Away Games

Avid fan Bill Eastman's picks for the four best road trips to take this year

For the past 31 years, avid fan Bill Eastman, of Center City, has traveled around the country to catch the Phils in action — 34 different MLB stadiums and counting. Here, his picks for the four best road trips to take this year.

vs. BOSTON Red Sox, June 11th-13th
The stadium: Expect to pay steep ticket prices and endure the MLB’s most rabid fans and tight-squeeze seats. The fare: There’s a convivial atmosphere outside the stadium along Yawkey Way. Knock ’em back with the chowderheads at the Cask’n Flagon. Our record*: 2-7. Stay: The Eliot is a Back Bay boutique hotel that’s a 10-minute walk to Fenway Park. Suites start at $335/night. Eliothotel.com.

vs. PITTSBURGH Pirates, July 1st-4th
The stadium: Laid-back fans and cheap tickets, but the awesome downtown riverside site will make you jealous about what could have been here. The fare: The beer choices rival Citizens’; a Primanti Brothers sandwich is a must. Our record: 12-19. Stay: Say a prayer for a win at Benedictine monastery-turned-hotel the Priory, a 15-minute walk to PNC Park. Rooms start at $140/night. Thepriory.com.

vs. CHICAGO Cubs, July 15th-18th
The stadium: A landmark, this classic park’s old-school hand-turned scoreboard means no crowd-coaching, but diehard fans still know when to cheer. The fare: Drink an Old Style and make friends with the locals. Our record: 22-14. Stay: The chic Majestic Hotel serves free afternoon cookies, and it’s four blocks from Wrigley Field. Regular rates start at $99/night, but ask about baseball game discounts. Cityinns.com/majestic.

vs. NEW YORK Mets, September 10th-12th
The stadium: You’ll pay a lot for tickets (or you’ll need binoculars), and listening to the fans’ grating accents for three hours is tough to handle. But watching their faces during a Phillies win can make it all worthwhile. The fare: Not the best selection of draft beers; get a milkshake from the Shake Shack outpost. Our record: 51-39. Stay: You’ll take the 7 train — you’re not going to stay in Queens, are you? — to Citi Field, so bunk down in Greenwich Village’s comfy Washington Square Hotel, not far from Philly tribute bar Wogies, where you can eat ’thentic cheesesteaks with pride. Rooms start at $222/night. Washingtonsquarehotel.com.

*Phils’ record at that stadium over past 10 years.