The Preakness - travel tips and info

[estreetposse]

Originally Posted by Sightseek

Anyone have any good tips on hotels, restaurants etc. while attending the Preakness?

Do you plan on driving to the preakness from your hotel? or take a cab?
there are +/- to both. Cab there would be easier for getting there, but catching one on the way home might be a little tough. If you plan to drive, parking is pretty much available in EVRYONES front or back yard (I drive every year, I live about 60 miles away and i always park near the backstretch, its a pretty good walk but there are usually some decent prices for parking back there in someone's yard $25-40 range). Obviously the logical thing would be to get a parking pass, but not many people want to shell out $75+ to park.

The inner harbor has some nice restaurants a lot of good seafood places from what i hear. But, be aware if you plan on taking in the scenery down there, one wrong turn can put you in a bad part of town real fast.

I've been going to the Preakness for the last 6 years and its BYOB, though they allow only cans (no bottles and they say no liquor im pretty sure, but you can always put some wiskey in a coke bottle or some vodka in a water bottle they don't check that closely). You can't bring in coolers, so your best bet would be purchase some sort of large tupper wear and it has to be clear. No backpacks allowed, but plastic bags usually do the trick. You can bring in your own food as well, so sandwiches are usually a good idea (especially when your drunk and you don't wanna get gouged for a $5 hot dog)

Seats, i try and get Apron Box Seats every year, IMO its the best seat on the grounds. It puts you on the homestretch in folding chairs (usually if you have a big group you can circle yourself or rearrange your seats however your group wants). If you chose infield, the best of luck to ya. I sit in the infield every year for the Derby, but it's a different breed of people in Baltimore then it is in L'ville. The infield in B-more is basically filled with college kids (though im 25, im still to old for full cans of beer being thrown around like grenades in there), you got kids from U Maryland, UMBC, Johns Hopkins, Towson St. etc. its a mad house, usually they all bring there beer in plastic trash cans filled to the top.

let me know if you want to anything else, and best of luck to ya

-bt-