Although these games might not be high stakes regarding rankings in the regular season, they’re a great chance to see the teams before the roaster is set. If you are a huge baseball fan, these games are a superb way to get close to your favourite players without breaking the bank!

Table Of Contents

1. About the Cactus League Phoenix Spring Training
2. Tickets
3. The Stadiums, Teams and the Food!
4. Goodyear Ballpark
5. Surprise Stadium
6. Peoria Sports Complex
7. Hohokam Stadium
8. Tempe Diablo Stadium
9. American Family Fields of Phoenix
10. Scottsdale Stadium
11. Camelback Ranch-Glendale
12. Salt River Fields
13. Sloan Park
14. Events & Activities
15. Where to Sit?
16. Merchandise
17. Tips

About the Cactus League Phoenix Spring Training

The first team to play an exhibition game in Arizona was the Chicago White Sox in 1909. It wasn’t until 1929 that the first teams held official training camps here in the desert. The warm, dry weather brought more and more teams to Phoenix to practice. And by the 1960s, the Cactus League had been established. The Phoenix Cactus League now features 15 major league teams. They play just over 200 games from February 22nd to March 22nd. See the Full schedule here.

Tickets

The best way to buy game tickets is online or from the stadium box office. Big-ticket games might sell out quickly, but if you’re not picky about where you want to sit, you can almost always find tickets on the day. Avoid buying from the scalpers right in front of the box office since you might actually pay more than face value. If you’re dead, set on seeing a certain team on a particular day with seats in the right spot to see your favourite player, buy tickets in advance to ensure you don’t miss out.

The Stadiums, Teams and the Food!

If you’re like me and don’t mind which team you go and see, you are more just going for the experience; you might want to choose your game based on the stadium itself. The stadiums themselves are some interesting places to see. While baseball is entertaining, for me, a baseball game is all about food and drinks. That’s what I really come for! Every stadium will have all the American baseball classics like corndogs, hot dogs, nachos and beer. But the different stadiums also feature unique items, making them more popular for certain visitors. Some of the ballparks ensure the vendors sell classic dishes from their team’s home state. So if you’re missing a little taste of home, coming to these ballparks might have just what you’re looking for!

Goodyear Ballpark

The Goodyear Ballpark is my home park so it has a soft spot in my heart. It’s the home to the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds. Goodyear Park has a homely charm with beautiful views of the mountains from the berm seats. Their special right-field pavillions offer lounge furniture and nine big-screen TVs to watch the game from cool comfort. You can buy a bunch of seats here with the group ticket option, which includes access to their ballpark buffet! This is a great option for families or big groups.

The Food

Goodyear ballpark has lots of new food options this year. Try the loaded corn dog nuggets, the parmesan waffle fries, or their half-pound cheeseburger served between two grilled cheese sandwiches. You can also get nachos served inside a souvenir plastic helmet with your team’s logo! Great for the kids. My favourite thing to get is the taquito dog. It’s a foot-long hot dog wrapped in a flour tortilla loaded with cheese. It then gets deep-fried and topped with queso, guacamole and pico de gallo. You’ll be full long past the 7th inner stretch.

Surprise Stadium

The Surprise Stadium is home to the Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals. If it’s your first-time visit to the stadium, tell te upon entering with your ticket, and they’ll give you a complimentary “1st Visit” button! A great little free souvenir. The recently renovated stadium is sure to wow any visitor but seeing it at night makes it feel very professional. The stadium was designed to allow fans to move around and watch from not just their seats. There is even a special viewing area in the batting cages.

The Food

Surprise Stadium is a great place to come if you’re on a budget. Their value menu has food for just $3 which features all the staples like hot dogs, popcorn, soda, and nachos. One of their more unique options can be found at Saigon Kitchen. This Vietnamese restaurant features garlic noodles and lemongrass chicken. Who knew you could find this at a ballpark game?! If you’re looking to try something desert-inspired, get the AZ Dog. This ballpark dog is covered in chipotle mustard and topped with cactus pico da Gallo.

