Toronto with kids (3 days)

[Dentoman]

Originally Posted by red sky

So hotel prices in DT Toronto are not really in the budget, but I wasn't expecting them to be. I think one our list so far is the zoo, aquarium, Canada's wonderland and Niagra Falls. I would like to visit DT Toronto as well and walk around which looks like the aquarium is nearby. Given these locations, any suggestions on where outside of Toronto would make the most sense for home base? Could hunker down in Markham but not sure that makes sense. Ideally I will try and avoid the busy traffic times but that might require a helicopter.

We just stayed close to the airport and took the UP train into downtown. Relatively cheap family pass and can take the shuttle from the hotel to the airport to get to the train. Easy drive to Wonderland and Niagara from there as well. UP train end of line is Union station which is a very short walk to the aquarium and CN tower.

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by red sky

So hotel prices in DT Toronto are not really in the budget, but I wasn't expecting them to be. I think one our list so far is the zoo, aquarium, Canada's wonderland and Niagra Falls. I would like to visit DT Toronto as well and walk around which looks like the aquarium is nearby. Given these locations, any suggestions on where outside of Toronto would make the most sense for home base? Could hunker down in Markham but not sure that makes sense. Ideally I will try and avoid the busy traffic times but that might require a helicopter.

Last time I was in Toronto, I had originally booked a hotel in Markham along Highway 7 that was cheaper, but once I worked out the cost of getting 3 people from Markham into DT Toronto each day on transit, it was actually more cost effective to stay at a hotel within Toronto.

If you're up in Markham, you likely need to pay an extra transit fare on YRT to get to a TTC station before heading onto the Subway downtown, for which you'll have to pay TTC fares.

There actually seems to be quite a few hotels near the the TTC Subway stations in Vaughan, should be single fare into DT Toronto, could look there.

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by bc-chris

***edit - something you might want to look into - getting a "city pass". when my wife and i went to seattle we got one and it was a great way to save a bunch of $ and see lots of attractions.

https://www.citypass.com/toronto

Wow, that is a great deal. You get to go to 5 places and even if you do only 2 you already get your money's worth.

EDIT: And OP's kids are the perfect ages to still take advantage of the child pricing (goes up to 12).

[red sky]

Thanks for your insights everyone, it is really appreciated. Looking forward to the Chinese food in Markham. Definitely do a day trip to Niagra Falls and then spend a day in and around DT TO to check out the hockey hall of fame and likely the aquarium. might be able to sneak away for a jays game during the competition as well.