Planning a trip to a Habs game

[davis 0]

I was planning a trip to a Canadiens game for my dad's 50th birthday and need a little assistance from you regular Hab game attendees. Since I live in Newfoundland, I figured we may as well make a trip out of it and stick around for a few days. Easter break is March 20-31, so the game against the Bruins on the 22nd would be good (and the available seats against the Sens on the 24th aren't as nice.)

Ok, question 1, how do these seats compare?

Club Desjardins, Goal 217, Row B

vs.

Red Center 114, Row M

The Red Center seats are on the blue line, which I think would be better. But what's the deal with Club Desjardins? It's up behind the nets and further from the ice...and cheaper. Is the extra money for the Red Center seats worth it?

Also, which hotels would you guys recommend? Looking to spend 3-4 nights, don't need anything ultra-swanky, seeing as we're just a couple fellas who wanna catch a game of hockey and see the city....although dad doesn't know it yet, haha

Thanks in advance. Any other advice/tips is greatly appreciated. :)

[markov79 0]

club dejardins is a "private section" where you can only get in if you have tickets, ticket are more expensive but you get unlimited food(hot dogs, chip, cotton candy) drinks(exept beer)

[Zamboni 6]

Last season I sat in Air Canada Club which was free food/drink section Markov....there's another called Dejardins?

St Paddy's day is big in Montreal Davis, if parade is weekend of 20th instead of previous weekend its fun....clubs are packed.

Make sure you get your dad to the 'ballet' after the game.

[davis 0]

Hmmm...alright.

Zamboni -> According to the site with the tickets, and the seating arrangement diagram I was looking at, yes, there's a Club Desjardins and it sounds like a good time.

Hopefully the parade is that weekend then, that sounds like a worthwhile time-burner as well, haha. I had a few friends who went out there a couple years ago during that week, so I have a basic idea of what goes on. See how that works out. I don't know what the "ballet" is though...

[RadioGaGa 162]

There is a Sheraton literally a block from the Bell Centre...not sure how much it costs though. Le Square Phillip is nice, and realtively close by, but expensive...stayed at a Holiday Inn on Sherbrooke....probably not as much as the others, and cabs are fairly esay to come by if you don't want to walk. Although, if the weather is decent...it's not that far from everything.

Wander around on Ste. Catherine...you'll find the "ballet" soon enough.

[EDIT]: Here's the area in question...lots to see and do.

http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&hl=en&a...p;z=16&om=0

[Doctor Hook 0]

We stay at a Holiday Inn located somewhat near downtown. It's nice, decent locale, walking/stumbling distance to hotspots.

[bubber27 0]

This would be your best bet. I've used it a few times, to find places in Toronto, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, it's really good. They give you the best prices, location, etc.

The "ballet" is great, especially when it's right on Ste. Catherine's. You'll know it when you see it ;)

And make sure you hit a Lafleur's for steamies & poutine!

Phil

[Dean_ 0]

I would definatly go with the Club Desjardins, it is kind of high up, so you can see everything and plus free food, even though it is exspensive it is worth it. when i went up to Montreal i rented an apartment sort of thing which was 10-15 minutes away from the bell center but it was alot cheaper.

[chef_ducky 0]

Hmmm...alright.

Zamboni -> According to the site with the tickets, and the seating arrangement diagram I was looking at, yes, there's a Club Desjardins and it sounds like a good time.

Hopefully the parade is that weekend then, that sounds like a worthwhile time-burner as well, haha. I had a few friends who went out there a couple years ago during that week, so I have a basic idea of what goes on. See how that works out. I don't know what the "ballet" is though...

The "Ballet" is a strip club

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

We stayed that the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, great location. I can't recommend montreal enough. We got up for the sabres game in Oct.

People, atmosphere everything was just fantastic. Can't wait to get up again.

Also, if you like really good beer, there is a place called L'Amère à Boire, which is a little brewpub, on St. Denis street. It was fantastic.

I can't wait to get back there again. I'm a caps fan, but came away with Montreal as my #2 team after the whole experience (course I hope the caps beat them tonight!!!)

Can't say enough good things about it all

[B-Nads 0]

Yup - the Queen E is very cloce to the arena, and the complimentry breakfasts are awesome. After the gae, go to Hurley's - I'm a noof too, and I kick back there a lot.

