Philadelphia had long been on Scott’s ballpark bucket list – thanks to Rocky, cheesesteaks, and, more recently, Bryce Harper, one of his favorite players. We finally made it, and the visit didn’t disappoint. We caught a Harper home run during his red-hot, MVP-caliber season, scarfed down some $1 hot dogs, and took in the beautifully centered skyline views as the sun set over the outfield. Citizens Bank Park blends nods to Philly’s deep baseball history with fan-friendly features like the open-air Ashburn Alley, fun interactive games, and social spaces like Pass and Stow and the Budweiser Rooftop. The park is nestled in the South Philly Sports Complex, a bit removed from downtown but anchored by Xfinity Live!, a lively pre- and post-game hangout. Concessions ranged from classic crab fries to modern staples like Shake Shack, with plenty of spots to grab a drink and catch the game from standing terraces. While some elements – like the dated scoreboards or confusing rideshare access – could use an upgrade, the overall experience delivered a solid mix of energy, comfort, and Philly personality.

Design

The exterior design of Citizens Bank Park combines red brick, concrete, and granite, giving it a classic yet utilitarian look. Inside, the stadium features bowl-style seating inspired by former Phillies ballparks like Baker Bowl and Connie Mack Stadium, paying subtle homage to the team’s past. The four main entrance plazas were fairly basic in design – not particularly eye-catching or immersive compared to newer stadiums.

The Philadelphia skyline view from the stadium is beautiful and perfectly centered, especially when seen from the upper levels. As the sun sets, soft color gradients stretch across the sky, from the left field upper deck all the way across the city line. While the skyline is a bit distant, it still makes for a memorable backdrop that adds to the game-day experience.

The design and depiction of team and city history was excellent. Behind center field lies Ashburn Alley, named in honor of Phillies Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn. This area blends charm and history with features like the All-Star Walk, Memory Lane, and the Phillies Wall of Fame. Fans can enjoy interactive elements like the Games of Baseball, admire the bullpen views framed by colorful flower beds, and even check out the rooftop bleachers, a nod to old-school Philly baseball. Themed concessions throughout the alley round out the experience, making it a must-visit section of the park.

In addition to the Richie Ashburn statue in Ashburn Alley, Citizens Bank Park features several other iconic Phillies statues honoring team legends. Robin Roberts stands at the First Base Gate, Mike Schmidt at the Third Base Gate, and Steve Carlton at the Left Field Gate. There’s also a bronze statue of beloved broadcaster Harry Kalas, located just behind Section 141 – a thoughtful tribute to his lasting voice in Phillies history.

A large, illuminated Liberty Bell hovers above right-center field and lights up after every Phillies home run and victory – a signature touch that ties the team to the city’s iconic symbol. Outside the stadium, in front of Pass and Stow, there’s also a vibrant rainbow-lit Liberty Bell installation that adds a fun, photo-worthy moment for fans entering the park.

The overall functionality of Citizens Bank Park was a strong point. The open-air concourse around the main level made it easy to get around and featured plenty of standing terrace areas – great for keeping an eye on the game while grabbing food or stretching your legs.

Scoreboard visibility was basic but effective. We appreciated that ads didn’t dominate the display – unlike many stadiums, they remained static and didn’t distract from the action. That said, the Phillies sign above the main board looked dim and dated, and the orange-lit scoreboards along right field felt similarly old-school. The video board on the right field side was the most frustrating – it showed highlights stretched into the wrong aspect ratio, which really bugged Scott.

The blue seats complemented the red brick and Phillies colors well. The evergreen tree batter’s eye was unique and a nice touch.

Location

The stadium is located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, a result of the team and city failing to strike a deal to build in Center City. Just outside the ballpark is Xfinity Live!, a lively complex (similar to Ballpark Village in St. Louis) that offers a great spot to hang out before, during, or after the game.

Getting to the stadium from downtown via Uber or Lyft was a headache. Drop-off points weren’t marked – or seemingly allowed – and our Uber driver had to do an illegal U-turn just to drop us off. We still had a long walk to the gate. After the game, our first Lyft cancelled because all nearby streets were blocked off. We had to walk all the way to Live! Casino to finally get picked up, and even then, our driver had to do another U-turn to escape the traffic mess. Locals told us this is by design – the city appears to discourage rideshare use, pushing fans toward public transit or paid parking. Speaking of which, parking looked pricey and chaotic, especially with massive lots to navigate.

On the plus side, safety didn’t seem to be an issue – we saw a strong police presence patrolling the area outside the stadium.

Concessions

The food quality and originality at Citizens Bank Park was solid, though not exceptional. As expected, there was no shortage of cheesesteak options – Campo’s and Tony Luke’s among the classics. We opted for a burnt ends cheesesteak from Bull’s BBQ, named for former Phillies outfielder Greg “The Bull” Luzinski. Unfortunately, it fell flat: overpriced at $15 and disappointingly bland, with cold, uncharred brisket chunks.

