Ice hockey is more than just a sport in Canada – it's a way of life. The official national pastime is placed on a high pedestal, much the same as football in Spain, rugby in New Zealand and cricket in England and Australia.
The Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto is a museum dedicated to the history of the ice-based sport, with displays on game-defining players, trophies and decades of memorabilia. The museum is also home to the Stanley Cup – the championship trophy that has been awarded to the top NHL team for more than 120 years.
Some 300,000 annual visitors to the Hockey Hall of Fame have the opportunity to go one-on-one against life-sized animations of the best shooters and goalies in the game at 'Source For Sports Shoot Out' or 'Lay's Shut Out'.
They can also try their hand at sports broadcasting by grabbing the mic and calling the action from classic hockey games, recording their broadcast debut and sharing it with family and friends on social media.
The Hockey Hall of Fame is undoubtedly a must-do for NHL buffs, but is also a great attraction for sports fans of every ilk. The 15 exhibition areas include everything from equipment from special games to portraits of the greats, records of milestone accomplishments and a mish-mash of current and retro displays.
Opening hours at the museum vary by the season, but generally run from either 9.30am or 10am to 5pm or 6pm. The Hockey Hall of Fame is open every day of the year excluding Induction Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Don't forget to visit the gift shop on the way out to grab a custom jersey or signed collectible!
Getting there: The Hockey Hall of Fame is conveniently located in the heart of Downtown Toronto in Brookfield Place at the corner of Yonge and Front Streets. Take the Spadina/University or Yonge subway line to Union Station or King.
