Bronx, NY
LaGuardia International Airport (LGA) - 8 miles/15 minutes to Yankee Stadium
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) - 19 miles/30 minutes to Yankee Stadium
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) - 25 miles/40 minutes to Yankee Stadium
Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP) - 50 miles/ 1.1 hour to Yankee Stadium
WHERE TO STAY? Hotels Near Yankee Stadium
Unlimited Budget - Unfortunately, there are no 4 or 5 star hotels within 3 miles of Yankee Stadium. If you are willing to take public transportation or a cab, check out these fine hotels.
Hilton Garden Inn West 35th St.
Sofitel Hotel New York
Moderate Budget
Days Inn Bronx Yankee Stadium
Howard Johnson Inn Yankee Stadium
Due to the location of Yankee Stadium, there are very few chaser budget hotels. Those motels/hostels, under $100 per night, are not Ballpark Chaser recommended. Sleep at your own risk!
Ballpark Chasers Tip: If you want to avoid driving in this big city, stay in Manhattan and take the subway or cab to the ballpark. This will give you hundreds of hotel/motel options as well as the full New York City experience.
WHERE TO PARK?
Ballpark Chasers strongly suggest taking public transportation to and from your trip to Yankee Stadium. The Yankee Stadium subway stop is located on East 161st Street and River Avenue. The No. 4 train (East Side) and the B and D trains (West Side) make stops at 161st Street/Yankee Stadium. Plan at least 30 minutes from Midtown Manhattan and up to one hour from lower Manhattan. If you are new to the NYC subway system, leave an extra 30 minutes early in case you have any trouble with directions. Overall, it’s very easy by subway and is a lot cheaper than a cab or driving yourself. MTA is the easiest way to get the most updated transit directions from your hotel to Yankee Stadium.
WHERE TO EAT?
Don’t leave New York without sampling these three establishments: a local pizzeria (preferably famous Joe’s Pizza and/or Lombardi’s), a sidewalk hotdog stand, and a neighborhood deli for a fresh sub.
One of our favorite sports bars in the country is Foley's NY Pub. Named after legendary sports writer, Arthur "Red" Foley, Foley's NY Pub is home of the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame. The Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame recognizes players, managers, executives, journalists, and entertainers of Irish descent who have significantly and positively impacted the game of baseball. Foley's Pub is filled with thousands of autographed baseballs, jerseys, bobble-heads, stadium seats and other artifacts.
The neighborhood surrounding Yankee Stadium is not the greatest for dining options. With that being said, Ballpark Chasers recommends trying one of the three main Yankee sports bars: Billy’s Sports Bar and Restaurant, Yankee Tavern, and Stan’s Sports Bar and Restaurant. It’s really hard to differentiate Billy's and Stan's, as they both serve the same token bar food and expensive drinks, and get real noisy during game days. Nevertheless, it’s still a lot of fun to hang with the local Yankee fans and take in the atmosphere.
Ballpark Chasers Favorite Bar- Foley's NY Pub & Restaurant
Inside Yankee Stadium, food options only get better as there is a place to eat around every corner. This is a major improvement from old Yankee Stadium. There are two choices for a sit-down meal: Hard Rock Café and NYY Steak. Both restaurants are open year-round and, as expected, get very crowded on game-days. The Hard Rock offers indoor and patio setting along with 12 big screen televisions. Although the décor is a little different from other Hard Rock Café’s (featuring Yankee memorabilia as well as pieces from local NY musicians and artists), the traditional menu of burgers and smokehouse items is very similar. The one place in the stadium that makes you feel like you are not at a ballpark is NYY Steak. With plates going for over $50, this upscale NYC steakhouse is not for those budget chasers.
For a quick option, Yankee Stadium concessions are abundant and rank in the top five of Major League Baseball. Ballpark Chasers favorites include: Mighty Quinn's, Nathan’s Hot Dogs, Lobel’s and Jersey Mike's. The chicken and waffle cart at Yankee Stadium is also a great choice. Ask for the fried chicken sandwich that comes between two Yankees-branded waffles. For a healthier snack, check out the Farmers Market’s selection of local fruit. Other fun food options are the ballpark are King's Hawaiian sandwiches, City Winery Burgers, and loaded fries. And for dessert, Grand Slam shakes are a must-have!
