Fenway South
April 27, 2011 9:27 AM Subscribe
How can we amuse ourselves near Camden Yards tomorrow?
We've got tickets for the Red Sox/Orioles game tomorrow night at 7 pm. In the interest of avoiding traffic and figuring out parking, we'll be arriving a few hours early. Where should we grab dinner? Any good happy hour spots nearby? And if we can't park at the ballpark (since I forgot to pre-order a parking pass), where can we park?
We've got tickets for the Red Sox/Orioles game tomorrow night at 7 pm. In the interest of avoiding traffic and figuring out parking, we'll be arriving a few hours early. Where should we grab dinner? Any good happy hour spots nearby? And if we can't park at the ballpark (since I forgot to pre-order a parking pass), where can we park?
There is a lot of parking around Camden, and not many Orioles fans. Parking won't be an issue. I've always parked in a lot under the expressway, but I have no idea how to explain to somebody how to get to that lot. I just know how to do it, coming from the South.
posted by COD at 9:42 AM on April 27, 2011
posted by COD at 9:42 AM on April 27, 2011
Sorry, gonna have to disagree with COD. My SO works on Lombard street, and I often pick him up from work -- except on O's home game days. The traffic (foot and car) in that area (Lombard, Pratt) is often quite heavy. It's indeed a good idea to get there on the early side to avoid traffic.
That said, seconding the Aquarium! A short walk from the stadium and very fun. I've never been to the Sports Museum but that's right next to the stadium, yeah.
As for places to go, I don't often hang out in that part of town, but I've had some good beers at the Pratt St. Alehouse.
Have fun!
posted by capnsue at 9:48 AM on April 27, 2011
That said, seconding the Aquarium! A short walk from the stadium and very fun. I've never been to the Sports Museum but that's right next to the stadium, yeah.
As for places to go, I don't often hang out in that part of town, but I've had some good beers at the Pratt St. Alehouse.
Have fun!
posted by capnsue at 9:48 AM on April 27, 2011
I can answer this one as I work at a bar next to Camden Yards called The Bullpen. First, right across the street from the stadium are four bars. "Frank and Nic's" which has a hotel bar vibe, "Slider's" which is more of a dive, "The Bullpen, which is kind of a dump but is the cheapest on the block, 5 dollars for two domestic beers, and the big boy, "Pickles", which is your typical sports bar.
Honestly, I do not recommend any of them. All though all have food at varying levels of quality.
Fells may be your best bet and would be a very quick cab ride back over once you've parked.
In terms of parking, my co-workers park on Washington Ave past MLK. Around the 1100 block. This isn't the greatest area of town but it is close to the ball park and there is parking. As always, it is Baltimore so don't leave valuables in your car for any enterprising junkies.
Pratt St. Alehouse, as Capnsue says, may be your best option.
posted by josher71 at 9:51 AM on April 27, 2011
Honestly, I do not recommend any of them. All though all have food at varying levels of quality.
Fells may be your best bet and would be a very quick cab ride back over once you've parked.
In terms of parking, my co-workers park on Washington Ave past MLK. Around the 1100 block. This isn't the greatest area of town but it is close to the ball park and there is parking. As always, it is Baltimore so don't leave valuables in your car for any enterprising junkies.
Pratt St. Alehouse, as Capnsue says, may be your best option.
posted by josher71 at 9:51 AM on April 27, 2011
walk around the waterfront to the west side and go to the American Visionary Art Museum. Walk up Federal Hill Park for a nice view.
Be thankful I am giving you this advice, as an O's fan, despite the title of your post ;)
posted by gaspode at 9:51 AM on April 27, 2011 [4 favorites]
Be thankful I am giving you this advice, as an O's fan, despite the title of your post ;)
posted by gaspode at 9:51 AM on April 27, 2011 [4 favorites]
The Babe Ruth Birthplace and Sports Legends Museum are both within walking distance of Camden Yards, as is Geppi's Entertainment Museum (like comics? go to Geppi's).
On preview, AVAM is a great recommendation and is one of my favorite things about Baltimore. It has a nice restaurant on the top floor, which stays open much later than the museum. If you have money to spend, The Rusty Scupper is a good upscale (chain) seafood restaurant across the street from AVAM, with spectacular views of the harbor. Seconding the annoyance at your title.
posted by postel's law at 9:57 AM on April 27, 2011
On preview, AVAM is a great recommendation and is one of my favorite things about Baltimore. It has a nice restaurant on the top floor, which stays open much later than the museum. If you have money to spend, The Rusty Scupper is a good upscale (chain) seafood restaurant across the street from AVAM, with spectacular views of the harbor. Seconding the annoyance at your title.
posted by postel's law at 9:57 AM on April 27, 2011
Take the light rail up to the Center St. stop (or just walk) to the Walters Art Museum. They have a stunning collection of stuff, and it's a very pretty part of town. You'll also be close to Mount Vernon dining.
posted by Nomyte at 9:59 AM on April 27, 2011
posted by Nomyte at 9:59 AM on April 27, 2011
I love the Baltimore Aquarium, but in my opinion it's a bit pricey to just kill an hour or so.
posted by inigo2 at 10:06 AM on April 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by inigo2 at 10:06 AM on April 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
Calling somebody else's ballpark "My Ballpark South" ain't exactly in the Dale Carnegie course you know. Still, I will answer in good faith, even though you were mean to me.
