Pimlico Race Course
Pimlico Race Course
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The site of the Preakness, the second leg of horseracing's Triple Crown.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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3.0
109 reviews
Excellent
18
Very good
29
Average
31
Poor
19
Terrible
12
donnaddl
Niagara Falls, New York13 contributions
May 2022
Pimlico for the Preakness was great! Like other travelers recommended, go early and enjoy the other races. We arrived about noon, parked at a Metro station and took the Metro to Rogers station and then the shuttle to the track. It was easy and quick.
The parking was very congested and it was nice just to walk right by all of that at the end of the day. I would not have walked all the way from the Mero station to the track - the neighborhood looked rough.
The track itself was fine. We sat in the Grandstand; some lines at the windows (to be expected) but otherwise things were good. Note that the crowds were reduced for 2022 (weather was 92 degrees so the grandstand was a good idea).
Recommendation: Go early, don't drive to the track if you can help it; Bring a hat!
The parking was very congested and it was nice just to walk right by all of that at the end of the day. I would not have walked all the way from the Mero station to the track - the neighborhood looked rough.
The track itself was fine. We sat in the Grandstand; some lines at the windows (to be expected) but otherwise things were good. Note that the crowds were reduced for 2022 (weather was 92 degrees so the grandstand was a good idea).
Recommendation: Go early, don't drive to the track if you can help it; Bring a hat!
Written May 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WhereintheUSisMikey
Seattle, WA1,242 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
I went to Pimlico because being a former jockey next to the Kentucky Derby and the Breeders Cup the Preakness is a race jockeys dream about but looking at this track changed that. This track is maintained poorly as it looks old and rundown. The parking lot has nothing but potholes and grandstand looks like termites holding hands. Don't bother even stopping at this dump.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pimlico is very important to us. There are long term plans to revitalize and upgrade the facility very soon. We look forward to the future of Pimlico and having you back once our upgrades are completed.
Written February 25, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CoachMichael
Hillsborough, NJ37 contributions
I was determined to attend the 2004 Preakness held at Pimlico. As I traveled to the Race Course, I was shocked by the terrible neighborhood where it was located. It seemed like every other home was boarded up.
When the MTA bus dropped us off at the track, I immediately thought this place was a dump!!! This was surprising because, after all, this is the track where Seabiscuit won that famous race against War Admiral. When we entered the grandstand, it looked like they had not renovated or put a coat of paint on the plae since SeaBiscuit actually raced there back in the late 30s. As long as they have the Preakness, people will go here. However, Pimlico is a DUMP!!!
When the MTA bus dropped us off at the track, I immediately thought this place was a dump!!! This was surprising because, after all, this is the track where Seabiscuit won that famous race against War Admiral. When we entered the grandstand, it looked like they had not renovated or put a coat of paint on the plae since SeaBiscuit actually raced there back in the late 30s. As long as they have the Preakness, people will go here. However, Pimlico is a DUMP!!!
Written June 13, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex H
Annapolis, MD12 contributions
If you enjoy watching horse races while wondering which direction the bullets are going to come from, this place is for you. My God, I have never seen such a disgusting array of impoverished, dangerous-looking drug-addicted miscreants. I have been all over Baltimore and I've never been in such fear of being robbed/murdered as when I was at Pimlico. If you value your life, stay far, far away.
Written December 18, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louis L
Baltimore, MD12 contributions
Place is a disaster do not bring out of town guests here until they move all operation to Laurel Park this place should be condemned
Written May 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen F
Myrtle Beach, SC105 contributions
The Preakness race was a good one but the accommodations under the tent were marginal at best. $350 got you a seat under the tent so when the rain came we stayed dry. Unfortunately, the view of the race itself was limited to the people who stood by the fence 2 hrs prior to the Preakness. The buffet lines were long and slow. The bathrooms were air conditioned but limited stalls created long lines at times. The biggest problem was that alcohol was an extra charge. I do not recommend the Turfside Terrace during the Preakness. Spend a little more & go the the Kentucky a Derby.
Written May 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Petefunker
Arlington, VA5 contributions
May 2015 • Family
Besides all of the restrooms breaking for an 8 hour event, the race was fine but my event was totally marred by a parking incident.
Never been to the Preakness before so my Dad flew in and we rented a car to drive the hour to this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Not knowing any better, I bought the $66 parking pass in Pimlico's Northern Lot. It was difficult to get to the lot and on the way around the track to find the Northern Lot, we saw cheaper parking EVERYWHERE. It was a constant reminder that I had just wasted about $40. However, most of the parking I saw was in peoples' yards so at least I thought I must be paying for some kind of peace of mind in the lot while people parking in yards do so at their own risk. Turns out that I could not have been any worse off parking in someone's yard than in the Northern Parking Lot. When we got the car back home after our hour drive back from the race, we opened the trunk to discover that someone had broken into the trunk, rifled though our stuff and taken what they wanted accounting for $3500. You can imagine how helpful the crack staff was at the Baltimore PD when trying to file a report from 60 miles away for insurance purposes. Let me just say that Detective Kima from the Wire was not answering phones that night. They said that they would need us to come back to Baltimore to analyze the car for finger prints and such before they could file a police report... Right, dusting for finger prints on rental car...
Thanks, Pimlico/Preakness for asking me to pay $66 and then tricking me into thinking that there would be some kind of security in your parking lot. Thanks Baltimore PD for the fine police work in helping make a bad situation just a little bit worse. Thanks Baltimore for helping me understand why I will likely never visit again.
