Toronto Vacation

[Maritime Q-Scout]

My search of the forum, bizarrely, shows there is no thread on Toronto travel.

We're **this** close to pulling the trigger on a family vacation to Toronto this year.

A few things that we'd like to do:

1. CN Tower
2. Toronto Zoo
3. Ripley's Aquarium
4. Hockey Hall of Fame
5. Canada's Wonderland
6. Blue Jays will be playing the greatest, reigning, defending World Series Champions so obviously that's on the list

Anything else that would be good for family activities? The kids are 7 and 2.

Anywhere online to get discount tickets? Best deals? Etc

Also, travelling from downtown to Canada's Wonderland by public transit (or would taxi/uber be better)?

[Ped]

Don't know your budget, but the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the Ontario Science Centre are always pretty cool, although admittedly I haven't been in years. There's a castle in downtown Toronto called Casa Loma that's interesting if you're into that sort of thing, although 2 might be a bit young.



You can take transit to Wonderland.


https://www.canadaswonderland.com/bl...-to-wonderland


If you're flying to Pearson, there is a train that goes right downtown (not sure where you'll be staying). Alternatively, from out east you can definitely fly Porter right to BIlly Bishop. There's a tunnel from the island to the mainland, but there's also a ferry.

[bagofpucks]

We have family in Onterrible, so end up there every year or so. Last year the kids were old enough to do a few touristy things, so we hit up Toronto.
1) we decided to bite the bullet and stay at the Toronto Marriott City Center Hotel for one night with a field view and it was amazing. It all depends on schedule and who they are playing, but we stayed for about $1K, but it was so worth it. Our kids were 5 and 3, so it was amazing to be able to watch the game and have different activities set up for them as their excitement for baseball ebbed and flowed. Watching batting practice and how they set up the field was super cool too. We spent the next morning watching the field crew get everything ready and the roof open.
2) the aquarium is unreal! It is not a super long walk from Roger’s Center, so we went there before the baseball game. It was super busy, but does have a lot of space and activities, so it doesn’t seem quite as crazy.
3) there always seem to be cool things going on downtown and we actually were able to hit up a Disney experience while we were there too.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Ped

Don't know your budget, but the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the Ontario Science Centre are always pretty cool, although admittedly I haven't been in years. There's a castle in downtown Toronto called Casa Loma that's interesting if you're into that sort of thing, although 2 might be a bit young.



You can take transit to Wonderland.


https://www.canadaswonderland.com/bl...-to-wonderland


If you're flying to Pearson, there is a train that goes right downtown (not sure where you'll be staying). Alternatively, from out east you can definitely fly Porter right to BIlly Bishop. There's a tunnel from the island to the mainland, but there's also a ferry.

I loathe the Big Smoke (lots of family there) but these are all excellent suggestions.

Also...maybe the HHOF?

[Ozy_Flame]

Welcome to TO (soon!)

Couple of suggestions and things:

1. Check out a TFC game. BMO field is a fantastic sports venue and MLS has some good presentation. Plus the fan experience is second to none for a sports event. Depending on when you come to TO, check out the Ex.

2. AGO is free if you’re under 25 and free for all on Wednesdays 6-9. Does not include special exhibitions.

3. Check out the Beaches during the warm months. Great way to see the lake, restaurants, shops, etc.

4. Always have cash. A lot of restaurants offer 10-15% off the bill if you pay with cash. That's a TO tip for sure.

5. Gotta try dosa or roti while you're here. TO also has the best Jamaican food in the country IMO.

As for travel, the TTC is your friend. If you want to save on Uber to Canada's Wonderland, take Line 1 pretty much to York U or Finch and Uber the rest of the way. Will likely save you a few bucks.

[topfiverecords]

I’ve never considered Toronto and vacation in the same sentence. Although I suppose going there is a sentence.

[Ped]

Originally Posted by Locke

Also...maybe the HHOF?

#4 on his original list. Unless you mean the Hamunaptran Hieroglyphs Oscillating Festival, but that might be kind of niche.

[PepsiFree]

I’d hit the airport, it’s one of the worst in the world, and take a flight to New York.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Plan is to stay at my aunt's place downtown.

