All fan road trip talk
- Thread starter MGF0723
- Start date
Where do you live? I have been to Montreal and Ottawa multiple times and Toronto once. Toronto will be the most expensive ticket, Ottawa the cheapest. On the Canadiens page, they have a great thread on things to do in Montreal. Ottawa was cool near the government buildings, but not much to do compared to Toronto and Montreal. Don't worry about not speaking French in Montreal. Just about everyone in the city speaks English.
useref15
Registered User
I've done the Montreal trip twice, and will be doing it again for the last game of the season this year in Montreal. It's an amazing city, especially if you're in your 20s. Also, theres no better hockey environment, and really nothing like it. From where I am in NJ, it's about a 6 hour drive, so it's not really that bad. There is an abundance of things to do in Montreal as well, so you won't be bored compared to say a place like Ottawa or western Canada. As Pat mentioned above, most people in Montreal speak English, although they might be a little cold towards you. Nothing is better then going to a Rangers-Canadeins game and having people curse at you in French, and you have no idea what they're saying. Can't wait till April 12th!
highandwide
It's gold Jerry.
my sister and I started a tradition to do a yearly trip to another arena.
Our first year we went to TD, then WC, then Staples this season.
What non-Canadian arenas would you guys suggest?
Our first year we went to TD, then WC, then Staples this season.
What non-Canadian arenas would you guys suggest?
In the US, I have seen them play in Boston, Washington, Philly, Pittsburgh, Carolina, Florida, Detroit, NJ, and NYI. I no longer keep up with the corporate names, so not sure which arena is TD and WC.
Boston is a great atmosphere, been there 3 or 4 times. Arena is near a bunch of bars.
Wasn't crazy about Washington, thought the fans were ****s, had a few bars around the arena and some wanna-be chinatown.
Philly has a bad rep, but I have been there many times for Flyers Rangers, Eagles Giants, Mets Phils. Always were NY stuff and have never had a problem. Not much around the arena, but a short drive to cheese steaks. If you are with your sister, I am assuming you have no interest in nudie bars. Generally, my friend and I hit one after a game, but don't know much about regular bars down there.
I have always thought the Pitt crowd was dead. Been there many times, basically if "sydney" is not on the ice, then nobody cares what is going on. Nothing in the immediate vicinity of the arena, but a short walk/drive and you can find some bars/restaurants. Also, not uncommon to see street vendors selling Steelers stuff 3 blocks from the arena on a saturday afternoon in March.
Carolina was a great atmosphere. A little amateurish in that the PA announcer was announcing off-sides and icings. People are REAL friendly and there will be lots of Rangers fans down there. NOTHING near the arena, but Raleigh has some of the best BBQ joints you can find. The Pit was by far my favorite. Afternoon of the game, we also drove over to Chapel Hill to see UNC and Durham to see Duke
Florida-Been a while since I was there. Last time was probably 2001. Best I remember was a small shopping plaza near the arena, no idea about now. Fun atmosphere, lots of Rangers fans at the game.
Detroit I was very disappointed. Thought the crowd was completely dead. Be careful of obstructed view seats there. There is only one entrance in and out of arena, and one huge parking garage best I remember. Nothing around arena, but it is right on the river and a short drive over the bridge to Windsor. We went the same weekend as the Detroit-Windsor marathon. My wife and friends now husband ran the 5k and my friend and her mom ran the 1/2. Friend is from the Detroit area and we stayed with her parents so have no idea about hotels near arena. There is a casino nearby. Few exits away on one of the highways.
Chaels Arms
Formerly Lias Andersson
Been to Montreal twice and Toronto once. The atmosphere in the Bell Centre is the best you're ever going to get. Their pre-game presentations are phenomenal and the crowd is really into it and knowledgeable. Like fans at the Bell Centre will stand up and get anxious if a player is wide open for a clear breakaway pass even before the pass happens. Little things like that are cool.
The city has an old European feel to it and a good young crowd because of the universities near there. Like someone else mentioned though, there is a little bit of "coldness" if you don't speak French. It's not out and out hostility but you will definitely be made to feel like an outsider. It can get a little annoying when you get that impression all over the city.
I was in Toronto this season when the Rangers crushed them. Toronto has a more modern feel. The arena and the atmosphere for the game doesn't compare to the Bell Centre but you also don't have the awkward coldness with the fans up there. We hung out with a lot of Leafs fans and met a lot of cool Toronto people when we were out at night.
One big edge Toronto has is the Hockey Hall of Fame. Every hockey fan should go there at least once. The place is really awesome, aside from being in the middle of a mall's foodcourt, which I found a little strange.
