You’ve finally decided the Detroit Tigers have a ball team you’d like to see in person and want to plan a trip to Comerica Park. Now is a great time to see them play, the stadium has never been busier on a regular basis and the livelier crowds make for a better Major League Baseball experience. But Comerica Park has more to offer visitors than just the game.
Come to Comerica Park, drive past the old, well loved, but in ruins, Tiger Stadium, if you must. Remember, for a little while the memories created there, at Tiger Stadium, the way it used to be, but come to Comerica Park to build the new memories. You should begin at the main gate, the gate you won’t miss by looking for the giant concrete Tiger who is framed by two, even taller baseball bats. Take pictures of your family under the Tiger for your photo album and walk on into the park. You should know, that the same old rules, no bottles, no large coolers and other remain in place. However, the Tigers do allow, unopened bottled water to Be brought into the park. You can also bring your own snacks with you into the park.
Once inside though, there is nothing like a Ballpark frank (still $3.50) but be aware that Kosher Hot Dogs ($5.00) are also being sold at the park. The vendors selling the Kosher franks carry a red colored soft sided cooler that says Kosher on it, however, rarely do I noticed a vendor alerting customers to the fact that they are selling a kosher frank. I have seen quite a few customers become very disappointed when they bite into the dog. A bottled soda (the Tigers offer Pepsi products), will set you back $3.75. If you are bringing children with you, cotton candy is $3.50, Licorice ropes are $2.00, Cracker Jacks $2.50, Nestle drumstick ice cream $3.50. The Tigers also offer kielbasa, brats and Italian sausages at $5.00 each, quarter pound hamburger baskets for $8.50. Each basket comes with coleslaw, a bag of potato chips and a pickle, Hamburger baskets are only available at the Brushfire Grill behind sections 136 of the lower level. The stadium also has its own Montgomery Inn Barbecue in the upper right field section of the stands. Ribs ($11.50), homemade potato chips ($5.00 and are wonderful), pulled pork sandwiches and great garlic french fries. The Tigers have also updated their nachos this year, you will receive a good quantity of both blue and yellow corn chips when you order a Nacho Supreme which come with the usual hot cheese but this year the Tigers have changed the salsa served to Jack’s brand salsa. I was surprised by the fresh taste and quality of the Salsa. if you buy only one food item, the Nacho Supreme would be the one I would pick($5.50)
But the food, although good, is not the only draw to the park. Come early to walk around the concourse. The bronze statues, sculpted in the likes of Hank Greenberg, Willie Horton, Kaline, Ty Cobb are located behind center field. Each statue has a short synopsis of the career of the player written on the base. After your Detroit Tiger baseball history lesson is done, you can treat the kids to a ride on the Tiger Carousel, located in the Big Cat Court. Or, if it’s Ferris Wheels you prefer, the Tigers have one with baseball shaped chairs, located in the Brushfire Grill area. Both rides will cost you $2.00 per person, but if you visit on Sundays, rides are free for kids. On a side note, if you choose to come with children on a Sunday, come very early to avoid the lines to the rides and the free face painting. Kids also can run the bases after the end of every Sunday game, weather permitting.
If your seats are in the upper deck, and it is going to be a sunny day, make sure to bring plenty of that bottled water, sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from sunburn. Few seats are shaded in the upper deck (and the lower deck for that matter) and you can get burned on a sunny day, even if the temperature is only 60. Experience has taught me, that a hat, sunscreen and water are almost always necessary during a summer visit to Comerica Park.
Come to Comerica Park and you will enjoy more than just the baseball game. Have fun, cheer on your team and make new memories in the Home of the Detroit Tigers.
