Progressive Field, formerly known as Jacobs Field or affectionately “The Jake,” has been home to the Cleveland Guardians since 1994. This retro-modern ballpark blends striking architecture, like its signature white vertical lights and open views of the Cleveland skyline, with an authentic local vibe that sets it apart. The energy in the stadium was electric during our visit – helped by $1 hot dogs, a Cardinals matchup, and the always-entertaining Hot Dog Derby. What stood out most were the impressive local concessions (some of the best we’ve seen in any park), the heritage-rich Hall of Fame, and the thoughtfully designed Kids Zone. This was our first time in Cleveland, and we were pleasantly surprised by how much there was to do nearby. From the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame to the vibrant Flats, bustling East 4th Street, and a solid lineup of craft breweries, the area around Progressive Field makes for a fun and flavorful baseball getaway.

Design

Architecture and Layout

The stadium’s exterior design features a beautiful light tan stone façade – presumably limestone – that reminded us of Petco Park in San Diego. The white overhang along the top adds both style and shade, while the tall, vertical white light structures offer a clean, modern touch from both inside and outside the park. The overall look blends nicely with the surrounding industrial aesthetic of Cleveland and ties in well with the nearby Hope Memorial Bridge.

A standout exterior detail is the bridge labeled “Lite Brewed in Ohio”, which connects the parking garage to the left field gate – a clever bit of branding and functionality rolled into one.

Inside, the stadium is made up of five steep seating levels. While the incline isn’t quite as aggressive as Minute Maid Park in Houston, it’s still noticeably steep. The upper level overhang not only provides some welcome shade but also creates a striking visual impression when viewed from the center field entrance.

Skyline View

The stadium offers a nice view of the Cleveland skyline through center field, especially striking during sunsets and postgame fireworks. From the upper-level concourse, you can spot the Guardians of Traffic – the iconic stone pillars on the Hope Memorial Bridge that inspired the team’s name. It’s a powerful symbol of Cleveland pride, though we wish it were visible from the seating areas themselves to better connect fans with that piece of local heritage.

Depiction of Team and City History

There are a plethora of statues and historical tributes throughout the stadium, adding depth and character to the overall experience. At the center field entrance, you’ll find statues of Bob Feller, Lou Boudreau, and Larry Doby, welcoming fans with a nod to Cleveland’s baseball legacy. Inside Heritage Park, there’s a statue of Jim Thome, along with a Frank Robinson statue at its center – surrounded by plaques honoring other Indians/Guardians legends.

A fun hidden gem is Jim Thome’s home run plaque, tucked behind the left-center bleachers, marking the spot of the longest home run ever hit at the stadium.

In upper right field, you’ll see the team’s retired numbers and milestone flags proudly displayed. Along the concourses, there are milestone year plaques, player-specific banners, and vibrant artwork of former and current players scattered throughout both the interior and exterior of the stadium, offering fans a visual journey through the team’s rich history.

Functionality (Ease of Getting Around & Accessing Main Area)

The main concourse near center field was extremely congested during our visit, largely due to a cluster of concession stands, the popular Corner hangout area, and special food promotions that choked the flow of foot traffic. Combine that with $1 hot dogs, $2 pregame beers, and a visit from the St. Louis Cardinals, and it created the perfect storm for packed walkways. Attendance was among the highest in recent Progressive Field history, so it’s worth noting that this level of crowding may not be typical.

The walkway behind the bleachers was especially narrow and difficult to navigate. One downside was the limited number of TVs in the concourses, making it hard to follow the game while grabbing food or drinks. You can walk the full loop around the main level – something not possible in every ballpark – but crowding made that less enjoyable during peak times.

Levels two through four are mostly reserved for club and party suites, with restricted access unless you have the appropriate ticket. We tried to explore more of the stadium but were blocked from entering many areas. The only public access we found was the Kids Zone on the second level.

Vertical movement also posed a challenge. While the stadium has long, gently sloping ramps, they’re not ideal – slow and winding to the point of frustration. Escalators and stairs are your best option, though the escalators appeared to only run upward, even late in the game, which made exiting a bit of a hassle.

Scoreboard Visibility and Style

The video board was massive, and one of the best we’ve seen. They did unfortunately use a large portion of the sides for ads. The team lineups were angled on either side, which is the first board we’ve seen do that. It skewed the wording a bit so kind of made it harder to read. We also thought they didn’t make the text big enough for the screen size so it was hard to read. All the fan activities showcased on the board were easy to see.

Location

Vicinity to Fun Activities, Restaurants and Venues

The stadium sits right next to the Hope Memorial Bridge, famous for its towering Guardians of Traffic statues at both ends. From the Cuyahoga River, you can catch a unique and stunning view of both the bridge and the ballpark. We were lucky to ride a friend’s boat down the river and passed through the lively Flats area, which was buzzing with bars, patios, and energy.

Fans recommended checking out the bars and restaurants along East 4th Street – a pedestrian-friendly block packed with great options. We tried Mabel’s BBQ and loved the fatty brisket, served in a vibrant setting filled with flowers and fans enjoying the outdoor patios. Nearby, Tower City Center offers a mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment, and we were especially impressed by the design of the Terminal Tower, which stands out as one of the city’s most iconic buildings.

