Some tailgating tips from a Rutgers fan who has been at Yankee Stadium for the 3 or 4 times Rutgers has played there, including the Pinstripe Bowl vs Notre Dame a few years ago.
IF you are driving there, and plan on tailgating , the absolute BEST place to tailgate is on the Roof of the 161St parking deck, right across the street from the stadium. It is 4 levels, including a basement level, go in, drive straight upstairs. Should be able to get a spot up to 2 hours prior to kickoff. There is a site you can prepay as well.
Nice 360 degree views of The Stadium, McCombs Dam park where both marching bands will be warming up, the East River, Manhattan, and the Empire St building. Here is a pic from this spot:
Map where to find this lot (pinned with Red letter A)
click on map to enlarge:
If you are tailgating in Midtown Manhatten, then take the 'D'Subway, it is an express , and will get you to Yankee Stadium in about 20 minutes. There are bars right across the street from the Stadium , The Dugout and Billys are the popular , touristy ones, but will be lively with fans.Coming back the subways will be PACKED, and you will be waiting for while. Taking an Uber (independent ride share) might be the better option going back.
NYC , especially Manhatten is expensive. Some tips for cheap/free things to do:
1. Staten Island Ferry- round trip from lower Manhattan to Staten Island and back is 50 cents or a buck. Beautiful views including the Statue of Liberty , Ellis Island, and coming back the NYC skyline.
Plus you can buy tall cans of Fosters Lager for about $2, lol
2 . Free- Walk the Hi Line-, and elevated Railroad track, converted to a Green Park, along the Hudson River that runs for about a mile, in /near the West part of Greenwich Village.
3- In the East 50s, take the Tram, which is basicall a Cable Car to crosses the East River from Manhatten to Governors Island and back. Very cheap, best time is at dusk, the views with the buildings lit up is excellent.
4- For a few more bucks , have a drink on a roof top bar, some are heated even though outside, for some awesome views. These bars the drinks are not cheap. Have 1 for the experience.
Bunch of them listed here:
http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/best-rooftop-bars-in-nyc#7
5-Hit the Intrepid Air Craft Carrier /Museum. Docked in the Hudson River in MIdtown Manahattan. Pretty reasonable and a memorable visit.
6-If taking the round trip Ferry that I mentioned above, when coming back walk a few blocks to get a close up free view of the One World Trade, and the reflecting pools outside that commemorate the victims of 9/11. Very sombering.
7- Dozens of great areas to walk around for free and see. Times Square, Grand Central Station , Central Park, West Village (Greenwich Village) , Soho, East Village, Chinatown, Little Itally (visit Mario Battali's EATALY,a huge emporium w great food, Battali a RU alum), Wall Street, Central Park (go to the Waldorf Astoria bar and have a drink or just walk in and walk around), Rockefellar Center Christmas Tree of course. Drink at the Top of the Rock (not cheap but great views), Lower East Side, South Street Seaport, Upper East Side, etc etc etc
Have fun and good luck.
IF you are driving there, and plan on tailgating , the absolute BEST place to tailgate is on the Roof of the 161St parking deck, right across the street from the stadium. It is 4 levels, including a basement level, go in, drive straight upstairs. Should be able to get a spot up to 2 hours prior to kickoff. There is a site you can prepay as well.
Nice 360 degree views of The Stadium, McCombs Dam park where both marching bands will be warming up, the East River, Manhattan, and the Empire St building. Here is a pic from this spot:
Map where to find this lot (pinned with Red letter A)
click on map to enlarge:
If you are tailgating in Midtown Manhatten, then take the 'D'Subway, it is an express , and will get you to Yankee Stadium in about 20 minutes. There are bars right across the street from the Stadium , The Dugout and Billys are the popular , touristy ones, but will be lively with fans.Coming back the subways will be PACKED, and you will be waiting for while. Taking an Uber (independent ride share) might be the better option going back.
NYC , especially Manhatten is expensive. Some tips for cheap/free things to do:
1. Staten Island Ferry- round trip from lower Manhattan to Staten Island and back is 50 cents or a buck. Beautiful views including the Statue of Liberty , Ellis Island, and coming back the NYC skyline.
Plus you can buy tall cans of Fosters Lager for about $2, lol
2 . Free- Walk the Hi Line-, and elevated Railroad track, converted to a Green Park, along the Hudson River that runs for about a mile, in /near the West part of Greenwich Village.
3- In the East 50s, take the Tram, which is basicall a Cable Car to crosses the East River from Manhatten to Governors Island and back. Very cheap, best time is at dusk, the views with the buildings lit up is excellent.
4- For a few more bucks , have a drink on a roof top bar, some are heated even though outside, for some awesome views. These bars the drinks are not cheap. Have 1 for the experience.
Bunch of them listed here:
http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/best-rooftop-bars-in-nyc#7
5-Hit the Intrepid Air Craft Carrier /Museum. Docked in the Hudson River in MIdtown Manahattan. Pretty reasonable and a memorable visit.
6-If taking the round trip Ferry that I mentioned above, when coming back walk a few blocks to get a close up free view of the One World Trade, and the reflecting pools outside that commemorate the victims of 9/11. Very sombering.
7- Dozens of great areas to walk around for free and see. Times Square, Grand Central Station , Central Park, West Village (Greenwich Village) , Soho, East Village, Chinatown, Little Itally (visit Mario Battali's EATALY,a huge emporium w great food, Battali a RU alum), Wall Street, Central Park (go to the Waldorf Astoria bar and have a drink or just walk in and walk around), Rockefellar Center Christmas Tree of course. Drink at the Top of the Rock (not cheap but great views), Lower East Side, South Street Seaport, Upper East Side, etc etc etc
Have fun and good luck.
Last edited:
