Hockey Hall of Fame

"If there’s anything Canadians are known for, it’s hockey. The sport is the most popular in the country, so it’s no surprise that its most populous city is home to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Established in 1943, the non-profit organization has been inducting legendary players and other hockey professionals to its ranks every year since 1945. Today, the Hall of Fame also functions as a museum and houses the Stanley Cup. The museum is a must-take pilgrimage for all hockey lovers, though its gift shop deserves a stop, too: Pick up a wide array of themed merch, from authentic NHL and Hall of Fame apparel to souvenirs, novelty items, and all manner of presents for the hockey fans in your life." - Stefanie Waldek

Art and Culture in Toronto

@matadornetwork

"A visit to Canada is not complete without some immersion into Canadian’s favorite pastime: hockey. The Hockey Hall of Fame is dedicated to the history of ice hockey and houses the original Stanley World Cup, as well as other trophies, memorabilia, and equipment worn by famous players such as Maurice Richard, Gordie Howe, Bobby Orr, and Wayne Gretzky. The building where the Hockey Hall of Fame is housed, The historic 1885 Esso Great Hall, is pretty impressive, so even if hockey is not your passion, come have a look inside to check out the Great Hall’s amazing stained-glass dome." - MATADOR_NETWORK

Hockey Hall of Fame — Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler

"What’s this place all about? This isn’t your typical look-don’t-touch museum. This celebration of Canada’s favorite sport is immersive, interactive, and thoroughly for the fans. Spread out over 65,000 square feet, the Hall of Fame has a few traditional galleries showcasing the history of the game, artifacts, and trophies from all over the world, but most spaces bring the sport to life by putting you in the middle of the action. Step into a replica of an NHL dressing room, call a play-by-play, host your own Sports Center spot, play simulations, view a 3D film, and take a stab at shooting against animated versions of top players in a model rink. At the end, make sure to pick up the Stanley Cup for a photo op. What did you make of the crowd? In addition to a fair number of locals, the Hall of Fame draws visitors from all over the world, as well as student groups (who often participate in the educational programs). The center offers extended hours during the peak seasons (summer, December holidays, and Spring Break), so try to come early in the day if visiting during those times. Upon entry you’ll receive a handstamp allowing you unlimited re-entry for the day, so many guests tend to spend the day around the area, pairing a visit to the Hall of Fame with lunch, a sporting event, or a visit to another nearby attraction. Any guided tours worth trying? Tours are self-guided. Use the map located in the souvenir program, or download the Hockey Hall of Fame Personalized Tour app, which lets you choose from over 50 tours that can be customized based on themes like countries, NHL teams, and women’s hockey, or that can lead you on scavenger hunts or games. The app also lets you capture your favorite moments of the visit and share them on social media. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? Pick up a wide array of themed merch in the extensive Spirit of Hockey shop, from authentic NHL and Hall of Fame apparel to souvenirs, novelty items, and all manner of presents for the hockey fans in your life. Is the café worth a stop, or should we just plan on going elsewhere? Next to the shop is a "special edition" Tim Hortons café, where you can enjoy the brand's standard fare (coffees, doughnuts, soups and sandwiches) while surrounded by paraphernalia from Canada's seven NHL teams. There's also the neighboring Bottom Line sports bar, owned by hockey player Wayne Cowley, which serves classic pub grub. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? How much time you spend here depends on your level of interest, so it's no problem to do it at a quicker pace. And you can always come back later in the day if you feel like continuing a game or watching a video of another historic game." - Sandra Ramani

10 Best Museums in Toronto | Condé Nast Traveler

"This isn’t your typical look-don't-touch museum—this celebration of Canada’s favorite sport is immersive, interactive, and thoroughly for the fans. Spread out over 65,000 square feet, the Hall of Fame does feature a few traditional-style galleries showcasing the history of the game, artifacts, and trophies from all over the world, but most spaces bring the sport to life by putting you in the middle of the action." - Sandra Ramani

Jennifer Sichkaryk

Google

This was such a cool place for any hockey fan. The history and interactive shooting was fun. My 10 yr old really enjoyed learning about the hockey legends of the past and all the cool memorabilia collected over the years. He is still shocked at seeing the Stanley Cup and the goalie mask room. We spent about 2 hrs here and the location was great a block from Union Station. Pretty quiet for a Saturday morning, by noon it got busier. *Can't enter from the street corner, just go thru the side doors beside the hockey store. It is located one floor down (food court area) and walk toward Pigeon Coffee place. It's right there. Discounted tickets with GO train weekend pass.

Christopher J. Martin

Google

What’s a person to do on their first visit to Toronto with only a couple hours to work with? Hockey has always been a favorite sport of mine — both to play and watch since I was a young kid. I’d never been to any sports Hall of Fame and I felt like this was the right place to start. I didn’t do much research before visiting the Hall. A surprise upon arrival, the Hall of Fame is located in a tall skyskraper office building — a bit of a strange feeling at first, but I appreciated the many food options and overall vibe of the entrance lobby area. The Tim Horton’s, in particular, felt like a life saver. I rode the escalators down and was pleasantly surprised to find no line to enter. Immediately, there are many exhibits to check out, starting with displays featuring recent hall of famers from the past 30 years or so. I felt like I was seeing all my heroes from growing up playing NHL 98 on Sega Genesis. And funny enough, a copy of NHL 98 was, indeed, in the Hall! From there, you can see displays about the history of the game, equipment, stadiums, franchises and more. There are several interactive exhibits, such as a virtual shoot out and the ability to simulate doing your own hockey broadcast. There are also a couple different theater experiences to watch history and highlights. The whole experience culminates in the ability to see the Stanley Cup and have your picture taken. A devoted visitor could spend many hours soaking in the exhibits and reading about the game and the all-time great players. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I felt like the experience was well done and would recommend other hockey fans to visit if they’re in the area. PS: Wayne Gretzky really was so amazing.