Some fans noted that the in-stadium versions of local favorites don’t quite capture the full experience. Instead, they suggested visiting the original locations of Fat Head’s, Barrio, and The Melt, all within a 20-minute drive of the stadium. While we didn’t make it to those, we did enjoy stops at Great Lakes Brewery and Hofbräuhaus, which offered great atmospheres and local flavor.

Our walk to the game took us along Euclid and Prospect Avenues. Euclid, in particular, reminded us of Chicago with its tall buildings and restaurants lining both sides of the street.

Right next to the stadium is the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, home to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Monsters, making the area a central hub for sports fans.

And just a short 20-minute walk (or 4-minute drive) from the ballpark is the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which absolutely lived up to the hype – it was a rockin’ experience we’d recommend to any music lover visiting the city.

Ease to Reach

Progressive Field is conveniently located near major highways, making it easily accessible by car. While both Uber and Lyft suggested using the Erie and E 9th pickup spot, there was no signage, and we didn’t see many fans using it. That said, we had no trouble getting a ride – but be aware that surge pricing can spike after popular games. There’s also a train station nearby, though it wasn’t clear how many fans were actually using public transit. From what we observed, driving seemed to be the most common option for getting to and from the game.

Parking Availability and Cost

Fans recommended cheap and easy parking by the Fire Museum, catty corner to the stadium, underneath I-90. The $20 Gateway East garage was also recommended as easy to park in with direct bridge access to the park.

The players’ parking lot is at the corner of Carnegie and East 9th, and fans claimed you can sometimes catch an autograph.

Safety of Surrounding Area

We walked around a lot and didn’t see any areas that looked unsafe.

Concessions

Food Quality and Originality

We happened to visit on a special promo night featuring $1 hot dogs and $2 Miller Lite beers. Naturally, we had to join the chaos and long lines for cheap eats. Not knowing where all the deals were, we jumped into the line near center field, only to later discover they were offered at other locations too. We recommend wandering a bit to find a shorter line – you’ll likely get hotter food and a less congested experience.

Fans urged us to try Bertman’s mustard, a local favorite for hot dogs and pretzels. We gave it a shot on our $1 hot dog and a pretzel from Guardians Pretzel Haus. The dog itself was underwhelming – borderline uncooked – but the German pretzel was fresh, warm, and easily the best we’ve had at a ballpark. The mustard had a spicy kick that might appeal more to fans of bold flavors, but we preferred the cheese dip. We also tried Bertman’s again at Great Lakes Brewery and had a similar reaction – it seems to be more about nostalgia, like Imo’s is for St. Louis natives.

One fan recommended the pulled pork loaded nachos, and while we may not have found the exact stand, we scoped out plenty of nacho options. We started with the Barrio ballpark nachos – corn tortilla chips topped with queso, pico, corn salsa, salsa verde, chipotle cream, and chicken for $15. They were packed with flavor and the chips stayed crisp. We also tried the Momocho nachos with pulled pork and all the toppings. The flavors were excellent and the chips tasted fresh, though we may have gone a bit heavy on the sauces – the bottom layer turned soggy, and the jalapeños tasted home-canned. Still, the quality of both the chips and toppings was better than what we’ve had at Busch.

For dessert, we tried the Perry’s “Doughing, Doughing, Gone!” waffle cone – a unique blend of chocolate cookie dough ice cream, crushed cookie swirls, and dough chunks. It was hands-down the best ballpark ice cream we’ve ever had.

The overall food scene blew us away. The number of local restaurant options and the elevated quality far exceeded typical ballpark expectations. We left thoroughly impressed.

Beverage Quality and Variety

Fans were quick to recommend Great Lakes Brewing and Fat Head’s Brewery as must-tries – but one particularly passionate local warned us: “If anyone tells you Great Lakes is better than Fat Head’s, they’re lying to you!” 😂 We gave both a shot. The Fat Head’s Bumble Berry stood out with its subtle blueberry flavor – and yes, it even came with actual blueberries in the drink. The Goggle Foggle Hefeweizen was a solid, classic German-style wheat beer that hit all the right notes. Over at Great Lakes, we sampled the Crushworthy and Watermelon Crushworthy brews, both light and refreshing, especially on a warm day. While both breweries delivered, we have to agree – Fat Head’s takes the win.

Overall Value for the Money

The $15 District Ticket gets you a standing room only ticket with a beer included. We tried to get this but it appears it may have been sold out. Both games we went to were packed (including standing room) so they probably were sold out.

On Friday there is a $2 Miller Lite happy hours, 1 hour before first pitch. They also offered this on Saturday. We drank a lot of cheap beer! Take note of the accepted payment before hopping in the long line – some are cash only.

Amenities

Available Suites and Special Areas Included

The Heritage Park Hall of Fame, tucked just beyond the center field bleachers near the bullpen, is free to explore with a game ticket. It features a ring of plaques honoring Hall of Famers, anchored by a statue of Frank Robinson, and a commemorative wall showcasing the top 100 Indians players.

