orioles park guide
Orioles Park Which is also known as Camden Yards has played host to the Baltimore Orioles since 1992. This stadium was one of the first to bring back the retro craze which we see in just about every stadium that has been built recently. I personally think it’s a refreshing change from the cookie cutter stadiums of the 70’s. Lets get down to business.
parking
Free Parking near Orioles Park is practically non-existent. Public transportation is available and can work for you, depending on what part of town you are coming from. I am not a big fan of riding buses, but subway systems are ok with me for some reason. The subway in Baltimore costs about $3.20 for a round trip ride, and they have a page set-up specifically for Camden Yards here.
Most of the parking lots really close to Orioles Park are reserved, and not open to those without passes. You can look for a parking pass on eBay if you want to find something really close, but you should expect to pay about $20 to buy the pass. Lot H is one place you can park which only costs $8, (relatively cheap), and you have a pretty easy in and out as well. You will have a fair walk from here, as the lot is just east of the Raven’s stadium. There are other unofficial lots nearby which will cost you around $10, and that is as cheap as it’s going to get, unfortunately.
Although free parking at the Orioles game isn’t going to happen, the good news is there are plenty of spots in the area. Because of the Raven’s stadium in close proximity, there are tons of lots within walking distance of Orioles Park. Let me step back, the only place you may find free on the street parking is on Pratt St. which is north of the stadium. You can get there from I395, and there isn’t much parking but as you drive down the road you will see some parking spots on the left. If you get there around 5, you will typically have to hit the meter until 6, when the meters become free.
Here is a zoomed up view of the official Orioles Park parking map.
tickets
The Orioles aren’t very good. For the value seeker, this is good news. Usually tickets can be purchased for under face value in the Scalp Free Zone which is something that the Orioles facilitate outside of Lot F at Orioles Park; which is across from Russell St. behind the LF area. It is illegal to sell tickets above face value here, so you know you are getting at least as good of a deal as you would at the ticket office.
A good strategy to employ in this area is to buy late. Mostly these are regulars just trying to get something for their unused extras. They tend to be more flexible as the first pitch draws nigh. If you go there and buy 2 hours before the game, the seller is less likely to give a big discount because they expect many people to come by after you.
Ironically this is similar to my strategy for buying on eBay. Here is my advice for ticket buying on eBay; wait until the last minute. I know that sounds crazy, and you would think that closer to the event the prices would shoot up; but that is not the case. I have bought and sold plenty of tickets on eBay and I have found that when I sell them early I get top dollar because there is less competition. As the event gets closer, everybody in America who is selling tickets begins to list them at auction. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that when the market is flooded with supply the price is driven down. I don't know if there are any published numbers to back me up, but I have seen it time and time again. So if buying on eBay, buy late. Here are a couple of auctions ending soon with a current bid under $50.
parking
Free Parking near Orioles Park is practically non-existent. Public transportation is available and can work for you, depending on what part of town you are coming from. I am not a big fan of riding buses, but subway systems are ok with me for some reason. The subway in Baltimore costs about $3.20 for a round trip ride, and they have a page set-up specifically for Camden Yards here.
Most of the parking lots really close to Orioles Park are reserved, and not open to those without passes. You can look for a parking pass on eBay if you want to find something really close, but you should expect to pay about $20 to buy the pass. Lot H is one place you can park which only costs $8, (relatively cheap), and you have a pretty easy in and out as well. You will have a fair walk from here, as the lot is just east of the Raven’s stadium. There are other unofficial lots nearby which will cost you around $10, and that is as cheap as it’s going to get, unfortunately.
Although free parking at the Orioles game isn’t going to happen, the good news is there are plenty of spots in the area. Because of the Raven’s stadium in close proximity, there are tons of lots within walking distance of Orioles Park. Let me step back, the only place you may find free on the street parking is on Pratt St. which is north of the stadium. You can get there from I395, and there isn’t much parking but as you drive down the road you will see some parking spots on the left. If you get there around 5, you will typically have to hit the meter until 6, when the meters become free.
Here is a zoomed up view of the official Orioles Park parking map.
tickets
The Orioles aren’t very good. For the value seeker, this is good news. Usually tickets can be purchased for under face value in the Scalp Free Zone which is something that the Orioles facilitate outside of Lot F at Orioles Park; which is across from Russell St. behind the LF area. It is illegal to sell tickets above face value here, so you know you are getting at least as good of a deal as you would at the ticket office.
A good strategy to employ in this area is to buy late. Mostly these are regulars just trying to get something for their unused extras. They tend to be more flexible as the first pitch draws nigh. If you go there and buy 2 hours before the game, the seller is less likely to give a big discount because they expect many people to come by after you.