Peoria Sports Complex

The Peoria Sports Complex is home to the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres. The stadium is made with sandstone-shaded concrete and blue steel, matching the team’s colours. This stadium was the first to install an outfield spanning berm and 360-degree concourse. These features allow fans to see the game from all angles. Peoria is the best place to bring your kids! Peoria park has a mini baseball field made just for kids. Here, the little ones can play like they’re in the big leagues. The kid’s zone also features a pirate ship-themed playground!

The Food

Street tacos are all the rage this year, and there is even a taco cart which wheels around the stadium so you can grab them whenever you’re craving them. Spice is the game’s name here in Peoria Park, and one of their most popular items is the spicy Foot-Long hot dog wrapped in jalapeno bacon. This park also has many craft beer brands on draft from the Pacific Northwest and Southern California. So whatever team you’re cheering for, you can have a beer to go alongside.

Hohokam Stadium

Hohokam Stadium is home to the Oakland Athletics. This stadium is perhaps one of the more overlooked parks. But recent renovations have made it a great place to watch the games. Over half of the seats in the stadium are shaded, and there are also covered patios for picnics. The fan speed pitch contest is held daily, broken up into age groups. This means fans can compete against each other to see who has the best arm!

The Food

At Hohokam, vegetarians will be in heaven with the option to order the new Impossible Burger! You can also find Polish hotdogs and other Ohio-themed concessions in honour of their home team. But the most amusing item to get here has got to be the Mustache Pretzel! A delicious salty pretzel in the shape of, you guessed it, a moustache.

Tempe Diablo Stadium

Tempe Diablo Stadium is home to the Los Angeles Angels. I think the Tempe Diablo Stadium has the best views from the seats. Sitting there, you can enjoy the amazing landscape and look at the famed Twin Buttes. Especially if you’re not a local, this is a great way to admire the desert. In Tempe Stadium, there are lots of shaded seats available. You can also get a $25 all-you-can-eat food package which makes dining so much fun!

The Food

Tempe Stadium is home to Arizona’s best corndog! You also can find brisket sandwiches, jalapeno cheese sausages in hoagie buns and humongous cheesesteaks. But the best of all is the Baked Bear ice cream sandwiches! You can get your ice cream scooped between two warm cookies and covered in sprinkles! One of the most beautiful things you’ll find anywhere in the city.

American Family Fields of Phoenix

American Family Fields of Phoenix is home to the Milwaukee Brewers. Renovations on this park finished in 2019, so the stadium feels brand new! It smells like a new car. As you walk through the parking lot to the stadium, you’ll see these huge marquees with the numbers of famous Brewers; these make for great photo-ops on your way in. There’s something about this park that feels so local and intimate. Like you’re just out watching your neighbourhood team play instead of a major league sports team.

The Food

The Wisconsin-inspired “bratchos” are kettle chips covered with bratwurst and nachos toppings! Their new item for this year is a Bernie Brat, a bratwurst dipped into a secret sauce and covered in bacon and onion straws! My favourite item has to be the fried cheese curds, which are very much Wisconsin themed! Pair that with a cold beer, and you’ve got yourself a real treat.

Scottsdale Stadium

The Scottsdale Stadium is home to the San Francisco Giants. Scottsdale is one of the fanciest neighbourhoods in Phoenix, and as such, they have quite an impressive stadium. This is the one place where tickets really do sell out, so don’t wait to buy your seats. The Scottsdale Stadium prides itself on blending old-school charm with modern amenities. Even parking is made surprisingly charming by the antique trollery, which brings guests from the parking complex across the street to the park.

The Food

The best item here by far is the smoked pulled pork brisket layered on top of garlic fries. Worth a trip just for that. There is also a large selection of specialty beers, including San Francisco’s own Anchor Steam. Since Mexican food is so popular in San Francisco, street tacos are also available at the park. They are available as one of the most delicious options.

