Visiting Raleigh -- Advice?

by PopRocks on Dec 19, 2011 10:58 PM EST

Aloha, Canes fans. I'm taking a Super-Fun-Hockey-Road-Trip over the holidays, with a stop in the Raleigh area. I plan to attend the Canes-Leafs game on December 29th, and since you guys and gals are presumably the experts, I'm here in search of any advice you might have on visiting the arena and/or buying tickets.

Are there any seats that I should avoid or that have significant drawbacks?

Is there a good place to pre-game?

I'll have a bit of time to kill in Raleigh the next morning. Is there anything in particular that I should try to do while I'm there?

Obviously North Carolina hasn't been doing too well lately, but are they managing to put forth some decent efforts, at least? i.e. How are they looking to you these days, despite their record?

Etcetera, etcetera.

Thanks in advance for your help!

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I just moved to Raleigh/Durham myself in June, but here's what I've got

*tickets are easy to find. I sit in 308 because I’m cheap, but I think the view is just fine. The seats are cheaper because it’s in the north corners, and the Canes defend the north goal for the 1st and 3rd. You have to shell out the big bucks (okay, so just like another $10) to see them attack. Avoid aisle seats in the first few upper deck rows though, because the railing partially blocks the view.

*I don’t know about pre-gaming, but I just can’t get over the awesome that is the Big Boss taproom. It’s a local brewery in the area that does some good stuff, and upstairs they have a taproom. It’s like a beer bar meets a coffee shop. All beer, no food or other drinks. Couches, board games, free ping-pong, pool, shuffleboard, darts. And good friggin’ beer too. Not far off I-440, maybe 15 minutes from the arena by car. But I’m all about the fancy beer and chill atmosphere. If you’re not, I can’t help you.

*If you don’t want to pay for parking and can’t walk from your hotel (and I have no idea whether there even are hotels that you can walk from), use the free street parking on Wade Park Blvd. The sidewalk goes under Edwards Mill and leads up to the arena.

*The play was just plain ugly for the first couple months of the season, but since Kirk has been hired, it’s gotten progressively better. His first game was a pretty loss (if there is such a thing) to Florida, followed by a back and forth loss to the Rangers, a 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh, and a 7-6 loss in Calgary. Since then, Carolina is 2-1-2 (and that’s with Skinner out with a concussion). The talent level isn’t there to make the kind of push required to make the playoffs after this early hole, but the level of competitiveness is rising.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your visit!

If I cared more about my UNC side, I'd call myself "Tar Volon," and that'd be awesome.
Bolts, Canes, Preds (now in different conferences!). Canes mini-STH. Southern hockey solidarity
Rocky Top Talk

by Incipient_Senescence on Dec 20, 2011 12:12 AM EST reply actions

The Stubhub website gives a good quick look of the view and pricing in most sections of the rink. But there aren’t any seats that are bad. There will be seat availability in most every section. Just depends on your budget. There seems to be increasing marketing promotions from the team to increase attendance. Check the team website before buying tickets at Ticketmaster.
Was the Aloha greeting a hint you are from Hawaii?
There is a 50/50 chance of golf weather any December morning here if you are a northerner.
There will be tailgating pre-game in the parking lot. Since the game is with Toronto there may be visiting sunbathers out there.

by surgalt on Dec 20, 2011 2:01 AM EST reply actions

Backyard Bistro

Good place to go before or after the game. Short walk into the arena and they offer a deal that if you eat/drink their before the game…Free Parking….Just put your receipt on your car dashboard.

Stubhub has a bevy of cheap tickets. Also try the Ticket Exchange site located on the Cane’s official website at nhl.com.

A trip to North Carolina would not be complete unless you tried some Eastern NC Pulled Pork BBQ….Plenty of Places to find this! Welcome and Ya’ll come back!

In Kirk we Trust

by Mullett on Dec 20, 2011 7:57 AM EST reply actions

There is no bad seat in the house!

Tickets are affordable compared to the rest of the league so enjoy your savings. I love the 200 level seats but they are also the most expensive. For your money down stairs visitor shoots 2x is probably the best deal. You can get some really cheap end seats upstairs (ends) day of the game for $10.

