Stadium Area - Baltimore, MD

The Stadium Area's rich history dates back to the colonial era when the main road from Washington to Philadelphia (Washington Boulevard) ran through the community. The majority of homes in Pigtown and Ridgley's Delight were built in the late 18th to early 19th century. Babe Ruth famously grew up in Ridgley's Delight. The area declined in the mid 20th century, but revitalization efforts in the latter half of the 20th century and 21st century makes the Stadium Area a top choice for young professionals and sports fans.

Stop by the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum and the Sports Legends Museum before a ball game to enjoy learning about the life of baseball's most famous player. The Sports Legends Museum presents the state's sport history.

The annual Pigtown festival that takes place each year hosts local vendors, activities for kids, and their famous pig races.

Looking for the perfect place for a post-game celebratory meal? Look no further than the Corner Wine Bistro and Wine Bar. Make sure you arrive early to beat the crowds as space is limited. The wine selection here ranks among the best in Baltimore, and the food, which tends to be Continental in flavor and style, keeps you coming back for more. The ambiance in this delightful little bistro marks a distinct difference from the hubbub of the stadiums.

The University of Maryland Baltimore situates itself just north of Camden Yards, so a number of cafes lie within Ridgley's Delight and Pigtown. UMD employees and locals enjoy Peace and a Cup of Joe for breakfast, lunch and evening happy hour deals here. The seasonal coffee specialty drinks and hefty breakfast sandwiches under $5 keep folks come back for more.

As you might expect, sports bars are a frequent sight in the Stadium Area. Locals flock to Pickles Pub located right across the street from Camden Yards. While the description "dive bar" might not be too far off, this establishment is bursting at the seams on game day. Cheaper beer and juicier hot dogs cannot be found elsewhere.

Public transit remains one of the most common ways to get around the neighborhood. Two of the five free Charm City Circulator lines are within a 5 to 10 minutes walking distance of Ridgley's Delight. Baltimore city buses also run through the neighborhood. The Camden Yards Light rail and the Convention Center light rail take you south and north of the city for just $1.60 each way. Finally, the Charles Center Metro is about a 15-minute walk from Ridgley's Delight and will take you as far as Owings Mills or Johns Hopkins Hospital. Cabs and Uber rides are plentiful. Usually, it is not necessary to call for a cab because many troll the streets. The neighborhood is bike-friendly and pedestrian-friendly because many people rely on public transit to get around.

However, the neighborhood provides convenient access to highways and expressways for those who wish to travel outside the downtown area. The Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Interstate 95 lie just outside the neighborhood.

The historic Federal Hill Park overlooks the scene at Chesapeake Bay. Dogs are welcome on a leash, and the hills provide an excellent view of the rest of the city. This is the perfect spot for a picnic or lazy afternoon spent reading. Take your children here to enjoy the playgrounds.

For a more exercise-centric park, try jogging around Inner Harbor. The pedestrian paths find themselves full of joggers in the early morning and right around dusk.

The Stadium Area blesses residents with some of the best deals in town for costs of living and going out. While the typical one-bedroom residence rental rate is higher than the average area rental rate at $1,450, considerable cheaper rental prices can be found in Pigtown. Likewise, the proximity to Inner Harbor and convenient public transit helps residents save money and travel time. You can walk to the Inner Harbor for free in a matter of minutes.

Depending on where you choose to go, beer can be as low as $2 to $3 for happy-hour deals at sports bars such as Pickles and Camden Pub, or as high as $8 if you choose to go to the upscale Pratt Street Ale House. Likewise, meals can be convenient and set you back under $10 or you can choose to go to more upscale locations closer to the Inner Harbor for $30 entrées.

The price of gas in the Stadium Area sits at just three percent higher than the national average which makes it quite cheap for Maryland gas in general.

The nearest upscale mall to the Stadium Area is the Gallery located in Inner Harbor. You will find shops such as Aldo, BeBe, Gap, and more in this four-story shopping complex. Local shops shape this community, however. For instance, Housewerks Salvage in Pigtown displays some of the most eclectic antique finds anywhere in the city.

The nearest grocery stores are Shoppers for those on a budget and Harris Teeter for those looking for a more upscale-grocery experience. Take the Charm City Circulator or the city bus to reach both destinations from the Stadium Area.

Drive, take the bus or walk two miles along Inner Harbor and the most extensive farmer's market in town, the Baltimore Farmer's Market and Bazaar. Open nearly every Sunday of the year from 7 am to noon, this market brings in what seems like hundreds of local farmers, vendors, and restaurants eager to sell you their produce and merchandise at affordable prices.