Are you a hockey superfan and thinking of visiting Toronto? Then take the city by storm with this hockey-themed itinerary packed with iconic sights. From museums to arenas, plan your next Toronto trip around Canada’s favourite pastime and see some extra sights while you’re at it.
Hockey Hall of Fame
This one’s a no-brainer. See memorabilia, including the famous Stanley cup, at Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame. In addition to famous hockey trophies, the Hall features a to-scale replica of the Montreal Canadiens Dressing Room, where visitors can handle equipment from various eras. There are also interactive experiences that place you one-on-one with animated versions of goalies and shooters, two movie theatres with 3-D films and vintage reels, and plenty of hockey swag from around the world. The Hockey Hall of Fame is open daily, and when you purchase your tickets online you’ll receive a 10 percent discount at the gift shop.
Scotiabank Arena
Obviously, you’ll want to catch a game while you’re in town, so try to time your visit from October to April to ensure you’ll hit hockey season. Scotiabank Arena is home to the Toronto Maple Leafs and other professional sports teams, including the Raptors. Tickets can be a little expensive and sometimes hard to come by but well worth it for any hockey fan who craves the real Canadian experience.
Real Sports
This sprawling sports bar near Scotiabank Arena is the perfect place to catch the game, drink some beers, and enjoy good food. In case you can’t get an in-person ticket, Real Sports shows games and matches on a supersized 39-foot HD screen. They also have a DJ booth and a 100-foot bar, and you can even win big on your vacation because gambling in Ontario is legal. So, go ahead and wager on your favourite team using the available PROLINE and sports betting options.
Ford Performance Centre
See where the magic happens at the Ford Performance Centre. This 272,000-square-foot recreation facility is the official practice rink for the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs and the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Practices are closed to the public, but you can skate on the same ice as the pros at drop-in programs, tournaments, league play, and other special events. Four ice rinks are available for rent, including an Olympic size rink. This premier facility sets the global standard for performance and training in the hockey world, so don’t miss your chance to check it out.
St. Lawrence Market
All that hockey can make you hungry. Take a break from the ice with a visit to St. Lawrence Market, where over 100 specialty vendors sell fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, baked goods, cheese, and other delicious dairy products. There’s also an exhibition space for the City of Toronto’s Cultural Services, antique dealers, and the occasional flea market. Built in 1902 as part of the Old City Hall, the building that houses the market is of architectural and historical interest as well.
Spirit of Hockey
Toronto’s number-one hockey gift store! Technically, this shop is part of the Hockey Hall of Fame, but you don’t have to visit the museum to shop at the Spirit of Hockey. With an unrivalled collection of hockey merchandise, the Spirit of Hockey carries fully licensed NHL items from all 32 teams. There are also past championship and former franchise goodies for purchase. Hockey novelties, customizable jerseys, mini-NHL figurines, sports cards, pucks, and prints make the Spirit of Hockey a souvenir seeker’s dream.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Hockey is not Canada’s only attribute. Discover the wild underwater world with a visit to the aquarium located in downtown Toronto. Nine perfectly curated galleries show off freshwater and saltwater environments from around the globe. Begin in Toronto’s water landscape at the Great Lakes basin exhibit and work your way through the aquarium where you can experience dive shows, an underwater viewing tunnel, interactive opportunities, and more. Suited for all ages, the aquarium is sure to please all visitors and appeal to anyone in your party with a sense of wonderment.
Maple Leaf Gardens
This historic building may be of interest to big hockey buffs who will know it as one of the “cathedrals of hockey.” Initially constructed nearly 100 years ago, Maple Leaf Gardens served as an arena for ice hockey games until 1999. The Maple Leafs won 11 Stanley Cup Championships while playing at the Gardens, and now the building is a heritage landmark. It no longer plays host to ice hockey and instead houses a Loblaws grocery store, but the historic value of the building remains.
Art Gallery of Ontario
Sneak in a little artistic culture with a stroll through the Art Gallery of Ontario. With over 90,000 works, the gallery is one of North America’s best museums. Canadian indigenous artworks, paintings from the famous Group of Seven, a rotating special exhibit, and more all celebrate the creative pursuits of Canadian and international artists. Wednesday nights are free, but be sure to book your spot in advance: tickets are released the Monday before and go quickly.
You must be logged in to post a comment.