The 2024-25 Pittsburgh Penguins Fan Road Trip Guide, Part 2

For the seventh year in a row, I have decided to become your personal travel agent.

While these rankings are based on my experiences traveling through NHL cities over the past 15 years, I try to put myself in the shoes of fans who have never been to any of these cities. I think about in-game experience, getting there, finances, extracurricular fun, and much more.

This season might not be the most exciting for the Penguins, so maybe spice it up a bit and hit the road.

Make sure you read the first part of this guide:

We’re gone.

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The ‘Day Trip’ department

20. Buffalo

Why you should go

• From Pittsburgh, it takes about three hours to get there, depending on how fast you drive.
• There will be a lot of Yinzers with you and besides, Buffalo fans are friendly people who are just looking for a good time.
• Tickets are quite affordable.
• I don’t know why, but games between the Penguins and the Sabres are usually exciting and entertaining.

Why You Shouldn’t Go

• Between November and March, the drive between Erie and Buffalo is dangerous due to snow.
• Buffalo isn’t the cultural capital of the world and I don’t think there’s much to do there other than drink.
• The arena is clearly underperforming at the moment.

In short

I will never tarnish the good people of Buffalo. Those poor people have been through so much. If you are bored and looking for a day trip — or a fun trip to Niagara Falls, which is 30 minutes away and super cheap in the winter — go for it. You will have fun.

19. Columbus

Why you should go

• For Penguins fans, it’s the most exciting road in the league, and Interstate 70 doesn’t smell nearly as bad in Ohio as it does in Pennsylvania.
• Nationwide Arena is a great place to watch a game, a top five league game.
• You won’t be alone, as the building is regularly occupied by Penguins fans.
• Downtown Columbus is a little underrated, but there are many good places to eat.

Why You Shouldn’t Go

• You’ve probably already made this journey, because most Penguins fans have.
• It’s not that exciting to see the Blue Jackets in person.

In short

I always recommend this trip, especially if you don’t have much experience traveling to see the Penguins play. It’s a beautiful building, the arena district is legendary for its great design and subsequent prosperity, and it’s just so, so convenient. Go for it.

The ‘Enigma’ Division

18. Seattle

Why you should go

• The Pacific Northwest is a breathtakingly beautiful area.
• Great arena. Spectacular. I would rate Climate Pledge Arena as the second best in the NHL.
• There’s no shortage of former Penguins to watch in Seattle.
• Seattle is one of those exotic places that has a great attraction for people.
• You will eat very well.
• Direct flights are available with Alaska Airlines.

Why You Shouldn’t Go

• There are many spectacular places to visit in the Seattle area, but there isn’t much to see near the arena.
• The trip to Seattle is going to cost you a lot of money.
• There aren’t many Yinzers and the Kraken aren’t really making any changes.

In short

I struggle so much with where to rank Seattle. Many will be shocked that I ranked it so low. But I have to be honest, I haven’t been blown away on my two trips there. Sure, it’s a beautiful waterfront city and the restaurant scene is world class. I just don’t like downtown that much and it’s a hell of a long flight to get there. Most will rank it higher, but if you have to choose between Seattle and Vancouver, the answer is Vancouver.

The ‘Big City’ Division

17.Washington

Why you should go

• It’s an easy four-hour drive from Pittsburgh and traffic into the city isn’t too bad.
• If you love history, you’ll be in heaven here.
• If you like museums, you’ll be in heaven here.
• Lots of great restaurants. I’ve been to them countless times, both professionally and personally, so feel free to ask for recommendations.
• Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin. It still feels special when they’re on the ice together. You know you’re watching history.
• Below I have a very special Yinzer road trip for you.

Why You Shouldn’t Go

• People here are so conceited. We’re talking Boston level.
• The Penguins play here three days after Election Day in November. I’m guessing it’s not a safe time to be in DC.
• Capital One Arena is in serious disrepair.
• Hotels in Washington are shockingly expensive.

In short

Washington is a perfect weekend trip. It’s close, there’s so much to do, and you’ll see one of the final chapters of Sid-Ovi. And then there’s this: the Penguins are playing in Washington on November 8th, a Friday night. So it makes perfect sense to make this a weekend trip. And even better, guess who’s playing the Commanders in Washington on Sunday, November 10th? That’s right, your Pittsburgh Steelers. Seems like a no-brainer to me. Also, hotels in DC tend to be much cheaper on the weekend.

16.Boston

Why you should go

• It is a beautiful city and a history lover’s dream.
• Many affordable, direct flights from Pittsburgh to Boston.
• The Penguins are playing in Boston on Black Friday and Boston has some great shopping malls, so maybe this is a chance to get some Christmas shopping done before December starts.
• The Penguins even win here sometimes.
• If you love seafood, you’ve come to the right place.

Why You Shouldn’t Go

• As in Seattle, Washington and San Jose, hotel prices here are generally extremely high.
• It will be cold. Very cold.
• TD Garden is a below average location.

