Oriole Park at Camden Yards - Baltimore Orioles

Photos by Richard Smith and Jennifer Smith, Stadium Journey

Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14

Oriole Park at Camden Yards West Camden St Baltimore, MD 21230

Baltimore Orioles website Oriole Park at Camden Yards website

Year Opened: 1992 Capacity: 44,487

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“O” Say Can You See

When Oriole Park at Camden Yards opened in 1992, it quickly became known as one of Major League Baseball’s premier stadiums. Before its debut, many professional baseball venues were uninspired, multipurpose arenas. Oriole Park helped usher in a new era of baseball-only stadiums designed with the fan experience in mind. Its success set a new standard, and now, nearly every team has a distinctive ballpark. Had Baltimore chosen to build a conventional, uninspired facility, the landscape of modern baseball might look entirely different.

The current Baltimore Orioles franchise was established in 1954 when the St. Louis Browns relocated to the city. For decades, the team played at the beloved Memorial Stadium. As Memorial Stadium neared the end of its lifespan, plans for a new, state-of-the-art ballpark began to take shape, leading to the creation of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Over their history, the Orioles have won three World Series championships (1966, 1970, and 1983) and seven American League pennants. The team has been home to many legendary players, including Roberto Alomar, Luis Aparicio, Reggie Jackson, Eddie Murray, Jim Palmer, Cal Ripken, Jr., Brooks Robinson, and Frank Robinson. Manager Earl Weaver is often considered one of the most beloved figures in franchise history.

Food & Beverage 4

While Oriole Park offers a diverse range of food options, some fans have noticed a change since the park switched food service providers in 2023. While certain offerings may have been altered, we haven't personally observed a drop in quality, but it's a topic that has generated some discussion.

Concession prices are not cheap, but they are generally on par with other major league stadiums. For example, a standard hot dog costs around $6, while a beer-soaked bratwurst is only slightly more expensive.

One of the park's biggest draws is Boog’s BBQ, located on the famous Eutaw Street. Overseen by Orioles legend Boog Powell, the stand offers generous portions for the price.

Atmosphere 4

The one significant issue with Oriole Park is that its concourse is not open to the field, a common feature in newer ballparks. Instead, it has a traditional concourse located behind the seating. While this design choice feels a bit dated compared to more modern stadiums, it doesn't detract from the overall experience. The concourse remains a great area for exploring, and you never feel disconnected from the game, thanks to numerous television monitors and constant play-by-play announcements that keep you informed.

The Star-Spangled Banner was written very close to where the stadium is located. The Orioles fans commemorate this and their love of the home team by shouting a loud “O!!!!!!” during the appropriate spot during the anthem. In other places, this would seem to be disrespectful, but in Baltimore, it shows the love of the country and the team. If you hear that yell at other parks throughout the country, rest assured that there is a Baltimore fan in the house.

A very unique Baltimore tradition is the playing of John Denver’s 1974 classic song, “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” during the seventh-inning stretch. It all started a couple of years after it was released when the Orioles were trying to add pop music into the lineup. For some reason, the song stuck. Even when then-owner Eli Jacobs tried to change songs during the late 1980s, the fans demanded it back. The traditional “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” is played as a warm-up to ‘Country Boy.’ Many a local fan still talks about Denver’s surprise September 1997 visit when he appeared on top of the dugout mouthing the song’s lyrics. He was in town for a concert at the nearby Baltimore Arena and decided to pop over. Sadly, he died in a plane crash less than a month later.

The Kids Zone is a nice, popular feature.

The sound system and the scoreboard are both going to be replaced in the near future, which will help as both are aging poorly.

Neighborhood 3

While Oriole Park itself is exceptional, the surrounding urban environment of Baltimore requires visitors to be mindful of their surroundings. Using common sense and staying aware will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Across the street from the stadium, you'll find a lively, party-like atmosphere. For a more relaxed option, consider exploring the restaurants in the nearby Harbor East neighborhood.

The Inner Harbor is a popular tourist area and is just a short walk from Camden Yards. While it offers countless choices for dining and entertainment, these options can be expensive and tend to cater to a tourist crowd. The long-standing Harborplace buildings are going away and are only lightly used at this point. The new development of the area is just at the starting point.

Another good option is the nearby Federal Hill neighborhood, which features several enjoyable restaurants and bars. For those interested in gambling, the Horseshoe Casino is located just south of the ballpark and offers a variety of dining and drinking establishments. The casino also has a large parking garage that often provides game-day deals.

Baltimore is also home to many other popular attractions, including Harborplace, Fells Point, and Fort McHenry. The American Visionary Art Museum on Key Highway is a uniquely curated museum that's worth a visit, though its collection may not appeal to everyone. Additionally, sports fans should consider visiting the Babe Ruth Birthplace to experience a piece of the city's rich athletic history.

Fans 3

The team's performance has led to a much more vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere at the ballpark. While fan support has always been strong, a period of inconsistent management has affected morale. The current ownership situation is much better than in the past, and the positive response from the fans is likely to continue.

Orioles games draw a very knowledgeable fan base, and it's common to see families making it a day out. These fans are actively engaged in the game. It’s a place where you'll often see parents teaching their children about the nuances of baseball and the history of Orioles legends like Robinson, Robinson, Palmer, and Ripken. The fans are supportive and cheer at the right moments; booing is rare, though anything can happen when the Yankees are in town.

Access 5

Oriole Park is extremely close to I-95, with only a couple of turns putting you on the highway home. Parking garages can be found in all directions from the stadium. Street parking is not a great option. Parking near the Inner Harbor is a good option. Check parking websites and apps to find bargains that are a pretty close walk away.

If you’re not driving to the game, the other primary mode of access is the MTA Light Rail. From points north and south of downtown Baltimore, you can take the train to the ballpark.

Return on Investment 5

Prices are generally pretty reasonable, although they do vary by opponent.

The ticket aftermarket is always a good bet here. Prices can be found at a very reasonable rate for almost all games, except for maybe the Red Sox and Yankees.

Extras 5

Babe Ruth's connection to Baltimore is profound; his childhood home is located just a few blocks from the ballpark. He also attended the old St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys nearby and is said to have spent time on the very grounds where Oriole Park at Camden Yards now stands.

The B&O Warehouse is not a modern stadium addition but a true historic structure. Built in 1899, it was used as a storage and distribution center for the adjacent railroad. Camden Station, also next to the park, is one of the longest-running train terminals in the United States. In recent years, the Orioles have improved the center field area by adding a statue garden dedicated to team legends, which also makes it easier for fans to walk a full circle around the stadium.

Eutaw Street provides a vibrant fan experience. Besides offering great food, it’s an excellent place for people-watching and shopping. Fans can also get great views of the field from the flag court, located above the right-field scoreboard. A unique feature of the park can be found on the walls of some open stairwells, which display the lyrics to classic Orioles songs like “Orioles Magic” and “Thank God I’m a Country Boy.”

Final Thoughts

Despite opening more than three decades ago, Oriole Park at Camden Yards remains one of Major League Baseball's most beautiful and beloved stadiums. Its timeless design, which was revolutionary in 1992, has aged gracefully and continues to be a benchmark for modern ballparks. The stadium's architecture seamlessly blends classic baseball aesthetics with a contemporary, fan-friendly layout.