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Chaels Arms
Formerly Lias Andersson
Only time I ever went to a game in Philly was for our Winter Classic and the fans at the game were awesome. Unfortunately there was that terrible incident with the Rangers fan who was assaulted while getting cheesesteaks. I don't know how representative the fans at that game were of the fans you would get at a normal Flyers game but they were fine around us in the stadium.
Also, FYI, if anyone is planning on going to Philly don't go to Pat's or Geno's. So many better places. Best cheesesteak I've ever had was at D'Alessandro's but it's a little bit of a trip into the burbs.
I went to the Rangers game at the Florida Panthers this season. That arena is amazing. The atmosphere isn't great and there are a lot of empty seats which is a shame because the building itself is awesome. Probably had the best sightline I've ever had at a game there and I think we only paid like $60 each for our tickets. The place is spotless, tons of food options, tons of room to actually sit down and eat comfortably and obviously just being in Florida during the winter is awesome. Pretty expensive cab ride though to the arena if you're staying in Fort Lauderdale.
I agree with you on Washington. The fans down there are pretty dopey.
Boston is a fun place to watch a game. Lots of stuff around the arena.
I have been to Montreal four times. Never felt coldness for not speaking French at all. My wife does speak French about as close to fluently as you can get, but has a hard time with the accent in Montreal. In most of the restaurants, the menus are in both English and French. One time, we went to Les 3 Brasseurs, and they gave us the french menu. When the waitress came to us and heard us speaking English, she apologized and asked if we needed the English menus. Also found the host/hostesses at most of the restaurants asked as soon as you walked in, "English? Francais?"
In Quebec City, she couldn't understand them at all. We were in our hotel in Quebec City, waiting on line. Woman in front of us was from Paris. My wife could understand her clear as day. Couldn't understand the clerk at all.
In Quebec City, she couldn't understand them at all. We were in our hotel in Quebec City, waiting on line. Woman in front of us was from Paris. My wife could understand her clear as day. Couldn't understand the clerk at all.
Agreed on Pats and Genos. My favorite is Jims. Also like Tony Lukes. Went to the game earlier this month and we went to Johns. Thought it was great, but they are only open until 3 and not open on Sundays. Only started opening on Saturdays in the past few years when a shopping plaza opened.
Chaels Arms
Formerly Lias Andersson
I think that probably helped. A lot of people have told me that if you make the attempt at French when you're there, that helps a lot. I didn't do that.
We went to Les 3 Brasseurs, that place was awesome. One of the few places we didn't feel the cold shoulder.
It's also tough to differentiate between general fan antagonism towards a bunch of people wandering around the city in Rangers jerseys which is what we did the whole time and language hostility. I personally felt like it was a mixture of both. Still, I found the people in Toronto to be much, much friendlier to our group. People in Toronto told me they get the cold shoulder when they speak English in Montreal as well.
She only speaks French when absolutely necessary. First time we went, we took a ride out to Drummondville for a Jr game and her French was definitely needed there. Otherwise, only if she needs to read something. Whenever we travel, we make a point to locate a convenience store to get some drinks and snacks for the room and she always wants me to grab a French newspaper.
I was supposed to go to that game. Had a friday afternoon flight out of Newark that got canceled and couldn't get on another. But agree on the fans. When I did go, we went to dinner at a bar restaurant right next to the HOF. I had taken my jersey off to eat as I have a knack for dripping ketchup/sauce/whatever on my jerseys. As I stood up from the table to leave, I put my jersey on and the whole place boo'd me. I tipped my hat and said thank you. Then, they started to laugh. Went back to the same place after the game and had a great time with a bunch of Leafs fans. Rangers had won in a shootout, wild game, Shanahan had the SO winner. We closed the place and I was doing shots with the owner and his friends. As I was leaving, we stayed less than a 1/4 mile from the HOF, I realized the beer in Canada has twice as much alcohol as in the US. Got back to the room, laid down and the room was spinning. Was not a pleasant flight the next morning.