Camelback Ranch-Glendale

The Camelback Ranch-Glendale is home to the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. Camelback is such a great area of town, and this stadium is nestled away in the heart of the desert. It has gorgeous views of the mountain ranges from the seats, so if the game is slow, you can sit back and enjoy the view. An interesting fact about this stadium is that the field is sunk 12 feet below ground, so there isn’t a bad seat in the house to watch the game. The grounds also feature picturesque walking trails, citrus groves, and a fully stocked five-acre lake filled with swans, geese and other animals.

The Food

Come hungry if you want to try their famous 18-inch slice of pizza! Whether you support it, you’ll have to choose between the Dodger Dogs or the Vienna Beef Chicago hotdogs to represent your team.

Salt River Fields

Salt River Fields is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies. As the “hometown” team, the Diamondbacks draw a huge crowd. Salt River Fields was the first Major League Baseball property built on an Indian reservation. Tribal influences have been incorporated throughout the park to attempt to pay some respect to the original landowners. There are even placards around the stadium detailing the history of the Pima and Maricopa tribes. Most of the signage throughout the stadium is written in Maricopa, Pima and English. Just a little touch which makes this stadium unique. The views from here are the most impressive featuring Camelback Mountain, the McDowell Mountains, Four Peaks, Red Mountain, and the Superstition Mountains.

The Food

The Sonoran BBQ is one of the most popular items at Salt River Fields. This place is my first stop once I get inside to get my hands on their delicious shredded adobo pork. This then gets covered in lime cabbage and pickled red onions, the perfect balance to the fatty pork. 101 Cattle-Co is a new vendor this year with its half-pound grilled burger with peanut butter, cheddar cheese, bacon and sweet chilli jam. If, on the other hand, you aren’t a meat-eater, meatless options can be found here with the Beyond meat burger being sold at Home Plate Hot Dogs.

Sloan Park

Sloan Park is home to the Chicago Cubs. Since this stadium is home to the Wrigley Field players, aspects of that famous park are woven into the design of Sloan Park. You’ll see brick patterns, a cantilevered roof and even the scoreboard was designed to look like the one in Chicago. It’s like travelling across the USA in one place! The bleachers here are covered in a huge trellis, allowing shade in most of the seats. This park also features a 300-foot tall rock climbing wall for kids to enjoy.

The Food

The food at Sloan Park feels more gourmet than just a regular ol’ ballpark. Here you can sample their famous Street Corn, grilled corn off the cob covered in chipotle mayo, parmesan cheese, lime and Valentina sauce. You can also indulge in their Carved Pork sandwich, an herb-encrusted honey mustard glazed pork loin topped with horseradish aioli and pineapple coleslaw! For a twist on the tradition, try the hot Cheetos Cheesesteak, filled with Philly beef steak, sauteed peppers and onions and covered in hot cheese for an extra bite! For a traditional Chicago ballpark treat, you must head to A Taste of Chicago, which has all the traditional Chicago specialties.

Events & Activities

Spring Training games are almost always full of additional events. We were lucky enough to come to a game where we were greeted by the Budweiser Wagon and their line of Clydesdales. So neat! There are also special fan experiences you can buy. These include a meet & greet with the players on the field! Check the schedule for fan appreciation days when stadiums give out free memorabilia for attendees, such as player bobbleheads. You also should check the schedule at each stadium to see what time batting practice starts, as that is always a good opportunity for a potential autograph. Ask politely, and don’t expect them to sign, but you’ll have a truly amazing souvenir if they do.

Where to Sit?

Even though the games take place in February and March, they can still get hot. So if you’re sensitive to the heat, you should book a seat under the shaded area. If you’re worried about being too hot, try to find a night game. Since all the stadiums at Spring Training games are a fraction of the size of regular season stadiums, you’re hard-pressed to find a bad seat. They’re all pretty close to the action too. But the seats on the lawn are where the fun is at! People bring huge picnics, layout on the grass and treat the game as almost secondary to hanging out. Plus, they cost almost less than a fast-food combo meal for a whole afternoon of fun!

