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Topic: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Topic: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

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Ted Thompson
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Member Since: 11/11/2004
Location: MAC Play
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Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/5/2013 11:55:43 PM

Use this thread to talk about hotel deals, Bobcat Bashes, restaurant/bar advice and the like.

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Jim G
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 2:38:38 AM

The best deal I could get on priceline.com was $71 a night at the Hilton Gardens, I stayed there last year. It's listed at a 3 star but i would give it at least a 3 1/2 very nice and only 1.5 blocks from the Q.

Tyler
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Location: Arizona
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 8:03:04 AM

Couple points I made in another thread:

Definitely check out Hotwire and Priceline. Right now Hotwire has a 2-star right Downtown (walking distance to the Q) for $67 a night. There's a 2 1/2-star in University Circle, 1-2 miles away from Downtown for $74, and a 4-star there for $82.

If you don't mind a 15-20 minute drive to the Q, you could stay out by the airport for $40-50 a night.

I've exclusively used Priceline's "name your own price" option to book hotels for the past couple years, and I've always had great success. What I do is look at the rates on Hotwire, then go to Priceline and bid 10-15% less than that for something with the same star level in the same neighborhood.

If you love food, and you don't make it up to Cleveland too often, you really owe it to yourself to go to the Melt Bar & Grilled. It's been featured on all those Food Network and Travel Channel shows, and rightly so. They're up to four locations now, but is my favorite (and the closest to Downtown) is the Eastside one on Cedar & Taylor in Cleveland Heights. I'll be there Saturday afternoon before the championship. Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time because the lines can be kind of ridiculous.

A-townBound
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 8:22:29 AM

We may be staying downtown, but not sure yet.

If not, does anyone have suggestions on parking downtown?

Bleed Green and GO OHIO!!

Robert Fox
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Location: Knoxville, TN
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 8:34:00 AM

Can anyone explain how the tickets work for the MAC Tournament. I've never been to it, and may be sending my son along with his grandparents. I thought I heard once that you only buy tickets once, and that you can stay as long as your team is alive. I looked at the MAC Tournament web site, and I guess that's completely wrong. I would have to buy tickets for Friday, and possibly Saturday if Ohio wins. How do most people do this? Do you wait until Friday's outcome to buy Saturday's tickets? Is there a mad rush for those tickets?

Thanks for any advice.

A-townBound
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 8:41:54 AM

You can buy tickets through the Ohio website for Friday and/or Saturday. Should Ohio not play on Saturday (knock, knock), you would not be charged for that game.

This will also be my first time, so others may have more information.

Bleed Green and GO OHIO!!

Ted Thompson
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 9:01:25 AM

Robert Fox wrote:

If you order your tickets through Ohio, they will only bill you for the games Ohio plays. Makes it very convenient and you'll be somewhere in the Ohio section. I would call 800-575-CATS though.

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Robert Fox
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 9:33:04 AM

Thanks to both of you. I don't know why I didn't think about the OU ticket office. I only checked the Quicken Loans web site.

Bobcat110
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Location: Mount Gilead, OH
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 9:40:18 AM

I think this was a BRILLIANT move by the Green and White Club. Hopefully, the Bobcats don't get upset Friday night so we have a nice long pregame party at Barley's starting at noon.

UpSan Bobcat
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 9:43:44 AM

A-townBound wrote:

We may be staying downtown, but not sure yet.

If not, does anyone have suggestions on parking downtown?

In the past, I've stayed outside of downtown and commuted in each day. There are abundant $10 lots within a few blocks. If you don't mind walking a little more, you can get $5 parking. Another option I have utilized is to come into downtown sometime just after 4. If you can find a spot, which I usually have been able to do, you can feed the meter just enough money to be good until 6 and then you are good for the night.

Bobcat110
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 9:58:59 AM

For those on a budget and OK with seats high behind the baskets, Ohio Lottery is still offering a promotion for the MAC tournament. I'm not sure, but by reading the promotion, it looks like this year it's for all games in Cleveland this year. As it says (March 13 - March 16), but then it says "Championship games". Previously, they only offered this deal for the championship game (not the semi's, quarter's, etc.). Also, this year is buy one, get one...last year's was outright free ticket. We did this last year and was able to move around to sideline upper level seats.

Quote:

During the MAC tournament, fans 18 years of age or older may redeem any non-winning Ohio Lottery tickets at Q-Arena’s box office for a “Buy one-Get one free” ticket to men’s or women’s championship games March 13, 2013 through March 16, 2013.

http://www.ohiolottery.com/Promotions/Road-Trip-Calendar....

Recovering Journalist
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 2:44:29 PM

Hotels: Get the best you can afford within walking distance of the Arena. Avoid staying east of the Playhouse Square/CSU neighborhood (approximately E 18^th). Beware of hotels that claim to be “Downtown.” Look closely at the neighborhoods and think first about walk-ability.

