Scott visited Camden Yards as a kid and had fond memories of Oriole Park – this was our first trip together, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. From the crab-loaded concessions to the retro brick design anchored by the iconic B&O warehouse along Eutaw Street, the park blends charm, history, and hometown flavor. The location near the Inner Harbor, easy navigation, friendly fan culture, and unique touches like the “Country Boy” singalong made it a ballpark experience to remember.

We assessed the ballpark Design, Location, Concessions, Amenities, and Culture and finished with a Summary and Scoring.

Design

The most distinctive feature of Camden Yards is the towering Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad warehouse that lines right field along Eutaw Street. Famously known as the longest brick building on the East Coast, it anchors the stadium both visually and historically. The ballpark takes its name – Oriole Park at Camden Yards – from the former rail terminal that once operated on the site. When the stadium opened in 1992, the warehouse was repurposed into team offices, private suites, and a members-only club, blending the old with the new. The brick-heavy, retro-classic design of the stadium complements the warehouse and surrounding downtown architecture, creating a seamless and nostalgic aesthetic. It reminded me a lot of the design approach used at the current Busch Stadium – classic charm with a modern twist. The only design elements we weren’t fans of were the stacked bullpens, which felt a bit awkward and disconnected from the action, and the large, plain batter’s eye in center field – it lacked the character and visual appeal seen in other parks.

While Baltimore doesn’t boast a striking skyline, the iconic B&O warehouse dominates the view from the stands – and honestly, it’s such a defining feature that it hardly feels like a loss.

The stadium is rich with statues honoring baseball legends. Outside the main entrance, a larger-than-life Babe Ruth statue stands proudly. Fun fact we didn’t know until this visit: The Great Bambino was actually born in Baltimore and even played briefly for the Orioles early in his career. Near the Pickles Pub entrance, there’s another tribute to Brooks Robinson, and over in left field, a cluster of statues unveiled in 2012 celebrates other Orioles greats: Cal Ripken Jr., Eddie Murray, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Earl Weaver, and Jim Palmer.

You’ll also spot the team’s retired numbers displayed along the left field upper deck, with larger number sculptures positioned near the Eutaw Street entrance – a nice visual tribute to Baltimore’s baseball heroes.

The concourse at Camden Yards is wide, bright, and easy to navigate, with well-designed graphics and banners that add visual interest. Along the walls, you’ll find major Orioles milestones commemorated – offering a quick but meaningful walk through the team’s history as you move around the park.

Navigating the stadium was a breeze. The main concourse is the only level that completely wraps around the park and passes directly through Eutaw Street, making it easy to explore. The upper levels don’t connect all the way around, and unfortunately, the suite level isn’t accessible to general ticket holders.

The HD scoreboard and video screen, located in right-center field, were easy to see from most seats. From our spot in Section 39 behind home plate, the view was excellent. However, the lineup display (white text on orange) was a bit hard to read, while the white-on-black scoring portions were much clearer. Above the scoreboard is a stylish clock flanked by two Oriole birds, and beneath it, “The Sun” emblem – ikely a nod to The Baltimore Sun, a major sponsor. It’s a little hard to see during the day, but probably looks great when lit up at night.

Location

The Inner Harbor is just a few blocks from the stadium and offers gorgeous waterfront views, along with historic ships and notable buildings to explore. We spent some time strolling around, then hopped on Lime scooters to ride over to the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum, just a short trip away.

Getting to the stadium was easy – parking nearby was just $15, and we had no trouble navigating the area. The surroundings near the park felt safe and walkable, though we’d heard that areas farther out can be rougher, so we stuck to the stadium and harbor zones.

There are a few solid pre-game food and drink options right outside the stadium, including Dempsey’s Brew Pub & Restaurant, located inside the old warehouse, and Pickles Pub, known for its lively crowd and gameday specials.

Concessions

The food at Camden Yards was outstanding. Maryland’s crab game is strong, and the park fully leans into it with multiple Old Bay Seafood & Flying Dog Grill stands dishing out specialties like soft-shell crab, crab cakes, crab soup, crab fries, crab chips, crab pretzels, and crab mac ’n’ cheese – basically, it’s like Bubba from Forrest Gump, but with crab instead of shrimp. I went for the Chesapeake Fries – crispy waffle fries dusted with Old Bay and smothered in warm, creamy crab dip. Easily some of the best fries I’ve ever had.

Scott grabbed the shaved pork sandwich from Boog’s BBQ, which was solid – definitely a cut above the usual ballpark fare. Boog’s is named after Orioles legend Boog Powell, who often signs autographs at the stand (though we didn’t catch him this time).

We also had our eyes on the Chippers – kettle chips topped with goodies like crab dip or pulled pork – but they’d already sold out by the time we made it back. Next time, we’re heading there first.

