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.
orioles park 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. The Orioles do allow you to purchase parking ahead of time on their website, but you will pay a small service fee. (I hate those) 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. In lots F, G, and H you can park for $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.
Sometimes you can get cheaper parking than that by using Park Whiz. Park Whiz is a site that sells pre-paid parking to Camden Yards, and it is a pretty brilliant idea. You cut out a lot of stress and hassle simply by knowing where you are going ahead of time. Check it out or look at the upcoming games below and click on the one you want:
Most of the parking lots really close to Orioles Park are reserved, and not open to those without passes. The Orioles do allow you to purchase parking ahead of time on their website, but you will pay a small service fee. (I hate those) 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. In lots F, G, and H you can park for $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.
Sometimes you can get cheaper parking than that by using Park Whiz. Park Whiz is a site that sells pre-paid parking to Camden Yards, and it is a pretty brilliant idea. You cut out a lot of stress and hassle simply by knowing where you are going ahead of time. Check it out or look at the upcoming games below and click on the one you want:
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
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 Stubhub. Stubhub is the official marketplace for MLB tickets, and they protect you against fraudulent tickets. If you want to buy on Stubhub, you are usually better off if you can wait until close to game time. For baseball, you usually print your tickets at home after you buy. This means you can often buy tickets up until a couple hours before game time. From the seller perspective, Stubhub encourages sellers to reduce their price incrementally as the event gets closer so they aren't stuck with the tickets. So when you are looking at a game that starts in just a few hours, it is likely you are going to find some great value.
Here is a zoomed up view of the official Orioles Park parking map.
tickets
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 Stubhub. Stubhub is the official marketplace for MLB tickets, and they protect you against fraudulent tickets. If you want to buy on Stubhub, you are usually better off if you can wait until close to game time. For baseball, you usually print your tickets at home after you buy. This means you can often buy tickets up until a couple hours before game time. From the seller perspective, Stubhub encourages sellers to reduce their price incrementally as the event gets closer so they aren't stuck with the tickets. So when you are looking at a game that starts in just a few hours, it is likely you are going to find some great value.
Another great place to buy tickets is from Score Big. Let's face it, most ticket broker sites are the same but this one is actually different. It is kind of like the Priceline of sports tickets. Essentially you can search events in your area, and make an offer on tickets and get an instant answer on whether your bid is accepted.
Here are a couple of screenshots of how it works. You can select a quantity, and then it gives you different tiers. It gives you an approximate discount percentage, and shows on the seat map which sections your tickets could possibly be in.
Next you enter in a price, again it gives you an idea how how likely that is to be accepted. I made the comparison to Priceline, and it is true, you have to put in payment details prior to making an official offer. But if you are going to the game, what a great way to save money on tickets!
Here are some upcoming discounts:
Here are a couple of screenshots of how it works. You can select a quantity, and then it gives you different tiers. It gives you an approximate discount percentage, and shows on the seat map which sections your tickets could possibly be in.
Next you enter in a price, again it gives you an idea how how likely that is to be accepted. I made the comparison to Priceline, and it is true, you have to put in payment details prior to making an official offer. But if you are going to the game, what a great way to save money on tickets!
Here are some upcoming discounts:
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 - 10 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. If you are splurging for food at the ballpark, Tuesday is a great day to save on tickets and recoup some costs!
Some of the best value seats in Orioles Park on a night in and night out basis are lower reserved sections 55 – 65 and 7 - 17. They go for about $19 for a standard game, which is $13 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 third base side and it is again a good deal at about $19. Heck, standing room only tickets at Orioles Park are over $10 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.
Looking for a place to stay in town? Try Hotwire - never lets me down.
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.
If you are looking for a cheap/dive type place to eat before the game, what about Nick's Rotisserie which is about a half mile from the stadium? Fall off the bone chicken with street parking typically available - you could do much worse.
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 - 10 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. If you are splurging for food at the ballpark, Tuesday is a great day to save on tickets and recoup some costs!
Some of the best value seats in Orioles Park on a night in and night out basis are lower reserved sections 55 – 65 and 7 - 17. They go for about $19 for a standard game, which is $13 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 third base side and it is again a good deal at about $19. Heck, standing room only tickets at Orioles Park are over $10 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.
Looking for a place to stay in town? Try Hotwire - never lets me down.
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.
If you are looking for a cheap/dive type place to eat before the game, what about Nick's Rotisserie which is about a half mile from the stadium? Fall off the bone chicken with street parking typically available - you could do much worse.
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.
hotels near camden yards
If you are looking for a place to stay in Baltimore, perhaps you find yourself on an East coast road trip, then you can save money here as well. I personally am a fan of Airbnb. This is where people take their private residence, second home, etc. and turn it into a bed and breakfast. It is a great way to learn a new city and to save some big bucks. The place over to the left rents rooms in Mt Vernon for around $100 per night. That beats the pants off of a Holiday Inn in my humble opinion. Check out places to stay in Baltimore
Another site I am a big fan of is Hotwire. I've had great success finding deals on this site, and I have become really good at figuring out which hotel you are getting before you decide to purchase. I break down my process in the road trip guide.
Another site I am a big fan of is Hotwire. I've had great success finding deals on this site, and I have become really good at figuring out which hotel you are getting before you decide to purchase. I break down my process in the road trip guide.
free stuff at orioles games
- The O's are one of the first to offer the MLB check in. There are some free things to win by using this app, so check it out here.
- Come Free On Your Birthday!: The Orioles are offering a free ticket to everyone on their birthday. To participate, visit orioles.com to register your birthday, and we will send you a voucher good for one ticket to a non-prime game in your birthday month. For those fans with offseason birthdays, don't worry! Fans with birthdays from January to March can receive a voucher to an April game, and fans with birthdays in October through December can come to a game in September.
- Birthday Certificate: Visit any of our three Fan Assistance locations to receive a free certificate customized to commemorate your birthday at Oriole Park.
- Fans of legal drinking age, who hold a valid driver's license, can pledge to be a designated driver for their group by signing up at the Budweiser Good Sport Booth located near the Fan Assistance Center at Gate E on the Lower Level Concourse. By signing a pledge not to drink alcoholic beverages during the game and ensure members of their group have a safe ride home, designated drivers will receive a coupon that can be redeemed at any Oriole Park concession stand for a free soft drink during the game (one designated driver per vehicle). The Good Sport Booth will remain open until approximately 30 minutes after the scheduled first pitch, so fans should sign up prior to the start of the 2nd inning to ensure they can participate in the program.
- Visit any of our three Fan Assistance Centers for a free certificate commemorating your first visit to Oriole Park at Camden Yards
- free military themed Orioles caps for all active duty personnel