Food at Fells Point is pretty good. It's well within your timeframe. I am devoted to the Visionary Art Museum, but it's not as quick to get in and out of as Fells will be.
COD's parking spot under the expressway is kind of a secret, but if you can find it, it's a good one. Just put everything in the trunk and lock the car up tight. We got broken into for an golf umbrella and a Kelis CD once.
No matter what anybody tells you, don't go poking around for the Edgar Allen Poe house. There's a reason they made a joke about it on The Wire. Just let it go.
posted by S'Tella Fabula at 10:12 AM on April 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
Food at Fells Point is pretty good. It's well within your timeframe. I am devoted to the Visionary Art Museum, but it's not as quick to get in and out of as Fells will be.
COD's parking spot under the expressway is kind of a secret, but if you can find it, it's a good one. Just put everything in the trunk and lock the car up tight. We got broken into for an golf umbrella and a Kelis CD once.
No matter what anybody tells you, don't go poking around for the Edgar Allen Poe house. There's a reason they made a joke about it on The Wire. Just let it go.
posted by S'Tella Fabula at 10:12 AM on April 27, 2011 [2 favorites]
If you don't care about money, then the Aquarium is fine. It's expensive, though, and might be better served with more than an hour's visit.
The main bars around the stadium have been mentioned. Harborplace has a lot of restaurants and bars too. That's over by the, well, harbor, and is within the same walking distance as the aquarium. Depending on the weather I can't think of any more pleasant than catching dinner and a few drinks at one of the restaurants with a patio, taking a walk around the harbor, and then watching the Os.
More info here.
It might be a little crowded before a game, depending on weather, the Os record, and who's playing. They have for-pay parking listed there, but with the other suggestions in the thread you could probably pay less.
posted by codacorolla at 10:47 AM on April 27, 2011
The main bars around the stadium have been mentioned. Harborplace has a lot of restaurants and bars too. That's over by the, well, harbor, and is within the same walking distance as the aquarium. Depending on the weather I can't think of any more pleasant than catching dinner and a few drinks at one of the restaurants with a patio, taking a walk around the harbor, and then watching the Os.
More info here.
It might be a little crowded before a game, depending on weather, the Os record, and who's playing. They have for-pay parking listed there, but with the other suggestions in the thread you could probably pay less.
posted by codacorolla at 10:47 AM on April 27, 2011
I don't have a problem being called Fenway South, especially since the Sox lost to the O's 4-1 last night.
The Visionary Arts Museum is walking distance. Brewer's Art has great food and beer, it's about 10 blocks north. The Helmand is a great Afghani place, also about 8-10 blocks north.
posted by electroboy at 11:58 AM on April 27, 2011
The Visionary Arts Museum is walking distance. Brewer's Art has great food and beer, it's about 10 blocks north. The Helmand is a great Afghani place, also about 8-10 blocks north.
posted by electroboy at 11:58 AM on April 27, 2011
If you're going to be over by the Visionary Art Museum, which is essentially Locust Point, I can definitely recommend Sly Fox (especially their steak salad) and Little Havana, which has Cuban food and a pretty awesome bar. If you like tequila, Lime is also over that way.
posted by codacorolla at 1:15 PM on April 27, 2011
posted by codacorolla at 1:15 PM on April 27, 2011
Best answer: Ryleigh's Oyster House in Federal Hill is always a stop for me when I'm in Baltimore. It's walking distance from Camden Yards.
posted by KingEdRa at 4:33 PM on April 27, 2011
posted by KingEdRa at 4:33 PM on April 27, 2011
There is a lot of parking around Camden, and not many Orioles fans. Parking won't be an issue. I've always parked in a lot under the expressway, but I have no idea how to explain to somebody how to get to that lot. I just know how to do it, coming from the South.
I agree. The walking topography of that area is non-Euclidean. I was almost murdered under that very expressway one night. Stumbled upon a private club (or warehouse robbery?) that seemed to not want to be stumbled upon. I managed to convince them through body language that I was just trying to get back to the Holiday Inn Express.
posted by gjc at 5:43 PM on April 27, 2011
I agree. The walking topography of that area is non-Euclidean. I was almost murdered under that very expressway one night. Stumbled upon a private club (or warehouse robbery?) that seemed to not want to be stumbled upon. I managed to convince them through body language that I was just trying to get back to the Holiday Inn Express.
posted by gjc at 5:43 PM on April 27, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for the advice, benevolent O's fans! See you tonight!
posted by kidsleepy at 12:06 PM on April 28, 2011
posted by kidsleepy at 12:06 PM on April 28, 2011
Response by poster: So we didn't get there early enough to do anything besides eat, and took the stroll to Federal Hill and Ryleigh's. We enjoyed the food and atmosphere, thought service was a little slow. 24 oysters for $24 was a steal, and the Orange Dreamsicle Crush was delicious and deadly.
posted by kidsleepy at 8:57 AM on April 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by kidsleepy at 8:57 AM on April 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
The Maryland Sports museum is right next to the park, I think.
For food and drink, take the water taxi over to Fells Point. Plenty of bars and restaurants there.
posted by PsuDab93 at 9:38 AM on April 27, 2011