Yankee Stadium
 

When we see the Cubbies at Wrigley Field, part of the fun is riding the El and visiting the surrounding area, Wrigleyville, with its bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, etc.
Is there anything like that around Yankee Stadium? What is the area like? How far is the park from the subway? We have tickets for opening day, 4/8, against that other Chicago team.

There is the Yankee Stadium // 161st stop on the 4 train (elevated) and the B/D (underground). Unlike Shea stadium which sits out in the middle of nowhere near LGA, Yankee Stadium has bars, stores, and taverns nearby on River Avenue (across the street). Heck, you can go bowling. And now that smoking has been banned, it is paradise! Go into any of the Stan's bars. Also walk up 161st St and enjoy some beer and grub at the Yankee Tavern.

Wrigleyville is a nice area; the Yankee part of the Bronx is fine when there is a game going on. The area can be a bit skanky (sp) but since there are so many people, I don't worry.

Get to the stadium early and enjoy the moment. Opening Day is truly special.

your in luck! The other team from Chicago is even better than the Cubs!

The subway is very convenient to Yankee Stadium. While there may be taverns, I will disagree with the previous poster that its nothing like Wrigleyville and is more like the neighborhood surronding Comiskey. I have never gotten to the stadium very early but there is monument park and some other things to see at Yankee Stadium. Its a great park and you'll get to see the best Chicago team play!

Two warnings - NY hotdogs may look like Chicago dogs but if you are from Chicago you will be sorely disappointed. Also, there are folks who counterfeit tickets in NYC so be careful buying from someone outside the stadium.

I didn't think the New Comiskey neighborhood was much to write home about -- we came and went on the El, which was totally convenient, but it didn't look like there was anything around the ballpark but the freeway. Was I wrong?

The Yankee Stadium neighborhood at least has the juice & vibrancy of a historic urban zone.

I never said it was like Wrigleyville; River Ave & 161st is much more urban.

Forget Monument Park unless you make a reservation in advance to tour the stadium. I advise against that too because when the Yankees are in town, so much of the stadium is closed off from the tour. So you can bring your binoculars once you are inside the stadium if you want to see the monuments.

Subway is very convenient, even after the game it is full but still acceptable and I never had to wait for more than 10 minutes to get on.

Be aware, that men can't even bring a small bag inside Yankee stadium!

There's even a water ferry to get there.