Exploring the Citi Field Ballpark Tour Experience
Join me on a Citi Field ballpark tour, from exploring luxury suites to insider tips for making the most of your visit to this legendary venue.
As a long suffering New York Mets fan, I have attended over 20 games at Citi Field since it opened its doors in 2009. I have seen it all, wins, losses and everything in between from the cheap seats to the club seats. However, I had never done a ballpark tour and I always wanted the opportunity. So on an early Spring day as the hope and optimism of a new season was still in the atmosphere, I decided to go for it and book a ballpark tour and batting practice viewing prior to the game. This particular game would see the New York Mets take on the St Louis Cardinals, but we're not here to talk about that. This is my experience of a ballpark tour and batting practice watching my favorite baseball team, the New York Mets, and why you should consider taking one as well!
The Planning Process for a Citi Field Ballpark Tour
Before I get into the details of the tour, let’s discuss how everything came together. While planning my trip, I visited the Mets website and navigated to the 'tickets' section to purchase a single game ticket. I ended up securing a ticket for the game on April 17, 2025, where the New York Mets would play against the St. Louis Cardinals. At first, I considered doing a separate tour before the game and would have bought that independently if necessary. However, I ultimately opted to purchase both the tour and the game ticket. The ticket I bought was for a 'cheap seat' in the promenade section, while the tour was the more expensive part and would occur prior to the game. The total cost was $285, but I thought it was a worthwhile investment to experience something I usually only see snippets of on TV between games, if at all. The tour included a guided visit of the ballpark, followed by the opportunity to stand on the field during batting practice, where I hoped to snap a quick photo with a player or get an autograph on a baseball, poster, or any merchandise. To be honest, I wasn’t overly concerned about the autographs; I would be happy just to get a picture with a player, but my main desire was to step onto the baseball field. Tours are available year-round, but you’ll get the best value if you book one before a game at Citi Field.
What to Do Prior to Arrival for your Citi Field Tour
I arrived about an hour early for the tour to explore the area. Although the Mets have new ownership and Mr. Steve Cohen along with his lovely wife Alex are doing an excellent job, there are still areas that could use improvement. I'm more than willing to help out!
If you're coming from Manhattan, or Hudson Valley or Connecticut
Take Metro-North (Harlem, Hudson or New Haven Lines) to connect at Grand Central Station, and then follow the signs to Long Island Railroad, to take the Long Island Rail Road train to Mets-Willets Point Station. Trains run almost every hour, especially on game days. It's a very relaxing ride that is almost an "express" version with less stops in between Grand Central and the ballpark. The best way to plan and purchase tickets is to download the MTA TrainTime App.
If you're coming from Northern or Central New Jersey
Take one of the NJ Transit lines to New York Penn Station, and then follow the signs to Long Island Railroad, to take the Long Island Railroad train to Mets-Willets Point Station. Same as the Grand Central connection, trains run hourly, especially on game days. In fact, as Penn Station is adjacent to Grand Central to its west, the Long Island Railroad's terminus is at Penn Station - so the same train you see at Grand Central started and ends at Penn Station. Same as the Metro North option, you can also plan and purchase using the NJ Transit Mobile App.
Take the 7 Line MTA Subway Train: You can also hop on the 7 line train, which runs from Hudson Yards on the West Side of Manhattan through the main hub of Grand Central Station all the way to Flushing in Queens, with a stop directly at the edge of Citi Field at the Willets Point Station. This is a solid choice if you're in New York City or close enough to walk to the train line, but just a heads up to stay alert since the subways and trains in New York City do have their fair share of crime. Even though it's the cheapest option, keep in mind that trains follow a schedule and can sometimes be late, so you might need to grab an Uber/Lyft or a taxi to reach your final stop.
Uber and Lyft is also a great option: You'll usually find a driver who knows the area pretty well and can handle the streets and pedestrians around here (though it's not as hectic as, say, Midtown Manhattan). It can get pricey, especially after a game, but there are plenty of drivers ready to take you there and bring you back to your hotel or home.
Yes, you can drive: If you choose to drive like I did, make sure to park in the Southfield Lot. Just plug it into your GPS and follow the directions and signs to get you there. This parking lot is right next to the front entrance of the ballpark and the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. You’ll see the train running above the street since it was built over the existing road, and the Mets-Willets Point station is right there too. The cost for parking is $40, but considering your car will be there for the tour, batting practice, and the game itself, it’s a much better deal than parking around the time the gates open, which is about 2 hours before the game starts.
When you get there, head over to the right field area where you’ll spot some small signs for the ballpark tour. It’s right next to the entrance and sign for the Delta Sky360 Club. First, there’s a check-in area, but just walk past that all the way to the end near the right field entrance where you’ll find the credential window. At that spot, you’ll receive a nametag with your name on it. Slap that nametag on and hop in the check-in line. A few greeters will be roaming around, matching your name with the list of people who booked the tour, and they’ll stick an orange sticker on your nametag. The tour is set to kick off around the scheduled time. My tour started at 3:15 PM, which was about 4 hours before the evening game began.
