What's new
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums

Welcome to Our Forums. Once you've registered and logged in, you're primed to talk football, among other topics, with the sharpest and most experienced fantasy players on the internet.

Quick Baltimore trip questions (1 Viewer)

J

jobarules

Footballguy
Im going to buy my son tickets to a Yankees Orioles game in Baltimore for his birthday. This is our first trip to Camden Yards. The game is a Saturday night and Id figure we would head down early Saturday, get some lunch at the Inner Harbor and get a hotel room so we don't have to make the 2 hour 40 min drive back late at night after the game.

Are there any recommended hotels in the Inner Harbor?

Are they walking distance to Camden Yards?

Any recommended places to eat?

Any other tips?

 
I think @avoiding injuries gave me some Baltimore advice once.  I only stopped in for lunch though to kill some time before a flight 

I got some old bay wings from some sports bar 

 @Evilgrin 72 posted once about doing some biscuit race or something from the roof of Phillips crab onto the people below or something like that too

 
jobarules said:
Im going to buy my son tickets to a Yankees Orioles game in Baltimore for his birthday. This is our first trip to Camden Yards. The game is a Saturday night and Id figure we would head down early Saturday, get some lunch at the Inner Harbor and get a hotel room so we don't have to make the 2 hour 40 min drive back late at night after the game.

Are there any recommended hotels in the Inner Harbor?

Are they walking distance to Camden Yards?

Any recommended places to eat?

Any other tips?
Click to expand...


I'm more DC than Baltimore focused. Baltimore folks will have better insight, but for my two cents...  lots of hotels around there. I don't have anything that I recommend in particular. If you've got points to use at one of the brands (Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, etc), I think can safely find it in walking distance of Inner Harbor and Camden Yards.  You can definitely walk from Camden Yards to Inner Harbor and vice versa. 

There are a few sports bar next to Camden Yards. For dining near Inner Harbor, I think it is mostly big chain type stuff like Hard Rock Cafe or Cheesecake Factory (ETA: or Hooters). Phillips is a regional chain; maybe could serve for Maryland crab cakes or something.

If have time for stuff to do... the Aquarium there in the Inner Harbor is pretty cool (can be a bit pricey though, and almost need a full day to make it worthwhile). For something baseball related, the Babe Ruth birthplace is just a few blocks from Camden Yards too.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
jobarules said:
Its bad? Im bringing my son and one of his friends.
Click to expand...
It's been years since I've been there. We parked in some school lot, we got lost heading back and yes it was pretty bad.  

We were closer to M&T though.  If you park near the stadium it's fine "normal city stuff" that you are used roo

 
belljr said:
It's been years since I've been there. We parked in some school lot, we got lost heading back and yes it was pretty bad.  

We were closer to M&T though.  If you park near the stadium it's fine "normal city stuff" that you are used roo
Click to expand...
If you stay between the Harbor and the park you’ll be fine. There are plenty of hotels and places to eat around the park. You’ll be safe and have a great time. Yes, if you stray a couple of blocks in the wrong direction it’s not exactly the nicest area, but it’s not like you’re on location on an episode of The Wire

 
Without knowing how old your son is, I’ve stayed at the Renaissance Inner Harbor and walked to Camden Yards.  

If you’re looking for things to do, the harbor has the Aquarium and the Science Center You can also hop on the Water Taxi and go over to Fells Point.  I like the restaurant options over there way more than at Harborplace.

 
Mookie Gizzy said:
If you stay between the Harbor and the park you’ll be fine. There are plenty of hotels and places to eat around the park. You’ll be safe and have a great time. Yes, if you stray a couple of blocks in the wrong direction it’s not exactly the nicest area, but it’s not like you’re on location on an episode of The Wire
Click to expand...
I stayed an hour after game time one night. We were walking around the stadium and the waterfront.  It was like an episode of the Walking Dead....but with crack heads and pros.

We also heard gun shots from inside the hotel.

Maybe it's better now.

Fells Point was better.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ted Lange as your Bartender said:
You can also hop on the Water Taxi and go over to Fells Point.  I like the restaurant options over there way more than at Harborplace.
Click to expand...
I live in Upper Fells. Food is definitely better in Fells or Little Italy or Harbor East than near the stadium.  The water taxi ride is great and but if you're there on a weekend it can be pricey. 

The areas around the inner harbor and stadium aren't bad. Stay near the water and don't be city-dumb.

MD Science Center has an IMAX and actually shows sciencey films not just Top Gun.  Cool exhibits too. We have a family membership.  I wonder if I can get your kids in while you pay for yourself... How old are the kids?

