Help Needed From Toronto residents please

[Tanzanite]

We are driving from USA to Niagara for 2 days and would like to visit one of my favorite cities lived years ago .Looking for a hotel close to Downtown area take TTC in to CN tower and Eaton Centre plus other sites i have never driven in Toronto so scared plus sure parking is hard so suburb would be perfect any hotels recommend plus places not to miss .Also is Eaton Centre still the largest shopping centre? Thanks everyone.

 

[merrick]

yes, eaton centre is the largest shopping centre located in downtown toronto. there are lots of hotels in mississauga, minutes from the airport. we stayed the hilton http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/ontario/hilton-mississauga-meadowvale-YYZMOHH/index.html for a ball hockey tournament for our daughter last summer. it was reasonably priced, rooms were clean and updated and if you have kids, the pool has a small waterslide (open at specific hours). if you have a gps, it would be easy enough to drive to a west end subway station and jump on the TTC to get downtown.

alternatively, you could consider an airbnb venue that has parking available. park your car and take transit from a super-central location. this is a one bedroom, free parking and sleeps 3 right downtown for $100 a night (canadian $$): https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/6936952?checkin=22-05-2016&guests=2&s=qM-7ikFu

things to check out are the CN tower, the mall if interested, we have a relatively new ripley's aquarium which is very cool, depending when you come you may be able to catch a jays game. the beach(es) neighbourhood is a 20 min streetcar ride east, cute shops and cafes, a lovely boardwalk with beach volleyball and trails.

any questions, send me a message!

 

[darwinsrule]

Honestly if you are going to be spending your time in the core you are probably better off staying there. Tons of hotel options available at pretty much every price point (except cheap of course). Since you are driving you will end up taking the Gardiner Expressway right in to the core anyway which really does make it easy. If you end up staying out in the suburbs you are going to be spending all your time getting in and out which of course means less time doing things.

You didn't say when you are coming either. With those dates we could probably give you a pretty good idea as to what is going on, and trust us, as this time of year there is almost always something on.

 

[sk8jdgca]

An alternative would be to drive to a GO station in Burlington and take the train in. Parking is free here but the trade off is the cost of the GO train and carrying your luggage.
I like the Sheraton town centre or any hotel near there. Parking at Nathan Phillip Swuare is fairly reasonable and you are close to Eaton centre and not a bad walk to the CN tower too.

 

[Starwind]

When I have a need to be in Toronto I often stay at the Novotel North York. It is a quick indoor (or outdoor) walk to North York Center station on the TTC Yonge St subway line, which gives easy access to downtown etc. There is a Loblaws on the other side of Yonge, along with a movie theatre and other shops. Many restaurants and other shopping is within walking distance (e.g. Jack Astors), and it is a nice long walk to Sheppard or even to Finch. The hotel has indoor underground parking (there is a fee). In the summer Mel Lastman Square (city square) often has free concerts and other events; in the winter there is ice skating on what normally is the reflecting pool. The hotel has a salt water pool and the city has an aquatic center nearby.

Since it is in the old North York suburb/city, access is easy and you aren't right into "the city". North up Yonge off the 401, or south from e.g. Highway 7 or the 407 (my preferred route as I don't like the 401 past the split into express/collector unless I have no choice) or city streets.

Further afield there are some nice hotels in Markham and Vaughan, which would necessitate a drive in to e.g. a park and ride to catch the TTC subway. That said, Vaughan Mills mall has some nice shopping, and there are hotels close to it -- e.g. the Aloft Vaughan Mills which is on the mall's ring road and you can walk from it to the mall (cross the ring road then cross the parking lot).

Depending what you want to see, Toronto has an aquarium (Ripley's, beside the Rogers Centre), a zoo (the Toronto Zoo), and amusement park (Canada's Wonderland), plenty of museums, shopping of all kinds and scales (e.g. Yorkdale Mall).

SW

 

[Shumshine]

We are driving from USA to Niagara for 2 days and would like to visit one of my favorite cities lived years ago .Looking for a hotel close to Downtown area take TTC in to CN tower and Eaton Centre plus other sites i have never driven in Toronto so scared plus sure parking is hard so suburb would be perfect any hotels recommend plus places not to miss .Also is Eaton Centre still the largest shopping centre? Thanks everyone.

