The Ultimate Guide To A Toronto Sports Weekend

GO SPORTS.

Okay, so I haven’t exactly always been what you might call a super sports fan–but hey, I was named after a football team, so like, I’m practically professional athlete.

But seriously, I am Canadian, and I have been surrounded by sports my entire life. I grew up watching hockey & baseball, and after living in Toronto for 7 years, whether I wanted them to or not, teams like the Leafs, Raptors, and Blue Jays have surreptitiously injected their ways into my life.

These days, I don’t (get to) miss a game, because Wade is obsessed enough for the both of us, and I’d say that 80% of our screen time is hockey pucks, baseballs, or basketballs. He sometimes schedules his days around games, absolutely cannot miss any type of playoff, and adorns himself in team garb on a daily basis. Basically–he is the ultimate sports fan, and this was his ultimate weekend in Toronto.

With that in mind, this post is perfect not only for die hard fans, but maybe for those people that might come along with them, that aren’t quiiiite as interested (like myself), but would still love to have a fun weekend away in Toronto.

Recommendations

WHERE TO STAY: Le Germain Maple Leaf Square

WHERE TO EAT: CRAFT Beer Market, E11even, Real Sports Bar & Grill , Pick 6ix Sports

WHAT TO DO: Hockey Hall of Fame, Hair Blow Out or Grooming at Truefitt & Hill Barbershop, BATL Axe Throwing, Steam Whistle Tour

WHEN TO GO: Hockey Season (October – April), Basketball Season (October – April), Baseball Season (March – October)

HHOW TO GET THERE: YYZ/YTZ airport, VIA Rail, GO Transit, Amtrak, Megabus, Greyhound, Road trip

HHOW TO GET AROUND: Beck Taxi, TTC, Uber, Walk, Bicycle, Le Germain’s Lexus Service

Toronto Itinerary

Reading a list of what to see and do in a place is all well and good–but how do you organize all of it over a 3 day timeline? Well, I’ve done it for you.

This itinerary is ideal for a weekend, from Friday to Sunday, but could also be applied to weekdays, given that there are games happening during that time.

Of course, your own itinerary may differ, depending on when the games are happening on the weekend that you are there. Maybe it’s winter and Jays aren’t playing. Maybe Leafs play Friday and Raptors play Saturday. Feel free to mix and match your games, and work the other activities and meals around your sports.

Friday

Afternoon

Arrive in Toronto and check into Le Germain Hotel Maple Leaf Square, where you will be calling home base for the weekend. See what I did there? Le Germain MLSQ is Toronto’s best sports themed hotel, right at the crossroads of the sports, entertainment and business districts, and located directly next to the Scotiabank Arena (formerly Air Canada Centre).

Le Germain MLSQ is the perfect combination of luxury travel and sports in one. The Hotel is riddled with subtle hockey references, from the conference rooms labelled Neutral Zone, Defensive Zone, Offensive Zone, and of course the Penalty Box.

Each room features an oversized black and white photograph of different members from the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, and the Toronto FC soccer club by local photographer Matthew Plexman, which was Wade’s favourite part of the room, and I loved the sectional black pillow by Montreal clothing designer Marie Saint Pierre.

I’ve been to a lot of hotels in the city, and Le Germain is the ultimate balance of luxury, simplicity, comfort, and convenience, with the best location in town to see all of your favourite teams in action.

After you’re settled in, head over to CRAFT Beer Market for a late lunch, or tour & tasting of Canada’s largest draft beer selection, with an upbeat atmosphere to get your weekend off to a great start. Walk around the bar to see if you can spot your favourite beer, or if you can find a new one, or six, to try.

I recommend the Witty Traveller by Railway City Brewing Co., and the Hawaiian Ahi Poke with crispy wontons (I would eat it for every meal if I could). Wade said the Brewmaster’s Chicken Sandwich was drool-worthy.

Next, make your way back down to the Hockey Hall of Fame, which is a Toronto icon for not only sports, but surprisingly beautiful architecture. Pose with the Stanley Cup, pretend that you’re on Sports Centre, view more jerseys than you’ve ever seen in your life, and explore hockey history for hours upon hours.

The Ultimate Guide To A Toronto Sports Weekend @seattlestravels

Wade looking at all the international jerseys (which were actually my favourite part of the HHOF)

Evening

After you’ve freshened up back at the Hotel, walk just a few steps to E11even Restaurant, located right next door via an indoor hallway. E11even is an upscale place to dine before the big game, with what I thought to be the best service of our trip. Although the doors open up to the main event, it feels as if you’re tucked away from the hustle and bustle of everything, for an elegant and intimate meal for two, or the whole group.

Of course, I obsessed over the Tuna Tartare with wontons, along with the surf & turf dumplings, maple burger, and especially the Café Borracha cocktail and sticky toffee pudding.

Bring on the sports.

After dinner, head on over to the Roger’s Centre, just down the street, for your first Game of the trip. You’ll be starting off with a Blue Jays game, where you’ll immediately feel the infectious vibe of the Toronto sports scene. Cheer with the crowd, clap for your favourite players, and enjoy the impressive view that is (or was) the SkyDome Stadium.

