Which Canadian city for a short family hockey trip?

[Jumptheshark]

My 13 year old son has gotten into hockey and I was very happy to hear him suggest that we go on a trip during a school break to somewhere in Canada to watch a game or two. Neither of us have been before, so seeking some suggestions. We'd likely go for 4-5 days sometime during February 17-25, 2024. It looks like every Canadian team is playing at home at least once during this time.

Here are the things we'd like, in order of importance:
1. NHL hockey (obviously). Stadium & game day experience, reasonable ticket availability and cost, ability to tour stadium, things to do around stadium, lower level hockey in the same city, other non-game hockey related things to do in the area.
2. Non-hockey sightseeing, things to do in the city.
3. Good food.
4. Not an outrageously expensive city would be a plus. Not looking to break the bank here.
5. Proximity to another NHL city, though we'd be okay with just staying in a single city, too.

Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg? Happy to hear any not-just-ripping-on-another-teams-city suggestions, thanks!

where are you coming from? That is my first question

 

[Nemesis Prime]

I would avoid Montreal.

The people of Quebec can be jabronis if you're not bilingual.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Most are bilingual in Montreal, never once had an issue.

Yes they likely can speak English but i felt a lil hostility when I was there

 

[Perfect_Drug]

Montreal is easy to recommend

Few places to eat that Montreal is known for.

Shwartz's Smoked meat sandwich (with a pickle and black cherry soda).

Fairmont Bagel (or rival saint viateur).

Or to get it served with Lox and cream cheese go to Beauty's.

Poutine - my fave is classic poutine is Patati Patata (tourists go to La Banquise).
My other favorite is Duck confit poutine at Nyks

Beer - my fave is a dark beer at Station Host
(But tourists are recommended Dieu du Ciel)

Wilensky's Bologna Sandwich

Romado's portugese Chicken

Boustan's - get something not on the menu called 'The Creation'. Locals know what it is.

Cafe Olympico - Oldschool italian coffee. Tons of other options for newschool coffee.

Bernie's Donuts - my fave is the passionfruit Donut. - they're usually sold out of everything by noon, so go early.

La Muenerie Urbaine - Award winning bakery

Yes they likely can speak English but i felt a lil hostility when I was there

I've lived here since 2006. Still cant speak.

Its about 1/5 people who are rude, and most of them will be more east. Where I live (NDG) and west of here, english is the most common language you'll hear.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

I would avoid Montreal.

The people of Quebec can be jabronis if you're not bilingual.

This.

 

[34]

I've found Toronto to be a shitty version of New York, I can't think of a single thing that Toronto does better than NYC.

Agreed on Montreal though, that's a fantastic city.

Play hockey. There is your single thing. Lol

just having some fun, I do really like NYC.

 

[FDBluth]

Unless you speak French don't go to Montreal. Toronto is the number 1 city in Canada and the hockey world

please don't comment if you don't know what you're talking about. EVERYONE in the service sector in Montreal speaks English. it will not be an issue anywhere.

this is the worst non-hockey take I've seen here. (I don't go to the politics boards though ;P)

 

[denverdevil]

where are you coming from? That is my first question

Denver, Colorado, USA.

 

[Three On Zero]

Vancouver in February ? Lol I can confirm with you, you don't want to visit the city with the lowest amount.of sunlight in the winter frozen temperatures, constant rain, dark. You might be frozen in the Alberta cities, but you you will at least freeze in the sunlight....

Spoken like someone who doesn’t know what Vancouver is like in February. (Outside of the odd year)

 

[TheDawnOfANewTage]

My 13 year old son has gotten into hockey and I was very happy to hear him suggest that we go on a trip during a school break to somewhere in Canada to watch a game or two. Neither of us have been before, so seeking some suggestions. We'd likely go for 4-5 days sometime during February 17-25, 2024. It looks like every Canadian team is playing at home at least once during this time.

Here are the things we'd like, in order of importance:
1. NHL hockey (obviously). Stadium & game day experience, reasonable ticket availability and cost, ability to tour stadium, things to do around stadium, lower level hockey in the same city, other non-game hockey related things to do in the area.
2. Non-hockey sightseeing, things to do in the city.
3. Good food.
4. Not an outrageously expensive city would be a plus. Not looking to break the bank here.
5. Proximity to another NHL city, though we'd be okay with just staying in a single city, too.

Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg? Happy to hear any not-just-ripping-on-another-teams-city suggestions, thanks!

Toronto is nice, and I’m a Sabres fan. That said, it’s pricey and I’ve heard the crowd ain’t great right now? So maybe not the most enjoyable atmosphere. You could pair it with Buffalo though, that’s somethin.

Otherwise try Calgary? Idk, I don’t mind visiting a cold place as long as I don’t have to buy too much new stuff- it’s only a short time, see how the kid likes it, and I gotta think Calgary is a bit more.. unique? Different? Every city is somethin, but that’d appeal to young me.

 

[Three On Zero]

If you want decent weather, Vancouver is really your only option. It averages somewhere around 8 degrees

Edmonton and Calgary are cold, depressing and dark still

Toronto and Ottawa aren’t too bad

Montreal is cold

Winnipeg is…. Well, Winnipeg

 

[denverdevil]

I would avoid Montreal.

The people of Quebec can be jabronis if you're not bilingual.

Yes they likely can speak English but i felt a lil hostility when I was there

This.

I’m from New Jersey, hostile a-holes are okay.

 

[Three On Zero]

I’m from New Jersey, hostile a-holes are okay.

Montreal isn’t really that bad, majority speak French but are bilingual. You’ll likely have a bit of a language barrier but overall they are usually fine with it as long as you aren’t rude.

But that’s typical for any destination, treat people with the same respect you would want and everything is fine

 

[HockeyVirus]

Screw the weather, Montreal needs you. Their arena is the best in the league to attend a game due to the atmosphere.

 

[FDBluth]

Montreal isn’t really that bad, majority speak French but are bilingual. You’ll likely have a bit of a language barrier but overall they are usually fine with it as long as you aren’t rude.

But that’s typical for any destination, treat people with the same respect you would want and everything is fine

plus, believe it or not, it's not actually a bad thing to expose yourself to other cultures and languages.

 

[Nostradumbass]

Play hockey. There is your single thing. Lol

just having some fun, I do really like NYC.

A person born after the leafs won their last cup would have been 27 watching the Rangers win theirs.

Unless you speak French don't go to Montreal. Toronto is the number 1 city in Canada and the hockey world

People like this are the reason to choose Montreal/Vancouver over Toronto.

 

[2023FriendshipTour]

I never had issues in Montreal not speaking french but I went duing F1 weekend so lots of tourists then... in fact can't wait to go back next year.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

A person born after the leafs won their last cup would have been 27 watching the Rangers win theirs.

People like this are the reason to choose Montreal/Vancouver over Toronto.

Imagine

 

[Jumptheshark]

Denver, Colorado, USA.

questions

1) have you been to Canada before?
2) are you also looking to do stuff away from the Arena?
3) In Feb in Calgary, Edmonton and the peg---you are looking at the coldest time of the year--is this okay with you -50 before the windchill factor
4) are you looking for history as well?

 

[DaPhazz]

Yes they likely can speak English but i felt a lil hostility when I was there

Every comment you make ooze hostility, no wonder you got 'mistreated' in Montreal.. you're an ass!

 

[Three On Zero]

I never had issues in Montreal not speaking french but I went duing F1 weekend so lots of tourists then... in fact can't wait to go back next year.

People tend to try and make it an issue when it isn’t, even for myself who’s bilingual I still primarily speak English there and have no issues

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Every comment you make ooze hostility, no wonder you got 'mistreated' in Montreal.. you're an ass!

The French can be snobby

 

[PoutineSp00nZ]

Unless you speak French don't go to Montreal. Toronto is the number 1 city in Canada and the hockey world

Toronto is the largest city. Number one is highly debatable.

Almost everyone in Montreal speak English, there are loads of people there who only speak English. The people are significantly more friendly there than Toronto as well. Or Ottawa for that matter.

Don't listen to this guy.

If you wanted actually, Montreal and Ottawa are only a 2 hour drive apart. You could definitely catch games in both cities if you wanted to. Spend a couple of days in Ottawa, then check out Montreal for the bulk of your trip. Best of both worlds that way!

 

[denverdevil]

plus, believe it or not, it's not actually a bad thing to expose yourself to other cultures and languages.

Yes, agreed, this is a plus for us. We don’t need the place we visit to be like where we live. Happy and certainly willing to experience other things.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Go to toronto