State tournament tickets and parking at the X

[GPGT]

So we will be driving down to the x from Duluth about 7 am to get there with plenty of time to park and get in line for tickets and be thru the gate by 10 am or so for the game at 11. Now is there parking everywhere , is it safe for the most part? I'm sure the morning session will be fine , but how about at night? And what is the average rate for parking?

Amazing that they have a near 20,000 seat arena with sellout NHL crowds and still don't have a ramp and or skywalk of some sort

[easton18]

$10-$15 is usually the going rate for parking, depends on where you park. You can park in the RiverCentre ramp, I don't think there's a skyway in to the arena from the ramp, but it's literally right across the street from the X.

[pioneers]

$10-$15 is usually the going rate for parking, depends on where you park. You can park in the RiverCentre ramp, I don't think there's a skyway in to the arena from the ramp, but it's literally right across the street from the X.

There is a skyway to the X from the ramp across the street

[WBLHockeyfan04]

There's four parking ramps right by the X. I prefer the rivercenter ramp myself.

[green4]

So we will be driving down to the x from Duluth about 7 am to get there with plenty of time to park and get in line for tickets and be thru the gate by 10 am or so for the game at 11. Now is there parking everywhere , is it safe for the most part? I'm sure the morning session will be fine , but how about at night? And what is the average rate for parking?

Amazing that they have a near 20,000 seat arena with sellout NHL crowds and still don't have a ramp and or skywalk of some sort

Yes it is pretty safe, i have never felt unsafe in that neighborhood even at night after wild games or just being in that neck of the woods.

[GPGT]

Great. Thanks everyone. It's been a while so I forgot how the parking looks and last time we went we were dropped off at the front entrance

Sounds like we will try to get a spot at river center but also sounds like there are many other options.

And for tickets. Are the afternoon sessions for AA just as packed 15000+ ? And I remember seeing on here they start selling tickets one hour before the game , so I'm guessing getting there at 10 will be ok? And is it general admission/seating? Only seats I don't like are the lower bowl behind the net. Seems like I miss half the action.

[cooper26]

You are probably safer around the X than you are around the DECC.
As stated, there is a skyway frpm the ramp across the street.
Afternoon sessions are not as packed as the eve.
Tickets? - I'm not sure.

[almostashappy]

And is it general admission/seating? Only seats I don't like are the lower bowl behind the net. Seems like I miss half the action.

Assigned seating. You might have some luck getting decent lower level seats because Lakeville North is playing in the same session....they've had a hard time selling their school allotment over recent years, and I wouldn't be surprised if they again return several hundred unsold tickets to the box office.

You also might trying buying on the street...always greater supply for the afternoon session. Most of the scalpers hang out around 7th Street entrance, but also can be found down 7th St itself (which is also your best option if you want to eat before the game).

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

As far as safety, there will be plenty of people around and it is a safe area any way.

It's a little convoluted to get there, but there is a tunnel that connects to the X from the downtown skyway. FOr the most part it's quicker to walk, but if you want to leave your jacket in your hotel room or it's really cold or snowy it's not a bad option. It's safe at night, it has plenty of cameras and emergency call buttons but I've never heard of any incidents there.

Whether it was a coincidence or not, since scalping was made legal it as been only one ticket sold to each person at the box office. No Exceptions. So if someone drops you at the door and they go and park, you can't get in line and buy two.

Don't be afraid to support your local scalper. They're good guys just trying to make a few bucks. I've bought from them in the past and had no trouble.

If you go to Mariucci, don't go to the box office and pay full price. People will walk past 3-4 scalpers who will sell them a ticket for $5, then pay $11 at the box. They're afraid of getting ripped off. It is not worth it to counterfeit tickets to high school hockey! MSHSL rips us off by making everyone buy the consolation tickets, many of which go unused. Then people buy the full priced tickets. Stick it to The Man and support your local ticket broker at the same time.

I park where I grew up- on the street. At least in the evening.

[Ogie]

Ibid.

I have been a proud supporter of the corner ticket merchants for years and years...Never had any trouble getting into any event for a reasonable, if not below face, price.

As for parking, if you show up early enough and are patient, you can find it on the street for free...Get there early and support the local bars/restaurants...Definitely better chow than you can get inside and at a far better price.

[WarmUpTheBus]

Ibid.

I have been a proud supporter of the corner ticket merchants for years and years...Never had any trouble getting into any event for a reasonable, if not below face, price.

As for parking, if you show up early enough and are patient, you can find it on the street for free...Get there early and support the local bars/restaurants...Definitely better chow than you can get inside and at a far better price.

Good luck parking on the street on a work day. I park up the hill north of the X at the Archdioces office. Reasonable and they help brush your car off when it snows.

[Ogie]

Well, you go for your parking and I'll go for mine.

Regardless, I'll be taking the scrumptious repast and cool libations at Reid's and McGovern's, before and/or between sessions, over the pricey "food" inside the Ex.

[WarmUpTheBus]

Well, you go for your parking and I'll go for mine.