We also sampled the popular crab fries from Chickie’s and Pete’s. Despite the name, there’s no actual crab – just crinkle-cut fries dusted with “crab seasoning” and served with a cheese dip. They were fine, but at $13, not exactly a must-try. (Scott, a crinkle-cut skeptic, was especially unimpressed.) Other options included crowd-pleasers like Shake Shack – Scott’s go-to burger joint – plus pizza, vegetarian picks, and a few gluten-free items.

Beverage quality and variety was slightly above average. We got the official beer of the Phillies, Yuengling, which we’ve always enjoyed but isn’t available in Missouri. There were many other local options.

The overall value for the money was just okay. We happened to visit on $1 Hot Dog Night, which was a fantastic deal – we grabbed three hot dogs and saw plenty of fans stacking up trays full of them. However, our $39 tickets for upper deck seats at a mid-week game felt a bit steep, especially given the view and the less-than-premium matchup.

Amenities

The stadium featured several unique social spaces worth exploring. The Pass and Stow area – located within the Third Base Plaza – includes an outdoor beer garden, the Goose Island Bar at the Park, Foundry Pizza, and a family-friendly sports pub with TVs. The name is a clever nod to the Liberty Bell’s historic casters, Pass and Stow. A private event was underway when we passed through, so we didn’t stay long.

Elsewhere, the Miller Lite Terrace and Budweiser Rooftop offered lively, open-air hangouts, though both were pretty crowded during our visit. The High and Inside Pub, tucked behind home plate on the Terrace Level, provides another indoor option for drinks. For those with premium access, the Diamond Club and Hall of Fame Club deliver upscale experiences with direct entrances from outside the ballpark.

Family-friendly activities are front and center at The Yard, a dedicated kids’ area featuring a Wiffle ball field, the Hatfield Phanatic Hot Dog Launcher, a climbing wall, speed pitch, and even an ice cream bar. There’s also the Phanatic Phun Zone, located at the First Base Gate plaza, which includes a playground for younger fans. Unfortunately, it was closed during our visit due to pandemic precautions, but it’s clear that Citizens Bank Park makes a strong effort to keep kids entertained.

Seating comfort was fairly standard – decent legroom, easy enough to access, and every seat had a cupholder. Nothing standout, but nothing uncomfortable either.

The bi-level team store offered a wide range of merchandise, with adult gear on the main floor and kids’ items upstairs. The ‘47 Alley Store was a fun stop for fans of retro gear, featuring authentic replicas of classic Phillies jerseys. There was also a small Authentics shop, but we found the selection underwhelming overall. Unlike some other parks, there’s no museum or deep historical exhibit included, which was a bit of a letdown for a franchise with such a rich history.

Culture

The overall atmosphere was decent, though not particularly high-energy. There wasn’t much music played during the game or even between innings, which made the vibe feel a bit flat at times. That said, the fan engagement segments were entertaining. “What’s in the Box”, where players blindly guessed mystery items by touch, got plenty of laughs. Other interactive features like the Flex Cam, a live digital ballgame on the video screen, and the Pep Boys race car game helped keep the crowd engaged throughout the slower moments.

The Galapagos Gang – Bessie, Calvin, Sid, and Iggy – made a brief cameo on the video screen, but their appearance was blink-and-you-miss-it. Fans were energetic and engaged, though also quick to criticize; there were loud boos after Williams dropped the ball, but the place erupted with cheers during the Harper home run. The integration of franchise history into the game and park design was well done, with playful touches like replacing every “F” with “Ph” (e.g., Phanatic, Phillies, etc.).

The Phillie Phanatic mascot even fired hot dogs into the crowd with a hot dog cannon in the bottom of the 5th – a classic, goofy highlight.

Celebrating big moments is uniquely Philly, but a bit understated. After every Phillies home run or win, the giant Liberty Bell in center field lights up and rings – a nod to the city’s iconic symbol. It’s a fun touch, though not particularly electrifying. That said, we still loved joining the crowd in cheering after homers from Harper and Hoskins!

Summary & Scoring

Date Visited: August 25, 2021
Game Played: Tampa Bay 7, Phillies 4 – Harper and Hoskins HRs for the Phillies and Lowe and Mejia HRs for the Rays. Boxscore
Design:  – The skyline view is excellent, and Ashburn Alley is nice, but the Liberty Bell is the main focal point and isn’t very exciting.
Location: – Shares a parking lot with every other Philadelphia stadiums, but traffic surrounding the area was terrible and getting a rideshare was almost impossible due to road closures. Not close to downtown.
Concessions: – Dollar hotdog night provided good value, but the cheesesteaks and popular crab fries failed to impress us.
Amenities: – One of the best kids areas we’ve seen.
Culture:  – The fans we experienced were negative and not particularly friendly.
Overall:  – A solid yet forgettable stadium that gets a few bonus points for its excellent kids areas.