PM me if you want more info. 

 
@The Z Machinenails it as usual.

Baltimore's "downtown"  is steadily shifting east (away from Camden Yards) so the area isn't nearly as fun as it was in 90s or early aughts.  If you were coming with your wife, I would recommend a hotel in Harbor East (closer to Little Italy and Fells Point) to be close to better food and more things to do, but then you would have a mile-plus walk to the ballpark,   With a couple of kids, booking something right in the Inner Harbor seems a lot easier.  Unfortunately, it's mostly chain restaurants down there, but I can highly recommend a great local Detroit-style pizza place (Underground Pizza Company) over at Power Plant. 

For real local flavor, Faidley's at Lexington Market has the best crabcake in Bmore that's not made at my house.  It's always a point of argument when Baltimoreans recommend tourists walk over to Lexington Market (it's a quick walk from the stadium) but as Z said, if you're not city-dumb, it's perfectly safe on Saturday at lunch.  It was part of the drill when I drove up to O's games in high school or summer break to hit the Market first and bring a bunch of food in for the game and still take visitors there on the regular.

If you want to head the other direction, Cross Street Market in Fed Hill is less than a mile walk south from the stadium and has some really good local food spots as well.  A recent renovation has made it a lot more bougey (as the kids would say) compared to its blue-collar routes, but that certainly fits what the neighborhood has become.  And even then, it's only bougey for Baltimore...

 
The Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor is nice, and is right next to the stadium - ask for a room with a ballpark view.  Check out the harbor before the game and get a meal at the Pratt Street Ale House on the walk back. Try your best to stick to the tourist areas and not to stray far from there. 

 
PIK95 said:
I stayed an hour after game time one night. We were walking around the stadium and the waterfront.  It was like an episode of the Walking Dead....but with crack heads and pros.

We also heard gun shots from inside the hotel.

Maybe it's better now.

Fells Point was better.
Click to expand...
“Baltimore Lean”

Also, Baltimore has some of the best dressed bums you’ll ever see. It’s like a bunch of Louis Winthorp IIIs. 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Quick fun time tip- once inside the stadium make your way to the flag court on the warehouse side and check out the markers of the homeruns hit that way. There is only one that hit the warehouse, Griffey at the 1993 all-star game. Pretty cool collection of baseball history at the park over the last 30 years. Camden Yards is still a great place to watch a game with not a bad seat in the house and it should be a fun time for yuse guys. One thing to note: lots of us Baltimorons get a little pissy when the Yankee fans overwhelm our stadium crowd so don't take it personal if you get a Bronx cheer or two. Wouldn't worry so much about anything untoward, just be cool, we ain't Boston fans for heaven's sake. 

 
Jaysus said:
The Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor is nice, and is right next to the stadium - ask for a room with a ballpark view.  Check out the harbor before the game and get a meal at the Pratt Street Ale House on the walk back. Try your best to stick to the tourist areas and not to stray far from there. 
Click to expand...
This is what I booked. Thanks!

 
Joe Schmo said:
 There is only one that hit the warehouse, Griffey at the 1993 all-star game. Pretty cool collection of baseball history at the park over the last 30 years. 
Click to expand...
I was there when that happened. The HR Derby was in the afternoon the day before the ASG. I was sitting about 15 rows behind the 1B dugout. When Griffey hit it, it was obvious that it was going a lllllllooooonnnnngggg,  way, but we couldn't see where it ended up. Then the fans out there started pointing and yelling, and the rumor started rippling back that he'd hit the Warehouse. I took a picture the next day of the spider-webbed glass (maybe 20-25 feet up), but it was with a cheap-assed camera that I lost somewhere along the way (because I was snot drunk).

Juan Gonzales actually won that Derby and hit the hardest shot I've ever seen. Griffey's was high and long. Gonzales hit a line drive that smacked the facing of the LF upper deck and was still going up. I could hear it hit all the way across the park. If he had hit that from the other side, it may have hit near the top of the Warehouse.

 
The Z Machine said:
I live in Upper Fells. Food is definitely better in Fells or Little Italy or Harbor East than near the stadium.  The water taxi ride is great and but if you're there on a weekend it can be pricey. 

The areas around the inner harbor and stadium aren't bad. Stay near the water and don't be city-dumb.

MD Science Center has an IMAX and actually shows sciencey films not just Top Gun.  Cool exhibits too. We have a family membership.  I wonder if I can get your kids in while you pay for yourself... How old are the kids?

