Yankee Stadium Overview
Ruth. Mantle. DiMaggio. Gehrig. Berra. Ford. Rizzuto. Jackson. Mussina. Pettitte. Rivera. Jeter. Rodriguez. The hallowed halls of Old Yankee Stadium, nicknamed “The House That Ruth Built,” were home to countless Hall of Famers and some of the best to ever play the game. It was often referred to as “The Cathedral of Baseball.”
But that was then, and this is now, and if you haven’t made it back to the Bronx for a game since the new stadium opened in 2009, then you’ll be in for a completely different experience. Consider this ballpark the bridge to modern times. Everywhere you go, there are elements of Old Yankee Stadium and they’ve been interwoven to evoke feelings of nostalgia and familiarity. You can see this all come to life in a variety of ways: the exterior resembles the original look of the 1923 Yankee Stadium. The roof of the new ballpark features a replica of the trademark frieze from Old Yankee Stadium. If it’s your first time at any Yankee Stadium then these features might not mean too much on their own. But, again, if you went to a game pre-2009 then you’ll love spotting the similarities (and differences).
Because it’s Yankee Stadium, it’s automatically one of the most iconic stadiums in the world. Somehow, despite its young age, it calls to people with a sense of history and nostalgia. Maybe that seems silly to those who have been to Wrigley, or Fenway, or even Dodger Stadium, whose ages are measured in decades or centuries. But don’t tell that to New Yorkers. For them, this is the center of the baseball universe. Do you agree? There’s only one way to find out.
So let’s get you to the Bronx! Start spreadin’ the news…
In this five-part guide, we will walk you through every aspect of planning the perfect Yankees baseball trip, including:
- Travel: How to get to NYC
- Lodging: Where to stay in NYC
- Local Transit: How to get to Yankee Stadium
- Tickets: Where to sit, how to buy, which seats are worth it
- Gameday: What to do before, during, and after the game
We hope you enjoy our Yankee Stadium Insider guide. Please be sure to sign up for our free newsletter to keep informed about events, schedules, onsales, ticket deals, and everything else you need to know to plan the best fan experiences.
Why you should visit Yankee Stadium
Because it’s the Yankees
Even in a relatively new stadium, it’s still all about the history. And there’s still plenty of it here, throughout the stadium and with those making it on the field.
Monument Park
An open-air museum carried over from the old stadium, it has a collection of monuments, plaques, and retired numbers honoring Yankees greats.
The Fans
Hate ‘em (if you’re from Boston) or love ‘em (if you can’t go anywhere without your Yankee fitted), either way you’ll be surrounded by die-hard fans from the triboroughs.
Food and Drinks
Whether it’s a Lobel’s steak sandwich or a daily limited edition Aaron Judge 99 Burger, there’s tons of food to discover. And you can wash it all down with a Blue/Point Pinstripe Pilsner.
Fan Experience
Yankee Stadium is an homage to the past and a bucket list item for every sports fan. New Yorkers are larger than life and Yankees fans are no exception. Going to a game is an unforgettable experience.
How many games should you see?
We usually suggest going to three games when traveling to a ballpark, but Yankee Stadium is a little different. Of course, nothing is stopping you from going three times, but given the limited experiences outside of the ballpark, plus the significant cost of staying in New York, not to mention the challenges of getting to the airport following a Sunday afternoon game, two games may get you the most bang for your buck.
Speaking of bucks, welcome to New York, where things are universally expensive. But going to a Yankee game doesn’t have to be. Starting at $24, the Pinstripe Pass includes a standing room ticket, plus one free drink, so that’s an incredibly cheap way to go if you’re looking to save money.
If you want a specific seat, there are plenty of interesting options. There really isn’t a bad view throughout the ballpark, so we’d recommend working within your budget. If you want the true New York Yankee fan experience, grab a seat in the outfield. For those who are looking for a premium experience, grab a ticket behind home plate in the Legends Suite or just past first and third base in the Champions Suite. Want to feel a little big-time without breaking the bank? You can try the Jim Beam Club on the 300 level, where you have a private lounge that includes free snacks and sodas.
When should you go to Yankee Stadium?
Spring in New York is amazing… as long as it shows up. April (and early May) can either be absolutely stunning or a little on the cold side. But late May through early September is the baseball weather you’re looking for. Yeah, New York in summer can be pretty hot, and concrete jungles tend to hold all of that heat in. But 25 billion New Yorkers deal with it every day, so you can too. And who doesn’t enjoy piling onto a subway car with a few hundred sweaty locals?
In terms of opponents, there’s a “special” opponent a few hundred miles up the road that people really enjoy seeing here, so that’s a ticket that will definitely be more expensive. But let’s face it: this is Yankee Stadium – people are always coming here, no matter the team they’re supporting. Teams like the Red Sox, Dodgers, Phillies, Cubs will obviously be tougher tickets to get. And the subway series against the Mets will always be a thing. But any weekend series is almost assuredly going to be busy. Our advice: keep your eyes open for tickets early, and when you find something you’re comfortable with, grab it. But this is a big stadium… 46,537… so “sellouts” are rare. There should usually be “a seat” to buy… it just might not be one that you want.
Where is Yankee Stadium located?
Yankee Stadium is located at One E. 161st Street in the Bronx, which is about 10 miles north of Times Square. If you have an idea in your head right now that you’re gonna get there without using the subway, then it might be a good time for you to change your plans and go to Cleveland instead. But don’t worry… we’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to do it, and you’ll be just fine.
About your Yankee Stadium Insiders
Hi, I’m Kayla! I’ve lived in Rockland County, NY, my whole life—just 30 minutes outside the city and 15 miles from Yankee Stadium.
While I’ve spent many years enjoying the new Yankee Stadium, the original stadium remains close to my heart. After all, it’s where we clinched 26 of our 27 World Series titles!
Sorry, I can’t resist a bit of gloating!
It was also the stadium my Grandpa would visit as a boy, hopping on the train and heading down from Yonkers to catch a game. It was he who indoctrinated me into Yankees fandom at a young age. Luckily, he caught me before I could be lured over to the Mets by my Mom’s side of the family!
There’s nothing quite like the Bronx and the passion of Yankees fans, which you can feel from the first inning when the Bleacher Creatures in right field start the roll call. Before a game, I love grabbing a drink and dancing with friends at Billy’s. Once inside, I’ll buy a chicken bucket (which I never finish) and purchase a 50/50 raffle ticket (which I never win), but those are pre-game rituals I just have to follow.
I hope that our guide can win over some new Yankees fans and that you develop your own traditions as special as mine!
Hey, I’m Sundi.
I’m a Midwest native that’s been living in New York City for over 10 years, which some may say makes me an Official New Yorker.
I started going to Yankee games back in 2008 when they still played in Old Yankee stadium.
I’ve seen Yankee fans boo their own players and cheer for Ichiro. I’ve also seen A-Rod hit a walkoff Grand Slam against my hometown Minnesota Twins. Like I said, when you step inside the park you become a part of history.
While I might be from Middle America, my spirit has always resided in NYC. I treat exploring the city like I’m Lewis and Clark and am excited to share the culmination of millions of steps walked over the years uncovering what makes the best city in the world home, to help you get the most out of your trip to Yankee stadium.
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The Stadium Insiders is an independent media company and is NOT paid by the teams to review their stadiums. We do, sometimes, accept sponsorships from various hotels, restaurants, or other merchants, but only for products or services that we are independently willing to endorse.
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We hope you enjoy this insider look at Yankee Stadium.
