Rays/Red Sox Advice
 

Looking at taking a vacation to tampa in a few weeks to see a few rays/red sox games. Am planning on staying in St Pete so looking for advice on things to do and places to eat while there. Also, any advice on getting autos at the game or before/after game would also be appreciated. thanks in advance

[QUOTE=zupster;13487722]Looking at taking a vacation to tampa in a few weeks to see a few rays/red sox games. Am planning on staying in St Pete so looking for advice on things to do and places to eat while there. Also, any advice on getting autos at the game or before/after game would also be appreciated. thanks in advance[/QUOTE]

Players are very accessible for autos if you get there when the gates open and grab a spot at the end of the dugout of the team you're trying to get. After the game it's nearly impossible. Players don't hang around on the field, and they get into their cars/ bus inside a gated area so there's no chance to catch them walking out.

For a place to eat before a game, look up Urban Brew and BBQ. It's about a mile west of the stadium. If you're looking for a game day atmosphere, Ferg's will be hopping, especially with the Red Sox in town. Food is average.

sox
 

thanks for the advice, as far as tickets would i be better off waiting and buying outside of the stadium or buying beforehand? Planning on 2 games so would like to get nice seats for 1 game. usually seems like lots of open seats at the trop when the red sox are there, especially for midweek games

[QUOTE=zupster;13487983]thanks for the advice, as far as tickets would i be better off waiting and buying outside of the stadium or buying beforehand? Planning on 2 games so would like to get nice seats for 1 game. usually seems like lots of open seats at the trop when the red sox are there, especially for midweek games[/QUOTE]

Personally, I like showing up with my ticket in hand so I can enjoy things without trying to find the right seller and the right price. But you can absolutely find tickets, especially on the north side of the stadium along Central Ave near Ferg's.

Tuesday, May 22nd is $2 tickets (including lower level and press box) for kids 14 and under and $2 hot dogs. You can buy tickets directly here:
[url]https://www.mlb.com/rays/tickets/specials[/url]
Tickets are easy to get, so I wouldn't worry about it beforehand other than checking on ticket resellers like StubHub, SeatGeek, etc to see if anyone is unloading some great seats for cheap.

As for food, there are a bunch of options between St Pete and Tampa area. Just depends on if you have a car, will be using Uber, or just want to walk to most places. As already mentioned, Fergs is the spot to hang out prior to a game but the food is just ok. There are plenty of much better food choices along Central in downtown St Pete. My suggestion is to walk around to check the food options out and then eat before heading to Fergs for a drink before the game. If you are looking for a nicer meal, then Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa is one of the best places in the area.

As for other things to do, the Dali Museum is great if you're into that. You might want to see if there are any concerts or shows that week as there are a number of venues in the area. Also, you may consider going to a Tampa Bay Lightning game, but it won't be cheap as they should be in the Conference finals the week that the Red Sox are in town.

Seats should not be an issue even with the Red Sox in town. Red Sox are notoriously a tough team to get autographs from. If you are interested in getting autographs perhaps check out some of the minor league games in the FSL (Tampa, Dunedin, Bradenton) or even extended spring training (Yanks, Jays, Phils, Pirates).

Also note Tampa is not that close to St Pete. It can take more than hour to get between the cities during periods of congestion.

Sox
 

Thanks for all the advice, will be staying in St Pete

Sox
 

Thanks for all the advice, will be staying in St Pete

[QUOTE=zupster;13489727]Thanks for all the advice, will be staying in St Pete[/QUOTE]

There was another poster that was asking about this area a few weeks back because his wife was taking him to St. Pete to see the Twins. Lots of good suggestions there. I've lived in St.Pete/Tampa my entire life, depending on what you like there is plenty here to tickle your fancy.