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cr00d

Going to the Joe for the First Time!

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Hey guys, as the title would suggest, I’m going to the Joe for the first time this Saturday to watch our boys play the Kings, and I’m super pumped about it!

The reason I’m posting is that I'm looking for a little bit of help. I'm a Canadian from northern Ontario, and therefor am not familiar with the area. The wife booked us a hotel in Windsor for the night, and so my question would be: is there an efficient way to get to and from the Joe without driving (I plan on having a few beverages) from Windsor? If not, where would be the best/safest place to park (I’m not a fan of arena parking lots, and am not opposed to taking a cab)?

I plan on driving down early Saturday morning, so we should have plenty of time before the game. Are there any attractions or sights worth seeing? Places a diehard Red Wings fan needs to go to? Is the Joe an adequate place to buy RW memorabilia, or is there a better place?

I appreciate any and all suggestions. Thanks guys.

Ops, feel free to move this thread if its in the wrong place.

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is there an efficient way to get to and from the Joe without driving (I plan on having a few beverages) from Windsor?

Yes, for a small fee you can take the tunnel from Windsor and it'll drop you off a short walk to the Joe through the conference center.

The station is downtown Windsor, close to the waterfront, and most likely very close to where you're staying. They run buses over to the rink every 10 minutes or so ... so you can't miss them. Just hustle back to the pickup spot after the game.

You'll be fine ... have fun.

Edited by stillwater

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Hey Cr00d. Park at the greektown casino. Free parking. You can then take the Detroit People Mover to and from the Joe for 75 cents a person each way. I do this every time I go. You can then hang at the casino after the game if you wish to sober up. I always make a day of it. Good luck, Have fun and GO WINGS!!!

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Hey guys, as the title would suggest, I’m going to the Joe for the first time this Saturday to watch our boys play the Kings, and I’m super pumped about it!

The reason I’m posting is that I'm looking for a little bit of help. I'm a Canadian from northern Ontario, and therefor am not familiar with the area. The wife booked us a hotel in Windsor for the night, and so my question would be: is there an efficient way to get to and from the Joe without driving (I plan on having a few beverages) from Windsor? If not, where would be the best/safest place to park (I’m not a fan of arena parking lots, and am not opposed to taking a cab)?

I plan on driving down early Saturday morning, so we should have plenty of time before the game. Are there any attractions or sights worth seeing? Places a diehard Red Wings fan needs to go to? Is the Joe an adequate place to buy RW memorabilia, or is there a better place?

I appreciate any and all suggestions. Thanks guys.

Ops, feel free to move this thread if its in the wrong place.

Hockeytown Cafe is a good place for lunch before the game (a bit on the expensive side, but good). There's also Chelli's Chilli down the road a bit as well. The people mover has several stops that can get you close to things without having to walk forever so pay attention to the map and stations (and I believe you can grab a paper map). As far as merch, the Joe has some good stuff but also pricey. They also have a store where you can buy game worn/used merchandise (some even autographed by said player) such as sticks, jerseys, pads , gloves etc. Very expensive but if I'm not mistaken it's non profit and goes to charity.

A good after game bar to go to would be Cobo Joes. It's a wings bar and is very wings oriented. They even usually do jersey raffles and stuff. If you go before game you can usually get free raffle tix, then you return after the game for the drawing (must be present.).

Be forewarned, the Joe is an old and severely outdated arena. But it has personality, and TONS of legendary memories and stigma attached to it. The bathrooms are old, smelly and outdated, and the seats will leave you feeling cramped. That said, there's really not a bad seat in the house. Even nosebleeds are worth while.

Now, I'm sure like most people not from the D, you've heard the stories about how scary it is, and how you'll get robbed etc. While I will not deny Detroit is in shambles, the downtown area is relatively safe. You'll have the occasional bum beg change or a cigarette but usually they're very nice. My advice, don't feed one or you'll have them coming in droves unfortunately. I've been going to the Joe since I was about 6 or 7 and I'm now 30, and have YET to have incident so no reason to worry. Detroit is bad but people make it out worse than it is. Stick to downtown and don't stray into the ghetto and you'll be ok.

One last word of advice, dress warm. It's winter obviously and the joe being right on the Detroit river, the wind is EXTREMELY cold. If you don't bring gloves/hat etc, you'll be very sorry if you plan on exploring the area surrounding the Joe. I took my gf(now wife) to a wings game on one of our first dates, and she didn't heed my advice, so I ended up giving her all my warm gear and ended up walking around MISERABLE most of the time from the cold. Better safe than sorry.

Any more questions, I'd be happy to answer.

Have fun.

Edited by Kmahrle83

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Congrats on your first game at the cathedral! But you, like so many Wings fans have before you, will have to choose after the game. Are you a Lafayette Coney Island person or an American Coney Island fan?

