Bookmark and Share
United Center
Chicago, IL

NHL Arena vitals

Opened: August 18, 1994
Capacity: 19,717  seats
Mascot: Tommy Hawk
Team Chant: "Let's Go Hawks!"
Draft Beer: $7.50
Hot Dog: $5.75
Arena Parking:  $20.00
United Center
Arena Address
1901 West Madison Street
Chicago, Illinois 60612
312-455-4500
Get Directions

 

The 2009 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks have called the United Center home for about the past 15 years. During this time, the arena has come to be known as one of the most inviting buildings in the entire league. The United Center has a charm and style all its own, and it continues to provide a more than adequate home for one of the best and brightest teams in the NHL, the Chicago Blackhawks.

As far as getting to the arena itself is concerned, it is a short drive down Madison Ave. from O'Hare Airport. Taking I-90 makes it an easy trek from anywhere in the surrounding areas to get to the building. The United Center is located right across the street from the old Chicago Stadium, so it is right in the heart of downtown Chicago. Taking your own vehicle to get to the game might prove to be slightly difficult during rush hour, as the streets of Chicago can become slightly congested from time to time. TransitChicago has many different lines that will take you either directly to the United Center or put you in the general vicinity.

United Center, Chicago Blackhawks - Frozen Pond PilgrimageOnce you are inside the arena, you will notice just how expansive this property is. There is plenty of room to meander about without having to worry about getting lost in the crowd of people walking through the concourse. There are a couple of different concourses with one being reserved specifically for club seat members. Once you are inside the actual bowl of the United Center, you quickly realize that this is a special place to watch a hockey game. There is seating for approximately 21,500 total fans, and the arena is usually full on a nightly basis, especially with the recent success that the Blackhawks have been enjoying. Between the club level and upper level are LED boards that showcase vital game statistics as well as out-of-town scores that are pertinent to any NHL fan.

NHL Ice at the United Center - Frozen Pond PilgrimageYou shouldn't be concerned about going hungry when you are planning your trip to United Center, as there are over 40 concession stands throughout the building serving every kind of stadium food imaginable. No matter what concourse you find yourself on, there is always plenty of choices for different meals that you can indulge in. If you are looking for more of a casual dining experience inside United Center, take a look into Bar One or Ironworks Bar & Grill. Bar One serves many different drinks and appetizers while providing an urban ambiance that plays into the city of Chicago's culture. There is also Ironworks Bar & Grill, which provides seven different types of beer while also serving platters hot off the grill.

When you are visiting Chicago, you have to be ready to enjoy the many different gourmet restaurants that they offer both locals and tourists of the city. No trip to the Windy City would be complete without indulging in a Chicago deep-dish pizza. One of the best pizza pies in the city can be found at Pizza Ria. It is here that you can get your favorite toppings on a slice or a whole pizza that is all your own. This location offers a fantastic opportunity to get a taste of one of Chicago's most famous offerings. Either before or after a Blackhawks game, you might also want to stop by Moretti's, which not only serves American pub food, but it also can serve up some of the best Italian dishes that you have ever tasted. Its location near the United Center makes it a perfect destination for a pre-or-post-game meal.

On North Dearborn Street in the heart of Chicago is one of the best dance spots in the entire city. Vision Night Club offers fantastic dance music from professional DJs that are brought in from all around the world. Vision is a very trendy nightspot, but it is a location that adults of all ages can enjoy. The Zebra Lounge is another popular nightclub that allows for a good time while enjoying a laid back setting. Those who enjoy a traditional piano lounge type of atmosphere will really be enthralled with the setting offered by the Zebra Lounge. After a Chicago Blackhawks game, make sure that you are enjoying some of the fantastic nightlife that the city of Chicago can offer.

