In Toronto for the Astros Series - August 12-14

[Rusty_Savage]

My wife and I were originally planning on heading to NY for a Jays series, but the dates didn't really work out.

 

So I got a few questions for Torontonians. First accommodations, we've narrowed it down to three spots on Airbnb.

 

One is right beside the ballpark for 120/night

One is in Little Portugal for 95/night

One is near the Disrillery District for 105/night.

 

Which one(s) would be best for food and drinks. Kind of leaning towards the one right besid the stadium for convenience period.

 

Seating:

I've seen 3rd baseline tix on seat geek for $50/ticket which I think we will get for Friday.

 

I've also seen tickets on kijiji for Saturday's game in the TD comfort zone for $100/ticket. Does that seem unreasonably low?

 

On Sunday we were thinking about just getting 500 level tickets and getting there early and going to the WestJet flight deck. Anyone can go there, right?

 

Also what's the best way to get from the airport to DT?

 

Thanks in advance.

[HERPDERP]

-I'd stick to the one next to the ballpark.

 

The city's downtown charm largely rests along Queen and King. Distillery District is nice but the surrounding area doesn't have much life. Little Portugal is good but it's far from the ballpark.

 

-I won't gamble on kijiji, you assume all the risk of being scammed. And the prices are almost always adjusted for stubhub fee and exchange rate, so not worth the risk. 3rd baseline is a great spot anyway. I suggest if you can, get a lvl 200 3rd baseline ticket.

 

-Any ticket allows you access to the concourse area of any part of the park, including the flight deck. I recommend you go early, and make sure you have a strong bladder or people to save your spot.

 

-You can take the TTC bus/subway route which is longer, or you can use the UP express train which is very convenient and affordable. It also takes you directly to union station which is not far from the ballpark

[Stangstag]

My wife and I were originally planning on heading to NY for a Jays series, but the dates didn't really work out.

 

So I got a few questions for Torontonians. First accommodations, we've narrowed it down to three spots on Airbnb.

 

One is right beside the ballpark for 120/night

One is in Little Portugal for 95/night

One is near the Disrillery District for 105/night.

 

Which one(s) would be best for food and drinks. Kind of leaning towards the one right besid the stadium for convenience period.

 

Seating:

I've seen 3rd baseline tix on seat geek for $50/ticket which I think we will get for Friday.

 

I've also seen tickets on kijiji for Saturday's game in the TD comfort zone for $100/ticket. Does that seem unreasonably low?

 

On Sunday we were thinking about just getting 500 level tickets and getting there early and going to the WestJet flight deck. Anyone can go there, right?

 

Also what's the best way to get from the airport to DT?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Those seats are nice. 2nd level behind homeplate and you have dedicated servers/waitresses that bring you drinks and food. Most/all of those seats are owned by businesses, and are given to employees/clients for free. Guy selling them on kijiji (if they are legit) probably got them for free and is looking to make a quick buck. I'm not sure its worth the risk for 100 bucks, though you might be able to talk them down to like 50$

 

I'd probably take the hotel nearest to the park. There are lots or restaurants and bars nearby

 

Also note that the airport is not really close to the downtown core, its probably a 30-60 minute trip depending on traffic. (EDIT: forgot about the new express train, that should make it a quick trip.)

[Rusty_Savage]

Thanks. What's are a few good spots near the ball park to have a few drinks and grab a bite to eat beforehand?

[jglicksm]

My wife and I were originally planning on heading to NY for a Jays series, but the dates didn't really work out.

 

So I got a few questions for Torontonians. First accommodations, we've narrowed it down to three spots on Airbnb.

 

One is right beside the ballpark for 120/night

One is in Little Portugal for 95/night

One is near the Disrillery District for 105/night.

 

Which one(s) would be best for food and drinks. Kind of leaning towards the one right besid the stadium for convenience period.

 

Seating:

I've seen 3rd baseline tix on seat geek for $50/ticket which I think we will get for Friday.

 

I've also seen tickets on kijiji for Saturday's game in the TD comfort zone for $100/ticket. Does that seem unreasonably low?

 

On Sunday we were thinking about just getting 500 level tickets and getting there early and going to the WestJet flight deck. Anyone can go there, right?

 

Also what's the best way to get from the airport to DT?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

In terms of accommodations, I'd go to the distillery district or by the park. Distillery district is a nice area with a good night life and great restaurants. It's an easy walk to the game. Nothing wrong with the convenience of being near the park either, of course!

 

I would be very careful with Kijiji. It's not even two weeks into the season and I already know multiple people that have been duped that way.

 

Airport to downtown UP is your best bet... they recently reduced rates substantially. If you plan to use UP then staying near the dome (near Union Station) is the way to go so you don't have to carry your bags around as much.

 

WestJet Flight Deck has big lines to get in. Promotion games like Sunday in particular are bad that way. You'll have a better chance with the flight deck on non-weekend games.

 

I have season tickets and I think I have some of the games left for that series. I also think I may be out of town that weekend, so if you're looking for tickets let me know-- I may be able to help you out (and my seats are way better than the overpriced crap on stubhub). Feel free to private message me and we can figure something out.

[Rusty_Savage]

We are also planning on flying in on Wednesday and renting a car and going to Niagra Falls for a few nights then taking the cat back to the airport and using public transit for the weekend. It's probably pretty pointless in keeping the car for the weekend, eh?

[Stangstag]

We are also planning on flying in on Wednesday and renting a car and going to Niagra Falls for a few nights then taking the cat back to the airport and using public transit for the weekend. It's probably pretty pointless in keeping the car for the weekend, eh?

 

Yeah that sounds like a good idea. You really don't need a car if you're just going to watch jays games. Other attractions like the CN tower and Ripley's Aquarium are literally right next to the stadium, if you want other things to do while you're here.

