Chicago is filled with famous attractions. From world-class museums to the best dining experiences, you’ll find no shortage of things to do when visiting the Windy City. If you’re a baseball fan, you may be particularly interested in visiting Wrigley Field. The home of the Chicago Cubs is the second oldest major league ballpark after Boston’s Fenway Park. With its history and legacy features like the ivy-covered walls and a hand-operated scoreboard, Wrigley Field is a top destination for baseball lovers and non-lovers alike. We’ve been fortunate to have experienced both baseball games and concerts at Wrigley. In this post, we provide some things to know to make your visit as smooth as possible.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
- It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. The first thing some visitors may not realize before arriving is that Wrigley Field is in a neighborhood. It’s on the north side of the city of Chicago, not in the downtown area. Many stadiums are located downtown or in a more spacious area with lots of dedicated parking. However, Wrigley doesn’t fit either of these descriptions. Being in an urban neighborhood, it can feel very crowded around the park, especially on game day. Because of its unique location, getting to the park is not as straightforward compared to some other stadiums. Which leads us to our next section…
GETTING TO WRIGLEY: TRANSPORTATION
- Driving and traffic: Many visitors choose to drive to Wrigley Field. But honestly, this is probably our least favorite option. It’s not a very convenient area to drive to. And when there’s games, concerts or other events, traffic can be especially bad. The expressways can get very congested and once you get off, you’ll have to drive through several blocks of Chicago neighborhoods. This means lots of stoplights and navigating around buses and pedestrians. Depending on where you’re coming from, leave early and add a good amount of extra time to what your GPS estimates. If you get there early, there’s plenty of restaurants and bars in the area if you don’t want to go into the ballpark immediately.
- Parking: If you are driving, you should note that Wrigley does not have massive parking lots like some other stadiums may offer. After all, it is tighter on space being in a neighborhood. If you are driving, we highly recommend reserving a spot through a parking app. This ensures you’ll have a space and be able to avoid high fees that are charged the day of. Our personal recommendation and preferred option is to use the official remote lot for evening and weekend Cubs games. The remote lot is free, attended and offers complimentary shuttle service to and from Wrigley. Traffic gets much busier the closer you get to the park, so it’s nice to leave the worst part of the drive to the bus driver.
- The Chicago “L”: Taking the L is part of the Chicago experience. Short for “elevated”, this public rapid transit rail system actually goes above and below the ground. It connects the neighborhoods of Chicago as well as some nearby suburbs. If you are staying downtown, the L would be the most economical way to get to Wrigley via the Red Line. The Addison stop drops you off right next to the ballpark for convenient access. Using the L would also help you avoid any surge pricing on ridesharing apps after the game or event.
- Wrigley Field Express by Pace Bus: If you are departing from the suburbs, check to see if there is a Wrigley Field Express pickup station near you. This service by Pace Bus offers nonstop service to most Wrigley games and events. It’s a convenient and very affordable way to get to the stadium if you are close to a park and ride location. Again, you wouldn’t have to worry about driving in traffic or parking fees with this option.
INSIDE THE PARK
- Obstructed view seats: “There’s not a bad seat in the house!” At some stadiums, this statement is true. Unfortunately, that’s not the case at Wrigley. Seats in the 200 section are tricky since they can be below the overhang of the upper level. While it can serve as shelter from rain or shade on a hot day, the overhang can also impede your view. But this is the least of your worries with a 200 section ticket. Depending on your seat, you may have a large beam in your line of sight. Some seats in this section literally have a beam right in front of your face. Beams can also be an issue in the 400 section as well. To avoid any problems, make sure your seats don’t have a warning about obstructed views when purchasing them. If you can, stick to the first several rows in the 200 or 400 sections to be in front of the beams. For more information on obstructed views and helpful photos of how your view may be restricted, click here.
- Bleachers or not?Another option for seats are the bleachers in the outfield. The biggest thing to note about this section is that your tickets are general admission. Because you don’t have assigned seating, you will need to get to the park earlier to get a better shot at your preferred spot. The bleachers also have their own private entrance. This section is known for a rowdier atmosphere. So if you have young kids or don’t want to sit on benches without a back for a whole game, you may want to pass on the bleachers.
AROUND THE BALLPARK
- Up on the roof:Even if you’re not in the park itself, you can still catch an event at Wrigley. Behind the bleachers, there are several buildings with seating available on their rooftops. Many groups utilize the rooftops for a fun outing. However, you won’t really get the traditional game experience here. And the tickets can get pretty pricey. But with that said, if you’re on a rooftop, you’re probably there more for the all-inclusive food and drinks than the event itself. If you’re interested in catching a Cubs game with your family, skip the rooftops and go with the traditional Wrigley Field experience instead.
- Good eats:If you get to Wrigley Field early or are planning to hang out in the neighborhood after the game, there’s plenty of great restaurants and bars just outside the park. You’ll find a wide selection of cuisines all within walking distance. One of our favorites is Lucky’s Sandwich Co. which was featured on the show Man vs. Food. They are known for their sandwiches stuffed with meats, toppings and french fries.
If you’re visiting the Windy City and want the Chicago eating experience, check out Wrigleyville Dogs for Chicago-style hot dogs. In our opinion, these are the best kind of hot dogs. They consist of a beef sausage on a poppyseed bun topped with mustard, relish, tomatoes, onions, a pickle, sport peppers and a pinch of celery salt. Most importantly, NO ketchup!
Chicago is also known for Italian beef sandwiches, which have thinly sliced seasoned roast beef on a roll topped with hot or sweet peppers and dipped in the beef juices. To get your hands on this sloppy yet delicious creation, check out Al’s Beef, considered to be the inventor of this sandwich.
TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME, OR CONCERT OR...
So there you have it: our 9 things to know before visiting Wrigley Field. In short, from the Cubs to AC/DC, we’ve loved every experience at this Chicago landmark. Whether you’re looking to sing along with your favorite band or the 7th inning stretch, you should definitely consider a stop at Wrigley on your next trip to the Second City.
Have you been to Chicago? Let us know your favorite things to do there or if you have any questions in the comments below. For other travel resources ideas, check out our section. As always, thanks for reading!
