Trip Report Baltimore (May 30 - June 1)
Jun 2nd, 2008, 06:57 AM
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Trip Report Baltimore (May 30 - June 1)
Thanks to everyone for all the great advice on my trip.
The purpose for our trip was to go to 2 Red Sox games. Drove down on Thursday / Friday. Spent Thursday night at a Days Inn in Cherry Hill, NJ. Decent hotel in a mall area, right off the NJ Turnpike. Convenient to go to Philly as well.
Got up Friday morning and went to the Maryland Zoo. Decent Zoo, but is not set up for large crowds. Many of the walking paths are not very wide and serve as choke points. Am glad we were there when it opened so we had no problems with crowds. The baby elephant was great to see. We ended up missing the Lion exhibit and had to fight the crowds, only to find that you could not see the Lions.
Left the zoo and drove to Fort McHenry (due to threat of rain on Saturday, we wanted to make sure we had good weather). Really enjoyed walking around the Fort and spent a couple of hours here.
Drove to Fells Point and checked into our hotel. The Admiral Fell Inn was a great choice for a hotel. Got a decent rate. But it got expensive with their $10 per day destination fee and $29/day valet parking. Room was decent sized. Would definitely stay there again.
Spent the rest of the day Friday walking around Fell's Point. Had a late lunch at DuClaw's brewery. We each enjoyed a few of their beers and split 2 Crab Pretzels. Also stopped at the Greene Turtle for a few drinks before heading to Bertha's for dinner. Had the best mussels that I have ever had and then really enjoyed the Crabcake Platter for dinner. More expensive than I had hoped but definitely worth it. It was ~$45 per person. Then headed to Max' Taproom to watch the Sox game. Great beer selection. Watched the whole game here and wearily walked back to the hotel.
Got up Saturday morning and had breakfast at the hotel. Typical free buffet. Food was decent. Took the water taxi to the Inner Harbor and went to the Maritime Museum. Spent a lot of time walking thru the 4 ships. It was raining. Went to the Wharf Rat for lunch and drinks. Had Seafood Gumbo for an appetizer and another crab pretzel for lunch. We really enjoyed it there.
It cleared up for the Sox game. Really enjoyed Camden Yards. However, 2 of my biggest pet peeves at games were highlighted: #1: The Wave - cannot stand it and #2: Beach Balls - go to the beach. Had great seats (Section 65) on the 3B side. Saw Manny Ramirez' 500th Home Run. Went nuts - one of the loudest ovations I have heard. Had dinner at Boog's during the game (friend of mine ran over there for a pile of food). Good food for a ballpark. Camden is a great stadium. my biggest complaint about it is having the enclosed concourses. It was the last new stadium to do that. Having them open to the field adds a lot to the stadium.
After the game, we went to Slainte -an Irish pub right near our hotel. Great beer. Stayed there till close.
Got up Sunday and went to the Baltimore Aquarium. Really enjoyed it. Got in there before most crowds. did have to kill time before the Dolphin Show. It was a very good aquarium. After we left the Aquarium, we walked to the game. Had decent seats (330 in the Upper Deck) and saw another great game.
After the game we drove back to Hartford in 4.5 hours.
I really enjoyed Baltimore and definitely will come back for more Sox games. It was amazing how many Sox fans were at the games.
The purpose for our trip was to go to 2 Red Sox games. Drove down on Thursday / Friday. Spent Thursday night at a Days Inn in Cherry Hill, NJ. Decent hotel in a mall area, right off the NJ Turnpike. Convenient to go to Philly as well.
Got up Friday morning and went to the Maryland Zoo. Decent Zoo, but is not set up for large crowds. Many of the walking paths are not very wide and serve as choke points. Am glad we were there when it opened so we had no problems with crowds. The baby elephant was great to see. We ended up missing the Lion exhibit and had to fight the crowds, only to find that you could not see the Lions.
Left the zoo and drove to Fort McHenry (due to threat of rain on Saturday, we wanted to make sure we had good weather). Really enjoyed walking around the Fort and spent a couple of hours here.
