Fenway Park

A new banner was flapping in the breeze here after the Red Sox’s come-from-behind race to win the 2004 World Series, after 86 years of trying. While the high of that victory has infused Fenway Park (4 Yawkey Way, 617/226-6666, www.redsox.com [1], $12 adults, $11 seniors and students, $10 children) with a new energy, Fenway has long been one of the most electric places to catch the national pastime.

First opened in 1912, Fenway has a soul that none of the more modern parks can match. For the uninitiated, the geography of the park—with its Green Monster, Pesky’s Pole, and Ted Williams’ seat—can seem more complicated than many whole cities.

Thankfully, true believers lead tours of Fenway Park daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or until three hours before the game). As good as those tours may be, however, nothing quite beats taking a seat in the bleachers, grabbing a Budweiser, and waiting for the first crack of the bat.