Baltimore,MD info please

Hey guys,

My 9 year old son for some strange reason likes the Baltimore Orioles, and wants to go to a game at Camden Yards. I have always wanted to go there as well, so we are hoping to make this happen sometime this summer. He originally wanted to see them play the Red Sox, but I've heard that all us Mshiny happy people show up down there and it's sort of Fenway south during those series. Also I've heard prices for tickets are more expensive when the sawx or yanks are in town. I'm thinking maybe a game against the Padres, or Rays (or one of each) later this month may just work.

I however have never been to Baltimore, and have no idea what I'm getting myself into. My wife mentioned maybe taking the train from Boston, but I worry that once we get down there we are reliant on public transport, cabs, or our feet. None of those things scare me, but not knowing the area I have no idea how viable any of them are. In Boston you don't really need a car, but maybe Baltimore is different. Any input on getting around down there? I could of course just drive, and then we have transport whenever need be.

Beyond that where is a good place to stay? We may only be down there for a few days, but I'd rather not stay at a flea bag motel if you know what I mean. I hear the inner harbor is a nice place. Is there any hotel in that area that is really good, but doesn't cost a fortune?

Finally what is my best way to get tickets? In Boston there are probably a million ways to get tickets(resellers, scalpers, box office sometimes, etc..), but I don't know the lay of the land in Baltimore. Oh yeah where is a good place to sit in the park? Fenway has some really awful places to sit, but my guess is Camden is better for that. Any place better than others? We would need 4 tickets. Two kids, and two adults.

Anyone local that could help?

Thanks,

Chris

OPACY is a great stadium and near and dear to my heart as a former employee of the club. I recommend getting to the game at least 30 minutes early to explore eutaw st, the Avenue inside the stadium that runs from right to center field. There are food vendors (pit beef, candied bacon on a stick etc) on eutaw street, a laid back family friendly brew pub and ball markers for every home run hit to land on the "street". You can bring in outside food and beverages (non alcoholic in a sealed plastic bottle). You can generally get tickets the day of the game at the box office, or through the team's website. Yankee and red Sox tickers are more expensive, but it's by 4-6 dollars per a ticket. If you let me know what games you'll likely be attending my wife and I would willing and likely able, to accommodate meeting up and giving you a quick lay of the land regarding the stadium and sights to be sure to check out while at it. (Hall of fame statues in center field pinic area, the playground in the right field corner in addition to the eutaw street area).

Regarding the city and where to stay, I'd select a hotel close to the stadium and inner harbor since that'll be your center hub. The city has a free bus that runs a circular route through the harbor and over to fells point and canton. During the day the aquarium and science center are decent options to go to with your son, they're not cheap though, but they're nice and close to the stadium.

If you can think of any other questions don't hesitate to ask.

The Marriott Convention Center hotel seems to be quite a bit cheaper than the others in the Inner Harbor. Definitely don't need a car in downtown B'more - we went for a weekend earlier this year, parked our car at the hotel and didn't move it until we checked out. Check out the Fells Point neighborhood too - we ate at a Mediterranean restaurant there (whose name escapes me) that was totally mind-blowing.

its been a few years since i dropped in here, but I think it is near the stadium. or maybe between the stadium and inner harbor. You and your kid would probably like it. I thought it was super cool.

http://www.geppismuseum.com/Home/7/1/52/500

In reply to szeis4cookie:

Samos? Or the new place down on the water at broadway and thames?

While I haven't been to Baltimore since I was a kid, my cousin lived and worked there for a few years through college. He worked at Ace of Cakes, so if you watch the show, you probably saw him and his (now ex) girlfriend Lauren on TV a bit. He had a car, but sold it because he wound up walking or taking the bus everywhere, so I;m assuming it's fairly travel friendly down there these days.

I recommend going somewhere for blue crabs while you're there. Place names are escaping me, but all you can eat super jumbos still exist, even if they're tricky to find. I can't go anywhere in Maryland without getting them, although recent trips have been to Ocean City or Towsend instead of B'more.

captdownshift wrote: In reply to szeis4cookie: Samos? Or the new place down on the water at broadway and thames?

Went and looked it up, it's Mare Nostrum. http://marenostrumbaltimore.com/

Mind-blowingly awesome.

Inner harbor and area will be enough to keep you and a 9-year old occupied for several days. Science Center, Aquarium, Constellation, Torsk. As well whatever ships are in, festivals, Riplies, shopping plazas at the harbor, etc. Oh, and the stadiums themselves, as well the baseball museum.

Train in a cab to the nearish-by hotel/motel would be fine. Particularly if you are only going to stay for a few days and entertain a 9-year old. Only if you decide you want to go to the Smithsonian in DC or such will you pine away for a car.

Staying at the Hilton right in front the stadium is darn convenient. Expensive, but nice.

Everyone eats at Pickles at least once. It's right out front of the stadium.

If he can walk a little, this area known as Federal Hill has some darn good dining. Just Yelp it and you pretty much can't go wrong. https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2772142,-76.612829,18z

Though perhaps the deep fried cheeseburger at Mothers in Federal Hill might be wrong (it's really not bad and they've good icecream).

You're in Baltimore, may as well buy a taxi ride to Fort McHenry.

As long as you're going there, consider the Museum of Industry and the Visionary museum. Look at them and decide how suitable they are.

