It’s time to talk baseball, and why not begin with the oldest baseball park still in use by Major League Baseball – Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts? This place is full of character— spend a day at the ballpark and you will notice how the owners have taken a stadium that was built in 1912 and, through renovations, provided a unique yet modern experience that any baseball fan can appreciate.
Getting There
Parking is a challenge; the ballpark is in a residential neighborhood. Many fans take the subway or walk from the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston. From the Kenmore Square Subway Station, you will approach the ballpark with the crowds moving along the sidewalks. As you shuffle along Brookline Avenue and cross over the Mass Pike, look left and you will see the backside of the 37-foot “Green Monster”.
As you get closer, you can just picture the 2000 Homerun Derby when the players were launching homeruns over the Green Monster into fans’ gloves. There are multiple entrances to the park, so make sure to check your ticket for the correct gate, get your ticket scanned, and begin to explore Fenway Park as you locate your seats.
Seating
As with any professional sports event, there are seats available at a range of price points. This is one of the smallest ballparks with only 37,731 seats, so expect prices to be above average compared to other Major League baseball parks.
If you like to watch the game from behind home plate, there are plenty of box seats and grandstand seats, including seats that are under cover. Be warned if you are too far back— the seats could have an obstructed view, or the overhang of the roof can block your view of fly balls. However, these seats are great if rain is in the forecast.
Some of the premium sections include:
- Green Monster Seats: If you want to splurge, the tickets on the Green Monster afford you a truly unique vantage point and the opportunity to catch a home run. Even with the addition of more seats almost every year, these tickets are typically only available for purchase though aftermarket ticket brokers unless you plan ahead.
- State Street Pavilion Club is a premium seating upper club section with seats behind home plate that continue down both baselines.
- Pavilion Box Seats are located directly behind Home Plate Club and State Street Pavilion Club seats. Each section includes less than five rows and are a favorite for fans who like to have an elevated vantage point without visual obstructions.
Food & Beverage
The ballpark is compact yet comfortable. The current ownership uses the streets along Fenway Park to sell food and souvenirs. Spend some time walking though the tunnels under the grandstands and size up your food choices. You will find the traditional baseball food, including sausages, hamburgers, hot dogs and pretzels. In addition, there are some unique items such as New England clam chowder served in a bread bowl and lobster rolls! If you want a cold beer, try a regional craft brew that might not be available back home. Don’t forget to grab some peanuts and cracker jacks to enjoy while you watch the game.
Souvenirs
Souvenirs can help complete your visit to Fenway Park. There are plenty of places to buy Red Sox items in the ballpark. If you want the widest selection, visit the cavernous Official Red Sox Team Store on Jersey Street.
Ballpark Tours
If your schedule doesn’t allow you to see a game or the team is not in town, you can take a one-hour tour of Fenway Park. Learn about the history of the stadium while the staff shares some of the amazing stories and moments that have caused Red Sox fans to cheer all the way to the World Series Championship parades. If you plan on touring the park before a game, the tickets are not available online and can only be purchased in person, while supplies last. Pre-game tours begin three hours before game time.
Bonus: Arrive at Fenway Park early and visit one of the neighborhood sports bars. Our favorites are Cask ‘n Flagon, Game On and Who’s On First. If you are looking for a hotel near Fenway Park, the Hotel Commonwealth is a short walk but, as you can imagine, sells out quickly when the Red Sox are in town.
Love them or hate them, a visit to Fenway Park is a sports bucket list experience. We have visited almost every baseball park in the country and can say from experience, you will struggle to find another stadium where you can feel the energy of the fans in every inning. There’s a unique buzz that Fenway emits as the fans cheer on the home team and the almost 40,000 in attendance try to perfect the wave inning after inning. One last time— don’t forget the peanuts and cracker jacks!!!