Also, we'd likely fly Air Canada from Sydney to Montreal, then Montreal to Billy Bishop.

Just realizing now how expensive tickets to attractions can be!

[FlamesAddiction]

If you have a car, you can also go spend a day in Niagara Falls. It's like 90 minutes trip one-way. I kind of like it there. The Falls of course, but also the cheesyness of it all.

If you don't have a car, most hotels will know of daily bus shuttle services.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

Plan is to stay at my aunt's place downtown.

Also, we'd likely fly Air Canada from Sydney to Montreal, then Montreal to Billy Bishop.

Just realizing now how expensive tickets to attractions can be!

Ripleys Aquarium is dope. It’s the only 100% must see in my opinion. But I have my own beefs with the area in general. Have a great trip!

[dissentowner]

Sounds like you have the majority covered. Have a great time!

[Sliver]

Dafuq dude? Toronto is so lame lol. Casa Loma is neat, then you realize how lame it is as you leave, then feel bad for Toronto that such a weak thing to do is high on the list of things to do.

It's like a humongous Airdrie.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

If you have a car, you can also go spend a day in Niagara Falls. It's like 90 minutes trip one-way. I kind of like it there. The Falls of course, but also the cheesyness of it all.

If you don't have a car, most hotels will know of daily bus shuttle services.

All kidding aside (I’m sure him and his family will have a great time in Toronto), recommending someone drive to Niagara Falls is borderline abusive.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Dafuq dude? Toronto is so lame lol. Casa Loma is neat, then you realize how lame it is as you leave, then feel bad for Toronto that such a weak thing to do is high on the list of things to do.

It's like a humongous Airdrie.

You gotta cut slack, he has family that lives there and he’s from PEI or something where they haven’t even upgraded from dialup internet yet. This is gonna be huge.

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

You gotta cut slack, he has family that lives there and he’s from PEI or something where they haven’t even upgraded from dialup internet yet. This is gonna be huge.

I've been on this forum since 2003, and honestly, I think this is my all-time favourite post

[Maritime Q-Scout]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Dafuq dude? Toronto is so lame lol. Casa Loma is neat, then you realize how lame it is as you leave, then feel bad for Toronto that such a weak thing to do is high on the list of things to do.

It's like a humongous Airdrie.

My 7 year old loves airplanes, skyscrapers, and roller coasters

My ball team is playing the Jays the weekend we're looking at going

I've got family there, and my wife is a huge Murdock Mysteries fan. Not going to see the sites from Murdock in Airdrie!

[chedder]

The CityPass will save you a bit on several of the attractions you want to go to.

Funny sliver mentioned Casa Loma. We went as an afterthought and ended up really enjoying it. Though my kids were 16 and 18 at the time.

I was just there for a couple of Jays games and the Rogers renos are pretty great.

Niagara falls would also be a good trip with your kids. Clifton Hill area is goofy but fun.

[boogerz]

I visit Toronto frequently, and its always amusing how few tourist activities there are for a city that large and "important".

If you want to go off the beaten path, the BAPS Hindu temple in Brampton/Etobicoke is a pretty impressive sight.

There's also no shortage of good Chinese food in Markham and the eastern/northeast side of Scarborough. The best places are not English-friendly though.

There's also no shortage of Caribbean restaurants in Scarborough for all types of Caribbean food - e.g. Trini, Hakka, Bajan, Guyana, etc.

It's pretty cool how you can more or less travel the world in the GTA without having to leave Canada.

[starseed]

Originally Posted by Maritime Q-Scout

My 7 year old loves airplanes, skyscrapers, and roller coasters



My ball team is playing the Jays the weekend we're looking at going



I've got family there, and my wife is a huge Murdock Mysteries fan. Not going to see the sites from Murdock in Airdrie!

In that case, look up the Murdoch Mysteries escape game at Casa Loma. They have a few good ones there. My favorite is the Bootleggers.

The best is at Escape Games Canada near Sheppard West station.

I will also second the suggestion to go to woodbine Beach if it's a nice day.