The Cal Ripken Experience is an impressive seven field baseball facility in Aberdeen, MD about 30 miles northwest of downtown Baltimore. It features signature fields built to replicate some of the most famous ball parks in America, including Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, and others.

Cal Ripken is an athlete who holds a special place in my heart. I lived in the Baltimore area during the last few years of his baseball career with the Baltimore Orioles. I was at an Oriole’s game during one if not the worst hitting slump Cal had ever gone through. Near the end of the game, Cal came up to bat one more time, hitless at this point in probably his last 25 or so at bats. Because of the love the Baltimore fans had for this guy, the entire crowd, almost at once, rose to give Cal a standing ovation, almost willing him on to get that hit that his bat had not been delivering. Thanks in part to the crowd and the rest in the career professionalism of Iron Man Cal, he came through with a big hit to get on base. I’ll never forget that night.

Okay, back to your trip! If you are going to the Cal Ripken Experience with your team, definitely make a list of the fun stuff to do and good places to eat in the area. Here’s a start!

Things to Do

Great Escapes Harford

Great Escapes Harford located in Bel Air 10 miles west of the Cal Ripken Experience is an escape room with themed games designed for participants age 14 and older. Groups of up to 10 people are locked in a room and must work together to find clues and solve puzzles that reveal hidden keys to “unlock” the door and “escape.” You’ll have a blast seeing how well your team can do! 2108 Emmorton Rd, Bel Air, MD 21015

Ice World

Ice World in Abingdon, seven miles southwest of the Cal Ripken Experience, is a twin-rink facility that is open year round. They boast two NHL-size rinks, eight team locker rooms, seating for up to 300 patrons, a full-service snack bar and a state-of-the-art pro shop. 1300 Governors Ct, Abingdon, MD 21009

Kilgore Falls

15 miles northwest of the Cal Ripken Experience sits Kilgore Falls, the second highest vertical waterfall in Maryland. The trail to the falls that was featured in the Disney movie Tuck Everlasting is only a half-mile long making it suitable for teams with younger children too. To find the trail, follow Route 24 north through Rocks State Park, turn left on St. Mary’s Road, and turn right on Falling Branch Road where you’ll find a parking lot to your right. 1026 Falling Branch Rd, Pylesville, MD 21132

Black-Eyed Susan

The Black-Eyed Susan paddlewheel riverboat is waiting for your team at the Havre de Grace Marine Center in historic Havre de Grace just nine miles east of the Cal Ripken Experience. This riverboat offers guests a climate controlled main room and covered upper deck to keep everyone cool and dry while they enjoy the scenic views the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. They offer public cruises from spring through fall. This is a luxurious cruise experience you and your team won’t soon forget! 2700 Lighthouse Point E, Baltimore, MD 21224

Concord Point Lighthouse

The Concord Point Lighthouse in Havre de Grace has been a centerpiece of the city since 1827. It continues to serve the vessels in Chesapeake Bay and is one of the oldest functioning lighthouses on the east coast. It is available to the public from April to October and offers fantastic views of the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay. Bring your camera, snap some pictures, and relax while you take in the marvelous views Concord Point Lighthouse has. 700 Concord St, Havre De Grace, MD 21078

Harford Mall

When all else fails you can always go to the mall! Stores like Macy’s and Sear anchor the nearby Harford Mall. Other stores at the Harford Mall include Lands’ End, Best Buy, GameStop, All 4 Sports, Finish Line, FYE, and everything in-between. This mall is definitely team friendly! When it comes time to eat, choose from a variety of crowd-pleasing restaurants including Red Robin, Five Guys, Friendly’s, and Bonefish Grill. 696 Belair Rd, Bel Air, MD 21014

Gunpowder Falls State Park

Gunpowder Falls State Park is home to 18,000 scenic acres in the Gunpowder River Valley, which includes both Baltimore and Harford County. The park consists of 100 miles of trails, streams, the historic village of Jerusalem, and an 18th century grist mill company town. Trek through some portions of trails and spend some time in the great outdoors. A swimming beach and picnic area can also be found in the park and are two great sections to relax and spend the day with your team. 7200 Graces Quarters Rd, Middle River, MD 21220

To find hotel rooms closest to where your team is playing in near Aberdeen or any city, visit hotels4teams.com. Hotels4Teams – The Best Hotels at the Best Prices, Closest to the Action!

Places to Eat

La Tolteca

La Tolteca, in Aberdeen, offers authentic Mexican cuisine right here in Maryland. To start, try their Mexican chicken wings or Jalisco Sampler, with a chicken chimichanga, taquitos, stuffed jalapeños, stuffed shrimp, and cheese quesadilla. Then move on to their Burritos Mexicanos stuffed with fried beans, beef tips, and red sauce or the Enchiladas Poblanas, three chicken enchiladas with rice and poblanos sauce. Of course, you can’t leave without trying their Churros, which are deep-fried doughnut sticks rolled in cinnamon sugar and topped with honey, chocolate syrup, and whipped cream. Yum! 984 Hospitality Way, Aberdeen, MD 21001

Pat’s Select Pizza | Grill

Pat’s Select Pizza | Grill, with a location in Aberdeen, is a team-friendly restaurant that cooks delicious pizza and Italian dishes that your team will go nuts over. Their large menu has many unique, chef-inspired dishes. The best ingredients are always used to make sure their meals are healthy and tasty. Pat’s Select Pizza | Grill also serves burgers, salads, quesadillas, flatbreads, soups, and more! There are even homemade pastries perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. 220 S Philadelphia Blvd, Aberdeen, MD 21001

Steelefish Grille

The Steelefish Grille in Bel Air describes itself as a sea-minded restaurant with a feast of delicious flavors. Adjacent to Harford Mall, Steelefish offers a wide variety of seafood and shellfish dishes that will satisfy any appetite. Try the popcorn shrimp hand-breaded to order, the Alaskan steamer pot with steamed snow crab legs, Prince Edward Island mussels and jumbo steamed shrimp, the glazed salmon topped with honey-teriyaki sauce, or the oyster platter made with fresh, hand-breaded oysters. 660 Boulton St, Bel Air, MD 21014

Island Spice Grille & Lounge

For something different, try Island Spice Grille & Lounge in Edgewood, where they pride themselves on cooking creative dishes you don’t normally see. This fact separates them from many other restaurants in the area. Try their popular jerk chicken; the Jam Jam Shrimp with fresh shrimp simmered in a coconut cream sauce with tomatoes, sweet peppers and onions; or the Island Spice Tilapia. 2120 Emmorton Park Rd, Edgewood, MD 21040

When your team is done competing at the Cal Ripken Experience, be sure to enjoy to coastal sights and sounds near this Chesapeake Bay area, with lots of seafood and beautiful water photo-ops. This will undoubtedly be one of the more beautiful areas your team will visit in their sports career.