2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

[STATEdude3]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

The common misconception is that Greektown is a cultural neighborhood...let me clear some things up:

1. Greektown is more like greek-block as it is just a about 3 blocks of shops and restaurants.

2. It's not exactly greek-block but more like multi-national block. There are a few greek places, a martini bar, a mexican place, a pizza joint and an irish influenced bar.

3. There are 32 liquor licenses in a 6 block radius. It is the place to be downtown on the weekend. There are plenty of options from upscale to dress down, to downright scrubby.

4. If you go to Greektown you will have fun whether you are drinking or spending time with family.

 

[alfablue]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

4. If you go to Greektown you will have fun whether you are drinking or spending time with family.

Or gambling. There's a casino, too.... FWIW.

 

[STATEdude3]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

Or gambling. There's a casino, too.... FWIW.

I said having fun...from my experience at Greektown I never came out ahead! I don't gamble much my only luck seems to be at MGM.




The other question I am having is about going across the river to Windsor. Let's clarify that...

Passports makes it the easiest to go back and forth. However, if you want to drive across the boarder you can do so with relative ease by having a drivers license AND a birth certificate or 2nd form of citizenship for all people in the car. It is usually a 15-20 minute process from waiting in line to being cleared. Windor has some cool attractions and might be worth the trip under the river if you are interested in what they have to offer. The tunnel is located immediately West of the Renaissance Center at the intersection of Randolph and Jefferson.

 

[jen]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

The other question I am having is about going across the river to Windsor. Let's clarify that...

Passports makes it the easiest to go back and forth. However, if you want to drive across the boarder you can do so with relative ease by having a drivers license AND a birth certificate or 2nd form of citizenship for all people in the car.

I believe that is incorrect, as of June 1, 2009 - everyone needs a passport, passport card or EDL to cross the border by land. http://www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/passport_requirement.asp (this was also verified by an agent at the passport office here).

 

[STATEdude3]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

I believe that is incorrect, as of June 1, 2009 - everyone needs a passport, passport card or EDL to cross the border by land. http://www.consular.canada.usembassy.gov/passport_requirement.asp (this was also verified by an agent at the passport office here).

Oh **** then I guess I've been slipping through the system for the last year!! If I am incorrect then I apologize. I have been crossing the boarder with a regular license for the past 4 years.

Please dont hold be responsible if you cannot get back to the USA!! lol

 

[jen]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

Oh **** then I guess I've been slipping through the system for the last year!! If I am incorrect then I apologize. I have been crossing the boarder with a regular license for the past 4 years.

Please dont hold be responsible if you cannot get back to the USA!! lol

you are obviously a terrorist. I am going to believe several .gov websites and a passport agent, over a terrorist.

 

[STATEdude3]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

you are obviously a terrorist. I am going to believe several .gov websites and a passport agent, over a terrorist.

By all means, please do trust the .gov over the .moron. Now I am concerned about my plans to go over there again tonight.

 

[JD Doe]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

I just ran across this special from the people mover... It basically circles the entire downtown area with 13 stops.

You can get a $5.00 pass and ride the people mover an unlimited amount of times Thursday through Saturday. Normally costs .50 cents every time you board.

http://www.thepeoplemover.com/College-Hockey-Fan-Pass-Available-Now.id.1959.htm

They have also extended their times to operate until 2:00am Thursday night, and 3:00am Friday and Saturday.

It's only available online through tomorrow, March 31st...

http://www.thepeoplemover.com/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=2&idproduct=196

Also check out their map of stops...

http://www.thepeoplemover.com/map_interactive.html

 

[JD Doe]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

All I know is I'll have a couple of thirsty boys with me. Plus, I'm doing everyone a favor keeping them away from the 'Sconnies as much as possible.

If you go downtown on Friday (Tigers Opening Day), trust me no one will notice because most everyone will be wasted, except the DD's of the group's and those darn people watchers!

I'll probably be spending time at HockeyTown despite the fact that is is deemed the Miami bar.

Question, is GreekTown worth hanging out at on the Friday night? If so, is it ok to walk from the stadium area or is it best to drive?

A few things to keep in mind Slasher7 about Friday.

1) If you plan on going to Hockeytown on Friday, the line starts around 10:00-10:30am and the place will be packed all day and night! Any bar downtown will be quite busy starting from about 10:00am throughout the night....

2) The Old Shillelagh in Greektown or Fishbone's would be a great place to hang on Friday night. Also Pappy's, The Detroiter Bar and Beaubien Street Saloon are also possibilities... The Detroit Pub is also a cool place on Brush and Gratiot, two blocks north of the Old Shillelagh. But anywhere you go Friday during the day and night, be prepared to wait to get in at the more popular places, and make lots of new friends... (and please, everyone wear your school colors/jersey's. Detroit is a great sports town and we appreciate everyone coming in for the fun Friday, and hockey Thursday & Saturday!)

3) Unless you know 100% sure where you are going and what streets to take, I would say to stay off any street around the Greektown and the stadium area starting from about 10:30am throughout the afternoon. With opening day on a Friday, it will be especially crazy to get around by car and I am just trying to save you a little hassle. It's not impossible, but do expect a heavier amount of traffic Friday.

