Every baseball season the legacy, history and sense of tradition inspires Jays fans from across Canada to make the pilgrimage to Yankee Stadium in New York. Without a doubt the home of the Yankees is one of the most iconic sports venues in the world. To help you get the most out of your visit to the ballpark and the city, here’s everything you need to know for planning a Toronto Blue Jays travel package to Yankee Stadium in New York, including some great Yankees trivia:
-
Founded in 1901, the Yankees have won a record 27 World Series championships—more than any other major league baseball club.
-
A 138-foot-long Louisville Slugger baseball bat sculpture stands outside the stadium to commemorate the most revered Yankee of them all, Babe Ruth.
-
The main entrance to Yankee Stadium is called The Great Hall. This open-air concourse with high ceilings boasts historical displays about the Yankees.
-
Beyond the centre-field wall is Monument Park, where there are plaques, monuments, and jerseys honoring Yankees legends.
The first 3 things to do when planning your Toronto Blue Jays travel package to New York
1. Book your accommodations and flight
By booking your flight and hotel accommodations at the same time you will save money. To do this we suggest using Expedia. There are a few reasons why:
- The Expedia booking platform is simple and easy to use.
- By bundling your flight and hotel purchase on Expedia you can save an average of $600.
- When you sign up and become an Expedia member (it’s free) you will earn rewards points on both flight and accommodation bookings. You can then use these points to reduce the cost of booking flights and hotels for your next Toronto Blue Jays travel package.
- As an Expedia member you will save an additional 10% on select hotel accommodations.
To book your accommodation and flight at the same time go to the Expedia website. On the home page, click on “Packages” which is displayed in the main menu. (Don’t forget to sign in so you can earn your rewards points.) 
A few New York hotel suggestions near Yankee Stadium
Here are some hotel accommodations to consider for your Toronto Blue Jays game at Yankee Stadium. Some of the suggestions we have are within walking distance of the field and others are just a quick subway ride away.
Within walking distance. Opera House Hotel (4.5/5 on TripAdvisor): Situated in the South Bronx, this hotel is set in an historic building and features comfortable accommodations.
Less than a mile away. Courtyard by Marriott New York Bronx (4/5 on TripAdvisor): Offers modern amenities, comfortable rooms, and easy access to the subway for exploring other parts of New York City.
Great views. Edge Hotel (4/5 on TripAdvisor): Located in Washington Heights, a short subway ride away from Yankee Stadium. Offers modern rooms and beautiful views of the Hudson River and the George Washington Bridge.
Short ride in. Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton New York Bronx Terminal Market (4.5/5 on TripAdvisor): Located near the Bronx Terminal Market. Comfortably appointed rooms. It’s a short drive or subway ride to Yankee Stadium.
Prefer boutique-style? The Bronx Guest House (4.5/5 on TripAdvisor): A hotel with a more intimate atmosphere. Uniquely decorated rooms.
Head to Harlem. Aloft Harlem (4/5 on TripAdvisor): Ideal if you prefer a stylish, contemporary stay. Located in the historic Harlem neighborhood. Short subway ride to the stadium.
Seeing more than one game? Residence Inn by Marriott New York The Bronx at Metro Center Atrium (5/5 on TripAdvisor): An extended-stay hotel situated in the Bronx. Spacious suites with kitchenettes to help save on the cost of meals if you’re organizing a multi-game travel package to watch the Jays play at Yankee Stadium.
2. Buy your tickets to the game
If you’re planning to see a game at Yankee Stadium in New York, you’re going to the mecca of baseball in the United States of America. Whether they’re playing a long-time rival like the Boston Red Sox or your beloved Toronto Blue Jays, a Yankees game is always a hot ticket. Therefore buy your tickets well in advance of your excursion. To purchase tickets visit the New York Yankees website or use a reseller like Stubhub or SeatGeek.
Seating suggestions for your Jays vs. Yankees game at Yankee Stadium
Need help deciding on what seats to purchase for your Blue Jays road trip to Yankee Stadium game? Here are a few ideas:
-
Most affordable ticket: Standing Room Only tickets. If you want a cheap seat, the upper level Grandstand is your most affordable option. Cheapest day to buy tickets? Mondays to Thursdays are generally less expensive than Friday to Sunday games.
-
Catch-a-home-run ticket: The bleacher seats in right field (Sections 203-204). They stretch from right field to left center.
-
Avoid the sun ticket: Main level, third base side (Sections 112-128) typically provide the most shade at the New York Yankees’ baseball stadium.
-
Splurge: Legends Seats. First few rows behind home plate and along baselines.
3. A tour and a cool experience at Yankee Stadium to include in your Toronto Blue Jays travel package
Pregame Tour: Visiting Yankee Stadium wouldn’t be complete without a tour.
