Canada is the place to go see hockey if you’re a fan of the sport. It contains 17 of the top 22 best spots in North America for hockey according to a recent report by travel site Expedia. It’s a global destination for hockey lovers throughout the world to visit and see where new hockey talent is being developed.
If you’re traveling from Toronto to Niagara Falls or from Buffalo to Niagara Falls, and you love hockey, or coming from anywhere in the world, there are a few hockey spots to put on your radar. You can visit the Hockey Hall of Fame close by, see local hockey stars in the making take the ice, and maybe even run into a player or two at a Niagara Falls diner.
Make hockey one of the top things to do in Niagara Falls on your next visit by checking out these hockey destinations.
Hockey Hall of Fame
Grab a rental car (or an Uber), and head to Toronto to see the Hockey Hall of Fame. It’s only about an hour-and-a-half away from Niagara Falls and is a great place to get immersed in professional hockey action. At the Hockey Hall of Fame, visitors can:
- Go one-on-one against life-sized, animated versions of pro goalies and shooters
- Call the play-by-play of memorable hockey goals
- Watch hockey-themed movies
- See the Stanley Cup up close
- Explore the largest collection of hockey memorabilia in the world
The Hockey Hall of Fame is open almost every day of the year and is fun for the whole family. Learn about Hockey Hall of Fame inductees, and see equipment and uniforms they’ve actually used and worn.
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Scotiabank Arena
While you’re in Toronto, check out the Scotiabank Arena schedule. Scotiabank Arena is where the Toronto Maple Leafs play. The National Hockey League (NHL) regular season generally runs from early October to early April, and then Stanley Cup playoffs begin.
You can see the Maple Leafs play against your favorite team. The Leafs were founded in 1917 and made the playoffs the past two years. The team boasts some of the best players from all over the world, including Arizona-born Austin Matthews and Ontario local John Tavares along with Mitch Marner and Morgan Rielly. Depending on when you visit, you might be able to see a National Basketball Association Toronto Raptors game or National Lacrosse League Toronto Rock match here, too.
Buffalo Sabres’ KeyBank Center
If you’re traveling from Buffalo to Niagara Falls, you can catch an NHL game at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, where the Buffalo Sabres play. About a half-hour away from the Canada side of Niagara Falls. Compared to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Buffalo Sabres are a much newer team, formed back in 1970. They’re scrappy and feisty, though, and also have lots of international hockey talent playing for their team.
The KeyBank Center is a top venue in Buffalo. Besides NHL games, it also hosts concerts by big names like Cher and Justin Timberlake.
Minor League Hockey in Niagara Falls
Down in the minor leagues, there’s also a ton of hockey talent. The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) is the junior competition league in Niagara Falls. It’s home to the Niagara Icedogs and Hamilton Bulldogs, who are based in nearby Hamilton, about an hour away from Niagara Falls.
The regular season for the OHL runs from September through March and features several games a week at various venues. The OHL is a great league to watch to see up-and-comers who hope to make it into the NHL one day.
Gale Centre Arena in Niagara Falls
See where hockey superstars are made at the Gale Centre Arena in Niagara Falls. The arena hosts minor league hockey games for the Niagara Falls Minor Hockey Association Flyers, so you can see young hockey players who might head to the NHL one day in action.
Gale Centre Arena also hosts NHL hockey training and minor league hockey events, as well as special events like NHL alumni tours.
BlueLine Diner
When you want a bite to eat in Niagara Falls and also want to satiate your hockey fix, the BlueLine Diner in Niagara Falls is the place to go. The breakfast and lunch spot is owned by former NHL player Marcel Dionne, who is known to mix and mingle with customers.
Take a seat at one of the hockey-themed tables, and nosh on foods like pancakes, benedicts, omelettes and burgers. Many pro players have had a bite to eat there, including Ken Dryden, Paul Coffey and Wayne Gretzky.
Need a Break from the Action? Find a Niagara Falls Hotel
Complete your Niagara Falls hockey trip with a stay at a comfortable Niagara Falls Hotel. Check out our website for great deals on hotels in Niagara Falls. Visit the site regularly to see more fun things to do in Niagara Falls.