Maryann Savage

Google

The Hockey Hall of Fame is a must see if you are in Toronto! Even if you are not a huge hockey fan, you would enjoy it! So much history and memorabilia! There are some interactive activities for those that want to try out their hockey skills, it was fun to watch! The upper level of the museum is beautiful!!! I must admit, I was super excited to touch the Stanley Cup! Come on, who wouldn’t want to touch that magnificent trophy!?! So much fun! Plan for a couple hours to see everything!

is it Who

Google

This “Hockey Hall of Fame” was totally a good place for me!!! There were lots of uniforms and hockey equipments which the former famous hockey players in Canada used to use…. There were also lots of hockey uniforms, albums and flags from different Canadian provinces and different countries too!!! Such as BC, Alberta, Quebec to other countries such as Germany Poland, China to even North Korean uniforms too!!! This “hockey hall of fame” museum was really an interesting experience for me!!! I recommend you going to this “hall of fame” museum, if you are interested in the Canadian national sport “ICE HOCKY” or Any Other Canadian history parts for sure!!! 👍:);):)

Sanj Sukerkar

Google

My daughter, who is crazy about hockey, absolutely loved this place. It is very suitably priced; the welcome is great, and the assortment of offerings is endless. You can easily spend 3 hours in here with multiple levels of trophies, medals, memorabilia... not to mention the interactive games, theater, and endless displays. On the weekend, it was easy to find underground parking in the adjacent bldg.

jessica lambe

Google

Loved all the exhibits and that each one had a description for each item with either some history or a fun fact. LOTS to look at - we spent an hour and a half here and could have spent longer if we weren't crunched on time personally. Very clean, well maintained, and easy to navigate around. We went first thing in the morning at 10am and it wasn't busy at all. Would recommend at least visiting once for any hockey fan!

Bob Reinecke

Google

If you are a hockey fan, not just an NHL fan but a real fan of the game itself this is a must stop. NHL totally represented but besides the original 6 and the Canadian teams small mention besides the top players. It was a fun place with great history. Being a Rangers fan it was cool to see some of the history of my team and the players I grew up watching. Very affordable.3 hours time span.

bryan debarbieris

Google

Cool hall of fame and they had the Stanley cup there which was cool to see in person. Downstairs they have some interactive games where you can either shoot the puck or be the goalie to stop pucks. A lot of cool history and memorabilia if you're a hockey fan you definitely need to check this place out.

Denny T.

Yelp

If you're a hockey fan, you gotta check this place out. It was $25 Canadian to enter and there is so much to do. They have a lot of exhibits and displays and also have an area where you can shoot some pucks at an interactive goalie and also play goalie and save some shots. They also have a theatre where you can watch a 3D movie about the Stanley cup. On the 2nd floor is where they keep a lot of the trophies and hall of flame plaques and one of the stanley cups. If you want the picture you took with the cup, you have to pay $10 later at the gift shop. The gift shop has a lot of hall of fame stuff and team gear and accessories and it was actually cheaper than it costs in the US.

Ryan F.

Yelp

So, for the Fourth of July, my family and I decided to celebrate America's birthday in the most patriotic place we could think of: Toronto. Why not, right? One of our first stops was the Hockey Hall of Fame. I mean, when in downtown Toronto, you've got to dive into the local culture, and what's more Canadian than hockey? Now, let's talk logistics. With only a few days to explore and so much crammed into those four or five city blocks, we had to make every minute count. So, after figuring out the USD exchange rate, we shelled out about 80 bucks for five people to tour the Hockey Hall of Fame. Let's be clear--this isn't Canton. Don't go in expecting to spend your entire day here, but there's a certain poetry to Toronto that makes it worth the visit. Toronto is unique, with its luxury apartments and, at least where we were, a remarkably clean and tourist-friendly vibe. If I'm wrong about that, blame it on our sheltered, touristy experience. But all in all, our time at the Hockey Hall of Fame was a lot of fun. You get to see the history of the sport, and even as a Pittsburgh transplant--I've lived here for over 15 years, so I guess I can call myself one now--I was impressed. There's plenty of Pittsburgh Penguins memorabilia, which made my black-and-gold heart happy, and as a fan of the Colorado Avalanche, it was cool to see their history showcased as well. The Hall of Fame isn't flashy or over-the-top, but that's part of its charm. It's low-key, affordable, and gets the job done. You leave feeling satisfied with the money you spent. Just don't go in expecting the Taj Mahal of hockey--it's more like a solid, reliable hat trick. Plus, the mall it's in is neat, clean, and has that sterile, we-care-about-hockey vibe that makes the whole experience enjoyable. So, if you're in Toronto, it's worth checking out. Just keep your expectations in check and enjoy the ride.

Kenneth K.

Yelp

Amazing Hall of Fame and museum. Staff is very friendly. Lots of great info about not just about the NHL, but also the history of the sport, Olympic and world hockey, and minority hockey including women, people of color (African as well as Indigenous Canadians), and the disabled. I recommend this place to everyone, even if you are not a hockey fan. Upstairs is the Great Hall and it was nice to see the Blues and Capitals championship rings next to each other. There are also some interactive areas and in fact I thought someone inside the TSN booth was an actual reporter.

Terry B.

Yelp

Check another one off from the Bucket List! What a great day to visit the Hall of Fame! Due to the Canadian Thanksgiving Day holiday there weren't many people visiting. Had a great day with my son & two grandsons! Quality family time!

Marlon T.

Yelp

This is a must-visit spot in if you're into history and sports. I was never really into hockey, but I could appreciate talented passionate people and their athletic craft. You could easily spend a couple hours here. It's awesome you can check out real Stanley Cups. Grade A tourist destination!

Lauren G.

Yelp

Really cool place even if you're not a huge hockey fan. Fun for the whole family. Pictures with the Stanley Cup are a must and are inexpensive! There is a Tim Horton's right in the same building that serves a Hockey Hall of Fame donut as well!

