How to Attend the Preakness Stakes

The Preakness Stakes is the second leg of the Triple Crown series of thoroughbred racing in the United States. The Pimlico racetrack in Baltimore, Maryland holds nearly 95,000 people, so you should be able to attend one of the greatest horse races in America if you plan your time right.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Clear your schedule for the third Saturday in May. Arrive early for the week-long celebration and for the celebrity sightings. Check out nearby tourist attractions like the Babe Ruth museum, Camden Yard and historic Fort McHenry.
2. Check out the online seating chart and buy tickets to attend the Preakness Stakes in advance from the official website for the Pimlico track (see Resources below). Look for low cost standing-room-only tickets for the grandstand area, or buy moderately expensive tickets for the Top of the Stretch or the Turfside areas for a better view of the race. You can also find group packages for box seating and corporate tent packages. Be sure to order tickets by early January before tickets sell out.
3. Pick up race-day tickets to attend the Preakness from a spot in the rowdy infield. Be sure to get to the ticket booth well before 8:30 a.m. or you'll be battling thousands of spectators for breathing room. Bring along your own snacks and beverages. Keep in mind that the view of the actual race is limited from the infield.
4. Skip the budget and pay to attend the race with premium tickets from local ticket brokers. Expect to pay up to 10 times the face value of the ticket for prime seats, especially if you get them late.
5. Book a hotel room in downtown Baltimore for easy access to the track. Be sure to book early, as downtown hotels fill up months before the big event. You can also book a hotel room in Baltimore's Inner Harbor district and take a shuttle to the track on race day.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to order the drink of choice--the Black-Eyed Susan--for the ultimate Preakness Stakes experience.
• Check out the celebrity bartenders at the Mt. Washington Tavern during the week-long events leading up to race day.
• If you're planning on buying tickets from a private party on the day of the race, be sure to avoid fakes. Never pay more than face value for tickets to attend the Preakness.