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Cue the Mission Impossible theme. Visiting the New York Mets Ballpark, feels like an undercover mission.
Our ballpark visits are part love of the sport, part architecture curiosity, part foodie enthusiasm, and part sociological study. We wear the colors of the home team, to blend in, and hide the fact that we are Philadelphia, Phillies fans. It’s never feels wrong, until now. The Mets are the Phillies rival team. They are the arch nemesis. Not wanting to spark a confrontation or drama, we wear orange, but there is an underlying anxiety. Will we disappoint our fellow Phillies fans? Will Mets fans be able to unmask Phillies fans in their midst?
Rain Out/Reschedule
While exploring The New York World’s Fair Park, it downpours. Checking the weather radar, pockets of storms will continue throughout the day. The outside of the Mets Ballpark is soggy. There are a few people wandering about, taking pictures of Citi Field’s exterior.
It’s obvious the people approaching the ballpark, are visitors. The lack of a line, waiting to enter the stadium, is obvious.
Being seasoned, ballpark stampers, we realize, something is amiss. A quick visit to the ticket/information window, confirms that the game is cancelled, due to inclement weather. It is rescheduled for the next day. Fortunately, this news still works with our schedule. It’s a non-flight trip. Though our original plan for tomorrow, was to wake up, eat breakfast, and hit the road, we are now heading to Citi Field, then driving home. The couple at the window next to us, have an early flight home to San Francisco tomorrow. They are super bummed.
Though logistically, it does not always work out, try to see the game, concert,
play, etc… at the front end of your trip, just in case there is an unexpected schedule change.
Getting There/Parking/Leaving
Day One-Staying in Queens, New York City, we walk to the Mets Ballpark. If you are staying in other parts of New York City, you can take the subway to the Mets-Willets Station.
Day Two- It makes more sense to drive, park, and leave for home, right after the game. We expect this option will be a nightmare, but it’s well organized. The parking lot is clean and secure. Getting in is simple. The rain out/reschedule means a double header. The game we attend, goes into extra innings. Spectators for the second game are already streaming into the ballpark. When the first game ends, game one’s crowds remain. There is no one policing who is here for which game, so even if they don’t have seats, they grab more concessions, head to one of the bars, and linger around for game two. This means no mass stadium exodus. We are able to exit the parking lot, with minimal traffic.
The Stamp
It appears the Mets don’t get an abundance of ballpark stampers. We ask multiple employees, and are given a variety of answers, to the stamp’s location. We go to the main team store, the other team store, information…where is the stamp? Finally we get the correct answer.
The stamp is not inside the main team store, it is in a checkout/security area, outside of the store.
The Stadium
The Mets have a nice ballpark. It is clean, bright, and open. Walking around, it never feels crowded. The bridge is an appealing architectural touch.
Our seats have a pleasant view of Flushing Bay.
The game today is against the Dodgers, a former Brooklyn, New York, team. There are as many Dodgers fans at this game as there are Mets fans. I assumed the Mets fans would be annoying and obnoxious. I’m not sure if it’s the Dodgers influx, or if it is an early afternoon game, but overall, the game attendees are friendly, chill, and generally well-behaved. I even catch a glimpse of one of the Mets’ most famous fans.
Food
The thing to get at Citi Field, is the Hot Pastrami on Rye Sandwich.
The Pastrami is thick cut, and is topped with mustard. I opt to add melted Swiss cheese and sauerkraut.
Perhaps our visit to Yankee Stadium skewed our opinion. The Yankees beef sandwich is one of the best ballpark bites we’ve had. In comparison, the Mets’ Hot Pastrami on Rye is okay. The Pastrami is a bit bland and dry.
Ice Cream in a Helmet
I love team colored sprinkles, and The Mets do not disappoint. It’s the extra flourishes, that make something simple, like vanilla soft serve, special.
Frozen treat options, at The Mets Ballpark, are also appreciated. I go traditional, with vanilla soft serve and sprinkles. Shannon picks the pineapple whip in a helmet. It’s fun having choices. The Pineapple Whip looks great, against the navy blue and orange.
Celebration
As Home Run and Game Win celebrations go, The Mets, Big Apple, is well-known. I look forward to basking in the apple glory. When a home run occurs The Big Apple, rises up from its hiding place. I’m underwhelmed.
Though it looks like a win for The Mets, The Dodgers make a comeback in the 9th inning, cause the game to go into extra innings, and beat The Mets. There is no game win celebration to view. We break our disguises for a moment, smiling at the embarrassing Mets lose. The only visible sign, that we are Phillies fans.
Conclusion
We enjoy our visit to The Mets Ballpark. Citi Field is a well-designed ballpark, with open spaces, lots of light, and pleasant views. The pastrami and apple, aren’t as impressive as hailed, but the ice cream in a helmet is spot on. If you are in New York, put your team feelings aside, and appreciate a nice day at the ballpark.
Find a Great Place to Stay in Flushing, New York
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