Frank M.

Yelp

This museum is much bigger than I anticipated, and has a much broader view of the game than I ever imagined. Yes, the history of the sport and the biggest names are prominently displayed, but there are deep exhibitions in the Olympics, the emergence of women's hockey, and a load more memorabilia than I might have dreamt. Highly recommended use for 2-3 hours of your day.

Tracey F.

Yelp

If you're a hockey or sports fan in general, a stop here is a must. I was actually a little surprised at its location, right in the middle of downtown and the building looked like everything else; if you didn't know it was there, it wouldn't have stood out. Parking...was a pain. It probably didn't help that there was some major construction going in right near the building. The place we ended up parking was part of the office building connected to the hall. You have to check-in at least an hour before closing time and the gift store also closes at that time, so if you plan to shop, make sure you save enough time to do that after your visit or stop in before touring. I appreciated both the historical elements of the NHL and current displays. There were so many different sections to walk through. Walking up to the awards hall was really cool and probably my favorite space. The store was a bit of a disappointment. It is clear that the Canadian NHL teams get preference here, but there wasn't even a lot of general hockey merchandise. We were there on a busier day, but wasn't difficult to get around and see what the hall has to offer.

Nikki J.

Yelp

I really enjoyed HHOf, even though I'm not a hockey fan and I'm pretty sure I've never seen a game. There's lots of history here, from the origins of the sport to the evolution of the equipment. Not only that, but there's lots of interactive moments that make it fun. Unfortunately, all my videos wouldn't load so I could capture how bad I was at being a goalie. I went during a weekday, so it was not really crowded. But because it's in a building filled with offices and a food court, it can be a bit hard to find your way to the front desk.

Chris E.

Yelp

For being a Hall of Fame of one of the "Big 4" sports in North America, this was a bit of an underwhelming experience. I've been a hockey fan since I was a child and grew up watching it in the 1990s, but, lost a lot of interest in it over the decades for various reasons. However, I still follow it from time to time, so when we visited Toronto recently, like any true hockey fan, I put it on our MUST DO list to visit here. Location-wise, this hall of fame is seriously on the wrong end of the phrase "location, location, location". It's located in the heart of a "crapshow" (substitute your word) of a construction-laden, traffic heavy, chaotic downtown area. If you're visiting on a weekday, good luck navigating through. My word of advice is that if you're driving, do research ahead of time, find yourself a nearby parking lot and head straight to it from wherever you're coming from. Maybe use Spothero and pay for parking ahead of time even. As for the location inside, it's located in the basement of an office building. You actually have to enter the office building and take an escalator down to the cafeteria where it is located nearby. Seriously? Can this be any more sad? I know hockey has taken quite a hit in popularity and ratings in the last few decades, but this is Toronto and Canada! Hockey is a national sport here!!! They stowed away the Hockey Hall of Fame like an unwanted, lost luggage on a Boeing 747. Anyhow, enough railing about the location because I can do it all day, but the Hall of Fame itself is actually not big either. Most people can probably get through it all within 1.5 hours, but there are A LOT of cool hockey memorabilia to see here - jerseys and facts about every inductee; exhibits commemorating international hockey, individual milestones (e.g. Gretzky's goals record), teams, goalie masks; and, of course, there's the TROPHY ROOM - the absolute highlight of the whole place. At the Trophy Room, as you can imagine, every significant individual awards trophy is located inside PLUS, the one, the only Stanley Cup! All guests can freely touch and take photos with the Stanley Cup, which, if you're a hockey fan, is one of the coolest things everrrrr. The Hockey Hall of Fame is nice, but, still, quite small for a Hall of Fame. They could have devoted so much more space to exhibits, but it feels like they tried to cram as much as they could into this basement space. It's unfortunate this is where this is located because hockey is such a historic sport, built on a century of history (e.g. Stanley Cup's history), it would have been nice if they had placed this somewhere out in the suburbs instead where it had its own building, parking lot and area.

Jen C.

Yelp

This is a great place to visit if you are a hockey fan! Loved learning all about the history of hockey and seeing the evolution of the hockey equipment. The variety and variation is great. It's nice they are including women's hockey now. The hockey rings were so bling I loved looking at them! The museum was well organized used with plenty to read and watch and go through. Plan to spend a good 2 hours probably if you want to read and watch everything. Also loved the interactive game they had and they had the Stanley cup which you can touch and see up close. The staff were very friendly and the store at the end has all the teams! Highly recommend visiting if you haven't been and watch hockey.

Michael G.

Yelp

I enjoyed my visit at the Hockey Hall of Fame, it has a very old school vibe, reminds me of a the type of field trips I'd go to in elementary and middle school. Everything is organized and layed out very well, there are cool activities such as shooting the puck, being a goal tender, taking a pic with the Cup, and pretending to be a sportscaster. The couple of employees I interacted with were helpful, passionate, and knowledgeable. The only real knock I have, is if you're a Kings fan from Southern California like I am, you may feel a little disappointed with the lack of Kings representation.

Edmund W.

Yelp

A must see exhibit if you're a hockey fan! Came here on a Monday afternoon, and it's located in the bottom level of the plaza next to the food court. The exhibit was nice to walk around and featured such items like jerseys and gear of elected Hall of Famers, a wall of goaltender masks, interactive games, and much more. My favorite was the room with all the trophies, which of course had the Stanley Cup. I got to get up close to the Stanley Cup and take a pic with it. It was a great experience!

Leslie C.

Yelp

Very cool to see everything! Artifacts, trophies, uniforms, helmets, history, and more. There is a replica of an NHL dressing room. There are also immersive exhibits, where you can pretend to host "Sports Center". There are hockey play simulations too, and 3D Films to watch. There is also a theatre that shows footage of hall of fame inductees. There really is something for everyone here. I loved seeing things regarding my beloved Detroit Red Wings and my favorite players. It's a popular place and it was very crowded. Reasonably priced.

