Thinking about going to the season opener in NY

[Rybar]

Hey guys and gals,

 

I'm thinking about taking the family to the opener in NY this year. Have you guys any thoughts on the best place to purchase tickets w/o the brutal service charges? Do you have any suggestions for a place to stay? I can do the Internet thingy searches, I just wanted to know if anyone had any places they'd recommend. Do the Jays block tickets off for away games? Thanks all!

[burlingtonbandit]

I went to NY last year for a couple of Jays games. When I went we stayed in the Bronx because all of the hotels in Manhatten were sold out. I'd suggest seeing if you can find a Groupon for a Manhatten hotel if you can as it seems like you could get a decent deal in advance. As for tickets best bet is seatgeek.com. You usually can find tickets below face value but might not be the case with the Season Opener. Yankees prices are really expensive compared to other places around MLB.

[CrackerJack]

I went to New York for a Jays series in June last year and ended up staying in the YMCA in Harlem. Probably the cheapest room in the city. Clean and safe enough for me. Just needed a place where I could crash, shower, and store my bag ... (when i'm in NYC, I spend all of my time out and about.) Wouldn't take a family there (haha) but it served my purposes.

[Brownie19]

I've gone twice now. The first time we just got in our seats and then got rained out, so we returned a year later on rain check tickets.

 

If you're going to be there for a few days (ie, not just going strictly for the ball game and leaving) - IMO, you want to stay in Manhattan. Our first time there, we stayed in the Bronx and all that meant was a longer subway rides to Manhattan. When we went back for our second visit, we stayed at the Park Central New York in Manhattan - and it was amazing. Much cleaner than the Bronx and we could basically walk where we wanted to go.

 

I'd recommend you do the stadium tour as well - but note you have to call ahead and get tickets well in advance, as it sells out.

 

 

That all said - I'd rather go to Boston (although I get the excitement for opening day). I have absolutely no plans to return to NYC anytime soon.

Edited January 3, 2015 by Brownie19

[jaysblue]

Hey guys and gals,

 

I'm thinking about taking the family to the opener in NY this year. Have you guys any thoughts on the best place to purchase tickets w/o the brutal service charges? Do you have any suggestions for a place to stay? I can do the Internet thingy searches, I just wanted to know if anyone had any places they'd recommend. Do the Jays block tickets off for away games? Thanks all!

 

Opening Day seats will be super expensive everywhere especially in NYC for the Yankees. I used StubHub to buy my Yankees seats the two times I went though it was near the end of August, both against the O's. Purchased my seats for like a good 40% less then the box office.

 

As for suggested places to stay, if you plan on staying in the city for a bit to sightsee, then stay in Manhattan. I'm sure you can find decent hotel rates in April. If you can get a room between $200-$250/per night (taxes, fees, everything included) then thats pretty decent for staying in Manhattan. The last two times I've been to NYC I stayed at the Sheraton and the New Yorker (which is right next to MSG and Penn Station). I preferred the New Yorker a lot more, and I believe it was cheaper. Older hotel, though its right next to Penn Station and its only a couple of blocks away from Time Square. Both times I went (in 2012 and 2013) was near or on the Labour Day weekend so I think when you go in April, hotels should be fairly reasonable, especially if I paid around $250 per night close to Labour Day and with the US Open on.

[jaysblue]

I've gone twice now. The first time we just go in our seats and then got rained out, so we returned a year later on rain check tickets.

 

If you're going to be there for a few days (ie, not just going strictly for the ball game and leaving) - IMO, you want to stay in Manhattan. Our first time there, we stayed in the Bronx and all that meant was a longer subway rides to Manhattan. When we went back for our second visit, we stayed at the Park Central New York in Manhattan - and it was amazing. Much cleaner than the Bronx and we could basically walk where we wanted to go.

 

I'd recommend you do the stadium tour as well - but note you have to call ahead and get tickets well in advance, as it sells out.

 

 

That all said - I'd rather go to Boston (although I get the excitement for opening day). I have absolutely no plans to return to NYC anytime soon.

 

Boston is my favourite city in the U.S. and I prefer it a lot more to NYC as well. I like NYC don't get me wrong, though its super busy and filled with tourists. I was in Boston at the end of October for a Bruins and Pats game, and loved it! I went to Fenway in 2009 to see the Jays play which was awesome as well. Overall, its a great city with everything - awesome areas, history, sports, nightlife, food etc. Less busier and less expensive than NYC. You can't go wrong.

