Wrigley Field Guide
For any baseball fan (or at least any who isn’t a fan of the White Sox) attending a Cubs game at Wrigley Field is a “must-do” while in Chicago. If rooting on the Cubbies is on your Chicago agenda, here’s what you need to know about getting tickets, getting in, and eating, drinking, and sleeping in Wrigleyville.
Chicago is home to two Major League Baseball teams – the Chicago White Sox, who are based out on the south side, and the Chicago Cubs, who make their home in the north side’s Wrigley Field.
Wrigley Field is the 2nd oldest baseball stadium still in use. It was built in 1914 and seats about 40,000 people. It’s located at Addison and Clark, in the area now known as Wrigleyville, at the Addison Red Line stop (which is about a 15-20 minute ride from the Loop).
Eating and drinking at Wrigley
Sometimes it isn’t clear what the real draw of Wrigley is for many people – is it the chance to watch the Cubs play, or the opportunity to get rip-roaring drunk in the middle of the day? After games, the area around the stadium gets notoriously packed with people who’ve clearly been enjoying a few beers during the game. If you want to be one of them, you’ll have plenty of options.
The new Captain Morgan Club is an indoor/outdoor venue offering food and drinks to both ticket holders and non-attendees, so if you want to be close to the action but don’t have a ticket, or are attending the game but meeting up with friends, it’s a good option. Other dining and drinking choices inside the stadium include beers, mixed and frozen drinks, hot dogs, pizzas, bratwursts, burgers, salads, pretzels, chips, candy, and ice cream – basically all your ballpark favorites.
House rules
Alcoholic beverages will not be sold after the 8th inning during day games or after the 7th inning (or 9:20 p.m.) for night games. Children under 2 are free if they sit on the adult’s lap. Guests are allowed to bring in one liter of factory-sealed bottled water in a soft-sided cooler, but glass bottles, alcohol, and hard coolers are prohibited. Bags will be checked upon entering; re-entry is not allowed.
Fans are permitted to keep foul balls and home runs hit into occupied seating areas as souvenirs; however, fans are not allowed to enter the playing area or interfere with the game. Tailgating is not allowed at Wrigley and police will enforce open container laws.
Tickets and tours
Tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket window at Wrigley Field. Games to sell out and scalping (though prevalent) is illegal, so it’s highly recommended that you buy tickets as far in advance as possible.
Tours of Wrigley Field are available daily from April to October for $25 each and must be purchased in advance.
Rooftops
One of the most unique features of Wrigley Field is the rooftops that were built in the last 15 years on the buildings across the street. Because one side of the stadium is much lower than the others, people sitting on bleachers on these rooftops are afforded an unobstructed view of the field. Tickets for the rooftops are very expensive – about $100 per person – but include unlimited food and drink. These tickets are also usually more easily attainable than regular stadium tickets, so if Wrigley is sold out and you’re set on seeing a game, consider one of the rooftops.
Hotels Near Wrigley Field
Visitors coming to Chicago to attend a Cubs game often want to stay close to the stadium, and if your main purpose for visiting is to explore the area around Wrigley Field, this is a good option.
However, there aren’t as many hotels in this area, and thanks to a cheap and efficient public transportation system, it’s easy to get from the downtown area to Wrigleyville, so staying in this area isn’t a necessity and in fact, if you plan on exploring Chicago, it makes more sense to stay at a hotel near Michigan Avenue. But, if you want to stay at a hotel near Wrigley Field, here are a few options.
Best Western Hawthorne Terrace
Located on Broadway between Addison and Belmont, the Best Western Hawthorne Terrace is less than a 10-minute walk from the ballpark. It’s close to lots of shops and restaurants; the Red Line is nearby and multiple bus routes run up and down the street.
Days Inn Chicago
The Days Inn is situated on the north end of Lincoln Park, on Clark at Belmont. From here, guests have easy access to the Lakefront, Lincoln Park, and lots of dining and drinking options. It takes about 10-15 minutes to walk to Wrigley Field from the hotel.
City Suites Hotel
From the City Suites Hotel, the Belmont Red Line station (from which the Addison station is one stop away) is less than two minutes’ walk; the ballpark is another 10-15 minutes by foot, past plenty of restaurants, bars and shops. Downtown is about 10-15 minutes via el.
Majestic Hotel
The Majestic is tucked off a side street, steps from the Lake and near Addison in Lakeview. It’s less than 10 minutes by foot to Wrigley Field and multiple buses pass by and take about 15 minutes to reach Michigan Avenue downtown.
Windy City Urban Inn
For a more homey feel, check out the Windy City Urban Inn, located in a Victorian home on a side street in Lincoln Park. Apartment rooms offer full kitchens, and the location is close to Clark and Fullerton, about 10-15 minutes by el to both downtown to the south and Wrigley Field to the north.
Old Chicago Inn
The Old Chicago Inn is another bed and breakfast option near Wrigley. Four blocks south of the field, it is situated on Sheffield at Belmont, just steps from the el station.