Visiting Fenway as a fan of visiting team

[olfenite]

Hi fellas.

 

I know this may not be the best night asking considering the score of tonight's game, but I thought I'd ask anyway.

 

I am a longtime Texas fan. Been a fan since the mid-90's and beyond, even when things weren't so good.

 

After watching Ken Burns: Baseball on Netflix last night, and while watching the game tonight, I felt inspired to see Fenway Park. I love visiting other stadiums, and to be able to see a historic park like Fenway I think would be awesome.

 

So I looked it up to see how much it costs to fly to Boston and what ticket prices would be when the Texas Rangers were visiting again in August. They were surprisingly affordable.

 

But here's the thing. I'm also a Cowboys fan (I can hear your groans already), and I've heard horror stories about how Cowboys fans are treated when they go to Lincoln Financial Stadium in Philadelphia. And of course we all know the Brian Stow story. While I have never heard of any kind of incidents between Red Sox fans and the visiting team, I just want to find out what I should expect as a fan of a visiting team in Fenway.

 

If I were to visit Fenway in a Rangers shirt, promise not to be obnoxious or drunk or anything like that, will I be treated respectful? I keep to myself. I am quiet and reserve. And if necessary, I don't mind wearing neutral colors, but I'd sure like to represent my team. I can take a ribbing and honestly, I would expect one, but I don't want to be urinated on or pelted with D-sized batteries like they do in Philadelphia.

 

Thank you for reading and I look forward to visiting Boston in the near future.

[User Name]

I am also a Cowboys fan and have been to Lincoln Financial. I go to Giants games every single year. Always decked out in Cowboys gear.

 

Clearly, I am also a Red Sox fan. I go to games at Fenway a lot, many of which have lots of away fans there, including one game vs. the Rangers 2 years ago. Even though the Rangers destroyed us, nobody had any trouble, including this one REALLY obnoxious group a few rows down. I have also been to both Yankees Stadiums in all Red Sox gear, and never really had much trouble other than some heckling. It has gotten to a comfort level where I am even okay with my girlfriend wearing her Sox stuff there too.

 

Most of the s*** like that is all made up. If you travel to an away game and act with class and respect, 99% of the time you will receive it back.

[iortiz]

I am also a Cowboys fan and have been to Lincoln Financial. I go to Giants games every single year. Always decked out in Cowboys gear.

 

Clearly, I am also a Red Sox fan. I go to games at Fenway a lot, many of which have lots of away fans there, including one game vs. the Rangers 2 years ago. Even though the Rangers destroyed us, nobody had any trouble, including this one REALLY obnoxious group a few rows down. I have also been to both Yankees Stadiums in all Red Sox gear, and never really had much trouble other than some heckling. It has gotten to a comfort level where I am even okay with my girlfriend wearing her Sox stuff there too.

 

Most of the s*** like that is all made up. If you travel to an away game and act with class and respect, 99% of the time you will receive it back.

 

I have never been in a MLB park but watching the TV I have noticed that out there are a lot of families, children, women and everybody having fun. I like that.

 

Hopefully this never turns like in soccer games. The environment in soccer games is really nasty and dangerous, almost in every league around the world, specially in South America.

[onlybereaved]

As long as you're respectful, you have nothing to fear at Fenway park while wearing Texas Rangers gear. It would be a different story if you were begging to get beat up, though.

 

PS. Cowboys fans are not safe at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Buffalo, NY. I urge you to bring a few 250+lb friends who can throw'em if you plan on going there in Dallas gear

 

Edit to add...I was surprised at how close I was to being beat-up just for wearing a Boston Red Sox hat when I visited my best friend in the Woodlands (Houston). lol. Took a fair amount of abuse in the week that I was there for that.

[olfenite]

This is all certainly good news. I figured that it was a friendly atmosphere, but it never hurts to check in advance. I went ahead and purchased tickets for the August 6th game. I will be in the Boston area 5th through the 8th.

 

I got the flight for a reasonable price ($217 for the red eye from DFW. Score.). Tickets were a little higher as I had to go through Stubhub since I did not want standing room only. Tickets are in section 27, row 17, which is on the third base line and I got them for $68 each before all those pesky fees. From my understanding, these are $52 normally.

