Where Is Fenway Park? | Directions & History

No trip to Boston is complete without a visit to its historic ballpark. Where is Fenway Park? If “near the Citgo sign” isn’t precise enough for you, an official address of 4 Yawkey Way in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood should do it. Read on for a brief history of the beloved landmark, plus tips for how to get there by car, train, and bike.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF FENWAY PARK

Fenway Park was considered state-of-the-art when it hosted its first baseball game on April 20, 1912, just five days after the sinking of the Titanic and some two years before the Red Sox acquired a young power-hitting pitcher named George Herman “Babe” Ruth. On opening day, the ceremonial first pitch was thrown out by Mayor John “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald, grandfather of John F. Kennedy, and the Red Sox went on to defeat the visiting New York Highlanders (renamed the Yankees the following season). It kicked off a memorable season: Left-handed outfielder Tris Speaker led the team, hitting .383 with 222 hits and 10 home runs, while starting pitcher Smokey Joe Wood went 34–5 with a 1.91 ERA and 35 complete games. The Red Sox capped their first season in their new park with the second World Series championship in team history, besting the New York Giants four games to three. Today Fenway Park is the oldest active ballpark in Major League Baseball and one of the best-known sports venues in the world. Added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 7, 2012, Fenway continues to host not only baseball games but also other games, concerts, and cultural events.

WHERE IS FENWAY PARK?

Getting to Fenway Park | By Car If you’re driving to Fenway Park, be prepared to sit in traffic. Backups on the streets surrounding the park typically escalate about an hour before the game, particularly on Brookline Avenue, Beacon Street, Commonwealth Avenue, and Storrow Drive. Local traffic aside, Fenway is easily accessible from I-93 and I-95, as well as Route 1 and Route 3. The Red Sox website offers turn-by turn-directions to Fenway from each direction. Those driving a bus, camper, or oversize truck should be aware that there are height restrictions on Storrow Drive and plan to take an alternative route. To avoid the worst traffic, plan your parking to get you as close as possible to your route in and out. If you are coming from the north or west, for instance, it may be wise to choose a parking garage on the north or west side of the park. A map of area parking garages can help you make good choices. For those who haven’t planned ahead, parking-spot-finder apps like SpotHero can be very helpful in gauging price and availability. Parking for buses and oversize vehicles is more restricted, but there is oversize parking available across the street from Fenway Park in Lot B. These spots are typically expensive and must be reserved and paid for in advance. A limited number of handicap parking spaces are available on Yawkey Way near Gate D, with a few more on Ipswich Street near Gate B.

Getting to Fenway Park | By Train/Subway Public transportation is one of the most convenient and least expensive ways to get to Fenway Park. The MBTA, commonly called “the T,” services most of the greater Boston area, with a commuter rail network that expands its reach even farther. Fenway Park is located just around the corner from the Kenmore T station on the Green Line, and connections are easily made from the Red, Orange, and Blue Lines. MBTA buses also offer multiple stops within walking distance of Fenway. Getting to Fenway Park | By Bicycle For those who are always looking for an excuse to get out their bike, the Red Sox offer free valet bike parking for anyone with a game ticket. The bike valet is across from Gate D on the corner of Van Ness Street and Yawkey Way, opening one and a half hours before the game and closing half an hour after the game. Once you’ve gotten to Fenway Park, you might just decide to make a day of it. If so, we’ve got you covered with suggestions for some of the best places to eat near Fenway Park and some great hotels near Fenway Park, including one with a Red Sox theme. Have you been to Fenway Park? What’s your favorite way to get there?