Baltimore Ravens Games

Photo Credit: Moe Epsilon

In lieu of the recent NFL draft I'll bring up a series of looming events, The Baltimore Ravens season. I briefly touched on this in my blog about M&T Bank Stadium which is where they play but I didn't go much into depth. The reigning Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens begin their season in August of 2013. As you can tell, that is right around the corner. It feels like just yesterday that we were celebrating the Super Bowl victory!

The schedule for the upcoming season was recently released and is set to be a fantastic year.  As you can see from that link they have 9 home games. A home game in Baltimore is an experience unlike any other. I love attending Ravens games and the events that transpire before and after kickoff. No matter what the weather or temperature, the Ravens faithful will be out in the parking lots tailgating and going strong. The tailgates are a blast. You can't take in a deep breath without smelling delicious food being cooked, and everyone is willing to give it away.

While in the stadium, you are guaranteed to have a blast. For blocks around the stadium you can hear the exuberant fans singing the Seven Nation Army tune which has become a staple at Ravens games. The sea of purple and black is a beautiful site on game day. Like most stadiums, the prices at M&T Bank Stadium are not as favorable as one would like but still reasonable. Depending on the game, the ticket prices vary. Although most games are sold out the availability for tickets is still pretty high which is always nice for people who make up their minds at the last minute.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco 

The Fan Zone outside the stadium is a great time as well. Games, vendors, merchandise, food and even players are the big draw here. It provides a more family oriented, kid based atmosphere which some of the other tailgate spots might not.

Another great way to tailgate for the games is at The Gameday Warehouse located two blocks from the stadium. This is always a popular location especially during poor weather. They serve food and alcohol in the Warehouse and also have a wide selection of flat screen t.v.s where you could watch the pregame activities or another game that might be happening.

I love attending Ravens games because they are my favorite football team but also because they are a great time. If you don't like the Ravens but are a fan of some other team, maybe you can get lucky with them coming to town. Following the draft this year is set to be another promising season. For all things Ravens, check out their website where you can find tickets, news, the schedule, roster and anything else you could desire about the Baltimore Ravens!

Artscape Festival: Nations Largest Free Art Festival

Photo Credit: Kamau Collins

Attracting over 350,000 people over 3 days, ignoring Artscape as an activity for Maryland is impossible. Artscape is July 19-21 this summer. Held in the heart of Baltimore City on Mt. Royal Avenue, the Artscape Festival is crazy and awesome experience. It features hundreds of individual art vendors who come from all over the country to present and sell their works. You can find anything out there. I've been to Artscape for the past 4 years and each time is different and better than the last. The festival completely shuts down a huge section of streets in the city.

The art work on the streets are absolutely fantastic. The vendors compete and pay for spots all year because having the opportunity for hundreds of thousands of people to walk around and see and buy your products doesn't exactly present itself that often. Even if you don't consider yourself an artsy person (I don't) you can still find something that sparks your interest. The pieces vary drastically from sculptures, to pottery, to clothes, to paintings, to purses, to jewelry to who knows what. There are hands on activities you can participate in to make your own art works.

Another great part of the festival are the performances. Periodically throughout the streets you can catch a street performer, showcasing their interesting or usually strange talent. There are also 3 or 4 different musical stages with a wide variety of musical acts. Usually their is a pretty big name performer to headline the even with a bunch of other groups playing during the day. Another attraction this past year was added as the festival coordinators stepped it up with a Ferris wheel.

Photo Credit: Kamau Collins

Artscape also features delicious food from diverse international vendors and catering companies. The food is honestly some of the best I've ever had. Just like the art showcases, vendors come from all over to show off their special foods and make some money. One of the best parts of it all is that alcohol is served and you can walk around and casually drink all day.

Overall Artscape in Baltimore City is a great time and an experience anyone should be able to enjoy, so this summer bring the whole family or your friends out and have a good time! Below is a video showing some highlights from one of the days last summer! For more information about the event feel free to check out the Artscape Website as it will be updated regularly until the event.

M&T Bank Stadium

College Football Game at the Stadium

     M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore is most commonly known as the home of the recently crowned Superbowl Champions, The Baltimore Ravens. The stadium is a majestic place. It is beautifully structured and the turf is new and is great looking. The sea of purple seats make me feel at home whenever I'm there because I am an avid Ravens fan.

     I had the pleasure of visiting the stadium a few times over this past NFL season, including Ray Lewis' last home game in the playoffs vs. The Colts. As a fan, there is nothing more awesome than attending a home game. The atmosphere is unreal.

     Along with Raven's games the Baltimore stadium holds home to a few other events. Around the state it is the hallowed grounds for high school football state championships. I never made it to play there but I did get to watch my high school play for it when I was a freshman. As a high school football player that's the ultimate goal, to play down at M&T Bank. To see my older friends playing out there was an unreal experience that I'll never forget and I can't imagine how they felt being out there.

Army vs. Navy Lacrosse Game at M&T Bank

     Besides the state championships the stadium has held the Men's College Lacrosse National Championship multiple times as well. This is a great location for the event as Maryland is a hotbed for the sport and the fans come out in huge numbers over Memorial Day weekend. They also host a few other lacrosse events which vary every year and season. On a warm day as a lacrosse fan it's a great scene to catch some good games.

Jay-Z and Justin performance! Photo Credit: Linda Marie

     Over the past few summers the stadium has hosted a few international soccer matches and this year is no different. In late July there are two days of soccer games at M&T Bank Stadium. Also this summer there is even a Monster Truck Rally in July.

