Cleveland Guardians

Cleveland Guardians Travel Guide: Progressive Field

Getting to Cleveland & The Ballpark

• Flying In: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is the main hub, heavily serviced by United, Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, and Delta. It is located just 12 miles from downtown.

• Airport Transit: While you can take a rideshare, the absolute best way into the city is the RTA Red Line train. It runs directly from the airport terminal to the Tower City-Public Square station downtown (about a 25-minute ride for under $3). From Tower City, there is a climate-controlled indoor walkway that drops you directly at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and Progressive Field.

• Traveling by Train: If you are coming from the Midwest, taking Amtrak to the Cleveland Lakefront Station is a fantastic, stress-free option. The station is only a mile from the stadium, making it a very quick Uber ride to the game.

• Parking: Because all three of Cleveland's major sports venues are packed into the downtown core, parking lots and garages are everywhere. However, if the Cavs or Browns are playing on the same day, traffic can get brutal. A great budget tip: look for the free shuttles that run on weekends from the Ohio City neighborhood (near West 25th and Market St), where parking is often much cheaper.

Where to Stay

Progressive Field is incredibly integrated into downtown Cleveland. Staying centrally means you can easily walk to the ballpark, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and the shores of Lake Erie.

Budget Options

• Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown: Housed in the historic 1930s Board of Education building, this hotel is a budget traveler's dream. It offers a free daily hot breakfast and a free 5:30 PM "Kickback" with hot food and cold drinks. It also features an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a fantastic central location walkable to the stadium.

• Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown: This is the absolute closest hotel to the ballpark—just one block away from the gates. While it is slightly removed from other popular downtown bars, the convenience to the stadium is unmatched. It features an indoor saltwater pool, suites with full kitchens, and a free shuttle to navigate the rest of the city.

Higher-End Options

• The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland: The premier luxury option in the city. Located right at Tower City (meaning you can use the indoor walkway to get to the game), it offers plush rooms with sweeping views of the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. You can upgrade to Club Lounge access for complimentary food and drinks all day, or visit the lobby bar for late-night menus and live jazz.

• Metropolitan at The 9, Autograph Collection: Built inside a converted 1906 bank, this is a sleek, highly social, and uniquely designed urban hotel. It features Adega (a critically acclaimed Mediterranean restaurant), a 1920s-style retro bar, a rooftop lounge overlooking Lake Erie, and even an indoor dog park. At 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, it is an incredible redemption value for a high-end stay just a short walk from the stadium.

Pregame Food and Drink

The Gateway District surrounding Progressive Field is packed with pregame energy.

• The Iconic Pregame Party: You have to visit The Thirsty Parrot. Located right at the corner of East 9th & Bolivar, just a fly ball away from the centerfield gates, this island-themed bar boasts a massive outdoor deck, a state-of-the-art sound system, and the biggest Guardians tailgate energy in the city.

• The New Sports Bar: The Stadium Sports Bar and Grill recently opened on Bolivar Rd (in the old Victory Alley space). It features gridiron decor, dozens of screens, stadium-themed food, and a massive footprint perfectly designed for game day crowds.

• Craft Beer & Pub Fare: Butcher and the Brewer on East 4th Street is a fantastic, slightly more relaxed brewpub serving great American food and excellent in-house beers.

• Upscale Pregame: If you want an elegant meal or a premium weekend brunch before a day game, head to Adega inside the Metropolitan at The 9.

Where to Sit at Progressive Field

• The Most Comfortable Seats: Look for the higher rows in Sections 152-155 (the Home Plate Drink Rails). These seats feature movable chairs with plenty of space and wide ledges to set your food and drinks down. They offer a fantastic, elevated vantage point of the entire field.

• Away Fans: If you are cheering for the visiting team, look for Sections 140-146. These put you directly down the first-base line behind the visitor's dugout, with a great view looking out over the giant left-field scoreboard.

• The Budget Party Zone: If you want cheap tickets and a social atmosphere, head to the outfield. The left-field corner (near the foul pole) features several tiered bar areas with standing-room ledges and first-come, first-serve tables. Buy a cheap upper-deck ticket, get to the stadium early to claim a spot at the rails, and keep an eye out for home run balls.