Over near the right field foul pole, fans can line up for a bullpen field-viewing experience, where you can watch an inning from the old bullpen location. The line was long when we visited – possibly due to spillover from the packed District/The Corner area rather than actual demand for the bullpen view.

The Corner, located in right field, is clearly the social hangout for food and drinks, but be warned: it was extremely crowded with limited views of the field unless you snag a spot along the rail.

Fans also raved about the Terrace Club, which offers air conditioning and all-you-can-eat food for $26.50 (Mon–Thu) or $35 (Fri–Sun). The club consists of six glass pods jutting out above the third base side and looks like an incredible way to catch the game. Most of the upper levels (third, fourth, and part of the second) are reserved for suites and exclusive ticket holders.

Don’t miss the Louisville Slugger bat-making station on the main concourse – a unique behind-the-scenes touch for bat and baseball fans alike.

Family-Friendly Activities

The Kids Zone is top notch with a slide, craft area, and hot corner. We thought the location was phenomenal as it’s integrated with several second level seats to allow parents to easily access it. They have a unique sensory room for kids that need a break from the noise. We tried the 360 Experience and had a blast goofing around. There’s also a kids batting cage, running lane, and mini baseball field. The wide range of family activities available was better than the majority of stadiums.

Restroom Quantity and Quality

The restrooms were pretty standard and plentiful. We didn’t run into any lines, despite the crowds.

Seating Comfort (including leg space and ease to reach)

The upper-level seating was pretty barebones, with tight legroom for taller fans and no cup holders – not the most comfortable for long games.

Team Store and Museum Inclusion and Quality

The main team store was very busy and a decent size. They had a few smaller stores throughout the stadium. The HOF within Heritage Park is free (see above).

Culture

Overall Atmosphere (including music, sound and fan activities)

We happened to go on a Friday featuring a $2 beer happy hour, $1 hot dogs, and fireworks after the game. It was very lively, and the condiments danced with fans during the happy hour.

The hot dog derby race in the 5th inning was pretty silly but the crowd really got into it. Angry Bird and Slider joined the fun.

They had the following activities on video board: cap dance, match game with a fan, lucky row giveaway, and spot the Chick-Fil-A cow in the stands.

The blindfolded BBQ eating contest between St. Louis and Cleveland fans was the most I have ever laughed at a game. The Cleveland fans stopped and just watched BBQ get smeared all over the St. Louis fan’s jersey. Of course the STL fan was angry when they lost even though Cleveland hadn’t eaten any. I’m guessing it was staged but was still hilarious.

The sound system was pretty loud. They played a mix of organ music, popular songs, and live music. They had a stage setup, which they had a live band perform before the firework show. They played Cleveland Rocks by Presidents of the United States of America (PoTUSA) at the end after they won. They also played OHIO and fans raised letters during the song. There was a special intro video for the closer Emmanuel Clase.

There was an amazing ensemble that played in the concourse.

Fan Enthusiasm and Friendliness

The fans were quite enthusiastic and the stadium was packed. When they scored with the bases loaded, everyone stood. They went crazy with Amed Rosario’s bases-clearing double.

They sang “Jose, Jose, Jose” to the chant of “Ole, Ole, Ole” after Jose Ramirez got a hit. The fans also got the wave going.

The fans were pretty friendly and no one haggled us for being Cards fans. We did ask quite a few fans questions about how to get to things and unfortunately many didn’t have a clue. I’m guessing the cheap concessions drew in a lot of the fair-weather fans.

Integration of Franchise History in Game

There wasn’t a lot of franchise history incorporated into the video board activities.

Mascot Involvement

Slider, a pink furry creature, is the mascot. He was involved in the hot dog derby race and walked around on the dugout to rally fans. He also waved the Guardians flag at the end of the game after their win.

Celebration of Monumental Moments

They shot off fireworks for home runs and victories. They had a cute display of 3 ducks on a pond when the bases were loaded.

Summary & Scoring

Date Visited: May 26 & 27, 2023
Game Played: Cardinals 3, Guardians 4 & Cardinals 2, Guardians 1 – Both teams have been struggling and it was a good matchup. The Cardinals almost made a comeback on the 26th and won in the 10th inning on the 27th. Donovan carried the offense in this game. Boxscore-May 26, Boxscore-May 27
Design: – 5 steep levels, limestone exterior, bridge to parking garage, massive video screen, beautiful skyline for sunsets/fireworks, limited access to levels 2-4
Location: – near Rocket Mortgage Field House, Rock & Roll HOF, East 4th St., Flats, craft breweries
Concessions: – huge variety of local options, amazing food quality
Amenities: – free Heritage Park HOF, unique old bullpen experience, crowded hang out areas, great Kids Zone
Culture: – silly hot dog derby race, dancing condiments, lively crowd
Overall: – The variety of high-quality local concessions, great HOF inclusion and unique Kids Zone were the highlights of this ballpark. Nice retro-modern design with steep levels and limited access to multiple levels. Fans were enthusiastic, and provided a lively atmosphere for the games. Plenty of fun activities in the surrounding area.

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