Where to Go, What to Know

Canadian travel writer Mark Stevens recently got in touch with his inner Maple Leaf. Here's his reporter's notebook.

FLYING TIME

1 1/2 to 4 hours from Washington

COST

$575.50 (Flight: $324 Hotel: $190 Dinner: $24.50 Game ticket: About $37)

GETTING THERE

United and Air Canada have nonstop 1 1/2 -hour flights from Washington airports to Toronto's Pearson International, running about $855 from Reagan National. Other airlines offer connecting service, which turns the trip into a four-hour haul. Northwest recently had flights from National for $324.

WHERE TO STAY

To stay with the hockey stars, try the Westin Harbour Castle (1 Harbour Sq., 416-869-1600, http://www.westin.com/toronto, $190 and $205 a night double). The Fairmont Royal York Hotel (100 Front St., 800-441-1414, http://www.fairmont.com/royalyork), built by the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1929, is a historic choice near the financial district ($180 to $300).

WHERE TO EAT

Doesn't Wayne Gretzky's Restaurant (99 Blue Jays Way, 416-979-7825, http://www.gretzky.com/restaurant) sound like a must? Steaks are about $17-$24, burgers and Philly cheese steaks about $11 and $11.50. For possible hockey stargazing (and splurging), try Harbour Sixty Steakhouse (60 Harbour St., 416-777-2111, http://www.harboursixty.com). At dinner, steaks run about $38.50-$47.50, fish and chicken about $23.50-$32.75. This year's Winterlicious prix-fixe restaurant promotion runs Jan. 30-Feb. 12. Some 150 restaurants offer three-course meals for $15, $20 or $30 at lunch and $25, $35 or $45 at dinner. Go to www.toronto.ca/special_events/for more information.

WHAT TO DO

The Maple Leafs play till mid-April. Although games are generally sold out, some last-minute tickets ($37-$180) are released on game day at the Air Canada Centre box office (40 Bay St.). Also on game day, try Ticketmaster (416-872-5000 or through http://www.mapleleafs.com). Hall of Fame Getaway packages, from http://www.roadtrips.com, start at $464 per person double and include game tickets, hall admission and hotel.

The Hockey Hall of Fame (Brookfield Place, 30 Yonge St., 416-360-7735, http://www.hhof.com), home of the Stanley Cup, is open Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; admission about $10.50, seniors and ages 4-13 about $7.50.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Toronto Convention and Visitors Association, 800-499-2514, http://www.torontotourism.com.