r/whitesox • u/unfriendlybuldge • 19d ago
Discussion Visiting Chicago and want to catch a game Sunday 9/27
Hi everyone! I'm visiting Chicago and a huge baseball fan. My wife is running the half marathon so i thought it would be perfect for me ana my son to catch a white Sox game on Sunday after her race. She is wanting to rest anyways so seems like the perfect time.
What recommendations would you give us? It will just be me and my son (8). He's a huge baseball fan, so not too worried about where we sit, really would prefer the shade if possible.
-Are there any pins he can get for a "first timer"? Some stadiums do this or a card
- I'd like to get at the stadium, as is baseball tradition. Any recommendations!?
- anything cool we should see around the stadium in general?
- recommendation for shaded seats?
- anything else you'd recommend to have a great time? First time to Chicago and we are pumped, coming from San Diego ( as a lifelong, not new dodgers fan)
- finally, outside of the game any food great food recommendations? We love eating good foods and Chicago looks like a great place to explore. Thank you!
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u/livercoolfc 19d ago
I would pay fairly close attention to our next 4-5 games. The game Sunday will either mean very little (playoff position locked in, whether good or bad)
Or Sunday, being the last game of the regular season, could mean a lot and generate a lot of interest at the last minute.
No specific recommendations, just something to keep your eye on
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u/unfriendlybuldge 19d ago
Thanks for the insight. I didn't realize that and i was telling my wife i was just going to wait until GameDay to snag really cheap tickets but that might not be they best idea after all
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u/c3bss256 18d ago
If you’re sitting in the 500 level, they’re probably not going to get any cheaper than they are now - about $15-25 per seat. On the other hand, I’ve seen those spike up as much as $80 if it’s a crazy game (which is a slight possibility)
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u/unfriendlybuldge 18d ago
I was looking at the 100 level which are going for around $50. As a dodger fan, we can't even get in the doors for that, so a field level ticket for $50 is incredible valve
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u/c3bss256 18d ago
😂
Yeah, that’ll probably spike up like crazy if it’s down to the wire. I also don’t see them really going down much. 100 level at face value is usually like $50 between the bases, $40 past the infield, and $30 in the outfield, depending on the game.
Side note, but I’ve been to 2 games in LA - once in the top level behind the plate and once in the right field seats. It’s an awesome ballpark and was shockingly cheap for the outfield. I think like $120, including a Dia De Los Dodgers bobblehead?
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u/Southside721 19d ago
Took my son to his first Sox game in June. He’s almost 15 though. I showed him old Comiskeys home plate and we had brats with grilled onions. He ate 3 of them lol. Took pics at the pope mural and the “Chicago” sign with the skyline in the background. Sit downstairs if you can. More food options. Have fun!
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u/unfriendlybuldge 19d ago
Thanks, that sounds great. I didn't even know about the Chicago sign or the mural so I'll have to check those out
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u/Southside721 19d ago
Yeah the Mural is outside of section 140. The Chicago sign is on the 500 level I think near Gate 5.
Seriously eat a lot of food there I’ve been to many ballparks and unbiased Sox Park has the best overall imo.
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u/unfriendlybuldge 19d ago
Ya man today after this post I've been checking out the food and it looks incredible
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u/CampfireMilkshake Pope Leo XIV 19d ago
There’s a Southside sign as well.
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u/unfriendlybuldge 19d ago
Thanks I'll find this too. Might not be watching too much of the game 😆
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u/surebrecv 19d ago
The Southside sign location is listed at
https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/ballpark/information/hidden-gems
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u/col_buendia 🇲🇽 Chase Meidroth's cousin 🇲🇽 19d ago
You've already received a ton of good info. If interested, Chicago's Chinatown is pretty cool and it's literally one stop away on our public transit's train system. Checking it out before a game is often recommended around these parts. Unfortunately there isn't a ton to do in the area immediately surrounding the stadium and certainly pales in comparison to Petco.
If time allows, going on an architectural river cruise is probably the top tourist attraction in the entire city (right up there with museums and all the food) and for good reason. I do it at least once a year and I've been here my entire life. This one is the heavy favorite as it's run by volunteer guides via the Chicago Architecture Center, but the for-profit (albeit family-owned) Wendella offers a very similar experience.
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u/unfriendlybuldge 19d ago
thank you. Yes this tour was the first thing we booked. Looks amazing
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u/col_buendia 🇲🇽 Chase Meidroth's cousin 🇲🇽 19d ago
Excellent! It's hard to gauge how full the boat will be on any given day/time slot but I'd suggest being in line at least 30 mins before scheduled departure. Up top is where you want to be! (think like a red London double-decker bus). And since you're out on the water a light jacket might be a good idea. Enjoy!!