New Food at Yankee Stadium
Big Mozz - Fresh garlic, parsley and pecorino Romano coating the outside crust; melty Wisconsin mozzarella cheese on the inside.
Buffalo Wild Wings - Traditional and boneless wings served with a variety of sauces and dry rubs.
MQRib Sandwich - Slow-smoked baby back rib meat covered in MQ's black cherry BBQ sauce, garnished with dill pickles and white onions, served on a soft white roll.
Crispy Maple Chicken Sandwich - Spicy maple drizzle, white cheddar cheese spread, pickle, butter-toasted bun (Section 107 & 331; 205 Triple Play Stand).
WHERE TO BUY TICKETS?
With the combination of a new ballpark and die hard fans, tickets to a Yankee game are very hard to come by. Only five other teams sold more tickets during the 2019 season as the ballpark was on average, 80% full. Ballpark Chasers highly recommends purchasing your tickets in advance through the Yankees ticket office to avoid a sellout. Although scalpers are present outside Yankee Stadium, don’t expect a bargain or to find a cheap seat before the game. Plan accordingly by purchasing directly through the Yankees or using Ticket Monster.
Ballpark Chasers Tip: if you discover that your scalper sold you crappy seats or maybe the tickets you bought online were too expensive for the amount of time you will be in your seat, check out the Yankees Stadium Ticket Window (in the Grand Hall). To trade up, you just pay the difference in price. To trade down, the Yankees will issue “Bomber Bucks”, better known as gift certificates that can be used at any establishment within Yankee Stadium.
WHEN TO GO?
Weather is never a huge problem during the season in New York. April and the beginning of May can get cold, but not unbearable. The general consensus is to travel to New York in September and we couldn’t agree more. The weather drops to the mid 70s and the evenings are still pleasant. If seeing a night game in the Bronx, bring a light jacket or sweatshirt.
WHAT ELSE TO SEE?
It’s New York City! There is something to do on just about every block. Our favorites include the Empire State Building, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Central Park, Ellis Island (Statue of Liberty), Rockefeller Center and Times Square. However, if you would rather get off the tourist path, make sure to check out the Ground Zero Museum Workshop in Manhattan’s Meatpacking district. Founded by Gary Marlon Suson, the Official Ground Zero Photographer for the Uniformed Firefighters Association, the museum is like no other you will ever visit. After spending six months with the recovery workers, Gary has captured some of the most moving and emotional images from the aftermath of September 11th. Gary (who is an Honorary FDNY Chief) also has on display various non-personal artifacts that were salvaged from Ground Zero including window glass, a computer keyboard, lobby marble and a wall clock frozen in time at exactly 10:02:14 (the time the South tower collapsed). Plan on a two hour visit that includes a self guided audio tour of the 100+ images and artifacts. And if you are lucky, Gary will be around to welcome you and talk a little baseball. Get tickets in advance (tours sell out fast) by calling ZERVE at (212) 920-4264 or visit their website. Some of the museum proceeds benefit the 'FDNY Foundation' and the 'Brotherhood Foundation'.
We also recommend following up your time at the Ground Zero Museum Workshop by visiting the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Try and catch a guided walking tour of the memorial conducted by various survivors, recovery workers, firefighters, and family members of 9/11.
BALLPARK CHASERS VACATION?
Yankee Stadium is one stop in the “Northeast 3”, which includes seeing Citi Field and Fenway Park. By far, this is the most popular of all Ballpark Chasers vacations. If possible, extend your trip by another day to visit Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Cooperstown, New York is just over a 4 hour drive from Boston and New York and provides a once in a lifetime experience for all baseball fans.
Minor League Baseball in the Northeast is also another great option for seeing multiple stadiums in a short amount of time. The Brooklyn Cyclones and the Staten Island Yankees are both teams in the Class A Short-Season, New York/Penn League and are within an hour of Yankee Stadium. MCU Park is home of the Brooklyn Cyclones and houses one of the most unique views in all of Minor League Baseball. Located on Coney Island, MCU Park is walking distance to the beach, an amusement park, the boardwalk and world famous Nathan’s hot dogs. Another ballpark with a fabulous setting is Richmond County Bank Ballpark in Staten Island, New York. With waterfront surroundings and views of the New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, New Jersey and the skyline of lower Manhattan, it’s no wonder the Staten Island Yankees are known for playing in one of the country’s most beloved Minor League parks.
Last updated by Ballpark Chasers.