 

I did not anticipate the prices of motels being so high in the Boston area though. Those prices are about twice as high as they are in Texas. Even on the weekends for Cowboys games the middle range hotel prices are around $85 after tax. I found a Super 8 in the Fenway vicinity of $90 after tax but it looked a bit shady in the pictures. Are there any motels in the area that won't eat up my entire vacation budget that you guys can recommend?

 

As far as the way you were treated in Houston, I apologize for the way you were treated. Texans are not usually like that. For the record, most Texans have disowned Houston and hope Mexico takes it some day.

[onlybereaved]

This is all certainly good news. I figured that it was a friendly atmosphere, but it never hurts to check in advance. I went ahead and purchased tickets for the August 6th game. I will be in the Boston area 5th through the 8th.

 

I got the flight for a reasonable price ($217 for the red eye from DFW. Score.). Tickets were a little higher as I had to go through Stubhub since I did not want standing room only.

 

I did not anticipate the prices of motels being so high in the Boston area though. Those prices are about twice as high as they are in Texas. Even on the weekends for Cowboys games the middle range hotel prices are around $85 after tax. I found a Super 8 in the Fenway vicinity of $90 after tax but it looked a bit shady in the pictures. Are there any motels in the area that won't eat up my entire vacation budget that you guys can recommend?

 

As far as the way you were treated in Houston, I apologize for the way you were treated. Texans are not usually like that. For the record, most Texans have disowned Houston and hope Mexico takes it some day.

 

Good luck.

 

I am going to Boston for the Balto Games in June...Hotels in downtown Boston were upwards of $500.00+ per night everywhere on the days I am there. I was able to book the Howard Johnson across the street from Fenway Park this year (terrible old shady run down place) for $290.00/night - otherwise, the closest under $300.00 was 10km away in Sommerville lol, or that shady Ramada like 10km away for 200$-ish

 

If you're cool with staying 12+km away from downtown, you can score a decent place for a more reasonable rate ($150 range) - but that's if you're cool with having to take the subway back and forth from your hotel to downtown.

 

Edit to add... I love Houston, I have a tattoo of Houston/Texas - My cats name is Houston...The Woodlands are gorgeous. I was treated amazing aside from people who hate the Boston Red Sox Where are you from? Dallas? (*spit*) lol

[Gringo]

You'll be fine as long as you don't draw attention to yourself in a bad way..Wearing Rangers gear is fine...but if you gloat if your team is winning or hits a HR, you're taking a chance that someone might throw something at you or worse, and that risk increases as the game goes on.

 

But all in all, if you act respectful and friendly, you'll get it back in spades. Fenway is much different than it was in 1983....

[olfenite]

Good luck.

 

I am going to Boston for the Balto Games in June...Hotels in downtown Boston were upwards of $500.00+ per night everywhere on the days I am there. I was able to book the Howard Johnson across the street from Fenway Park this year (terrible old shady run down place) for $290.00/night - otherwise, the closest under $300.00 was 10km away in Sommerville lol, or that shady Ramada like 10km away for 200$-ish

 

If you're cool with staying 12+km away from downtown, you can score a decent place for a more reasonable rate ($150 range) - but that's if you're cool with having to take the subway back and forth from your hotel to downtown.

 

Edit to add... I love Houston, I have a tattoo of Houston/Texas - My cats name is Houston...The Woodlands are gorgeous. I was treated amazing aside from people who hate the Boston Red Sox Where are you from? Dallas? (*spit*) lol

 

I was actually going to ask about the subway but forgot to. I don't mind at all traveling from spot to spot because you get very used to that in Texas. I drive nearly 40 miles to and from work, so 7.5 miles is nothing to me. I'd gladly stay on the other side of town to save that much money.

 

I assume that the subway is a pretty efficient way of travel throughout the Boston area? If it can get me everywhere I want to go then I probably won't even bother renting a car.

 

As for where I'm from, I'm located in the West Texas area. Near San Angelo. A good distance away from everything, 6 hours to Houston and El Paso, 4 hours to Fort Worth and Austin. 4.5 hours to Dallas. 3.5 hours to San Antonio. Like I said, I'm used to traveling. Not really by subway, we don't have those in Texas, but you get the idea.