Ironically this is similar to my strategy for buying on eBay. Here is my advice for ticket buying on eBay; wait until the last minute. I know that sounds crazy, and you would think that closer to the event the prices would shoot up; but that is not the case. I have bought and sold plenty of tickets on eBay and I have found that when I sell them early I get top dollar because there is less competition. As the event gets closer, everybody in America who is selling tickets begins to list them at auction. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that when the market is flooded with supply the price is driven down. I don't know if there are any published numbers to back me up, but I have seen it time and time again. So if buying on eBay, buy late. Here are a couple of auctions ending soon with a current bid under $50.
Unless the O’s have made a serious turn-around since I wrote this, I would probably never pay face value for one of their tickets. I would go with either of the above options and you will have plenty of selection unless the Yankees or Red Sox are at Camden Yards.
If you are buying from the team, they do offer a couple of good value opportunities. All Tuesdays offer $8 Upper Reserved seats, which is nearly half off what it normally costs. Also if you are coming from out of town, one thing you should know about is Boog’s Barbecue, which I will give more detail on in the food section. The Orioles offer a bleacher seat and a barbecue sandwich for $15. You only need to enter the promo code “BOOGS” when ordering online.
Some of the best value seats in Orioles Park on a night in and night out basis are lower reserved sections 55 – 65. They go for $15 for a standard game, which is $10 less than the seats directly in front of you. You should try to sit in section 55 if you can, as you are practically in what would be considered an infield box seat in other stadiums. Lower reserved 17 gives a similar view from the first base side and it is again a good deal at $15. Heck, standing room only tickets at Orioles Park are $8 so it’s not as if the cheap tickets are that much cheaper.
Another benefit of these seats (depending on the time of year) is that they are in the shade. If it’s a mid-summer game with a high temperature, there is nothing like enjoying the game from the shade.
food
I mentioned Boog’s Barbecue earlier which is located on Eutaw St. behind the center field bleachers at Oriole Park. Boog Powell, former Oriole great, is a regular at his own booth greeting and selling food to fans. If you are coming from out of town I would say its worth the money to try it once.
If you are looking to save money, the Orioles allow you to take food and drink into Camden Yards. There are plenty of booths on Eutaw St., which won’t really save you much money vs. in the stadium, but you could pack a bag or soft sided cooler from home and save big on food. You can also take in unopened plastic bottles of pop or water. Again this will save you several bucks per drink when compared to ballpark prices. If you are a regular, you really should start taking your own snacks and drinks to Orioles Park.
Another option that I consistently recommend is Restaurant.com Here you can buy $25 gift certificates to local restaurants for $10. You can also do a google search for "Restaurant.com coupon codes" and almost always get an extra 60 - 80% off that. I often buy these $25 certificates for $2. That is the best way to eat a decent meal before or after the game and save a chunk of change. When you follow the link, just type in the zip code of Camden Yards (21201) to see what restaurants are nearby.
If you are buying from the team, they do offer a couple of good value opportunities. All Tuesdays offer $8 Upper Reserved seats, which is nearly half off what it normally costs. Also if you are coming from out of town, one thing you should know about is Boog’s Barbecue, which I will give more detail on in the food section. The Orioles offer a bleacher seat and a barbecue sandwich for $15. You only need to enter the promo code “BOOGS” when ordering online.
Some of the best value seats in Orioles Park on a night in and night out basis are lower reserved sections 55 – 65. They go for $15 for a standard game, which is $10 less than the seats directly in front of you. You should try to sit in section 55 if you can, as you are practically in what would be considered an infield box seat in other stadiums. Lower reserved 17 gives a similar view from the first base side and it is again a good deal at $15. Heck, standing room only tickets at Orioles Park are $8 so it’s not as if the cheap tickets are that much cheaper.
Another benefit of these seats (depending on the time of year) is that they are in the shade. If it’s a mid-summer game with a high temperature, there is nothing like enjoying the game from the shade.
food
I mentioned Boog’s Barbecue earlier which is located on Eutaw St. behind the center field bleachers at Oriole Park. Boog Powell, former Oriole great, is a regular at his own booth greeting and selling food to fans. If you are coming from out of town I would say its worth the money to try it once.
If you are looking to save money, the Orioles allow you to take food and drink into Camden Yards. There are plenty of booths on Eutaw St., which won’t really save you much money vs. in the stadium, but you could pack a bag or soft sided cooler from home and save big on food. You can also take in unopened plastic bottles of pop or water. Again this will save you several bucks per drink when compared to ballpark prices. If you are a regular, you really should start taking your own snacks and drinks to Orioles Park.
Another option that I consistently recommend is Restaurant.com Here you can buy $25 gift certificates to local restaurants for $10. You can also do a google search for "Restaurant.com coupon codes" and almost always get an extra 60 - 80% off that. I often buy these $25 certificates for $2. That is the best way to eat a decent meal before or after the game and save a chunk of change. When you follow the link, just type in the zip code of Camden Yards (21201) to see what restaurants are nearby.