PM me if you want more info. 
Click to expand...
Appreciate the offer. My son will be 13 and his friend will be 12. I think we're gonna hit up the aquarium instead though during the day, eat a late lunch (with two picky eaters so crappy chain place will have to do) and the game at night. Maybe Babe Ruth museum next day if we can squeeze it in. Only staying one night.

 
Sounds like you have a good plan. Would strongly recommend you take a look at Federal Hill for post-aquarium lunch. Good neighborhood, walkable from the ballpark and hotel, and many many restaurants 

check it out and if it appeals, we can give you some specific restaurant recommendations 

 
jobarules said:
My son will be 13 and his friend will be 12. I think we're gonna hit up the aquarium instead though during the day, eat a late lunch (with two picky eaters so crappy chain place will have to do) 
Click to expand...
Hard Rock Cafe will probably be in their wheelhouse them...

 
Zow said:
So many The Wire references and jokes to be made here that I can't decide...
Click to expand...
I once did “A Day Out with Thomas” from the B&O Railroad Museum. It went through some rough parts of Baltimore, and felt like what would happen if David Simon directed an episode of Thomas & Friends.

 
Don Quixote said:
I once did “A Day Out with Thomas” from the B&O Railroad Museum. It went through some rough parts of Baltimore, and felt like what would happen if David Simon directed an episode of Thomas & Friends.
Click to expand...
Did you walk / drive from Camden Yards?  Pigtown can be a little sketchy, but there's far worse in BMore.

 
If tonight is the game @jobarulesis coming to I hope he’s hydrating. Because I am used to Baltimore summers, I love Baltimore summers, and it is really hot today (though not as hot as it’s gonna be for tomorrow’s 1:30 game)

 
Don Quixote said:
Parked in the parking lot at the museum. I’m sure there are worse parts, but the police escort of the train, going under graffiti bridges and by rundown buildings not quite the Sodor idyll.
Click to expand...
Yeah, the ride out west on the train from the museum shows off some not great sections of town. 

 
So my trip was Saturday and several rookie mistakes were made by me. The plan was to park near the Inner Harbor, goto the National Aquarium around 3pm and then head to the game. When we got there apparently the National Aquarium has time slots and the next available time slot was 5pm which was too late for us. So then we decided to grab something to eat but unfortunately Cheesecake Factory, Hard Rock, and Pizzeria Uno all had 2 hour waits. So then we just sat by the Inner Harbor but it was so damn hot we didnt even want to move. Then we headed to the stadium at 430 and got in the ballpark at 530. Had a blast at the game. Had amazing seats and we were able to go right behind the dugout for bp. Actually canceled the hotel room (prior to coming) and drove home after the game. All in all, not the trip I originally planned and will plan better next time and make a weekend of it.

 
Didn't want to start a new thread, but need some inside info on this. I'm meeting up with relatives coming in on the train tomorrow afternoon from VA. I'm driving in from NJ and picking them up at Penn Station. We'll have a few hours to kill before the game and he wants soft shell crabs. Between the weather and the expected crowds, I want to minimize strolling around trying to find someplace without a four hour wait. Any recommendations?
Thank you in advance.
 
simsarge said:
Didn't want to start a new thread, but need some inside info on this. I'm meeting up with relatives coming in on the train tomorrow afternoon from VA. I'm driving in from NJ and picking them up at Penn Station. We'll have a few hours to kill before the game and he wants soft shell crabs. Between the weather and the expected crowds, I want to minimize strolling around trying to find someplace without a four hour wait. Any recommendations?
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
You have relatives taking the train up to New York from Virginia, then you are going to Baltimore?
 
massraider said:
simsarge said:
Didn't want to start a new thread, but need some inside info on this. I'm meeting up with relatives coming in on the train tomorrow afternoon from VA. I'm driving in from NJ and picking them up at Penn Station. We'll have a few hours to kill before the game and he wants soft shell crabs. Between the weather and the expected crowds, I want to minimize strolling around trying to find someplace without a four hour wait. Any recommendations?
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
You have relatives taking the train up to New York from Virginia, then you are going to Baltimore?
Click to expand...
I assumed that was a reference to Baltimore Penn Station.
 