[wyo-sox]

If you are wearing a Rangers jersey please do not sit near the bull pen. You may cause the pitchers to wet themselves. Seriously though hope you have a great time.

[onlybereaved]

I was actually going to ask about the subway but forgot to. I don't mind at all traveling from spot to spot because you get very used to that in Texas. I drive nearly 40 miles to and from work, so 7.5 miles is nothing to me. I'd gladly stay on the other side of town to save that much money.

 

I assume that the subway is a pretty efficient way of travel throughout the Boston area? If it can get me everywhere I want to go then I probably won't even bother renting a car.

 

As for where I'm from, I'm located in the West Texas area. Near San Angelo. A good distance away from everything, 6 hours to Houston and El Paso, 4 hours to Fort Worth and Austin. 4.5 hours to Dallas. 3.5 hours to San Antonio. Like I said, I'm used to traveling. Not really by subway, we don't have those in Texas, but you get the idea.

 

Word. The 'T' is extremely "efficient" in getting from place to place, for sure. when compared to renting a car. You do not want to have a car in Boston - it's more of a liability/bitch/pain than anything else.

 

Also, staying 7-10 miles from downtown to save bucks as long as you're cool with the subway is worth it for sure. I am bringing my girlfriend to Boston in June, and it's her first time there/first time at Fenway....So I wanted to stay within the vicinity of the Tour-Trolley, because you pay like $30.00 for a ticket, and it has stops all over the main tour attractions of Boston all day. So it really works out nicely, you step out of your hotel, hop on a trolley, get off and visit Fenway Park or somewhere, get on a different trolley, go somewhere else, etc etc.

 

I was going to stay in Sommerville for a cheaper hotel-rate, but I didn't want to take the subway downtown, then catch the trolley for my stops, and then after the Night game(s) risk the T possibly being closed and not being able to catch a cab/not wanting to walk 8 miles with the lady.

[User Name]

When I head up to Boston to take my mother to a game or two, she usually pays for the hotel and we stay at the Marriott Long Wharf which is very pricey but also my favorite hotel, anywhere.

 

But, more often than not when I go with my girlfriend and I have to pay for everything, we stay at the Doubletree Boston Bayside. It's near the Red Line T which is a little bit away from everything you'll want to be checking out, but it's pretty cheap and very nice, and has a gigantic free parking lot. I have always been very pleased there.

[Spudboy]

You'll be fine.

 

Have a great time and enjoy Boston too.

[The Village Idiot]

Texas fan, you'll be fine in the ole ballpark. New Englanders are far, far nicer people than their general reputation around the country, for whatever reason.

 

As for hotels, a couple of tips. Go on Hotwire, plug in the dates you're looking for, and choose Back Bay and select that you want hotels that are three stars or higher in that neighborhood. If you get any hotels listed back that are in the vicinity of $100-$150/night, book it and you can't go wrong. The neighborhood is safe, nice, comfortable, and walkable to Fenway. There are very, very nice hotels in that 3-star range, and it'll save you having to stay outside the city and schlep around on long train rides and expensive cab rides...cabs in Boston are pricey.

 

If Hotwire doesn't work for you, I can always get a hotel room for about $120-$150/night right smack in downtown Boston that's called the Club Quarters Hotel on Devonshire Street. It's a few blocks from the Boston Common and the Green Line, the subway line that goes straight to Kenmore Square, which is right next to Fenway. And another cheap but very solid option is the John Hancock Conference Center, located literally one block from all the Copley Square hotels that are all hundreds per night at their regular rate. I've gotten rooms at the John Hancock for as cheap as $100/night.

 

Seriously, start by trying Hotwire. It's scary to not be able to see the name of the hotel you're booking when you're booking it in a city you don't know, which is how Hotwire works, but trust me: roll the dice and you cannot go wrong. Again, I've used it at least 20 times booking weekends in Boston over the past 8 years, and it has never steered me wrong.

 

Final point: Boston is very safe as long as you stay in Back Bay, Kenmore, the Fens, Downtown, the Financial district, the Waterfront, Cambridge, and the South End's main/well-traveled/foot trafficked areas. You really, really have to go out of your way, as a tourist, to wander into a not-so-safe neighborhood. Boston's a piece of cake.

