The Preakness Stakes, a Grade I stakes race held at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, is the second jewel of the Triple Crown. It is held every year on Armed Forces Day Weekend in May.
If you have the time and money, attending the Preakness Stakes every year is necessary, especially if you love the thrill of horse racing and being a part of the Triple Crown experience. You’ll come to exquisite lodgings, fine food, and a seat at one of the world’s most prestigious thoroughbred horse races. Here are some pointers to help you plan your vacation to the Preakness Stakes.
Our Insider Tips
When you’re heading to the Preakness Stakes, follow our trusted tips so you’ll have an amazing time.
Tickets
The party on the iconic Preakness infield is well-known, and musical performers usually perform to add to the ambiance.
On race day, infield tickets are the only ones available at the track, so plan ahead if you want to be there and be able to buy a ticket for the infield. Tickets are also available for the Mug Club, an infield section that provides unlimited alcohol. These tickets sell out faster and are more expensive than standard infield tickets.
Seating tickets go on sale in October of the calendar year preceding the race. The better seating locations necessitate purchasing tickets for Friday’s Black-Eyed Susan, the weekend’s premier filly race, in conjunction with Preakness tickets. The most costly ticket package costs several hundred dollars; however, reserved seating is available for a lower price. You can get into the grandstand for less than $50 if you don’t mind not being assured seats. TicketFly.com sells reserved seating tickets for the Preakness.
Where Are You Staying
Because the Preakness is a local event, hotel prices in and around Baltimore are reasonable. Days Inn, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Renaissance, and Sheraton are just a few of the well-known hotel groups in downtown Baltimore.
Feeling a bit overwhelmed as to where to stay? Not to worry, we can help. Crewfare is a corporate travel agency that is your best bet for locating hotels because it can provide an aggregated search of available hotels and high-quality reviews from prior guests.
Appreciating the Beauty of Baltimore
If you’re visiting this area, try some of the famous Maryland crab cakes. Faidley Seafood, Gertrudes, and Jimmy’s Famous Seafood are three excellent choices to get a bite of these tasty morsels.
Not into seafood? The area has a number of other well-known eateries. Chaps Charcoal Restaurant has decent Baltimore-style barbecue, Barcocina serves excellent Mexican cuisine, and Union Craft Brewery, which opened in 2012, offers a refreshing change of pace. The taproom keeps drinkers happy on Thursday and Friday nights when the parking lot is filled with music, cornhole, and food trucks.
If you’re looking for the perfect cocktail, book a table at Bookmakers Cocktail Club on Federal Hill. So many incredible options!
CREWFARE MAKES GROUP TRAVEL ULTRA-EFFICIENT
Interested in attending next years’ Preakness Stakes but not sure where to start? We can help! Book your next trip with Crewfare and get the best accommodations at the Preakness Stakes. Our corporate travel software offers flexible payment options, 24/7 customer support, and easy check-in/check-out. If you choose to stay in a hostel during your travel, there are many other benefits to choosing one. Hostels are usually cheaper than hotels and guesthouses, have friendly staff and better facilities, and are more social places for guests.
It’s time to plan your trip to the Preakness Stakes. The biggest event of the year is almost here! Get your crew and go.