Explore Citi Field, home of the New York Mets
For more than six decades, the Mets have been one of the main attractions of this patch of Queens, calling the north side of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park at Willets Point their home. Citi Field opened in 2009 at this site, which continues to change along with the times.
New York Mets
Established: 1962
National League East
Ballpark: Citi Field (opened 2009)
Following two years at the Polo Grounds, the Mets played at Shea Stadium from 1964-2008, winning four pennants and a pair of titles there. After 47 seasons at Shea, the Mets opened the doors to Citi Field in 2009.
Located in what used to be parking lot space, Citi took elements from a host of stadiums -- most notably Ebbets Field, the Dodgers’ old Brooklyn ballpark that housed National League baseball from 1913-57. Most notable is the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, a wide entrance way that greets fans coming off the 7 Line train station. Citi Field’s other defining characteristic is its location about one mile southeast of LaGuardia Airport. Planes can frequently be seen -- and heard -- descending beyond the right-center-field fence.
On the field, the Mets have had their ups and downs, struggling through their initial seasons at Citi before winning the NL pennant in 2015. After hedge-fund manager Steve Cohen purchased both the team and stadium in 2020, the Mets began making capital improvements, including a state-of-the-art scoreboard in 2023. One year later, the Mets made it back to the NL Championship Series.
Citi Field
Citi Field location (via Google Maps)
Mets' schedule
Mets' roster
41 Seaver Way
Flushing, NY 11368
Capacity: 41,922 plus additional standing room
Dimensions: left field, 335 feet; center field, 408 feet; right field, 330 feet
Park factors (2024)
100 = league average
Runs: 94 | Homers: 99 | Hits: 92
Although parking is available at various surface lots surrounding the stadium, the Mets encourage fans to take public transportation to games -- especially during the US Open tennis tournament in September, when tens of thousands of additional supporters descend upon Flushing each day. The Mets-Willets Point station on the 7 Line is steps from Citi Field’s entrance and offers express service before and after games. The Long Island Railroad is located across the street and accessible via the Mets-Willets Point station.
Most fans enter through the Jackie Robinson Rotunda, but there are also entrance ways down the first- and third-base lines and in center field.
Those driving can reach Citi Field via the Grand Central Parkway, as well as the Van Wyck and Long Island Expressways. Roosevelt Avenue, Northern Boulevard and Astoria Boulevard are the main surface roads leading to the park.
Concessions
Citi Field’s food is one of its defining characteristics. The ballpark won USA Today’s 2023 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest for Best Stadium Food and annually introduces new concessions into its lineup.
Many top stands are located in the Taste of the City plaza behind the center-field video board, where Shake Shack has anchored Citi Field’s offerings since its opening in 2009. Other standbys include Nathan’s hot dogs and fries throughout the stadium, Premio sausage and peppers and Pat LaFrieda’s steak sandwiches. Park officials routinely work with other major local vendors including Pig Beach BBQ, Prince Street Pizza and Empanada Mama.
In recent years, the Mets have set up a Taste of Queens portable concession stand in center field and used it to showcase various local restauranteurs.
In right field, the World’s Fare Market offers sushi and other international foods. In left, the Caesar’s Sportsbook at the Metropolitan Grille may be Citi Field’s best-kept secret, featuring its own concession items, ample seating and sweeping views of the park.
Those sitting in the upper deck can wander behind home plate, where another food plaza contains an array of concession stands. The Hudson Whiskey NY club in this area also contains several unique concession offerings, which change annually.
Behind home plate on the Excelsior level (300 sections) of the stadium is the Piazza 31 club, a hot spot for fans whose tickets allow them access to that level. And on the lower level is the Clover Home Plate Club, which features multiple bars and another arrangement of concession stands.
Mascots
Mascots
Mr. Met, an anthropomorphic baseball, has been a staple at Mets games since first appearing in stadium programs as a cartoon drawing in 1963. One of the sports world’s most iconic mascots, Mr. Met can be seen throughout the ballpark during games.
His wife, Mrs. Met, was reintroduced in 2013 and typically appears alongside Mr. Met at events.
In addition to the mascots, Citi Field features a live DJ during games. In 2024, the Mets introduced the “Queens Crew,” a band of dancers that performs during games.
Where to stay
Citi Field is a 30-40 minute subway ride from Midtown Manhattan, which contains an array of world-class hotels.
Those looking for closer (and often cheaper) accommodations have plenty of options in Queens. Long Island City, which is accessible via the Queensboro Plaza stop on the 7 Line, has recently seen a wave of hotel and other commercial construction. The area is a hotbed of new bars and restaurants.
Downtown Flushing is even closer -- either one stop on the 7 Line or a 20-30 minute walk. That area contains multiple major hotels and is centered among a large concentration of restaurants and businesses.
Use the 7, N, W, E, F, M and R trains to navigate seamlessly between neighborhoods. Or hop on a Citi Bike, New York’s popular bike share service, to explore further afield.
Local attractions
New York City needs no introduction in this regard. From Broadway plays to some of the finest bars and restaurants in the country, the city owns a reputation for having something for everyone.
Those interested in the local scene have seemingly infinite options. Queens is one of the most diverse places on earth, with a vibrant restaurant scene to show for it. From taco trucks and Nepali restaurants under the 7 Line in Jackson Heights to dumpling shops and karaoke bars in Flushing, the borough is full of things to see and eat.
Saturdays during the summer, the Queens Night Market offers more than 100 vendors selling food, clothing, jewelry and art. That’s located adjacent to the New York Hall of Science, an attraction in its own right during daytime hours. Across the Grand Central Parkway is the Queens Museum, which features views of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park as well as a popular Panorama of the City of New York, originally built for the 1964 World’s Fair.
The park is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon or evening. Take a selfie in front of the Unisphere, join one of many volleyball games around the grounds, or play golf at the Flushing Meadows Pitch & Putt. The Queens Zoo is also a popular destination within park bounds.
Just west is the neighborhood of Corona, which contains the historic Park Side Restaurant, public bocce courts, and the locally famous Lemon Ice King. To the east is downtown Flushing with its array of markets, malls and restaurants -- a popular destination for food tourists, featuring many unique Chinese and Korean items. To the south is Forest Hills, perhaps best known for its eponymous music venue featuring an annual summer concert lineup.
Those staying in Long Island City can take advantage of Gantry State Park with its boardwalks, skyline views and food trucks. Further north is Astoria, home to the Museum of the Moving Image, the Noguchi Museum and a diverse collection of bars and restaurants. Both Long Island City and Astoria are accessible by the NYC Ferry, which connects all five boroughs, mostly along the East River.
In late August and early September, the US Open tennis tournament brings tens of thousands of tourists to the area. Major League Soccer’s NYCFC is also slated to move into a state-of-the-art soccer-specific stadium in 2027, located across Seaver Way from Citi Field. That project will bring mixed-use development and additional public parkland to Willets Point.
Food and drink
Queens is home to literally thousands of restaurants. It would be quite impossible to single out just a few.
EBBS Brewing, a Brooklyn-based Brewery, is connected to Citi Field and is open before and after every game. Further afield, popular breweries include Fifth Hammer and Rockaway Brewing Company in Long Island City, as well as an annex of Brooklyn’s Finback. In Astoria, Singlecut is the brewer of choice.
Astoria, Jackson Heights and Flushing are all well-known for their food scenes, with an array of ethnic cuisines. Enjoy food from six continents as you make your way around the borough.