Fans going to Grand Rapids

[mn_sioux]

I know there is a viewing party thread but I am wondering how many Sioux fans we will have in the stands? My wife and I are making the trip and promise to be very LOUD and proud.... Go Sioux

[UNDfaninMICH]

I'll be making the 20 minute trip. SO pumped for the games to be here.

[WiSioux]

I will be there with two friends... I know at least three more going.

[keikla]

I'll be there with Mr and Mrs Siouxman

[UNDfaninMICH]

If you are feeling like big timing it, there are some great places to stay within an easy walk of the arena, including the Amway Grand and the JW Marriott. If you don't stay downtown, parking for the arena is easy and usually costs $8 for the night.

As I mentioned in another thread, Grand Rapids recently won the title of Beer City, USA. Lots of great microbrew here. Founders is a must-see, a brewery not far from the arena. Hopcat is a taproom within two blocks of the arena if you want to experience a wider variety of breweries. The Grand Rapids Brewing Company recently re-opened right across the street from the arena. The food is good, the beer is OK but nothing special. If you appreciate good beer, don't waste a minute going to the BW-3 right by the arena, you can find that anywhere. The B.O.B (Big Old Building) is also right across the street from the arena and gets a lot of business. It has a few different restaurants which are pretty good, as well.

Friday starts spring break week for Michigan public schools, so things might be a little slow around town, which I take as a good thing.

Feel free to hit me up with any questions about visiting GR. There are too many great restaurants to list them all, but I'm more than happy to make some suggestions if you let me know what you are looking for. There are lots of things to do in the down time between games, too. Just let me know.

[MafiaMan]

Hey UNDfaninMICH,

Pick a venue and time and have some folks meet you there. Siouxman and Mrs Siouxman apparently have lots of time on their hands...LOL.

[Redneksioux]

I've stayed at the amway grand hotel and they have a small variety of restaurants....similar to canad inn in Gf. Forgot name of their sports bar but I had a lot of fun there and there was a ton of hockey fans.

[keikla]

Thanks for all the great suggestions, UNDFaninMich. Hopefully I can convince my other travelers to try out a few microbrews.

[WiSioux]

Can you leave between games?

[siouxkid12]

Can you leave between games?

last year they wouldnt let us

[AZSIOUX]

last year they wouldnt let us

In St. Paul all you had to do was say you're smoking and then head to the bar between periods and come back in with a stamp. Every venue is different though

[GFG]

As I mentioned in another thread, Grand Rapids recently won the title of Beer City, USA. Lots of great microbrew here. Founders is a must-see, a brewery not far from the arena.

Mmmmmmmm

I loaded up on Founders to bring home while in Minneapolis this past weekend and will do the same when I visit Michigan in July. I love their beer. Easily in the discussion for best brewery in America, IMO.

[keikla]

Apparently, the city of Grand Rapids has designated specific bars for each fan base. The team-specific bar will have a team flag on the outside, while offering specials to fans in the appropriate gear. The Sioux are at Grand Woods Lounge. I don't think there's an official gathering organized, though.

[siouxkid12]

I didn't know where to write this and it might have been covered before elsewhere but here it goes. I was watching a recap of the Gophers women's hockey team on FSN lastnight and how they had a great season. My questions is, why the NCAA allows woman's hockey to play the Frozen Four at a teams home arena and they wont allow regionals for the men to be played on campus sites? Like I said, this could have been covered elsewhere but I never saw it.

[MafiaMan]

I didn't know where to write this and it might have been covered before elsewhere but here it goes. I was watching a recap of the Gophers women's hockey team on FSN lastnight and how they had a great season. My questions is, why the NCAA allows woman's hockey to play the Frozen Four at a teams home arena and they wont allow regionals for the men to be played on campus sites? Like I said, this could have been covered elsewhere but I never saw it.

Can you imagine the Women's Frozen Four involving North Dakota, Minnesota, Boston College, and Boston University...being played in Columbus, Ohio? Attendance: 750. That's why.

Minnesota's accomplishment was impressive...but not having to leave your own arena for the whole entire tournament certainly helped them.