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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Toronto - what's good for the kids?

17 replies

maggiethecat · 24/06/2010 23:44

We go to Canada in summer for the first time to visit relatives. They live fairly close to Toronto. As we'll be there for about 3 weeks I figure that we will need to sort out a schedule for ourselves for some of the time - what are some of the things we should look out for?

OP posts:

hmc · 24/06/2010 23:56

Well the obvious was is the CN Tower - but visit early in the morning before the queues build up

hmc · 24/06/2010 23:57

Stanley Park is worth a visit too.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 25/06/2010 07:10

Canada's Wonderland
CN Tower
Niagara Falls

Original poster

maggiethecat · 25/06/2010 10:54

Never heard of CN Tower but will have a look. Niagara will be on the cards with relatives I'm sure.

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haggisaggis · 25/06/2010 11:10

CN Tower - also try and arrange to have lunch there (you don't need to go to the expensive revolving restaurant - there is another one with more reasonable priced food) - get a widnow table. Kids will be kept amused looking out of teh windows at teh little water planes and you can eat in peace.
The harbourfront area is nice.
We didn't go to Ontario Place but looks liek it would be good.
I haven't been to the science centre for years but remember it as being good for kids then.
Have fun! When I first stayed with relatives close to Toronto I used to love getting the double decker trains into the city (and I was 19!)

GreatGooglyMoogly · 25/06/2010 11:36

The islands (-take a boat) and the Ontario Science Museum are both nice. Childrens museums are also generally good.

GreatGooglyMoogly · 25/06/2010 11:43

Links:

www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/

www.toronto.ca/parks/island/

AttilaTheMeerkat · 25/06/2010 11:45

There is also a Hard Rock Cafe that overlooks the Toronto Bluejays baseball stadium next door to the CN Tower.

Toronto Islands are also well worth a visit.

Eaton Center is good for shopping.

hmc · 25/06/2010 13:04

"Never heard of CN Tower but will have a look" - Maggie! (admonishes in school marmy tone); until very recently it was the tallest structure (available for the public to go up)in the world

Original poster

maggiethecat · 26/06/2010 19:40

sorry hmc (donning most embarrassed schoolchild face).

will look at links as I know nowt about the place (as you can tell!)

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WorkInProgress · 26/06/2010 19:48

Would second lunch in the CN tower - highlight of our trip ! Also Niagara if you can make it.

lal123 · 26/06/2010 19:49

We were there a few years ago - think DD was about 3. Toronto Islands definitely worth a visit, Niagra Falls, Niagra on the lake is a pretty little place - there's a great fancy dress shop and when we were there it was the peach festival - best peach pie I've ever tasted!

Original poster

maggiethecat · 30/07/2010 06:39

Well we're here and I must say Greatgoogly that after much sifting through the info to hand plus anectodal tips from relatives with similar aged kids centre islands and science museum are def high on the list (had forgotten this thread and just decided to revisit).

Not sure about CN tower with mine (7 and 3.5 yo).

Will also do Niagara - had not appreciated that there was so much to do there - could probably spend a couple of days.

We've so far enjoyed blueberry and raspberry picking and 2 days at the beach (manmade lake) and are heading off to African Lion Safari tomorrow.

Anything else anyone care to recommend since we have lots of time to play with?

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MmeRedWhiteandBlueberry · 31/07/2010 18:12

We were in TO a couple of years ago, and we basically did Niagara Falls, a day wandering downtown, and Ontario Place. We didn't do anything particularly cultural (the weather was fine and we were saving the museums in case we needed a contingency plan).

The CN Tower was a bit too expensive for us. DH and I have done it BC, so knew what to expect so didn't bother.

We spent much of our time with relatives and having our main holiday in Muskoka.

Original poster

maggiethecat · 02/08/2010 03:45

MmeRWaB did you do Niagara theme parks etc? I know that you can do it simply - visiting the falls and doing tour bus ride or you could go for the extras.

Was told that Ontario Place might not have enough for my aged kids to justify cost.

Did lion safari yesterday and it was great - spent 9 hours there and although expensive it was money well spent.

The time spent with relatives is precious and kids have enjoyed meeting up with newly met cousins.

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MmeRedWhiteandBlueberry · 07/08/2010 07:21

We just looked at the Falls and then went for lunch in one of the restaurants over looking the Falls. We were meeting people from the USA there.

We were open to doing some extras but then the heavens opened and we just rushed to our car. There were quite big queues for the movie my kids wanted to see, and we couldn't fit that in before our lunch reservation. If booking is possible, I would advise that.

We were actually quite stunned at the amount of development in the 15 years since we were last there. The casinos have brought in a lot of money to the area, so there are more attractions in general.

I think it is worth taking a couple of days to enjoy the area, but we didn't have time for that.

Original poster

maggiethecat · 11/08/2010 05:43

Went today just for a couple of hours because of tight schedule today and it was very nice. Did Maid of the Mist boat ride which I think will stay in the girls' minds for a long time. Did not get to do tours or anything but will probably reserve a couple of days of Niagara for our next visit.

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