New Yorkers Invading Columbus 3/26 - 3/28

[laxnation]

Hi fellow hockey fans!  Myself and anywhere from 5 - 9 additional Islanders fans will be making the 600 mile trek from Long Island to Columbus on 3/26 for the 3/27 game against the Jackets.  Just wanted to know if anybody had any recommendations on where to stay, eat / drink - bars, and sites to see, while we are here for three days?  Your advice is greatly appreciated!

[puckhogg]

i would stay at the crown plaza or the red roof inn right near the arena...the R bar and the wild boar are two sports bars near the arena..altho there are a lot of other resturants near by...you won't have any problems finding a place to eat if you stay at one of the hotels in the arena district.....

[CBJfan14]

yeah i would definitely recommend looking into hotels near the arena. ton of nice bars and restaurants right there in the arena district. Hopefully you guys have a great trip and enjoy Columbus. Although i'm hoping you leave the game a bit disappointed in your team. 

[Nate]

I would also recommend the Crown Plaza on Nationwide.  It's right there next to the Arena district.  Would also highly recommend the R Bar.  But there are some fun places in the Arena district to party it up.

If you're looking to make some plans, check this website out and see what you like: http://www.arenadistrict.com/what-to-do/

[CORUPTWJ]

I agree, any location in the Arena District would be good.  If you want to stay a little more out of the downtown, I would suggest checking the Polaris Mall area.  It is north of Columbus, but is only about a 15-20 minute drive to the area from there.

One of the people in your group doesn't happen to be named Gary?  The main office for the company I work for is located near the Islanders arena, and there is a guy named Gary that is a big Islanders fan and has talked about coming down for a game for quite sometime.

[laxnation]

I agree, any location in the Arena District would be good.  If you want to stay a little more out of the downtown, I would suggest checking the Polaris Mall area.  It is north of Columbus, but is only about a 15-20 minute drive to the area from there.

One of the people in your group doesn't happen to be named Gary?  The main office for the company I work for is located near the Islanders arena, and there is a guy named Gary that is a big Islanders fan and has talked about coming down for a game for quite sometime.

Thank you all for your great help!  My guess is that you are speaking of Gary, who is one of the directors of the Islanders Booster Club.  Yeah, the booster club is trying to get a large group to go to Columbus, but some of us think it might be best, if some us travel in a smaller group.  We have gone on some great trips over the last few years to St. Paul, Nashville (my favorite so far), Buffalo, Carolina, D.C. and we are definitely looking forward to our trip to Columbus! We, Islanders fans are extremely loyal and love our Team no matter where we are in the standings.  We come in peace, while wearing our colors and party hats!  

[CBJfan14]

Most of the time away fans are treated with respect in columbus and i hope that is your experience. Nothing worse than a jack ass or two ruining the experience of an away fan!! i hope you all have a good time! but as i said before, the game itself better go our way! 

[CORUPTWJ]

Thank you all for your great help!  My guess is that you are speaking of Gary, who is one of the directors of the Islanders Booster Club.  Yeah, the booster club is trying to get a large group to go to Columbus, but some of us think it might be best, if some us travel in a smaller group.  We have gone on some great trips over the last few years to St. Paul, Nashville (my favorite so far), Buffalo, Carolina, D.C. and we are definitely looking forward to our trip to Columbus! We, Islanders fans are extremely loyal and love our Team no matter where we are in the standings.  We come in peace, while wearing our colors and party hats!  

Not sure if that is the same Gary, but I will have to check when I am back in the office on Monday.  It may very well be the same person. 

I have a few times wore a jersey for the opposing team at Nationwide.  I was a huge Blackhawks fan before Columbus got the CBJ, and I went to a few Blackhawks vs. Jackets games wearing my hawks jersey.  Most of the time, I never heard anything, but I know I got heckled by a few drunks, but I am sure you will have that anywhere.

[CHUNKBOX]

welcome and enjoy yourself... hang out at the R BAR its a hockey bar first... 

[perfectstranger]

NO YANKEES GEAR OR IT MAY GET UGLY (at least if I were to see you!) 

[CBJfan14]

NO YANKEES GEAR OR IT MAY GET UGLY (at least if I were to see you!)   

i'm sure if they are making the trip from NY to see their Islanders they will be decked out in Tavares and DiPietro jerseys!!   

[RickNashRunsShow]

Hi fellow hockey fans!  Myself and anywhere from 5 - 9 additional Islanders fans will be making the 600 mile trek from Long Island to Columbus on 3/26 for the 3/27 game against the Jackets.  Just wanted to know if anybody had any recommendations on where to stay, eat / drink - bars, and sites to see, while we are here for three days?  Your advice is greatly appreciated!

Respect, these days I'm surprised when I even see Islanders fans in their own buliding 

jokes jokes they won 4 straight cups, thats unreal

and Tavares is unreal too

[dasnut]

There is also a Hampton Inn just north of the arena on High St. which is right there in the arena-district & short north area.  Nate gave you the link for the Arena District, I also believe you might want to check out the short north website http://www.shortnorth.org/ for any other ideas.  If you're in the mood for a good steak dinner and willing to pay the costs, the Hyde Park on the cap http://www.hydeparkrestaurants.com/maps/hp-cap/index.htm is one of my favorites!  Basi Italia is a great Italian joint though can be rather hard to find if you do not know the area well, but it's a very small intimate Italian restaurant that is well worth the trip http://basi-italia.com/.  And for a true venture, ask directions for visiting the OSU Campus and check out Ohio Stadium ("The Shoe" for it's horshoe shape), my brother in law was born & raised on Long Island and he and his entire Italian familia were astounded by the wonders of the OSU Campus and the great food COlumbus has to offer.  If you care to see a movie the Arena Grand Theatre is nice and has a liquor license which helps watching a movie with a cocktail in hand!  Hope you enjoy your trip and your loss!!!

[laxnation]

NO YANKEES GEAR OR IT MAY GET UGLY (at least if I were to see you!) 

I always wear my Yankees cap and an Islanders jersey to every Islanders game 

[Chaosbourne]

IMO, Hampton Inn is the best bang for your buck in the area, though you will have to pay for valet parking most likely. You can eat in the Arena District, but if you want good food, go North on High Street into the Short North area, which has a slew of excellent restaurants. If you want good drinks BEFORE the game, Brothers has really good specials. R Bar is great, but it is the hardcore Jackets hang out and might be a little intimidating for an away person. It is also really busy.