Oh, Port Discovery. It's a taxi ride away, but a 9-year old might like it a lot.

I like Baltimore, but it's a city and can be dangerous. Don't be oblivious and foolish, especially as the sun goes down.

Our 13 year old son will be with us as well. He's not interested in sports though. Will he have fun?

Is he a typical 13 year old who is bored with everything and thoroughly embarassed to be seen with his parents?

Science Center is juvenile for a 13 year old. But, if it's his only time, not such a big deal. Port Discovery is definitely juvenile for a 13 year old.

The rest of the stuff in the inner harbor area will suit tourists of any ilk.

foxtrapper wrote: Inner harbor and area will be enough to keep you and a 9-year old occupied for several days. Science Center, Aquarium, Constellation, Torsk. As well whatever ships are in, festivals, Riplies, shopping plazas at the harbor, etc. Oh, and the stadiums themselves, as well the baseball museum. Train in a cab to the nearish-by hotel/motel would be fine. Particularly if you are only going to stay for a few days and entertain a 9-year old. Only if you decide you want to go to the Smithsonian in DC or such will you pine away for a car. Staying at the Hilton right in front the stadium is darn convenient. Expensive, but nice. Everyone eats at Pickles at least once. It's right out front of the stadium. If he can walk a little, this area known as Federal Hill has some darn good dining. Just Yelp it and you pretty much can't go wrong. https://www.google.com/maps/@39.2772142,-76.612829,18z Though perhaps the deep fried cheeseburger at Mothers in Federal Hill might be wrong (it's really not bad and they've good icecream). You're in Baltimore, may as well buy a taxi ride to Fort McHenry. As long as you're going there, consider the Museum of Industry and the Visionary museum. Look at them and decide how suitable they are. Oh, Port Discovery. It's a taxi ride away, but a 9-year old *might* like it a lot. I like Baltimore, but it's a city and can be dangerous. Don't be oblivious and foolish, especially as the sun goes down.

Lots of good suggestions here.

As long as you are downtown around the harbors Baltimore isn't a dangerous city. The areas you hear on the news are further out from downtown.

Another thing that may be fun is to take one of the harbor cruises. The boats go through the harbor and discuss some of the history of the city. If you end up with a rental car, Annapolis is about 30 min away.

Lots of great restaurants... Diners Drive-Ins and Dives have been a quite a few places. If you are looking for car things to do, there is a Saturday morning C&C in Hunt Valley. You could actually take the Light Rail from the stadiums up to the Hunt Valley Town Center where it is located. There is another C&C in Norther Va that brings in some really high dollar cars, but you would need a rental and it is a good hour drive from Bmore.

If you end up getting a rental car and heading down to Annapolis, you can tour the Naval Academy and also take a pretty cool boat ride around Annapolis. Also, Chick and Ruth's Delly is a fantastic place to eat in Annapolis:

http://www.chickandruths.com/

And actually, the Smithsonian can be done without rental car, light rail to union station, Marc train into DC metro to Smithsonian. Done for about 32 dollars a head round trip without any worries about parking. Annapolis is awesome but definitely requires a car. If you take the light rail north to the Woodbury station there are some excellent restaurants and local artistan shops. If you go up to Falls Rd there is a park with a nice hike and bike trail. Don't attempt to go to the zoo, if you make a wrong turn near 25th on the west side of 83 we'll be reading about you on the news.

If you're in town on a Sunday morning I'll steer you towards a farmer's market with the best breakfast that you've ever had.

With the mess that is DC Metro right now, the wisdom of trying to use it to visit is dubious.

As for the notion that there is no crime in the inner harbor area, there is plenty. http://maps.baltimorepolice.org/flexviewer/ Not that it is inherently a bad area, but don't be foolish, especially at night.

In reply to foxtrapper:

Watch out for groups of 11-14 year old kids around the inner harbor and little italy for sure.

As for the D.C. metro 75% of it's issues stem from the red line's service and reliability issues. I'm disappointed by the service reduction though, that's how you kill ridership.

In reply to foxtrapper:

Although you really don't need to use metro to get to the Smithsonian from where the MARC drops you, that's not a terribly long walk as long as it's not raining.

Metro is pretty well hosing the whole system.

http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/metro_service_status/advisories.cfm?AID=5627

And yea, I agree about the kiddies. We're having fun with them around here too.

Capt downshift you have a pm {or so I hope}. Questions about going down to Baltimore.

might also see if the Pride is in town If you want to go for a sail.

or look here for other Cruises.. I want to go out on SelinaII in the worst way.

Bay Window

Hey mad_machine are you on strike?

nope.. Local 54 is on strike.. that is HERE. Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees. We are under the jurisdiction of IATSE. We never strike.

I knew you were in the casino biz in AC, but wasn't sure who was on strike. I was on strike for 7 weeks from April to June. It sucked!!!

HERE is also only striking at the Taj.. they tried to make the union take a contract with a substantially lower benefits package than the other casinos offered.

I myself.. just got my yearly raise

Anyone familiar with the Days Inn Baltimore Inner Harbor hotel? Looks like it's popular on the discount hotel websites, and the price is cheap, but maybe there's a reason for that?

I would check the reviews.. last days inn I stayed in.. I brought home "guests" aka bedbugs