 

You'll have a great time. But I hope the Sox kick the Rangers' asses!

[olfenite]

Thank you guys for all the help on this. I've certainly have received much more positive feedback than I expected, considering, well, you know, the Rangers just swept you guys.

 

I'm really looking forward to this trip. I'm trying to figure out what exactly to do in Boston as well. I know I want to check out some of the historical sites. And I want to go to some pubs and try some beer from New England. I'm sure there is more to do, but I have about four months to figure it all out.

 

I will definitely check out Hotwire. I'm pretty good at figuring out which hotel it is before actually buying it too. Outside of Fenway Park, if I'm wanting to see some of the tourist spots in Boston, what area(s) would that be? I have a feeling that it'll be some of the more expensive areas to stay, but I'm just wanting to familiarize myself with the area before I visit.

[The Village Idiot]

These places are worth checking out, and all are centrally located or accessible via the T's green line and red line:

 

Harvard Square, Cambridge

The Freedom Trail, a red line painted on the sidewalk that wraps through the city and goes through most historical sites

Bunker Hill and U.S.S. Constitution, Charlestown

Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Huntington Avenue

Boston Public Library, Boylston Street

The Public Gardens, Arlington Street

Beacon Hill, start at Charles Street/Beacon and walk toward Cambridge Street

The Esplanade along the Charles River, two blocks toward the river from Beacon Street/Back Bay

Shopping on Newbury Street and Boylston Street, Back Bay

The New England Aquarium & Quincy Market/Fanueil Hall area (for lunch, outdoor restaurants on the water/harbor, and touristy shopping and street performers)

 

Bars & Restaurants:

The Sail Loft, Lewis Wharf (waterfront)

Mamma Maria, the North End (Italian section0

Legal Seafoods, any location

Sevens Bar, Beacon Hill

Bukowski's Dead Author's Club, Dalton Street, Back Bay

Daisy Buchanan's bar, Newbury Street

Charlie's Sandwich Shop, Columbus Avenue, breakfast/pancakes

Wally's Bar, Mass Ave, late night bar/jazz club

Stephanie's on Newbury, good brunch spot, Newbury St.

Eastern Standard, Commonwealth Ave, Kenmore Square

Cornwall's Bar & Grill, Kenmore Square

Copperfield's bar, Brookline Ave, Fenway Park

The Last Drop bar, Mass Ave & Marlborough St. (if it's still open/there)

 

Have fun and GO SOX!

[TheFens85]

Fenway Park has a family friendly atmosphere. If you're really worried, just avoid the bleachers but I don't think you have anything to worry about. I've seen fans of opposing teams act like fools and draw as much negative attention to them as possible and all they get is jeering in return. At worst you'll get a piece of pizza thrown at you.

[AngelfanA16]

So I visited Fenway back in 2008 as an Angelfan. It was magical.

 

I took the Red Line (I think) to the game. All the fans on the train were super cool and we traded verbal jabs with each other. It was something I wish Angel Stadium was like.

 

Anyway, I got there at about an hour before the game and started talking to fans next to the bullpen for awhile. Super nice people. My Dad and I sat next to the bullpen for the game and even heckled Beckett a little. People were super nice, and even took our picture when we asked them to or told us cool stuff about the Stadium.

 

The atmosphere there was super cool. I wish I could go back someday to see that beautiful stadium again.

[User Name]

Unless you walked a far way to the game, you didn't take the Red Line. Take Red Line to Park St and then Green to either Kenmore or Fenway, if any potential visitors are curious.

 

Most people will agree Kenmore is the best stop to get off for Fenway. I guess pretty strange that it isn't, say, the Fenway stop that is best.

[Palodios]

Unless you walked a far way to the game, you didn't take the Red Line. Take Red Line to Park St and then Green to either Kenmore or Fenway, if any potential visitors are curious.

 

Most people will agree Kenmore is the best stop to get off for Fenway. I guess pretty strange that it isn't, say, the Fenway stop that is best.

 

Yeah, I've always thought that was weird. My dad used to always take me to the Fenway stop with all the tourists. Last year, I used to laugh at them all getting off early. Nowadays I just walk from work.