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If I was coming in from out of town for the tournament I would want to stay next to the arena for convenience, but that's just me. There's a large Sheraton and a brand new Westin immediately next to the arena with a new entertainment district with several good restaurants that are within easy walking distance.

On the southside of downtown around UAB's campus there's a DoubleTree, Residence Inn, Courtyard Marriott, Spring Hill Suites and Hotel Highland.

I agree though that renting a car is a good choice just for the sake of being able to drive to other restaurants, bars, the women's basketball games, or just anything else you want to check out in town. Car rentals at the airport are very convenient and reasonably priced in my opinion.

(10-11-2014 09:00 PM)iam4uab Wrote:  

(10-11-2014 08:57 PM)uabrsc3 Wrote:  

(10-11-2014 06:17 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  

(10-11-2014 05:48 PM)uabrsc3 Wrote:  

(10-11-2014 05:12 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  You will want a car near the civic center, unless you are staying at the one adjoining hotel and have no plans to go anywhere else. The civic center isn't in the greatest of neighborhoods and eating opportunities in the immediate area are slim.

I rarely post here but the idea that there are slim eating opportunities in the BJCC may be the most ignorant thing I have seen posted here. In that Slim area today I had brunch at Todd English, going to Mug shots tomorrow and doing Texas de Brazil ( the record setting store for that chain) next week end and my kids are at the Mexican place there now. Very good very busy in Uptown.

You rarely read here either if that is the most ignorant thing you've ever seen here. I haven't been around the BJCC in a couple of years, so it may have changed. I still wouldn't stay there or not rent a car if I was coming into town for the tournament.

And ignorance echoes itself...read al.com or something about how big a success Uptown is at BJCC or refrain from ignorant advise about somewhere you do not know about. Sheesh I hate the negative tone sometime on here but really if you don't know crap then don't say crap...it helps you not look full of crap.

Took the civic center critique a bit personally, did we?

Yeah because I am proud of my town and how well things like Uptown are doing...with expensive and reasonable dining/drinking options all in one spot.So when someone who hasn't been to the area in years by their own admission perpetuates myths, old news and stereo types I take it personally even from a fellow Blazer and Lord knows I try to avoid criticizing fellow Blazers. What Birmingham is doing now is good for UAB and UAB is sure enough good for Bham and we as good Blazers need to be cheerleaders for both!

Thanks! I really forgot about the women's tourney at the same time. In the CAA they were separate...location and the timing, a week later. We are types that will go to almost all games until we lose!! We would want to go to the ODU women's games unless they conflict time-wise with the men's. So, that helps with the decision to get a car!! How far away is the location for the women's games?

My thoughts about staying near the BJCC are those hotels are a a lot more costly and seem to charge for parking on top if those prices. We don't need a luxury hotel....clean, free wi-fi and breakfast works for us!

So, y'all are saying that parking is close (I'm old, fat and have a bad knee) and not outrageously expensive I think we'll do the Best Western Plus-Carlton and rent a car.

I appreciate your help and will come back closer to the tourney for updated dining recommendations. Can't wait for hoops!!

A short drive, but too far to walk. There are places to eat and libate in fairly close proximity to both venues.

Enjoy your visit, we'll help you out if we can, and you really should check out the "Visitors' Guide to the 'ham" stickied at the top of the page.

(10-12-2014 06:53 PM)uabrsc3 Wrote:  

(10-11-2014 09:00 PM)iam4uab Wrote:  

(10-11-2014 08:57 PM)uabrsc3 Wrote:  

(10-11-2014 06:17 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  

(10-11-2014 05:48 PM)uabrsc3 Wrote:  I rarely post here but the idea that there are slim eating opportunities in the BJCC may be the most ignorant thing I have seen posted here. In that Slim area today I had brunch at Todd English, going to Mug shots tomorrow and doing Texas de Brazil ( the record setting store for that chain) next week end and my kids are at the Mexican place there now. Very good very busy in Uptown.

You rarely read here either if that is the most ignorant thing you've ever seen here. I haven't been around the BJCC in a couple of years, so it may have changed. I still wouldn't stay there or not rent a car if I was coming into town for the tournament.

And ignorance echoes itself...read al.com or something about how big a success Uptown is at BJCC or refrain from ignorant advise about somewhere you do not know about. Sheesh I hate the negative tone sometime on here but really if you don't know crap then don't say crap...it helps you not look full of crap.

Took the civic center critique a bit personally, did we?

Yeah because I am proud of my town and how well things like Uptown are doing...with expensive and reasonable dining/drinking options all in one spot.So when someone who hasn't been to the area in years by their own admission perpetuates myths, old news and stereo types I take it personally even from a fellow Blazer and Lord knows I try to avoid criticizing fellow Blazers. What Birmingham is doing now is good for UAB and UAB is sure enough good for Bham and we as good Blazers need to be cheerleaders for both!

I still say that no matter how awesome the restaurants are there, the pickings are slim. Sorry if that offends you greatly. You really should learn to accept other opinions better.

(10-11-2014 05:58 PM)Monarch Homselr Wrote:  Which hotel is connected to the hospital?

