Top 5 Things to Do with Your Family at Spring Training
Play ball! Those two words sound sweeter than ever after this past year. We couldn’t be more excited for Spring Training. Our families love baseball and Spring Training is a great destination for fans and families to cheer on their favorite teams and players before the season starts. Taking a family, especially with younger kids to the ballpark can be a different experience so we share some of the things that we have found helpful.
Top 5 Things to Do at Spring Training
- Cheer on your favorite team! From San Diego Padres to Chicago Cubs, the Cactus League in Arizona is home to 10 stadiums and 15 MLB teams. We were able to pick a game for each day and watch our favorite teams that we don’t always get to see. The stadiums are smaller than their home counterparts, so it also gives fans a more up close and personal feel to the game. Don’t forget to check out the gift shop too. For Spring Training, the teams often have special merchandise that you can only get at Spring Training at the stadium. The field/grass area at all stadiums are a great option for families especially if your kids like to roam a bit.
2. Explore the stadium. Each stadium has lots of fun photo opportunities and activities set up, which are great especially if you have kids. At Peoria Sports Complex where the San Diego Padres play, the kids enjoyed playing at the splash pad. The Arizona climate provided a perfect day to have fun in the sun. We did this at the end of the game, so that the kids could change out of their wet clothes and then get into the car. Definitely bring their swimsuits/sandals and a change of clothes if they are going to play in the splash pad. They also had fun cactuses set up with the team logo which makes for a great photo. This was at the front of the stadium. Older kids and adults will enjoy checking out how fast they can pitch too.
At Sloan Park, where the Chicago Cubs play, fans can take a picture with the name on the famous marquee.This is worth the wait. Younger fans can also take turns batting and running the bases on the mini-field. We loved taking a photo with the Chicago Cubs mascot too.
Tip: Arrive early if you want to see your favorite players. Your favorite players will usually play the first few innings so if you arrive late, you might miss all of the starters. The later innings are usually for the players they are determining if they will keep on the roster.
Family Tip: Pack snacks, water bottles and little activities for the kids. We didn’t have to use the activities as the kids loved dancing and stayed engaged with the game, but it is always good to have back-up. Each stadium has guidelines for outside food and beverage too so make sure to check that prior to attending the game.
3. Grab a bite to eat-This might seem like odd advice, but if you haven’t been to Arizona, the Spring Training area is filled with restaurants that you associate with your favorite teams. From Portillo’s to Gino’s East Pizza, we enjoyed some of our favorite places from Chicago and we also took time to explore some new favorites.
Tip: Find family friendly restaurants. We loved discovering Saba’s Kitchen. We recommend trying the Chicago Gyro’s Pita. Their gyros, falafels and kebabs are great to share.The food was so delicious and flavorful. Their service is quick, which can be helpful if your family is coming or going to a game. We also loved learning that this was one of Ron Santo’s favorite restaurants and his children and grandchildren still frequent it. We love that it is family owned and operated and you can feel the love amongst the staff through their service. This can be a great takeout option too
Tip: Treat yourself! If you are looking for a great date night, Vincent’s Market is a great spot. If you have the family with you or prefer something a little more casual, Vincent Market Bistro is a fabulous option. From the kids to grandpa, each one of us loved the cuisine at the Bistro! Everyone’s favorite starter was the smoked salmon quesadilla. This is great to share. The adults enjoyed the Poblano Chiles while the kids loved snacking on the croissants and frites. The staff was so helpful and made suggestions and shared about the background of the dishes too. We enjoyed the salmon and vegetables. Their menu rotates and their takeout menu features different items too. We highly recommend this restaurant as everything that we had was so delicious. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. And yes, definitely order the dessert too! The chocolate flourless cake was a favorite with our family.
4. Have some fun as a family. There are so many great things to enjoy in Arizona. From hiking to exploring attractions, there are lots of great options to choose from. This can be a great way to balance a trip to Spring Training too. We found it was good to do a day at the ballpark and then a day doing a physical activity.
Tip: Blow off some steam at the train park! We made a stop at the McCormick Stillman Railroad Park. This is a must if you have kids that love trains. The park itself is free. If you want to ride the carousel or train, you have to purchase tickets. We spent hours exploring the Railroad Museum and Model Railroad building as well as playing at the park. There are so many great things to check out, even the adults in our group had a great time! Make sure to check their website for the latest guidelines/hours and if there are restrictions on attractions. There are lots of open spaces too to run or pack a lunch and eat out.
Tip: Do some teambuilding at Legoland Discovery Center. This is one of our favorite spots in Phoenix. The kids can spend hours here building LEGOs, watching the LEGO 4D movie, and checking out the LEGO Miniland. One of the neat things about LEGOLAND Miniland is that each one has unique buildings to that specific city, so it can be a fun way to explore a city if you don’t have time to check everything out. Make sure to check out their site for safety guidelines and ticket reservations.
Tip: Take a hike! Whether it is the Grand Canyon or Sonoran Desert, the Spring Training area in Arizona is so close to many great day hikes or trips. You can book adventures through tour groups or go on your own. Make sure to check age and ability guidelines.
5. Don’t forget…
Remember Arizona is a desert climate so it can get pretty warm during the day and cool at night. Make sure to check the forecast before you go and pack your sunscreen, hand sanitizer and masks. Jackets are a must and we love this blanket from Tula. You can throw it in your bag for a night game and spread it out over the family to keep warm or sit on it in the grass section at a day game. We were caught off guard with the rain, so don’t forget to pack an umbrella and rain jacket too. And of course, make sure to pack your favorite team gear.
Please note all of our photos were taken last year pre-pandemic. Prior to your trip, make sure to check out each stadium/team’s guidelines to make sure that you are comfortable with what they have set up. Activities and interactions will vary depending on guidelines, please check each stadium/team to see what they will be offering.
