people. This is 162 Landing, where Evan Longoria’s walk-off home run landed, sending the Rays to the 2011 postseason.

Best Seats for Game Views

The Trop is a huge park, but since it was built without the idea of a baseball team playing there, there are several obstructed seats behind catwalks. Don’t worry though, because these seats are tarped off and won’t be sold except for postseason games. During the regular season, the upper deck has been almost completely shut down, bringing the crowd down to the lower two levels of the park. With the 300 level shut down, the Trop only holds about 26,000. Views are great from any available seat you can purchase, so no need to worry about not being able to see the action.

You can still purchase tickets for the Party Deck, which is in the 300 level, down the left field line. These are typically the cheapest seats, have craft beer nearby, and are the only bleacher seats in the entire park. The view is still great from up there, though, so give it a try.

In addition to great seats, you can walk the entire ballpark on the 360 walkway, and stand right over top of the Rays tank on the outfield wall.

Best Seats for Foul Balls

Looking to catch a foul ball at Tropicana Field? According to foulballz.com, your best chances are in sections 109-117 on the third base side and 112-120 on the first base side.

Tropicana Field | Ballpark Food

The Must Have: The Short Rib Grilled Cheese

This ultimate comfort food has racked up plenty of awards (both locally and via the MLB food fest) since debuting a few years ago. You’ll find three different kinds of cheese, caramelized onions, horseradish, and Budweiser Braised Short Rib. Served with a side of kettle chips. Find it at “Melted” which has two locations – the 3B food hall, and the Budweiser Porch in center field.

Something Special: Fried Grouper Sandwich

Get a little taste of Tampa Bay’s seafood scene while you’re at the Trop. You can find the fried grouper sandwich (made by local favorite, the Hunger Thirst Group) at the Budweiser Porch in centerfield.

The Challenge: BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos

These BBQ Pulled Pork Nachos can easily feed a couple people, but YOLO (is that still a thing?). You can find this huge tray of deliciousness at Southern Fried (Field Level in Center Field between sections 149 and150), Budweiser Smoke & Pour ( 3B Food Hall) and Sizzle (1B Food Hall).

Vegetarian and Vegan Options at Tropicana Field

The Impossible Burger can be found at Central Burger (in both the 1B and 3B food halls), and Ballpark & Rec. (Centerfield between sections 149 & 150). Pacific Counter (1B food hall) also has rice bowls with vegan sauce options. Of course, if you’re vegetarian, Melted (1B food fall and Right Field section 144) can make a mean meat-free grilled cheese!

Gluten Free Options at Tropicana Field

Ballpark & Rec and all the concession stands in the First & Third Base Food Halls offer Udi’s Gluten-Free Hamburger & Hotdog Rolls upon request. Tropicana Field now also serves gluten-free fries. Angry Orchard, a gluten-free alcoholic beverage option, is available at Uncle Charlie’s, Grab & Go, Ballpark & Rec, Draft Room, Vinfielder, and Thirst & Second.

Tropicana Field | Surrounding Area

Bars and Restaurants

We believe that in order to fully experience a ballpark, you should spend some time in the nearby area. We’re also big believers that pre and post game rushes are awful. We suggest you spend some time at these local establishments instead of sitting in traffic or rushing to the train.

Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill | 1320 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33705 | Website | Menu | Click to Call
Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill is probably one of the coolest hangouts in St. Pete and a must-visit if you are going to a Rays home game. If you are only going to stop by one spot before or after the game, it should be Ferg’s. It spans nearly half a city block across from the ballpark, and features a dog park, a huge outdoor patio area and a tunnel to easily walk over to Tropicana Field before the first pitch.

No Vacancy | 937 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33705 | Website | Menu | Click to Call
No Vacancy is another local favorite, known for their casual, old-Florida vibe, great food and amazing drinks. They’re just a block away from the Trop but you’ll feel like you’re at the beach on their festive patio. Try the Cubano, Alligator Bites, or Lobster Melt, wash it down with a Cigar City Jai Alai (brewed locally in Tampa), and then head over to watch some Rays baseball!

The Mill | 200 Central Ave UNIT 100, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 | Website | Menu | Click to Call
Looking for a proper sit-down restaurant to have a nice meal before the game? The Mill in Downtown St. Pete is a cool new spot where you can find something for everyone. Charcuterie, watermelon bruschetta, lobster pot pie, spare rib, crab cakes, swedish meatballs, seafood nachos…the list goes on and on. And don’t even get us started on their drinks.

Local Attractions

If you’re traveling with a family or just trying to make the most out of your trip to the Tampa Bay area, here are some recommended nearby attractions.

Disney World | Website
Let’s not forget that you’re in Florida. Orlando is just an hour and a half from Tropicana Field, which means you could theoretically turn your ballpark trip into lots of family fun at Disney. Don’t forget that Orlando also boasts Sea World and Universal as well!

Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center | Website
You can’t think of Florida without thinking of gators. The Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center allows you to meet gators and other unique and interesting animal species up close! This spot will definitely be a hit with kids, as they’ll get a chance to feed baby gators! Tickets range from $8 – $12.

The Dalí | Website
The Dalí has long been a cultural centerpiece for St. Pete and the entire Tampa Bay area, and is a great place to spend an afternoon. In addition to a large collection of Salvador Dalí’s works, you’ll find the Avant-garden, a beautiful and educational space. General admission is $25 for adults.

Ybor City | Website
North of the Trop, you’ll find Ybor City, a neighborhood in Tampa. Ybor is the reason Tampa is affectionately called “Cigar City”, thanks to its rich history with the cigar industry. The city is a great place to spend a day, full of bars, restaurants, shops, and plenty of history. Explore on foot or take the trolley.

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