Visiting Detroit? Read This Thread!

[Heaton]

For free? Lookin for some free parking areas too.

Greektown Casino parking. Park on any level, take the elevator down to 3. Go to the Casino to the People mover. Costs like $.50.

 

[SpookyTsuki]

What in the??? You'd have them stay out in the boonies for a game and concert in metro Detroit?? Those two cities are on the other side of the state, fer cryin' out loud!

Farmington Hills/Novi also have a lot of hotel options, or just anywhere in that corridor. If they wanted the college town experience, Ann Arbor is okay too, though it's a bit of a haul to the Palace.

It's only about 2 hours. Not that long. Grand Rapids is probably better then Detroit right now in my op

 

[Knighsb]

Coming to Detroit for Red Wings gave at end of March. Which is the better place to stay - Athenium or The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit? Any input is appreciated

 

[randymc2641]

Coming into town for Predators game 12/5

Would like advice on getting tickets. Would like to sit lower level on Predators attack twice end, preferable in one of the sideline sections (part of me wants to be the guy standing up in f not of the camera all night) Do you suggest stubhub or isomething cortex chance or just waiting and buying them off the streets.

Thanks,

Looking forward to the trip.

 

[HomersWorld]

Stubhub always works for me. Wait as long as you can before buying so the tickets will go down. Though be warned that the Joe doesn't do digital tickets. Just printed or physical tickets. So don't wait until you're in Detroit if you don't have access to a printer or something.

 

[randymc2641]

Thanks. I think I should have access to a printer. Would you suggest waiting until a few hours before face Off?

 

[RedNed]

JLA first time visit - parking

My son and I are visiting Joe Louis Arena for the first time for the Red Wings v Canucks game on Fri Dec 18th. We're driving up from the Washington DC area that day and plan to arrive in Detroit early to mid afternoon. The plan for after the game is to cross into Windsor, Ontario then either stay in a hotel there or keep going to London, Ontario which is our final destination.

I've never been to Detroit apart from border crossings to and from Canada. I must admit I am a little bit nervous about this visit as I have heard a lot of bad things about Detroit and I'm hoping that the reality of the situation is much better than the reputation. I had thought of just parking in Windsor and then taking the tunnel bus to the JLA but it seems silly to cross the border 3 times instead of just once. I'm also not sure how easy it would be to find and board the return bus after the game.

I've done some research on parking for the game and it looks like there are many recommendations for COBO roof parking. Any idea what time we should arrive in order to secure a parking spot there (game time is 7:30pm)? Is it easy to get out after the game? Also, is it better to cross into Windsor via the tunnel or the bridge after the game?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ap3x]

Is there a limited accessibility to playoff tickets or is it just handled on a first-come, first-served basis?

 

[Bench]

Is there a limited accessibility to playoff tickets or is it just handled on a first-come, first-served basis?

Season ticket holders get first crack, then they release them to the public. At that point you go online and spam Ticketmaster hoping you get something. You're competing against fans but also online ticket re-sellers. But I've had luck getting seats to playoff games in the past, just be diligent with refreshing your computer and you need to be OK with accepting "bad" seats the more people are in your party.

They'll then occasionally release tickets after the first wave is sold out. Sometimes this happens the day of at the ticket window, shortly before the game. I once walked up to the window at Madison Square Garden on a sold out game and got amazing seats for face value right behind all the players wives and stuff. That was a total shot in the dark, though, as the people in line in front of us were not offered the seats we were. The difference was a matter of a minute. I only recommend this if you're willing to accept heartbreak and you were going to watch the game at a local bar anyway.

 

[ap3x]

First off, thanks a lot for your quick reply. Secondly, how long in advance - after clinching - do they usually sell? Thing is, I'd like to visit a game in the last season at the JLA - a playoff one would be sweet for sure. But seems like I'm on the safer side, when just trying to get a regular season one.

 

[Bench]

First off, thanks a lot for your quick reply. Secondly, how long in advance - after clinching - do they usually sell? Thing is, I'd like to visit a game in the last season at the JLA - a playoff one would be sweet for sure. But seems like I'm on the safer side, when just trying to get a regular season one.

Last year tickets went on sale on March 27th at 10AM EST. The Wings didn't clinch a spot until April 10th. Game 1 took place on April 16th. So that gives you a timeline of about 2-3 weeks from sales to playoff date. Actual clinch date was less than week.

I have no clue how quickly the games sold out in recent years. Maybe somebody here can tell us their luck getting individual game tickets.

 

[redwingsphan]

My son and I are visiting Joe Louis Arena for the first time for the Red Wings v Canucks game on Fri Dec 18th. We're driving up from the Washington DC area that day and plan to arrive in Detroit early to mid afternoon. The plan for after the game is to cross into Windsor, Ontario then either stay in a hotel there or keep going to London, Ontario which is our final destination.

I've never been to Detroit apart from border crossings to and from Canada. I must admit I am a little bit nervous about this visit as I have heard a lot of bad things about Detroit and I'm hoping that the reality of the situation is much better than the reputation. I had thought of just parking in Windsor and then taking the tunnel bus to the JLA but it seems silly to cross the border 3 times instead of just once. I'm also not sure how easy it would be to find and board the return bus after the game.

