March Road Trip

[Roadie]

My wife and I are taking in our first Flame game in late March versus the Wild. I wanted some inside info from the fans.

#1: 2nd and 3rd level tickets...are they still a good view? Any places you would avoid.

#2: Calgary light rail...is it an easy on/off before and after the game.

#3: Is there a bar and grill close to the game that's worth a stop by?

Thanks,
Jason

[tkflames]

maybe PM nhmen, he seems to give good reports on the wild as well and am sure he will have some insight into those questions.

[jar_e]

Originally Posted by tkflames

maybe PM nhmen, he seems to give good reports on the wild as well and am sure he will have some insight into those questions.

I'm pretty sure the OP is coming to a game in Calgary?

[jar_e]

Originally Posted by Roadie

My wife and I are taking in our first Flame game in late March versus the Wild. I wanted some inside info from the fans.

#1: 2nd and 3rd level tickets...are they still a good view? Any places you would avoid.

#2: Calgary light rail...is it an easy on/off before and after the game.

#3: Is there a bar and grill close to the game that's worth a stop by?

Thanks,
Jason

#1 - I'd recommend 2nd level if you can afford it/can get tickets...sightlines are still half decent in the 300's...but I wouldn't cheap out on the tickets if your making this your first game.

#2 - LRT is good, but prepared to be crammed in like sardines at the end of the game.

#3 - Flames Central is impressive for a sports bar. Its relatively close if you using the Ctrain anyways.

[flip]

Originally Posted by Roadie

My wife and I are taking in our first Flame game in late March versus the Wild. I wanted some inside info from the fans.

#1: 2nd and 3rd level tickets...are they still a good view? Any places you would avoid.

#2: Calgary light rail...is it an easy on/off before and after the game.

#3: Is there a bar and grill close to the game that's worth a stop by?

Thanks,
Jason

1. I certainly wouldn't get 3rd level if this is your first game and you want to have "good" seats. They are ok if you want to go cheap but for 10-20 more per ticket you can get 2nd deck tix.

I'd go for Greens or Orange section tix. They run about $50-75 per ticket + ticketmaster fees. CP is probably a good option to buy because you can get them for face value without any Ticketmaster fees. See the Buy/Sell forum under ticket exchange.

2. LRT is the way to go. You will have to wait a little at the end of the game and get stuffed on the train but it is still quicker than parking at the dome in some cases.

3. Flames Central is ok. Or you can go to the dome then head right up 17th ave for about 6 blocks and check out the Red Mile. Melrose is usually the preferred place.

[Kipper is King]

1. If you can get second level, you're better off. Especially because the "Sport Chek Zone" (part of the 3rd level) is General Admission.

The sightlines in the Saddledome are all really good though. Whereever you sit, you'll be able to see the game well.

2. The C Train stop for the Saddledome is Victoria Stampede. There's a walk of a few minutes to/from the Saddledome. Interesting fact: you go through part of the Corral (the old building where the Flames used to play in the early 80's). You are much better off taking the C Train to the game than driving.

3. Being that you're not from here, I highly recommend a walk down 17th Avenue after the game. It was coined "the Red Mile" during the 2004 playoffs. There is a bar/restaurant on 17th called The Melrose Cafe that was widely regarded as the epicenter of the Red Mile. That part of 17th is very close to the Saddldome- you can walk there, no problem.


Also, You will probably hear of a sports bar on 8th Ave. AKA Stephen Avenue called "Flames Central". This is a bar that used to be an old theater- the Flames ownership purchased it and converted it a few years ago. While it is quite a spectacle-lots of HDTVs, very nice to look around, it is also quite expensive. You might want to have a look inside, it's cool, but it isn't worthwhile to eat/drink there really.

I hope that helps, and I hope you enjoy Calgary!

[Bill Bumface]

Ed's is a great place to grab some food before a game (on 17th avenue near McLeod Trail, very close to the Dome) but if I was a tourist, I think I'd want to check out Flame's Central for sure. It's huge and flashy with one of the biggest screens you'll ever see. Pricey, and the foods ty, but more of a "must see once" kind of place than anywhere else.