The Pregame Tour of Yankee Stadium only takes place prior to Yankee home games. Note: this tour is only available for purchase if you have a valid New York Yankees game ticket for the date of the selected tour.
On this guided tour you get access to the park prior to the gates opening to the public. You’ll hear stories and learn about the history of both Yankee Stadium and the New York Yankees. Tour stops include the New York Yankees Museum, Monument Park and Section 105 where you get to view batting practice–don’t forget your glove!
Hands on History experience: If you’re not only a Jays fan but also an avid baseball fan you will find the Hands on History experience especially exciting. It gives you the opportunity to hold and take pictures with historic New York Yankees artifacts. Items like Babe Ruth’s bat, Mickey Mantle’s glove, Derek Jeter’s jersey and various World Series rings. Very cool.
Things to do before your Jays game at Yankee Stadium in New York
See the New York Yankees Museum
Checking out the New York Yankees Museum should be included in your itinerary when planning a Toronto Blue Jays travel package to Yankee Stadium.
The museum is located inside the ballpark on the Main Level, near section 210. It is home to items such as authentic World Series trophies, rings from every Yankees championship dating back to 1923, over 800 autographed baseballs, and displays featuring jerseys worn by Yankee all-time greats. There’s even the locker of Thurman Munson, who died tragically in a mid-season plane crash back in 1979.
Entry to the New York Yankees Museum is free for game-day guests with a valid game ticket. If you take a Pregame Tour of the New York Yankees baseball stadium, a stop at the museum is included in the tour.
JAYS FAN INSIDER TIP: The museum is only open during Yankee home games. The doors open 90 minutes before first pitch and close at the end of the 8th inning.
Include time for Monument Park when visiting Yankee Stadium
On the other side of the centrefield wall in Yankee Stadium is Monument Park.
Here you’ll find a series of plaques and monuments commemorating the greatest names in Yankees’ history. Players include Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Reggie Jackson, Billy Martin, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, and more. No other team in major league baseball has more retired numbers than the New York Yankees.
During a visit to Monument Park, you can’t help but feel a sense of regality for the New York Yankees and the legendary names that played for them.
Entry to Monument Park is free for game-day guests with a valid game ticket. If you take a Pregame Tour of Yankee Stadium, a stop at the park is included in the tour.
JAYS FAN INSIDER TIP: Monument Park opens when the ballpark gates open, 2 hours before first pitch. The park closes 45 minutes prior to first pitch. In other words you can only visit the park before your Jays vs. Yankees game NOT during or after the game.
What time is batting practice at the Yankee stadium?
If you would like to watch batting practice at Yankee Stadium plan to arrive at the ballpark right when it opens, typically 2 hours before game time.
As the home team, the New York Yankees usually take batting practice 3 to 4 hours before the game. Therefore, if you do attend batting practice it will most likely be the Toronto Blue Jays that you see taking their cuts in the cage.
JAYS FAN INSIDER TIP: The timing of when batting practice will take place can change depending on the start time of your Jays game at Yankee Stadium and whether it’s a day or nighttime battle. To be sure of when batting practice will take place give the stadium a call before you head over to the ballpark.
Best place for autographs at Yankee Stadium
Getting the autograph of a Jays or Yankees player makes for a memorable moment when you visit Yankee Stadium. To help make that happen, here are a few locations you should hang out at the ballpark.
- Batting practice: make your way down to the seating area that’s at field level.
- Along the foul lines: prior to game time players tend to walk down the edge of the field when they are coming and going to the field to warm up or field balls during batting practice.
- Near the dugout: if you get lucky, a player may stop and sign an autograph before they head out of or into the dugout.
Don’t forget epic selfies as part of your Toronto Blue Jays travel package to Yankee Stadium in New York
With the New York Yankees being such a historic major league baseball franchise and Yankee Stadium being such an iconic ballpark, there are a multitude of selfie-worthy locations for pictures. Here are a few of our favorite suggestions to add to your Yankee Stadium experience:
- Outside the main entrance: with its iconic look, the front entrance to Yankee Stadium is a fantastic selfie spot.
- Outside with the statues in Heritage Park: take a pic beside the statues of legendary Yankees Mickey Mantle and Joe Dimaggio.
- The majestic Great Hall: there’s no grander setting for a picture at Yankee Stadium than the inside entry area known as The Grand Hall.
- Centre field bleachers: take a selfie here with the field and the stadium’s icon façade in the background.
- World Series Trophies, Babe Ruth’s Bat, Mickey Mantle’s Glove: Selfies with all of these items are possible when you visit the New York Yankees Museum located in the stadium.
- Monument Park: take a picture beside one of the many plaques honoring past Yankee greats.
Things to see and do between innings
4 ballpark foods to put on your must-try list
Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs: Classic dawg of New York. Created over 100 years ago in Coney Island, these 100% beef dogs are still made following the original recipe.
