America's oldest active baseball park (1912), home of the Boston Red Sox, featuring the iconic 37-foot Green Monster left field wall and hand-operated scoreboard.
Fenway Park, opened on April 20, 1912, is the oldest active Major League Baseball stadium in the United States and a defining landmark of Boston, Massachusetts. The park seats approximately 37,755 spectators and has retained much of its original early-twentieth-century character through successive renovations, including the restoration of the manually operated scoreboard embedded in the left field wall. The stadium's most iconic feature is the Green Monster — a 37-foot 2-inch wall of reinforced concrete and steel rising above left field, painted green, with tin numbers inserted by hand to display scores during games. The wall exists because the dimensions of the Fenway neighborhood block left insufficient room for a conventional outfield when the park was constructed in 1912. Premium seats installed atop the Green Monster offer an elevated view looking out over left field and down into the park, and are among the most sought-after tickets in professional baseball. The right field foul pole, nicknamed Pesky's Pole, stands only 302 feet from home plate, one of the shortest right-field boundaries in professional baseball. Bleacher seats in right field provide the most affordable game experience and a strong view of Red Sox pitching. The park is located in the Fenway neighborhood and is directly served by the MBTA Green Line at Kenmore station, two minutes on foot. Stadium tours run daily on non-game days from 9am to approximately 5pm and last about 50 to 60 minutes, covering the press box, the warning track on the playing field, the manually operated scoreboard interior within the Green Monster, and the broadcast booth. Tours are popular in summer and should be reserved several days in advance through the official Red Sox website. On game days, gates open 90 minutes before first pitch — typically 7:10pm for evening games and 1:35pm for afternoon games. The best photography of the Green Monster from inside the park is from field-level seats in left field during batting practice before the gates open to the general public.
Good to know
- Hours
- Tours daily 9am-5pm on non-game days; game times vary
- Best time
- Game days April-October
Location
4 Jersey St, Boston, MA 02215
42.3467, -71.0972 View on map
Highlights
- Green Monster
- Manual scoreboard
- Pesky's Pole
- Ted Williams exhibits
Tips for visiting
- Purchase game tickets through the official Red Sox website to avoid secondary-market price markups; the best affordable seats are the right-field bleachers
- Book stadium tours several days in advance through the official site, particularly during summer months when tours fill quickly
- Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch — arriving at opening allows time on the warning track during batting practice and access to the best concession lines before they lengthen
- Green Monster seats sell out rapidly; the official site releases small allotments on irregular schedules — set up an account alert if these seats are the goal
- For evening games, leaving before the final out avoids severe crowding at the Kenmore MBTA station on the Green Line
- Lansdowne Street outside Gate D is the hub of the pre-game atmosphere with food and merchandise vendors in the hours before first pitch
When to visit
Late April through June offers comfortable spring weather with enthusiastic early-season crowds before summer peak heat and pricing. September games, as the playoff race intensifies, provide the most electric game atmosphere. Stadium tours are least crowded on weekday mornings in April or October.
Accessibility
Fenway Park is wheelchair accessible with elevators serving all levels and accessible entrances at multiple gates. Accessible seating with companion seats is available throughout the stadium and can be requested through the Red Sox ticket office. The park's historic structure means some premium areas, including the Green Monster seats and upper roof boxes, have limited accessibility; contact the team in advance for options.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a Fenway Park stadium tour take?
Tours run approximately 50 to 60 minutes and include the press box, the playing field warning track, the interior of the Green Monster scoreboard, and the broadcast booth. Tour schedules vary by season and game day — check the official website for current availability.
What is the Green Monster at Fenway Park?
The Green Monster is the 37-foot 2-inch left field wall, the most distinctive feature in professional baseball. It exists because the park was built within the constraints of a city block in 1912, leaving insufficient room for a standard outfield. Premium seats are installed on top of the wall, and a manually operated scoreboard is embedded within it.
Is Fenway Park accessible for visitors with mobility limitations?
Yes. The park offers accessible seating distributed throughout the stadium with companion seats, accessible restrooms on all levels, and accessible entrances at multiple gates. Contact the Red Sox ticket office in advance for specific accommodation needs, as the historic structure has some areas with limited access.