Yankee Stadium Guide for Ballpark Travelers

 

Yankee Stadium Must See: Monument Park

No trip to Yankee Stadium can be considered complete if you haven’t visited Monument Park, in center field.  It opens when gates open (generally 2 hours before game time), and closes 45 minutes before game time.  Note that you need to be in line ahead of closing time!

Monument Park is pretty much a Yankees hall-of-fame.  You’ll see monuments to all the Yankee greats, retired numbers, and the like.  You can get through it in 15 minutes, but even our kids – who didn’t have a great understanding of baseball history at the time, enjoyed it.  Even they had heard of Babe Ruth!

 

 

 

 

 

Gates Open

Gates open 2 hours before game time, except for 6:35pm start times, when they open only 90 minutes before game time.  We advise arriving as early as possible so you can check out Monument Park…and maybe catch a batting practice home run.

 

Sun Protection/Sun Field

Seats along the first base line and in right field will be subjected to more sunlight than 3rd base line for evening games.  High row numbers in the 1xx and 4xx sections have their own natural coverage, by either the upper decks or the canopy.  If in doubt, be sure to bring NON AEROSOL sunscreen.

 

Guide to Getting to Yankee Stadium

Subway

Easily, the most convenient way to get to Yankee Stadium is by using New York’s subway system.  There is a stop right outside Yankee Stadium, ingeniously named “161st Street/Yankee Stadium”.  The #4 train, D train, and B train (weekdays only) all make stops at this station.  For more information and schedules, check out the MTA website.

Parking

If you are planning to park near Yankee Stadium, we advise that you buy parking online through ParkWhiz in advance, and avoid a parking nightmare on game day.  For a parking map and additional details, read our longer post “Parking at Yankee Stadium“.

 

 

Yankee Stadium Guide – Where to Stay

Avoid the Bronx

Whether you’re going to New York for just the Yankees game, or to see the rest of the sites of the city, we recommend you stay in Manhattan.  The affordable hotels in the Bronx tend to be of the forgettable variety (think Rodeway Inn, Super 8, etc.)  Because getting to Yankee Stadium is easy on the subway system, there’s not much of an advantage to staying within walking distance.  

Stewart Hotel – Manhattan

Conveniently located in the heart of Manhattan near Madison Square Garden and Penn Station, The Stewart Hotel (formerly known as the Affinia) is clean and surprisingly affordable.  Our family of four fit comfortably into one of the suites with a kitchenette.

There are plenty of restaurants, deli’s, and pizzerias within walking distance.  Also, walk a few blocks to catch the B or D train from 34th Street/Herald Square to Yankee Stadium – without changing trains.  With The Stewart Hotel as your launching pad, you’re also within walking distance of the Empire State Building and the Flatiron Building.

 

For more details on the Stewart Hotel, and other options, read: Where to Stay in NYC for Yankees Games

 

Travel Discounts on Tours/Sightseeing

If you’re going to be doing other sightseeing while in NYC, note that many tours sell out in advance.  Viator/Trip Advisor has a good selection of tours, and you can save up to 50% off NYC experiences when booking online in advance. 

Because we knew our baseball and touring schedule before leaving for our trip, our family booked tickets to the Empire State Building in advance – and saved bundles!

Another great option to see New York City is book a bus tour with TopView Sightseeing.  You have the flexibility to hop on and hop off the bus, over several days – so you can fit in Yankees and Mets games on your trip, too!  And, you can save 40% on NYC hop-on hop-off Bus Tours by using promo code “TopViewNYC40”!