Spring Training Question

by steinmer on Dec 4, 2007 9:59 AM CST

My friend and I have never been to Cubs spring training before, and we promised ourselves that we would finally go this year. With tickets going on sale at the beginning of January, we have some planning to do ahead of time. We thought that we would get some BCB input into our biggest issue:

Arizona or Vegas??

I have never been to Arizona, and my friend has never been to Vegas. I have family that lives in Vegas, so we could probably stay for free, but we would probably want to stay on the strip (given this is my friend's first trip to Vegas). Then again, the stadium is not on the strip.

Our original intent of going on the trip was to see the Cubs in spring training, but the opportunity to parlay a first-time Vegas trip is hard to turn down.

Can anyone shed some light on the subject? I guess what I'm looking for is an idea of what spring training in Arizona would look like, places to stay, establishments to take a few down at, and the type of atmosphere to expect. This will give us a better idea of whether we want to go to Arizona or Vegas.

Thoughts?

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Definitely Arizona

I am not sure of the game times for the Vegas games, but there aren't too many things better than seeing the Cubs out here in AZ in the Spring time, when the weather is as good as it gets and I don't believe the Cubs have any night games in AZ this year.

My biggest suggestion for you is to do research on the hotels you'll be staying at. Some hotels include Cub ST tickets but some of those hotels are very shady and in really bad areas of Mesa. I would suggest getting a hotel in Scottsdale, as most of the hotels in S(n)cottsdale are very nice and comftorable to stay in.

"Thanks bro, see ya later" Tony Larussa to Jupiter cops after being informed he was asleep in the middle of an intersection.

by lemon20pie on Dec 4, 2007 9:52 AM CST reply actions

Here...

... are a number of suggestions BCB readers made about AZ spring training last January.

You can't beat the weather in Phoenix in March, particularly the last couple of weeks of the month. The Cubs play in Tucson on a couple of the days, so if you're in town you could do something else on those days.

The Vegas games are on a Friday night and Saturday afternoon, which wouldn't leave you much time to do anything else in Vegas.

I agree with lemon20pie that you should stay in Scottsdale. There are reasonably-priced hotels there -- but you had better book soon; March is high season and they sell out quickly.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Dec 4, 2007 1:53 PM CST reply actions

Scottsdale

Mcdowell Mountian Marriott is nice.

by dwm on Dec 4, 2007 8:54 PM CST up reply actions

Sunblock

With a high SPF. The sun is pretty harsh, especially to someone coming from a place where it's not so harsh.

by Snake Plissken on Dec 4, 2007 4:31 PM CST reply actions

Arizona

While Vegas is a blast, seeing the Cubs play there won't give you a hint of the Spring Training experience. In addition to the Cubs, there are a lot of other great stadiums; Surprise/Peoria/Maryvale/Phoenix Municipal, et al. The Angels facility in Tempe is great, too. It's the pure baseball experience, and I'm a certified annual visitor now.

Plus, there's Richardsons of New Mexico, some of the best damned Southwestern/Mexican food you'll ever encounter

Of course, if your real desire is to see a Cubs game in the midst of poker games, strip clubs, buffets and overpriced nightclubs, Vegas is the place for you!

Since I left, I've always missed Chicago but never as much as I do right now!

by TMOX on Dec 4, 2007 4:32 PM CST reply actions

Gee.....

....youmake Vegas sound like it's a bad place. LOL.

Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Dec 4, 2007 4:35 PM CST up reply actions

Vegas - A Truly Bad Place

LOL! Actually, I go there all the time, since I'm a fan of all the things I mentioned, other than the overpriced nightclubs. I think I'm getting old, because I can't for the life of me understand what's so cool about dropping $500-2000 on bottle service. My favorite quote from a bottle service fan: "Yeah, but they give you two mixers!!!"

However, for the tourist, especially young male ones, those things will pretty much comprise your trip to Vegas. It's a blast, but the bright lights of the Strip cover its meretricious nature.

Since I left, I've always missed Chicago but never as much as I do right now!

by TMOX on Dec 5, 2007 11:28 AM CST up reply actions

Come to AZ

This will be my 3rd trip in 4 years. I am staying at the Motel6 in Scottsdale which is cheap and has the best location ( shares
the parking lot with Neiman Marcus and you can walk to a a lot
of stores & restuarants in the mall) Not big on amenities but
decent pool.
If you want to visit Vegas , save that for another trip, A different world

"It's the Cubbies. There's always a vibe. It's the greatest vibe in baseball." Greg Maddux on Cub fan's optimism even after the 06 debacle.

by jessica on Dec 4, 2007 4:53 PM CST reply actions