Seeing a Red Sox vs. Yankees game at Yankee Stadium is about as iconic as it gets – the ultimate matchup in one of the sport’s most legendary venues. My first reaction stepping inside was, “Are we in Rome?” With its towering light-colored limestone exterior and massive scale, the place feels more like a modern Colosseum than a ballpark – which, to be fair, fits a team that’s long ruled the baseball world. Located in the Bronx, the stadium requires a decent subway ride from Manhattan, but the sheer grandeur and sense of history make it well worth the trip. Inside, it’s packed with nods to Yankee legends throughout – from the Great Hall’s tribute banners to the Yankees Museum and its jaw-dropping “Ball Wall.” While we didn’t get to sample the concessions inside, the area is lined with street vendors (can’t go wrong with a classic NYC gyro). The energy during the game was electric, with passionate but surprisingly friendly fans filling the stands. It may be new, but Yankee Stadium still manages to feel like hallowed ground.

Design

I’m a little sad we never got to see the original Yankee Stadium, but the new park definitely incorporates some of its classic features. The most striking homage is the replica frieze that lines the upper decks. The grandstand seating stretching past the foul poles and the bleachers beyond the outfield fences also echo the design of the old stadium. Constructed with light-colored limestone, the stadium feels enormous – almost Roman in its scale and design.

Yankees history is everywhere. With more World Series titles than any other team, they have no shortage of legends to celebrate. The Great Hall between Gates 4 and 6 proudly showcases banners honoring superstar Yankees, and it sets the tone the moment you walk in.

With the stadium’s massive size, navigating between levels was a bit tricky, so we mostly stayed in our seats. There isn’t much of a view beyond the ballpark itself, but you’ll find a huge scoreboard (unsurprisingly filled with ads) dominating the outfield.

Location

The stadium is located in the Bronx, requiring a fairly long subway ride from downtown Manhattan. We chose the subway over driving, since parking near the stadium is likely a hassle. The area around the stadium has several street vendors and a McDonald’s, but beyond that, nothing particularly memorable stood out to us.

Concessions

For budget-friendly eats, we grabbed food before heading into the stadium. There are plenty of street vendors outside, and I went with a gyro – my favorite and a classic NYC street food.

Unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to try any of the stadium’s signature offerings. Inside, they have full-service spots like a Steakhouse and a Hard Rock Cafe, which isn’t too surprising given the upscale vibe.

Amenities

I’m sure there are plenty of premium suites and high-end experiences available, but we didn’t have an opportunity to explore those on our visit. We also missed out on some of the other amenities like the party decks. That said, the restrooms, seating areas, and team store were all spacious and upscale – just what you’d expect at Yankee Stadium.

One highlight we did catch was the Yankees Museum, located near Gate 6 on the lower level, which is included with admission. Its centerpiece, the “Ball Wall,” displays hundreds of baseballs autographed by Yankees players throughout the years.

Culture

We caught a Red Sox vs. Yankees game, so the energy in the stadium was electric, with passionate fans on both sides. Surprisingly, everyone was pretty friendly and good-natured, even amid the rivalry. Unfortunately, we didn’t spot Dandy, the Yankees’ mascot – maybe next time!

Here’s a single by our buddy, Carlos Beltran. He went 3 for 4 with a HR and double as well.

Summary & Scoring

Date Visited: April 13, 2014
Game Played: Yankees 3, Red Sox 2 – Beltran had a HR, double, and 2 RBIs. Box Score
Design:  – Roman-like architecture with frieze and grandstands akin to old Yankee Stadium
Location: – In the Bronx, a ways from Manhattan and downtown NY
Concessions: – Lots of fine dining inside or cheap vendor eats right outside the stadium
Amenities: – Many extras that we didn’t get to experience
Culture:  – Energetic matchup between the Yankees and Red Sox
Overall:  – Majestic Roman-inspired stadium with Yankee history prominently displayed and strong fan-base