Top 10 baseball day trips from Philadelphia as summer begins

The Eagles lost the Super Bowl, our water source was contaminated, the Sixers came up short again, and I-95 collapsed. It’s been quite a start to 2023 in Philadelphia.

But, finally, the official start of summer is almost here. And what better way to celebrate than a road trip. Maybe you’re going down the shore or up the mountains. Or perhaps you want to see some baseball. Here are 10 ways to enjoy baseball over the first 10 weekends of summer. Each trip is doable in a day from Philadelphia without needing a hotel. Play ball.

Kick off summer with a roller coaster and a ballgame. The Cyclones — a minor-league affiliate of the Mets — play on Coney Island’s boardwalk, a relay throw from the Cyclone roller coaster. Luna Park opens at 11 a.m., and the amusement park is free to enter as guests only pay for the attractions they ride. The famous Nathan’s Hot Dog stand is nearby. And then it’s time for the first pitch.

It’s been more than 30 years since Camden Yards revolutionized ballpark design and Oriole Park still holds its own. The sight lines are terrific, and it’s fairly easy to get to from Philadelphia. Plus, the Orioles are finally playing good baseball again. If you get there early, the Babe Ruth Museum is nearby and open on the weekend. Inside the park, keep it simple and go to Boog’s BBQ in front of the warehouse. Don’t be afraid to sit upstairs. It’s a great view.

Beach and baseball? The BlueClaws are just a few miles from Point Pleasant Beach if you want to hit the waves before the game. Or if you’re already down the shore, the ballpark is about 90 minutes from the South Jersey shore towns. Watch the Phillies’ high-A affiliate from their outfield berm and relax in the grass like you’re at the shore. The game falls a month after the MLB draft so there’s a good chance you could be seeing some fresh faces when you get there. And since it’s Jersey, a Bruce Springsteen tribute band plays that night.

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Coca-Cola Park in Allentown almost feels too nice to be a minor-league ballpark. The home of the Phils’ triple-A team is beautiful and feels brand new despite being 15 years old. Yes, the ballpark has tons of pork products like a bacon-wrapped hot dog, pulled pork topped nachos and hot dogs, and even a pork parfait, a bacon brownie sundae, and chocolate covered bacon. Hopefully the bullpen doesn’t test your heart by blowing a late lead.

You’ve probably sped past this stadium, which is home to a Nationals A-ball affiliate, plenty of times on I-95. Now take a stop and check it out. Every seat feels close, the parking is free, and the food is cheap. It’s a great night of minor-league ball. Of course, there’s fireworks after the game.

The Reading Fightin Phils call their stadium “America’s Classic Ballpark,” and it’s hard to argue against it. The place feels like a time machine. The home of the Phils’ double-A squad has been upgraded since it opened in 1951 but they did a great job of keeping its charm. There’s no bad seat, the hot dogs are great, and they put on a show the whole night. It’s a perfect place to watch a game. Maybe you’ll be watching some future Phils.

It’s not the House That Ruth Built, but the new Yankee Stadium is still solid and does a good job of allowing you to think you’re in a classic ballpark. Stop before the game at Stan’s, an old-school sports bar under the tracks of the 4 Train that is only open for Yankee home games. Inside, try to take a tour of Monument Park but remember that Monument Park closes 45 minutes before first pitch. And then it’s a rematch of last year’s American League Championship Series. The Bronx crowd will be up for it.

Is there a better way to spend a Saturday in the summer than watching two of your favorite NL East teams duke it out? OK, well consider this a scouting mission as the Phils play 13 of their final 19 games against the Mets and Braves. Citi Field won’t blow you away but the concessions are tough to top. The Pat LaFrieda steak sandwich might be the best food item at any ballpark and there’s such a variety of options all over the park. It’s a day-night doubleheader so pick whatever game fits you best and head home with an idea of what the Phils need to do to return to October. And you can head back for the season finale when the Phils are in Queens. Maybe, they’ll be trying to clinch something.

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Catch the Phils on the road in D.C. and still get home at a decent hour. The Nationals are pretty lousy, but the ballpark is decent, and the area around it has been transformed in recent years. There’s a ton of restaurants to choose from before you enter. If you arrive early, take a walk to The Yards, a park on the banks of the Anacostia River. This is the only road series the Phils play this summer that fits into a day trip.

It’s hard to find a better way to end a summer of baseball than on the hill beyond the outfield wall in Williamsport. Baseball at its purest form in a beautiful small town. Admission and parking are free and the food is cheap. If you’ve never been, it’s a must visit. The place will be packed on Sunday for the championship so try to get there early and claim a spot. Before or after, stop by the Mountaineer Lounge, a pub with good food in the middle of the neighborhood that surrounds the ballpark. Cheers to a summer of ball.