Hi Tanzanite,

If you're looking to explore downtown Toronto - I highly recommend staying in a hotel.
Parking is crazy - but find a hotel that has parking.
Here are some suggestions for hotels:
Le Germain Hotel - 30 Mercer ST. (http://www.legermainhotels.com/en/)
Marriott - Eaton Centre (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/yyzec-toronto-marriott-downtown-eaton-centre-hotel/)
Delta Toronto- Lower Simcoe (right at CN Tower and Ripleys and Rogers Centre aka SkyDome) https://www.deltahotels.com/Hotels/Delta-Toronto
Hilton Garden Inn Downtown (http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/...arden-inn-toronto-downtown-YYZDTGI/index.html)
Ocho Hotel (http://www.hotelocho.com/)

If you're doing hotel - go thru expedia, trivago, or Hotel Tonight (super last minute)

Otherwise I echo what others say: Stay at an AirBnB that has parking - OR you can request a Temporary Street Parking.

(Provided space is available, a temporary parking permit may be purchased by residents and their guests to park a motor vehicle on a street designated under the permit parking program, at a cost of $21.09 per week, $9.00 per 24 hours or $13.51 per 48 hours, plus H.S.T. This program generally services those reside) http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=cd4c4074781e1410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

AirBnB locations with lots of condo
Yonge and Gerrard
Bay and Gerrard
Bay and Dundas
King and John
Leslieville (keep going along QEW until it ends)

Avoid: Liberty Village - access to streetcars and the highways are a nightmare

Attractions to visit in Toronto:
CN Tower
Eaton Centre
Ripley's Aquarium
AGO
ROM
Ontario Science Centre
Aga Khan Museum
MOCCA (Contemporary Art)

Neighbourhoods to explore:
Kensington Market
Chinatown (Spadina and Dundas)
St. Lawrence Market (Tuesday - Saturday)
City Hall
University of Toronto campus (for old buildings)
Yorkville (for people watching)
Queen West (Spadina - Ossignton) * Lots of cute little shops
High Park
Leslieville and the Beaches
Etobicoke and Humber River

Let me know if you're looking for anything off the beaten path
Welcome to Toronto

 

[greenclan67]

Hi Tanzanite,

If you're looking to explore downtown Toronto - I highly recommend staying in a hotel.
Parking is crazy - but find a hotel that has parking.
Here are some suggestions for hotels:
Le Germain Hotel - 30 Mercer ST. (http://www.legermainhotels.com/en/)
Marriott - Eaton Centre (http://www.marriott.com/hotels/hotel-photos/yyzec-toronto-marriott-downtown-eaton-centre-hotel/)
Delta Toronto- Lower Simcoe (right at CN Tower and Ripleys and Rogers Centre aka SkyDome) https://www.deltahotels.com/Hotels/Delta-Toronto
Hilton Garden Inn Downtown (http://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/...arden-inn-toronto-downtown-YYZDTGI/index.html)
Ocho Hotel (http://www.hotelocho.com/)

If you're doing hotel - go thru expedia, trivago, or Hotel Tonight (super last minute)

Otherwise I echo what others say: Stay at an AirBnB that has parking - OR you can request a Temporary Street Parking.

(Provided space is available, a temporary parking permit may be purchased by residents and their guests to park a motor vehicle on a street designated under the permit parking program, at a cost of $21.09 per week, $9.00 per 24 hours or $13.51 per 48 hours, plus H.S.T. This program generally services those reside) http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=cd4c4074781e1410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

AirBnB locations with lots of condo
Yonge and Gerrard
Bay and Gerrard
Bay and Dundas
King and John
Leslieville (keep going along QEW until it ends)

Avoid: Liberty Village - access to streetcars and the highways are a nightmare

Attractions to visit in Toronto:
CN Tower
Eaton Centre
Ripley's Aquarium
AGO
ROM
Ontario Science Centre
Aga Khan Museum
MOCCA (Contemporary Art)

Neighbourhoods to explore:
Kensington Market
Chinatown (Spadina and Dundas)
St. Lawrence Market (Tuesday - Saturday)
City Hall
University of Toronto campus (for old buildings)
Yorkville (for people watching)
Queen West (Spadina - Ossignton) * Lots of cute little shops
High Park
Leslieville and the Beaches
Etobicoke and Humber River

Let me know if you're looking for anything off the beaten path
Welcome to Toronto

Not the original poster, but any suggesetions for a airbnb for a weekend? We need to be at BMO field on june 4th.

