Information about watching the Flames in Buffalo and Detroit

[flames_1987]

Not the two most beautiful, touristy destination cities to go see the Flames play, but planning on going to see the Flames play in early November against Detroit and Buffalo on back to back nights. First time in either city, was wondering who on CP has gone to games in either city, any information on where to go before the game, information on either arena, things to look out for and any help or suggestions. Thanks in advance!

Will have a day to spend in each city, so outside of the Arena, anything worth checking out or to kill time?

[SeeBass]

In Detroit go to Greektown for dinner then just take the people mover to the arena.

Buffalo you have to go to the Anchor Bar home of the chicken wing and buy a pint of sauce to take home.

[FlamesAddiction]

I went last year to Detroit to see the Flames. Before the game we went to the Hockeytown Cafe for dinner. As you'd guess, it was all Wings and some Lions stuff, but pretty good food.

My experience with the fans there was really good. There were other Flames fans at the restaurant and no one seemed to be getting any trouble from anyone.

Maybe I'm crazy, but I like downtown Detroit. Sure, it's not a busy downtown these days, but the architexture is pretty cool.

[mac_82]

Here is my post from this thread: http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...ht=louis+arena

I was just in Detroit on Saturday for the Wings v Avalanche game. It was my first time heading down there and I had a great time. I was wearing a Canada #12 Iginla jersey, and the most hostility I got was when the US boarder crossing guard joked that he was gonna take a baseball bat to us for wearing our Canada jerseys. Other than a couple of dirty looks, no one said a word.

Pre game I went to the Hockeytown bar located right across from Comerica Park. I got there 2.5 hours before the game, and I just beat the rush. It seems very popular with the local crowd, and there was a huge line up about 1.5 hours to game time. Another popular place close by is Cheli's owned by Chelios, but I didn't get a chance to check it out. I recommend the Red Wings buffalo wings at Hockeytown, some of the best wings I have had outside of Buffalo.

As for Joe Louis itself, they didn't open the doors until an hour before game time. Not sure if that is normal or not, but there was a huge crowd waiting to get in. Once you step in the doors it is like going into a time machine. Other than some of the concession being updated, it seems like you are in the late 70s early 80s, and it is a pretty cool feeling. It is a really great rink to see a game, one of the last great arenas left. There are red curtains blocking the concourse from the stands. There is only one giant bowl of seats, no 2nd or 3rd tier. All the scoreboards are old school and pixelated. The seats all have comfy red cushioning. The jumbotron looks like it is the original one put in place in 1979. And the entire roof is covered in banners dating back to the 1920s. The bathrooms have the troughs to piss in. And to top it all off I got to meet Ted Lindsay in the concourse. Got him to sign a Wings puck I bought for $6 and had a nice chat with him, he is as old school as they come and a great guy.

As far as going around Detroit itself, I didn't get much of a chance to see much since I just made a day trip down from Toronto. I walked around Comerica Park and Ford field. I also did a quick drive up Woodward Ave just past the Fisher Freeway to see some of the run down houses that were abandoned during the riots in the 60s. It was a very surreal experience, and I wish I had more time to explore around. One of the things I really wanted to see but didn't have time was the Michigan Central train station and what ever was left of the old Tiger Stadium.

If you got any more questions feel free to ask and I will do my best.

[mac_82]

And as far as Buffalo goes, I have been down there for 8-10 games over the last 4 years. I really didn't do much other than go to some of the pubs within walking distance of the arena, have some wings and beers, and then head over for the game.

[Bill Bumface]

Buffalo is really close to Niagra Falls if you haven't been there. Buffalo is kind of cool. Half abandoned so no traffic, $3 drinks are easy to find and last call at 4am.

[Bill Bumface]

Oh yeah, Hockeytown Cafe is no good. The drinks there made me puke the next day

[valo403]

Great suggestions so far. Downtown Detroit is a weird place, on one hand it's largely abandoned, depressing and kind of scary, on the other it's full of incredible architecture, has a feeling of surprising positvity and can be a lot of fun. It's really about how you look at it and what you discover. For pre-game drinking I'd recommend either Hockeytown or the Greektown Casino. Hockeytown is exactly as others have described, large Wings themed sports bar, and they run shuttles to the Joe. The Greektown casino isn't a big fancy Vegas style casino, but it's a good time and is connected to the people mover which will take you close to the Joe, kind of like how the C-train gets you close to the saddledome so you'll have a bit of a walk but it's really not an issue.

Greektown Casino is also a pretty good place to stay, the new hotel is really nice and it puts you on the only real strip of downtown that I would recommend hanging out on at night. There are a number of restraunts and bars in the area, the Old Shillelagh is a pretty good time, it can get pretty rowdy but a fun crowd. Other bars in the area are the Post (haven't actually been to this one, but supposed to be good), Town Pump (old school place but still can get busy) and Nancy Whiskey. There are two other casinos, both of which are big Vegas style joints. The MGM is very nice, high end restaraunts and lounges etc. and usually pretty busy. I haven't been to Motor City, but I believe it's similar. I'd take a cab to both, it's not far but it's not worth the walk.

As far as sites, dowtown has a considerable amount of stunning architecture (this is true of Buffalo as well) if you just want to wander around. The Ren Center (GM Offices) has some cool exhibits, but I haven't been there for years so you might want to confirm. The Ford museum in Dearborn is supposed to be great, you'd need a car for that (I assume you'll have one to get to Buffalo though). There are some cool suburban neighborhoods, Royal Oak has a lot of bars and restraunts, definitely the young up and coming area of the city, and there are a few large malls out that way. Just driving up the Lodge or I-75 highways out of Detroit can be an expereince, you see the devastation, burned out houses, abandoned factories etc. and then get into Oakland county and see massive high end malls and gleaming subdivisions. Quite the contrast.

Feel free to ask any other questions, I love that city and still have quite a few friends there I can get the scoop from.

[rustycana]

When you go to Buffalo, you need to get Buffalo wings (obviously) at the Anchor Bar. Probably the best ones I've ever had. I would go early though as the first time I went to see the Flames and Sabres on a Saturday, it was completely packed and could not get a table. The beef on Kimmelweck at Schwabl's is also a must but is a bit far from downtown. Very good atmosphere at the HSBC arena so I'm sure you'll have a great time

[flames_1987]

Thanks for the response CP! Looking forward to the atmosphere in both arenas. Downtown Detroit seems interesting to say the least, and for two college students looking to keep the road trip on a budget, seems like the architecture and some of the stories the city of Detroit can tell, would be well worth walking around to see.

[Bill Bumface]

Town Pump was also part of my fuzzy night that led to me holding my puke in sprawled across the back seat of our rental vehicle for te entire drive back to Toronto.