Visiting Wrigley for the First Time

[NineWorldSeries]

Hey everyone, I'm a diehard Reds fan, but please don't hold that against me. Just take pity on us for putting up with Dusty's ineptitude.

 

I'm visiting Wrigley for the first time on May 2 (Saturday day game against the Marlins).

 

My ticket is in Section 529 Row 1. How are these seats? From the picture on seatdata.com they look pretty good. I'll probably be wandering around taking pictures anyway, even if it's an obstructed view seat!

 

I'm wondering, though, what are some must-sees in and around the stadium? I'm looking for baseball related activities after the game before I fly back out of Midway.

 

How is this place "Yesterdays" that someone recommended to me on Addison?

 

Are there any other places I have to eat at or visit around Wrigleyville?

 

I also have read about a memorablilia shop called "Grandstand" on 35th street near US Cellular. Is this place worth a trip on the Red Line? Does anyone know?

 

One other question: If I dress in another team's gear at Wrigley (say, the Reds or Astros), how bad am I going to get heckled or harassed? I figure Cubs fans do it all the time (dress in Cubs gear in away stadiums even if their team isn't playing). Good/bad/terrible idea?

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Don't plan on parking anywhere near Wrigley.

 

You'll get some good-natured ribbing, but as long as you have a good attitude, people will be cool for the most part. But there's a small chance that you run into a few real jerks, as there is at any stadium.

[NineWorldSeries]

Don't plan on parking anywhere near Wrigley.

 

I have that one covered :)

 

I'll just be taking the El from Midway and back.

[UK1679666180]

1) That's UD box Row 1, you'll have very good seats with no obstructions, IIRC.

 

2) Never been to Yesterday's, I'm partial to Mullen's because it doesn't get as crowded as early as the others and I know one of the owners.

 

3) That's a long trip from Wrigley to the Cell via the red line, I wouldn't think it's worth the trip but I've never went inside there. There are decent shops around Wrigley for memroablilia.

 

4) I don't think the heckling would be too bad. Unless it's a rival like the Sox or Cards, it won't be bad but don't underestimate the douchebaggery of Cubs fans as there's plenty of them out there.

[SouthSideRyan]

500 is not the upper deck box, it's the top half of the upper deck. They're still really good seats though, Wrigley upper deck is closer to the field than most ballparks. 1st row in the top half will have no obstruction. The benefit of sitting in that section is you get way less douchebags than you would in the bleachers.

[Roast]

500 is not the upper deck box, it's the top half of the upper deck. They're still really good seats though, Wrigley upper deck is closer to the field than most ballparks. 1st row in the top half will have no obstruction. The benefit of sitting in that section is you get way less douchebags than you would in the bleachers.

Very true. The only problem you may have is a group of obnoxious college kids as the 500's tend to be the sections they choose for big groups. They really are relatively good seats though. You should be fine.

[SouthSideRyan]

As far as must sees in the stadium, there's not really much to speak of. Wrigley is no frills, and the sites to see are the ones that are part of the stadium(ivy, scoreboard, rooftops, etc.)

 

For outside the stadium stuff, it depends if you want to go to a stereotypical Wrigley bar(Murphy's, Haray Caray's, , or if you'd rather have a little breathing room and relax a bit.

[Keener98]

I personally love the 500 section seats. Great view of everything

[Old Style]

Stay away from The Cell unless you're bringing a bulletproof vest with you.

[UMFan83]

Umm there is a problem with sitting at row 1 of the 500 level. I am pretty sure that you are right in front of the walkway that goes around the entire UD. It's partially elevated higher than the walkway, but everytime anyone goes up near your section to do anything you will be obstructed, which is a majority of the game.

[TarzanJoeWallis]

As far as must sees in the stadium, there's not really much to speak of. Wrigley is no frills, and the sites to see are the ones that are part of the stadium(ivy, scoreboard, rooftops, etc.)

 

For outside the stadium stuff, it depends if you want to go to a stereotypical Wrigley bar(Murphy's, Haray Caray's, , or if you'd rather have a little breathing room and relax a bit.