Don Quixote said:
massraider said:
simsarge said:
Didn't want to start a new thread, but need some inside info on this. I'm meeting up with relatives coming in on the train tomorrow afternoon from VA. I'm driving in from NJ and picking them up at Penn Station. We'll have a few hours to kill before the game and he wants soft shell crabs. Between the weather and the expected crowds, I want to minimize strolling around trying to find someplace without a four hour wait. Any recommendations?
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
You have relatives taking the train up to New York from Virginia, then you are going to Baltimore?
Click to expand...
I assumed that was a reference to Baltimore Penn Station.
Click to expand...
Correct, My bad. I had to ask the same thing when he told me where he was getting off the train at.
 
simsarge said:
Didn't want to start a new thread, but need some inside info on this. I'm meeting up with relatives coming in on the train tomorrow afternoon from VA. I'm driving in from NJ and picking them up at Penn Station. We'll have a few hours to kill before the game and he wants soft shell crabs. Between the weather and the expected crowds, I want to minimize strolling around trying to find someplace without a four hour wait. Any recommendations?
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Nick's Fish House should work. You will drive from Penn Station down through Fed Hill to Nick's. Itll be less than 10 mins drive back to Camden Yards for the game. You could also park in Fed somewhere after Nick's and pregame and then walk to the stadium.

I'm not a big soft shell guy and not an MD native so I'm not sure if it's soft shell season right now.
 
The Z Machine said:
simsarge said:
Didn't want to start a new thread, but need some inside info on this. I'm meeting up with relatives coming in on the train tomorrow afternoon from VA. I'm driving in from NJ and picking them up at Penn Station. We'll have a few hours to kill before the game and he wants soft shell crabs. Between the weather and the expected crowds, I want to minimize strolling around trying to find someplace without a four hour wait. Any recommendations?
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Nick's Fish House should work. You will drive from Penn Station down through Fed Hill to Nick's. Itll be less than 10 mins drive back to Camden Yards for the game. You could also park in Fed somewhere after Nick's and pregame and then walk to the stadium.

I'm not a big soft shell guy and not an MD native so I'm not sure if it's soft shell season right now.
Click to expand...
Are those BMore crabs any good? How do they compare to snow crab, king crab, and lobster? We also have dunges(sp?) crab available up here but that stuff is trash. Was always curious after seeing Bunk take some down aggressively at the bar.
 
PIK95 said:
The Z Machine said:
simsarge said:
Didn't want to start a new thread, but need some inside info on this. I'm meeting up with relatives coming in on the train tomorrow afternoon from VA. I'm driving in from NJ and picking them up at Penn Station. We'll have a few hours to kill before the game and he wants soft shell crabs. Between the weather and the expected crowds, I want to minimize strolling around trying to find someplace without a four hour wait. Any recommendations?
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Nick's Fish House should work. You will drive from Penn Station down through Fed Hill to Nick's. Itll be less than 10 mins drive back to Camden Yards for the game. You could also park in Fed somewhere after Nick's and pregame and then walk to the stadium.

I'm not a big soft shell guy and not an MD native so I'm not sure if it's soft shell season right now.
Click to expand...
Are those BMore crabs any good? How do they compare to snow crab, king crab, and lobster? We also have dunges(sp?) crab available up here but that stuff is trash. Was always curious after seeing Bunk take some down aggressively at the bar.
Click to expand...
Like I said, I'm no Maryland native and hence no crab expert. I can't pick them (that's what it's called when you crack the shells open to get at the meat). The majority of the meat in a blue crab is in the body, whereas for a king crab I think it's in the legs.
 
The Z Machine said:
PIK95 said:
The Z Machine said:
simsarge said:
Didn't want to start a new thread, but need some inside info on this. I'm meeting up with relatives coming in on the train tomorrow afternoon from VA. I'm driving in from NJ and picking them up at Penn Station. We'll have a few hours to kill before the game and he wants soft shell crabs. Between the weather and the expected crowds, I want to minimize strolling around trying to find someplace without a four hour wait. Any recommendations?
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Nick's Fish House should work. You will drive from Penn Station down through Fed Hill to Nick's. Itll be less than 10 mins drive back to Camden Yards for the game. You could also park in Fed somewhere after Nick's and pregame and then walk to the stadium.

I'm not a big soft shell guy and not an MD native so I'm not sure if it's soft shell season right now.
Click to expand...
Are those BMore crabs any good? How do they compare to snow crab, king crab, and lobster? We also have dunges(sp?) crab available up here but that stuff is trash. Was always curious after seeing Bunk take some down aggressively at the bar.
Click to expand...
Like I said, I'm no Maryland native and hence no crab expert. I can't pick them (that's what it's called when you crack the shells open to get at the meat). The majority of the meat in a blue crab is in the body, whereas for a king crab I think it's in the legs.
Click to expand...
King Crab and Snow Crab are both VERY tasty. All legs and claws like you said.
 