[bbruins8 0]

I wouldn't do the club seats personally. I like to be as close to the action as possible, even if sitting higher up gives a better view. My mother's company had 2 tickets in the all you can eat/drink box here in Tampa and she gave me the tickets for a Bruins game last year. Face on them was 240 a piece...I asked her if she cared if I scalped them for different seats, she said no. Turned them into glass seats outside. Scalpers in Tampa have consistently good seats somehow IDK. Also I have heard the Bell Centre is one of the nicest arenas in the league...how true is that? I'd love to go to a B's Habs game there once, heard those are some crazy games.

[RadioGaGa 162]

I wouldn't do the club seats personally. I like to be as close to the action as possible, even if sitting higher up gives a better view. My mother's company had 2 tickets in the all you can eat/drink box here in Tampa and she gave me the tickets for a Bruins game last year. Face on them was 240 a piece...I asked her if she cared if I scalped them for different seats, she said no. Turned them into glass seats outside. Scalpers in Tampa have consistently good seats somehow IDK. Also I have heard the Bell Centre is one of the nicest arenas in the league...how true is that? I'd love to go to a B's Habs game there once, heard those are some crazy games.

It is a great areana. The building itself is great, the history on display is awesome...and the atmosphere is also one of a kind.

[Doctor Hook 0]

POUTINE!

I love Montreal.

[ddbowdoin 0]

I've always wanted to check out a bruins - habs game in montreal because strangely enough they are two of my favorite teams. Everytime I check out the details the games sell out so fast, it must be amazing to live in such a hockey-crazy city. I can walk up 10 mins before a game in Boston and get the best seat in the house, thats something relatively new in Boston, probably over the last 5-7 years as the red sox has really picked up their game.

[davis 0]

Frick! Thanks for the replies..I hadn't checked this thread in a few days, I appreciate the feedback.

I decided on the Red Center seats that are on the blue line, and I've got the rooms booked at Le Centre Sheraton Montreal which is supposedly right behind the Bell Centre.

Headin up on the 21st, game on the 22nd, check out the city on the 23rd/24th, fly back on the 25th. I like to think it'll be a sweet way for dad to celebrate the big 5-0. He's been a Habs fan all of his life but hasn't seen a game...until now. :D

The Ballet is going on the to-do list, haha. And poutine is already a must-do...we have 'em around here but they aren't quite like the authentic ones.

[Trippingblue 1]

Go to la Banquise on rue Rachel for some of the best poutine in the city. Casse-croute poutine from la Fleur is pretty good but if you're in the city for a special event, skip it.

+1 for the Reine-Elizabeth hotel. I've stayed there, and it's quite nice.

You want really good, really bad-for-you food? Gotta be au Pied de Cochon on Duluth. That food will kill you, so go hungry and don't eat for a few days afterwards, hah!

--nick--

[Zamboni 6]

Food & women, Montreal has the best. Get some real Mtl smoked meat for dinner at Dunn's or Ben's, both were within walking distance for you-one has closed, forget which it is.

Lots to do/see within walking distance of your hotel-Montreal has a big art museum. Good subway system, you can take that to Biosphere (Viau stop?) and to the casino. The old forum at Atwater St (20-30 minute walk or 5 minutes on metro is good place to watch a movie, its now a mall/entertainment complex but has old forums seats, statues & plaques all around.

[Trippingblue 1]

I thought the Biosphere was at Pie-IX...

Schwartz's all the way for smoked meat.

--nick--

[Zamboni 6]

I thought the Biosphere was at Pie-IX...

Schwartz's all the way for smoked meat.

--nick--

Hey Nick, tour guides were not....quick check shows Biosphere is on St helen's isle....were thinking of Biodome. It is Viau metro station, Pie-neuf is short walk http://www2.ville.montreal.qc.ca/biodome/s...&menu=acces

Shwartz is good smoked meat, my favourite is Quebec smoked meat but I'm not sending them into Pt St Charles to get some :D

Davis-there are 2 Sheraton hotels in downtown Montreal. In town for a funeral 2 years back half people took taxis from airport to wrong hotel-yours, Le Centre Sheraton is a few minutes from rink...as long as you don't just say Sheraton Hotel your fine.