New York Mets

Admin

Mar 12

4 min read

New York Mets Travel Guide: Citi Field

Getting to New York & The Ballpark

Flying In: LaGuardia Airport (LGA) sits literally right next to Citi Field in Queens. From most big cities, grabbing a direct flight into LGA on Delta or Southwest is the absolute most convenient way to start your trip. John F. Kennedy International (JFK) and Newark Liberty (EWR) are also heavily serviced but require a longer commute to the ballpark.
Airport Transit: Because LGA is so close, a rideshare to the stadium or nearby Flushing hotels is incredibly fast and cheap. If you fly into JFK, the AirTrain connects directly to the subway and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) for a ride into the city.

Where to Stay

Citi Field is located in Flushing, Queens. You can choose to stay right near the stadium for ultimate baseball convenience and incredible Asian cuisine, or stay in Manhattan to experience the heart of New York City and take the train to the game.

Budget Options

Hyatt Place Flushing/LaGuardia Airport (Near the Stadium): Located just a short walk or a very quick subway stop from Citi Field, this modern hotel is the perfect budget-friendly launchpad in Queens. It features a free daily breakfast, a rooftop lounge with sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, and a free airport shuttle to LGA. At 15,000 World of Hyatt points per night, it is an exceptional redemption value.
Pod 51 (Manhattan): If you want to stay in Midtown Manhattan on a strict budget, this micro-hotel is a brilliant concept. Located in East Midtown, you get a highly efficient, sleek, and exceptionally clean room at a fraction of the standard Manhattan price. It sits just a few blocks from Grand Central Terminal, making the commute out to Queens incredibly easy.

Higher-End Options

Renaissance New York Flushing Hotel at Tangram (Near the Stadium): This is the premier luxury stay in Queens. Located right above the Tangram shopping mall in the heart of Flushing's Chinatown, it features a stunning 12th-floor lobby, a modern fitness center, and massive windows overlooking the Manhattan skyline and planes landing at LGA. It is highly convenient to the stadium and is a fantastic use of your Marriott Bonvoy points.
JW Marriott Essex House New York (Manhattan): This is the pinnacle of classic, Art Deco New York luxury. Sitting directly on Central Park South, it features plush, elegant rooms, world-class dining, and a luxurious spa. While it is a longer commute to Citi Field, it offers the ultimate high-end Manhattan experience while allowing you to maximize your Marriott Bonvoy points.

Nearby Activities

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park: Located directly adjacent to Citi Field, this massive park was the site of two World's Fairs. Take a morning walk to see the iconic Unisphere (the massive steel globe) and visit the Queens Museum.
Arthur Ashe Stadium: Tennis fans must walk across the boardwalk from Citi Field to see the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open. It is located at the same stop as Citi Field making it a fun, yet crowded potential for a double-sport trip.

Pregame Food and Drink

The area immediately surrounding Citi Field is heavily industrial and has very few options for a pre or post-game meal.

Outside the Stadium: One of the only solid recommendations within walking distance of the ballpark is Pine Restaurant & Bar. Located inside the nearby LaGuardia Holiday Inn, it provides a very dependable Italian or American meal before heading to the gates. (Note: The massive 10,000 sq ft Mikkeller NYC brewery that used to sit just outside the stadium and pour 60+ taps sadly closed its doors permanently, leaving a void in the immediate brewery scene.)
The In-Stadium Sports Bar: If you are looking for a party sports bar atmosphere, you might remember McFadden's Bar & Grill (famous for its 200-foot bar and batting cages). Like Mikkeller, McFadden's is also permanently closed. However, the Mets have revamped that exact space into the K Korner. It operates right on Seaver Way and offers a massive beer list and a great post-game atmosphere without needing a game ticket to enter from the outside.
Save Your Appetite: Keep in mind that Citi Field has one of the largest and most acclaimed selections of food offerings in the major leagues. With incredible local vendors scattered throughout the concourses, it is absolutely worth saving your appetite and eating inside!

Getting to the Event

The Subway: The absolute best way to get to Citi Field is the 7 Train. It drops you off directly at the Mets-Willets Point station. If you are coming from Manhattan, try to catch the 7 Express train, which skips most of the local Queens stops and gets you to the stadium incredibly fast.
Long Island Rail Road (LIRR): If you are coming from Penn Station or Grand Central Madison, the LIRR Port Washington Branch drops you right at the stadium in less than 20 minutes. It is slightly more expensive than the subway, but infinitely more comfortable.
Driving: Driving to Citi Field is much easier than driving to Yankee Stadium, but the massive surface lots still get congested and charge premium parking rates. Transit is heavily recommended.

Where to Sit at Citi Field

Citi Field is universally praised for its incredible food options, wide concourses, and fantastic sightlines.

The Best Views: Look for tickets in the Clover Home Plate Club or the Delta Sky360 Club (Sections 11-20). These luxurious, padded seats are directly behind home plate and offer access to massive, climate-controlled lounges with high-end dining and private restrooms.
Away Fans: If you are cheering for the visiting team, look for Sections 121-124. These seats put you directly behind the visitor's dugout on the third-base side, giving you a fantastic, close-up look at your team.
The Budget Seats: Look for tickets in the Promenade Level (the 500s). While they are the highest seats in the park, the stadium's steep pitch ensures that you still get a great, unobstructed view of the field (especially in the infield sections) for a fraction of the price.
The Social Scene: If you like to wander, buy the cheapest standing-room ticket you can find and head out to the Shea Bridge in center field. It is a highly social, standing-room area right next to the best food vendors in the stadium.