Spring Training Vacation Guide to Jupiter, Florida
Your Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins
The Schedules: The Cardinals play 34 games, with 16 home games (see schedule and buy tickets here). The Marlins play 35 games, with 18 home games (see schedule and buy tickets here).
The Field: The Cardinals and Marlins share the posh confines of Roger Dean Stadium, part of a $28-million sports complex purpose-built to accommodate both teams and their Class A minor-league affiliates. The fan-friendly 7,000-seat stadium features a right-field Party Deck, outfield berm seating for picnickers, and a new Bullpen Club with bar-style seating.
Inside Baseball/Cardinals: It’s hard to quibble with any of St. Louis’ off-season decisions. [Dexter] Fowler was an expensive addition, but he was the best option on the market for the Cardinals, and he should be a valuable producer atop the lineup. St. Louis still might not have enough firepower to catch the Cubs atop the division, but the race should be closer this year if everything breaks right for the Cardinals. For more on the Cardinals, go here at si.com.
Inside Baseball/Marlins: At best, the moves [the front office] made leave the Marlins back where they started. Miami has a tantalizing young offensive core that’s only getting better, but the starting pitching is not there. For more on the Marlins, go here at si.com.
To browse all 12 Grapefruit League destinations, go here.
Best Beach: Family friendly Dubois Park has the largest beach in Jupiter; take a swim or snorkel in a lagoon or rent a kayak to explore the Jupiter Inlet area. The DuBois Pioneer Home, located in the park, was built in 1898, listed on the National Register of Historical Places, and is open for tours.
Family Outings: Walk or bike the Jupiter Riverwalk, a 2.5-mile coastal trail alongside the Intracoastal Waterway where you can see manatees, stingrays, and other marine life as well as ospreys and maybe even a bald eagle. The Riverwalk runs from the Jupiter Ridge Natural Area to the Jupiter Inlet and also provides access to the Jupiter Yacht Club & Marina, which has shops and waterfront dining, the Harborside Place entertainment complex, and the Plaza Down Under, site of frequent festivals.
High-end Stay: The Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa is set behind the dunes on a quiet stretch of beach; guests can enjoy expert-led sea turtle walks and a wide variety of amenities, including an oceanfront pool, tennis, basketball, fitness center, fire pits, and spa. Rates from $273 per night.
Value Stay: The Fairfield Inn and Suites West Palm Beach Jupiter is just five miles from Roger Dean Stadium and also close to the Jupiter Inlet and its historic lighthouse and museum. Rates from $142 per night.
More Teams and Locations: To find more fun baseball and vacation information on each of Florida’s Grapefruit League teams, click on the links below:
Atlanta Braves: Lake Buena Vista
Baltimore Orioles: Sarasota
Boston Red Sox: Fort Myers
Detroit Tigers: Lakeland
Houston Astros: West Palm Beach
Miami Marlins: Jupiter
Minnesota Twins: Fort Myers
New York Mets: Port St. Lucie
New York Yankees: Tampa
Philadelphia Phillies: Clearwater
Pittsburgh Pirates: Bradenton
St. Louis Cardinals: Jupiter
Tampa Bay Rays: Port Charlotte
Toronto Blue Jays: Dunedin
Washington Nationals: West Palm Beach