Isabel E.

Yelp

The hockey hall of fame was a great addition to our Toronto trip. Tickets were $25 for adults, which is a little on pricey side. However, there's no other place like this and if you are interested in hockey there is a lot of information here. Seeing the Stanley cup was awesome and my favorite part of the museum as well as the case of championship rings. In the same room you can see the archived sleeves of the Stanley cup and the original cup. You can go up and get a picture with the current Stanley cup on your phone or of just the cup, but they also offer $10 professional pictures that they print for you. There is $2 bubble hockey, free projector screen shooting at a goalie, free 30 minute film in a movie theater, and tons of old equipment and information on players.

Andrea O.

Yelp

This is a must see if you're a hockey fan! Very well done! Plenty to read, see, and interactive exhibits. Several levels, don't miss anything. Be sure to look at the details in the architecture where the trophies are kept. It's the old Montreal Bank, beautiful wood, stained glass, clock, plus the hockey memorabilia. Very reasonably priced. Plenty of dining options close by.

Mary T.

Yelp

A few years ago, two colleagues from Sweden came to Toronto to visit our office and collaborate on some work-related items. Staying by the airport can be rather boring if you don't have a vehicle. I offered to take them places after work. We bonded on hockey. We got tickets to see the Leafs. We had 300-level seats. They were happy as can be in the nosebleed section. I asked them who they liked as players. Sundin came up immediately. Yes, chose wisely, citing a Swede who played for the Leafs. I also rattled off Modin and Salming. They were happy that I love hockey as much as they did. They should be Minnesota Wild fans because it has many Swedish players on the team. We parked fairly close to Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arena). They got to see my old workplace as we cut through Brookfield Place. I pointed out the Hockey Hall of Fame. I told them that they had to go there for the ultimate experience for hockey fans. They nodded. They visited it the following evening. When I saw them in the office the following day, they said that they loved my recommendation. I was happy. If you are a hockey fan, I recommend that you come to the Hockey Hall of Fame. It is home to the Stanley Cup. You are essentially visiting the mecca of hockey. The museum is impressive. You can also play interactive games, so it's fun for the whole family. If you aren't a huge hockey fan, you can still enjoy the jerseys and memorabilia of NHL teams. You can also take a photo with the Stanley Cup to look cool and pretend that you are a mega fan. Each year, in June, a committee of eighteen people, consisting of players, coaches, and more, meet to determine new inductees to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Inductees are both female and male. Once the inductees have been selected, they come down to the Hockey Hall of Fame for an induction ceremony in November and play in a Hockey Hall of Fame game. My favourite inductees that went into the Hockey Hall of Fame together are Teemu Selanne and Paul Kariya. They played well as a duo. They are also good friends. You saw glimpses of their friendship through interviews and their fun game on the ice. It seemed so incredibly fitting that they were honoured together and were kind to honour each other in their speeches. Teemu Selanne is my favourite hockey player, so I'm a bit biased. He played for the Winnipeg Jets, San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, and Anaheim Ducks. He will always be a Jets player to me. Known as the Finnish Flash, he still holds the record for the most goals in a regular hockey season in his rookie year. We also share the same birthdate, with him being older. There are lots of exhibits to look at, from trophies, to equipment worn by players during special games. It loved taking my time reading and absorbing everything that I was looking at. I love the Esso Great Hall. There are portraits and short biological writeups about every Hall of Fame member. It's a nice touch and it's enjoyable. As it's currently the playoffs in the NHL, the Stanley Cup ends up travelling to where the final round is being played. It means that there's a replica cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame for a few months. The real Stanley Cup, once we have a champion, spends a full day with each member of the winning team. There are some cool interactive games that you play at the Hockey Hall of FAme. There's one where you take shots using real pucks at a computer simulation of Ed Belfour, former goaltender who started with the Chicago Blackhawks and played for the Leafs. There's another game where it's flipped. You end up being a goaltender trying to block shots from computer simulations of Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier. If you'd rather dream of being a broadcaster, you can do that as well. You can record brief messages that may be displayed on the Hockey Hall of Fame's site, and the TSN and RDS sports networks in Canada. An interesting fact that I learned about while I was there was that the current location has been there since 1992. The Hockey Hall of Fame was founded in Kingston, Ontario in 1943. Due to funding issues, it moved to Exhibition Place in Toronto in 1961. I loved visiting this place. It was nice returning. I never dropped by when I worked at Brookfield Place. I will admit that it was tempting! (148)

Cammi P.

Yelp

An amazing experience especially if you are an ice hockey fan!! The stanley cup is beautiful and seeing all of the trophy's and successes of so many incredible players is amazing. The interactive sports center broadcast booth was amazing and there were many interactive games like shooting and being a goalie. Tickets were $25 each and if you buy online, you get a percentage off at the gift shop. The museum/experience is the perfect size with much to read and do, however, a great activity and you can enter and come back as many times as you would like in the same business day.

Brad W.

Yelp

The fact that they totally ignored fighting bothered me. The main highlight was the Stanley Cup viewing and photo with the cup. Alot of uninteresting equipment displays and generally boring over all. No interactive stuff and no fighting display.

Rob K.

Yelp

My youngest son is a huge hockey fan and went to Toronto for a Raptors game and visit the Hall of Fame as two of the primary reasons for the visit. We arrived right as the museum was opening on a Saturday morning. Staff was very friendly. My son wanted his photo with the Stanley Cup which cost $10.00 but included digital access too. The museum has a trophy room which is extremely impressive. Overall there is a little bit of everything here. We spent between 2-2.5 hours here. I've been to the four major Hall of Fame's and this holds its own. It isn't overly large but a must visit for any hockey fan. It is definitely worth the visit.

Dan R.

