Tailgating 2012 Season

[KDBL]

Where is the best place to tailgate in Baltimore for the Ravens games? We are 3 friends who are going to the States for a couple of NFL games and a college game. We are not Ravens fans, but we are hoping that will not be an issue.

[Moderator 3]

All of the big lots around the stadium allow tailgating, but you need to arrive early (like 5 hours before the game) to secure a spot. The best lots open to the public are south or east of the stadium.

[Dr. Death]

I am a Baltimore born and bred ravens fan who now lives in Florida, but we are coming to town for the Browns game. I appreciate the answer above and found it helpful, but I just wanted to piggy back on that questions with two more follow-ups....

1) can you recommend a particular lot or intersection to try to get, and.....
2) as the Browns/Ravens is a night game after a work day, do you know when the public lots will begin allowing tailgaters to begin filling up?

Thanks. I appreciate any feedback!

Dr. D

[Moderator 3]

[size=4]Closest Parking offers space in quite a few lots around the stadium. You can find them at [url="http://ravensclosestparking.com/"][color="#0f72da"]http://ravensclosestparking.com/[/color][/url]

There is also a lot of information and directions on our own website [url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/Gameday/Tickets/Directions.aspx"][color="#0f72da"]http://www.baltimore...Directions.aspx[/color][/url]
There's even a number to call for more information.[/size]

Lots open 5 hours before the game.

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='KDBL' timestamp='1339364088' post='1087705']
Where is the best place to tailgate in Baltimore for the Ravens games? We are 3 friends who are going to the States for a couple of NFL games and a college game. We are not Ravens fans, but we are hoping that will not be an issue.
[/quote]

You're a Pats fan. Thats going to be an issue, lol.

[Dr. Death]

Thanks Mod3.

I really appeciate it.

Dr. D

[52Strong]

[size=4][color=#222222][font=Arial','sans-serif]I would suggest Lot O as it is a well lit, huge public lot that has a really good amount of spaces. They also have off duty police that patrol the lot to prevent theft. As others suggested, I would arrive around 4 hours before 1pm games and 5 hours before 4:15 and night games. [/font][/color][/size]

[Moderator 2]

One caution-- monitor our weather before you go to the game. We left 88 degree FL to come to the Jets game in 40 degree weather and were miserable the entire game-- and I live in MD lol this was the first week of October.
It was a night game and our weather was still warm before we left and changed while we were there and did not have out cold gear or used to it being that chilly.

[K-Dog]

how does the origonal poster have zero posts ?

[Moderator 2]

No Clue lol

[Dr. Death]

Thanks 52Strong and Mod2. We will shoot for Lot "O" and be prepared for the possibility of cool weather - I never get to wear my Ravens cool/cold weather gear in Tallahassee.

[b][i]Hey 52Strong - do you happen to know the address/intersection for lot O?[/i][/b]

Thanks a TON for everyone's help. I only get to go to a few games each year - usually the ones closer to Florida and the home game closest to Christmas. I am looking forward to this one.

Dr. D

[Moderator 3]

There's a map of the lots here: [url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/Gameday/Tickets/Directions.aspx"]http://www.baltimoreravens.com/Gameday/Tickets/Directions.aspx[/url]

O is in the lower left-hand corner.

[Dr. Death]

You're awesome.

Thanks a ton!

Dr. D

[codizzle]

[quote name='Dr. Death' timestamp='1343757625' post='1107386']
You're awesome.

Thanks a ton!

Dr. D
[/quote]
No, you sir are awesome!

[Dr. Death]

I really appreciate everyone's feedback on this. I think we're all set, now. Come September 27, I'll be the guy in Lot O dressed like a purple velvet pimp shucking oysters and tending a bullet smoker filled with baby backs.

You can all come by, say "HI" and grab a rib. We'll also have a nice deep cooler, too filled with some chilled, distilled potato juice.

It'll be a party in Lot O. I hope to see some of you - Thanks again and Go Ravens!

Dr. Death

[berad]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1343696891' post='1107077']
how does the origonal poster have zero posts ?
[/quote]

Haha I think it's because starting a thread doesn't 'count' as a post. You can start a thread in the "Questions", "Feedback", or "Test" forums with no posts - everywhere else you need the 15 post minimum.