Also went to a game in San Jose, but not against the Rangers. Was out there for Giants-Niners and we decided to take the train to SJ. Wasn't impressed. Arena was very blah, think the new Giants Stadium, but worse. Only thing around it was a small BBQ restaurant/bar that was PACKED. Fans do some cheesy "shark chomp" with their hands at the start of every Sharks power play. Would have rather just stayed in San Fran that night and got plastered at Fishermans Wharf.
if you didn't know it was there, you may never find it, but there is a Backyard Bistro on the opposite side of the arena, coming from the highway but don't let the name fool you...its a full bar. whenever I've been there, its packed with Canes fans and they have a decent beer selection. i too HIGHLY recommend The Pit if you go to Raleigh. i can't get enough of that place. also The Flying Saucer. TONS of beer on draft and a really cool atmosphere. agreed with patnyrnyg about Chapel Hill too, can't go wrong down there unless school is out. then its pretty dead.
if you go to Philly, the fans aren't that bad, but they will talk trash. i had a beer spilled on me once, and he said it was an "accident". couldn't tell either way. i wouldn't chase down Pats or Genos either, but head to South Street. i had a friend who lived nearby and spent a lot of time there. the Dark Horse Tavern is for sure a favorite. everybody there is usually pretty laid back.
DC traffic is HORRIBLE. thats enough to keep me from ever going to DC.
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highandwide
It's gold Jerry.
THANKS FOR YOUR IMPUT! Which did you find had less driving?
TD garden is Boston, WC is winter classic.
Has anyone been to SJS?
San Jose:
As for driving: Pittsburgh has a bunch of hotels within a reasonable walk to the arena. If you go on a weekend when the Steelers are at home, they will be MUCH more expensive.
In Washington we walked from the hotel, and if I remember correctly the arena is walking distance to all the historical stuff.
Florida, Carolina, Philly, Detroit all involve a decent amount of driving. I have also been to Chicago, but not for a Hawks game. The United Center is not near any of the trains. Not sure if they have buses that run out there, but I think you would likely have to drive there as well if you stay in the downtown areas.
Walk With Lias
Registered User
- Sep 18, 2007
- 298
- 22
I've been to Montreal, Philly, Boston, New Jersey, and Long Island. Montreal was by far my favorite. Stayed at the Marriott that was 2 blocks away from the Bell Centre. Took Amtrak from Penn right into downtown Montreal and everything was within walking distance. Fans are very passionate up there, its an incredible experience. Boston is a lot of fun, fans weren't a problem and everything was accessible via subway. Once again took Amtrak from Penn up there. Philly gets a bad rap but in the two times I've been there I haven't had an issue. Granted I've splurged for lower bowl seats, and premium winter classic tickets so maybe I was just away from the clowns. From Penn its like an hour and half ride to the arena via Amtrak and the city subway. Its a great day trip. New Jersey is a nice venue, fans like to talk trash and everything. Nothing compares to a Ranger game on Long Island though. If you've never experienced one you must go next season. Its just ridiculous, when that barn is full the place rocks.
In terms of atmosphere I would rank where I've been (not including MSG) Bell Centre, Long Island, Philly, Boston, New Jersey.
In terms of atmosphere I would rank where I've been (not including MSG) Bell Centre, Long Island, Philly, Boston, New Jersey.
Well, after reading all of the input , it looks like Montreal will be in the works. Thanks!!! Great win tonight.
Nashville has to be on your list as well. There are a TON of bars within a block or two of the arena, and the one across the street from the arena (can't remember the name) is typically invaded by the visiting teams fans pre-game. I have been to the arena several times over the years and while I cannot vouch for the sight lines in the upper bowl, anything in the lower bowl will be an outstanding seat.
Was there for the Rangers game this year and got the added bonus of running into almost the entire team at a bar after the game. Bought a beer for Staal and McDonough and had a small conversation with them and Richards. It was really cool because it was the fathers trip so all the dads were out as well.
GordonGecko
First Ping Pong Ball
If in Montreal, one NEEDS to eat at Au Pied du Cochon. Joe Beef is good as well. One of my absolute favorites is Damas.
trueblue9441
Registered User
going up to montreal for the last game of the season.. 3rd time going up for a game hopefully we get a win this time. anyone else making the trip?
mti79
Registered User
- May 11, 2007
- 4,186
- 546
I've gone to Buffalo, Montreal, NJ, LI, Tampa and Carolina. Never had a bad experience at any of them. Loved Montreal. Beautiful city with so much to see and do. Tampa was fun, but would have loved to have had more time there. Same with Carolina. Great welcoming fans and found a great bar for beers/burgers (Natty Greene's) but spent an entire morning in a Mazda dealership getting a headlight fixed. Unfortunately, this year has only allowed for home games but looking to get back on the road next year.
useref15
Registered User
I'm going with two friends. Our 3rd trip as well. It's amazing each time and being in Montreal, you really don't care if the Rangers win or not because it's still going to be a great night lol. Although, last time we were there, I think we lost either 3-0 or 4-0 and Biron started. Will be staying at the Sheraton across the street from the Bell Centre. What section are you sitting in?
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