Maximizing Your Wrigley Field Tour Experience
Wrigley Field has been standing at the corner of Clark and Addison since 1914, and walking through the Friendly Confines on a guided tour is one of those bucket-list Chicago moments that actually delivers. Whether you grew up singing "Go Cubs Go," or you just love old ballparks, a Wrigley Field tour packs over a century of baseball history into about 90 minutes.
We're talking about a ballpark that hosted its first game before World War I, survived the Great Depression, waited 74 years for lights, and finally celebrated a World Series championship in 2016. That's a lot of stories crammed inside one building. A few smart choices before you go can turn a good visit into an unforgettable one.
Pick the Right Day and Time
Choosing when to take your tour matters more than most people realize. The day you visit completely changes what you'll see inside the ballpark, and getting this decision right is the difference between a solid experience and one you'll be talking about for years.
Non-Game Days Give You More Access
Non-game day tours are the way to go for the full behind-the-scenes experience. On these days, you could visit the Cubs' dugout, step onto the warning track, peek inside the visitors' clubhouse, and walk through the press box. Game day tours still cover a lot of ground, but certain areas will be off-limits since preparations are underway for the upcoming Major League Baseball game.
Think about it this way. Non-game day tours let you sit where Hall of Famer Ernie Banks sat and look out at a field where over a century of baseball history played out. Game day tours give you the buzz of a ballpark waking up for a live event. Both are worth doing, but if you can only pick one, the non-game day version delivers more access to the places that make Wrigley Field special.
Morning Tours Draw Smaller Crowds
The first tour of the day usually has the fewest people. Fewer guests means more room for photos, more time to ask your guide questions, and a more relaxed pace overall. You'll actually hear the stories instead of craning your neck behind a crowd of 40 people trying to see the same plaque.
Morning light also works in your favor. The sun hits the ivy-covered outfield wall and the hand-operated scoreboard in a way that afternoon shadows simply can't replicate. Photographers and content creators, take note.
Book Ahead During Baseball Season
Summer weekends and holidays fill up fast. Grab your ballpark tour tickets at least a week in advance during the season. Off-season tours in March or late fall are easier to snag last-minute, but don't count on walking up and getting a spot during peak months. The Cubs aren't exactly a hidden gem.
What to Do Before You Arrive
A little prep goes a long way toward making your tour smooth from the second you show up. Nobody wants to start their Wrigley Field experience fumbling with an app in the security line.
Get the MLB Ballpark App Ready
All Wrigley Field tour tickets are mobile-only, delivered through the free MLB Ballpark app. Download it and set up your account before tour day so you're not standing at the Gallagher Way Gate realizing you need to create a password. The app is also useful for game day if you decide to catch a Cubs game during your trip.
Show Up 10 to 15 Minutes Early
Tours begin and end at the Gallagher Way Gate on the west side of the ballpark. Arriving early gives you time to check in, get your bearings, and grab a photo by the iconic Wrigley Field Marquee at the corner of Clark and Addison. That Marquee has been a Chicago landmark for decades, and the photo op alone is worth showing up a few minutes ahead of schedule.
Dress for the Weather
Tours happen rain or shine and include outdoor stops. Layer up for cooler months and wear comfortable walking shoes. Chicago wind is no joke, especially early and late in the season. April tours have seen temperatures in the 30s with Lake Michigan gusts that make it feel even colder. Summer tours mean sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water. Wrigley Field is an open-air ballpark with very limited covered areas, so whatever the sky is doing, you're going to feel it.
Make the Most of Your Time Inside
Once you're past the gate, here's how to squeeze every bit of value out of those 75 to 90 minutes. The guides are passionate, the stops are iconic, and a little bit of intentionality goes a long way.
Ask Your Tour Guide Everything
The guides at Wrigley Field are passionate and full of stories you won't find online. These aren't people reading from a script. They're Cubs fans who've studied this ballpark inside and out, and they light up when you ask about lesser-known moments in Cubs history or the hand-operated scoreboard that's been standing since 1937.
Ask about the scoreboard operators who manually change 344 steel plates during every game. Ask about the ivy that Bill Veeck planted in September 1937. Ask about the time they literally sliced the ballpark into three sections and moved it in the 1920s. The guides have the good stuff, but sometimes you have to ask to unlock it.