When you are in Chicago, you have to visit Willis Tower, formerly known as Sears Tower. What makes Willis Tower such a great point of interest is that the building is the tallest in the United States while also being the fifth tallest freestanding building in the entire world. Its sheer size makes it one of the most amazing structures that you will ever have the opportunity to visit. Another fantastic point of interest in the Chicago area is the Magnificent Mile, which offers all kind of shops, boutiques, and restaurants for you to enjoy. Located on Michigan Ave. in downtown Chicago, there are many stores that will provide you with hours of entertainment regardless of what you like to shop for.

Chicago, Illinois is one of the great American cities that has a culture all its own. The Chicago Blackhawks fit into the Chicago mold of having that blue-collar work ethic that is willing to get the job done at any cost. The next time you are planning a trip to an NHL arena, think about what Chicago has to offer you as a hockey fan. Not only can you see the Chicago Blackhawks try to defend their Stanley Cup Championship, but you can also enjoy the other fantastic opportunities that United Center and the city of Chicago has to offer.


For more information on the City of Chicago, Illinois check out my other reveiws by clicking on the link below:
     NHL: January 23, 2011 - Philadelphia Flyers vs. Chicago Blackhawks
     NBA: Chicago Bulls, United Center - General Information
     NBA: January 22, 2011 - Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls

city of Chicago local information

Top Tourist Attractions:
Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier
Hancock Observatory, Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower)
Museums, Adler Planetarium, Art Galleries

Local Foods:
Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza
Chicago Style Hot dogs, Steak, Italian food
Grilled Krispy Kremes

What They're Drinkin':
312, Old Style, Goose Island Matilda, Two Brother Cane and Ebel Red Rye, Bud Light, Miller Light

Fan Resources:
Pocket Map of Chicago
Arena Policy
Arena Parking Map

Local Sports Media:
The Chicago Tribune
Chicago Sun-Times
The Score 670AM
Popular Bars:
United Center (Billy Goat Tavern, The Westend,  Crossroads)
Wrigleyville (The Cubby Bear, John Barleycorn, Merkle's)
Lincoln Park (HiTopp's, Clarke's, Lion's Head, Dillinger's)
Rush Street (Tavern on Rush, Whiskey, Rosebud on Rush)
Historic (Green Door Tavern, Underground Wonder Bar)
Hot Spots (English, Encore Liquid Lounge, Blue Chicago,
     The Back Room)
Stone Lotus, House of Blues, Fulton Lounge, Jbar Map Room, Revolution Brewing Brew pub

Best Restaurants:
Deep Dish Pizza (Giordano's, Pizzeria Uno, Pizza Ria, Gino's
     East, Lou Malnati's)
Alinea (Contem Amer)
Charlie Trotter's (Contem Amer)
Rosebud on Taylor Street (Italian Dining)
Wildfire (Steak & Seafood)
Blackbird (Contem Amer)

Where To Stay:
Find a hotel located in the downtown area. There's plenty to see and do and you can still situate yourself within striking distance of the United Center. I like The Wit or the Hilton Chicago which have all the amenities to properly pamper any Blackhawks Fan.

cheap Chicago Blackhawks hockey tickets

Planning Your Next Trip to see the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center?
I've set up this website to help others that are interested in NHL Travel. Below you'll find links for cheap Chicago Blackhawks tickets, arena seating charts, local weather, restaurants and hotels ... everything you need to plan a successful trip to the United Center.
Compare Prices for
Chicago Blackhawks Hockey
Tickets Here:

Click on the following links for Chicago Blackhawks ticket availability at each of the top online ticket brokers on the web. Try each link to find the cheapest NHL ticket prices:

Chicago Blackhawks Game Schedule

 TicketCity.com
StubHub.com TicketNetwork.com RazorGator.com VividSeats.com
Chicago Blackhawks Seating Chart
A Production of Madness Unwatched LLC
Copyright © 2010-2015 nhlhockeyarenas.com.  All Rights Reserved.
nhlhockeyarenas.com is not associated with the National Hockey League in any way.
Contact Us  |  About Me  | Sites I Like