 

[papertraveller]

Shumshine has provided excellent recommendations. Two additional suggestions: take the ferry to the Toronto Islands; consider the Chelsea Hotel as well. It is central (between Yonge & Bay) and a short block north of the Eaton Centre.

This is a beautiful city that is best explored on foot. I live on the subway line, and work right downtown. My recommendation is to tough it out in the traffic to get to your hotel, park the car and leave it there while you use transit to get around.

Have a great visit!

 

[Tanzanite]

Thank you so much everyone i have a lot to think about we are arriving in Toronto on July 10th after 3 days in Niagara Falls .We have 3 kids s will get 2 rooms.Tomorrow i will write what we decide want to go to the CN tower and do some shopping .Love to eat in China town also.

 

[Shumshine]

Not the original poster, but any suggesetions for a airbnb for a weekend? We need to be at BMO field on june 4th.

Hi Greenclan67

I would suggest finding an airBnb close by (Liberty Village or King West, or Queen West or Ossington)
Typical AirBnB range from $100CAD - $200CAD/night
Parkdale might be a bit suspect...

 

[PinkMagnolia]

If you are looking for value, and price is a consideration, I will second the Novotel North York for all the reasons listed above. It's directly on the subway line, parking is $15/night (compared to the $40-$50 downtown), there is a pool, and groceries across the street. I paid $106 (incl. taxes) for a room with complimentary (amazing!) breakfast last month - I went through their website for this deal. We have also stayed at the Holiday Inn Yorkdale, and love it for a downtown trip for the same reasons.

I have also personally recently stayed at, and recommend the Fairmont Royal York and Sheraton Centre (both downtown - you can get great deals at both these hotels sometimes as well)

If you are going to the CN Tower, you should really consider bringing your kids to Ripley's Aquarium as mentioned above as well. It's well worth it!

Have a fun trip!

 

[Tanzanite]

Thank you so much we are going to stay at the Novatel its around a thousand dollars for 2 rooms and 3 nights in each room which is fine unless anyone knows of a deal better i am going to call hotel . It looks great.One more question is the parking good i have a new van and need plenty of room as im not good at parking it We are going to go to Canada Wonderland centre Island CN tower and i want to get in Chinatown and go shopping Eaton Centre and Yorkdale so excited.

 

[PinkMagnolia]

If you want to shop at Yorkdale, you could also consider the Holiday Inn at Yorkdale. My kids love the pool and other activities at the hotel. You'd have to walk THROUGH the mall to get to the Subway Station - That may work for you. We have also gotten the Wonderland package at this hotel.

The parking at Novotel North York is secured underground. It's a large, well-lit underground garage. The same parking used by the Central Public Library and the offices and services attached to the hotel. I have only parked there when we've stayed at the hotel. As it's a garage, there are some narrow spaces when you are going up/down into the garage.

If parking your van is a serious worry for you, the HI Yorkdale is an open outdoor lot, and I recall it has always been a not-so-busy lot.

Between the two, the Novotel is when we literally only need a bed and the convenience of the subway. The HI is good if we will use the amenities (pool, sauna, indoor tennis, ping pong) and get a package deal that somehow includes breakfast buffet and Wonderland tix. HI is more kid-friendly, if that is what you are looking for.

 

[LemonNeko]

I live in Mississauga and would recommend staying downtown unless you have kids who really like public transportation. That way you can park your car once and not have to worry about driving it. I'd recommend the Westin on Queen's Quay. It's easy to get to off the highway and right on the water. It takes 10 minutes to walk to the subway. It's walking distance to Eaton Centre, CN Tower, Ferry Docks.

 

[Erin BN]

Awesome suggestions from everyone; I have a couple things to add as well!