It is a simple and safe walk from Greektown to the entire stadium area... done it many times...

Or you can take the bus! http://www.oldshillelagh.com/the_bus.htm. I am sure they will be running to/from Ford Field Thursday and Saturday, and definitely to/from Comerica Park on Friday. The best Irish Bar in Greektown with live Irish music Friday and Saturday nights!

Lots of people will be downtown Friday morning, afternoon and night for Tigers Opening Day.

Now if we get a foot of snow that day, that can all change

 

[mookie1995]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

I thought the same thing. I assume if BU had been there, they would have found some Indian Restaurant to host their fans

squaw? or dot?

 

[Madtown]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

booked a hotel in southfield, was wondering how long it takes to get to Ford Field from there, and how about how much a cab would be down to Ford Field. Also anything fun to do around southfield? Thanks for any help

 

[STATEdude3]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

booked a hotel in southfield, was wondering how long it takes to get to Ford Field from there, and how about how much a cab would be down to Ford Field. Also anything fun to do around southfield? Thanks for any help

Driving down the Lodge Fwy (M-10) it is generally 15-20 minutes to downtown from Southfield. I cant speak to a cab from there, sorry. As for fun things to do- the easiest thing to do is take a 5 mile trip over to Royal Oak where there are a bunch of bars, shops, and galleries. Southfield is primarily a residential area except for the "downtown" which is really just a massive office park of high rise buildings.

 

[STATEdude3]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

The first views of the rink at Ford Field are now available...what are your thoughts?

http://www.ccha.com/Ford_Field_Rink_Installation_Day_1.aspx

 

[JD Doe]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

I cant speak to a cab from there, sorry. As for fun things to do- the easiest thing to do is take a 5 mile trip over to Royal Oak where there are a bunch of bars, shops, and galleries. Southfield is primarily a residential area except for the "downtown" which is really just a massive office park of high rise buildings.

Plan on spending $45-50 for a cab ride from Southfield to downtown Detroit.

Also agree with STATEdude3, Royal Oak would be your closest best bet for something fun to do.

http://www.downtownroyaloak.org/play.html

Also there is a pretty good comedy club in Royal Oak called Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle. http://comedycastle.com/

And speaking of comedy and maybe something to do, comedian Tim Allen is in town doing a stand-up show at the Motor City Casino in downtown Detroit, Thursday and Friday nights... http://www.motorcitycasino.com//SoundBoard.aspx

 

[melmac]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

Driving down the Lodge Fwy (M-10) it is generally 15-20 minutes to downtown from Southfield. I cant speak to a cab from there, sorry. As for fun things to do- the easiest thing to do is take a 5 mile trip over to Royal Oak where there are a bunch of bars, shops, and galleries. Southfield is primarily a residential area except for the "downtown" which is really just a massive office park of high rise buildings.

The view from the <s>13th</s> 14th floor is stunning.

 

[MagnessMan]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

MagnessMan, I have looked over my hosting binder and here is my suggestion...The airport hotels usually have shuttle services to downtown. I would suggest the Greenfield Inn (Best Western) in Dearborn. It is 10 minutes to the airport and 10 minutes to downtown. They do shuttle service to both places and will pick you up downtown with arrangements made ahead. If you want to spend a little more money, the Westin Airport hotel offers the same service. Many of the hotels in the airport area offer downtown rides according to our conventioneer guide, but I would suggest calling ahead before you book a room to make sure.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give them a call.

 

[jdevoejr]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

I just booked at the the Holiday Inn Express downtown. $167.00 per night for three nights. Allegedly within waliking distance of the game and hopefully not too bad a part of town. (as in not only can I walk but I'm not taking my life in my hands by doing so.) Someone who knows the area please tell me I did a good thing.

 

[alfablue]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

I just booked at the the Holiday Inn Express downtown. $167.00 per night for three nights. Allegedly within waliking distance of the game and hopefully not too bad a part of town. (as in not only can I walk but I'm not taking my life in my hands by doing so.) Someone who knows the area please tell me I did a good thing.

It's right across the street from we are staying- it's a fine location.

 

[STATEdude3]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

Ok everyone get this through your head...in 94% of crimes in Detroit the victim knows the assailant. Detroit has crime issues, but not downtown. Statistically speaking the per/capita chance of being mugged is higher in downtown Chicago than downtown Detroit.

There are bad areas of Detroit, but none of them are in the downtown core. The midtown/university cultural center and downtown areas are the safest parts of the city.

I know I am biased because I live here, but you guys really need to trust us locals who tell you comon sense will keep you safe here. My fiance and I live, work, and play downtown and in the 4 years we have been down here we have never witnessed a crime. I know the national perception is very bad, but it's not like people are walking around with assault rifles here.

 

[eyeoutthere]

Re: 2010 Frozen Four - Detroit - Fans Helping Fans Travel Guide

Or gambling. There's a casino, too.... FWIW.

Do they have table games? I tend to walk out with a few extra Benjamin's every time I play Craps.