Yelp

"There were Swedes to the left of him Russians to the right A Czech at the blue line looking for a fight Brains over brawn-that might work for you But what's a Canadian farm boy to do?" (Warren Zevon) I never learned to roller skate or ice skate, but I've always loved hockey and have been watching it since I was a kid. So I was thrilled to finally visit the Hockey Hall of Fame on my trip to Toronto. It was amazing - as you walk in there is a huge exhibit dedicated to hockey's most famous #9 and #99 -Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky. We went into the Stanley Cup Theater and saw a 3D movie (complete with those goofy 3D glasses) that had us dodging ice chips, water bottles, flying pucks, and slashing hockey sticks aimed at our heads. One of my favorite exhibits was a display of goalie masks over the decades. NHL goalies used to play maskless, and after Jacques Plante took a puck to his face and broke his nose in 1959, he started to regularly wear a goalie mask. By 1974, every goalie was doing the same. It was tremendously nostalgic to see NY Ranger goalie Ed Giacomin's mask, because he was the Ranger goalie when I started following hockey back in the early 1970's and played on some terrific NYR teams. His mask is shockingly small, almost like a Halloween mask, compared to the astronaut like mask/helmet combinations worn today. And what visit to the Hall of Fame would be complete without a visit to the Great Hall, a domed stained glass shrine that is home to the Stanley Cup. We waited on line and had our photos taken ($10) with the greatest trophy in all of sports. I loved every minute of my visit.

Maureen C.

Yelp

This was so SO fun for my hockey-obsessed toddler! The whole family loved it. It was bigger than we realized, as we only went to the left when we went in and to the NHL side. There's another half with global hockey and more upstairs. This is super fun for all ages. I'm not even the biggest hockey fan and I was totally bought in to the experience. Interactive places where you can shoot on a goalie AND where you're the goalie getting shot on - really cool additions to an already great experience!

Emily F.

Yelp

My husband and I came for the Hall of Fame induction for the class of 2023. I swear, you can come every day and spend hours but always find something new. It's a beautiful building with so much incredible history!! The gift shop was a blast too!!!

Alex K.

Yelp

Great place to see hockeys greatest players! They have a few interactive things for the kiddos and a nice gift shop. Museum is not too big. It will aprox. Take 1-2hours

John H.

Yelp

Took too many pictures here to post. One of the best museums I've ever visited. This is a place you must visit before you die.

Jess R.

Yelp

We came during the Hall of Fame Induction weekend. When we planned the trip we didn't know it be the same weekend. Once inside we got to tour the whole first floor. They had jerseys and memorabilia of different teams throughout. It was cool to see some of it. It also had the Stanley Cup on that floor so we were able to get pictures with it. They had staff there to take your pictures with your phone. They also had an area where you could shot pucks at 3 different goalies and e-mail the video to yourself. The only negative I had, was due to events and interviews, the upstairs was closed. The price was still the same. Had we known, we may have skipped it this time around.

Daniel B.

Yelp

As a sports fan who ranks hockey at the bottom of the four major US sports, I was surprised at just how much I loved the Hockey Hall of Fame. So many interactive elements - from the goalie/shooting activities, to the SportsCentre desk - plus the opportunity to take photos with the Stanley Cup - it was a really fun couple of hours we spent here as casual hockey fans at best. Very engaging exhibits and experience - but remember, you can take your own photos with the Stanley Cup and not only the ones they take and charge you for!

Melissa M.

Yelp

If you don't love this place, I can't be friends with you (kidding, mostly). Yesterday was my second time here and I have no complaints at all. My friend, who is a passive hockey fan, even said that she thought it was interesting and well organized. My only complaint is that it's so far away from home :)

Liam Theo C.

Yelp

What an incredible way to look into hockey's history. The trophy room is incredible and the displays and information are vast. So much awesome memorabilia to enjoy and stories to tell younger generations.

David G.

Yelp

We went to the Hockey Hall of Fame (it was on my list). My wife and kids, who are not hockey fan's also attended. They seemed to enjoy seeing the Stanley Cup, the original Stanley Cup, the jersey's and helmets. It brought me back to my childhood, as I recognized many of the names from the late 80s and early 90s. It's a good mix of history and high tech with the interactive games available. We visited during the Gordie Howe / Wayne Gretzky exhibit was open, and I learned things about Gretzky I never knew about (Howe was a bit before my time) Definitely would recommend going to see it. The prices are a bit much for entrance, but you either go, or you don't.

Rosa C.

Yelp

If you're a big hockey fan, this is a must visit. The entire museum is full of memorabilia - old jerseys, hockey sticks, gloves, etc - of all the greats. There's videos and an exhibit on Howe and Gretzky. Plenty of photo ops but the best one was with the Stanley Cup. There's also all the other trophies handed out each year. In addition to the exhibits there are a few interactive exhibits. The best ones are the Shutout and the Shootout where you play goalie and forward. It's videotaped and you can send it to yourself afterward. Very cool. Everyone there was incredibly nice. If you're not a hockey fan no point in going.

Jeff S.

Yelp

Was in Niagara from PA with my son for a Hockey Tournament. Figured after his morning game we would take the hour and a half trip to the Hall of Fame. Let me tell you, the drive was not fun. That Toronto traffic is crazy!!! Luckily that won't effect the star rating cause if it did there would probably be 3 stars missing! Lol odd that the Hall of Fame is in the downstairs of a mall... Easy to find, parking was easy to get, no wait time to get in and once you pay they stamp your hand and you can come and go as you please the rest of the day. They don't trap you in to only eat out of their vending machines, you can leave to eat and easily walk right back in. The hockey history (not just NHL) is amazing! Some great interactive things to do, including shooting on NHL goalies, taking shots as a goalie from some of your favorite current players. Call plays as a play by play announcer and even sit at a real sports desk. The displays are amazing and the Great Hall has all the Major hockey trophies included. There is the Cup vault which has the removed rings from the Cups past and a wall of Championship rings. The Stanley Cup is also on display where for $10 you can get a professional picture with it or you can just have someone take a pic of you for free with your phone. It's open from 10am to 6pm. Fairly inexpensive for what you get to see. $25 for adults $15 for kids 4 to 13. They start shutting down the interactive stuff around 5:30. Once we left it was easy to find our way back to our car, then we had to leave which again if the stars would be effected by this we'd be down to 0 stars. Lol Who designed these Toronto traffic patterns, and who gave some of these people drivers licenses??? Yea some may have been tourist who don't know the area but most of the license plates said otherwise. All in all great trip and would definitely come again. Probably would consider an Uber though.