[PandaKC]

Hey, So can anyone go to these tailgate events or do you need and invite? I'm in Baltimore from 14th-18th August and would love to go to one before the Lions v Ravens preseason game Friday. I'm from the UK and am travelling out there alone and staying in hostels, so would love to meet some local fans who can show me the ropes!
Thanks
Manda xx

[Moderator 2]

Most tailgates are private, but some do welcome others.

[Moderator 3]

Pre-season tailgates are a bit more 'downscale' than regular season. It's mostly because the games are on week nights and people are later arriving (plus a lot of season ticket holders give away/sell cheap their pre-season games. The "Fan Walk" area between the two stadiums is open to the public, though, and all are welcome. Even that will not be up to regular season standards.

[Purple Nurple]

Well you don't need an invite to show up where everyone is tailgating. You just need to be friendly when approaching the groups and many will welcome you to hang out with them.

[PandaKC]

Thanks guys! I'm in the area for a few days so hopefully will have met a few locals before hand to party with. :~) x

[Dr. Death]

Hey PandaKC,

I went to the Christmas Eve game by myself last year and just wondered around the various lots saying hi and meeting people - of course I was dressed like an idiot in a purple pirate outfit with a velvet cape and feathered hat - but everyone was very friendly and many offered pregame refreshments. I can only speak from my experience, but when we tailgate (be it for the Ravens, Seminoles, or Gators) any one who is laid back, cool, and respectful is always welcome to hang out with us - and we always pack plenty of extra food and drink so we can offer our own brand of Baltimore hospitality to any wayward fans who find themselves "without a country" as it were.

If we were planning to be at that game I'd give you an invite, but alas I'm stuck in Tallahassee until the Ravens/Browns game.

Hope you have a GREAT time. Enjoy the game.

Dr. D

[Purple Nurple]

....,also. If you want to catch a glimpse / get an autograph from a player go to the opposite side of the stadium from the Johnny Unitas statue. Players will start showing up a couple hours before the game. If you've got a personal favorite, there's nothing like exchanging a few words with them!

[Moderator 4]

[quote name='PandaKC' timestamp='1344103529' post='1109976']
Hey, So can anyone go to these tailgate events or do you need and invite? I'm in Baltimore from 14th-18th August and would love to go to one before the Lions v Ravens preseason game Friday. I'm from the UK and am travelling out there alone and staying in hostels, so would love to meet some local fans who can show me the ropes!
Thanks
Manda xx
[/quote]

Try [url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/Gameday/Gameday_Events/Ravens_Walk.aspx"]Ravens Walk[/url], between the Orioles and Ravens Stadium. It's like a big open-to-the-public tailgate party. Relatively affordable food and beer, live bands, other Ravens related activities. It's a few hundred feet from the north Stadium entrance (gate A -- Unitas statue). It likely will be not as mobbed as in-season (possibly no live music), but still worthwhile.

[ROADTRIP CANUCK]

Hey guys,

A bunch of us from Canada are coming down for the December 2nd game against the Steelers and plan/hope to do it up right. We have a Party Bus booked and I'm looking into getting a parking stall. I have a quick question - I notice that some broker sites are selling parking passes to specific games (Lot O seems to have quite a few available), so I'm wondering if I go out and buy one of these, is a spot reserved or is it first come, first served. I'd hate like heck to to roll into town and not have a space to get our tailgate on. Cheers!

[Moderator 3]

The parking is first come, first served. If you are coming in an oversized vehicle, you will need to either go to lot J or contact Closest Parking at http://ravensclosestparking.com/

[Moderator 2]

The Closest parking lot Im in allows limited over sized vehicles.

[ROADTRIP CANUCK]

Thank you! So if I buy a parking pass in lot J for that specific game, am I guaranteed a spot? Our plan is to be there around 3hrs before the game.

[Moderator 2]

J lot get there at 9 am or 5 hrs before a night game

[Moderator 4]

[quote name='ROADTRIP CANUCK' timestamp='1345499898' post='1124853']
So if I buy a parking pass in lot J for that specific game, am I guaranteed a spot?
[/quote]

Three hours is really cutting it close! I've never seen prepaid busses turned away, but, on the other hand, the bus portion of Lot J is often pretty full by then. I have seen busses lined up along Warner Street post-game, but don't know if they were Lot J overflow or actually planned that way.

I know that it's along drive from Canada, but would seriously recommend that you aim for at least four hours before kick-off, preferably five.