Regardless, I'll be taking the scrumptious repast and cool libations at Reid's and McGovern's, before and/or between sessions, over the pricey "food" inside the Ex.

Repast? Libations? I don't speak French so ill go for Mostcolli con Ricotta at Cosetta.

[GPGT]

Thanks guys!! I was always afraid of getting burned from a scalper , but it seems times have changed. Also name any good restaurants in the area , we are going to be there for 3 days so we want to make the most out of it!!

Thanks again!

[blueblood]

Top restaurants:

Mancini's Char House - get a Steak

St. Paul Grill - get the Walleye with the hashbrown and asparagus sides

You will need to make reservations. Good luck.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

A lot of people like to go the Wes 7Th route, McGovern's, Reid's, etc. If you're looking for somewhere less crowded, try the American Burger Bar on Wabasha. Prices are decent, burgers are good, plenty of seating. I haven't been there during the tourney, but i have to believe they're less crowded than say Reid's or Cossetta's.

Shamrock's and Bennett's run shuttle's and they're both good places.

I'm pretty sure the Lowertown joints run a shuttle. The Bulldog and The Barrio have good menus. If you're legal, it's nice to have a bump between sessions.

[slacsap]

Cosetta's, Patrick McGovern's and Tom Reid's are all with a couple of blocks of the XCel Center and all have good food (Pizza, pasta and sandwiches at Cossetta's, the best open faced turkey sandwich in town at McGovern's along wiht several other delicious items and a good selection of tasty bar food at Tom Reid's). If you want to spend a bit more and have a good meal, DiGidio's has excellent Italian food about half a mile from the X and Mancini's Steakhouse is always a good spot for a high quality meal, also about half a mile away.

[sachishi4]

grab a burger at Burger Moes...they are delicious

[WBLHockeyfan04]

grab a burger at Burger Moes...they are delicious

Agreed. Burger Moe's, or head up a little ways and grab a Savoy's pizza. No one beats Savoy's. Shamrock's has amazing burgers too. Best juicy lucy I've ever had.

[almostashappy]

Nearly unlimited options (in terms of cuisine and pricing) if this is a three day trip and you don’t mind driving out beyond walking distance of the Xcel. For a good general guide to Twin Cities restaurants, try

http://www.citypages.com/restaurants/search/

All of the places already recommended should have menus available on-line.

Two places near Xcel that haven’t been mentioned…

Mickey’s Diner is an iconic St. Paul visitor’s checklist experience, especially if you’ve never eaten in a real railroad dining car joint before. The downtown location (7th and St. Peter) is an easy walk from the X but it can get really crowded around game times. Luckily, it’s open 24hrs/day. Great pancakes and mulligan stew.

Amsterdam Bar & Hall (6th and Wabasha) has only been open a few years, but it’s a great happy hour option (drafts and award-winning French fries 2/$5 from 3-6pm). It has a bit of a hipster European/Uptown vibe that can’t be found down along 7th St (or Up North, for that matter). But don’t let that scare you away…this is still Minnnesota, and the locals/staff are friendly.

And as long as you’re being encouraged to buy tickets on the street, don’t be afraid to order from the mobile food trucks either (if they are set up for operation around Rice Park, or down Kellogg). They’re quick, relatively inexpensive, and well-regulated by the local health department.

[East Side Pioneer Guy]

I'm getting hungry.

One more thing: Don't be in a rush to get to your seats by 11:00 (or 6:00). The last couple of years they haven't dropped the puck until 19 minutes after the hour. We must pay homage to the gods of television, and defer to their every whim.

[LCHockey]

I'm getting hungry.

One more thing: Don't be in a rush to get to your seats by 11:00 (or 6:00). The last couple of years they haven't dropped the puck until 19 minutes after the hour. We must pay homage to the gods of television, and defer to their every whim.

Great point, it does seem like they start 20 minutes late and the 2nd game of the morning session usually doesn't start til after 1 if my memory serves me.

And to the OP. If you're looking for places to eat or drink (if that's your thing) than places will be crowded but the people are always great, they are all like us, there to watch hockey.

I'll be having a Bloody at about 845 AM on Thursday morning at Mcgoverns, maybe we'll see ya!

[GPGT]

Mmmmm Bloody Mary's!!!:)

Yea we will be eating a lot and possibly drinking a lot too especially if the hounds make it to round 2!! Couldn't. ... Wait didn't wanna spend $200 a night per room, so we are going to be traveling. We are staying at the Hilton by the airport and MoA. Don't know exactly how far that is but may almost even be worth paying $30 for a taxi ride to the X?

Now that we saved $150 per night on our room (originally $170 but found an early reservation deal on Expedia for $25 a night!!! ) we can splurge a little more and enjoy our first vacation in 3 years, and toddler free!!!!!!!!

[GordonBombay99]

How much do tickets cost per section?

[karl(east)]

How much do tickets cost per section?

$17 ($11 for students)

Parking questions...does the RiverCentre ramp fill up completely? Are some of the ramps more distant from the X (but still within reasonable walking distance) any cheaper?