On a beautiful summer day in Chicago, there’s nothing quite like enjoying a game at Chicago’s iconic ballpark, Wrigley Field. Beloved by Chicago locals and visitors alike for its ivy-covered walls, classic charm—and stubborn resistance to modern accouterments like a jumbotron and lights for night games—the park is best known as the home of the Chicago Cubs. Wrigley Field is located on Chicago’s north side in residential Wrigleyville—an area of the Lakeview neighborhood—bounded by Clark and Addison streets to the west and south, and Waveland and Sheffield avenues to the north and east.
Wrigley Field Through the Years
Built all the way back in 1914, Wrigley Field is actually Major League Baseball’s second-oldest stadium—the honor of oldest MLB ballfield goes to Boston’s Fenway Park. Nonetheless, many residents consider the field’s distinctive ivy and throwback style an irreplaceable piece of Chicago identity. Here’s a brief look at some key moments in the history of Wrigley since 1914:
- 1914 – Wrigley Field opens as Weeghman Park for Charles Weeghman’s Chicago Whales of the Federal League.
- 1920 – The park is renamed Cubs Park.
- 1921 – Chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. of the Wrigley Company acquires the team.
- 1927 – The park is renamed once again as Wrigley Field, and an upper deck is added.
- 1937 – Bill Veeck, the son of the club president, sees ivy walls at Perry Stadium, Indianapolis—and plants the now-iconic ivy vines against Wrigley’s outfield walls.
- 2020 – Wrigley Field is awarded national landmark status.
Wrigley Field Concerts & Events
You can enjoy much more than Cubs games at Wrigley! Concerts by major artists have frequently been scheduled at the park since 2005, as well as events from ski jump tournaments to soccer games during its 100+ years of existence. Recent Wrigley Field concerts include performances by:
- Elton John
- Billy Joel
- The Police
- Paul McCartney
- Roger Waters
- Pearl Jam
- Phish
- James Taylor
- Lady Gaga
- Weezer
- And others!
Best Restaurants Near Wrigley Field
After enjoying Wrigley Field concerts or games, you’ll want to know where to get the best grub. As you might expect, many Wrigleyville restaurants and bars sport a Wrigley Field theme! Here are a few of our favorite highly-rated restaurants near Wrigley Field:
- Big Star Chicago Mexican restaurant and bar
- Swift & Sons Tavern, located across the street from Wrigley Field
- Vines On Clark sports bar and beer garden
- Do-Rite Donuts, a chef-owned artisanal donut bar
Get the Best View of the City at Skydeck Chicago!
Want to make the most of your time in Chicago? It’s hard to imagine the breathtaking view from 103 stories up, so book a visit to the Ledge or explore a range of family-friendly activities today! Skydeck at Willis Tower is easy to reach from Wrigley Field on Chicago’s CTA red line. Get on at the Addison stop, located next to the ballpark, and ride to Jackson. Connect with us today to learn more!