Baseball: America’s pastime, a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon… unless you’re headed to the wrong city. While most MLB stadiums are filled with excitement, passion, and hot dogs, some cities just aren’t worth the ticket price—unless you enjoy miserable weather, bad food, and the occasional run-in with a security guard who’s a little too into their job.
Here’s a fun ranking of the 15 worst cities to travel to for an MLB game. This isn’t about the quality of the teams (some are great!)—it’s about the experience outside of the ballpark that could make you question your life choices.
15. Oakland, California
Let’s start with a bit of a curveball. Oakland is home to the A’s, and while the team actually plays in Sacramento right now, it’s the city itself that gives you the chills. Known for being gritty and having a nightlife that requires more effort than it’s worth, Oakland isn’t exactly a vacation spot. Plus, good luck with public transportation.
14. Miami, Florida
We get it. Miami is a party city, but the Marlins’ stadium is located in a bland, boring part of town. The team might be wildly inconsistent, and while the food inside the stadium isn’t awful, nothing beats a great ballpark hot dog… unless it’s served in a neon-lit, soulless cavern. On top of that, the traffic is an absolute nightmare.
13. Tampa, Florida
Tampa might be nice if you’re into early-bird specials and bad chain restaurants, but if you’re looking for a vibrant, exciting city, this place isn’t it. Tropicana Field, the home of the Rays, is a dome. A dome. It’s like watching baseball inside a gymnasium with a roof, and the surrounding area doesn’t give much to work with either. Sorry, Tampa—it’s just not cutting it.
12. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minnesota may be lovely in the winter, but we’re not talking about winter sports here, people. If you’re looking to catch the Twins at Target Field, you better hope it’s one of those rare days when it’s not freezing. Minnesota’s charm evaporates once the cold hits, and let’s face it, you’re not here for the food scene or nightlife either. But hey, there’s always the Mall of America, right?
11. Cleveland, Ohio
Listen, Cleveland’s got a lot going for it—but the Guardians haven’t been contenders in forever, and the stadium doesn’t exactly scream “vacation destination.” Sure, you’ve got the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but do you really want to hang out there for two days before heading home to cry about your baseball team’s lack of a future?
10. Detroit, Michigan
Ah, Detroit. Home of the Tigers and… a lot of empty buildings. Comerica Park is fine (really, it’s fine), but the city itself can be a bit of a letdown. Outside the stadium, you’ll find industrial landscapes and an overall sense of not-so-charming decay. If you like getting lost in a city that feels a little… unkempt, this one’s for you.
9. Chicago (White Sox), Illinois
Before you start writing angry comments, hear us out. While Chicago has a great baseball city vibe, the White Sox’s home at Rate Field leaves something to be desired. It’s located in a neighborhood that doesn’t scream “vacation destination,” and the food options are forgettable. Plus, when you sit in the outfield, you can’t help but feel like you’re in a cheap amusement park.
8. Kansas City, Missouri
The Royals have a solid fan base, but let’s face it—Kansas City is a bit out of the way for most people. Sure, you’ve got great BBQ, but after your third plate of ribs, you might start wishing there was something else to do. A trip to Kansas City might just be more of a test of patience than a fun getaway.
7. Baltimore, Maryland
Camden Yards is a great ballpark, but let’s not sugarcoat it: Baltimore has seen better days. Between questionable areas, unpredictable weather, and an Orioles team that’s perpetually in rebuild mode, you’ll probably be wishing you were somewhere else halfway through the game.
6. New York (Mets), New York
Sorry, Mets fans, but Citi Field isn’t the shining jewel of New York sports. If you’re already in the city, sure, it’s easy to swing by. But unless you’re a die-hard fan, New York’s got so much more to offer than watching the Mets disappoint. Plus, traffic around the stadium is the stuff of nightmares.
5. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Look, Pittsburgh’s not the worst city in the world and catching a Pirates game at PNC Park is fun, but the city is a little outdated. Sure, the park is pretty, but Pittsburgh can feel like it’s stuck in 1995—good for nostalgia, not so much for exciting travel experiences. Unless you love steel mills, this might be a miss.
4. Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta’s a sprawling mess of a city, and when you throw in Truist Park, you get a whole lot of “meh.” It’s not as bad as some of the other cities, but there’s something weird about the fact that the stadium is located in a shopping complex, almost as if the Braves wanted to turn baseball into a glorified mall visit. No thanks.
3. Houston, Texas
Daikin Park is alright, but Houston? Oof. This city is like an oven that never cools down. There’s also the perpetual problem of bad traffic, terrible air quality, and limited things to do outside of the stadium. It’s definitely not on the list of places you’d recommend to someone who’s looking for a fun baseball experience in a vibrant city.
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2. Phoenix, Arizona
Chase Field is air-conditioned, which is nice if you’re trying to avoid death by heatstroke. However, if you like, you know, outdoor baseball, Arizona may not be your first choice. Plus, with its lack of a true “downtown,” you’ll spend most of your time in the desert, counting cacti, while wondering why you didn’t just skip the trip altogether.
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1. Los Angeles (Angels), California
Okay, hear us out. Angel Stadium is nice enough, but the city itself can be a total mess. The traffic is soul-sucking, the food is overpriced, and let’s not even get started on the Anaheim area. Yes, the weather’s nice, but that doesn’t make up for the fact that you’re in a sprawling mess of concrete with more tourists than you can shake a bat at. Angels fans, don’t hate us—we love the team, but the city? Not so much.
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