What Happens on a Citi Field Ballpark Tour
At the beginning of the tour, you'll join the rest of the group in groups of 20. We passed through the check-in area, and security will signal you to proceed into the press conference room at the Shannon Forde Media Center. This room serves various functions, such as hosting press conferences for player signings, postgame discussions with the manager, and auditions for the National Anthem during the offseason. The tour guide laid out the ground rules, which were basically to "keep it cool" and "act like you belong." This is crucial for tours. Our group was the second of two, and we kicked off the tour downstairs, starting at the clubhouse level and the Delta SkyClub 360 area.
Our tour proceeded to the ground level, arriving at the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, where we learned about the importance of honoring Jackie Robinson, both as a man and an athlete, to his former team and Major League Baseball. This section of the ballpark continues to evoke mixed feelings among fans today, as Jackie Robinson played for the Brooklyn Dodgers, not the New York Mets. Some fans have argued that the absence of a statue for a legendary former Met like Tom Seaver at the entrance of Citi Field, which is now located in front of the entrance rather than in the rotunda, contributes to this sentiment. This is irrelevant, as Jackie Robinson broke barriers for integration in a time fraught with danger for himself, his family, and the team. That pivotal moment in history took place in Brooklyn, making it fitting to honor Jackie in a ballpark where such a significant event occurred. The New York Mets were founded in 1962 in response to the departures of the New York Baseball Giants (now the San Francisco Giants) and the Brooklyn Dodgers (now the Los Angeles Dodgers). Citi Field was crafted to embody the essence of a true baseball park, designed as a homage to Ebbets Field, the former home of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Essentially, the tour conveyed that Citi Field encapsulates the team's history and its roots as a baseball franchise.
Moving on to The Hodges VIP Lobby, this space showcases memorabilia that captures significant moments in Mets history, highlighted by various photographs predominantly featuring iconic Mets players like Darryl Strawberry, Mike Piazza, and Keith Hernandez. Additionally, it includes remarkable items such as the pink Louisville slugger bat from Mother's Day 2006 and the authentic game-used first base from the last season at Shea Stadium in 2008. The collection is truly breathtaking, to say the least.
We moved into the elevator and headed up to the Heineken Diamond Lounge, which was previously known as the Piazza Club - named in honor of the former Mets catcher and Hall of Famer Mike Piazza. This lounge offers a stunning 360-degree view from its windows, allowing you to gaze upon New York City, as well as the Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the iconic Unisphere. With a capacity of 900 people, it is climate-controlled, making it a perfect retreat on a hot and humid summer day. Personally, I have used this lounge in the past, and I love it. It's a great spot to relax - especially when the team is up or down several runs!
After passing the Heineken Diamond Lounge, we were able to check out the Jay Horowitz Press Box, which offers a distinctive perspective of the ballpark. It's also a rather cramped space! I can envision this area becoming quite a pressure cooker for the press during games as they monitor every pitch, hit, and craft their stories with each game.
Our tour group took the elevator down, moved through the hallway adjacent to the Empire Suites and headed outside to the opulent Empire Club on the fourth level. One day, I will claim these seats, and for good reason. Although these club areas come with a significant cost, they provide an outstanding inclusive experience where many additional expenses related to attending a game (such as parking and food) are either included or covered in the overall price. Plus, you get to enjoy a relaxed environment among fellow fans. The Empire Club is a prime example of this, featuring a welcoming atmosphere with a classic New York feel, complemented by its Art Deco design and architecture. It is fully climate-controlled, offering complimentary wine and beer at the private bar, an all-inclusive dinner menu that changes with each game, and luxurious theater-style seating along the 3rd base line.
Our last stop was moving down to the Clover Home Plate Club on the second level. This area is massive, and features a sit down fine dining restaurant known as Pat LaFrieda's Chop House, which is open for ticketholders of this club during every game. A fun fact mentioned on the tour is that thousands of pounds of meat are cooked just here with every ballgame at Citi Field alone. Ron Swanson approved!
The Clover Home Plate Club has two full-service bars and a market level with a snack bar that serves most of the snacks available at Citi Field during every game. This area serves as the concession spot for the seats that face Home Plate. A lot of these seats are padded, and they're often the ones you see on TV when a pitcher is up against the batter - so if you do grab these seats, don't forget to smile because you're on camera! Plus, these seats come with VIP entrances, parking is included, and you can even have food delivered right to your seat! Why would you ever want to leave?
Another great bonus is that the Clover Home Plate Club is just below market level, giving you a view of the New York Mets' batting cage in their clubhouse. During our tour, which happened before a game, we got to see a bunch of Mets players warming up. This led to the conclusion of the tour, where those of us who bought the batting practice viewing got to go outside, step onto the warning track, and enjoy watching batting practice.