If you can’t afford or find a room downtown, try hotels on the Red Line train. This will allow you to avoid parking issues and let you enjoy some drinks while not worrying about driving. The Airport Marriott and La Quinta are both by the W. 150^th train stop. The Airport Sheraton at Hopkins would work too, but it’s farther out and I think they’re working on the tracks out there. The Red Line train goes directly to Tower City, from which you can walk indoors to the arena.

Stuff to do: If you’re looking for something fun on Saturday, try hitting West 25^th Street. The West Side Market is a fabulous palace of food, and the neighborhood contains three breweries (Great Lakes, Market Garden, Nano) to go along with an additional beer hall (Bier Markt) and a bunch of good bars and eateries. Pretty much everything is on or near West 25^th, and it’s all accessible through one stop on the train (recommended because parking is a bitch).

Food and bars: Most people on here are familiar with a lot of what’s around the arena. If you want recommendations for other stuff or my (probably questionable) opinions, PM me any questions and I’ll weigh in.

anorris
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 3:16:47 PM

From the other thread: I'd highly recommend the Zocalo pre-game bashes if those are on again this year, lots of great (and free!) food there. Also highly recommend Dave's Cosmic Subs on 6th. Stumbled upon it last time I went to the tournament, loved the food and the vibe. The place would be totally at home on Court Street (and the guy who was in there when we went was an alum - not sure if he was the proprietor or not, though).

Also, regarding tickets, keep in mind that your Friday ticket is a session ticket, so you get to watch the Akron game that night, as well.

Last Edited: 3/6/2013 3:18:24 PM by anorris

Tyler
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 4:26:50 PM

The box office will remain open during the Akron game, right? I think I'm going to do the Lottery promo, but I'm not able to leave Pitt until 4:30ish on Friday, so I'll miss the start of the first game.

shabamon
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 4:41:31 PM

Isn't the Clevelander owned by an Ohio alum?

Panda
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Member Since: 12/22/2004
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 4:48:28 PM

The Green and White Club does not exist. Schaus would not like this poster.

Panda

mcbin
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 5:57:34 PM

Tyler wrote:

If you love food, and you don't make it up to Cleveland too often, you really owe it to yourself to go to the Melt Bar & Grilled. It's been featured on all those Food Network and Travel Channel shows, and rightly so. They're up to four locations now, but is my favorite (and the closest to Downtown) is the Eastside one on Cedar & Taylor in Cleveland Heights. I'll be there Saturday afternoon before the championship. Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time because the lines can be kind of ridiculous.

Good to hear.. Because it's coming to Columbus :)

OUs LONG Driver
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 6:41:17 PM

shabamon wrote:

Isn't the Clevelander owned by an Ohio alum?

Clevelander was sold at some point last year (and went downhill in my opinion). When I was downtown about 3 weeks ago it was boarded up but it wasn't clear if it was for remodeling or closed for good. I did see a guy unlock the door and walk in so I suspect it's being remodeled and may even be done by now.

JSF
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 7:58:31 PM

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

Another option I have utilized is to come into downtown sometime just after 4. If you can find a spot, which I usually have been able to do, you can feed the meter just enough money to be good until 6 and then you are good for the night.

Now why haven't I thought of that?

"Loyalty to a hometown or city is fleeting and interchangeable, but college is a stamp of identity."- Kyle Whelliston, One Beautiful Season.

My blog about depression and mental illness: https://bit.ly/3buGXH8

MFRONE
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 8:04:28 PM

The meter option is almost impossible now with the casino just a block away from the Q.

FYI: If you stay close to the airport near the Red Line, Tower City closes at 11pm and you can't get in to take a train back down to your hotel.

MFRONE
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 8:06:51 PM

Also, I hope the pre-game sponsored bash is at a different location. Zocalo is so small and it was just uncomfortable being in there.

If they want to stay in the area, the university should look at The Corner Alley as a option.

MFRONE
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 8:08:39 PM

Bobcat110 wrote:

I think this was a BRILLIANT move by the Green and White Club. Hopefully, the Bobcats don't get upset Friday night so we have a nice long pregame party at Barley's starting at noon.

This is just put on by the Cleveland Alumni Association and it happens every year. No idea why they keep saying it's in the Flats when the party is at a college bar on W 6th. It's just pure luck that it's happening during the MAC Tourney.

Scott Woods
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 8:14:00 PM

MFRONE wrote:

From an e-mail I got:

Two hours prior to both tournament games, be sure to join fellow Ohio alumni, students and fans for the Bobcat Bash! The event will be held at Zocalo Mexican Grill (2071 East Fourth Street), just two blocks from Quicken Loans Arena. Enjoy FREE appetizers and special pregame appearances by the Marching 110, Rufus and the Ohio Cheerleaders!

Religion morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged.

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JSF
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 8:33:03 PM

Everyone knows the real bash is at the Lizard.

ClevelandCat '11
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RE: Official MAC Tourney Travel Thread

Posted: 3/6/2013 8:53:20 PM

Ive been to the Lizard and The Corner Alley. Does this Zocalo place have a bar and how big is it?

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