Merchandise

Spring Training is a great time to buy limited-edition merchandise from your favourite teams or exclusive to the Cactus League. If you’re a collector, a fan, or know someone who loves their team, this is a great place to buy some unique merch.

Tips

• Hydration is key. Remember to offset it with lots of water if you’re drinking beer.
•  Lawn or berm seats have no shade, so bring a large-brimmed hat to keep the sun out of your eyes and wear lightweight clothing.
•  Bring lots of sunscreens and reapply every few hours.
•  Book your tickets in advance if you are keen on seeing a particular team in good seats since the stadiums are much smaller than during the regular season.
• Parking is not free at all stadiums, so check the prices before you leave if that’s important to your budget.

If you are in Phoenix over the Spring Training season, I encourage you to go and check out a game. Even if you’re not a huge baseball fan, many additional aspects to Cactus League games make a trip out to the ballpark the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Let me know which team you’re cheering for this season and your favourite park in Phoenix!

Happy Travels Adventurers.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Cactus League Baseball Phoenix Spring Training [UPDATE 2023] first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Day One – Trendy & Tasty

The Windsor

Brunch isn’t just for the big cities. There are tons of different restaurants in Phoenix where you can find an amazing Saturday brunch! But the Windsor is one of the best. I love the midcentury decor; the bright red brick walls feel so chic and welcoming. Their Highroad Sandwich made with eggs, belly bacon, tomato & garlic aioli is pure perfection and the best hangover cure. Their Matador is my favourite though; two eggs over easy stacked with griddled cheddar potatoes, a crispy tortilla, salsa verde & avocado relish. It feels like the epitome of Phoenix on a plate, a mix of traditional American, Mexican and southwestern flavours.

Frances & Stinkweeds

After finishing up your meal, head over to Frances to walk off that eggs bacon. Frances is an adorable boutique that features chic women’s clothing, shoes & accessories, and handmade gifts. All with that touch of vintage flair. They always have something super unique that catches my eye. And they also feature Arizonan themed items that you can’t get anywhere else which makes for perfect souvenirs. Stinkweeds right next door sells used and new vinyl records. If you’re a music lover this is one of the most welcoming and unpretentious record stores I’ve ever been too. We always have a great time pouring over the records and listening to their in-store selections.

Heard Museum

After a little bit of shopping, it’s time for some culture at the Heard. The Heard Museum is one of the best places to visit if you’ve never been to Phoenix or Arizona before. Here you’ll be able to learn about the indigenous people of Arizona. The museum has partnered with various native artists and local tribes to create a collection that presents the stories of the American Indian people from a first-person perspective. Inside are you can see more than 40,000 different items and revolving exhibitions. There is always something new to see here. I didn’t know much about the history of Phoenix’s native history before I visited and found the museum incredibly insightful. The indigenous art is so powerful and inspiring that you leave feeling absolutely invigorated!

MacAlpine’s Diner and Soda Fountain

After the museum, it’s time to get something to eat. MacAlpine’s is one of those Phoenix institutions that you can’t help but adore. Since 1938, this place has been serving up soda fountain pops inside what used to be an old pharmacy. In the 1950s, this was the place for greasers and pink ladies to hang out and share gossip over milkshakes and desserts. Today the original countertop and malt machine stands as a reminder of all that great history. You can still order up classic treats and get served by a waitress in victory rolls and vintage dresses. It’s like going back in time. Along the walls are an array of antique pieces of ephemera and packaging from as early as the 1930s, which makes you feel like you’re eating inside a museum. The food is delicious, homemade, and a freezing cold ice cream float really does the trick on a hot day in the desert!

2023 UPDATE: Due to the death of one of founders, Cary Heizenrader, MacAlpine’s are temporarily closed. They currently looking for staff and plan to reopen later this spring. 

Lola’s Coffee

If the heat is getting you down, or if you need a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, head over to Lola’s Coffee. Lola’s offers up some of the best brews in the city with one of the most chill environments. A jumble of vintage furniture makes the place feel like your grandmother’s basement but run by some of the best baristas in the valley. They serve up amazing hand-roasted coffees, which I always order over ice. Their back patio is a sanctuary in the middle of downtown where you can sit with your favourite book or just relax under the warm sun.

