A First-Timer’s Guide to Fenway Park in Boston

The storied Fenway Park, standing since 1912, is one of the most famous sports venues in the entire world, often called America’s Most Beloved Ballpark.

And whether you’re a baseball enthusiast or not, it’s a great place to visit if you really want to soak up the history and culture of Boston (and participate in a rousing group singalong of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline,” too).

If you’re planning a visit to Fenway Park in Boston for the first time, this guide has everything you need to know to get started.

When to visit Fenway Park

The Sox typically play from the end of March or beginning of April until around the end of October, so keep that in mind if you’re hoping to get to an actual game — and not enjoy just a park visit. 

While you can explore Fenway Park all year round, winter probably won’t give you the best sense of the energy and atmosphere that you can find in the spring and summertime!

How to visit Fenway Park

Unless it’s a playoff game, tickets aren’t typically too hard to snag and are quite reasonably priced, ranging from $20-$60. That is, unless you’re eyeing the most coveted area, known as the Green Monster, which could run you closer to $200 per ticket and up. This is not only because the location is iconic (and colorful) — atop the tallest wall in all of major league baseball — but also because the seating is unique and barstool-style, with backs and a table for snacks and beverages, providing comfort and convenience.  

There are a couple ways to save a few bucks on tickets to Fenway Park, however. Unsurprisingly, you can secure lower-priced seats by attending a midweek game, as there’s typically less demand for tickets than on weekends. And if you enjoy living on the edge and want to try your luck with last-minute tickets, you can head to Gate E an hour and a half before a game begins to see if there are any unsold tickets left, as the box office is in a hurry to unload any remaining inventory.

Oh, and don’t forget your Sox gear! Of course, it’s not mandatory to rep the home team — just as long as you don’t don any Yankees apparel, you’re golden — but it certainly doesn’t hurt to pick up a cap or T-shirt to show your support. 

What to do before (or after) the game

A game is fun, but it’ll only keep you occupied for a few hours or so. And if you’re just visiting the park for a quick photo op, you’ll take even less time. What should you do with the rest of your day while you’re in the area? Here are some ideas.

Take a tour

If you really want to dig into the past here, Fenway Park is home to a bit of a hidden gem: the Fenway Park Living History Museum. It offers year-round guided tours of the park and delves deep into the key moments that have shaped the legacy of the landmark and the team. 

There are tours offered daily, including on game days, so it’s an ideal way to acquaint yourself with the stadium before you watch the home team play.

Tip: Looking for more tours in Boston? From spooky to inspiring, we’ve got you covered.

Eat, drink, and be merry

As you might expect, Lansdowne Street and the surrounding area can be quite a scene before or after a game. 

But if you don’t mind the crowds, there are plenty of options for grabbing a drink or meal just steps from the stadium. Bleacher Bar, located right in the heart of the action, is a popular pick that, true to its name, features an unbeatable view of centerfield right from inside the bar.

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You have your choice of breweries in the area as well:

• Cheeky Monkey has a laid-back vibe, a patio that’s perfect for people-watching, and even games like shuffleboard if you’re feeling competitive.
• Trillium, with an outpost opened in 2019, offers indoor and outdoor seating. Guests can even bring in food from other restaurants to enjoy with their beers.
• Cask ’n Flagon is somewhat of a Boston institution, serving up pub grub, beer, and cocktails to hungry fans in a casual space since 1969.
• Game On, boasting a similar sports bar vibe, has lots of space to spread out and even some fun games like Skee Ball, ping-pong, and cornhole.

Hankering for pizza? A fast-casual location of popular wood-fired pie chain Blaze doles out a variety, like barbecue chicken and “meat eater” with pepperoni and crumbled meatballs.

Not too far away is Time Out Market, a food hall with everything from roast beef sandwiches and fresh seafood to tacos and burgers, plus communal seating throughout that makes it ideal for a quick pitstop if you’re short on time.

But of course, half the fun of the ballgame is the stadium fare — much of which you don’t even need to leave your seats for. Servers walk around with beers, Italian ice, peanuts, and Fenway franks (hot dogs for you non-Bostonians) and cotton candy.

If you’re not too tired after a day game, consider catching a concert at the longtime staple music venue House of Blues or the MGM Music Hall at Fenway, which opened in 2022.

How to get to Fenway Park

When it comes to getting to the game, public transportation or a ride share service like Uber or Lyft is likely your best bet, as driving and parking in Boston is stressful enough to navigate on non-game days. However, if you must drive, there are a couple of different parking lots and garages very close to the stadium as well as limited metered street parking. 

Fenway Park fun for the whole family

There are few better, easier, or more quintessential ways for visitors of all ages to enjoy a day in Boston than with a stop at Fenway Park. It’s a must-see spot for sports aficionados and history buffs alike, full of the city’s unmistakable character and charm.

While you’re in Boston, consider diving into some lore of the non-sports sort with the Freedom Trail Highlights walking tour. While it kicks off across town, it will help you get a sense of the most important names, places, and events that were crucial to establishing the foundations of the city.