Maziyar B.

Yelp

Awesome staff; they helped my son with skates, helmet and gloves; very helpful and gave us multiple options. Highly recommend

carl Michael r.

Yelp

I'm not at all a hockey fan, but the tale of the sport through its best over the years, is undeniably impressive. If you have an affinity towards hockey, I think this is a must see.

Layne D.

Yelp

I have been to the hockey hall of fame probably a handful of times. If you are interested in hockey, former players, some interactive games and memorabilia, it's definitely worth the admission to explore once. That being said, I'm not sure that it necessarily is worth a repeat visit. As others have mentioned, the entrance is on the bottom level of a mall-like set up. It's a bit confusing to find if you aren't prepared for that. There is an elevated level where you can see the Stanley cup and hall of fame players, but everything else is on that bottom level. You exit through the gift shop on the next level too. They have several interactive games that let you shoot a few pucks and also play goalie. They have a sportscenter type desk set up where you can take pictures and add your own commentary, some trivia screens, and a few other interactive screens. Also, there is a "locker room" set up with old canadiens gear which is a good photo op. Next is the great hall which houses the Stanley cup and other league trophies, plus the homage to the players who have been inducted. They also have two theaters, one has showings every 30 min depending on what they have and another is more casual where you can walk in whenever you want and catch some clips. Beyond that, the rest is gear and jerseys with facts posted near them. It's fun to look through but isn't exactly the most riveting at times. The price point was $20 CAD for our latest visit which still isn't too bad. Your admission lasts all day and you can come and go however many times you want which is nice. Again, if you like hockey and memorabilia then it's a fun experience once.

Danny R.

Yelp

Phenomenal place to visit for all sports fan. You can even take a picture with the Stanley Cup.

Bruce K.

Yelp

I can't say that I'm a huge hockey fan. I've only been to two games in the last ten years (Hurricanes at Bruins and I-don't-know at Devils). Both were enjoyable sport and I'm glad I went, but I'm no fanatic. But we're here in Toronto and this is the Hall of Fame, so of course I'm gonna visit. Other than the weird basement entrance thing they have going on, there are tons of bits of memorabilia, videos and collections of things to look at, some things to touch, and lots of pictures of former (and current) players. The Gretzky/Howe exhibit is going on now and they have a mock up of the Canadiens locker room. Of course, you can get your picture taken with the Stanley Cup, too. Well worth the admission and very cool, even for someone who isn't really a big hockey person. [Review 10982 overall, 754 of 2019.]

Winny L.

Yelp

If you are a hockey fan, this is one place you have to visit in Toronto...HHOF! Very easy to get and located in Brookfield Place on Yonge St...Just take the escalator down and follow the signs. Admission price is 20 CAD for adults, 14 CAD for 4-13 year olds, discount for senior citizens, kids 3 and under are free. There are interactive games there - test your skills shooting the puck or being a goalie. How sharp are your skills. Ever wanted to be the Sports Centre? You can read the play by play commentary and be on tv! Special exhibition for Howe & Gretzky when I was there in August. A lot to see and do there...see the jerseys and gear of the hall of famers, how the hockey masks have changed over time, watch a 30 min video, don't forget to go downstairs and take a picture with the Stanley Cup! Visit the store to bring back memorabilia!

Stephanie O.

Yelp

There are a few non-negotiable things to knowing me and being my friend. One of them is that I LOVE hockey to point of inadvertently ignoring texts and phone calls if there's a game on. I will forget things I was supposed to do for work if I get a notification from the NHL app. Specifically, I am a Penguins fanatic. Fourteen year old me cried relentlessly when they lost the 2008 Stanley Cup finals. I am a naturally anxious person, but my anxiety was never higher than 2x overtime of game 7 between Ottawa-Pittsburgh for the 2017 Eastern Conference finals. When they lost to the Capitals a few months ago, I sat in my office for the rest of my work day pouting and refusing to do anything. Admitting all this on a public forum may be one of the more embarrassing things I do in my lifetime, but it's also to hit it home to you that visiting the HHOF was by far one of the greatest experiences of my life. Planning my Canadian road trip wasn't the hardest feat considering I knew it had to be anchored by a Maple Leafs game and a visit to the Hall of Fame. I picked a particularly good time to go because I went after the Pens won their 5th cup, ensuring that I would see a large amount of playoff memorabilia from the previous year. Getting to the museum is actually semi-difficult. It's built into Brookfield Place. If you find the entrance to the building, you still have to go on amusement park ride style walk to get to the entrance underneath the main floor. Otherwise you awkwardly walk around the gift shop until you (wo)man up enough to ask questions as I did. From the shop, you'll wind yourself down two corridors and a stairwell to the entrance of the HHOF, which looks more like the entrance to a short-lived mall shop than the greatest place on earth. Nevertheless, you purchase your tickets up front and proceed into a beautiful hockey wonderland. The beginning of HHOF is a bunch of mementos from the previous years Stanley cup winning team. Because I visited right after my beloved Penguins won, I was able to see a bunch of items from different players and coaches. There are many different parts to the museum and a lot more interactive areas than I expected. They also have large areas devoted to women's hockey, international hockey, and minor leagues. The room that holds all of your hockey trophies (Calder, Conn Smythe, etc.) and a replica of the Stanley cup are above the rest of the exhibits. You can take a picture with the cup for an extra fee. I didn't participate in this but if that's your style it's there for you. My personal favorite exhibits were the interactive sections that you could either attempt to score or make a save from current NHL players, the movie theatre that showed the Penguins's (or whoever most recently won the cup I'm assuming) road to Stanley, and an exact replica of the Canadiens locker room from the 70s. Once you've gotten your extreme hockey fix, or if your dad is like mine and says he wants to take a nap, you can take the stairs up to gift shop you aimlessly walked around earlier. I bought a few too many Penguins knickknacks and went back to the hotel, fully satisfied that I was able to visit my own personal Disneyland.

