Visiting Toronto

[GBHockey]

Hi Everyone!

Me and my family (We're from the UK) are currently planning a holiday to Toronto in late February 2019, it will be our first time in Toronto so I wanted to post this to see what advice or suggestions people have.

Few more details:

It'll likely be a 5 or 6 night stay in downtown Toronto towards the end of February.
We're all big time hockey fans - Wanting to get over to Brampton for an ECHL game, would like to see and AHL game and a Leafs game but tickets for the Leafs appear to be extortionate.
We're interested in heading to Niagara of course and possibly down to Buffalo for the day, if possible.


We've trawled through the usual sites like TripAdvisor for suggestions of what to do, and there's a ton of stuff which is awesome but we like to hear the opinions of as many people as we can about stuff and any advice they may have, so if anyone has any advice, tips or suggestions then please post them, whether it's a restaurant, bar, tourist attraction, weather advice etc..

Thanks!

Click to read more...

 

[112]

I was in Toronto for the first time last month. What really stuck out to me about it was the inordinate amount of hot dog stands.

 

[Dumpster Flyers]

My grandkids can't get enough of the Toronto sign. Watching it shine brightly with all the different colors is a truly breathtaking experience and makes me proud to be a Canadian.

 

[Pinball Wizard]

My grandkids can't get enough of the Toronto sign. Watching it shine brightly with all the different colors is a truly breathtaking experience and makes me proud to be a Canadian.

Well said. There's also a lot of buildings which is cool. I like buildings. God I love my city.

 

[member 157595]

I was in Toronto for the first time last month. What really stuck out to me about it was the inordinate amount of hot dog stands.

Those were built for Phil Kessel.

 

[Paris in Flames]

Kensington Market. St Lawrence Market. Both a lot of fun to just walk, people watch or shop. You mention hockey but not the Hockey Hall of Fame but I'm assuming that's in your plans. I'm a huge fan of graffiti alley as well but since it's February you might not be too keen on that since it's entirely outdoors.

If you can't get into a Leafs game or want to pay the obscene costs - Real Sports bar is a solid spot if you want something close to the game and....very...experiential.

Do you have any ideas on where you're staying in terms of hotel or even neighbourhood?

 

[Cheese Wagstaff]

Just go to Hamilton, everyone agrees it’s a far more scenic and interesting city.

 

[ucanthanzalthetruth]

Marlies ticket prices are reasonable, I would recommend them over ECHL. Kensington market as noted above is interesting and a good place to score 420 related items if that's your thing.

 

[GBHockey]

Kensington Market. St Lawrence Market. Both a lot of fun to just walk, people watch or shop. You mention hockey but not the Hockey Hall of Fame but I'm assuming that's in your plans. I'm a huge fan of graffiti alley as well but since it's February you might not be too keen on that since it's entirely outdoors.

If you can't get into a Leafs game or want to pay the obscene costs - Real Sports bar is a solid spot if you want something close to the game and....very...experiential.

Do you have any ideas on where you're staying in terms of hotel or even neighbourhood?

HHOF is on the list, without a doubt! Thanks for the Kensington Market suggestion, for whatever reason that hadn't cropped up before so that's now in the list.

Being outdoors isn't something we're too bothered about, every time we've been to Canada or the US in the past we've always gone February or March when it's pretty cold, just hoping there isn't any winter storm type event when we're looking at flying out, want to actually get there! Not too bothered about getting home though haha.

What is the ticket situation like for Leafs? Will prices drop nearer to game day if it's not a sell out? We'll more than likely head to the Real Sports Bar should tickets for the Leafs not be a viable option. More than wanting to check out the Marlies, Brampton and possibly an OHL game if possible too.

We're looking at the Fairmont Royal York which is near Union Station?

 

[GBHockey]

Marlies ticket prices are reasonable, I would recommend them over ECHL. Kensington market as noted above is interesting and a good place to score 420 related items if that's your thing.

We're going to try and do both, Marlies and Brampton. The Beast have a couple guys who used to play for my local team here in the UK and we have a few guys who used to play for the Beast so been keen to catch one of their games for a while.

 

[Paris in Flames]

HHOF is on the list, without a doubt! Thanks for the Kensington Market suggestion, for whatever reason that hadn't cropped up before so that's now in the list.

Being outdoors isn't something we're too bothered about, every time we've been to Canada or the US in the past we've always gone February or March when it's pretty cold, just hoping there isn't any winter storm type event when we're looking at flying out, want to actually get there! Not too bothered about getting home though haha.

What is the ticket situation like for Leafs? Will prices drop nearer to game day if it's not a sell out? We'll more than likely head to the Real Sports Bar should tickets for the Leafs not be a viable option. More than wanting to check out the Marlies, Brampton and possibly an OHL game if possible too.

We're looking at the Fairmont Royal York which is near Union Station?

