Win or lose, one very good thing came out of the Toronto Blue Jays’ epic 2025 World Series run: a whole new legion of baseball fans. There’s an energy inside a ballpark that’s hard to replicate. And it’s not just excitement for the game. It’s the community. It’s the smell of hot dogs and dry-roasted peanuts. It’s the frothy beer that tastes better than any beer you’ve ever had before. It’s the cartoon-perfect thwack of bat hitting ball, the ballet-like movements of a player’s swing, the breaths held as the ball soars up into the stands. It’s the orchestra of cheers that erupts as a result. And while the magic of the game is universal, each Major League city has its own unique rhythm. So, for those who want to get the most out of the league’s summer schedule with a tour across baseball’s best cities, we’ve drawn the blueprint for five of the MLB’s most dynamic destinations. Here’s how to spend your time in five of the great Major League Baseball cities — when you’re not at the ballpark, that is.
Los Angeles, California
Oscar-winning film La La Land might have increased tourist traffic to Los Angeles’s Griffith Observatory, but don’t let that deter you from making your own pilgrimage there. In the daytime, its high-up perch offers incredible views of the sprawling city below; at night, the starry sky comes alive. Of course, Dodger Stadium also boasts incredible urban vistas. Home of the back-to-back World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, it’s carved epically into L.A.’s dusty hills. After the big game, settle in at the Soho Warehouse, a downtown L.A. outpost of the popular Soho House members’ club, complete with rooftop pool, two-floor gym, and light-filled dining areas. If craving a Michelin-starred meal, head to Gwen: helmed by celebrity chef Curtis Stone and his brother Luke, it’s an opulent experience spanning seafood, pasta, and fire-grilled meats.
San Francisco, California
Hang your hat at The Jay, Autograph Collection, which offers sweeping views of San Francisco Bay. This stunning hotel is located within walking distance of many urban attractions, from Chinatown to Fisherman’s Wharf and Union Square — not to mention Oracle Park, the home of the storied San Francisco Giants. Come dinnertime, head to San Ho Won, a Korean restaurant in the city’s iconic Mission District where fine-dining techniques are paired with traditional Korean BBQ ingredients (cooked over bespoke solid lychee wood charcoal, of course). And for a dose of culture, pay a visit to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, which houses an impressive selection of permanent and rotating works — from Diego Rivera to Mark Rothko.
Boston, Massachusetts
If going to a Boston Red Sox game isn’t enough baseball for you, consider a guided tour of its iconic stadium, Fenway Park, which dates back to 1912. Tour offerings range from a classic hour-long romp through the park and team’s history, to a truncated 15-minute version for those short on time, to a pre-game option that lets you into the stadium before the crowds. Also consider tucking in for a meal at Oleana, a Michelin-recommended Middle Eastern restaurant featuring vibrant share plates made with local ingredients. From there, it’s about a 15-minute drive to The Whitney Hotel, a boutique property in the city’s charming Beacon Hill neighbourhood. With beautifully scented bath amenities by Australia’s Grown Alchemist and plush bathrobes from Italian linen brand Frette, suites here are warm cocoons of comfort. The hotel also offers complimentary bicycles to its guests, making it easy (and fun) to explore the area.
Seattle, Washington
The Seattle location of eco-luxury hospitality brand 1 Hotels features spacious rooms drenched in exposed woods, cream linens, and warm lights. The one-Michelin-Key property puts wellness at the forefront, with a fully equipped gym (complete with a personal trainer), IV hydration therapy, and in-room add-ons including red light therapy masks and sauna blankets. Keep the nature theme going with a wander through the 20-acre Kubota Garden — an immersive public Japanese garden — before heading to Pancita, a Mexican restaurant run by a three-time James Beard Award nominee whose mission is to celebrate Mexican heirloom corn. It’s perfect fuel, whether pre- or post-Seattle Mariners game.
Toronto, Ontario
Perfectly situated within walking distance of the Rogers Centre — home of the Toronto Blue Jays — the Ace Hotel Toronto is a swish property emitting a distinct sense of quiet luxury, complete with an immersive lobby lounge and scene-y rooftop bar. A short jaunt east will lead you to Sammarco, a contemporary reimagining of a classic Italian steakhouse, where decadent cuts of meat are perhaps only matched by an extensive and inventive Negroni menu. Cap off a weekend in Canada’s only Major League Baseball city with a visit to The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, which shows emerging and established contemporary visual artists in a beautiful building along the waterfront. Good art, good food, good sports, and a good sleep — call it a grand slam.
FEATURE IMAGE: FENWAY PARK, BOSTON MA. PHOTO BY EDDIE MONIGAN/BOSTON RED SOX.