Owen R.

Yelp

If you don't care about hockey You probably aren't going If someone is making you go, and u still don't like hockey, this probably won't help... I found it interesting, maybe once every 20 years or so I'd go....

Rose S.

Yelp

Surprised my boyfriend with a weekend trip to Toronto, and coming to the Hockey Hall of Fame is on his bucket list. Walking into the museum was absolutely beautiful! All the jerseys, memorabilia, players equipment and facts to read was absolutely awesome! I was surprised at how big the place was and the upstairs which holds the original Stanley Cup and current Stanley Cup is beautiful! Stained glass cathedral ceiling, beautiful woodwork, and so many shiny things to look at! Lol Downstairs there is a really neat game area for kids to play in and shoot a hockey puck. Loved the wall of goalie face masks and the Wayne Gretzky display. The shop after the museum was really nice to look at and there was some great items we bought to take home. Also, the Tim Hortons upstairs next to the Hockey Hall of Fame store is really awesome and sells Hockey Hall of Fame donuts!

Christine S.

Yelp

Did anyone expect me not to come here during my trip to Canada? Hockey is the most Canadian thing here that you can't eat! It was a lot of fun and pretty interesting to walk around here for a while. They had plenty to see! They had information on all of the NHL teams, and notable players from some of them. The coolest part for me was seeing the original Stanley Cup! That was really cool! It's in the vault along with other trophy's and examples of winning team rings. The inducted hall was pretty cool to check out too. I was able to find Rick Generette's plaque pretty easily. They also had a section on the Olympics, that was cool to see. After checking out the museum, check out the gift shop. Go figure the end of the tour would dump of there! Their's also a little food court to check out after.

Danny H.

Yelp

It's the collection of the coolest memorabilia in the sport. It's a celebration of the best and memorial for those gone but never forgotten. With a focus on both international and NHL play, they even make room for amateur coverage. There's a spot for interactive experienced that allows you to play goalie or test your shooting skills. You can also test your commentary skills on some of the best plays ever (gonna need y'all to add the Stevie Y overtime goal against St. Louis - you know, the one where he takes the puck from Gretzky). The $20 tag is very reasonable for everything you get to see.

Van D.

Yelp

The Hockey Hall of Fame was one of the main attractions that inspired my trip to Toronto. I LOVE Hockey! I occasionally brag to everyone about how I have met Ryan Kesler and Corey Perry!! That's right, I am a proud DUCKS FAN!! Woo Hoo!! Let's go DUCKS!! Back in the states, the love for hockey is not as intense as the love for Hockey in Canada. I really admire how a majority of the people in Toronto were walking around in Toronto Maple Leafs jerseys and fan gear. Clearly, Hockey is an essential foundation in Canadian culture and the Hockey Hall of Fame is a MUST VISIT spot if you find yourself in Toronto. ADMISSION RATES: - Adult $19 CAD - Youth (4-13yrs) $13 CAD - Senior ($65 yrs+) $15 CAD - Children (3yrs and under) FREE I am still so excited about the Hockey Hall of Fame, I don't know how to gather my thoughts. This place was amazinggggg!! There were so many turns, be sure you explore every corner of this place. There was representation of Hockey from all of the countries around the world as well as highlights from every team in the National Hockey League. There were jerseys from the past to the present. There was a replica of the Canadian team's locker room. There was digital screens you can navigate to see hockey highlights from your favorite team. There was a Tim Hortons Theatre featuring footage of the Stanley cup wins. You can even try to do a slapshot! ;) My FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE room was DEFINITELYYYYYY the Great Hall with all of those honored in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Shout out to TEEMU SELANNE and Paul Kariya who will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame this year in November 2017 for their glorious Hockey contributions throughout the year. This same room also features the many trophies honoring extraordinary teams and individual players throughout the year, including THE STANLEY CUP!! It was like a dream come true when I was able to see AND take a picture with the Stanley Cup... AHHHHHHHHHHHH!! I was giggling like a little fan girl... May the luck of the Stanley Cup come home with me and bless my Anaheim Ducks with a WIN this year!! I had so much fun exploring the Hockey Hall of Fame. My heart was definitely in the clouds like a dreamy adolescent. The exit takes you into their alluring gift shop: The Spirit of Hockey. I would have bought so much stuff but I had to consider the fact that I would have to fit it into my bags flying back home. My experience here was beyond priceless and I would love to come back here again if destiny brings me back to Toronto in the future.

Tsz-Cheong C.

