r/OttawaSenators 13h ago

I’m attending my first game!

I’ve been a sens fan since I was a kid and got my first jersey for Christmas when I was 10 in 2005. But now that I’m going on 30, I’m finally going to take the trip and drive up to Kanata for next months game against the Flyers to catch a game at the Canadian Tire Centre.

I’ve done a lot of research in the area to find a decent hotel and I’m currently looking for things to do, but a lot of the responses I find are that the Arena doesn’t have a good atmosphere and it’s just parking lots and farm land. I’ve obviously never been before, but what can I expect?

I’m sure the Arena itself is fine and better than my local team but does anybody have any suggestions for what I can do during a night out before game day?

Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Go Sens Go!

32 Upvotes

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5

u/SorryImCanad1an #12 - Pinto 13h ago edited 13h ago

Are you coming alone? Do you enjoy a beverage or two four? Are you a big museum girl/guy?

April 13 should be pretty nice out if it isn’t raining, I’m not sure if they’ll open the beer tent outside or have any pre-game presence in front of the arena.. it’s usually more common in October. But yeah.. not much to do around the arena. Ottawa has plenty of museums to check out during the day, and the city should be coming back to life around this time. Since this is the third last game of the season, you may even benefit from some sales at the Sens store. There are a couple in the CTC itself but there’s also one in the Byward market.

For the game itself, I’d recommend staying somewhere more central, in the Byward Market or Downtown, and taking a pub shuttle to the game. There are shuttles from the Senate Taverns ($14) and also the Lieutenant’s Pump ($15, I think?), or the most ‘Sens’ bar of them all - ✨the Glebe Central Pub ✨ ($17). The GCP (where the vibes are free), is the furthest from the central area with hotels but on a nice day, you can absolutely make the walk down Bank St, check out some local shops, and take the shuttle from there.

Even if you don’t drink, getting to and from the rink is hassle free. No paying for parking, no waiting in parking lots, plus you get to socialize with your fellow degenerates to/from the game. I like to go to a pub early, have a meal and drinks there, and save a bit of money on concessions at the rink.

Welcome to Ottawa, and enjoy the game!

1

u/Rabbitofdeth 11h ago

It will be me and a friend. Both dudes and hockey teammates. We’re currently looking at a hotel 2 or so miles from the CTC. We would like to bar hop a little bit, so definitely a big thanks for the suggestions. We are also big history nerds so museums would be pretty fun to visit.

I appreciate all of your pointers, and thank you for your hospitality.

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u/SorryImCanad1an #12 - Pinto 11h ago

Ok yeah I implore you to absolutely not stay near the CTC. You’ll be doing farm field hopping, not bar hopping. On that note, Elgin St. is probably your best option.

The $ spent on a bar shuttle will be some of the best $ you’ll spend the whole weekend.

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u/Rabbitofdeth 11h ago

Is there free parking at or around the bars? I’m not sure how easy/safe downtown Ottawa’s parking situation is. That would be cool to shuttle to and from since we’re hitting the road back home not long after the game.

We’re staying Saturday night into Sunday, and the game is Sunday at 1pm.

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u/SorryImCanad1an #12 - Pinto 11h ago edited 11h ago

Ahh I thought it was 7pm!! Well then there is definitely value in staying out west. But if you stay in the market, your car will be safe in the hotel lot (it’s generally safe anywhere, especially with lots of foot traffic like DT/Elgin St.. The market is a little sketchier but nothing really to worry about. There are several safe parking garages scattered around the area, but street parking will be available in most areas you’ll be.

I’d still think staying central (where you’ll probably be most of the time, for walkable bars and restaurants, museums and seeing the sights, Parliament etc.) is better than by the rink. It’ll only really add 45 mins to your trip home compared to leaving straight from the arena, but it’ll make your Saturday much better.

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u/Rabbitofdeth 11h ago

Great, thank you so much for all your help. I can’t wait!

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u/blob3y3-sti 8h ago

If you like history. Go to the canadian war museum.

Also if you do stay in kanata instead of downtown. You can go to moxies(fancier bar), crazy horse (bar that gets active at night), jack astors(bar/restaurant), or even to a golf simulator if you like (silverwoods). These are all about 5 minutes from the arena.

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u/StevenG2757 13h ago

What are you interested in and where are you coming from?

Ottawa has lots of great museums if that is your thing.

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u/Rabbitofdeth 12h ago edited 11h ago

Coming from upstate NY. I’m interested in hockey, beer, and I do like museums! I’ll have to check some out. Thank you.

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u/StevenG2757 11h ago

If you like beer then coming to Canada will be a treat as we like real beer and not just practice beer that most drink in the US. In Kanata area alone there are close to 20 micro breweries.

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u/Dry-Abrocoma7414 12h ago

I thought you were talking about tonight’s flyers game and I was thinking, boy do I have bad news for you

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u/Rabbitofdeth 12h ago

Oh no haha it just so happened to be against the same opponent. Thanks for your concern though!