Roosevelt Row 

The Historic Roosevelt Neighborhood runs from McDowell to VanBuren and from Central to 7th Avenue. These houses were built between 1893 and 1930. Today the area around these houses is known as Roosevelt Row. It is one of the few walkable districts in downtown Phoenix. The Roosevelt Arts District is home to amazing street art, fabulous restaurants and trendy boutiques. But my favourite activity is walking up and down the side streets to admire the fantastic neighbourhood architecture. There is something so iconic about southwestern architecture and if you’ve never seen this kind of design before, then this little walkable neighbourhood is the best place to see it!

Phoenix Public Market Café

If you’re getting a bit hungry, head over to the Phoenix Public Market Café. This chic open-air market is located inside the heart of urban Phoenix. All the food is sourced from local vendors and farms, and you feel like you’re eating straight from the source. If you’re looking for something sweet, you HAVE to try the cafe sundae. Served atop organic vanilla soft serve, is a layer of raspberry sauce, toasted butter pistachios, and rich chocolate shavings. It makes me drool just thinking about it.

Antique Sugar

Antique Sugar is one of my favourite vintage stores in the city. It is wonderfully curated and a joy to shop inside. The shop is small enough that you don’t feel overwhelmed, and their racks are only stocked with the best-used clothing. They curate their selection with items that will suit the current trends while still being vintage. A great way to support the community and sustainable shopping!

Cibo Pizzeria

The best place in the city for a romantic evening is Cibo Pizzeria. The restaurant is located in a quaint, circa-1913 bungalow. Cibo Pizzeria features Italian staples, including red & white wood-fired pizzas. My favourite is the Diavola, with tomato sauce, mozzarella and spicy salami! Their unique and modern white pizzas are also very popular, one of the best being the Tartufata, with mozzarella, mushrooms, prosciutto and truffle oil. In the evening, the trees outside are covered in white twinkle lights, and on the weekends there are even local musicians who come to entertain diners under the setting sun.

The Vig Fillmore

After dining at Cibo, head just down the street to the Vig for a nightcap. The Vig is such a casual place to hang out, it almost feels like you’re at a backyard party. The bar also has a bocce ball playing area and bean toss games to enjoy while you’re having a drink. The outdoor patio is set up with fireplaces to sit around on cooler dessert nights. They have live music throughout the week, which makes it easy just to sit back and relax as the night winds on.

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Crescent Ballroom

If you’d rather have a more lively end to the night, I would recommend going to the Crescent Ballroom. This hip, brick-walled lounge features live entertainment, local and international, every day of the week. But the intimate nature of the place makes you feel like you’re just watching a band playing in your garage.

Day Two – Desert Immersion

Papago Park

Papago Park is one of the most amazing places in Phoenix to watch the sunrise. The enormous red sandstone ‘Hole-in-the-Rock‘ is an easily climbable geological formation whose iconic formations make peep-holes out to the desert. There is nothing like the sunrise in the desert and it an unmissable event. Yes, it means getting up early, but trust me, the view is more than worth it!

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Matt’s Big Breakfast

After a super early morning sunrise, it’s time for some coffee and breakfast! Kick off your last day at Matt’s Big Breakfast. Matt’s Big Breakfast is known for its cage-free eggs made “cracked to order.” There is almost always a line, but trust me, it’s worth it. The decor is hipster cafe meets high-school cafeteria. It feels warm and homey. Like you’re visiting old friends. Be sure to try the Chop and Chick if you’re feeling extra hungry. It comes with two eggs, and an Iowa seared pork rib chop! The enormous waffles are light and fluffy, and the griddle cakes are topped with sweet cream butter – drooling yet? Don’t wait – head on down to Matt’s Big Breakfast for some delicious comfort food.

