Where to sit for a first-time visitor?

[ramraider]

Hi all

 

I'm travelling over to America later this month from England and will find myself in Boston on September 18th when it's the Red Sox v the Yankees. Whilst more of an overall sports fan as opposed to an avid baseball watcher; I can't pass up the opportunity to visit Fenway and watch the game.

 

Where would people recommend buying a ticket to get a combination of a good view along with a decent atmosphere? As it's a probable once-in-a-lifetime experience I don't mind paying for slightly expensive seats - not interested in any hospitality or anything like that - but want a mix of view and atmosphere.

 

Also, how early should I get to Fenway in advance to soak everything up and any other Red Sox related bars/restaurants I should go to before?

 

Thanks in advance.

[SoxnCycles]

Hi all

 

I'm travelling over to America later this month from England and will find myself in Boston on September 18th when it's the Red Sox v the Yankees. Whilst more of an overall sports fan as opposed to an avid baseball watcher; I can't pass up the opportunity to visit Fenway and watch the game.

 

Where would people recommend buying a ticket to get a combination of a good view along with a decent atmosphere? As it's a probable once-in-a-lifetime experience I don't mind paying for slightly expensive seats - not interested in any hospitality or anything like that - but want a mix of view and atmosphere.

 

Also, how early should I get to Fenway in advance to soak everything up and any other Red Sox related bars/restaurants I should go to before?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Any where from the box seats to the grandstands are a good place to sit.

Fenway is small, as stadiums go, so there are very few "bad seats.

The grandstands have support columns that block part of the field, but unless you're struck right behind one, it's not much of a problem. Loge and field box seats don't have that issue.

About the only place you don't want to sit are the right field seats. They face right field, not home plate, so the sight lines aren't great.

 

I usually get there at about 3:30-4:00. that's plenty of time to wander around, get a bite to eat and a few beers.

[S5Dewey]

For a one-time experience I would stay out of the grandstand section. While what S&C said is true about it not being much of a problem, not all obstructed view seats are created equal and you may find yourself unable to see the pitcher or the batter. Or the Shortstop, etc. If you've got some time to dick around on your computer then do this: Look at a seating chart for the field, pick out the area you think you might want to sit in, and then go to this site: http://www.preciseseating.com/. There you can put in the exact section, row, and seat number and see what you'll see from that seat.

 

I'd be looking for something in Lower Boxes sections 19-70 (Section 25 is about the center of the Red Sox dugout) or Louge Boxes sections 105-165. Here's a word of warning on Louge boxes though. STAY AWAY from the first two or three rows. There's a walkway directly in front of the louge section and you'll find yourself peeking around the people walking in the walkway.

 

My personal preference is for the Pavilion section -not to be confused with the more expensive Pavilion CLUB section. They're not at field level but IMO the view is great.

 

And as much as I hate to say this, I've had good luck with ACE tickets. Yeah, you'll pay a premium but you'll also get a good seat.

 

If you've got time to kill get to the park as early as possible, even before they open Yawkey Way. Take a stroll around the outside of the park. There are bars near the main entrance to the park where a person can get a beer, and when the crowd begins to show up the atmosphere can be electric. If you're only doing it once, make a day of it.

If you get there early enough (say, 5-6 hours before game time) you may be able to watch the players show up in their cars. I think the parking lot is off Van Ness St. At any rate, it'll be the street that's cordoned off near the park. You can't miss it.

 

Good luck, and ENJOY! And bring good mo-jo!

[Thunder]

The last time I went to a game, in June, I sat up in the Coca-Cola corner. It is a great vantage point, you can't see balls that go down the left field line and bounce off the wall, but you have a bird's eye view of wall ball doubles and home runs that go out of Fenway.

 

It's a unique part of the park. I would also suggest the field box or loge box on the first base side, especially now that they have the netting up, so you can let your guard down a bit. If you sit there, you can see everything, except for the extreme right field corner, but you're in close proximity to the Red Sox dugout.

[ramraider]

Thanks both for your reply.....something like B125 row M in the Loge Boxes which I can buy through the official site sounds a good option then?

I'll be driving over from New York early in the morning so given the evening start will try and get there a few hours before to soak it all in.

 

Thanks again.

[SoxnCycles]

Thanks both for your reply.....something like B125 row M in the Loge Boxes which I can buy through the official site sounds a good option then?

I'll be driving over from New York early in the morning so given the evening start will try and get there a few hours before to soak it all in.

 

Thanks again.

 

Enjoy the visit.

[dustcover]

Comic Sans MS]Since no one else mentioned it, the monster seats above the left field wall provide a most unique experience to attending a Sox game at Fenway[/color].

[southpaw777]

Thanks both for your reply.....something like B125 row M in the Loge Boxes which I can buy through the official site sounds a good option then?

I'll be driving over from New York early in the morning so given the evening start will try and get there a few hours before to soak it all in.

 

Thanks again.

 

Good seats. Have a great time. Get there early and check out all the cool bars and things surrounding Fenway.