 

Agreed. Also there isn't a lot of wandering around areas either. As far as the Red Line, that's a good call, but you might want to plan on getting a drink or a bite to eat after the game so the crowd at the El Station can thin out a bit.

[Jon]

I like unobstructed 500 level just fine. That's where I prefer to sit b/c of the price.

 

However, you may have some issues with row 1. Since the 500 level starts right next to the walkway, you may have some limited view if people keep on walking or stand still on the far edge of the walkway (further from you, closer to the field). You're high enough that people walking by on the near edge (closer to you, further from the field) won't be an issue.

 

Might not be an issues, though. I don't think I've ever actually sat in the first row of a 500 level section. It's an issue with the 200 level, which is why you should always avoid the first few rows of the 200s.

[chasinf5s]

The UDbox seats are better, see if you can upgrade, it might be worth it. Avoid most of the 200 level seats like the plague.

[evv98]

Umm there is a problem with sitting at row 1 of the 500 level. I am pretty sure that you are right in front of the walkway that goes around the entire UD. It's partially elevated higher than the walkway, but everytime anyone goes up near your section to do anything you will be obstructed, which is a majority of the game.

 

Not to mention the roving vendors. I swear the cotton candy vendors set up shop on front of me at every opportunity.

 

Taking the train from Midway to Wrigley is quite a trip. I did that once and the trip back to Midway took over two hours. To be fair though, it was for a weekday game.

 

If getting to the game just 90 minutes before first pitch is okay, I would park at the remote lot at Devry and bus to the game. I have done that numerous times and it is the best option, IMO. You would still have time to get a bite to eat and have a few beers before the game starts. If your plans include staying and going to the bars afterward, it may not work.

[NineWorldSeries]

Thanks for all the help, guys!

[javy knows my name]

Also be sure to check out the "visiting chicago" sticky in social

[circlechange]

I agree with SSR that the sites to see within Wrigley are part of Wrigley themselves, not something you'll have to seek out. If you can get in early you'll have an easier time getting down to field level. As far as outside Wrigley, there aren't really baseball-related activities aside from just being in the crowds (on the street or in the bars) before and after the game. You could just take a walk around the stadium and check out the rooftop buildings and general feel of the park nestled in the neighborhood. On such a walk you'll also see the Harry Caray statue, Ernie Banks statue, Cubs players' car lot (ooh exciting), some stone/brick tributes to Cubs players and other historical figures in the sidewalk, and the new Captain Morgan Club additions on the south side. Some of those are marginally interesting or baseball-related at best, and I'm completely joking about the CMC being anything worth seeing.

 

As far as Yesterday's, I've walked past that place nearly every workday for the past 5 years and never felt the desire to go in. However, if you're into collecting or memorabilia it's probably worth a peek, it's only a block or so down Addison from Wrigley and they seem to have a bunch of random stuff just based on what's in their windows. The shack it's in looks old and about to fall down, and I've heard that it might not make it much longer (the store, that is, not the shack- although I wouldn't doubt that either.) No clue about the Grandstand place but that's a decent amount of time on the L, especially since it sounds like you're flying in and out in one day. If I were you I'd stick around Wrigleyville until you had to get back to Midway. Bars on Clark will be packed. A few blocks west down Addison will be Southport where the bars might not be as hectic, although Saturday afternoon after a Cubs game will be busy anywhere.

 

I don't think you'd get too much heckling in a Reds uniform, unless maybe you're actually wearing Dusty's. Although considering the Reds won't be playing, I'm sure you'll hear some smartass comments about being lost or something. I doubt it'd be anything you couldn't brush off or turn into some light-hearted back and forth, though.

 

Have a good time, I think it's cool that you're coming 'round just to see/experience Wrigley.

[UMFan83]

Oh that what Yesterday's is? I was confused when the OP mentioned it. I walk by that place all the time, never went it. Looks pretty run down.

[NineWorldSeries]

Thanks, everyone, for the tips. I'm really psyched to come out there on Saturday.