Yelp

I have reached hockey Nirvana! Finally, I made it to the hockey Hall of fame! Any person that loves the sport of hockey needs to visit this place. I still get chills just thinking about seeing the original Lord Stanley's cup and the current cup.The museum is actually located in Brookfield place, a beautiful building with stores and a food court inside. Depending on which side of the street you enter in you may not see where the museum is located. The entrance to the HHOF is in the lower level of the building. Your paid admission gives you all day access and they will stamp your hand so you can leave to get something to eat and return back later. A collection of jerseys from all over the world and from different time periods. Every display has a story or fact sheet. Take your time and read up on Hall of famers like Gordie Howe, Wayne Gretzky and My man "The Messiah" Mark Messier. I love seeing how the skates and equipment have evolved through the years, the goalie mask evolution was pretty Awesome. You wonder how they were able to play in that primitive gear 100 years ago. The 2nd floor with it's beautiful stained glass ceilings and windows houses all the various trophies and awards handed out to teams and individuals for there accomplishments. The big award of course is the Stanley Cup! The guide said the one at the hall is a direct duplicate of the one that is presented on the ice. On the same 2nd floor in the bank vault houses the original Lord Stanley's cup from 1892. The original cup is small in comparision to the current one. Pictures and displays of those inducted are on the wall. The inducted are not only players, but commentators and other's who have made a major contribution to the sport of hockey, like my man "It's a powerplay goal!" Sam Rosen, broadcaster for the New York Rangers, "Go Blueshirts!" Great interactive games on the main floor puts you on the ice as you either try to score against the goalie or be the goalie. As with most museums you will end your tour at the gift shop. If you are ever in the Toronto area, visit the HHOF. Just remember to not touch the cup when you take a picture with it, I didn't. :) All together now, "We want the Cup, We want the Cup - Lets Go Rangers, Lets Go Rangers!"...........

Steve M.

Yelp

I grew up playing hockey in the U.S., so you can imagine this visit was a bit special for me. The trophy room was spectacular, as was the collection of jerseys (Mexico?). The activity areas for kids (or us adult boys) were a lot of fun. Be a goalie... or a sharpshooter ... very cool. It did seem to be a bit lacking on ways to learn (or teach others) about the history of the sport... and its legendary teams or players. They were a few interactive video areas, but even with modest crowds, one is left watching the selections of children who tend to press a new button every 10-15 seconds. Thus, I enjoyed my short visit, but I would not have gotten much value out of staying longer. Perhaps this makes sense. One can find plenty of hockey history on the internet... so a kid-orientated place designed to move people along... well it certainly makes business sense. So I would suggest you plan for a 30-40 minute visit plus a walk through a gift shop at the end. I'll always treasure the photo of me holding Lord Stanley's Cup.

Drew B.

Yelp

When Canada does a Hall of Fame, they do it up right. None of this obscure, only-one-reason-to-go-the-town HOFs like Football (Canton, Ohio), Basketball (Springfield, Massachusetts), Baseball (Cooperstown, NY). Oh, no ... they put theirs in the biggest city (Toronto), in the heart of that city, attached to, of all things, a mall. That isn't to say the actual HOF is easy to find, which seems strange ... but, hey, I'm in Canada, c'est la vie. The outside structure (the original HOF building) looks like an old Hall of Fame, but then you have to enter through the back ... and you find said mall. Find the escalator, and when you get to the bottom, turn 180 degrees, and start walking. Eventually, you'll a place labeled "HOCKEY" ... you've arrived. And, boy howdy, it's worth the labyrinth to find it. There's a lot of stuff on the main floor. While I can't speak for every NHL team, being from the usually underrepresented Vancouver Canucks fanbase, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found. I mean, they even have Tiger Williams' circa early 80s jersey, the much-maligned yellow monstrosity know affectionately as the "Flying V." At the time I visited (June 2019), there is a combined Gordie Howe (aka "Mr. Hockey") and Wayne Gretzky (aka "The Great One") exhibition that is the current HOF centerpiece. I don't know how long it's been here, but it's spot-on as the two greatest players in hockey history are invariably linked. I can't imagine this exhibit going anywhere anytime soon ... it's exceptional, and should remain front and center until someone who breaks their records comes along. And, remember, this isn't the NHL HOF ... it's the HOCKEY Hall of Fame. I loved the exhibit recalling that epic brouhaha, donnybrook, fisticuffs, international war-on-ice known as the Canada-USSR 1972 Summit Series. I also love the large displays of international and minor league jerseys ... that's the color and fun of hockey! While the USA "Miracle on Ice" is mentioned, it's as prominently displayed as I would expect in Canada, with their own Olympic hockey experiences more detailed within the Hall. And they don't leave out the prominent role and successes of international women's hockey. With all the great displays, the real crème de la crème is the Great Hall upstairs. This is where you'll find the trophy to end all championship trophies, the Stanley Cup. You can get up-close-and-personal and see all the engravings for all the years of championship hockey and the players that won it. Epic. The Great Hall also has plaques of several hockey greats, many of the other trophies over the years (conference championships, Vezina, Hart, and Calder, etc.), and a vault containing some of hockey's earliest trophies, including the Dominion Hockey Challenge Cup (aka, the original punch-bowl-sized Stanley Cup). What else can I say? It's a great Hall of Fame. Vive le hockey!

Amanda W.

Yelp

If you're a fan of hockey at any level, you've got to make a trip here at some point in your life. My husband and I made a point to visit on our most recent trip up to the city. We both went with our families as kids and knew we would appreciate it together, as adults as well. They have an exhibit for every team in the NHL, and exhibits celebrating the history of hockey as a sport. They also showcase AHL teams, Women in hockey, Diversity in hockey, and so much more. Right now they have an awesome exhibit related to Howe and Gretzky- possibly the two greatest hockey players of all time. It was truly awesome to check this out. I really enjoyed the video they had showcasing Wayne Gretzky's life in hockey, and his relationship with his idol and then teammate- Mr.Hockey. It was so interesting! They also have interactive exhibits like trivia, an espn telecaster simulator, and a shooting game you can play. The best part, in my opinion, is heading up the stairs to see the Stanley Cup! The real Stanley Cup! So cool!

JoAnn Y.

Yelp

Catch the 3D movie! Fairly comprehensive museum but a little understated. In a mall with in and out privileges. Beautiful stained glass dome for the Stanley Cup exhibit.

Art and Culture in Toronto

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Hockey Hall of Fame — Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler

10 Best Museums in Toronto | Condé Nast Traveler