There isn’t anything quite like watching America’s Pastime in the nation’s capital. In 2005, Major League Baseball returned to Washington DC, and it really only seems fitting that their be a team here. The Washington Nationals, who used to be the Montreal Expos, proudly call DC home, and for many, it’s a very welcome development. It would take a couple additional years to build Washington Nationals Stadium, but if anything was ever worth the wait, it was this sports venue. Not only is the architecture of the new DC baseball stadium impressive, but it is also the first “Green Stadium” to be certified by The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The cost to build the new Washington Nationals Stadium topped $610 million, so one might imagine that it’s a pretty complete complex. Fans will enjoy a wonderful experience at the new DC baseball stadium, and catching a game here is a great thing to add to your list of things to do in Washington DC.
One of the more appreciative characteristics of Washington Nationals Stadium, which opened in 2008, is its location. Found in the southeast region of DC, the ballpark enjoys a riverfront setting next to the Navy Yard. The Capitol Riverfront, which is fast becoming a favorite DC business center and hangout, can also be found close to the new DC baseball stadium, which means fans can enjoy a fun-filled day in the area when they come out to catch a game. The Capitol Riverfront, and thus Washington Nationals Stadium, can be accessed by 3 different Metrorail lines, and for those who are driving, you can choose to hop on either I-395 or I-295 to get in. Besides taking in views of the Anacostia River when heading to catch a Washington DC baseball game, fans can also enjoy views back towards town of such iconic structures as the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument. These views of the surrounding city can also be enjoyed from various seats, as well as from the bulk of the ascending circulation ramps. Once inside the new DC baseball stadium, baseball fans will be treated to a most cutting-edge experience. The park’s video and audio components are top of the line, and this includes the large, high-definition scoreboard. In fact, the new scoreboard is rumored to be at least 5 times bigger than the one in the old RFK Stadium, which was where the Washington Nationals played while they waited for their new home to be built.
Interestingly enough, the Washington Nationals Stadium boasts its own cherry blossom grove, which is found out near the left field bleachers. As you may likely already know, cherry blossoms, or cherry trees, are among the more familiar symbols of the nation’s capital. Every Spring, these signature trees burst with pink and red blossoms that are a treat to see. Something else that will be a treat for many fans coming to catch some Washington DC baseball is the fact that half of the seats can be accessed extremely easily. The field itself is below street level, so a good amount of fans will be able to more or less walk from the street to their seats. You’ll surely notice the innovative design of the stadium once you arrive, and you may be interested to know that this design was inspired by the National Gallery of Art’s East Wing, which just happens to come from the mind of renowned architect I.M. Pei. Incorporating glass, steel, and concrete into its design, the Washington Nationals Stadium is intended to reflect the architectural feel of the city in which it is found, which is a rather wonderful thing.
Surely the best Nationals baseball stadium Washington DC experience involves taking in a game, but if you are in town when the team isn’t playing, you can still get an inside look at the facility by booking one of the 1 hour and 15 minute Nationals Park tours. These tours let you access pretty much all parts of the stadium, with the Nationals team dugout and the Nationals clubhouse among the highlights. If you so desire, you can even choose to enjoy interactive tour activities such as tossing a pitch in the Nationals team bullpen, or trying your hand at hitting in the Nationals indoor batting cages. Private tours are also available for groups of all sizes, and they can even be arranged to fit your schedule and needs. The next time you are in DC, why not take yourself out to the ball park to enjoy some peanuts, cracker jacks, and a state-of-the-art stadium that is surely among the league’s best venues.
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