There were plenty of local beer options in which we opted to try the Flying Dog Bleacher Beer (lager) and Dead Rise Old Bay Summer Ale. The bleacher beer tastes pretty similar to the Kona Big Wave, which is one of Scott’s favorites. The Dead Rise has a subtle hint of Old Bay seasoning, and Scott enjoyed it (me, not so much).

Food prices were surprisingly reasonable – just $8 for fries topped with crab, which felt like a solid deal for stadium fare. Beer ran about $10, comparable to what we’ve seen at Busch Stadium. Tickets, however, were on the higher side. Despite plenty of empty seats, prices throughout the park remained steep – likely inflated due to Memorial Day weekend. The cheapest options on StubHub started around $22 plus fees, and direct pricing from the Orioles was about the same, which felt a bit high for a less-than-full stadium.

Amenities

Eutaw Street is Camden Yards’ most unique extra feature – a pedestrian walkway behind the right field wall that’s only accessible on game days with a ticket, similar to Yawkey Way at Fenway. It’s home to Boog’s BBQ, plus several vendors and fan zones, and it has a great open-air vibe. One of the coolest aspects is the series of baseball-shaped plaques embedded in the pavement, marking where home runs have landed over the years – we spotted Berkman’s from 2011, thanks to a helpful O’s fan who pointed them out (they’re easy to miss if you’re not looking down).

There are suites available on the second level, which only ticketed people can gain access. There is a Budweiser Roof Deck overlooking the batter’s eye in center field, where anyone can enjoy a beer.

There is a Kids Corner with a fun playplace and a special kid’s store. We enjoyed playing with the large Oriole bobbleheads.

Bathrooms were plentiful, with lots of stalls and no wait times, though the quality was nothing fancy. Seating was comfortable, with ample legroom and standard dark green plastic seats with metal armrests.

The main team store was fairly typical and conveniently located along Eutaw Street, with a smaller authentics shop nearby. While the park itself doesn’t have a dedicated museum, fans can easily explore Baltimore baseball history just outside the gates. The Sports Legends Museum (in a building that looks like a church) sits right by the stadium, and the Babe Ruth Birthplace and Museum is just a few blocks away – perfect for those wanting a deeper dive into the sport’s legacy.

Culture

The sound system was solid – clear without being overpowering – and we could easily hear the music from wherever we roamed. There was a bit of organ music, though not frequently, and the classic “Charge!” trumpet riff got a surprisingly enthusiastic response from the crowd.

On the big screen, the usual in-game entertainment was in full swing. The Hot Dog Race was a fan favorite (though I’m always partial to the real-life costume version). The Smile Cam had everyone flashing their pearly whites for United Concordia Dental, and of course, there was the obligatory Kiss Cam.

During the National Anthem, fans shouted a loud, unified “O!” during “Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave…” – a signature Orioles tradition. Since we visited on Memorial Day, there were also heartfelt military tributes sprinkled throughout the game.

Chants of “Let’s Go O’s!” echoed often, and “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes – thanks to its chant-friendly “O!” – played many times. Though the crowd wasn’t huge (likely due to the team’s recent struggles), the fans who showed up brought the energy with cheers, the wave, and helpful recommendations for the best ballpark eats.

For the 7th inning stretch, the whole stadium joined in singing “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” – a beloved Baltimore tradition since John Denver performed it atop the dugout in 1997 and again during Game 1 of the 1983 World Series.

We spotted The Oriole Bird mascot before the game and between innings, dancing on the dugout with a very cute kid. Fun fact: the mascot has had the same name – The Oriole Bird – since hatching in 1979. As a bonus, we even saw a black cat dart across the first base line before the game (unplanned, but definitely my favorite sighting 😻).

Celebrations for big moments were fairly minimal. When Núñez hit a home run, the right field scoreboard lit up with “Home Run”, accompanied by a bell and siren – a nice touch, but nothing over the top. When the Orioles scored, the board flashed “O’mazing”, and after the final out, it simply read “Orioles Win.” Fun, but overall, the in-game theatrics felt a bit understated compared to other parks.

Summary & Scoring

Date Visited: Monday, May 27, 2019 (Memorial Day)
Game Played: Orioles 5, Tigers 3. The Orioles with their MLB-worst record, even won a game for us! Highlights included home runs by Nunez and Villar and 2 Detroit errors that resulted in unearned runs. Box Score
Design:  – Iconic brick warehouse anchors right field along Eutaw Street, blending seamlessly with the retro-classic architecture.
Location: – Steps from the Inner Harbor and Babe Ruth’s Birthplace, with easy access and $15 parking.
Concessions: – Crab-smothered everything, Boog’s BBQ, and Flying Dog beers make the menu uniquely Baltimore.
Amenities: – Wide concourses and Eutaw Street hangout zones
Culture: – Loyal fans, “Country Boy” 7th inning stretch, and lots of O! chants, even with a lighter crowd.
Overall: – Camden Yards is a beautiful, iconic ballpark, and while its active fanbase is currently small, it is extremely loyal. It is above-average across the board, from its crab-filled menu to its prime location near the harbor.