Fenway for the first time in a long time
- Thread starter Rice14
- Start date
For a first timer or equivalent? I'd aim to get in when gates open. Catch the end of BP. Tour the seating bowl out to the bleachers. Check out the food and souvenirs and the band on Jersey Street and see Big League Brian and the other entertainment there.
Cornwalls moved into a new space and none of the video games seem to be there anymore. It has big windows up front and looks more like a regular restaurant. I haven't been in, so I can't say how much different it is once you're there.
Lose is right, though. There are literally dozens of places to go out to eat near the ballpark. Knowing types of things you like, how much you want to spend, and how old the kids are would help with suggestions.
Lose is right, though. There are literally dozens of places to go out to eat near the ballpark. Knowing types of things you like, how much you want to spend, and how old the kids are would help with suggestions.
Having a little fun with my screen name aside, I’ll echo that the new cornwalls isn’t quite what the old place was. Very different space and feel. No longer has the vibe of pub, and the outside space, at least as of the end of last season(I think they may be expanding it for 2023) wasn’t as roomy. The food is still good, the beer prices are reasonable for the neighborhood, and it’s well located, so we keep going. But many other options within walking distance, for sure.
I was at the "new" Cornwall's with some other members here after last summer's SoSH Bash, it lacks any charm or character whatsoever. But it is spacious and conveniently located in Kenmore Square. Maybe they've livened the place up a little since then, but they're dealing with a bad hand to begin with: high warehouse-like ceilings, cold corporate lobby feel, etc. The exact opposite of a cozy neighborhood English-style pub, which is what the old place was.
There are dozens of decent new restaurants and places to get quick eats around Fenway now, compared to even 5 years ago. Getting a work lunch near there has gotten way better.
FWIW:
For parents with little kids who may be too young to stay nine, Wally's Clubhouse in the RF concourse can help buy you a couple more innings, it's basically a kindergarten from the waist down and a sports bar from the waist up. I don't need it any more but it was clutch a few times for us.
With or without kids, The Royal Rooters Club above it is also cool to check out if you have a chance - lots of Sox artifacts and my favorite, a display case with signed team balls from every single World Series winner since... maybe the early 1920s? I know there is a '27 Yankees ball and it's not the earliest. I'm not a big memorabilia guy but it's amazing.
FWIW:
For parents with little kids who may be too young to stay nine, Wally's Clubhouse in the RF concourse can help buy you a couple more innings, it's basically a kindergarten from the waist down and a sports bar from the waist up. I don't need it any more but it was clutch a few times for us.
With or without kids, The Royal Rooters Club above it is also cool to check out if you have a chance - lots of Sox artifacts and my favorite, a display case with signed team balls from every single World Series winner since... maybe the early 1920s? I know there is a '27 Yankees ball and it's not the earliest. I'm not a big memorabilia guy but it's amazing.
Bumping this thread because I'm going to Fenway for the first time in June against the Marlins.
I'm willing to spend around $100 per ticket and I'm not sure what section I should be looking in.
Is sitting next to the Pesky Pole cool or should I pony up for something down the lines? I'm 6-4 and based on earlier posts it doesn't sound like trying to sit next to the bullpens is a good idea.
I have no desire to sit on top of the monster cause I don't love heights.
I'm willing to spend around $100 per ticket and I'm not sure what section I should be looking in.
Is sitting next to the Pesky Pole cool or should I pony up for something down the lines? I'm 6-4 and based on earlier posts it doesn't sound like trying to sit next to the bullpens is a good idea.
I have no desire to sit on top of the monster cause I don't love heights.
Try to find the first row of the grandstand. That's the best combo of price, view, and legroom in the park. The last row of the Pavilion Box seats are good, too. You're way up high and have your own bar stool and table.
My buddy and I have a hack for weekday afternoon games that always works. Buy RF roof standing room seats, find the waiter or waitress at the Sam Adams deck and ask if we can have a table that isn't sold. Waiter or waitress gets business/tips they wouldn't have and you get a hell of a view.
I went to two games last year pretty close together mid-summer. A few more scattered throughout the year but these were the two where I bought the tickets and they were back to back so they stand out.
First one was with a buddy on a budget to see the Orioles on June 14th, we opted for seats right by the Pesky Pole as you're considering. Night game. View was OK — the seats are in a weird orientation out there so we ended up facing much more into the outfield. Most importantly, the setting sun was straight in our eyes at a shallow angle for at least a couple innings. On the other hand, great view of the outfielders and the rightfielder is right there which is cool, plus the Pesky Pole is a nifty piece of history. $60-ish.
Second one was just five days later vs. the Tigers on the 19th. I took my dad so we spent more like $125 pp and got the seats I was eyeing the last time: Loge just a bit behind 3rd base. Absolutely awesome seats, plus you have the Boston skyline in the background. Much better view of the infield and would highly recommend LF side for that time of year.
This is a great thread, full of useful pointers. My first game was in 1957, when I was 10. We had seats in Section 17, and to this day I remember going up that concourse on the first-base side and seeing the Monster and that awesomely green field. That's why I can't hate "Fever Pitch." Another reason I can't hate it is that we were present at the 04 game when Curt Schilling won his 20th game. As the game neared its end, the announcer informed us that a film crew was going to film a scene after the game, and that if we wanted to be part of the crowd in that scene, we should remain. So we did, not knowing exactly what to do. Sensing the confusion, the announcer suggested we "just be ourselves." Immediately, the chant arose, "Yankees suck!, Yankees suck!" Understandably, that part didn't make it into the film.
We live in Hawaii, so getting back home every few years is a big deal, and we always try to make a visit to Fenway part of the trip. Last time was in 2018. We ended up getting tickets online for far less than face value, in Section 17. In fact, the parking (a garage next to the park) was more expensive than the tickets themselves. Gonna try again this year. It's getting to be bucket list time, so the tentative plan is to visit family in MD, PA, and Upstate NY, catch a concert at Tanglewood, then visit family again in our home state of RI. While we're there, we'll try to get to a game. Fun fact: Good things have happened to the Red Sox in the years we've been able to get to Fenway (04, 13, and 18). Unlikely as it appears today, maybe we can make the magic happen again.
I am not a fan of the seats near the Pesky Pole due to the angle. The seats face CF so to see the action you have to turn your head 90 degrees, and there are a ton of heads between you and 1B and HP.
if you are under 6’ tall, low grandstand seats between the bases are the best bang for the buck. Just not in the middle of the row so you have no pole issues and fewer folks pushing past you entering and leaving the row.
Row 1 of Bleacher 34-36 is best for tall people/value/under $100 combo IMHO, 34 or 35 for getting up less.
2nd choice is probably 40-43 row 3. (row 1 is WC, no row 2)
And it's closer to sea level.
(I am afraid of heights and 34-36 don't bother me)
Grandstand can be too narrow if you're normal proportion not rail thin. And IIRC, not much leg room in rows 2+.
Why does the Red Sox site for tickets force you to only use the "best available seats" option? Like, I just want to see what specific seats are available in each section. I'm sure there must be some sort of user error happening, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to turn off the "best available seats" option.
That was an option last year. You're right, the option to see available individual seats is missing now.
It appears to me that you can choose a section and look at a seat map which will tell you the available seats, then choose the ones you want.
They must have fixed it this afternoon. When I looked earlier, the toggle between Section and Seat Map was missing. It's now there underneath the max price slider.
I sit in the low rows of the bleachers. Fans are much more calmer now than they used to be. Less fights. I usually grab a sausage grinder outside the park. I don't go as much due to the expense.
Playoff games are always a treat.
Playoff games are always a treat.