Tower Oaks is a LEED-certified building created by Lerner Enterprises and The Tower Companies. It was developed using the principles of the latest in green architecture as well as a conducive building for the health of the employees. Among its features are wind power, the elimination of 85% pollutants from the air, a 41% reduction of energy usage and 48% reduction of water consumption. As stated on its Web site, it is "the healthiest building in Washington"--both for the employees and the environment.
Located in Baltimore's sprawling, ever-expanding, and highly walkable Inner Harbor tourist fun zone, the first of its kind Oriole Park at Camden Yards "retro" stadium was constructed for one purpose: Orioles baseball. It's one of the best places in the country to catch a game, with loyal fans who are generally tolerant of visiting team colors. Even if you're there to root for the other team, get into the spirit of the Orioles by shouting that second "O" in the National Anthem.
Parking and parking alternatives at Orioles Park at Camden Yards
Camden Yards has a limited amount of reasonably-priced parking available on lots south of the stadium, but the closer spaces require a 10-day advance purchase. Allow yourself an extra half-hour to drive to parking near the ballpark. Gameday parking is available on stadium property, but it's more limited and more of a hike. Parking passes attached to season tickets are frequently resold as parking-only offers on ticket resale sites such as StubHub. There's also ample parking at a number of public surface and garage lots in the area, but if you're heading in from out of town for the day, consider starting out early vial light rail, after parking (free) at one of the larger commuter parking lots at stops outside the city. For a total tourist experience, take public transportation such as the Charm City Circulator (free) or an MTA bus, to a neighborhood handy to the Water Taxi, then cruise into the Inner Harbor, hop off at one of a number of Harborplace stops, and stroll down Pratt Street to the stadium.
Where to stay near Orioles Park at Camden Yards
If you're looking for a hotel handy to the game, you can't get any closer than the relatively new Hilton Baltimore, right across the street from OPACY (some of the suites even have a limited view of the field), but the in-season rates might be prohibitive. The Holiday Inn is only a block away from the stadium and a bit more reasonable. A bit further but still not too bad of a walk from the park is the restaurant and bar-rich Mount Vernon Neighborhood, with a few notable hotels such as the Wyndham and the Hotel Brexton, and some nice B&B's. If you're more budget-minded, you can look to surrounding Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties for accommodations that are a quick drive or trip on Light Rail, and if you're deeply budget conscious and want to stay in the city, there's always the ultra-budget Hi-Baltimore hostel located between Mount Vernon and downtown/Inner Harbor.
Seating at Orioles Park at Camden Yards
Seating at OPACY runs the typical gamut from nosebleed and hard seats to close to home plate with cup holders and extra padding. Sold-out games trigger inexpensive walk-up standing room only tickets. A great mid-price option are the Eutaw Street Bleachers (sections 90-98), which put you close enough to the outfielders to get off some good heckles, but also very close to the restrooms and food and drink vendors on Eutaw Street, and the center left side gives you a great view of the bullpens. For family gatherings, if you can swing a group purchase of 15 or more, try the left field "Picnic Perch," which entitles you to unlimited menu items such as hot dogs, soft drinks, and more. The relatively new Roof Deck Bar in center field is open to everyone attending games and great for those who can't stand waiting for a beer. There's also two rows of bar stools overlooking the field, which can be reserved with a regular ticket purchase.
Food at Orioles Park at Camden Yards
The dining experience at Camden Yards continues to evolve, in addition to Boog's BBQ and a crabcake at the Old Bay Seafood booth, there's also the Kosher Sports hot dog stand (closed on Saturdays) and the tasty and filling TAKO Korean BBQ kiosk featuring a different take on tacos plus dense steamed buns with an assortment of fillings.
Beer at Orioles Park at Camden Yards
The variety and availability of beer at the Yard also continues to improve, and all the usual domestic and import macrobrews are on offer, with local favorite National Bohemian being the value leader, generally a buck cheaper than everything else, along with lots of representation from the likes of Corona, Leinenkugel, and Flying Dog—where there's usually a surprisingly short line—at stands throughout the stadium, together with ever-changing craft beer offerings at the Free State Pub on the main concourse, and Dempsey's Brewpub on the Eutaw Street side.
What to bring
Most of the seating in the park is out in the open, so bring sunscreen for day games, and while you can bring an umbrella inside the stadium, you won't be able to use it in the stands if it blocks someone's vision, so bring a raincoat or fold-up poncho if it looks like rain and you want to stay in your seat.
Insider tips for visiting Orioles Park at Camden Yards
The lines into the park, especially on a giveaway day, can be frustratingly long at the highly-popular gate H entrance, where people tend to congregate to meet and deliver tickets before a game. Avoid that entrance. Great places to enter the ballpark are the gate A entrance, on the south side of Eutaw Street, or the gate E entrance, on the Russell Street side of the stadium.
If you are a traditionalist and like peanuts at the ballgame, the price you'll pay just outside the gates for nuts in a brown paper bag (you can bring into the stadium along with clear, sealed non-alcoholic beverage containers) are a fraction of what you'll pay inside the park.
Author's bio: Joe MacMap lives in Baltimore with his wife and cat. Two out of three of them regularly attend O's games.
