What to do in Ostrava when the hockey is over?
Are you a hockey fan in Ostrava for the World Championship and are wondering what to do in the evening before or after your team's game? We have some advice for you.
Stodolní Street –a place to party!
A visit to Ostrava's Stodolní Street is a must, whether you want to celebrate a victory or drown your sorrow after the game! Nowhere else in the country will you come across such a concentration of restaurants, bars and clubs. In its heyday, there were more than 60 nightclubs and bars along this street, and although those times are over, there are still plenty of pubs, bars and clubs here, where the locals and visitors to town regularly come to party!
Little Copenhagen
This part of town offers a calmer atmosphere. The blocks on the Havlíčkovo embankment are dubbed “Little Copenhagen”, reflecting the desire of the locals to create a neighbourhood reminiscent of the Danish capital. There are only a few bars and clubs here, but this is where people interested in more sophisticated entertainment head. Little Copenhagen is indeed small, but it's a pleasant place from where you can go for a nice walk along the banks of the Ostravice River (day or night).
Pubs
If you haven't tasted Czech beer and spent time in a pub, you haven't been to the Czech Republic. If you want to see a traditional Czech pub with its inimitable atmosphere, try one of these: U Rady, U Dlouhých (founded in 1892) or U zrzavé Mary. Outside the centre, you’ll find the pub with the longest history in town - U Zlatého lva was established in 1769 and has served the locals ever since! Be warned that these pubs usually close quite early, usually at 11pm. If you feel like partying all night, then head for Stodolní Street (see above).
Technical museums
If you are in the mood for some sightseeing before the game, Ostrava is a city rich in industrial history, and you can visit a number of technical museums. In any case, don't miss the Dolní Vítkovice compound (exactly halfway between the city centre and the hockey hall). This is where the Vítkovice Ironworks (founded in 1828) and the Hlubina Mine were located. Today the industrial complex is geared for tourists. You can visit the High Furnace offering a panoramic view of Ostrava and the surroundings, the Gong Concert Hall (a historic gas tank turned into an extraordinary multifunctional centre), the Big World of Technology, Small World of Technology and many other attractions linked to Ostrava’s industrial past. The Landek and Michal mining museums in other parts of the city are also worth a visit.
Other sights
For those who are not interested in technical monuments, we recommend the newly restored and opened Villa Grosmann with its opulent Art Nouveau decor.
The interiors of the villa are almost palatial; visitors can admire richly decorated gilded stucco ceilings, ornate wallpaper and beautiful stained glass windows.
And for those who are looking for a family outing outdoors then head for the expansive grounds of Ostrava Zoo!