Thanks! Keep the suggestions coming.

Stay at Westin in Uptown. There's plenty of restaurants and bars all right there within walking distance. if you want to find other places to go you could always get a cab for cheap. Uptown district is your best bet with plenty of options.

(10-11-2014 05:09 PM)Monarch Homselr Wrote:  Sorry to bother y'all during a game but it seems like you have it well in hand! I'm starting to look for hotel and flight info and had some questions.

Is parking hard to find and/or expensive near the arena. We're trying to decide between renting a car or just staying downtown with no car. Reviews of the Best Western Plus-Carlton Suites on State Farm Parkway sound good. $60- $100 cheaper than the choices right at the arena.

Any input on hotels, parking etc? I will be back closer to the tournament for dining suggestions.

Thanks

What are your interests? What else besides the basketball tournament would you want to do?

We probably will go to all the men's games...hopefully till the final as long as we're in them (!!) but also the ODU women's games. If we get bumped early then we would be into historical stuff....especially civil war stuff.

I will investigate the " 'ham guide" for additional ideas. I'm intrigued by the " 'ham" nickname. The same derivative sure wouldn't work for Norfolk...those who know how we pronounce it would understand!!!

(10-12-2014 06:53 PM)uabrsc3 Wrote:  

(10-11-2014 09:00 PM)iam4uab Wrote:  

(10-11-2014 08:57 PM)uabrsc3 Wrote:  

(10-11-2014 06:17 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  

(10-11-2014 05:48 PM)uabrsc3 Wrote:  I rarely post here but the idea that there are slim eating opportunities in the BJCC may be the most ignorant thing I have seen posted here. In that Slim area today I had brunch at Todd English, going to Mug shots tomorrow and doing Texas de Brazil ( the record setting store for that chain) next week end and my kids are at the Mexican place there now. Very good very busy in Uptown.

You rarely read here either if that is the most ignorant thing you've ever seen here. I haven't been around the BJCC in a couple of years, so it may have changed. I still wouldn't stay there or not rent a car if I was coming into town for the tournament.

And ignorance echoes itself...read al.com or something about how big a success Uptown is at BJCC or refrain from ignorant advise about somewhere you do not know about. Sheesh I hate the negative tone sometime on here but really if you don't know crap then don't say crap...it helps you not look full of crap.

Took the civic center critique a bit personally, did we?

Yeah because I am proud of my town and how well things like Uptown are doing...with expensive and reasonable dining/drinking options all in one spot.So when someone who hasn't been to the area in years by their own admission perpetuates myths, old news and stereo types I take it personally even from a fellow Blazer and Lord knows I try to avoid criticizing fellow Blazers. What Birmingham is doing now is good for UAB and UAB is sure enough good for Bham and we as good Blazers need to be cheerleaders for both!

Dude, calm down. The only thing that makes Birmingham look like a lesser city is people like you having a hissy fit about things like this. I have spent a lot of time eating and drinking in Uptown for both business and personal stuff, and it is great for what it is (I still find it to be too "up"pity for what it provides. But the area is still lacking if you plan to stay there for an extended period (i.e. a basketball tournament). Got to have a car to get to some of the other things Birmingham offers.

I've lived in Birmingham for the last 8 years, went to college in this city, got married in this city, and started my career in this city. With all that, I'll be the first to admit that while these improvements are great for those of us that live here, they really only have started to meet the standard of what outsiders would expect coming to a major metro.

LOL, Yeah, gotcha.

That said, if the Sheraton in Uptown is in the budget, I would suggest staying there.

http://www.uptownbham.com/

In regards to the women's games, you'll definitely want to rent a car because they will be at Bartow Arena (I believe). Renting a car would be cheaper and a heck of a lot more reliable than our taxi system. Don't even bother with our public bus system.

BTW, Monarch, in case you are a little confused by the Civic Center/BJCC terminology, the complex of facilities where the men's tournament will be played used to be called the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The name changed to Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in the 90's, so the BJCC abbreviation still works, but some of the old geezers still call it the Civic Center. The venue itself where the games will be played is the BJCC Arena.

(10-12-2014 10:59 PM)BlazerGrad88 Wrote:  BTW, Monarch, in case you are a little confused by the Civic Center/BJCC terminology, the complex of facilities where the men's tournament will be played used to be called the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center. The name changed to Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in the 90's, so the BJCC abbreviation still works, but some of the old geezers still call it the Civic Center. The venue itself where the games will be played is the BJCC Arena.

Are you talking about the Coliseum ?

Rent a car. Traffic in Birmingham is a lot lighter than Norfolk, you'll enjoy the change.

(10-13-2014 01:38 PM)BlazerFromMD Wrote:  Rent a car. Traffic in Birmingham is a lot lighter than Norfolk, you'll enjoy the change.

When is the last time you lived in Birmingham? Traffic has been getting exponentially worse here every month.

Time of day & week matters sometimes.

(10-13-2014 02:33 PM)the_blazerman Wrote:  Time of day & week matters sometimes.

and then you add in the renovation work on the 20-59 interstate past the BJCC area and it can get time consuming.