Watching an Atlanta Braves game at SunTrust Park

By alantvuong on October 8, 2019

Since I was just in Atlanta 4 months prior to this trip for Shaky Beats Music Festival and checking out the top attractions of the city with Discover Atlanta, I wanted to do something different this trip. I do like watching sports live in person and had an opportunity to see an Atlanta Braves baseball game at SunTrust Park on the day before we go to Imagine Music Festival. The baseball park opened in April 2017 for the beginning of the season against San Diego Padres. Previous Atlanta Braves games were played at Turner Field (1997 to 2016) and at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (1966 to 1996). Since this Atlanta trip was only planned a few weeks in advance, there were only a few wheelchair seats left. Luckily I managed to get 2 Coca-Cola accessible spots for me and my buddy Thursday September 19 against the Philadelphia Phillies. Tickets were quite cheap at $18 USD each plus fees and each ticket includes a Coca-Cola beverage.

fun pose

Getting There

The ball park is actually located in the community of Cumberland in Cobb County, Georgia. We asked our hotel concierge and looked online about how to get to SunTrust Park and there doesn’t seem to be an easy way to get there by transit. The metro does not stop close by and the bus route seems inconvenient. We ordered an accessible taxi and it was about a 45 minute drive as traffic was a bit busy. We were not sure how long the game would be and decided that we would get help from the information desk at SunTrust Park to call us an accessible taxi when we were ready to leave.

accessible taxi to SunTrust Park

It was a disaster when we left because it was so crowded and choatic with everyone trying to leave the park. We were told that taxis could only stop at certain areas around the park and different staff kept pointing to a different pick up location. After about 45 minutes of strolling around in the hot sun, we finally found our ordered taxi who already picked up other passengers because he could not find us. Those passengers got out of our accessible taxi and let us have our ride back because it would be easier for them to just find another regular taxi. We were so grateful for that because we were both drained from the heat and tired and anxious to get back to the hotel as we had dinner plans with friends soon.

shops and restaurants surrounding the park

SunTrust Park

Since the ball park was only 2 years old, everything still looked fresh and new. Upon arriving, we noticed there were lots of shops and restaurants surrounding SunTrust Park, it was like a little entertainment district. We went to the information desk by the entrance to get help finding our seats and we both got certificates stating that this was our first time watching a game at SunTrust Park. The whole area leading up to the elevator was very modern and spacious and looked to have accessible bathrooms everywhere. I was quite impressed with the layout of the building. The elevator even had a staff member in there taking people up and down the elevator.

first time visiting at SunTrust Park

The Coca-Cola Wheelchair Section

When we got to up to the Coca-Cola section, we immediately noticed that most of the area was covered with a green grass mat. There were a few giant Coca-Cola bottle sculptures and other related items to be seen up here. We see a giant fridge and a cashier there scanned our tickets so we could receive our free beverages. We both got orange vanilla coca-cola bottles as we both never tried that flavor before. Bathrooms including a separate private accessible bathroom is located right beside the Coca-Cola fridges making it quick and easier for us to get to.

bathrooms and drinks nearby

Wheelchair spots are right up to the edge of the Coca-Cola section. Each spot is numbered and removable chairs are there for companion seating. Although this section is the highest section for wheelchairs, the view is still quite good. There is a giant video screen to the left of our section in case we needed to see a replay of any of the action. A large drum is situated right behind our row of wheelchair spots, and is constantly hit throughout different plays of the game and action that it got a bit annoying and very loud. Otherwise, this section is really awesome for wheelchair guests.

hot dog and a great view

great day for a ball game

Braves Monument Garden

Located on the lower level of SunTrust Park, there is a lot of Braves related items to be found at the Braves Monument Garden. Right in the center, there is a 9 foot statue of Hank Aaron hitting his Babe Ruth record beating 715th home run. A sculpture made up of 755 bats in the number’s shape is right beside Aaron’s statue and symbolizes his since shattered record number of career home runs.

Hank Aaron statue

made with 755 bats

The Garden is totally wheelchair accessible and features a ramp that takes you to see other memorabilia like a section where there’s a bat or glove to represent each of the 55 Braves inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. There are also plaques, retired numbers and a look back at over 25 uniforms the Braves have worn since 1871 and how the team’s look has changed over time.

ramp and different Braves jerseys over the years

bats and gloves of those inducted into hall of fame

Turned out we had an amazing time watching the Atlanta Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4. I am not really a baseball fan, but watching it live in sunny weather, eating ball park food in a state of the art stadium with great accessibility, it was definitely a great way to spend the afternoon. SunTrust Park can be a bit out of the way to get to but once you’re there, it was worth it.