A Sunday FunDay at My Happy Place: Oriole Park at Camden Yards

The Perfect Place

Yesterday, we spent a family day at one of my happy places: Oriole Park at Camden Yards (OPACY). This place is truly one of my favorites in the world, or at least of all the places I’ve been.  It blends historic architecture and the city street grid, with the energy and spirit of Baltimore aka Charm City. The vibes were high especially since it was the last home game of the season.

The city turned out in droves to support the Orioles as they played against the Detroit Tigers. The atmosphere was lively, with fans lining up early to get the Orioles crewneck sweatshirt giveaway, and plenty of people wearing their best O’s gear, and even some folks dressed like cows to cheer one the player Colton Cowser. My kids wore “eye black” and orange face paint to cheer on the home team.   

Getting There:

Since we live in downtown Baltimore, days like this feel even more special. We walked to the bus stop and took the Charm City Circulator, a free bus route, to the game. Meanwhile, my 13-year-old daughter and her friends, and another parent, enjoyed a bike ride from our neighborhood to the stadium, showcasing one of the perks of urban living. It was great to see the kids take advantage of the city.

How it Went:

Through the afternoon, we saw friends, neighbors, and classmates from all around the city, creating a true sense of Baltimore community. We never get tired of the Orioles home game features like Simba Cam, the Old Bay Crab Shuffle, or the Hot Dog Race. Team Ketchup all the way!

The kids had a blast in the play zone, which never seems to bore them even though they are at tween status these days. We walked down Eutaw Street, indulging in classic ballpark fare: popcorn, pizza, cotton candy, drinks, and ice cream. To top it off, we saw  Governor Wes Moore! We snapped a photo with him and other kids, a perfect keepsake for our scrapbook, which is really social media in our case. 

Sadly, the O’s ended up losing the game. We’re still holding out hope for a wildcard spot and playoff run!

There’s Always Next Time:

After the game, we returned home to enjoy the beautiful first day of fall, celebrating in true Baltimore City fashion with an alley party in Locust Point while watching the Baltimore Ravens win. It was an awesome day filled with fandom, community, and the best of Baltimore.