[Brownie19]

Boston is my favourite city in the U.S. and I prefer it a lot more to NYC as well. I like NYC don't get me wrong, though its super busy and filled with tourists. I was in Boston at the end of October for a Bruins and Pats game, and loved it! I went to Fenway in 2009 to see the Jays play which was awesome as well. Overall, its a great city with everything - awesome areas, history, sports, nightlife, food etc. Less busier and less expensive than NYC. You can't go wrong.

 

+100. Spot on

[GD]

Boston is my favourite city in the U.S. and I prefer it a lot more to NYC as well. I like NYC don't get me wrong, though its super busy and filled with tourists. I was in Boston at the end of October for a Bruins and Pats game, and loved it! I went to Fenway in 2009 to see the Jays play which was awesome as well. Overall, its a great city with everything - awesome areas, history, sports, nightlife, food etc. Less busier and less expensive than NYC. You can't go wrong.

 

Grant does not approve

[jays4life19]

Going to Jays games not at the Rogers centre are pretty sweet. Have fun!

[LongTimeReader]

Going to Jays games not at the Rogers centre are pretty sweet. Have fun!

 

Never been to any games outside of the Rogers Centre and Dunedin, would like to go though.... not sure how many realize this but there are a wealth of teams within a decent driving distances:

 

http://moneyqanda.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/MLB-teams-map.jpg

[L54]

Never been to any games outside of the Rogers Centre and Dunedin, would like to go though.... not sure how many realize this but there are a wealth of teams within a decent driving distances:

 

http://moneyqanda.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/MLB-teams-map.jpg

 

Ya that east coast swing is something like 5 stadiums within 500 miles or something. Would be awesome to do. (Don't quote me on the mileage).

[CrackerJack]

Never been to any games outside of the Rogers Centre and Dunedin, would like to go though.... not sure how many realize this but there are a wealth of teams within a decent driving distances:

 

http://moneyqanda.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/MLB-teams-map.jpg

 

Good map. I usually catch a couple of Jays series on the road each season. Gotta get the Rays in Montreal (and staying in the A.L. East) for additional easy road trip fun.

[jaysblue]

Ya that east coast swing is something like 5 stadiums within 500 miles or something. Would be awesome to do. (Don't quote me on the mileage).

 

Talk to Gibbers, he's been to almost every ballpark. For advice on travelling to different ballparks, he'd be best to talk to!

[jaysblue]

Good map. I usually catch a couple of Jays series on the road each season. Gotta get the Rays in Montreal (and staying in the A.L. East) for additional easy road trip fun.

 

Didn't catch any baseball on the road this season unfortunately. Saw both the Mets and Yankees back in 2013. This upcoming summer, I'll be seeing 1-2 games in San Diego vs. the Dodgers.

[Maine Jays]

Boston is my favourite city in the U.S. and I prefer it a lot more to NYC as well. I like NYC don't get me wrong, though its super busy and filled with tourists. I was in Boston at the end of October for a Bruins and Pats game, and loved it! I went to Fenway in 2009 to see the Jays play which was awesome as well. Overall, its a great city with everything - awesome areas, history, sports, nightlife, food etc. Less busier and less expensive than NYC. You can't go wrong.

 

Boston is the world's largest outdoor urinal.

[Spanky99]

Boston is the world's largest outdoor urinal.

 

lol

[Brownie19]

Boston is the world's largest outdoor urinal.

 

Unlike NYC where the outdoor urinals are just in the public phone booths (which nobody told me the first time I went there...)

[Brownie19]

I'm going catch a game in DC this year.

 

Cool map btw. It's like Seattle has bad BO...

[burlingtonbandit]

Didn't catch any baseball on the road this season unfortunately. Saw both the Mets and Yankees back in 2013. This upcoming summer, I'll be seeing 1-2 games in San Diego vs. the Dodgers.

 

San Diego is really nice. Went to a game at the old stadium before PetCo when Larry Walker was playing with the Rockies. Nicest weather of any city.

[jaysblue]

San Diego is really nice. Went to a game at the old stadium before PetCo when Larry Walker was playing with the Rockies. Nicest weather of any city.

 

Was looking at the dates I'll be there, and I'm deciding to fly in a couple days earlier and leave a couple of days later to catch a game at Dodgers Stadium and Angels Stadium. San Diego is only an hour and a half drive from LA, so I figured why not knock off all those 3 then.

