The sports scene in Las Vegas is at an all-time high right now. The new Raiders Stadium is being built as we speak, the Vegas Golden Knights are kicking butt in the NHL playoffs, and the new WNBA team (the Las Vegas Aces) are starting their inaugural season in a few weeks. Lastly, the Las Vegas 51s are also enjoying their season.

Named after Area 51, the 51s is the city’s Minor League Baseball team and the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets. The team has been in Las Vegas for 36 years and plays at Cashman Field in Downtown Las Vegas. Their games are an exciting, family-friendly event. If you’ve never been to a game and you’re thinking about attending, here’s what you need to know.

Overview of a 51s Games

Photo by Sarah Nichols / CC BY-SA

The 51s home games are played over at Cashman Field, and the stadium is off the 15 or the 95 freeways on the corner of Maryland Parkway and Bonanza. Tickets for the games start at $11 and go up to $17. Tip: The venue is small, so every seat is a good seat, and the $11 tickets are just fine. Parking at the stadium is $5. Like most sporting venues, bags may be searched, but they’re not strict at the entrance about bag sizes or requiring guests to have clear bags.

Before the Game

If you’re looking for some pre-game suggestions, you’ll have plenty to choose from.

Shop

The Las Vegas North Premium Outlets / Shuttersotck

What better way to prepare for a game than shopping? The Las Vegas North Premium Outlets is just a few minutes from Cashman Field. You can wander around the numerous shops to kill some time before the game. They also have restaurants and a large variety of food selections to keep you busy until the first pitch. 

Visit a Museum

Signs in Neon Museum

If you wanna make a day of hanging around in the area, there are tons of museums near the stadium. The Neon Museum, Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Discovery Children’s Museum, Zak Bagan’s The Haunted Museum, and the Mob Museum are all about a five-minute drive from the stadium in the downtown area. 

Eat

Courtesy of Casa Don Juan

If you just can’t wait to get to the stadium and you want to eat before the game, Casa Don Juan is a great spot. Located in the Arts District, this restaurant is incredibly underrated and features popular dishes like tortas or vuelve a la vida campechana. They also have simple items like chicken fingers and fries, if you’re dining with kids or picky eaters. If Mexican food isn’t your thing, you could always make a pit stop off the 15 freeway and check out some of the chain restaurants available in the area.

During the Game

Courtesy of Finn the Bat Dog / Twitter

Depending on the game, there may be free giveaways for attendees including free jerseys, t-shirts, duffle bags, and more. They also have food and drink specials, depending on which day you attend. If you’re hungry during a game, there are a ton of food and drinks to choose from including hot dogs, hamburgers, Dippin’ Dots, Hawaiian Shaved Ice, mini donuts, Ben and Jerry’s, pretzels, popcorn, cotton candy, and the most essential ballpark concession if you’re 21 and over—beer.

Besides having fun watching the games, there are contests and giveaways during the game as well as competitions on the field. But the best part about attending a 51s game is watching Finn, the bat dog, run around and be ridiculously cute. There’s also a gift shop if you want to grab some 51s swag. 

After the Game

Frankie's Tiki Room / Photo by Robert Kimberly / CC BY-NC

If you want to celebrate a 51s win by having a few drinks then it’s worth stopping at Frankie’s Tiki Room. This iconic hangout is less than 10 minutes from the stadium and borders both the Spring Valley and downtown neighborhoods. This tiki bar has a laid-back vibe, fantastic decor, gambling, and some insane exotic rum drinks. If you can’t decide what drink to try first, go for the Bearded Clam or the Fink Bomb, which are pretty strong drinks so sip responsibly. 

Downtown and the Arts District are also excellent options for post-game fun because both areas are close to the stadium, making them very walkable.

The Stadium is also close to the north side of The Strip so you can roll the dice or hit the slot machines at places like SLS Hotel and Casino, The Stratosphere, or Circus Circus.