Keep an eye out for Ace, the Blue Jays mascot who is always ready to pose for a photo.

End the night with a nightcap back at Bar Le Germain. I recommend the Raspberry Fizz.

Saturday

Morning

After a deluxe continental breakfast at Le Germain, treat yoself to a blow out at Blow Dry Lounge or grooming at Truefitt & Hill Barbershop, to take on the rest of the weekend in style.

I personally went to Blow Dry Lounge, where George washed & styled my long locks into a beautiful flow of draping curls that I could bounce around the city for the next few days.

If you have free time after, why not make a quick trip over to the CN Tower–maybe even test your bravery on the Edge Walk–or Ripley’s Aquarium, that are both located very close to hotel.

Afternoon

After a morning of pampering and exploration, you might have worked up an appetite for lunch at Real Sports Bar & Grill, North America’s biggest and best (as voted by ESPN) sports bar, with 200 TV screens, including one 39 foot monster above the bar.

It’s pretty much a must-do for any sportsfan, whether you pop by during a game, or simply to experience it when it’s a little less busy in the day time. I ordered a Caesar salad with chicken, and Wade had the Brisket Mac N Cheese, which unlike EVER before–he couldn’t finish the whole dish!

Now, the one thing I would recommend going to Real Sports for alone, are the Thai Chili wings. OMG.

After lunch, it’s time to get in on a little friendly competition of your own, at BATL Axe Throwing.

This had to be my favourite part of the weekend, even though I’m not very good at it. It’s the fun spirit of competition mixed with the bad-assery of throwing dangerous weapons into things that really gets me going. That’s not weird, is it?

Plus, my hair was still looking great.

It’s definitely way more detailed and “high tech” than any other axe throwing place we’ve seen, starting with a whopping 16 targets, a full bar area, and digital scoreboards. What began as a personal hobby sparked by a camping trip soon spread through word of mouth in Toronto, and today over 1 million people have experienced the thrill of axe throwing at BATL’s indoor venues. While there are over a dozen locations and counting, the very first one was established right in Toronto.

BATL is a great spot for groups of friends to hang out during a sports weekend, or a fun tradition to start among colleagues or even family. Wade came in second place overall.

Evening

Let the Games begin!

One of Le Germain’s best features, is the Penalty Box Suite, overlooking Jurassic Park and the Scotiabank Arena. You know that place on TV where it seems as if every sports fan in the city is congregated to party the night away? That’s this spot. And, the Penalty Box overlooks it all.

Snow or shine–this is the place you want to be.

The Suite’s prime corner location and enormous floor to ceiling windows makes this room especially bright for a 5pm Raptor’s Game above a sea of red, and yet tucks you away for your own sense of space above the darkened sea of blue for the 8pm Maple Leafs Game. With room for 20 people, it’s the perfect spot for company getaways, bachelor parties, or even just a group of friends having the sports weekend of their dreams.

Wade spent the entire evening glued to the window, watching the games on the enormous 30×50 foot television screen in front of him, and says that it was his favourite part of the whole trip. He’s been for plenty of Games in the city, but never quite like this before. He said that as much as he loves being part of the excitement down in the crowd, there was just something about watching it all from above that really set it apart.

My Sister & her boyfriend James came by the hotel for a visit, and even though they’re not really into sports, they also really enjoyed their time in the Penalty Box. We munched on upscale snacks, looked down on the cheering crowd below, and enjoyed a new perspective of the city.

Sunday

Morning

If you’re a morning person, why not start the morning out with a little yoga at the hotel? Le Germain offers Lululemon Nama-Stay instructed yoga in guest rooms. Need some gear for your workout? Head right downstairs to Maple Leaf Square Sportchek to set yourself up with the perfect outfit. I loved my outfit, and got the Diadora Luxe Women’s Hayden Leggings (which are my new fave leggings!), Under Armour Women’s Seamless Longline Low Sports Bra, Diadora Luxe Women’s Alyse Cropped T Shirt, Nike Sportswear Women’s Woven Jacket, and a pair of Nike Women’s Free RN 5.0 Running Shoes.

The weekend doesn’t have to be over yet. Why not take one last taste and tour The RoundHouse at Steam Whistle? Sips beers, ride an old bike indoors, and take in the view of the Toronto skyline with a little history lesson about the city.

Afternoon

It’s time to round out the weekend with a full stomach, at Pick 6ix Sports. Sit around the table and chat about the amazing sports weekend that you just had, before you get ready to make your way home. Keep an eye out for Drake, as he’s part owner of the restaurant.

Extras

So much to do, so little time.

Luckily, I’ve personally spent enough time in Toronto that it wasn’t completely heartbreaking to miss out on everything that I could have done–and have already done these activities–but here is a list of my other top recommendations, should you have some extra time on your hands:

The CN Tower
Ripley’s Aquarium
Kensington Market
The Toronto Islands
Graffiti Alley
Distillery District

A good way to not only see all of the most popular attractions, but an easier way to skip ticket lines and save some money while you’re doing it, is a Toronto CityPASS. The PASS will get you into CN Tower, Casa Loma, the ROM, Ripley’s Aquarium, and the Zoo or the Science Centre. Wow.