Yeah. You can throw a rock from the Royal York and hit Union. Nice hotel in a solid location. You could definitely walk to a bunch of spots. The Aquarium, CN Tower, Steamwhistle Brewery, the Rec Room which is a fairly large arcade right across from Skydome/Rogers Centre. If you have kids on the trip it could be a fun hangout for an hour or two.

You'll sadly...never find fairly priced Leafs tickets but you might find face value. The Leafs have sent me an email for every home game this year about last minute seats available - I assume they're just seats held for players, etc but have opened up. So...if you're lucky you might be able to get as fair as you're going to get. You don't want to have to try a scalper or stubhub because...well...Leafs tickets are expensive at the best of times.

 

[Finnish your Czech]

Hi Everyone!

Me and my family (We're from the UK) are currently planning a holiday to Toronto in late February 2019, it will be our first time in Toronto so I wanted to post this to see what advice or suggestions people have.

Few more details:

It'll likely be a 5 or 6 night stay in downtown Toronto towards the end of February.
We're all big time hockey fans - Wanting to get over to Brampton for an ECHL game, would like to see and AHL game and a Leafs game but tickets for the Leafs appear to be extortionate.
We're interested in heading to Niagara of course and possibly down to Buffalo for the day, if possible.


We've trawled through the usual sites like TripAdvisor for suggestions of what to do, and there's a ton of stuff which is awesome but we like to hear the opinions of as many people as we can about stuff and any advice they may have, so if anyone has any advice, tips or suggestions then please post them, whether it's a restaurant, bar, tourist attraction, weather advice etc..

Thanks!

Please don't drive 40km through heavy traffic just to see an ECHL game in a horrible suburb.

 

[H3ckt1k]

Please don't drive 40km through heavy traffic just to see an ECHL game in a horrible suburb.

Second this

 

[John Price]

party at yonge square

 

[ucanthanzalthetruth]

Please don't drive 40km through heavy traffic just to see an ECHL game in a horrible suburb.

This is true OP, Brampton is horrific

 

[holy]

Lol at people talking shit about Brampton, don't listen to them. It's a great place. Except the north end is overrun with bad drivers from India.

 

[Finnish your Czech]

Lol at people talking **** about Brampton, don't listen to them. It's a great place. Except the north end is overrun with bad drivers from India.

The only suburb of Toronto worse than Brampton is Hamilton.

There's really nothing enjoyable about visiting or living in either of those suburbs.

 

[H3ckt1k]

Honestly just come visit Oshawa

 

[Finnish your Czech]

Honestly just come visit Oshawa

Honestly. Watch a Gens game, smoke a few joints, do some [illicit drug that can't be discussed here, but is popular in Oshawa], etc.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Hi Everyone!

Me and my family (We're from the UK) are currently planning a holiday to Toronto in late February 2019, it will be our first time in Toronto so I wanted to post this to see what advice or suggestions people have.

Few more details:

It'll likely be a 5 or 6 night stay in downtown Toronto towards the end of February.
We're all big time hockey fans - Wanting to get over to Brampton for an ECHL game, would like to see and AHL game and a Leafs game but tickets for the Leafs appear to be extortionate.
We're interested in heading to Niagara of course and possibly down to Buffalo for the day, if possible.


We've trawled through the usual sites like TripAdvisor for suggestions of what to do, and there's a ton of stuff which is awesome but we like to hear the opinions of as many people as we can about stuff and any advice they may have, so if anyone has any advice, tips or suggestions then please post them, whether it's a restaurant, bar, tourist attraction, weather advice etc..

Thanks!

I'm sure you've thought of this, but it wasn't mentioned, so just in case you aren't committed yet... the Hockey Hall of Fame really is a must-see and you'll be glad if you leave yourself enough time to really take your time going through it.

 

[Kevs Security]

If you ever visit Toronto, be sure to come and check out our corporate security facilities!

 

[holy]

The only suburb of Toronto worse than Brampton is Hamilton.

There's really nothing enjoyable about visiting or living in either of those suburbs.

Bro have you been to the Mcdonalds on Queen street? Maybe don't speak on things you don't understand.

 

[Finnish your Czech]

Bro have you been to the Mcdonalds on Queen street? Maybe don't speak on things you don't understand.

Just because there's a lot of hot girls doesn't mean it's a good place.

 

[holy]

Just because there's a lot of hot girls doesn't mean it's a good place.

I'm gonna level with you, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't lying about what I said earlier about Brampton.

Someone pm me what the illicit fun of Oshawa is all about though, I've never been. All of a sudden I might just have to check it out.

 

[Hockey Outsider]

We've trawled through the usual sites like TripAdvisor for suggestions of what to do, and there's a ton of stuff which is awesome but we like to hear the opinions of as many people as we can about stuff and any advice they may have, so if anyone has any advice, tips or suggestions then please post them, whether it's a restaurant, bar, tourist attraction, weather advice etc..

Outside of hockey, what are your interests? 5-6 days is a fair amount of time, but you won't be able to see everything, especially if you're doing a day trip to Niagara Falls and/or Buffalo, so better to narrow down attractions (and restaurants) to what really interests you.