St. Louis Cardinals

Admin

Mar 5

4 min read

St. Louis Cardinals Travel Guide: Busch Stadium

Getting to St. Louis & The Ballpark

Flying In: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is the primary hub, located about 16 miles northwest of Busch Stadium. It is heavily serviced by Southwest (which makes up about 60% of flights), along with American and Delta.
Airport Transit: While St. Louis has a light rail system (the MetroLink), taking an Uber/Lyft or driving a rental car from the airport is usually your best bet. It is a straight shot down the highway into the city, making rideshares relatively quick and affordable.
The Neighborhood: Busch Stadium sits right on the southern edge of downtown St. Louis. Because it is so well-integrated into the city center, staying downtown makes walking to the stadium incredibly easy.

Where to Stay

Staying downtown is the absolute best strategy for a Cardinals game. It puts you within walking distance of the stadium, the Gateway Arch, and the massive pregame entertainment district.

Budget Options

Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch: Built inside three restored historical buildings, this hotel offers a unique, old-school feel just a block from the Arch and an easy walk to the stadium. It is a budget traveler's dream, offering a free daily hot breakfast and a 5:30 PM "Kickback" with free hot food and cold beverages. It also features a beautiful 8th-floor terrace with fantastic views of downtown.
Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Louis Downtown: Located slightly further into the heart of downtown, this is still only a 15-minute walk to the ballpark. As an all-suite hotel, it provides plenty of space for families to share a single room. Like the Drury, it offers a free hot breakfast and a complimentary evening happy hour to help you save your travel budget.

Higher-End Options

Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark: This is the closest hotel to Busch Stadium and the absolute best option for pure sports convenience. It sits just a block from Ballpark Village and features the incredible Three Sixty Rooftop Bar on the 26th floor overlooking the stadium. If you are planning a trip to catch overlapping MLB and NHL home games, this is the absolute best place to stay—Hilton is the "Official Hotel of St. Louis Sports" and offers travel packages for both the Cardinals and the Blues.
Hyatt Regency St. Louis at The Arch: Located directly across the street from the Gateway Arch and the Mississippi Riverfront, this modern, sleek hotel is a fantastic luxury option. It offers easy walking access to the stadium and incredibly scenic rooms overlooking the monument.
The Westin St. Louis: Housed inside the historic Cupples Station train depot, this hotel underwent recent renovations to offer a modern, loft-style feel. It has a MetroLink stop right out front and is a very easy walk to Busch Stadium. It is perfect for travelers looking for a quieter, refined experience on the business side of downtown.

Nearby Activities

The Gateway Arch: You cannot visit St. Louis without taking the tram to the top of the iconic Gateway Arch. It is located just a few blocks east of the stadium, and the sprawling surrounding national park is a fantastic place to walk before a game.
Enterprise Center: Located just a few blocks west of Busch Stadium, this is the home of the NHL's St. Louis Blues. If you are checking schedules to find overlapping home games, catching a Cardinals day game and a Blues night game is the ultimate St. Louis sports double-header.

Pregame Food and Drink

You do not have to look far for pregame entertainment in St. Louis. Ballpark Village is a massive, multi-story entertainment district built directly next to the stadium, and visiting it is an absolute must. Note: Because it is so popular, call ahead for reservations if you want a sit-down meal.

The Massive Sports Hub: Head to Bally Sports Live! (formerly FOX Sports Midwest Live!). It features a massive 40-foot diagonal LED screen, an incredible sports viewing atmosphere, and a one-of-a-kind 100-foot retractable glass roof.
For the Beer Fans: Visit the three-story Budweiser Brew House. It features a full dining menu, a self-serve tap wall, an outdoor beer garden, and a stunning rooftop deck with prime views into Busch Stadium.
For the Die-Hard Baseball Fan: Cardinals Nation is a four-story venue featuring a restaurant, an authentic retail store, a rooftop viewing deck, and the 8,000-square-foot Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum. It also hosts the official pregame party and late-night happy hours.

Getting to the Event

Walking: If you are staying downtown, walking is the absolute best and easiest way to get to the stadium.
Public Transit: St. Louis does have the MetroLink light rail system with a stop right at the stadium (Stadium Station), but it can get incredibly crowded on game days.
Parking: There is plenty of street parking and official Cardinals lots near the stadium. Local Tip: The area immediately south of the stadium is heavily industrial and less pedestrian-friendly, so stick to parking north or east of the stadium towards downtown. Many establishments in Ballpark Village also offer parking validation, which can significantly cut down costs.

Where to Sit at Busch Stadium

Busch Stadium is famous for its incredible views, rich history, and some of the friendliest home fans in baseball.

The Ultimate Views: Look for tickets in Sections 250-253. These seats are perfectly elevated on the second level, offering a fantastic view of the field while sitting right at eye level with the iconic Gateway Arch and the downtown skyline in the background.
The Best Value Lower Level: Sections 164-166 are located down the line. They are significantly cheaper than the seats directly behind home plate but still offer a fantastic, field-level vantage point. They are angled perfectly so you don't have to strain your neck to see the infield.
Away Fans: If you are cheering for the visiting team (especially if the rival Cubs are in town), look for Sections 156-158. These put you directly behind the visitor's dugout on the third-base side, keeping you close to the action and your fellow away fans.
The Budget Seats: Look for tickets in Sections 352-355. Located in the upper deck directly behind home plate, these seats are highly affordable, offer a sweeping view of the Arch, and place you right next to a massive food plaza.