It’s interesting enough to be more than just a bizarre novelty.

The Lucky Dill is a Deli on Central Ave. not too far from the Trop if you are in the mood for a really good sandwich. If you had a rental I would say go to the The Salt Rock Grill on Indian Rocks Beach. Excellent seafood.

The one thing I really enjoy doing before the game starts is hanging out by the home bullpen and listening to Bobby Ramos or Hickey or the starter of the day chat before the game. I sat there until game-time for ALDS game 1 before going to my much cheaper seat and it was the coolest experience I’ve ever had in a ballpark.

Taxi – I know very little about cab fares from the airport, but the rental sounds pretty cheap. I would think that would be tough to beat.

Tickets – Given that it’s a day game, I suspect you would have ample opportunity to check out the scalper scene on your way up to the ticket window (which is on the East side of the ballpark, by the rotunda). The Rays are about the cheapest ticket in MLB and, unfortunately, there are usually plenty of tickets for walk-ups.

Park – The touch tank is a good rec, but there is usually a line so leave yourself some time. I think they still have the Cuesta Ray Cigar Bar at the Trop. Parking is only free if you have 4 or more in your car. There is a parking garage between Central Ave. and 1st Avenue SOUTH (the south part is important) on 2nd Street in downtown St. Pete. The entrance is on 1st street south, and a shuttle bus picks up on 2nd street right outside the parking garage. Parking there is only 5$.

Food – The Salt Rock Grill is excellent food to be sure, but getting from Indian Rocks Beach to the ballpark may stretch your already tight schedule. If you want to stay downtown, there are some pretty good eats closer to the park: Savannah’s Cafe (1113 Central Ave.), Z-Grille (104 2nd street S), Zurritos (on Central and ~4th street) and Primos (27 4th street N). I’ll see if I can think of some more.

You should also make a pass through Fergs for a beer on your way in. It will be dead for a day game, but for week-end games in particular it’s the place to be for pre- and post-game refreshment. During the playoffs, the party spilled out for blocks.

The Trop has come a long way from being a vacant warehouse 6-7 years ago. There is now all kinds of stuff in there and you can usually find some cheap beers if you look hard enough. I would recommend picking up 3 hookers so that you can park onsite for free. If you don’t pay them it works out nicely. For this, just cruise the streets of St. Pete.

Taxis – Just rent the car. It will be cheaper, and it will be impossible to get a cab back from St. Pete without waiting for a long time.

Tickets – They’re not that expensive, and you’re probably better off going to the box office

Stadium – I would say just walk around inside. There are lots of goodies. Obviously the Rays tank is the real distinguishing mark, and the cigar bar is nice. Ted Williams Museum is good to walk through as well.

Food – If you’re a foodie and want a taste of Tampa cuisine, you must must must go to Columbia Restaurant. There’s a location in The Pier, which is about a 20 minute walk from the Trop, but to get the full experience I’d recommend going to the one in Ybor City in Tampa. Tampa-style Cuban-Spanish food is the only truly local Tampa food, different from anywhere else in the world. Tampa was initially populated by Cubans and Italians back in the 1890s, and the food ended up with some kind of amalgalm of Spanish, Cuban and Italian all blended together. Carmine’s (Cubo-Italian) and anything Alessi (Cubo-Italian desserts) are good bets as well.

I agree with Onecagedtiger, use Stubhub. For an afternoon game against the Jays, you are sure to find a great deal. Just glancing though now, I found lower level seats for like $20 per (below row pp…otherwise you’re in the loge box).

Everything else has been covered…I look forward to the write-up.

www.fansnap.com

the site pulls in many, many other ticket sites in one area.

great deals all over the place,

Poe

I really appreciate all the feedback you guys have given me thus far. It makes looking forward to a trip to somewhere I haven’t been in decades that much easier.