It's something I always wanted to do, and now I am doing it.
Basically, turned out to be a confluence of two major events: the Kings winning the Cup, and me basically being laid off the last two weeks of September.
With nothing else to do, it went off like a light bulb...I mean, I really want to see that Kings (current champion) display in person!
I flew into Boston today and rented a car and will be in Springfield tomorrow. Then on to Cooperstown, Toronto, and Canton, and that will cover the four major sports. Throw in a Bills/Browns game (yeah, I know, but I had nothing else to do in Cleveland next Sunday), and maybe a side trip to the Niagara Falls, and it should be a good time.
Will be in Toronto for almost three full days later this week. Never been to that part of Canada, either, should be a trip. Really want to go to Montreal, though, but no time for it this time around.
I'll be at the HHOF this weekend. What day are you going? I'm either going Saturday or Monday. I'm in Toronto to catch a Slash concert on Sunday. Should be a fun weekend and I hope the Kings names are etched into the Cup...fingers crossed
I'll be at the HHOF this weekend. What day are you going? I'm either going Saturday or Monday. I'm in Toronto to catch a Slash concert on Sunday. Should be a fun weekend and I hope the Kings names are etched into the Cup...fingers crossed
I'm driving up there on Thursday and attending Friday. Driving back south to Cleveland on Saturday.
I don't think the names have been etched on yet...maybe the replica in Toronto has them? I think the Cup is still making its rounds with some team staff.
I think Luc was the last "player" to get a day with it a few days ago. And it was being shipped off to get engraved this week. Fingers crossed it will have the names on the Cup this weekend!
Last edited by nothercastle: 09-19-2012 at 11:44 AM.
You'll have a great time there. We spent maybe 5 hours there and I could have stayed longer.
It is easily one of the top 10 places I've ever visited.
Enjoy!
Thanks...I have been finding that 4 1/2 hours is my absolute limit...I was pretty burnt out today in Cooperstown. And the day before in Springfield.
FYI, Basketball HOF claims to be the best, and it was enjoyable, but the Baseball HOF blew it away. I could have been there the whole day...if I had the energy I had maybe 25 years ago!
All done and I will send some pertinent photos when I get them uploaded from my camera.
The latest champion is prominently featured. From the display case to the Stanley Cup DVD being played in the theatre next to the case, to a larger than life team photo with the Cup taken on the ice as you go upstairs to the trophy room...its pretty awesome.
The replica trophies (Stanley, Campbell, Conn Smythe, etc.) all look like the real thing...perhaps the Conn Smythe is real because it's been returned to the Hall? I don't know, but Quick's name is not on it. Although he is referenced in a plaque below the trophy.
I would honestly have to say that it ranks 2nd on my list of Hall of Fames so far, with only one more to visit (Football) on Monday. I might be able to squeeze in the Rock 'n Roll HOF on Saturday but not sure yet. It definitely was the most cluttered and not so great as a logical layout goes. It appears that they had limited room and just stuffed everything in there as they could, compared to both basketball and baseball, but so far I am going to rank hockey even above basketball because even though the layout is weak they still had a lot of great content in there. I definitely recommend for anyone traveling to this part of the country.
But Toronto traffic if ****ing terrible. Jesus H. Christ, is it bad.
Nah, I am talking about the 404 freeway traffic which was jammed solid, which my GPS dumped me off to get onto 15 km of Warden, which was a nightmare.
My idiot self put be up in Markham, not Toronto (there wasn't much available when I made the reservation), and I didn't realize it was 30 minutes away. But the traffic made it over an hour just to go about 25 km. Insane.
Nah, I am talking about the 404 freeway traffic which was jammed solid, which my GPS dumped me off to get onto 15 km of Warden, which was a nightmare.
My idiot self put be up in Markham, not Toronto (there wasn't much available when I made the reservation), and I didn't realize it was 30 minutes away. But the traffic made it over an hour just to go about 25 km. Insane.
Next time you go somewhere you should post on whichever HF board is close to the city for advice. You were way out of HHoF territory as you now know
Anyone know how long the display will be up in the HHOF? I'd definitely head out to Toronto and check it out. I love going to the Hall of Fame, even their shop is better than most sports stores in Canada. At least I can easily get Kings stuff there.
Also, just an FYI, if you are at the HHOF, you should check out Gretzky's restaurant on Blue Jays Way (roughly 10 or 12 blocks Toronto West (the lake is always South in Toronto, even when it isn't)) has tons of great memorabilia up in the restaurant. I haven't been there in a few years, but I remember there being lots of Kings stuff in there. Of course, I am a Gretzky fan so the non-Kings, Gretzky stuff was good too.
Anyone know how long the display will be up in the HHOF? I'd definitely head out to Toronto and check it out. I love going to the Hall of Fame, even their shop is better than most sports stores in Canada. At least I can easily get Kings stuff there.
Also, just an FYI, if you are at the HHOF, you should check out Gretzky's restaurant on Blue Jays Way (roughly 10 or 12 blocks Toronto West (the lake is always South in Toronto, even when it isn't)) has tons of great memorabilia up in the restaurant. I haven't been there in a few years, but I remember there being lots of Kings stuff in there. Of course, I am a Gretzky fan so the non-Kings, Gretzky stuff was good too.
Gretzky's is downtown and I haven't been there in years (same as the Hall) but I really need to get back downtown from time to time. I live east of Toronto in Scarborough and rarely go downtown anymore. The Hall has a great gift shop and you can spend hours in it since they rotate the display.
Won't bore you with all the photos I took, but this one I just had to point out...all the trophies are prominently displayed, with the exception of one...I found this one hidden in a corner.
The President's Trophy.
Draw your own conclusions, but I found the location...interesting.
Just got back from the HHOF myself. Found a few cool items. Seen Kopitar's jersey from Slovenia. Kings had a full section as pictured above and the Kings DVD was playing in a theater. Had fun and took a few pics, maybe I'll post them. I'm sad I missed that Bob Miller broadcaster award. But I'll be going back soon anyways as the Kings names were not engraved yet.
From the display case to the Stanley Cup DVD being played in the theatre next to the case, to a larger than life team photo with the Cup taken on the ice as you go upstairs to the trophy room...its pretty awesome.