The Last Stop of the Ballpark Tour: Batting Practice!
Our final stop on the tour was getting to see batting practice and setting foot on the warning track of Citi Field. The warning track acts as a dividing line between the grass field and the fences, as ballplayers are paying more attention to catching the ball than where they are headed. The warning track is also composed of dirt and/or rubber to help signal to fielders that they are running out of room. Nonetheless, the fielders have often slammed into the fences or walls just to be able to get that ball. As a baseball fan, it was really cool to set foot on the field - even if it is just the warning track. Most tours offer this type of experience - even if it is just a few minutes to set foot on the field. In this case, not only do you get to set both feet on the field, but as this is prior to the baseball game - we were able to watch batting practice. I was thrilled to have the experience of watching the fielders on my baseball team up close just getting ready to work.
Watching batting practice is a baseball tradition and dates back over a century, and mostly younger fans line up to have baseballs, hats and jerseys signed by their favorite ballplayers. For me, as a grown middle aged man, I was on the sidelines to just watch and observe, and hopefully get a quick selfie with one of the hitters on the team - but it wasn't going to be today. Oh well! In any event, I had a great time watching the players and witnessing how they get ready for the game. You might even see one of the players taking a breather on the sidelines, signing baseballs for fans, or just chatting with them. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza came over to sign some baseballs, talk to fans, and take selfies. Utility outfielder Tyrone Taylor also stopped by and spent a few minutes with the fans. I struck up a conversation with a mom who was chaperoning her two kids, and she mentioned that he was one of her favorite players. As for outfielder Juan Soto, who just joined the team this offseason with a jaw-dropping 15-year, $765 million contract, the mom I spoke with wasn't too happy about him not being around during batting practice, calling him 'a diva.' I got a good laugh out of that line!
In the end, getting to watch batting practice is a great way to connect the fans to the guys on the field, and it truly humanizes the men on the field to the average fan. While broadcasting the games on radio and television has created fans, it also can create a distance with fans, especially with the rising salaries of these ballplayers. Some dismiss it, but I see it differently. Put yourself in the shoes of a ballplayer who has their entire life scrutinized top to bottom, and their workplace is a ballpark where the games are televised and broadcasted all over the world. Every move they make, every step they take, is seen, heard and picked apart. They have to be able to tune out the noise and do their job to the best of their ability and face the music on a daily basis. It takes a very special person to want to put their life out to the public, mistakes and all, and still perform somewhat at a high level. That's why these guys get the big bucks, as they should. Batting practice opens the door to that world directly to the average fan, and I think it gives fans who are there a little more pause to hold back their anger or vitriol as they are facing their favorite ballplayer face to face. It's a wonderful tradition and it's great to see it continue.
What I Learned on this Ballpark Tour of Citi Field
Located in Queens, just a stone's throw from LaGuardia Airport, Citi Field places you within one of New York City's five boroughs, yet Queens stands out as a fascinating area. During the tour, I learned some intriguing facts: Queens has a higher number of deceased residents than living ones, and it is home to speakers of 150 different languages - the only spot on the planet! The tour guides were exceptionally engaging and knowledgeable, sharing fascinating insights about Citi Field, its operations, and how certain features of the ballpark are now effectively "grandfathered in". Despite being nearly twenty years old, this ballpark still exudes a fresh and contemporary vibe while also preserving that nostalgic "old time ballpark" atmosphere. I enjoy observing the "nuts and bolts" of these enormous structures, and it's remarkable to see how efficiently they function. Fans will gain some interesting insights in this tour, and see the numerous clubs available to use depending on your ticket purchase.
After going on this tour, I really want to buy a seat in one of those club levels! And that is the point of these tours. They aim to offer fans and even non-fans a deeper experience of Citi Field, and part of that is getting access to areas that are usually off-limits. Now I am aware that it's pretty pricey to attend a game at these club levels, but attending a game at Citi Field is like a 'choose your own adventure' scenario. You can usually find a cheap seat, shell out a ton for parking, take an Uber or Lyft, or brave the train crowds and splurge on the delicious food at Citi Field. In that whole experience, you're constantly navigating through packed areas, which can be overwhelming, and while it's easy to say you can save money, it’s not that simple when you're caught up in the moment. I've bought club seats before, though. One spot that wasn't mentioned on this tour was the Hyundai Club, which has comfy padded seats and food delivered right to you. These seats are quite popular, so they can get expensive, and you often have to rely on the 'secondary market' or sites like Stubhub and Seatgeek to grab tickets. During our tour, I noticed that while the clubs are nice, they can make you feel a bit isolated from the other fans. Walking through the club areas, I really liked the Empire Club and would definitely think about sitting there in the future, but my next purchase would probably be at the Clover Home Plate Club since those seats are closest to the action at home plate, and it still has that classic ballpark vibe. It’s less crowded, and it doesn’t feel as disconnected as the other clubs do. Having the batting cage of the Mets Clubhouse just below your feet is also a plus!
