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MLB

Nationals ParkWashington, District of Columbia

Washington Nationals

About Nationals Park

Nationals Park is an open-air ballpark in Washington, D.C.'s Navy Yard neighborhood, home to the Washington Nationals since opening on March 22, 2008. Designed by HOK Sport and Devrouax & Purnell, it seats 41,373 on a Kentucky bluegrass surface and was the first LEED-certified green major professional sports stadium in the United States. The park hosted the 2018 MLB All-Star Game and games 3–5 of the 2019 World Series, when the Nationals won the franchise's first championship.

Nationals Park History

Origins

Built to give the newly relocated Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals a permanent, high-end home in the nation's capital.

Major Renovations

2024Added the "BetMGM Sportsbook" as the first retail sportsbook inside an MLB stadium.

Notable Moments

Oct 30, 2019Nats Park hosts games during the team's historic first World Series win.
June 8, 2010Stephen Strasburg strikes out 14 batters in his legendary MLB debut.

Visiting Nationals Park

Best Seats

The "PNC Diamond Club" offers elite views and dining. For value, the "Scoreboard Pavilion" seats provide an excellent view of both the field and the Navy Yard development.

Parking Tips

Take the Metro (Green Line to Navy Yard-Ballpark). If driving, book nearby garages early, as Navy Yard parking is extremely limited.

Game Day

Watch the "Presidents Race" in the middle of the 4th inning (look for Teddy!). Visit the Nationals Ring of Honor and enjoy a Ben's Chili Bowl Half-Smoke.

Local Recommendations

Bars & Drinks

The Salt Line

$$$

Seafood-focused restaurant with patio facing the Anacostia River, popular with fans.

0.3 miles79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC

Try the oysters; former Nationals player Ryan Zimmerman is an investor.

Bluejacket

$$

Urban brewery with 20 rotating taps and outdoor patio.

0.4 miles300 Tingey St SE, Washington, DC

Beers brewed on-site; great pre-game spot.

Dacha Beer Garden

$$

Sprawling outdoor beer garden across from Nationals Park with vintage Airstream bar.

0.2 miles79 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC

Accommodates 700 people; arrive early on game days.

Restaurants

Mission Navy Yard

$$

Mexican sports bar with 150-foot bar spread over two levels.

0.3 miles1221 Van St SE, Washington, DC

Late-night happy hour after games.

Hotels

Thompson Washington DC

$$$

Modern hotel in Navy Yard near the ballpark.

0.4 miles221 Tingey St SE, Washington, DC

Walk to the game in 5 minutes.

Attractions

The Yards Park

Free

Waterfront park with boardwalk, fountains, and river views.

0.3 miles355 Water St SE, Washington, DC

Great for pre-game strolls along the Anacostia River.

Diamond Teague Park & Piers

Free

A compact riverfront plaza at the foot of First Street SE offering public piers, catch-and-release fishing events (gear provided at scheduled summer Friday Night Fishing events), and water-taxi access to The Wharf.

0.3 mi100 Potomac Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

Anacostia Riverkeeper runs free Friday Night Fishing events here on summer Friday evenings (typically June–September, 5–8pm); all gear and bait provided. Check capitolriverfront.org for the schedule. Water taxi to The Wharf departs from the piers.

U.S. Capitol & Capitol Visitor Center

Free

The iconic seat of American democracy offers free guided tours of the Crypt, Rotunda, and National Statuary Hall — accessible via a short Metro ride from the ballpark.

1.4 miFirst St & East Capitol St SE, Washington, DC 20510

Reserve timed passes in advance at visitthecapitol.gov — walk-ins are accepted but same-day slots can fill by mid-morning on busy days. Open Monday–Saturday 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

National Mall & Smithsonian Museums

Free

The two-mile greensward stretching from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial is flanked by more than a dozen free Smithsonian museums — from Air & Space to Natural History to American History — making it one of the greatest free cultural corridors on earth.

2 miNational Mall, Washington, DC 20560 (nearest Smithsonian Metro stop: L'Enfant Plaza)

Take the Green Line two stops from Navy Yard–Ballpark to L'Enfant Plaza and you're at the heart of the Mall in under 10 minutes. Plan at least 2–3 hours if you want to do more than one museum.

Parking Options

Nationals Park Parking Garage

$30
Garage0.2 miles

Pre-purchase online; limited availability.

Navy Yard Garages

$25
Garage0.4 miles

Book early; Navy Yard parking is extremely limited.

Metro Green Line

$2
Shuttle0.1 miles

Navy Yard-Ballpark station is right at the stadium.

Suggest a Tip

Know a great bar, restaurant, hotel, attraction, or parking spot near Nationals Park? Share it with us.

Closest Stadiums to Nationals Park

Frequently Asked Questions About Nationals Park

What is the capacity of Nationals Park?
Nationals Park has a seating capacity of 41,373.
Where is Nationals Park located?
Nationals Park is located in Washington, DC.
What team plays at Nationals Park?
Nationals Park is the home stadium of Washington Nationals in the NL East.
When was Nationals Park built?
Nationals Park opened in 2008.
Where are the best seats at Nationals Park?
The "PNC Diamond Club" offers elite views and dining. For value, the "Scoreboard Pavilion" seats provide an excellent view of both the field and the Navy Yard development.
What are the best parking tips for Nationals Park?
Take the Metro (Green Line to Navy Yard-Ballpark). If driving, book nearby garages early, as Navy Yard parking is extremely limited.
What type of surface does Nationals Park have?
Nationals Park has a kentucky bluegrass playing surface.
What stadiums are near Nationals Park?
The closest stadiums to Nationals Park are William H. Greene Stadium (4 mi), Cooper Field (4 mi), Northwest Stadium (8 mi), SECU Stadium (9 mi), Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (28 mi), M&T Bank Stadium (35 mi).

References

Content sourced from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA) and official team sites. Additional information verified against public sources.