Cameras Are Welcome
You're encouraged to take photos and videos for personal use. Some of the best spots include the Cubs dugout, where legends like Ernie Banks once sat, the press box overlooking the entire field, and the Budweiser Bleachers, where you’ll have a great view of the field and the iconic ivy-covered outfield wall. On non-game days when you might step onto the warning track, the angle looking up at the scoreboard with ivy framing both sides is one of the most photographed perspectives in all of baseball.
Stay near the front of the group when moving between stops. Tour groups can range from a handful to a few dozen on busy days, and the people up front get the clearest sightlines and the best photo angles at each location.
Don’t Skip the Cubs Team Store
After your tour, stop by the Cubs Team Store, located just outside Wrigley Field at 3637 N. Clark St. It’s the official source for Chicago Cubs gear, including ballpark-exclusive merchandise, limited-edition items, and fan favorites like the Blues Alternate jersey. You’ll also find game-day collectibles and authentic memorabilia that make great keepsakes.
Shopping for someone who couldn’t make the trip? A Rawlings Chicago Cubs logo baseball or a Wrigley Field-branded cap is always a home run. You can also browse the Cubs Online Store anytime for official caps, jerseys, and more straight from the source.
Pair the Tour with the Full Wrigleyville Experience
The neighborhood around the ballpark has plenty to offer before and after your tour. Wrigleyville isn't just a place where fans gather on game days. It's a neighborhood with real history, great food and bars that have earned their reputations over decades.
Take the CTA Red Line
Public transit is the best way to get to Wrigley Field. The CTA Red Line stops at the Addison station, putting you a short walk from the Gallagher Way Gate.
Explore Before or After
Clark Street and Addison Street around the ballpark are packed with restaurants, sports bars, and retail shops. Murphy's Bleachers, across from Wrigley Field, has been serving fans since 1930. The Cubby Bear has been a neighborhood institution since 1953, and Wrigleyville Sports on Addison has carried Cubs gear since 1990.
Just steps away at Gallagher Way, you will find even more options for pre or post game dining.
Favorites include Swift Tavern for seasonal American fare, Happy Camper Pizzeria for a lively rooftop and pizza, DraftKings Sportsbook at Wrigley Field for wall to wall sports action, and Alma inside Hotel Zachary for Mediterranean inspired bites and cocktails. Grab lunch, meet friends for drinks, browse for souvenirs, or just soak in the neighborhood that has grown up around one of baseball’s most iconic addresses.
Combine a Tour with a Game
Consider booking a tour on one day and catching a Cubs game the next. You'll see the ballpark from two completely different perspectives, and everything you learned on the tour makes the game experience richer. You'll know why the scoreboard works the way it does. You'll know the stories behind the ivy. You'll look at the press box and remember standing up there yourself. It's a different kind of connection to the Friendly Confines.
Get the Full Wrigley Field Experience with the Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs offer guided tours starting in March, with both public and private options. Private tours can include a personalized scoreboard message and accommodate groups up to 50. Public tour pricing starts around $25 per person. Private tours start at $2,000 plus tax. For booking and details, visit Cubs.com or call 773-388-8270.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Wrigley Field tour last?
Guided tours run approximately 75 to 90 minutes with both indoor and outdoor stops. The route covers multiple iconic areas of the ballpark, including the seating bowl, press box, Budweiser Bleachers, and, on non-game days, the Cubs dugout and warning track.
Can I walk on the field during a Wrigley Field tour?
On non-game days, you may be able to step onto the warning track along the outfield. Game day tours have more limited field access since the grounds crew is preparing for a live Major League Baseball game.
Are Wrigley Field tours wheelchair accessible?
Yes, though certain areas, like the Cubs dugout, may have limited access for guests in wheelchairs. Accessible seating and elevator access are available throughout Wrigley Field. Contact the Ticket Office at 800-THE-CUBS or email accessibleservices@cubs.com for specific accommodation questions.
How much do Wrigley Field tours cost?
Public tour pricing starts around $25 per person. Private tours for groups up to 50 start at $2,000 plus tax. Private tours can include a personalized scoreboard message.
Can I bring a camera on the tour?
Cameras and video cameras are welcome for personal, non-commercial use. Professional-grade cameras with extended and removable lenses and camera attachments like monopods are not permitted.
Are Wrigley Field tours available year-round?
Tours generally run from March through the end of the baseball season. Check Cubs.com for the latest schedule and availability.
