Cards @ Baltimore in August -- What Should I Know about Camden, Baltimore, etc?

[VeveJones007]

Lexington Market is scary at Noon on a sunny day :-). I almost hit people driving through that area all throughout the day because they wonder the streets with no regards for the cars.

After living downtown for two years, this is definitely an iconic Baltimore "thing." People regularly walk across the street with no regard to on-coming traffic.

[VeveJones007]

The casino would be nice if you like that but I don't think it is supposed to open till late August or September.

http://www.casinohorseshoebaltimore.com/index.html

Circulator bus is free and now runs to Fells Point and Ft McHenry..Also up Chares Street. Runs till midnight on weekends.

http://www.charmcitycirculator.com/route/green-route

http://www.charmcitycirculator.com/

For something different really good Afghan food. Owned by Qayum Karzai, the elder brother of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. (Qayum Karzai is now running to replace his brother in April elections.)

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2014-02-24/entertainment/bs-sc-helmand-review-20140224_1_helmand-afghan-restaurant-baltimore-restaurant

This place is open 24 hours weekends in Fells Point. Quirky,I think a little overrated but the Captain Crunch French Toast is different and has a Baltimore vibe, I know they are opening a location in Federal Hill ,nut not until around August 10th. Even on that Diners.Drive-Ins and Dives show. Even though most of those places are just ok.

http://bluemoonbaltimore.com/

If you're out late in Fells, definitely hit up Blue Moon cafe for the Cap'n Crunch French Toast or Sweet Baby Jesus (not on the menu).

[CardsFanBob]

Wine Bar:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/v-no-wine-bar-baltimore

http://v-nowinebar.com/

That looks like a great little place... and close to where we'll likely be. Thank you!

Tilghman Island is 90 minutes from Baltimore yet a world away. Grandma is 94 and has been cooking bacon, crab cakes, and oysters in the same cast iron skillet since before the Oriole's escaped from St. Louis.

Now I'm going to hankering for crab cakes until the first catch comes out of the Choptank...

Damn. that does sound good. Bless your grandma for still cooking at that age! You're a blessed man.

And the Orange Crush's there will put you and your wife right where you want to be. Mama's on the Half Shell was my favorite spot in Canton back when I lived there from 2001 to 2006.

Got it. Thanks!

Beer in Fells Point. This place has tons of beers. One of the biggest in the country.

http://www.maxs.com/

That sounds very good! Thank you!

[VeveJones007]

The problem with Baltimore is its hard to tell when the neighborhood shifts from safe to trouble and it can happen fast. If you don't know the city, it can all look kind of scary. Makes it harder for tourists to just wander around town.

I agree your good within a few blocks of the inner harbor, but a few blocks the wrong direction from Lexington Market and maybe not.

Generally a good idea to know where you are and how to get home as it gets later in the evening.

Honestly, its not a good idea to wander the streets of any city at 3 am especially unfamiliar streets.

Yep. For the sake of the OP, just stick to the ballpark, down Pratt along the Harbor, down Light St. toward Fed Hill, and down President St. for Little Italy, Harbor East, and on to Fells Point.

[Going Underground]

Don't know if you like a Scotch bar. I thought Rye was not that great but other people love it. Not that cheap.

http://www.abs.net/~scotchjh/

http://citypaper.com/news/show-me-the-way-to-the-next-whiskey-bar-1.1433249

[Going Underground]

I think you will probably have too many choices but for something different-The Helmand. good luck and be careful if you do go to Lexington Market,one of the big drug markets in Baltimore.

A haven for drug dealers, this block of Eutaw Street doesn?t always attract the right types of customers.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2014/03/09/baltimore-city-trying-to-bring-back-charm-lexington-market-once-had/

[OFFNY]

Hello, O's fans!

I'm a St. Louis Cardinals fan, and I think I've talked the wife into flying up to catch the Cards/Orioles series this August. Just a quick in and out trip, catching the Friday and Saturday night games.

I've traveled extensively, but not much in the northeast. My only time in Baltimore was packed with work obligations, and more than 7 years ago. In other words, I don't know much about your fair city.

I'm hoping to book a room near the stadium, and doing a quick search of the area on Google, it looks like the Inner Harbor is the best area to stay -- hotels, bars, restaurants around. Is that right? We're around 30, so in good shape to make the half mile or so walk.

Any information you could provide to make this a unique experience is greatly appreciated. I've been waiting for a trip to see Camden since interleague began. I can't wait to check the entire area.

Oh, and regarding tickets: The wife and I enjoy cutting loose when traveling, and we've been known to throw a few drinks back. Does Camden have any all you can drink areas? It doesn't look like it does, but I couldn't be sure... They're big sellers here in St. Louis. Again, any info you could provide is much appreciated!

When O's make the Series this year against the Cardinals, and you come to Busch to watch them play, I'll be more than happy to provide any information you would need for a great visit!