Drove to Fells Point and checked into our hotel. The Admiral Fell Inn was a great choice for a hotel. Got a decent rate. But it got expensive with their $10 per day destination fee and $29/day valet parking. Room was decent sized. Would definitely stay there again.
Spent the rest of the day Friday walking around Fell's Point. Had a late lunch at DuClaw's brewery. We each enjoyed a few of their beers and split 2 Crab Pretzels. Also stopped at the Greene Turtle for a few drinks before heading to Bertha's for dinner. Had the best mussels that I have ever had and then really enjoyed the Crabcake Platter for dinner. More expensive than I had hoped but definitely worth it. It was ~$45 per person. Then headed to Max' Taproom to watch the Sox game. Great beer selection. Watched the whole game here and wearily walked back to the hotel.
Got up Saturday morning and had breakfast at the hotel. Typical free buffet. Food was decent. Took the water taxi to the Inner Harbor and went to the Maritime Museum. Spent a lot of time walking thru the 4 ships. It was raining. Went to the Wharf Rat for lunch and drinks. Had Seafood Gumbo for an appetizer and another crab pretzel for lunch. We really enjoyed it there.
It cleared up for the Sox game. Really enjoyed Camden Yards. However, 2 of my biggest pet peeves at games were highlighted: #1: The Wave - cannot stand it and #2: Beach Balls - go to the beach. Had great seats (Section 65) on the 3B side. Saw Manny Ramirez' 500th Home Run. Went nuts - one of the loudest ovations I have heard. Had dinner at Boog's during the game (friend of mine ran over there for a pile of food). Good food for a ballpark. Camden is a great stadium. my biggest complaint about it is having the enclosed concourses. It was the last new stadium to do that. Having them open to the field adds a lot to the stadium.
After the game, we went to Slainte -an Irish pub right near our hotel. Great beer. Stayed there till close.
Got up Sunday and went to the Baltimore Aquarium. Really enjoyed it. Got in there before most crowds. did have to kill time before the Dolphin Show. It was a very good aquarium. After we left the Aquarium, we walked to the game. Had decent seats (330 in the Upper Deck) and saw another great game.
After the game we drove back to Hartford in 4.5 hours.
I really enjoyed Baltimore and definitely will come back for more Sox games. It was amazing how many Sox fans were at the games.
Jun 2nd, 2008, 08:46 AM
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sounds like a great trip. Lucky you, to see Manny hit #500! even on TV it was amazing how loud the ovation was. Remy said Manny might as well have hit it at home, there were so many Sox fans.
And I'm stunned by the guy who caught the ball..and gave it BACK to Manny. A very decent thing to do, I don't know if I would have. That's like tearing up a winning lottery ticket. on the other hand, he was a lifetime Sox fan, from Nahant, and he got to spend an hour in the clubhouse meeting the players and taking pictures. And Manny put together a package of signed stuff and memorabilia for him. Still...the ball could sell for a big chunk of change...
And I'm stunned by the guy who caught the ball..and gave it BACK to Manny. A very decent thing to do, I don't know if I would have. That's like tearing up a winning lottery ticket. on the other hand, he was a lifetime Sox fan, from Nahant, and he got to spend an hour in the clubhouse meeting the players and taking pictures. And Manny put together a package of signed stuff and memorabilia for him. Still...the ball could sell for a big chunk of change...
Jun 2nd, 2008, 09:05 AM
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A co-worker's sister works with the guy who caught it. He had told people ahead of time that he would give it to Manny if he caught it. I would have given it to him for the memorabilia or so I think.
I was hoarse after he hit it. Place went berserk.
I was hoarse after he hit it. Place went berserk.
Jun 4th, 2008, 01:10 PM
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I volunteer at the Aquarium on Sundays and I probably spoke to you. I really enjoy it when the Red Sox are in town. The New England people are very friendly. I guess it helped seeing Manny's home run!
Baltimore fans are appreciative of greatness when they see it and Manny has been so consistant thru his career, not like some of the players who all of a sudden become "supermen".
Thanks for visiting my home town and we look forward to your next trip.
Baltimore fans are appreciative of greatness when they see it and Manny has been so consistant thru his career, not like some of the players who all of a sudden become "supermen".
Thanks for visiting my home town and we look forward to your next trip.
