Discover the US’ oldest baseball stadium: Fenway

The year was 1911 and the Red Sox were playing baseball on a patch of land down on Huntington Avenue Grounds. Their owner, a certain John Taylor decided to buy the land bordering Jersey street, Brookline avenue, Lansdowne street and Van Ness Street in the Fenway neighbourhood of the city, not far from Kenmore Square. The park was built and the very first game was played on April 20, 1912. Boston defeated the New York Highlanders, the Red Sox’s legendary old rivals known as the Yankees today, 7-6 in 11 innings. The park quickly took on a central role in Boston’s cultural and social life. In June 1919, Fenway Park welcomed over 50,000 people who came to rally for Irish independence and see the Irish President Eamon de Valera.

One of two remaining classic or “jewel box” ballparks in the United States, the other being Wrigley Park in Chicago, Fenway has some particularly iconic features. Its especially narrow foul ground, short right-field fence and closer than normal outfield fences are all part of why many people have referred to Fenways as a “hitter’s ballpark” over the decades. The Green Monster is the park’s iconic 37.167 feet left-field wall that is a popular and practical target for many right-hand hitters. The wall has been a feature of the park since its creation and is made out of wood. The scoreboard was added in 1934 and is still operated by hand today. The Lone Red seat is another singular feature of the park. Located in the right field bleachers, more specifically section 42, row 37, seat 21, the sole red seat amongst a sea of dark green ones marks the longest home run in Fenway’s history, hit by Ted Williams on June 9, 1946. The foul poles around the park are also famous for having the shortest outfield distances in Major League Baseball. Other features of Fenway like “Williamsburg” or “the Triangle” are part of what makes it such a special place in the history of baseball and Boston, so be sure to look out for these quirks while you visit the premises.

Part of Fenway’s magic are the many iconic moments that have happened at the ballpark. With a history spanning over a century, it’s safe to say that there are more than just a couple, but here are some of the most memorable moments you should be aware of ahead of your visit. Hugh Bradley hit the first ever home run at Fenway Park on April 26, 1912, not even a week after the park was officially opened. He was a first baseman for the Red Sox. The first Grand Slam hit at Fenway took place on September 26, 1914, during a game which saw the Boston Braves win against the Chicago Cubs, when Rabbit Maranville of the Braves pulled off the legendary move. Elijah “Jumpsie” Green, an infielder, became the very first African-American player to play for the Red Sox at Fenway Park on August 4, 1959. Fenway Park has hosted the World Series eleven times, with the Red Sox winning six of those and the Boston Braves winning one.

One of our favourite and most underrated things to visit in Boston is of course this iconic ballpark. Everyday the park organises tours led by their knowledgeable and passionate team of guides. The tours are a fantastic way to know more about this legendary Boston landmark and to share in the magic of Fenway. You’ll get to access different areas of the park, while learning about its history. The tours operate hourly between 9am and 5pm, although on game days, the last tour departs 3 hours before game time, so please bear that in mind when scheduling your visit. We strongly recommend booking your tour tickets online ahead of time. Adult tickets cost $25, and children’s tickets cost $17. 

Another great way to experience the park in all its glory is of course to go see a game! You can find out more information about when the games at Fenway are taking place on their designated webpage where you can also book tickets in advance. Tickets usually cost anywhere from $58 to $190 depending on seating area. Obviously, a baseball game is the thing to see while at Fenway, but you can also get tickets for other sporting events, such as football or hockey games depending on the season. Find out more about the different events at Fenway here.

The Verb Hotel is a great option for anyone looking to stay near Fenway Park. Conveniently located only a stone's throw away from the park, this hotel is fun, colourful and comfortable. It’s a great place to stay centrally and in a historic neighbourhood to get the best out of the city.