Staying downtown is expensive. The Novotel North York sounds like it would be good and I would also recommend looking into the Best Western Roehampton, which is about a 10 minute walk from Eglinton Station. I also found this article a while back which might be helpful: http://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_cheap_hotels_in_toronto/

If you are only there for 2 days, I'd recommend sticking to downtown stuff mostly, and especially if you've lived in TO in the past then you should have no trouble! The Eaton Centre is certainly still worth a visit, and I'd always recommend the AGO and the ROM because they always have new exhibits even for those of us who have seemingly seen it all many times. Ripley's Aquarium is new in Toronto and is great, especially for kids (though it doesn't sound like you are bringing any?), though it can be very crowded. The zoo has brand new baby pandas but isn't worth the trip unless you want to spend the better part of a day there. The Science Centre has abundant parking (probably you would have to pay for it).

Good luck and I hope you have fun!

 

[sk8jdgca]

Another alternative is Homewood suites in Vaughan. They have a suite that sleeps 6. ( they may have a two bedroom suite also) it is much cheaper, a nice hotel with breakfast. It is minutes from Canada's wonderland. You can take the 407 toll road from the 403 for a quicker, less traffic trip from Niagara. Parking is above ground in a lot. There are a few restaurants within walking distance plus IKEA. depending on your dates the suites with 2 queen and 1 pull out are $183 CAD on their site it might be cheaper elsewhere. Parking , Internet and breakfast is free.
For your downtown exploring,
It is also not too far to drive to a subway line parking. I normally park at Downview, jump on TTC and you are downtown. On weekends you can get a family pass for around $12. Last summer you could buy one any day but that might have been only for the Pan Am games. Anyways kids under 12 ride free.

You are close to shopping at Yorkdale but you are also close to Vaughan Mills which is a great mall also. I wouldn't do both Eaton centre and Yorkdale they are pretty similar.

 

[Tanzanite]

If you want to shop at Yorkdale, you could also consider the Holiday Inn at Yorkdale. My kids love the pool and other activities at the hotel. You'd have to walk THROUGH the mall to get to the Subway Station - That may work for you. We have also gotten the Wonderland package at this hotel.

The parking at Novotel North York is secured underground. It's a large, well-lit underground garage. The same parking used by the Central Public Library and the offices and services attached to the hotel. I have only parked there when we've stayed at the hotel. As it's a garage, there are some narrow spaces when you are going up/down into the garage.

If parking your van is a serious worry for you, the HI Yorkdale is an open outdoor lot, and I recall it has always been a not-so-busy lot.

Between the two, the Novotel is when we literally only need a bed and the convenience of the subway. The HI is good if we will use the amenities (pool, sauna, indoor tennis, ping pong) and get a package deal that somehow includes breakfast buffet and Wonderland tix. HI is more kid-friendly, if that is what you are looking for.

Thank you i am nervous about small spaces as i am not good at parking van i think i will look at the holiday inn i have 3 kids and we love subways so it doesnt matter if take the train thank you.

 

[Tanzanite]

Thank you for every ones help had a wonderful visit to Canada. Staying in Niagara falls 4 days then we took the train from Burlington in to Torontriginally we were staying in Toronto but needed to be home so only had a day for Toronto Go Train was fantastic we loved it so fast clean and reasonable .It was very hot day we went we visited the CN tower and then had lunch at Hard Rock Cafe then to St Lawrence Market and China town .We rode Street car back to Union Station loved that.St Lawrence market was fantastic never been to a market as nice as that .I wished we could have stayed longer.We will go back crossing border was great loved driving over the bridge from where we live was a nice drive i drove 14 hours to get home on the way back home as we did not want to stay hotel another night as there is 5 of us and we get 2 hotels so expensive.Niagara falls was wonderful did Hornblower the Skylon Tower Aero Car and shopping was loveley. Loved hotel we stayed at Lundys Lane we liked WE Go bus great as parking in Niagara difficult to find we left car at Hotel got 2 day pass and took bus everywhere very convenient.Canada was wonderful cant wait to visit again love it so much.

 

[starvenger]

Glad you had fun! Hope your next visit isn't so rushed though...

 

[Tanzanite]

Thank you i was so sad we couldnt stay longer i love Canada so much .I will return and stay longer its so beautiful.