In short

I really like Boston in the spring. It’s warm, the historic sites are beautiful, the walks are great, and maybe the Red Sox are in town so you can visit Fenway Park. There’s nothing springy about late November, which takes away from the enjoyment of this trip. That said, it’s a great city with lots of things to see. So if you’ve always wanted to go to Boston, I’d recommend it.

15. Los Angeles

Why you should go

• The weather is always so nice that it almost makes you feel uncomfortable, especially if you’re from the Pittsburgh area.
• The beaches of Southern California are beautiful and numerous.
• You won’t be bored. Plenty of activities in LA
• If you love shopping, especially when it comes to clothes, then you’ve come to the right place.
• Staples Center — or Crypto.com Arena, perhaps the worst name I’ve ever heard — is a really nice place.
• Many direct flights to LA

Why You Shouldn’t Go

• LAX is the worst airport in the world. A mess of epic proportions. I met LL Cool J there, but other than that, nothing good to report.
• The neighborhoods around LA are great, but downtown is terrible.
• Traffic in LA isn’t as bad after Covid-19, but it’s still terrible.

In short

I like Anaheim better, but if you go to one, you’re probably going to go to the other. This is a fun place to see a game. It’s also a nice getaway from the January Pittsburgh winters. Always recommended. Make sure to check out the Manhattan Beach Pier. There’s something beautifully soulful about it.

14. Chicago

Why you should go

• You get to see Connor Bedard play.
• Because Chicago is a great city and I believe that downtown Chicago is the most beautiful downtown in our country.
• The Penguins play here on April 8th and Chicago is great in the spring and summer.
• Do you like good food? Then you will be satisfied.
• There are numerous cheap, direct flights every day.
• The Cubs play Texas at home on April 8, so make it a double bill and head to Wrigley Field that afternoon.

Why You Shouldn’t Go

• United Center isn’t that great.
• United Center is not exactly located in the nicest neighborhood.
• There is a real chance that this game will be completely pointless.

In short

Chicago, like Boston, is weather-dependent to some extent. I don’t like it in January. In April? Now that we mention it. Definitely recommended, even though the game might not mean anything in this ranking. It’s Chicago in the spring. Plus, the Penguins play here on a Sunday. Make a weekend of it and thank me later.

13. New York

Why you should go

• It’s Manhattan. You’re bound to find something fun to do.
• You feel the history when you walk into Madison Square Garden. It never gets old.
• The Penguins and Rangers are at odds with each other, which often makes the game fun.
• The Penguins play here twice on Fridays this season. I would recommend Friday, December 6th. Do your Christmas shopping in Manhattan that weekend.
• You will not go hungry.

Why You Shouldn’t Go

• The ticket prices are very high.
• It is rarely fun to deal with the transportation there and once you arrive.
• New York is not for everyone.

In short

If you’ve never been to the Garden, treat yourself. In many ways, it’s the best place for sports. That December trip looks really intriguing with Christmas right around the corner. New York and Montreal are my two favorite cities around the holidays. I always recommend this trip.

12.Dallas

Why you should go

• Dallas is very easy to reach with direct flights from American and Southwest Airlines.
• American Airlines Arena has held up well over the years. A good place to see a game.
• The JFK Museum is always worth a visit. I think it is important to go here when you are in Dallas. Special place.
• Great food, especially the steakhouses.
• Like in big cities, traffic in Dallas is generally not that busy.
• Direct flights are available with American Airlines.
• The hotels here are always cheap.
• The Penguins play here on April 5, so chances are good the weather will be good.

Why You Shouldn’t Go

• The Penguins will likely lose.
• There are no other reasons I can think of.

In short

I’m shocked I didn’t rank this trip higher. It’s definitely one of my favorite stops. If I had to rank my personal top five favorite cities to visit, Dallas would probably be on the list. But I’m trying to make this list for everyone. Still, you can’t go wrong by going to a game in Dallas. Everything about it is cool.

11.Toronto

Why you should go

• I’ve heard it’s the Mecca of the hockey world.
• It’s an easy five-hour drive.
• The Penguins only play here once this season, in October, so the weather will be good.
• The Hockey Hall of Fame is awesome.
• It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, a bit like New York, but much cleaner.
• There are endless great restaurants and places to visit.

Why You Shouldn’t Go

• The most expensive tickets in the league, and the Penguins are there for the Leafs’ season opener, only making this problem worse.
• In my opinion, Toronto has the worst traffic of any North American city. I have never seen anything like it.

In short

Always a trip worth considering. Toronto is a spectacular city and especially fun in the spring. The Penguins play there on a Saturday night. Go on a Friday, enjoy the night, visit the Hall of Fame on a Saturday afternoon, enjoy the game and leave Sunday morning. The traffic won’t be so bad and you’ll be home in time for the Steelers kickoff at 4pm that day. Look, I think of everything for yinz. If you like hockey, you have to make this trip at some point. It’s worth it. Well, if you can afford it.

(Photo from Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena: Steph Chambers/Getty Images)