Cheer on Toronto’s team in one of the best sports cities! Here’s how to build an epic Toronto Maple Leafs weekend getaway for super fans of all ages.
It’s hockey season, and that means it’s time to cheer on the Toronto Maple Leafs! As a decade-long Toronto hockey mom, I’ve spent countless hours sipping a Tim Horton’s coffee at city rinks and supporting my son’s team from the bleachers.
We are a diehard hockey family and live for all things hockey-themed. From our visits to the Hockey Hall of Fame to Maple Leafs games at Scotiabank Arena and shopping for Leafs paraphernalia, we’re always ready to support our team.
If you’re also part of a super-fan family, I have the perfect two-day itinerary for you. Read on for the perfect kid-friendly sports weekend in Toronto—Maple Leaf style!
Saturday: game on!
Hopefully, you’ve already booked your Toronto Maple Leafs tickets in advance to avoid disappointment, ordered your blue and white jersey for game day and downloaded the official Toronto Maple Leafs app to stay up to date on contests, schedules and breaking news.
Check into Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square, a luxury hotel connected to Scotiabank Arena, where the Maple Leafs play. You couldn’t get any closer to the hockey action unless you slept in the dressing rooms!
This boutique hotel offers a Hockey Hall of Fame package, which includes access to the world’s best collection of hockey artifacts, tons of Maple Leafs items and the coveted Stanley Cup. Breakfast and valet parking are included, and they have a fully equipped gym so your fam can burn off some pre-game adrenaline.
Where to eat
There are multiple delicious restaurants within walking distance. Grab lunch at St. Lawrence Market, a piece of Toronto’s history packed with 120 vendors, merchants and artisans.
Brunch at nearby Fresh on Front is served until 3 p.m. and their menu is loaded with healthy and tasty vegan options such as the Tex-Mex Burrito. For a hearty Italian dinner before the game, walk to Old Spaghetti Factory on the Esplanade, a family-friendly restaurant with vintage artifacts and pretty stained glass windows.
For post-game eats or drinks, head to Real Sports (RS). (If you weren’t able to score Leafs tickets, you can also watch the game here on Toronto’s largest TV screen.)
What to see
Book an informative City Sightseeing Toronto hop-on hop-off tour on a double-decker bus. It drives past famous landmarks and neighbourhoods, including Casa Loma, Kensington Market, Queen’s Park and City Hall and takes the guesswork out of navigating public transit when you’re short on time.
Hop off at the Hockey Hall of Fame. Kids (and adults!) love taking shots at life-size animated versions of the greatest goalies and shooters, watching impressive 3D hockey films and visiting the recreated dressing room of the Montreal Canadiens, long-time rivals to the Leafs.
Things to do
Attend the home game! The Maple Leafs have a dedicated fan base called “Leafs Nation” that passionately supports their beloved team through thick and thin. They pack into Scotiabank Arena on game day to cheer them on in a stadium full of excitement and a capacity of almost 19,000 seats.
Arrive early to check out Maple Leaf Square and take photos of the jumbo screen and life-sized bronzed players of Legends Row. The vibes are electric and fans mingle about excitedly. Be on the lookout for Carlton the Bear, the official mascot, high-fiving smiling fans.
If you need more Leafs gear, Real Sports Apparel is located at Gate One; a hat, mini stick or puck are perfect souvenirs!
Sunday: explore the city
Sunday is a laid-back day in Toronto, where you can take your time exploring the attractions after the thrill of the big game.
Where to eat
Enjoy a coffee at Tim Hortons adjacent to the Hockey Hall of Fame and admire hockey-themed exhibits and artifacts. Horton, a former Leafs player for almost two decades, helped the team win four Stanley Cups and founded the popular North American restaurant franchise.
For pub fare, grab a bite at the Bottom Line on Front Street, owned and operated by Wayne Cowley, a retired professional hockey player. You may even see Leafs players like Auston Matthews chatting with teammates. On game night, it’s a popular hangout for fans to gather in anticipation of puck drop.
What to see
Impress your kids with a visit to the Loblaws supermarket at the corner of Carlton and Church Streets. Search the middle aisles until you find a big red dot painted on the floor. This is no regular supermarket—this is the former Maple Leaf Gardens—the arena where the Leafs played for years, and you are standing on what was once centre ice.
The final game at this Toronto landmark was played in 1999. Go on a nostalgia trip by viewing a grouping of original blue stadium chairs that have been turned into a vibrant sculpture near the escalators.
Other fun activities include shopping at the Eaton Centre, zooming up the CN Tower for a bird’s eye view of the 6ix, exploring the Royal Ontario Museum or walking along Toronto’s waterfront near Queens Quay and the Harbourfront Centre eating a BeaverTails pastry.
Combine dinner and entertainment with a visit to The Rec Room Toronto Roundhouse for an exciting, family-friendly adventure, with minors allowed until 10 p.m. Physical games include ping pong, shuffleboard and pool; there are video games, a car simulator and artwork on display from a Toronto artist. Their Three10 restaurant features a menu inspired by Canada’s three territories and 10 provinces.
Things to do
Head to Nathan Phillips Square, and if you haven’t already taken a selfie with the massive Toronto Sign, it’s extra special at night when illuminated in glowing colours. In late November, its water feature is transformed into one of the city’s most iconic ice skating rinks.
Toronto has many indoor and outdoor rinks where kids love to play hockey and shinny, so hit a few if you have avid skaters in your crew. And who knows, you may be playing on the same ice Maple Leafs Captain John Tavares used to play on when he was younger!