Hands-down the best Pre-gaming is done in the parking lot! The Canes fans are well known for there marvelous tailgating spreads that is far Superior to any other NHL team. I have noticed since the slide this year the tailgating has dwindled some but that might be just due to the weather starting to turn. I will be not attending the 29th or I would say come join us and we will show you how its done!

by RobbinDollar on Dec 20, 2011 10:10 AM EST reply actions

To do in Raleigh

I’m a Raleigh native but have lived elsewhere also and my comment is: Raleigh is a great place to live but very exciting to visit.

The NC Art Museum has a fabulous Rembrandt exhibition that isn’t to be missed. It’s about a mile from the arena on Blue Ridge Blvd. It opens at 10 AM on Friday.

Others gave a good idea on tickets but there are others as well. Unfortunately, Ticketmaster has a contract that controls many of the seats, so they’re an option. Another – also – thru TM & Canes is the Ticket Exchange. Go to carolinahurricanes.com, click on TICKETS and scroll down to that line. It’s buying tickets from STH’s who can’t go and mine may be on there as well as Wife & I will be at the coast for New Years. Ours are great seats Sec 325 Row A Seats 5&6. On the glass & blueline and only about 15’ above Club level. She and I each have our own accounts so they are probably shown separetly. The price will be at the standard STH $42.00

by *AH* on Dec 20, 2011 10:46 AM EST reply actions

Oops

I meant to say: Raleigh is not a very exciting place to visit. But I love living here!

The $42.00 is STH price and less than walk-up $$$.

There doesn’t seem to be an EDIT functon here.

by *AH* on Dec 20, 2011 10:51 AM EST reply actions

I was about to say!

by hurricane9 on Dec 20, 2011 6:25 PM EST up reply actions

Best pre-game value is to tailgate in the parking lot. Just ask the Edmonton fans that drove down for the cup final a few years back. Folks are extremely friendly, there is sometimes outside entertainment and you get a real local flavor. Pick up some Bojangles and a case of beer and you all set.

If you have time, do the downtown Raleigh Segway Tour (www.triangleglides.com). Its both fun and you get a history of the city.

by sittler27 on Dec 20, 2011 12:26 PM EST reply actions

BBQ

Go to “The Pit” This is a can’t miss for Carolina BBQ ,if your in Raleigh for a visit .Imo the best BBQ period.

http://www.thepit-raleigh.com/

328 West Davie St Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 890-4500

by hellfish on Dec 20, 2011 12:30 PM EST reply actions

Oh man I definitely agree with Hellfish. Downtown Raleigh has so many great restaurants. The Pit. Sono. The Big Easy. The Hybernian Pub. The list goes on. :)

As far as seating goes – definitely try to get something along the sides of the rink so you can see the entire game in action. I personally love sitting near 324 since that is where my parents sit, but either side is fine.

Ready for the Canes to win the Cup again! :)

by thebl4ckd0g on Dec 20, 2011 1:46 PM EST reply actions

Awesome

Thanks for the inside info, everyone.

I’ve always liked the Canes, so I’m really glad they get to be a stop on my “5 games in 5 nights” tour :) It helps that they’re playing the Leafs, since I was born and bred in Toronto, but I promise to wear a little red while I’m there (these days I live in Pittsburgh, and my allegiance has immigrated along with me … mostly … :)).

Anyway, you’ve all inspired me to try to get to Raleigh a little earlier than planned so that I can enjoy some of the extras.

(and no … not from Hawaii. Sadly. Aloha was just the first word that came to mind when I went to start the post. Which is weird.)

Jagr? I don't even know 'er.

by PopRocks on Dec 20, 2011 2:25 PM EST reply actions

If you want to pass out from a food coma and miss your game

Beasley’s Chicken and Honey downtown.

The Condor. #63.

by DidJussiThat? on Dec 28, 2011 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

Make sure to give us an update on how everything went!

If I cared more about my UNC side, I'd call myself "Tar Volon," and that'd be awesome.
Bolts, Canes, Preds (now in different conferences!). Canes mini-STH. Southern hockey solidarity
Rocky Top Talk

by Incipient_Senescence on Dec 30, 2011 12:01 PM EST reply actions