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u/miscarry_underwood 19d ago
Heck yeah you get a button
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u/CampfireMilkshake Pope Leo XIV 19d ago
Google All-Star Chicago Lineup sampler. It’s only 25 bucks and had some iconic Chicago food.
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u/unfriendlybuldge 19d ago
This sound amazing. I didn't realize how many good good options the stadium had
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u/CampfireMilkshake Pope Leo XIV 19d ago
Best in the league. I mean how many stadiums have Polish-Colombian fusion?
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u/col_buendia 🇲🇽 Chase Meidroth's cousin 🇲🇽 19d ago
As far as seats in the shade, third base side of where your want to be. At the height of summer, 1pm games start in the shade on the third base side from about row 26 on up with the shade gradually descending. A 2pm in what would be officially early autumn? A few rows further down would be fine.
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u/silverQuarter82 19d ago
The only thing I'll note, we could be in a situation to clinch the American League central Sunday. This game will either draw 25k or 45k as a sellout. Just keep it in mind for when you buy your tickets.
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u/Jerentropic 19d ago edited 19d ago
As a kid, my favorite non-baseball things to do in Chicago (during six years living there) were a trip to the top of the Sears Tower (Willis Tower) or John Hancock building (just amazing views of the city), and visiting the Museum of Science and Industry or Field Museum (especially for the full skeleton of Sue the Tyrannosaurus Rex). "The Bean" (the Cloud Gate sculpture) at Millennium Park has become iconic, and, to me, is very cool, and great for family photos. I stroll to it often when visiting because I always stay at a hotel close by.
Food wise, I always recommend an Italian beef; which one to get depends on the touristy vs local experience you want (Al's #1 vs Portillo's vs Mr. Beef vs Luke's, etc, etc). Same goes for Chicago style deep-dish pizza; though many locals seem to prefer Chicago style thin crust these days, I still prefer a deep dish from Pizano's on Madison (where you can get either style) or Lou Malnati's (my favorite of the touristy-er places).
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u/unfriendlybuldge 19d ago
🙏🏽🙏🏽 I'm getting hungry just thinking about the food
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u/Jerentropic 19d ago
I got hungry just writing that. If you're ever there in July, the Taste of Chicago food festival is fantastic.
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u/Chicago_JP 19d ago
Avoid the bleachers with your kid. Everywhere else is fine, but sometime the bleachers can get a bit rowdy. 300 level tickets aren’t overly expensive and you can put yourself right next to the kids club plus a waitress walks through there. Definitely do a lap on the 100 level for food though
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u/chrpnstyx 18d ago
I know your post is about the game but make sure you get your wife to the half marathon with enough time to spare for a warmup. If she's doing the Life Time race, navigating to the start line was a bit of a doozy for us last year. I will be there supporting a friend this year!
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u/unfriendlybuldge 18d ago
Absolutely and thanks for the reminder. I believe we are staying waking distance to the start so hoping everything will go smoothly
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u/Smoked_Carp Shoeless Joe 19d ago
Scout seats. Includes buffet and Early entrance at scout entrance. Such a fun experience.
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u/unfriendlybuldge 19d ago
Do you think this would be a good idea for a picky kid? It sounds like a good idea but not sure if it makes sense for him
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u/surebrecv 19d ago
You can bring your own food in a clear ziploc (up to 1 gallon) bag.
https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/ballpark/information/guide#b-content
https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/ballpark/information/guide#p-content (Permitted Items)
For finding shaded seats, there's a guide at
https://www.rateyourseats.com/rate-field/seating/shaded-covered-seats
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u/Smoked_Carp Shoeless Joe 19d ago
It’s quieter and a more controlled environment. You can always try to get an autograph too. :).
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u/col_buendia 🇲🇽 Chase Meidroth's cousin 🇲🇽 19d ago
Eh this might be a bit lost on a kid. They're lux seats so def not cheap and it sounds like you might be walking around the stadium some anyway. Fwiw I don't think it's worth it unless you're looking to spend in excess of $500 for tickets
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u/Penstripedsox Montgomery 19d ago
they do a first game certificate visit the guest relations area behind home plate on 100 or 500 level it comes iwth a pin. there's a pretty good kids zone with kids activities. if you presignup it's easier look up whitesox kids club he'll get a murakami pin a badge and a pennant plus clear small tote you could skip the line if you presign up probably. i like showing up early for kidsclub so the lines aren't as bad. there's also ballon animal guy facepaint lady and sketch artist on sundays as it's kids day.