     In August the stadium brings the Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake concert to town. This by music standards is a huge concert which will likely be sold out.

     M&T Bank Stadium is a great Maryland Treasure that should be experienced by all. Even if you don't like the Ravens maybe your team is playing them and you want to check them out, do it! Maybe you're a fan of soccer, or lacrosse, or high school football, or Monster Trucks, or Jay-Z whatever it is, M&T Bank is a great venue and a guarantee to be a great experience. 

The National Aquarium in Baltimore

Photo Credit: National Aquarium

     One of the coolest things to experience in Maryland is the National Aquarium. It is an absolutely breathtaking and amazing location. The National Aquarium is located in the Inner Harbor in Baltimore City. If you're in the Harbor it's impossible to miss the Aquarium because of it's unique architecture (see above photo)!

Photo Credit: National Aquarium

     Any visitor can surely find an exhibit or animal that interests them at this aquarium. It offers 16,000 animals in 12 different exhibits, and is soon to be 13! The 16,000 animals come from 660 different species and come from all over the planet.

     The most popular draws to the Aquarium is the Dolphin Discovery. Dolphin discovery used to be a dolphin "show" but now the dolphin trainers focus more on teaching the audience about the dolphins and there are set times during the day that the audience can witness feeding, play time, and training. It is a very interactive and cool exhibit that brings a lot of visitors to the aquarium.

     Two of the other popular exhibits are the Australian: Wild Extremes, and the Upland Tropical Rain Forest. The Australian exhibit won the "2008 AZA Exhibit of the year." It features crocodiles, turtles, pythons, obviously fish and even exotic birds. The Rain Forest section offers frogs, birds, sloths, spiders and even monkeys!

Photo Credit: Captmondo

     One of the newer exhibits is the Jelly Fish Invasion, seen to the right. Don't worry all you danger seekers, of course there is a shark exhibit for you.

     Another awesome thing offered at the National Aquarium is the 4-D movie experience. You might ask, Tom, 4-D how's that possible? The 15 minute shows give the audience a closer look into the sights, smells, atmospheres, and smells of whatever the subject matter is.  The effects range from wind, mist, lights, leg ticklers and even snow!

mist, wind, snow, bubbles, leg ticklers, scents, enhanced lighting, and seat vibrations! - See more at: http://www.aqua.org/explore/baltimore/exhibits-experiences/4d-theater#sthash.mP5VVshO.dpuf

Winner of the 2008 AZA Exhibit of the Year

Winner of the 2008 AZA Exhibit of the Year

Winner of the 2008 AZA Exhibit of the Year

Photo Credit: National Aquarium

     The National Aquarium is a huge field trip destination for Maryland students. My high school even had our prom there! Along with the information provided during field trips the Aquarium is very involved in community outreach. They have educational programs along with environmental programs.

     Just blogging about the Aquarium and looking at the beautiful pictures makes me want to go now! The price for the entire day and all exhibits included is a reasonable and well worth it 29.99 and the 4-D movie experience is an additional 5 dollars. The National Aquarium contains a one of a kind look into the exotic life this wonderful planet has to offer. If you can't make it to Baltimore, there is also an Aquarium in D.C. but it is much smaller and less extensive. Baltimore is definitely the best bet for an unforgettable experience.

Photo Credit: National Aquarium

Baltimore Orioles: Fun For the Whole Family

Camden Yards
Photo Credit: Kevin Farner

     As baseball season quickly approaches, an option of something to do in Maryland presents itself. Orioles baseball games at Camden Yards in Baltimore City on Charles Street are a Maryland tradition that anyone can enjoy.
  
    Even I, who am not even really a baseball fan, can I hop on the metro and have a great time in the city on game day. The good thing about baseball games, is that there are a ton of them throughout the spring and summer! There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy yourself.
   
   The Orioles tend to tailor the games towards the fans, offering crazy specials on tickets and plenty of door buster/give aways to keep the faithful entertained. This upcoming season should offer some great entertainment and huge crowds, following the overwhelming success of last season. Student games I think are every Friday and with a student I.D. tickets are only 5 or 10 dollars! On a beautiful Friday, summer evening going out to Camden Yards can be a majestic experience.
    
     The first home game is April 5th and it's looking like there is about 2 or so home games a week for the rest of the summer. One of the great things about the Yard is that there isn't a bad seat in the house. Whether you're in the upper deck, outfield or on the hot corner, you are guaranteed a good time, regardless of the outcome.

     If you're heading to Baltimore it's usually convenient to take the subway or metro which only will run you about 3 dollars no matter where you are coming from. The train station is in the shadow of the stadium which makes it very easy. The atmosphere around the stadium is amazing too. Plenty of bars and restaurants surround the stadium, in walking distance of course.
  
     Also, the Oriole's are actually good now and made the playoffs last season after a long hiatus. Sporting events where the team is winning and has playoff aspirations are always more exciting than a team with a losing tendancy. The Oriole's have young, budding allstars who will make the experience that much more exciting for the viewers.
   
     So if you're in the mood to get out of the house this summer, check out the Orioles schedule and bring the whole family to Baltimore. A cheap but worthwhile time is for sure to be had. Whether you're a die hard O's fan, someone in search of a fun night out, or just wanting to head to the city for a bit, head to Camden Yards and root for the Orioles. Buckle Up!

Check out the 2013 schedule here: Oriole's Schedule