Boston/Fenway park
 

Hi all,
My girlfriend and I are going to a red sox game at fenway park in late may. we are staying until the next day. the only hotel I could find is one across from fenway that is upwards of 240 a night. Does anyone know of a suburb of boston that is a nice area and has cheaper hotels? like around 80-100 a night? Also is anyone familiar with parking at fenway? we have never been to boston

Maybe if your give your dates someone can make specific recommendations.

you will pay $50 to park near Fenway on game day, so that is something you should take into account. If you are coming on a weekday, traffic is an issue and can be a pain if you are not used to it. Which hotel gave the $240 price? there are a couple of hotels near Fenway park that are probably a bit pricey...the Hotel Commonwealth and there is a new Residence inn. There is also the Buckminster, but I have never stayed there and am not sure if its a dump...check reviews first.

You can also stay anywhere in downtown Boston, such as the Midtown or the Park Plaza (usually fair prices), any of the Back Bay hotels, or you can try the Brookline hotels such as the Holiday Inn on Beacon & St Paul, which is actually walking distance from the park.

Another option is to try the Hotel Indigo, which is at the terminus of the Green line at Riverside, and so you can easily take mass transit from there.

You are, of course, coming at the worst time, as late May is graduation season and many hotels will be full of students families. You are going to have a hard time finding competitive prices. And if your game day coincides with commencement at BU or Harvard or Northeastern, then traffic becomes an even bigger issue.

All of this leads me to suggest that you pay the $240...its actually a very reasonable price, and you will have a much better time staying close to the park.

actually, I overstated the price of parking. If you do stay in the 'burbs and drive in, park at the Prudential center. It is very easy to get into the lot, and they offer discounted pricing for Red Sox games, I believe its actually under $20. It's about a 15 minute walk from the ballpark so its a pretty good deal. Discounts don't apply for weekday day games.

For a hotel out of town, from which direction will you be driving from....north of Boston, south of Boston, west? And what day of the week is the game (will green line parking stations be full etc?)

the game is thursday at 4:05

Thursday May 29

Harvard Commencement day. So whatever you do, don't look for hotels in Cambridge :)

that $240 is probably as low as you'll get in Boston proper

The Hotel Indigo shows a rate of $189 for your date. That would be a good location, as the Green line is convenient for going into Fenway.

For suburbs you could have a look around Dedham or Waltham. Both are reasonable for driving into the city. The 4:05 start time means you'll go in early, avoiding rush hour traffic. And if you plan to stay around the park for a bit after the game, you won't have too much trouble getting out. I stand by recommending the Pru for parking, although I cannot say for certain if they honor the discount when there is a 4:05 start time. (its only for weeknight games, so I would think not. then the full cost of parking is probably $35 or so).

If you're set on staying at one of the lower priced suburban hotels, the best way to do it is to stay near one of the "T" stops, such as in Dedham, and take the train into Fenway. Parking at the station is cheap, as is the cost of the train, and it drops you right near the ballpark. I don't know why anyone would want to drive into and park in the city.

You can enter the Prudential Garage anytime after 2:00 p.m. for weekday games (all day on Saturday). You pay $16 upon surrendering your ticket stub. It's about a 15 minute walk to Fenway, and there will be lots of people walking. Just follow the crowds.

http://www.prudentialcenter.com/parking/rates.php

If you want train information check www.mbta.com for timetables and rates. There is the Yawkey commuter rail station near Fenway, but it's on the Worcester line which stops in Framingham, Wellesley, and Newton.

More convenient is the subway, which is cheaper than the commuter rail and runs much more frequently. The stop near Fenway Park is Kenmore Square.

You should also check some B and B's in Brookline. The Longwood Inn is one (not the Inn at Longwood). It is walking distance to the subway which takes you right to Fenway in one or two stops.

china_cat's advice is excellent.

cw's advice is also excellent, but the Longwood Inn is within walking distance of Fenway Park. You don't even need to get on the Green Line.

Dedham is not on the T but on commuter rail. The Hilton is an easy walk from the station, and it usually has good rates. You would get off at back Bay Station and change to the Green Line outbound at Copley for Kenmore Square.

But I would drive in early, park at the Prudential Center as advised and hang out before and after the game while the crowds clear out. Plenty to eat and drink in the Fenway area.

The one thing you absolutely do not want to do is "park free" by using a neighborhood only space in Boston( almost all of them) or leave your car parked on the street in Brookline for more than two hours except at some special log term meters on Beacon St near St Mary's St. They have game meters for about $20 that will charge your credit card. Illegal Parker's a big source of revenue in this area, and th tow lots re in a terrible part of town.

We booked the John Jeffries house for four nights in Sept and all they had left were deluxe suites but still a great deal. They are in Beacon Hill but across from the T. We are going to a game also. They give you a discount for the Charles St garage.

The only places @ $100 on May 29th are Candlewood Suites in Burlington, Red Roof in Woburn or the Clarion in Wakefield. The Red Roof is probably closest and gets good reviews. You'd have to drive to Oak Grove Station to catch the orange line I guess... but finding parking there at 1:00 in the afternoon could be real tricky.

Are you staying until the next day and planning on doing any sightseeing? Or going out in Boston after the game? I understand the sticker shock at Boston hotels, but either activity will be very annoying if staying in the suburbs.

Oak Grove (orange line on MBTA) will likely be full, and it is a little difficult to find. But Sullivan Station (also on Orange Line) is right off Rte 93 and closer to Boston. They almost never are full, especially since there is an overflow lot across the street. Parking is $6, MBTA fare $5 each RT - Orange line to North Station; then Green Line to Kenmore.

If you hang around in Boston after game don't miss the last trains out - MBTA stops on weeknights sometime before midnight.