Planning to visit Fenway for my very first time

- I plan to go to 2-4 games with my parents, maybe my sister but not sure, which are some good seats where you can see a lot of the action without paying too much?
http://www.boston11.com/fenway2.gif see that band of light blue seats with prices in the teens on the first base side? Imo the best deal you can get. The only visibility you will lose is on high fly balls and anything hit high towards the Monster. I have never paid for tickets to go to a game (military ID ftw) but my friends and I always take the standing room in this general area. Excellent visibility and apparently reasonable price. Most if not all of the high priced seats are not worth the expense.

- I have heard about some sort of tour around Fenway, going behind the Green Monster, the Clubhouse, dugout and what not, when are those available, and do I need to buy tickets somewhere (how does that work)?
Have not heard of those. Likely those would be special promotions taking place well before the game or on days the team is not playing. I am fairly sure fans are not allowed in the clubhouse ever. I’ve been in the dugout/bullpen and it’s nothing special. Most guided tour-type promotions are too expensive for relatively little payoff imo.

- What are some places in Boston I absolutely MUST visit?
All along the Charles/Esplanade from the BU area into Cambridge is a great outdoor area in the summer. In the summer you also won’t have to deal with the mongrel hordes of college kids thankfully. As far as attractions the Museum of Fine Arts has really gotten on its game lately. Emerald necklace/freedom trail is never a bad idea. Idk I always have trouble envisioning Boston from a touristy perspective of what I’d want to see. As far as food and restaurants, go to the North End for genuine Italian and Chinatown for Chinese food. Most anywhere else is just pale imitation.

- Are there any secrets around Fenway? Maybe some ways to get autographs and stuff?
No players don’t hang around much in the surrounding area because it’s an extremely high traffic area packed with sports bars, restaurants, and colleges. There are certain entrances to the park where players arrive in their cars and you can occasionally see them enter the park before games, however I have never heard nor seen of autographs occurring as that would be a constant shitshow before every game. The most effective “secret” is never ever pay for parking there. It boggles my mind that anybody still does. They are utter ripoffs and you will sit there forever waiting for the endless crowds to disperse before you can even leave afterwards. Pointless. Use the T. If you plan on eating somewhere at a “popular” locale (e.g. Cask and Flagon, Jerry Remy’s, etc) on the day of a home game, I hope you get there extremely early. 4-5 hours prior to be safe.

- I plan to take home lots of goodies of the Red Sox, (shirts, jacket, etc) which are the best stores to get these? At a good price?
There are several t-shirt/souvenir/merchandise shops in the park and directly outside it. Do not buy anything from them at all. Unless you like coughing up $50 for a shitty ordinary cotton T-shirt. Nothing in the vicinity of the park is going to be a “good price” sorry to say. Some of the street vendors might have better prices as compared to the stores. I don’t know, I don’t own a single piece of Red Sox clothing/memorabilia.

- Is there anything else I absolutely must do during my visit that is not mentioned?
Arrive as early as possible to the park, you can watch BP and roam freely around the seating areas with the exception of the Monster seats and a few other small sections. Recon the area completely on Google maps streetview etc so you aren’t wasting time and getting lost when you are there. The most effective place to kill time prior to the game is the Landmark Center shopping complex right up Brookline Avenue, this is a 10 minute walk from the park and contains a Best Buy, several restaurants, movie theater, BOA ATM, etc. Even on the busiest home game it is never crowded.

1. Seats – Grandstand between 13 and 30 are the best value. BUT, make sure you are in row 10 or lower or you will not see the Scoreboard in Center in some Sections. I was in row 15 in GS 26 this summer, and couldn’t see the scoreboard or a fly ball. I was in GS 15 row 8 , GS 27 row 9 and n GS 29 row 4 and the seats were awesome. Bleacher seats are cheaper – but some of the bleacher seats are a LONG way from home plate. I had bleacher seats for two games this summer, and though section 42 was better than 39. GS 1 – 6 are not worth it – the bleacher seats are better – and cheaper.
2. Tickets go onsale online in December – that is the best way you can get them. You can always go to stubhub or Ace tickets, but you will pay more than face value.
3. My son actually likes the Tour (which leaves from a store near Gate A) better than the games. We have been twice: once we touched the Green Monster and walked on the field, once we walked through the press box. Both Tours went to the Monster seats (where you can touch the Fisk Pole). It’s well worth the 15 bucks.
4. Get to the game early and you can watch the players take batting practice. I believe if you join the RS nation you can enter the park earlier,
5. The $5 sausages opposite Gate A are awesome.
6. All souvenirs near Fenway are the same price – and the same as in Fenway. You can get them cheeper at Walmart.
7. Things to see in Boston – I would add the Freedom trail. I always liked some of the old cemeteries in Boston (sounds wierd, I know), Definately go to the Common, the Public Garden and the Esplinade. Faneul Hall is a tourist trap.
8. Do not drive – take the T or walk (there are hotels within walking distance, and it is a nice walk.