Special Edition- Rogers Centre: Home of the Toronto Blue Jays
Nestled in the heart of downtown Toronto, Rogers Centre is more than just a sports venue; it’s an iconic symbol of the city’s vibrant culture. There are plenty of aspects to look forward to in this ballpark, but you have to get there first...
Driving into downtown Toronto was an absolute nightmare. A 100 mile journey from the land down south, Buffalo, N.Y., took almost three hours. Once you find your way through the busy, traffic ridden streets that make up the vibrant downtown area you will have to dish out $30 for the slim parking that is available.
Location/ Scenery/ Amenities (4.75/5)
Rogers Centre is the most dynamic ballpark in the MLB with its retractable roof. In fact, this is my second visit to Rogers Centre after my initial visit in 2015. When I came in 2015, the roof was closed as it was a cold and gloomy April afternoon. This visit was the first time I was able to experience Rogers Centre with its roof open. Without a doubt, the open roof is much better than closed. The CN Tower is right next door, making for a great backdrop for pictures. However, only fans sitting on the third base line will get a view of the tower.
As far as amenities go, Rogers Centre has one of the coolest features I've ever seen, an in ballpark hotel! In addition to that, the ballpark has areas such as the Corona RoofTop Bar which is located in the 500 section and The Score Sportbook and Casino which is a in ballpark casino, a trend that is rapidly growing in stadiums across North America.
Food (4.8/5)
If you are a ballpark foodie, Rogers Centre is the place for you! Cutting right to the chase, I got the Maple Bacon Hotdog ($11.49) which was a Schneiders hotdog topped with cream cheese and maple candied bacon. My friend, Delaney, who accompanied me on this venture got the Rice Bowl with Beef and Chicken ($12.49). Finally, I wrapped up the night with a Classic Poutine ($9.49) because you can't go to Canada without getting poutine! The only thing that disappointed me was I did not see any crazy dishes on the dessert front (supposedly, the ballpark offers trendy desserts such as apple nachos and peanut butter and jelly churros but I could not find them).
Rogers Centre has no shortage of food options. In fact, the Maple Bacon Hotdog and Rice Bowl were both found at 'The Spot' which is a concession stand that features food found at different stops on the Toronto subway. I thought this was a great touch to the ballpark as it added personality.
Entertainment (3.9/5)
The entertainment front was pretty mediocre, at best. There was karaoke and some fan engagement sponsorship contests (how much clothes can you pack in a suitcase in 20 seconds, etc). Other than that, there wasn't much there.
Sam's Score: 89.7/100
Getting into the stadium was an absolute nightmare but once I got to my seats, this stadiums proves why it's continually rated in the top half of MLB ballparks. Situated in downtown Toronto, the location could not be better. The views are spectacular (tip: remember, if you want a view of the CN Tower, make sure you grab seats on the third base line) and the food is incredible. Whether you are a ballpark enthusiast like me or just a casual baseball fan, you need to make a trip up to Toronto to catch a game in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere!
