Toronto - what to see in 3 days??

[thesmiths]

Going in January and will have a few days at the end of a business trip - any suggestions??

Child free!!

Child-free. In January? Ugh.

Ok. Where will you be staying? What are you looking for? Sports games? Museums? Shopping?

I've got to crash in a minute, but can give suggestions once I know what you're after. I guess the CN Tower is an easy recommendation, it's right downtown, and is (or was?) the highest building in the world. Very fast elevators, good views from up top if it isn't overcast etc etc.

CN Tower, Niagara Falls and the big museum. Can't remember the name but had some great Chinese/Egyptian artefacts. And make sure that you have time for shopping.

DEffo niagra

will prob be frozen which is very dramatic

GO over to the island to see the skyline

CN tower and SKYDOME

Eaton centre for central shopping or mississagua M1

PSH is talking about the ROM.

The Science Centre is good, if you like that sort of thing.

And of course there's the Bata Shoe Museum. I've never been, but have heard interesting reviews ...

Niagara falls is a few hours away, but doable by bus or car.

deffo CN tower, but don't get lost when you come out of the toilet

go on the maid on the mist and see niagara properly

The Lakeview Lunch Diner - at Ossington and Dundas - the best diner-looking diner in the world!
Shopping and fab cafes along Queen St West. (if you like boho-ish sort of areas). Yong and Bloor for smart shopping. Toronto really is good for shopping! HMV on Yong. The St Lawrence Market - is it Saturday or Sunday? For real farmers maple syrup in litre bottles or tins.

Harbourfront, and maybe a ferry trip for a walk on the island?

re shopping - it always seems so cheap compared with the UK, beware though - a local and national tax is added at the til - but you can pick up a leaflet at the airport, and if you have saved your reciepts you can claim back all tax exept on food and accommodation. If you have shpped over a certain limit. Which you will have!! Unless this scheme has been scrapped.

Niagara is about 1.5 hours by car if you can hire one. Enjoy the full experience by staying in a niagara motel - the honeymoon motel - they have heart-shaped jaccuzzi's. The small town at Niagara is mucho tacky - but there are interesting spots nearby - sites of battles etc. the Maid in the Mist doesn't run in January - but you can walk under the frozen fall - very beautiful.

A bag of 6 Tim Horton donuts.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

You can't stop at 1 BAG

You need to have several boxes

If you can't decide which ones to choose get 25 or 50 TIMBITS

[yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm]

Thanks - that's great!!

I don't suppose any of you Toronto experts know these hotels:
Sheraton Centre
The Strathcona

Business is paying for me to stay in Sheraton but as it is expensive thought of going to the Strathcona for my 3 days sightseeing - any thoughts??? Is it close to the Sheraton for easy transfer??

Hiring a car to go to Niagara for the day - will def do the waterfall walk!!

I think the Sheraton is better-located, tbh, although not by much. The Strathona is right in the middle of the business district. Not very interesting at all.

I'll have a dig, and see if I can find you something cheap in a nicer/more interesting area. Would you do a B+B? Or do you want a hotel specifically?

Oh, and the transfer would be ok ... you'd want to cab it maybe, though, unless you really like the cold. The Sheraton is on the underground shopping thing, too. (Although the Strathcona might be too, but it's just so far south, it's not very tempting, tbh.)

How are you about the cold, by the way? You're going to want warm underclothes, and a good hat and mits and scarf and so on, or a big budget for taxis, I think.

And if the weather forcast says it will be FREEZING RAIN

Don't try to drive to Niagra -- it won't be a good idea

It falls like rain and freezes on contact

and makes an ICE RINK of the roads

Oh god, given that Brits generally have no idea how to drive on snow, it would be better to take a bus trip to Niagara. This tour looks good, for example, although I'm not sure you really want to go to a winery? The ice wine is nice ...

The Holiday Inn Midtown looks doable as a hotel, it's right near the ROM Museum, and on the main tube line.

Oh, and if you like ice skating, you can skate outdoors at Nathan Phillips Square, which I think is right next to the Sheraton.

(If your firm gets a corporate rate, and you can pay that, for your extra nights, you may just want to stay put. The standard rates I'm seeing for the Sheraton are not much higher than the rates for other places, iyswim.)

oooh, yes the cold, in January. I loved it when it was crisp - but typically it is much colder than anything you would ever experience here. Many Candadians wear thermal underwear - long johns, and serious outdoor wear. But heating indoors tends to be hot hot hot, ime! If it is snowy or slushy wear outdoor boots and carry indoor business shoes with you.

I wish I was going back!

If you stick your hand in the freezer that's how cold it will be outdoors. It'll be even more cold when you add the wind chill from the Lakes!. You will be glad to use the many underground walkways that connect together.

The town of Niagara is well tacky; certainly do not attempt to drive there if the weather is poor. You may need snow chains in January as well. Would therefore second the bus trip - Gray Line do tours to Niagara and Niagara on the Lake.

Have a look at tripadvisor re the hotels you list for recent reviews.

I never needed Snowchains in around Toronto/Niagara

If you go north you may do like in Timmins area etc.

Um, I don't think it's legal to use snow chains on paved roads (they're not good for the roads!). Any rental car will have all season radials or whatever they're called now, no chains, no winter tyres, etc etc.

That being said, driving on snow and ice is a skill like any other, and it's one that Brits don't generally have.

Oh my goodness that is all great info - sooo kind.

Notquitecockney you are soo thoughtful!! Don't worry I've driven in Canada before and this January thing has happened before - last year Quebec and Halifax - FREEZING!!

Been googling hotels - ever heard of the Comfort Suites?? Will ask about better rates to extend stay at Sheraton - the few pounds saving may not be worth the hassle!!

Will only go to Niagara if weather clear!!

Thanks again - any other suggestions welcome

Oh my goodness that is all great info - sooo kind.

Notquitecockney you are soo thoughtful!! Don't worry I've driven in Canada before and this January thing has happened before - last year Quebec and Halifax - FREEZING!!

Been googling hotels - ever heard of the Comfort Suites?? Will ask about better rates to extend stay at Sheraton - the few pounds saving may not be worth the hassle!!

Will only go to Niagara if weather clear!!

Thanks again - any other suggestions welcome

Oh my goodness that is all great info - sooo kind.

Notquitecockney you are soo thoughtful!! Don't worry I've driven in Canada before and this January thing has happened before - last year Quebec and Halifax - FREEZING!!

Been googling hotels - ever heard of the Comfort Suites?? Will ask about better rates to extend stay at Sheraton - the few pounds saving may not be worth the hassle!!

Will only go to Niagara if weather clear!!

Thanks again - any other suggestions welcome

sorry about that!!!

I think the Comfort Suites are fine. Travellodge-ish? Maybe? You've looked on Trip Advisor for the hotels you're considering?

just a note re claiming tax back - it IS being scraped! not sure when, maybe it's Jan.

shame as I always used to get a fair wedge backon trips home!