Preakness seating

[sekrah]

Going to Pimlico for the first time. Looking at either Upper Grandstand Reserved or Concourse Reserved.  Suggestions? And which part of each section is best?

[TGJB]

The best place to sit at Pimlico is Laurel.

Nah, it\'s not that bad. We\'ve got a couple of Maryland guys here, they\'ll help you out.

[Wrongly]

I have gone several times and the Upper Grandstand Reseved is my choice.  They are directly over the finish line and covered.  The facility itself is a complete dump with rain streaming throughout the building when rain comes.  Enjoy Fells Point on Friday night.

[RICH]

I been going the last few years, sitting on the clubhouse turn under the tents, I think it was 135 a ticket, all you can drink and some free snacks, always a blast. Can\'t make it this year, college graduation. But I will be back next year, same seats

[Deadrockstar]

Hoo boy. The good news is that Baltimore really grooves on its big event and the place doesn\'t go out of its way to rip you off. I go on Black-Eyed Susan Day each year, and would really recommend it. All of the atmosphere but not very crowded, not too long between races, and always a good card. Your options also broaden considerably, and admission is far cheaper and seats are easy to get.

Upper grandstand reserved allows you to see the track. (You want the rows near the top.) Outdoor balcony is really nice (probably sold out) but the infield tents block your view for most of the way around the track.  

Never actually been on the big day and can\'t say I\'ve ever really wanted to. That\'s saying something considering I\'ve been going to the place for 30+ years.

There are also infield tables with a decent buffet and open (beer and wine) bars under a tent. Might still be available.

[TGJB]

Good chance I\'m going down this year, might have horses I\'m connected with in races Friday and Saturday. I\'m going to need you to tell me (and others here) where to go at night, especially if there\'s a good band somewhere. Never figured out where to go down there, and thought if I did it might get me killed.

[sekrah]

Any idea whether a front or back row would be best in the Concourse Reserved section?

[Deadrockstar]

Nah. Front MAY be uncovered, but I\'ve never sat there.

[jerry]

How funky do you want it?

[TGJB]

Define funky. If you mean the venue, not the music, I will be unarmed.

[jerry]

Fells Point should work. Maybe try Bertha\'s for food. Cat\'s Eye for music. It\'ll be a big party. You\'ll have fun.

[Flighted Iron]

Never gone wrong with Sabatino\'s for dinner in little Italy. From there it\'s a short uber to fells point,inner harbor or federal hill.

[TGJB]

Thanks, guys.

[boardedup]

I was happy to be in the top/Back of the grandstand\'s last year, completely covered and dry.

One thing though, getting your bets in can be tough, long lines, lot of people that don\'t know what they\'re doing, and I\'d put the over/under of the avg age of the employees at the windows at 76, no joke...

[jerry]

I\'ll take the under on that. Generally not well trained that\'s for sure. A lot of first-timers.

Back rows will keep you dry if it rains and in the shade the latter part of the day if it doesn\'t but the front row seats are very nice. It\'s the frigging base coming from the infield that\'s most annoying.