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Fenway question for Boston folks
Sheamaster
Posts: 542 ✭✭✭
Going to Boston in June - taking my boys (ages 5 and 7) - looking at tickets for the weekend series against the Dodgers. My question - are the outfield bleacher seats kid friendly or no? Also, do they still give you the chance to lineup to buy the returned tickets prior to the game? If so, any chance of getting them for big weekend series like this? Any other tips?
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My suggestion would be to take the tours that they offer, much cheaper, much closer to the attention span of a five-year-old, before a game there is a good chance to see players on the field. Go to a nearby restaurant and watch the game from there
You want the Fenway experience: get a nearby hotel and/or ride the T; walk to the game; buy the cheapest scalped tickets that you think are honest; buy a Fenway Frank; start a Jeter Sucks chant anywhere anytime and don't worry about the pricey seats. I've sat in them and it wasn't really worth it. I had a better time sitting through a rain delay with an Irish security guard back in the boxes than hob knobbing with billionaires mistresses behind the visitors dugout. But to each his own...
Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's
But seriously, Even thought I love the Yankees, Fenway is probably the coolest park in the big leagues.
- They do still have day-of-game tickets on sale. There are usually at least 250+ tickets sold; the Red Sox do this purposely as their (weak) effort to deter scalping. People usually line up several hours before the game to get these, and for the Dodgers series, I would imagine it'd be an all-day wait. And you usually don't know what type of tickets you'll be getting.
- Bleachers "might" be OK for kids. If you get a low row. Some of the bleacher sections (41-43) have 50 rows, and other sections (37-39) have upper rows (30+) that are practically behind the CF jumbotron. It's those upper rows where the rowdy stuff is much more likely to occur. But if you can get a bleacher row 5 or under, or anything in section 40, you'll be fine. It's usually fans like me sitting there who opt for the bleachers because they are less expensive, not for a drunken crazy day at the park.
- There are left field "family" sections in grandstand sections 32 and 33. These just mean that fans are not allowed to bring beer to the seats. It doesn't have quite the same impact as family sections in other stadiums, since tickets are hard to come by and people buy anything they can, but a good option.
- Ticket prices are definitely lower than they have been the past few years, although not dirt cheap. Hunt around and you can find some grandstand seats for under $100, although if you need 3 it might be tough - they usually come in 2 or 4.
Search eBay for tickets ASAP, or stubhub or acetickets. It's probably a "once in a lifetime event" for you and the boys...translation...get the best tix you can that don't begin to hurt too badly. Scalping is illegal last I heard, but yes, I've done it. Don't get caught.
If you are going to a day game, you will ROAST in the bleachers. They ain't called the bleachers for nothing. The sun basically rises between homeplate and first base, and sets roughly on a line between the right field foul pole and the left field foul pole. The best tix for a day game would be anywhere to the left of home plate, otherwise you are in squint city from the right field around to the bleachers. Binoculars will add to your adventure, the "scenery" both near and far can indeed be serious eye candy!!
You can expect some "exuberant" fans because Manny is back in town. Expect an occasional "Manny sucks", but not much worse. I would in NO WAY watch the game from a hotel, that would be worse than kissing your sister. Fenway has tons of history, go to the park. Babe Ruth played there!!
Jerry Remy has a hot dog stand way down on the right after you pass through the turnstiles. Often times Jim Rice is up on the little podium doing his broadcast, and Remy is mixing with the crowd taking pics and signing autographs. Having a Fenway frank, or a Remdawg is almost mandatory. Blend in and DO NOT wear any Yankee gear or you will soon find out why...Boston fans can be brutal about Yankee stuff.
Hotels are expensive in Boston, outrageous actually. If you are planning to stay in a hotel, I would suggest a search near Logan airport then take the T to the game. You also eliminate trying to park near Fenway by staying at the hotel. The van should take you to the T...as I recall there was a van or bus that picked people up at the T stop and drove around to all the Logan airport hotels. Paying for parking at Fenway is a major ripoff and difficult to find...you eliminate one hassle by doing the above. I think you take the Red line to the Blue line to Kenmore Square, but I could be wrong. The T will be "different". Google the T using perhaps Boston subway and print a map so you won't get lost. It isn't hard, but it can be confusing. The T is archaic under Boston, you will see sparks perhaps, squeaks and think you're in the dark ages. Find your way to the Kenmore Square stop, exit and you will find yourself almost directly across the street from the big red Citgo sign you see on TV over the Green Monster...follow the crowd to the left as you exit, crossing the Massachusetts Turnpike and Fenway is right there. Simply reverse course when leaving. Get enough tokens at the git go for the return trip, not expensive. KEEP YOUR WALLET IN YOUR FRONT POCKET ON THE T!!!!
Many a day my dad and I sat near the 420' sign in deep center field just to the left of the Red Sox bullpen in that little slice of seats. Great, great memories...long ago and far away.
Have a great time in Boston, enjoy the game, I hope it goes smoothly for you.
Al
Ive been sitting in the cheap seats since '67, they were $2. Always fun, not raunchy and the bull pen is right there. Fenway is like a minor league park in many ways. You're rarely too far from the action. Grandstand seats are an option as well. I always throw a pair of binocs into the back pack, filled with snacks and H20.
Right below is the Bleacher Bar, you get there from the Lansdowne St side. Great view of the inside of the Park and the food is reasonable. I try to by obstructed view tix nowadays. The columns arent that bad and the savings are big... About 1,500 steps away, on Boylston is McGreevey's Third Base Pub. Excellent vintage memorabilia covers the place! Order the Beckett burger. One will feed the family for days!
We stay at the Long Wharf Marriott, next to the NE Aquarium and take the T to Kenmore (Not the Fenway stop!). Kids love that part of the city. Also, you can walk a few blocks through the North End *YUMMM* to check out the New Bobby Orr statue next to the Garden.
From Long Wharf, we leave for the game very early and always walk through the Commons, the Public Garden then down beautiful Comm ave to get to Fenway -about a 25min walk. (We also take the tour a lot, cuz it's free) Enjoy the best city on Earth
Enjoy the trip with your children. Eyebone
From Long Wharf, we leave for the game very early and always walk through the Commons, the Public Garden then down beautiful Comm ave to get to Fenway -about a 25min walk. (We also take the tour a lot, cuz it's free) Enjoy the best city on Earth
Excellent tips!!! North End just drips with history, Paul Revere, Old North Church and killer food. The walk from the Commons is an excellent choice too!!
Bleachers are fine because unlike other stadiums, bleachers here are expensive (in comparison). 26 dollars. More than standing room only. Standing Room Only is where the people going just to drink buy, not bleachers. Bleachers actually have the best views in the park-- no obstructions.
<< <i>This thread almost makes me want to weep. You see, I live outside Toronto, and therefore, have to endure the atmosphereless and desolate Rogers Centre (formerly the Skydome) whenever I take in a game. Man, how I would love to experience Fenway, Wrigley, Yankee Stadium, etc. on a regular basis. Have been to the Jake in Cleveland and Camden Yards in Baltimore before, but I have a feeling that they are far behind the other three I mentioned in terms of the true baseball experience.
Enjoy the trip with your children. Eyebone >>
Eyebone - you have one of the most exciting venues in North American sport - BMO Field - home of Toronto FC. They are the only MLS team to have sold out every home game in their existance.
Sky of blue, Sea of Red - its TFC until we're dead.