Detroit Tigers Minor League Road Map: The Erie SeaWolves

If you plan on traveling around the Detroit Tigers minor league system, you may need a guide around the area. We start in Double-A with the Erie SeaWolves.

In the spirit of Benjamin Hill, who does a Minor League Ballpark Guide, I decided to do something similar solely based on the Detroit Tigers farm system. 

Last season, I hit the road with a few of the staff members here at Motor City Bengals and was able to hit all four minor league stops. We would usually Google places to check out in the area or one of the guys would mentioned a place they heard about and should check out.

On the way to Erie, we stopped and got chicken tenders at Raising Cane’s since there is none in Michigan yet, but coming soon, there will be a location heading to the Lansing area but I digress.

I went twice last season, and both times were an experience not only to see Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson among the others but the whole ballpark experience Erie presents is family friendly and first class.

It’s no one why Erie won three Minor League Baseball awards back in December. First, the president of the SeaWolves, Greg Coleman, was named the Minor League Executive of the Year for the entire minor leagues. The second award was a golden bobblehead for the best event, which was Wonders Night. If you ever seen the movie “That Thing You Do”, the fictional band is from Erie as it was celebrating the 25th anniversary of the movie.

But let’s check out where to hang out, eat and sleep in Erie. (Thanks to Greg Gania, the voice of the Erie SeaWolves and the assistant GM for providing the information!)

Dining:

Plymouth Tavern (Historic bar/restaurant)
Calamari’s Squid Row (Bar/restaurant)
U Pick 6 Tap House (Bar/restaurant) More of a craft beer type place with very good food.
On the waterfront you have Pier 6 which is a rooftop bar/restaurant. Same people who own U Pick 6. There are lots of other bars and restaurants near the water that are good places on a summer night to grab a bite to eat and some drinks.

Alcohol:

Arundel Cellars & Brewing Co. is about 20 minutes away from the park and they’re the official local wine provider of the SeaWolves.

Presque Isle State Park

Beaches, walking paths and a really cool spot. There are also places to rent boats, jet skis, kayaks and bikes.

At the ballpark:

The Rocket Dog won the 2018 Bush’s Home Run Recipes Contest. It can be found at the Smith’s Hot Dog Hut. Jumbo Smith’s hot dog topped with bbq pulled pork, bacon, mac & cheese and topped with rocket fuel (bbq sauce). Erie partnered with Rocket 105, a local FM rock station when the SeaWolves created the item a few years ago.
Grog – A specialty alcoholic drink in the Bud Light Party Deck. Plays off of the pirate roots of the team.  (A Sea Wolf is a slang term for a pirate).
Beer bats–located throughout UPMC Park
South of the Border stand behind home plate offers things like burrito bowls, super nachos, tacos, etc.

Hotels:

The official team hotel is the Baymont by Wyndham Erie. It’s located right across the street from Presque Isle Downs & Casino.
Two great properties are right on the waterfront Courtyard by Marriott and a Sheraton. Both are owned by Erie Events, which is the county authority that operates the ballpark, arena, theater, convention center and is leading the economic development of the Bayfront.