If you’re looking for a complete travel guide for the Preakness Stakes… you’re welcome.
The Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland brings together legendary horse racing and excellent entertainment for the perfect day at the races.
If this sounds like a good time, here’s a bit more about Preakness Stakes:
The race takes place on the third Saturday of May each year at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. It’s called the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown series because it falls between the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes on the yearly racing calendar.
What makes this event even more exciting is that there is a music festival at this event now too; Preakness Live.
This music festival and horse racing event combo is attended by tens of thousands of spectators each year.
This year get your tickets to see Bruno Mars and Sofi Tukker.
If you’d like to prepare yourself for this incredible experience, we’ve created an itinerary for the two-day event.
*To check out the list of our partner hotels for this event, go here.
Friday, May 19 – Black-Eyed Susan Day
Morning:
Start your day at the Pimlico Race Course for the Black-Eyed Susan Day Festivities. The gates open at 9 a.m., and there are things to check out (and eat) before the races start. Head to the infield and grab some breakfast from vendors, and also take a tour of the stables, and see the horses up close.
Closer to noon:
settle in to watch the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, the day’s feature race, which is a Grade 2 race for three-year-old fillies. It’s named after the state flower of Maryland and is run over a distance of 1 1/8 miles on dirt. Get a good spot along the rail to watch the excitement of the horses racing by
Lunch:
After the race, head to the Jockey Club for a gourmet lunch buffet featuring fresh seafood, carving stations, and a dessert bar. The Jockey Club is an exclusive members-only club, but on Black-Eyed Susan Day, it’s open to the public. Reservations are recommended.
Afternoon:
Spend some time watching the races and placing your bets. There are a total of 14 races on Black-Eyed Susan Day, so there are plenty of opportunities to win. Grab a drink and a snack from one of the many concession stands and enjoy the atmosphere
Evening:
After the races, head to the infield for live music, food, and drinks.
Saturday, May, 20
Early day:
Explore Pimlico Race Course (5201 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, MD 21215)
Before the races start, take a walk around Pimlico Race Course and soak up the atmosphere of the historic track. Check out the vendors selling souvenirs and handicapping guides, and grab a bite to eat from one of the many food stalls.
During the day:
Find a spot to watch the races and cheer on your favorite horses as they compete for the $1.5 million purse. And basically, you’re also going to want to plan on alternating between watching the Preakness Stakes races and Preakness Live acts.
You can also go on carnival rides, play games, and visit art installations while here. Take your pick.