PIK95 said:
The Z Machine said:
PIK95 said:
The Z Machine said:
simsarge said:
Didn't want to start a new thread, but need some inside info on this. I'm meeting up with relatives coming in on the train tomorrow afternoon from VA. I'm driving in from NJ and picking them up at Penn Station. We'll have a few hours to kill before the game and he wants soft shell crabs. Between the weather and the expected crowds, I want to minimize strolling around trying to find someplace without a four hour wait. Any recommendations?
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Nick's Fish House should work. You will drive from Penn Station down through Fed Hill to Nick's. Itll be less than 10 mins drive back to Camden Yards for the game. You could also park in Fed somewhere after Nick's and pregame and then walk to the stadium.

I'm not a big soft shell guy and not an MD native so I'm not sure if it's soft shell season right now.
Click to expand...
Are those BMore crabs any good? How do they compare to snow crab, king crab, and lobster? We also have dunges(sp?) crab available up here but that stuff is trash. Was always curious after seeing Bunk take some down aggressively at the bar.
Click to expand...
Like I said, I'm no Maryland native and hence no crab expert. I can't pick them (that's what it's called when you crack the shells open to get at the meat). The majority of the meat in a blue crab is in the body, whereas for a king crab I think it's in the legs.
Click to expand...
King Crab and Snow Crab are both VERY tasty. All legs and claws like you said.
Click to expand...
Like Z said, most of the meat in a blue crab is in the body. It's not an "elegant" eat like King crabs are - you're gonna make a mess eating blue crabs (when they are hard shell). That said, I like blue crab better - but I grew up eating them, so I may be a tad biased.

The soft crabs @simsarge is asking about are when the blue crab molts its hard shell and the new shell is soft (that's how it grows larger). When they are soft, you do a bit of cleaning, then can eat the whole thing. When you are catching blue crabs, some will be "peelers", meaning you can tell they are ready to molt. There's a whole industry that does nothing but shed hard crabs into soft for consumption.

@simsarge there was a place over on North Point Blvd in Dundalk called Costas that used to have kick *** soft crabs. It's been years since I've been there, though, and don't know if they are still around. It was a dive - had more Keno tickets on the tables than napkins - but it had good food and was cheap. I'm guessing most of the restaurants downtown offer up soft crabs.
 
The Z Machine said:
simsarge said:
Didn't want to start a new thread, but need some inside info on this. I'm meeting up with relatives coming in on the train tomorrow afternoon from VA. I'm driving in from NJ and picking them up at Penn Station. We'll have a few hours to kill before the game and he wants soft shell crabs. Between the weather and the expected crowds, I want to minimize strolling around trying to find someplace without a four hour wait. Any recommendations?
Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...
Nick's Fish House should work. You will drive from Penn Station down through Fed Hill to Nick's. Itll be less than 10 mins drive back to Camden Yards for the game. You could also park in Fed somewhere after Nick's and pregame and then walk to the stadium.

I'm not a big soft shell guy and not an MD native so I'm not sure if it's soft shell season right now.
Click to expand...
It is soft shell season - mid-April until September or so. Nick's is a good call, easy parking and you can sit out on the deck by the water. Only other place I can think of is Watershed in the Cross Street Market. Close to the ballpark and there are other places within walking distance whereas Nick's is all by itself. But the parking would be a little harder.
 
The_Man said:
The Z Machine said:
The_Man said:
Watershed in the Cross Street Market
Click to expand...
Isn't that owned by Atlas? I stay away from those racists.

LP Steamers on Fort could work too, but I think Nick's is the best spot. Especially if the weather is nice.
Click to expand...
Good call on Atlas, didn't realize that was one of theirs. BTW, are you on Twitter? Lots of quality Baltimore folks there (for as long as that lasts)
Click to expand...
Nah. Never did any social media. Never even had FB.
 
Jaysus said:
The Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor is nice, and is right next to the stadium - ask for a room with a ballpark view. Check out the harbor before the game and get a meal at the Pratt Street Ale House on the walk back. Try your best to stick to the tourist areas and not to stray far from there.
Click to expand...

The Hilton is where we stayed about 3-4 years. Nice view of the stadium from above. The Harbor is nice and the hotel was nice. The walk from the hotel to the harbor was sketchy during the day. At night it was a bit scary. Can't imagine it's gotten better since then.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

titusbramble
Give me US football trip location ideas
2
Replies
85
Views
2K
MAC_32
MAC_32
DJackson10
Trying to plan a trip to Boston for a Soccer Event at Ducali Pizzeria hosted by Paramount+ Any tips tricks or suggestions would be appreciated
Replies
5
Views
365
massraider
massraider
A
Las Vegas Trip in October
Replies
32
Views
885
massraider
massraider

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Top