I've done some research on parking for the game and it looks like there are many recommendations for COBO roof parking. Any idea what time we should arrive in order to secure a parking spot there (game time is 7:30pm)? Is it easy to get out after the game? Also, is it better to cross into Windsor via the tunnel or the bridge after the game?

Thanks in advance.

It is certainly rough in places, but it's like any other city in that if you are going to an event and stay on the beaten path you will be fine. There are plenty of safe hotels that are pretty close. I'd probably stay in Windsor after the game though, so that you will be closer to your final destination.

Regarding parking, I can't really tell you as I've always taken shuttles from the bar, or casino.

 

[SoupNazi]

Is there a limited accessibility to playoff tickets or is it just handled on a first-come, first-served basis?

In 2009 I got decent seats behind the net for Game 2 vs. Columbus. Ozzie had a 25 save shutout in the 4-0 win; I got the tickets on Ticketmaster less than a week before the game at face value. It all depends on what you're willing to spend and how long you're willing to wait. At the time there were plenty of seats available.

Of course, April 2009 was the height of the recession and with the economy better now, I might not be as lucky if I tried to get those tickets today.

 

[WingedWheel1987]

Is finding tickets even an issue anymore? Stubhub always has playoff tickets available until an hour before puck drop.

 

[Bench]

Is finding tickets even an issue anymore? Stubhub always has playoff tickets available until an hour before puck drop.

Sure, usually those are people looking to turn a profit, though. The secondary market is always there though, you're right.

 

[PelagicJoe]

I'm thinking about making a road trip to the March 26th game against the Pens. What hotels are close by that you guys recommend? I've never been to MI. (Native of STL.)

 

[Bench]

I'm thinking about making a road trip to the March 26th game against the Pens. What hotels are close by that you guys recommend? I've never been to MI. (Native of STL.)

Best bet is to usually stay by the casino, Greektown area. Then take a shuttle to the rink. The hotels in that area are all quite nice and run probably $150 a night plus parking.

You can probably do cheaper moving a little away from there, but less things to do immediately nearby. Depends if you're there just for the game or you want to hit a bar or anything else along the way.

 

[jprenkert]

I would recommend staying at any of the hotels in the circle of the people mover. I love using stubhub. I have gone to many big games for under face value with really good seats. Got into the home opener for 60 bucks each, sitting row 6 lower bowl to the left of Howard. Hint: there is a stubhub office that is open during game days and usually close about an hour after the game starts.

 

[Isles311]

Game vs. Islanders on 2/6/16

I am an Islanders fan thinking about going to the Joe for this game. I am just curious, why is this game ticket much higher than most games on the broker web sites? Other than the Stadium Series game of course.

 

[jprenkert]

Looks like its because its a "primetime" game, a saturday afternoon game. Thats the only reason i can tell. If I were you I would monitor the prices as they will change between now and then.

 

[DaGoose]

Any advice for getting tickets vs the Blues on the 20th? Would need 2. They just advertised the coke zero fan pack and when I checked on Ticketmaster there were no options available.

 

[boyblair]

Coming over from Scotland to catch a game in March. Would be grateful for any info with the following.
* how much on stub hub or other sites am I looking at for centre ice seats.
* any good craft beer bars around the joe or Detroit itself?
* will I be able to get any Drew Miller t-shirts or jerseys at the arena?

Many thanks

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Coming over from Scotland to catch a game in March. Would be grateful for any info with the following.
* how much on stub hub or other sites am I looking at for centre ice seats.
* any good craft beer bars around the joe or Detroit itself?
* will I be able to get any Drew Miller t-shirts or jerseys at the arena?

Many thanks

Monitor Stubhub periodically to get a sense of ticket prices and how they fluctuate. The Joe does a solid job of supporting the Michigan brewing scene. I have noticed a number of rotating craft taps in concessions FWIW. I will let the locals opine on the actual breweries on the east side of the state.

 

[RabidBadger]

Coming over from Scotland to catch a game in March. Would be grateful for any info with the following.
* how much on stub hub or other sites am I looking at for centre ice seats.
* any good craft beer bars around the joe or Detroit itself?
* will I be able to get any Drew Miller t-shirts or jerseys at the arena?

Many thanks

Batch Brewery and Brew Detroit are a couple miles from The Joe in Corktown. Brew Detroit makes beers for several of the local breweries and some of their own line.

Slow's BBQ and Mercury Burger bar are also in Corktown. Both great eating spots with a extensive, largely local beer list.

Jolly Pumpkin is in Midtown. They brew with a Eurocentric slant and have killer wood-fire pizzas. You can check out Jack White's excellent Third Man Records next door.

Detroit Beer Company is in the heart of Downtown. Good beer, pretty decent food. It'd be easy catch the people mover (light rail) from there and it takes you directly to The Joe.

 

[TeemuS]

Can I get Founders or Black note (from Bell's) in there?