Agree with Marley23. Stan’s across the street charges $8.00 for bag check. I had to check this past Friday, as I couldn’t leave my bag at work over the weekend. They may allow for the tours but definitely not for the games. I had a small drawstring bag one day with a rain jacket inside. I had to put on the rainjacket and put the bag in the pocket to get through security. Pure idiocy, just like 95% of the security rules post 9/11.
We’re thinking about doing this too. Would it be more reasonable to stay near the airports and take the subway to the stadium? Or would we be better off to stay in Manhattan? We’ll be coming by car so our ideal would be a hotel with parking near a subway station. Do such places exist?
An alternative plan would be to stay say 50 miles out and drive in on game day and park near the stadium. How long would we have to get there before the game to get a parking spot? And if we got there say 3 hours before gametime, are there places to eat (and more importantly, urinate) nearby?
This is a bad year to drive to the stadium. The construction of the new stadium has killed nearby parking, and parking is very, very expensive. Manhattan is most convenient to the Stadium, or you could stay somewhere in the Bronx. I’m not too familiar with where to stay in the Bronx, and even with congestion pricing killed, Manhattan driving (and especially parking) is no fun. You can stay in Long Island City (Queens) close to the N train, then take that to the 4 train in Manhattan. Better parking options in Queens; LIC is cheaper, it’s a lively area with good food, and it’s very convenient to Manhattan.
Has there ever been a good year to drive to the Stadium? 
Seriously, though, D_Odds is quite right. The subway is your best bet to the Stadium. Stay anywhere that’ll give you access to the #4 train (LIC is a good bet; there’s also a HoJo in Woodside that will give you decent access to the #7–take that to GC Station and pick up the #4 there.)
Food is the one really disappointing thing there. It was expensive 20 years ago, and not very good. We used to eat at the Wendy’s across the street before the game, and there used to be a sports bar across the street that had pretty good sandwiches. It’s been a long time, though, so I don’t know if either place is still there.
I never saw the Wendy’s but there was a crappy McDonald’s on the corner by the L. We usually go up to the diner by the courthouse or there is a little Spanish/Italian place up the street from Gate 4, just beyond the parking lot.
Actually for years I had mastered driving to the stadium from NJ. Since the construction began, all ways stink now. Either plan to get their extra early or take a subway.
Jim
Stan’s is still across the street, but I wouldn’t describe their sandwiches (not the one’s at the other nearby sports bar) as good.
Driving to the stadium from Queens is much better than approaching from New Jersey. Most city dwellers use mass transit, so less traffic in that direction. Still have to arrive early for premium parking, else you will end up on the top level of a parking garage, which will add an hour to your exit time.
Glad to hear you got tickets! I’ll be there that day - we’ve got the Sunday plan - look for the guy in the Yankee cap, that’ll be me. 
Agree with most of what has been said - there’s no food worth going out of your way for. Get in early, for a variety of reasons - Monument Park, batting practice, a chance to walk around some. Parking is brutal, especially coming from the north or New Jersey. Look for a reasonably priced hotel on the east side of Manhattan, and then you can take the 4 train up to the stadium, that’s part of the experience.
Whoop! They arrived over the weekend (via UPS; didn’t want to take any chances). It says the gates open 2 hours prior, so I’ll be there right when they do. We’ll probably have breakfast at the hotel and then head straight over. Can’t wait!
Let’s bump this since my trip is this month…
OK
A few weeks back my sister and brother (in law) were in town. They wanted to either see a game or do the stadium tour because it is the final season for the stadium.
We didn’t see a game but we did do the tour. Now if you go on-line, it says the tour is sold out. This is hogwash. It only mention two tour times. However, there are more tour times than that. If you can go on a day when the Yanks are not playing, there are tours every hour from 9 am to 2 pm.
You show up at the stadium at 8:30 and wait in line and get tickets. The tour is great. You go in the pressbox and get a fantastic view of the field. Then you go to the section behind left field and see the retired jerseys and memorials.
Then you go into left field on the warning track. Bring a mitt and a ball and take a photo of yourself catching a fly next to the wall.
Then you go and sit in the Yankee dugout. Pretty freaking awesome.
Then you go an get a looksee in the clubhouse. Really freaking awesome.
Oh yes, on the field. Well the warning track anyway
What about on days they are playing? My life loves me, but even I know enough not to drag her out there two days in a row…
What time is your game? If it’s a night game I think they have the tours. Call the box office and talk to a person. The Yankee website is a tissue of lies.
The game’s at 1:05pm (vs. Toronto on the 31st). I’ll be sure to give them a call so we can see as much as we can while we’re there…