Desert Botanical Gardens

Back on the road, head over to the Desert Botanical Gardens. The gardens are spread over 140-acres outside Papago Park. This park was founded by the Arizona Cactus and Native Flora Society in 1937 to preserve, document and educate. Over 21,000 local plants and 139 species, which are rare, threatened or endangered are living in harmony and safety inside this huge garden. If you’ve never been to a desert before, you might have an image of it being arid, barren, without plant-life, but this couldn’t be further from the truth! Many people will go on long hikes around the mountains in search of native flora and fauna. But at the Desert Botanical Garden, you can see everything the desert has to offer without breaking a sweat! The best time to visit is during the Spring when the desert flowers bloom but throughout the year there is always something unique to see and experience.

Lunch at Gertrudes

While some museum cafes contain only awful coffee and stale pastries, Gertrudes Cafe inside the Desert Botanical Garden is a world-class restaurant all on its own. When we had a yearly membership, sometimes, we would come here just for the food! The flavours and recipes are all indicative of southwestern cuisine and the ingredients are sourced from local farmers. Giving guests a taste of the desert itself! Plus, the cafe is mostly outdoors, right in the centre of the gardens, so it feels like you’re dining in the middle of a cactus rich forest.

Taliesin West

Just up the hill from the Desert Botanical Garden is one of the most beautiful, hidden sights in all of Arizona, Frank Lloyd Wright‘s Taliesin West. Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most prolific American architects. Very few people know that he called Arizona his winter residence. In fact, he spent years living here even before he started up the architecture school. 2020 was the last year the architecture school was in operation but the house and the school buildings can still be seen today.

Throughout your guided tour, you’ll be entertained and educated by incredibly, knowledgeable guides. They will lead you around this stunning, desert-inspired property. This tour is a great place to learn about desert plants and their contribution to the ecosystem. And how these resilient plants, inspired Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture both in Arizona and beyond! The views across the valley from here are breathtaking and well worth the drive up the mountain.

Old Town Scottsdale

To get yourself something to eat after your tour of Taliesin West, head back down to Old Town Scottsdale. This western district is full to the brim with trendy restaurants, hip cafes, unique art, jewellery stores and anything to satisfy your sweet tooth. While the “old west” vibe and style might be a little on the nose for some, I love it!

The Mission

For dinner, head over to the Mission, which amply, is situated right beside the old Spanish Mission site. The decor inside the restaurant is dark and mysterious. A large Himalayan salt block wall and the twinkle of candlelit chandeliers welcomes you inside. The Mission serves up a mix of modern and traditional Latin cuisine. Don’t skip their Wagyu pastrami taco, they are to die for!

Shakes & Cones

For dessert, head over to Shakes & Cones. While Scottsdale is mostly known for its upscale dining, Shakes & Cones still feels like a simple, family joint. They make small batch, soft-serve ice cream and even offer non-dairy options for vegetarians. There aren’t a lot of bell and whistles here, just simple ingredients that highlight the fantastic flavour of their ice cream.

Rusty Spur Saloon

To end your perfect weekend in Phoenix, head over to the Rusty Spur for one last drink. The Rusty Spur Saloon is the oldest bar in Scottsdale, which opened in 1960. It was actually Scottsdale’s first-ever saloon too. The building is an officially registered historic landmark. Originally, the building was used as the Farmers’ Bank of Scottsdale. Walking inside makes you feel like you’ve entered a different period in time. Cowboys stand at the bar sipping whiskey and every night of the week, they have a band playing old country tunes. But it’s not just cowboys who visit. There are old folks, hipsters, tourists and yes, even cowboys. So you won’t feel out of place. Take a seat near the band, and enjoy the warm desert air before heading back to whatever time and place you had come from before.

Hopefully, this guide will help you on your way to exploring all the wonders Phoenix has to offer on your next weekend away! If you’re looking for more to do, check out my Top 10 Things to do in Phoenix!

Happy Travels Adventurers

The post How to Enjoy the Perfect Weekend in Phoenix, Arizona first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.