[John_Havok]

Boston is my favourite city in the U.S. and I prefer it a lot more to NYC as well. I like NYC don't get me wrong, though its super busy and filled with tourists. I was in Boston at the end of October for a Bruins and Pats game, and loved it! I went to Fenway in 2009 to see the Jays play which was awesome as well. Overall, its a great city with everything - awesome areas, history, sports, nightlife, food etc. Less busier and less expensive than NYC. You can't go wrong.

 

I loved my short stay in Boston in 2013 as well. Very nice city

[burlingtonbandit]

Was looking at the dates I'll be there, and I'm deciding to fly in a couple days earlier and leave a couple of days later to catch a game at Dodgers Stadium and Angels Stadium. San Diego is only an hour and a half drive from LA, so I figured why not knock off all those 3 then.

 

That sounds awesome. Lots of other stuff to do in the area besides baseball too.

[JaysFan4Ever]

I only like about 85-88 mins north of NYC via commuter train so I'm no help with hotels but like mentioned the further away from Manhattan you get the cheaper. You might want to even try some in Westchester county (Sleepy Hollow haha). They might jack the prices up big time though for opening night. I was at a Yankee game this summer with a friend for his birthday and we paid $22 a ticket for the grandstands in the 406 section. High up but not bad for the price considering it's NYY. We could see everything except the RF corner.

[jaysblue]

That sounds awesome. Lots of other stuff to do in the area besides baseball too.

 

I've done all the tourist stuff in LA before (Universal Studios, Disneyland, Hollywood Blvd. etc). I wouldn't mind maybe catching a show of Conan or Jimmy Kimmel haha. I heard Dodgers Stadium is a pain to get to though...is that true?

[jaysblue]

I only like about 85-88 mins north of NYC via commuter train so I'm no help with hotels but like mentioned the further away from Manhattan you get the cheaper. You might want to even try some in Westchester county (Sleepy Hollow haha). They might jack the prices up big time though for opening night. I was at a Yankee game this summer with a friend for his birthday and we paid $22 a ticket for the grandstands in the 406 section. High up but not bad for the price considering it's NYY. We could see everything except the RF corner.

 

Next time I go to NYC, I'll likely stay in Newark or Queens. I've done all the tourist stuff in Manhattan (Times Square, Central Park, Empire State Building, Broadway etc). I'll probably go back again for the US Open, and usually I'm just at Flushing Meadows all day anyways watching tennis, or a baseball game later at Citi or Yankees Stadium. Plus its easy to get into the city from Queens or Newark. Light rail commuter trains are only like 15-20 mins and take you right into Central or Penn Station.

[Ultimate]

I envy you guys. Living in Calgary. The closest MLB action is 12 hours away in Seattle.

 

You don't need to waste 200-250 on a Manhattan hotel, Check out airbnb and you can get a condo for less thats better. PM me if you want a discount link.

[TheHurl]

I heard Dodgers Stadium is a pain to get to though...is that true?

 

Easy to get to, terrible to get out of. Think of a full dome, everyone in one parking lot...and most going to the Gardiner after. That's what it was like when I was there 1997. I know they have re-opened another gate this season and push for people to take public transit.

[burlingtonbandit]

I've done all the tourist stuff in LA before (Universal Studios, Disneyland, Hollywood Blvd. etc). I wouldn't mind maybe catching a show of Conan or Jimmy Kimmel haha. I heard Dodgers Stadium is a pain to get to though...is that true?

 

Never been to Dodgers Stadium. Just Qualcom in SD or w.e it was called. I went over 15 years ago so its been a while.

[TheHurl]

Never been to Dodgers Stadium. Just Qualcom in SD or w.e it was called. I went over 15 years ago so its been a while.

 

Same here (17 years ago to be exact) loved that stadium and city, so much less busy than LA. Only issue I had was staying in Palm Springs for that 3 week trip it we had two highway issues with border patrol stopping every car on a highway. One was a 3 hour delay.

[jaysblue]

Easy to get to, terrible to get out of. Think of a full dome, everyone in one parking lot...and most going to the Gardiner after. That's what it was like when I was there 1997. I know they have re-opened another gate this season and push for people to take public transit.

 

If I can get to Dodgers Stadium easily by public transit, then thats good enough for me!