BALTIMORE: Check out Charm City before hitting the ballpark

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What’s one to do before a baseball game in Baltimore?

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The answer is simple: Explore the city!

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Whether it’s after an hour-long flight from Pearson International Airport, or an eight-hour road trip in your vehicle, Toronto Blue Jays fans shouldn’t resort to just visiting Oriole Park at Camden Yards to catch a game against the Orioles.

Instead, they should make a day of it.

There’s more to Baltimore than just its baseball team. The city offers plenty to do and explore during the day before an evening game.

As to where to go and what to see, there’s no one better to ask than native Baltimoreans.

Chris Riehl, owner of Rent-A-Tour and chair of the Maryland Tourism Coalition, says one can’t head to Camden Yards before making a pitstop at the legendary Pickles Pub, a Baltimore institution since 1988 and a destination for any sports fan.

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“Their pork BBQ is out of this world,” Riehl says.

Riehl also recommends visiting “the birthplaces of two icons of baseball in the United States: The Star-Spangled Banner and Babe Ruth” at the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum and Fort McHenry National Monument (nps.gov/fomc), which is just a Water Taxi ride away.

For Baltimore podcaster Rob Lee (of The Truth In This Art Podcast), there’s no better place to get “a great cross-section of what Baltimore has to offer in terms of arts and culture” than the Station North Arts District (stationnorth.org).

“Station North is our first arts district and offers entertainment like stand-up comedy, theatre and live music at Motor House, great restaurants like Alma Cocina & Foraged, as well as many artists that live in the district hanging out at the Crown, Ynot Lot or even Sophomore,” says Lee. 

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The city of Baltimore is also known for its picturesque waterfront, with many family-friendly parks to take in. Leanna Wetmore, Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore’s director of events and programs, says she personally enjoys taking her family to Rash Field Park.

“There’s a nature play area with tree stumps and things (my son) loves to explore,” Wetmore says of Rash Field Park. “Then we may hop on the Baltimore Water Taxi to Fells Point and admire the historic sailboats before we grab dinner outside on one of the cobblestone streets.”

WHERE TO STAY?

The first thing to do is find a place to crash for the day.

There are a number of accommodations within walking vicinity of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. One place located within Inner Harbor is Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore.

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Overlooking the waterfront, this hotel is the perfect mix of a laid-back atmosphere and modern class.

Whether you stay in a deluxe or premium suite, there’s no bad view out the windows. It’s also centrally located and within a short distance of many attractions in Charm City.

FEED ME MORE

Stomachs will rumble at some point after settling down in the city. If one is looking for a place to satisfy that hunger with food that’s uniquely Baltimore, look no further than the Cross Street Market (crossstmarket.com) on Charles Street.

Located within the historic 19th-century marketplace in Federal Hill, the Cross Street Market is the home to 22 independent businesses with something to offer for all tastes. Want some pizza? Get a slice or two from Pizza Di Joey. Want to soothe that sweet tooth? Grab some freshly-made ice cream at Taharka Brothers.

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Of course, one can’t leave Baltimore without having its specialty — crab! Get some hardshell or softshell crabs or king crab legs, along with other seafood, at the Atlas Fish Market (atlasfishmarket.com). Those craving trademark crab cakes (whether as a platter or in sandwich form) can stop by Watershed (watershedbaltimore.com) and nosh away.

It’s also worth checking out the Urban Deli (urbandelibmore.com) on Light Street in the Federal Hill neighbourhood. A beloved eatery, Urban Deli is a “personal favourite” of Riehl, who recommends their “awesome sandwiches” such as Smokin’ SOBO, Harbor Ham and Riverside Reuben.

If you’re in the mood for a more refined meal before the game, Cinghiale (cgeno.com) located in Inner Harbor is a great option that’s a short walk to and from Camden Yards. Restauranteur Tony Foreman says the place is “efficient, high-quality and relaxed all at the same time” with “an extensive wine list and even half-servings of pasta for those that need to dine quickly.” There’s something for everyone, he says.

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HISTORY AND CULTURE

B&O RAILROAD MUSEUM — Much of Baltimore’s backstory involves the railroad.

Even the name, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, derives from the former railyards that once sat on the ballpark site. Those yearning to learn about the history of the railroad industry can make a stop at the B&O Railroad Museum (borail.org).

The museum is home to an impressive collection that celebrates the history of the railroad in the United States. Visitors can learn about where the first mile of commercial railroad was constructed in the country, as well as the site where eight individuals escaped slavery and travelled through the train station en route to the north.

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Exhibits include a model train gallery with a miniature scale version of Baltimore in which model trains circulate. This exhibit also explores the various North American model train scales.

Within the circa-1844 Roundhouse of the museum is the First Century of American Railroading exhibit. It consists of a collection of 19th-century locomotives and rolling stock showing the evolution of railroading within its first 100 years of existence. Definitely worth checking out.

BABE RUTH BIRTHPLACE AND MUSEUM — There’s no way any baseball fan hasn’t heard of Babe Ruth.

A native Baltimorean, Babe Ruth was considered one of the greatest American baseball players of all time. The Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum (baberuthmuseum.org) is located in his family home on Emory Street in the Pigtown section of Baltimore — and two blocks away from Camden Yards.

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Visitors can check out a preserved room of the original Ruth home while learning more about his upbringing, baseball career and baseball history in general via a self-guided tour.

Among the many impressive things featured is a collection of baseball cards, including what is considered to be the Bambino’s rookie card.

THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER FLAG HOUSE — No baseball game is played at Camden Yards without the singing of the national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.

Located on East Pratt Street in the Jonestown neighbourhood is a late 1700s dwelling that is known as the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House (flaghouse.org). This museum and National Historic Landmark interprets the life of Mary Young Pickersgill, a 19th-century entrepreneur who crafted the flag that inspired the American national anthem.

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Pickersgill’s story has a deep-rooted personal connection to Baltimore and American history, and the museum showcases the tale of the diverse lives of people who have lived in the home since 1793.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME

Bookend the day by heading to Oriole Park at Camden Yards to catch the Orioles in action (possibly against the Blue Jays, who visit again Sept. 5-7 and Sept. 16-18).

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the ballpark is considered to be the first of the throwback baseball facilities built during a modern era. A replacement for the Orioles’ former home, Memorial Park, the outdoor ballpark is located within the greater Camden Yards Sports Complex that also includes the home of the Baltimore Ravens, M&T Bank Stadium.

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It can be argued that there’s no bad view of the game no matter where you’re seated. Besides traditional bleacher seating, Camden Yards also has standing lounges and a picnic area behind the bullpens.

While there’s plenty of traditional ballpark fare to enjoy, it wouldn’t be a true Baltimore experience without enjoying some crab cakes. Jimmy’s Famous Seafood within Camden Yards features a crab-centric menu which includes crab cake sandwiches, crab cake egg rolls and crabby fries.

For more information or to plan a trip, contact Visit Baltimore (baltimore.org) or the Maryland Office of Tourism (visitmaryland.org).

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