Never been to the Preakness before so my Dad flew in and we rented a car to drive the hour to this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Not knowing any better, I bought the $66 parking pass in Pimlico's Northern Lot. It was difficult to get to the lot and on the way around the track to find the Northern Lot, we saw cheaper parking EVERYWHERE. It was a constant reminder that I had just wasted about $40. However, most of the parking I saw was in peoples' yards so at least I thought I must be paying for some kind of peace of mind in the lot while people parking in yards do so at their own risk. Turns out that I could not have been any worse off parking in someone's yard than in the Northern Parking Lot. When we got the car back home after our hour drive back from the race, we opened the trunk to discover that someone had broken into the trunk, rifled though our stuff and taken what they wanted accounting for $3500. You can imagine how helpful the crack staff was at the Baltimore PD when trying to file a report from 60 miles away for insurance purposes. Let me just say that Detective Kima from the Wire was not answering phones that night. They said that they would need us to come back to Baltimore to analyze the car for finger prints and such before they could file a police report... Right, dusting for finger prints on rental car...
Thanks, Pimlico/Preakness for asking me to pay $66 and then tricking me into thinking that there would be some kind of security in your parking lot. Thanks Baltimore PD for the fine police work in helping make a bad situation just a little bit worse. Thanks Baltimore for helping me understand why I will likely never visit again.
Written May 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BuffaloSlim
Naples, FL33 contributions
May 2013 • Friends
Alright, one of the things on my bucket list is to attend the entire Triple Crown, so my job brought me to northern NJ for a few months. A few co-workers and I decided to head down to Pimlico to attend the Preakness and had a few reservations about what it would truly be like, as we have all previously had attended the Kentucky Derby. The Derby is the finest run event I have ever been to, and was assuming that the Preakness would have the same organizers. I was wrong. We took a cab to the race to avoid parking / crowd issues, and out of the beautiful forested areas of Northern Baltimore emerges this ghetto. Now, I've been to my share of ghettos before, but this was a rougher looking ghetto, a huge police presence was there to make sure you didn't cross the street to deal with the "locals", but that does deter them from trying to sell you BBQ. This happened at the Derby as well, and we had a GREAT time hanging out at the local BBQs but they seemed ill equiped so we just followed the line into the Preakness. Get inside Pimlico and it was antiquated to say the least, the grandstands looked terrible, and the infield looked terrible (though hardly a suprise). Two turkey legs and a corndog $31, seems steep. And who in the heck decided it was a good idea to have 2 concerts in the middle of a horse race? Beer $2 for a 12 oz. (8AM - 12PM), then $4 there afterwards. The Preakness was on a rainy day, although it was spotty, we were on the infield and it started to down pour, hid in one of the merchandise tents and were promptly kicked out to stand in the rain by organizers. Thanks! Overall, this place is pretty beat-up but I still had a decent time, but it should be noted that I am a borderline alcholic and there was plenty of beer on one of my rare days off, I would have had a good time partying under a bridge... I hope the Belmont Stakes provides a more "Derby" like experience.
Written May 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hyeykysy
New Market, MD266 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
Went to Pimlico and was amazed at how run down, dirty and disgusting the track has become. Not only has it deteriorated but the people working there are rude and unfriendly. It is amazing how the state let this happen, and I am shocked they haven't moved the Preakness to Laurel Race Course. I have gone to many tracks around the country and this is by far the worst one I have been to. Shame on those in power who let this happen to a former Baltimore institution.
Written August 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tanner12oz
pittsburgh140 contributions
May 2018 • Friends
been doing the preakness for almost 20 years and this place gets worse and worse every year. crappy overpriced food with bad service...bad dated infrastructure. prices on tickets go up every year..customer service stinks. its a dump
Written June 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Are they breeding horses for racing? What happens to horses from birth to their passing, that are deemed not worthy of racing? Thank you very much.
Written April 23, 2022
Can you bring chairs to the general admission area at the Preakness?
Written March 14, 2022
Is there a race May 26th and what's it like? Time and price would be helpful as well. I've never done horse racing before and just want to check it out. Also is the crime bad?
Written May 18, 2019
How much is parking and general admission for Preakness 2018
Written May 18, 2018
Just verifying that if you buy Clubhouse Turn Reserve tickets, you are supposed to be allowed access to all areas...except corporate tents etc. ? Thank you in advance-
Written December 26, 2017
Hi Carolyn - your review of the Preakness said you were inside close to the finish line. Could you let me know where you were sitting. Were you in the Terrace Dining facility?
We are planning a trip for 2017 and would like to sit inside near the finish line.
Thanks....
Written November 11, 2016
We were also in the grandstand On the stretch About three rows up. I felt that these we very good seats.
Written February 24, 2017
ARe there any close hotels to this race course?
Written June 23, 2016
There are but it really isn't a great area to be in. The Baltimore waterfront is a much more scenic option with a number of highly recommended eating establishments.
Written July 5, 2016
have never been to the Preakness, would like good reasonably priced seating for 2, my wife has issues so need to be near betting station, fewer stairs, less walking the better. how is the Grandstand Apron 20-50? tks, best, dla-
Written February 19, 2016
I think you would find that seats in the area known as " Concourse Box" would be to your liking. check with the site as far as availability or visit any one of the on-line brokers
Written March 31, 2016
640donna
Centennial, Colorado
What transportation is provided from hotels in Baltimore to Pimlico race track?
Written February 1, 2016
City bus line; cab. Parking passes and on site parking are available but poorly designed as are on opposite side of track and staff do not seem interested in helping one get around. Good luck!
Written June 24, 2016
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