Seeing an IA Cubs game: Tell me more!

[karenmac]

So we're going up to see the Chiefs play in Cedar Rapids in July, and it appears that the IA Cubs will be in town playing New Orleans the couple of days before, so I'm thinking of catching a game there before backtracking to Cedar Rapids. I've never been to Principal Park, so was hoping someone here could provide some guidance.

 

1) Where's a good spot to stay? I'd like to be relatively close, but not at a dump. Where do the visiting teams get put up?

 

2) Suggestions on seats? We sit behind the plate in Peoria, but am open to hearing pros/cons of best spots.

 

3) Suggestions on places to eat? Other important Des Moines hotspots? :)

 

Thanks in advance for the help!

[CubbyBlueThruampThru]

Place to stay:

The Suites of 800 Locust (a little expensive)

 

There are numerous other hotels downtown (Embassy Suites, Marriott, Hotel Fort Des Moines, Savery). It is a bit of a hike to walk to Sec Taylor, but not too bad. I have no idea where opposing teams stay.

 

Seats: All of the seats are pretty good. THere are no real obstructions or anything to avoid. I like to sit in the sections above the dugouts, but thats just me.

 

Bars: If you want a good time pre or post game walk over to the Highlife Lounge, El Bait Shop, and Hessen House. They are all kind of between Sec Tayor and downtown. Highlife looks like a 70's basement, shag carpet, schlitz, cheap food. El Bait Shop it hard to describe; kind of a 70s mexican themed bar with a shower. Hessen House is german (obviously), great german beer on tap. Great martinis at the bar in Suites of 800.

 

As far as restaurants: "43", Lucca, Splash, 801 Steak and Chop, and Centro are all downtown, all very good. Cafe di Scala is one of my favorites, but it is in a neighborhood outside of downtown and can be hard to find. It is worth it though.

 

I think Spamalot will be at the Civic Center sometime in July. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[Guancous]

I went to school at the University of Iowa. One of the main highlights were road trips to watch the AAA Cubs. We saw Mark Prior's first AAA game, more Kerry Wood rehab games than I care to admit and tons of up and comers. The depth (especially pitching) looks outstanding this year. I can't recommend it enough.

 

There's even a good view of downtown Des Moines in the stadium. It's weirder than it sounds.

[Guancous]

Place to stay:

The Suites of 800 Locust (a little expensive)

 

There are numerous other hotels downtown (Embassy Suites, Marriott, Hotel Fort Des Moines, Savery). It is a bit of a hike to walk to Sec Taylor, but not too bad. I have no idea where opposing teams stay.

 

Seats: All of the seats are pretty good. THere are no real obstructions or anything to avoid. I like to sit in the sections above the dugouts, but thats just me.

 

Bars: If you want a good time pre or post game walk over to the Highlife Lounge, El Bait Shop, and Hessen House. They are all kind of between Sec Tayor and downtown. Highlife looks like a 70's basement, shag carpet, schlitz, cheap food. El Bait Shop it hard to describe; kind of a 70s mexican themed bar with a shower. Hessen House is german (obviously), great german beer on tap. Great martinis at the bar in Suites of 800.

 

As far as restaurants: "43", Lucca, Splash, 801 Steak and Chop, and Centro are all downtown, all very good. Cafe di Scala is one of my favorites, but it is in a neighborhood outside of downtown and can be hard to find. It is worth it though.

 

I think Spamalot will be at the Civic Center sometime in July. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

Welcome to the forum and thanks for all the great advice!

[UK1679666180]

The visiting team hotel was/is the West Valley Inn.

[NCCubFan]

We saw Mark Prior's first AAA game, more Kerry Wood rehab games than I care to admit and tons of up and comers.

You saw Prior pitch just a few days after I did then. I saw his last AA game before being promoted (West Tenn was playing at Carolina for that game).

[Guancous]

We saw Mark Prior's first AAA game, more Kerry Wood rehab games than I care to admit and tons of up and comers.

You saw Prior pitch just a few days after I did then. I saw his last AA game before being promoted (West Tenn was playing at Carolina for that game).

 

I still have my scorecard. What a great game. He was dominant with 10 K's in 4 2/3 innings. He did continue throwing pitches while the umps disputed a home run call (overturned). That probably kept him from getting the win. I'm sure the Cubs didn't care.

[Chris]

Didn't Mark go yard in his first AAA start? Now that I think of it, didn't he go yard twice?

[NCCubFan]

I don't recall which specific games, but I do remember him hitting more than one homer during his time in the minors.

[Chris]

I don't recall which specific games, but I do remember him hitting more than one homer during his time in the minors.

 

I checked it out and Mark did go yard twice in his AAA debut. I remember being at Pringles Park that night and they continued posting updates where they normally show the scores.

[NCCubFan]

I don't recall which specific games, but I do remember him hitting more than one homer during his time in the minors.

 

I checked it out and Mark did go yard twice in his AAA debut. I remember being at Pringles Park that night and they continued posting updates where they normally show the scores.

I was thinking he hit a homer in at least one other minor league game, but I don't recall whether that was with West Tenn or Iowa.