Fenway Park opened in April 1912, a few days after the Titanic sank, and it is the oldest ballpark still used by a Major League Baseball team. The Boston Red Sox have played here ever since. Because it was built to fit an irregular city block, its field has odd angles and quirks that newer stadiums lack, and it seats far fewer fans than most. For many visitors, an evening here is the most Boston experience of all.
What makes Fenway special
- The Green Monster: the towering left-field wall, 37 feet high, painted green since the 1940s. Its manually operated scoreboard is still changed by hand from inside the wall. Seats on top of the wall are among the most sought-after in baseball.
- Pesky's Pole: the right-field foul pole, close to home plate, named after a former Red Sox infielder.
- The red seat: a single red seat in the right-field bleachers marks where Ted Williams's longest home run at Fenway landed in 1946.
- The hand-operated scoreboard and the old wooden seats in parts of the grandstand, many of them original.
- "Sweet Caroline": the crowd sings it in the eighth inning of every home game.
Seeing a game
The regular season runs from spring into early fall. Tickets go on sale well ahead of time, and big games against rivals sell out, but most games have seats available through the official team channels. Bleacher seats are the cheapest and liveliest; grandstand seats can have obstructed views behind the old steel columns, so check the seat description. Arrive an hour early to walk the concourses and watch batting practice.
The ballpark tour
Guided tours run most days, year round, including in winter. They take you through the park's history, into the press box, and, when possible, on top of the Green Monster for a view over the field. On game days, tours end well before the gates open. It is the best option if your visit falls outside the baseball season.
Around the ballpark
Lansdowne Street, behind the Green Monster, and Jersey Street, the closed-off street beside the park, fill with fans, food and music before games. The Fenway neighborhood around it has bars, restaurants and live music venues. The Museum of Fine Arts and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum are a short walk away, as is the Back Bay Fens, a long park with a rose garden and community gardens.
Getting there
Take the Green Line to Kenmore or Fenway station. Driving is not recommended: parking is scarce and expensive on game days, and the streets around the park are congested before and after games. From Back Bay hotels, it is a pleasant walk of twenty to thirty minutes.
Practical tips
- Check the bag policy before you go: only small bags are allowed.
- Food inside includes the classic Fenway Frank; outside, street vendors sell sausages and peppers.
- Bring a layer for evening games in spring and fall.
- Rain delays happen; the game is rarely cancelled outright.
Frequently asked questions
Can I visit Fenway Park when there is no game?
Yes, on a guided tour, which runs most days throughout the year.
How tall is the Green Monster?
About 37 feet, making it the tallest outfield wall in the major leagues.
Is Fenway worth it for people who do not follow baseball?
Yes. The atmosphere, the history and the setting make it a great night out. Fit it into two days in Boston.