They did a nice job with that park from what I’ve seen on TV—and they made those third tier seats attractive by giving them those views of the Capitol.

few rows behind the cubs bullpen for all three games. I am really looking forward to it? what starting pitchers are we looking at for that series? I heard Lilly is one of them

Season ticketholder. I had intended to get up a longer detailed fanpost with a number of tips, but may not be able to get around to it, so a few quick, key points.

1) The key thing to keep in mind is how you are planning to get to the ballpark. If you’re planning to drive, there is no official cash parking, although there are a couple of private lots available. Either go to the Nationals website and buy single game parking in advance, or park at RFK Stadium for free and take the shuttle. It’s proven out extremely efficient so far. Metro is the best way to go, though,

2) The signature food item is the Ben’s Chili Bowl chili half smoke, all the way. It is available either at the Ben’s stand, or at most of the regular “Nats Dogs” stands. I also recommend the Five Guys burger stand on the outfield concourse, Red Hot and Blue Barbeque,or Hard Times Chili. The lines have been a little slow, but they have been steadily improving.

3) If you don’t have tickets already, you may want to try sitting on the Red Porch/Red Loft, which is a restaurant/bar club seating area in center field. (Centerfield Club/Centerfield Lounge/Batters Box seating). It’s not the bleachers, but if that’s where you like to sit at Wrigley, this is your place.

I’d be glad to try to answer any other questions.

I used to have one like that…

went to both the July 3rd and July 4th games last summer. All I can say is… what a clusterf**k the Metro was after the game on the 3rd. I decided to bail on that and go hail a cab. But there weren’t any cabs… anywhere. Just a bunch of DC locals bumpin hip-hop from their cars in the street and lighting off fireworks that sounded a lot like 9mm’s. lol I was stylin in my Cubs gear, alone, stumbling through DC’s best neighborhoods. Needless to say, I had flashbacks of the old United Center neighborhood on W Madison.
How I’m here today to tell this story is quite a miracle. Thank God on the 4th my buddy who lived in DC was there to chaperone. Apparently fireworks or 9mm’s aren’t illegal in D.C. lol have fun, don’t repeat my mistake.

Doesn’t have the corrall on tough neighborhoods…..the area around clark and belmont has deteriorated pretty bad in the 10 years or so since I’ve left chgo…and that’s just 4 blocks south of Wrigley….

I try and “reply” to a specific post…and it “does nothing”...just can “add a new piece” at the bottom….

I grew up in the Chicago area but live in DC now. I’ve been to a bunch of games at Wrigley and I’ve been to several here in DC this year. I’ll be at all three cubs vs. nationals games. I’m in 318 Friday night, 226 Sat, and 223 on Sun.

Transport – I ride my bike to the game. Best and quickest way to travel. I really enjoy bypassing traffic and people walking from the parking lots in the hinterlands on my way to the game. There is valet bike parking at the corner of 1st and N SE. Biking conditions and valet service are better at the new park when compared to Wrigley. If you’re not biking take metro. It is crowded but quick. To avoid the crowds sit in the first or second car from the front of the train and use the New Jersey St exit at the Navy Yard station. Oh and in dc on the escalators be sure to stand on the right and walk on the left. Most people will politely ask to pass but some can go ballistic if you don’t follow this rule of thumb.

Food – There are no bars in the area around the ballpark yet and only a few places to eat. So unless you are going straight to the park I suggest eating and drinking elsewhere before heading to the game. 8th Street SE has a several restaurants and a few good bars. (http://www.barracksrow.org/) You can take the N22 bus from there to the game or walk.

Food at Game – I second the ben’s chili bowl comment. They’re not as good at the park as they are at the actual shop on U St but they’re good. The lines are slow – really slow! Also, don’t buy hot dogs from the stand alone stands on the concourse. Most of them don’t have hot dog heaters so the dogs can be cold. To avoid the lines I suggest the Cajun place in the outfield. It has great corn dogs, spiced fries and no lines.

Seats – 311 will be great. They are a bit higher than comparable seats at Wrigley because there are two extra levels of club boxes but the views are good. A cool tool to check out your seats if you haven’t seen it already -

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/was/ticketing/seats_3d.jsp

The Park – It’s a great new park but it can be hard to get into a baseball game and relax because there is so much other stuff going on. There is the giant hd scoreboard. It looks great but it can be distracting. When it has been in my direct field of vision I have a hard time staying focused on the live game on the field and not all the lights flashing, etc. The park is also extremely bright during night games (you’re seats not so much because they are between the lights that line the right and left field lines). It’s been a while since I’ve been to a night game at Wrigley but this park is BRIGHT. The field just glows as result of the scoreboard, the lights, and other flashing signs. I’m thinking about wearing sunglasses to night games. Also, the music can be loud to defining. Every batter has a bat song, they play other music between innings, and a bunch of other gimmicks that I could do without. Also, there is a push up contest every game. I could go on and on about these little things but ultimately it all adds up to the fact that the new park is an entertainment complex that also has baseball. Wrigley is a ballpark that has baseball and that’s what I love about it and miss every time I go to a Nationals game.

All that being said it is great going to games on a regular basis in DC. I love sitting in the park, having a beer and watching baseball and I don’t have to wait 30 years to get season tickets!

I’d be happy to answer any specific questions you may have about the park or the city.

Enjoy the game and have a great trip.