Choose carefully!

http://www.fancymag.com/hotdoglove.html

For the coordinates (They're next door to each other):

http://www.google.com/search?num=100&newwindow=1&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en&q=american+coney+island+detroit&spell=1&sa=X&ei=2b_VUuG4JNfNsQTFg4LQCw&ved=0CCgQvwUoAA&biw=1861&bih=797

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Definitely take in the Hockeytown cafe - not even for the food. (Although last time I went the mozzarella sticks were awesome) The memorabilia there is awesome.

I have bought merchandise from the Joe before too, pretty good if i recall. Also, personally, as I'm a fan of these things, I'd turn up early to the Joe, walk around the concourse for the statues of Lindsay, Howe etc, and if you want to, watch the pre game skate. Last time I was there (about 3 years ago now) the ushers were kind enough to let us down to the glass to watch it all regardless of where you're sitting.

Only other thing I would recommend (if you're after food), is go to Slow's barbq - its on Michigan ave, not too far away from the Joe. Best BBQ I have ever had in my entire life, and every time I go back to MI, always try and go there. It's very popular though, so turn up early!

Other than that, enjoy the game!

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Definitely take in the Hockeytown cafe - not even for the food. (Although last time I went the mozzarella sticks were awesome) The memorabilia there is awesome.

I have bought merchandise from the Joe before too, pretty good if i recall. Also, personally, as I'm a fan of these things, I'd turn up early to the Joe, walk around the concourse for the statues of Lindsay, Howe etc, and if you want to, watch the pre game skate. Last time I was there (about 3 years ago now) the ushers were kind enough to let us down to the glass to watch it all regardless of where you're sitting.

Only other thing I would recommend (if you're after food), is go to Slow's barbq - its on Michigan ave, not too far away from the Joe. Best BBQ I have ever had in my entire life, and every time I go back to MI, always try and go there. It's very popular though, so turn up early!

Other than that, enjoy the game!

Very good advice!!!

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Useful information, I'm going to the Joe for my first time too for the Jan 31st game against the Caps, I'm excited about it!

How early do the doors open and can I bring my camera? I'm gonna want to take pictures of practice. We have seats in the nosebleeds but I read above that the ushers will let you down to watch practice (another question I had, lol). I want to wander around and check out the concourse too :)

Edited by wingsgirl001

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I didn't really get to go to many places during the winter festival, but we did go into Hockeytown Cafe a few times before the games to warm up and grab a cheaper beer. It was a little easier the games being at Comerica though. It was definitely an atmosphere that I'm glad I didn't miss. As an outsider coming into Detroit, it was a pretty chill place that I enjoyed being at.

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Congrats on your first game at the cathedral! But you, like so many Wings fans have before you, will have to choose after the game. Are you a Lafayette Coney Island person or an American Coney Island fan?

Choose carefully!

http://www.fancymag.com/hotdoglove.html

For the coordinates (They're next door to each other):

http://www.google.com/search?num=100&newwindow=1&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en&q=american+coney+island+detroit&spell=1&sa=X&ei=2b_VUuG4JNfNsQTFg4LQCw&ved=0CCgQvwUoAA&biw=1861&bih=797

But if u wanna feel like a true Detroiter... Go to Lafayette ;)

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Useful information, I'm going to the Joe for my first time too for the Jan 31st game against the Caps, I'm excited about it!

How early do the doors open and can I bring my camera? I'm gonna want to take pictures of practice. We have seats in the nosebleeds but I read above that the ushers will let you down to watch practice (another question I had, lol). I want to wander around and check out the concourse too :)

The doors usually open about an hour before the game. Yes, most definitely take your camera. There are certain restrictions on lens length but you can get that info on the Wings website. Yes you can go down by the glass and take pictures. That's what so great about the Joe, not like the United Center where unless you have tickets in the lower bowl they won't let you (btw screw the Hawks and the United Center).

The Joe may be old but you'll never forget it. Will be a sad day when they build the new one and tear this one down :(.

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The doors usually open about an hour before the game. Yes, most definitely take your camera. There are certain restrictions on lens length but you can get that info on the Wings website. Yes you can go down by the glass and take pictures. That's what so great about the Joe, not like the United Center where unless you have tickets in the lower bowl they won't let you (btw screw the Hawks and the United Center).

The Joe may be old but you'll never forget it. Will be a sad day when they build the new one and tear this one down :(.

Definitely. I absolutely love the Joe. I too shall be extremely sad when it's a goner. Definitely will have to make a trip out next year to see the old gal again.

Also, anyone else a fan of the standing room sections? Personally I think they're great, and have an incredible view of the game too. Most standing room is right up in the nosebleeds (like at the Air Canada Centre), but standing room at the Joe you're right on top of the action.

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