I may be there for those games. There is another Cardinals fan from "St. Louis Legends" that will be there (Spirit of St. Louis.)

http://s7.zetaboards.com/stlouislegends/forum/50602/

I'll P.M. you when the time gets closer.

Patrick (Oriole Fan From New York)

[Can_of_corn]

You have no idea the tidal wave of opinions/rant/flamewar you have just begun

I'll start off by saying you want to bring a bushel to my house and I'll steam them properly. Everyone else's way is either wrong or subpar!

And my grandmother makes the best crab cakes, Tilghman Island FTW!!!

Note: I live 90 minutes from the city so do not actually come to my house.

What does that have to do with anything? I'm in FL but if someone wants to bring by a bushel of live crabs I'm not turning them away.

[Samatwing]

Agree with most these comments. Stay in the harbor but avoid the tourist traps. Go to Federal Hill for Cross Street Market and Abbey Burger... Lots of bars and restaurants with giant open windows in this area. Walking distance to camden. Also has a great view of entire city from top of federal hill park. Also definitely check out fells point one night. Historic part of city just across the water with tons of greats shops, bars, and live music. Take the water taxi or uber cab.

[CardsFanBob]

Don't know if you like a Scotch bar. I thought Rye was not that great but other people love it. Not that cheap.

http://www.abs.net/~scotchjh/

http://citypaper.com/news/show-me-the-way-to-the-next-whiskey-bar-1.1433249

I do enjoy Scotch. The wife not so much, but thank you for the recommendation. If this was a boys trip, I'd hit it up.

I think you will probably have too many choices but for something different-The Helmand. good luck and be careful if you do go to Lexington Market,one of the big drug markets in Baltimore.

A haven for drug dealers, this block of Eutaw Street doesn?t always attract the right types of customers.

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2014/03/09/baltimore-city-trying-to-bring-back-charm-lexington-market-once-had/

Thank you!

I may be there for those games. There is another Cardinals fan from "St. Louis Legends" that will be there (Spirit of St. Louis.)

http://s7.zetaboards.com/stlouislegends/forum/50602/

I'll P.M. you when the time gets closer.

Patrick (Oriole Fan From New York)

Good to know! Feel free to PM me anytime!

[CardsFanBob]

Agree with most these comments. Stay in the harbor but avoid the tourist traps. Go to Federal Hill for Cross Street Market and Abbey Burger... Lots of bars and restaurants with giant open windows in this area. Walking distance to camden. Also has a great view of entire city from top of federal hill park. Also definitely check out fells point one night. Historic part of city just across the water with tons of greats shops, bars, and live music. Take the water taxi or uber cab.

Thank you! This sounds like the best bet. I'm thinking we need to hit up Abbey Burger for an early lunch and then Pickles for all we can drink before the game one day. Then who knows afterwards? I'm looking forward to this already.

[WEAVERMAN]

Oh, I forgot to mention! You die-hards would appreciate this...

One of my best friends is the great nephew of Earl Weaver. As you well know, Earl was a St. Louis native. He would come back fairly often to see family. I had the pleasure of meeting him several times and chatting with him a bit before his passing. What a funny man. The stories my buddy would tell about their holidays gathering were hilarious -- he apparently never lost his enjoyment to argue.

Thank you for sharing Bob.

[CardsFanBob]

Thank you for sharing Bob.

You're very welcome. My buddy was pretty torn up when he passed. He apparently was a good man away from baseball too.

[Going Underground]

We do pretty well, but I'm probably not going to stay at Four Seasons. I get stingy at some point. Plus, see we have gobs of Hilton points, so that will be our likely destination. Still, I appreciate your comment! And I'll keep those restaurants in mind!

You said you had Hilton Points. Maybe stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton. Close to Max's.Harbor East and Fells Point and Canton. A little further to the stadium but you can take the Circulator bus for free. I saw the prices are around $200.00 a night.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60811-d674606-Reviews-Homewood_Suites_by_Hilton_Baltimore-Baltimore_Maryland.html

[CardsFanBob]

We do pretty well, but I'm probably not going to stay at Four Seasons. I get stingy at some point. Plus, see we have gobs of Hilton points, so that will be our likely destination. Still, I appreciate your comment! And I'll keep those restaurants in mind!

You said you had Hilton Points. Maybe stay at the Homewood Suites by Hilton. Close to Max's.Harbor East and Fells Point and Canton. A little further to the stadium but you can take the Circulator bus for free. I saw the prices are around $200.00 a night.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g60811-d674606-Reviews-Homewood_Suites_by_Hilton_Baltimore-Baltimore_Maryland.html

Yup. I was looking at that one. I"m wondering about the Hampton Inn by the park too... I might be able to save a few points staying there. It still looks like it's an easy/cheap cab fare to all of Fells, Harbor, and Federal.