The 10,500-seat Surprise Stadium opened in 2002 and features a spectacular lawn that wraps around nearly the entire outfield. The 124-acre site venue, which the Rangers share with the Kansas City Royals, routinely receives praise for its well-conceived design with lots of shaded seating.
Address: 15850 N. Bullard Avenue, Surprise. See it on a map.
Website: www.surprisespringtraining.com
Parking: Park at the stadium. The lot is huge and parking is free. Gates open 90 minutes prior to all home day games.
Tickets: $8-$30 (depending on opponent). Purchase at 800-745-3000, or kcroyals.com or texasrangers.com.
Best places to sit: Shade covers much of the stadium in the afternoon, but the infield upper-deck provides canopied seating. The lawn, too, is very spacious, often giving attendees plenty of room to spread out.
Concessions: Plenty of options, from cotton candy to brats to beer. Surprise also lets visitors bring in packaged food if it’s in a clear, sealed bag.
Best Pre-Game/Post-Game Spots
Get wild
The Wildlife World Zoo features an aquarium, an African safari and 400 exotic and endangered species.
Address: 16501 W. Northern Avenue, Litchfield Park
Website: wildlifeworld.com
The final frontier
The Challenger Space Center allows visitors to explore the history of space exploration.
Address: 21170 N. 83rd Avenue, Peoria
Website: azchallenger.org
Go way out west
Wickenburg is a testament to the state’s rugged frontier days and a great place for a day trip. Its historic downtown and numerous ranches make it quintessential Arizona.
Website: ci.wickenburg.az.us
Go downtown
Downtown Glendale, that is. The historic downtown features multiple restaurants and lots of unique antique shops.
Website: visitglendale.com
