Help with 50th Birthday celebration in Boston
 

This is Gregory P's WIFE writing.

Guess who's turning 50 next week while we're in Boston? Yes! We've been planning this trip for several months. It's his guarantee I wouldn't surprise him with a party at home. So far so good. My question to all you wonderful Fodorites is while in Boston Sept-14-18 can you offer suggestions to make this an unforgetable birthday?

His dream is to see a game at Fenway Park. We hope to get tickets somewhere. Anything else that could contribute to the big dream and make this day extaordinary?

Regarding Red Sox tickets - it seems you know games are sold out. Many people here have spoken positively about buying tickets on the street from scalpers. I am not a big fan of that - seems I am one of few people who have actually seen people arrested and/or tickets taken away.

Two ways we have bought sold out tickets - StubHub and Ace Ticket (both have websites). I have found prices to be almost the same on both - with StubHub you buy from person, with Ace from a regular ticket broker - they even have an address and buildings! We used Ace Ticket for Super Bowl tickets and had an easy, if expensive, experience.

Both sites have tickets for those games with bleachers starting at about $100. Bleachers at Fenway are actually fun and not far from action, unlike some stadiums. They also have better seats that are more expensive. Avoid Grandstand sections 2,3,4,5 - these have seats facing left field and you need to turn your neck the entire game to see anything.

If you can afford these prices (face value of bleacher seat is around $25) I would go for it - and try to take a tour of Fenway also.

Gail,
Thank you for your post. I went ahead and purchased 2 tickets with Ace, thanks to you! They are for 9/15 and $95 each. Thankfully that's accomplished. I think it will be an amazing highlight to our trip! I'm relieved. Whew!

If you or others have suggestions for pre-game dining, pubs, things to see around the park, as well as the park tour, I'd love to hear them.

Thanks so much....Mary

I would be nervous about buying tickets outside the ball park as well, but the guys I work with do this all the time. They say the sellers are not necessarily scalpers, but also season ticket holders and reps of companies with blocks of tickets, some going unused. They advise waiting until the game starts for much lower prices. They also say it's amazing how many seats go empty when the games are sold out.

As for

HI Mary--the area around Fenway is one giant carnival before every game!! You will love it!! However, it is really hard to get into the pubs/restaurants b/c of the crowds. I suggest going really early--4:00pm even--and then just taking your time eating and having a drink or two, and then entering the park by 6:00 at the latest. Just strolling around the park before the game is great fun!! They used to let you go down into the lower box area right by the field, but we have not been there for a few years and I think they may no longer allow that. I assume that for your $95, that you did not get lower box, but rather grandstand tkts...Have a great time!!:)

I am so pleased that you were able to get Sox tickets !

I agree with socialworker that going to Fenway early is part of the *experience*. But if you want to go someplace close maybe for a late lunch, I'd suggest Eastern Standard (with outside dining) or Great Bay (seafood)...both are located in the Hotel Commonwealth, right in Kenmore Square. Another recommendation is Petit Robert Bistro, also right in Kenmore Square. Petit Bistro is a lot more fun than the name implies. He does a great hamburger in the shape of a hot dog. It's an easy and fun walk to Fenway from Kenmore. You'll definitely feel like a part of "Red Sox nation" by the time you get to Fenway :-) !

And now my practical question...how are you going to keep Gregory from reading this ? :-)

Marion

MarionCK,
Thanks for your post. Love your ideas for pre-game fun! That's just the experience I was going for.

My husband is a fireman and busy working with logistics etc due to Katrina. So he really doesn't have the time to check fodor's. I, on the other hand, love the researching and planning part.

He has no idea of the Sox' tickets so it will be a great surprise. Love your ideas for pre-game dinner.

Thanks.....Mary

Some additional advice about Fenway (I posted just before we left for yesterday's game).

First - the seats are small and tight for even normal sized adults. You now can bring in small backpacks - they will check them before you enter and issue you a band to certify it as checked out. You may not bring in food or drinks, even water bottles, although sometimes they let these slip thru.

Second - food inside the park is improving - it is no longer disgusting, has risen to level of awful. Eat first and bring money.

In about the 8th inning, they play the old Neil Diamond song "Sweet Caroline". Mixed reports on why, but this ignites the fans to sing.

Watch Manny Ramirez (left fielder) during game. He will do some strange and humerous things. At times during pitcher changes he disappears into scoreboard.

You are no longer allowed to wear t-shirts with "Yankees Suck" imprinted on them. If you wear your Yankees suck t-shirt you will be asked to turn it inside out. So leave yours at home. They also discourage Yankees suck chants - which used to break out at unspecified times during the game, even if opponent was not Yankees.

Before the game go to Rem Dawg in the area..it's like a giant carnival.. he has all sorts of food there. Maybe you can tell somebody that it is your husbands birthday and they will wish him well on the giant screen.. and of course Wally will be around and they take pictures with you and you can buy one online..

Almost forgot.. book a tour of Fenway Park before the game...

ParrotMom,
Thanks for the wonderful suggestions. I am getting butterflies just thinking about being in and around Fenway and Boston! I checked Fenway's website and it didn't mention making reservations for the park tour. It stated tours were daily 9-4 on game days. If you know otherwise, I'd appreciate the information.

Thanks,
Mary