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NBA Basketball Arena Review - United Center
With a bronze statute of Michael Jordan erected outside of the building, it becomes quickly evident that you are entering world-renowned territory when you visit the United Center. One mile west of Chicago's Loop and the I-90/I-94 expressway stands a living testament to some of the greatest basketball teams that ever played in the NBA. With the newer version of the Chicago Bulls just starting to wreak havoc on the league, the United Center will undoubtedly be the host for many more magical moments in the future.

Depending on which direction you are arriving from, there are several ways to arrive at the United Center. Whether it be by Bus 19 or 20 on public transportation, I-55 north, or I-290, the arena offers many different ways to see some great Chicago Bulls basketball. Once you arrive at the arena, be sure to check out the Bulls' team store, Fandemonium, for all of your apparel needs. As the official team store of the United Center, Fandemonium offers the best in premium Bulls attire.

Your pre-game hunger or thirst can easily be satisfied by visiting one of a myriad of available sports bars within the United Center. Bar One is open to the public and is located directly above the members-only Ketel One Club. It offers great drinks in a modernized, urban setting. Iron Works Bar and Grill is more of your traditional sports bar with a great view of the Chicago Skyline. Getting to your seat quickly is possible by visiting the Budweiser Select Brew Pub and Carvery. Here you will be able to find some of the best sub sandwiches in the area while enjoying your favorite carbonated beverage.

Walking into the main bowl of the arena allows you to revel in the tremendous history that the Bulls have created for themselves and their fans. Six championship banners hang alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen's retired numbers. Legendary Bulls coach Phil Jackson even has a banner commemorating his work as a Chicago Bull. The arena itself seats just over 21,000 people, and the electricity is palpable when the lights turn down for the Bulls pre-game introduction. Three different levels of seating offer people with different kinds of budget restraints the opportunity to catch all of the Bulls action.

After the game is over, the city of Chicago offers one of the best places in the country to enjoy in your favorite libations while you dance the night away. Third Rail Tavern, located right on Madison, has been in business only a short time, but it has quickly established itself as one of the go-to hotspots in downtown Chicago. With every kind of alcoholic beverage imaginable and a great selection of traditional bar fare, Third Rail Tavern allows patrons to experience the ambiance of Chicago nightlife with its modernistic feel. If you are looking for more a sit-down type restaurant, look no further than Bella Notte and Oggi Tratoria, two of Chicago's best Italian restaurants. Experiencing Chicago nightlife would not be complete without a visit to the Bottom Lounge. With some of today's hottest acts making regular appearances, the Bottom Lounge is definitely the place to be after a night of cheering on the Bulls.

When in Chicago, don't forget to see some of the world's most spectacular attractions. For example, the Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) presents visitors with the opportunity to see the tallest building in North America while the Chicago Water Tower hearkens back to late 19th-Century Chicago. The Magnificent Mile is another of Chicago's many landmarks that have to be visited. The Mile is located on Michigan Ave., and it is home to four different shopping centers, different boutiques, and designer shops while also offering some of the plushest restaurants in the Chicago area.

The United Center is truly one of Chicago's greatest venues, and it is home to the wildly popular Chicago Bulls franchise. People looking for a great sports experience have to put the United Center at the top of their list. The energy and passion for the game of basketball in Chicago is like few other places. Visitors will most assuredly enjoy the hospitality and surrounding amenities that the United Center and the city of Chicago provides.


For more information on the city of Chicago, IL check out my other reviews by clicking on the links below:
     NBA: January 22, 2011 - Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls
     NFL: September 27, 2010 - Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears
     NFL: December 7, 2008 - Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears
     NHL: January 23, 2011 - Philadelphia Flyers vs. Chicago Blackhawks
     NHL: Chicago Blackhawks, United Center - General Information
 

 
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