[HERPDERP]

Thanks. What's are a few good spots near the ball park to have a few drinks and grab a bite to eat beforehand?

 

There really are lots of choices. Depends on your price point. I typically just buy a large Quiznos sub and bring it to the ballpark to munch on.

 

I have also been to Milgaros, a midpriced Mexican resto 2 blocks away

 

Fred's Not Here is an upscale steakhouse/seafood resto

 

Harbour Sixty is another upscale steakhouse southeast of the Rogers Centre. Very pretentious but you may be able to find celebrities there before and after the game (if I recall Jose Reyes used to frequent this joint)

[Governator]

Thanks. What's are a few good spots near the ball park to have a few drinks and grab a bite to eat beforehand?

 

Depends how close you want to go, your budget & type of restaurant/bar. If you walk north between the CN Tower & Skydome there's a Baton Rouge just across the bridge walking towards front street, they have great ribs and it's a more quiet steakhouse. It's probably the closest place to the dome and not always packed as most people jam in to the Boston Pizza right on Front Street if you keep walking (Avoid that unless you're there early enough). If you want to stay on Front Street for drinks, head East to the Loose Moose. Get there early for a seat though.

 

If you want more local dining, head north past Boston Pizza to King street. From there anything East for a lot of local restaurants.

[Rusty_Savage]

Not looking for anything exorbitant. Probably pub food

[BigCecil]

Not looking for anything exorbitant. Probably pub food

Is that how you created that stunning physique in that pic of you in your avatar?

[Rusty_Savage]

Is that how you created that stunning physique in that pic of you in your avatar?

 

That's not me. It's what I am striving to become

[BigCecil]

That's not me. It's what I am striving to become

 

Haha. All the tips you need are in the health and fitness thread. We have all the bad habits required.

[Governator]

Not looking for anything exorbitant. Probably pub food

 

There's 3 or 4 pubs next to the Loose Moose and about a 10min walk from the dome. Probably your best bet for regular pub food. There's also a sports bar next to the Air Canada Centre, there's a street called Bremner that goes from the ACC directly to the Rogers Centre the walk is < 10min. There's a subway restaurant on that street as well, that's where I always grab a lunch before a game.

[Rusty_Savage]

I figure on Friday we will go grab a quick bite before the game and on Saturday and Sunday we will probably go for dinner at a few nice spots. As long as there are lots of places around we can decide when we get there.

 

Pretty stoked, actually. I've only been to one game and that was about 15 years ago. 17 inning game against the Yanks.

[jglicksm]

Definitely ditch the car when in Toronto. You'll pay more for parking than what you'd pay for TTC/ Cab/ Uber almost certainly. Plus Toronto traffic is a real pain. If it's nice out walk and TTC/Uber around!!!

[jglicksm]

Sounds like you've been to two games then!

[West Texas Forever]

For drinks before the game, the area around the dome is pretty bad for nightlife in my opinion. Stay near the dome in the AirBnb and for drinks after the game head up to King or Queen for some drinks, depending on your age you might want to avoid the cheaper places that usually are overrun by the younger drunk crowds. Enjoy the game!

[burlingtonbandit]

If you are looking for a really nice place you should check out the rooftop lounge at the Hyatt on Avenue. Its really expensive ($20 cocktails) but it has the best view in the city. I'm not sure about the Astros but the Yankees usually stay there too.

[Rusty_Savage]

If you are looking for a really nice place you should check out the rooftop lounge at the Hyatt on Avenue. Its really expensive ($20 cocktails) but it has the best view in the city. I'm not sure about the Astros but the Yankees usually stay there too.

 

Sounds like a place that may be above my dress code lol

[Boxcar]

I really like Grace O'Malley's at Duncan and Adelaide as far as pubs go. Usually not too packed and the food is decent.

[Jonzo]

While Little Italy is great, for your purpose I'd Stay next to the dome. If you want some nightlife post game, head up to Spadina and King, walk west and you'll have tons of bars between Spadina and Bathurst.

 

Pubs before the game.. Stick to Front St. Loose Moose is good pub food at University and Front. Next door to it is Jack Astors and a few other pubs.

 

South of the dome on Bremner there's a St Louis and few other places.

[aselvana]

hunters landing in fort york

grace o malley on duncan

fionn maccool on front

 

all good choices.

 

i tend to avoid loose moose cause to many east enders coming throu getting wasted.

[Rusty_Savage]

I've been to Fion MacCools in Edmonton. The wife went shopping and I went for a few pints. They was a person there hosting a sex toy thing. It was pretty funny

[Rusty_Savage]

Not really looking for good food beforehand. Just a place with lots of beer on tap and a good atmosphere

[Spanky99]

Not really looking for good food beforehand. Just a place with lots of beer on tap and a good atmosphere

 

Loose Moose then, Alomar's old stomping ground, lol.

[intentional wok]

C'est What on Front and Church is my favourite place. It's past Union, so maybe more of a walk than you'd care to make, but idgaf I love that place.

[Captain Adama]

C'est What on Front and Church is my favourite place. It's past Union, so maybe more of a walk than you'd care to make, but idgaf I love that place.

 

I was just there yesterday, their new beer menu is including a lot of Nickelbrook beers, so that gets me excited.

 

Plus, if someone finds the walk from C'est What to the Dome too much...then that person seriously needs to re-evaluate their life.

[TheHurl]

Ontario Summer Games are that weekend in Mississauga. You should just skip the Jays games and volunteer at the OSG

[Rusty_Savage]

Ontario Summer Games are that weekend in Mississauga. You should just skip the Jays games and volunteer at the OSG

 

What a great idea. Is it free booze?

 

Is it worth it to eat atop the CN Tower or is it over priced garbage?