Soft Pretzels: Another long-time, New York street food favourite. Don’t forget the mustard.
Bacon on a Stick: A thick-cut strip of bacon cooked to perfection. There’s never a bad time for bacon!
Pinstripe Pilsner: A locally brewed beer that pairs well with ballpark snacks.
Shop for a souvenir of your Toronto Blue Jays vacation package to New York
Complete your visit to Yankee Stadium by including souvenir shopping at the Yankees Team Store.
Located at 1 E 161 Street in the Bronx, the Yankees Team Store is a treasure trove of New York Yankees keepsakes:
- Game-Used Memorabilia: baseballs, bats, and other equipment used in actual Yankees games.
- Yankees Caps: including special edition and unique designs that may not be available elsewhere.
- Commemorative Baseballs: collectible baseballs marking special occasions, milestones, or historic moments in Yankees history.
- Stadium-exclusive Items: such as limited-edition merchandise and collectibles that you can only find at Yankee Stadium.
- Yankees Collectible Pins: featuring Yankees logos, players, and designs.
- Autographed Memorabilia: autographed items such as baseballs, photos, and jerseys signed by current and former Yankees players.
After-the-game plans to include in your Blue Jays road trip itinerary
4 restaurant recommends near Yankee Stadium
If all that ballpark grub wasn’t enough to satisfy your appetite here are a few restaurants to try after enjoying your Jays game at Yankee Stadium.
Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant: Located in the Bronx’s Little Italy, Giovanni’s offers a taste of authentic Italian cuisine and a cozy atmosphere reminiscent of an Italian trattoria.
Xochimilco Family Restaurant: This Mexican restaurant offers a variety of Mexican dishes, including tacos, enchiladas, and burritos.
La Casa Del Mofongo: A taste of the Caribbean right in the Bronx. Known for its mofongo, a traditional Dominican dish made with fried green plantains mashed with garlic and other ingredients. The restaurant’s lively ambiance and authentic Dominican cuisine make it a unique dining experience.
Pio Pio: This Peruvian restaurant is known for its delicious rotisserie chicken and the famous green sauce.
4 sports bars near the New York Yankees ballpark
What better way to celebrate watching a Jays vs. Yankees game at Yankee Stadium than by having a pint at an authentic New York sports bar. Here are four great spots where you can raise a glass to crossing off your latest bucket list item.
Yankee Tavern: a historic sports bar and restaurant with ties to the New York Yankees dating back to the early 1900s. The restaurant is known for its baseball memorabilia, including photos and autographs.
Stan’s Sports Bar: Known for its close proximity to the New York Yankees baseball stadium and its outdoor seating area, where fans gather to enjoy drinks and food before heading to the game.
Billy’s Sports Bar: Within walking distance of Yankee Stadium, it has an extensive beer selection, multiple large screens, and sports memorabilia.
Dugout Bar & Grill: Near Yankee Stadium. Offers game-day specials.
Other things to add to your Toronto Blue Jays vacation package to New York
Yankee Stadium is located in the greatest city in the world, New York, a city with endless things to see and do. Whether visiting Yankee Stadium involves one day or many days in New York, here a few activities and destinations to consider as part of your plans.
Attend a New York Mets game: Go watch New York’s other major league baseball team play at Citi Field. Check Stubhub or SeatGeek for tickets.
Watch another major league sporting event: Depending on the season, you could catch an NFL football game, NBA basketball game, NHL hockey game or even a tennis match in New York City. Check Stubhub or SeatGeek for tickets.
Take a Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour: Get to know your way around the city and all about New York City’s many sights and stories.
Save over 40% on five NYC Attractions with a City Pass: See the Empire State Building, the American Museum of Natural History plus your choice of 3 more attractions.
Central Park: Take a leisurely stroll or bike ride through Central Park, one of the most iconic urban parks in the world.
Times Square: Experience the bright lights and excitement of Times Square, known for its theatres, restaurants, and vibrant atmosphere.
A Broadway show: See the latest Broadway production at one of the city’s renowned theaters.
Empire State Building: Visit the observation deck of this iconic structure and take in the breathtaking views of the city skyline. It’s especially beautiful at night.
Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island: Take a ferry to Liberty Island to see the Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom, and explore Ellis Island, a historic immigration museum.
Museums: New York City boasts world-class museums, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the American Museum of Natural History, and the Guggenheim Museum.
Brooklyn Bridge: Walk across one of the world’s most recognizable and iconic bridges.
Plus, I would suggest checking Groupon and Viator for more money-save discounts on things to see and do in New York City. 
Enjoy your Toronto Blue Jays travel package to Yankee Stadium in New York!
Photo Credit: Chanan Greenblatt
