Looking for Toronto suggestions

[TLinden16]

Hi all,

Sorry to invade your board, but I couldn't think of a better place to look for recommendations than right here on the DIS.

1. How do you recommend getting from Pearson Airport into the city?

2. Which Catholic church is closest to Eaton Center?

3. Any restaurants I should plan on trying?

4. Is the subway system safe? I am going to a Maple Leafs game one evening, and was planning on taking the subway back to my hotel at Eaton Center afterwards. I figure that lots of people take the subway after the games, so it should be fine, but I figured I'd ask.

5. What are some not to be missed sites to see? My main purpose in going is to go to the Hockey Hall of Fame, but I also plan on going to CN Tower, and maybe the Royal Ontario Museum. What else is not to be missed?

I will only be there for a long weekend, so I know I won't have time to see and do everything, but want to make sure I see the highlights.

Thanks for your help.

Karen

 

[mickilee]

# Airport Express Shuttle: The Airport Express takes about 40 minutes to reach downtown Toronto and costs about Cdn$17 one way (plus tip). The Airport Express Shuttle runs from the arrivals terminal at Pearson International Airport to downtown Toronto hotels, including the Delta Chelsea and the Hilton Hotel Toronto every 40 minutes between 4:15 am and 11:10 pm. Call (905) 564-6333 or (905) 564-3232.

The subway is very safe and easy to use. Just follow the signs.

Walking up and down Younge st is fun, tons of little shops. Yorkville is the higher end street with Prada, Vuitton and Tiffanys.

In the Eaton center is Mr. Green Jeans, bit pricey but awesome food.
There is the Spaghetti Factory.

 

[abdmom]

1. How do you recommend getting from Pearson Airport into the city?

2. Which Catholic church is closest to Eaton Center?

3. Any restaurants I should plan on trying?

4. Is the subway system safe? I am going to a Maple Leafs game one evening, and was planning on taking the subway back to my hotel at Eaton Center afterwards. I figure that lots of people take the subway after the games, so it should be fine, but I figured I'd ask.

5. What are some not to be missed sites to see? My main purpose in going is to go to the Hockey Hall of Fame, but I also plan on going to CN Tower, and maybe the Royal Ontario Museum. What else is not to be missed?

1. Easiest is an airport limo.

2. St. Michael's Cathedral is at 200 Church St.

3. There are thousands of great restaurants in Toronto.

4. The subway is very safe.

5. Since you're staying near the Eaton Centre, I'd do some shopping Also, take in some theater. You're very close to the theaters on Yonge St. King St. is not far either. Mirvish.com will have all the Mirvish theaters. Other theaters can be found by google. The Toronto Symphony may have something good while you're in town.

 

[Salinger]

Hi Karen

You reference the Eaton Centre so I'm assuming you're staying at the Marriott there? If so, the Airport Express bus service doesn't stop there.

It is the best compromise on value & convenience though. A little longer trip than a limo but much less expensive; more expensive than TTC (transit) but a lot less time and hassle. The closest stop to the Eaton Centre would be Bond Place Hotel. It's a few blocks away which may be daunting if you're not familiar with the City. Here's the link. http://www.torontoairportexpress.com/ You'll save 10% if you buy online and print out your confirmation rather than when you get here. Other than that, cabs/limos are flat rate from the airport, but it will be pricey.

Most of your other questions have already been answered. With regard to the subway back to the Eaton Centre after the game, if it's a nice evening, I'd walk it. It's not that far and walking up Yonge Street, especially after a game, is fun.

The subway and the City are very, very safe. Downtown Toronto is alive with people well into the wee hours of the morning as there are dozens of residential properties right in the downtown core so it's not a wasteland after business hours like some big cities.

I, myself, live right in the downtown core, so if you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to PM.

 

[doxie24]

You can even walk to the ACC from the Eaton Centre, it's actually a really nice walk and you can enter through Union Station, which is always fun to check out.

The ROM is awesome if you dig museums, maybe something will be going on in Dundas Square (right across from the Eaton Centre) while you're visiting.

I would walk down to Queen St. and walk westward across. There is great shopping in that neighbourhood and Much Music is down that way too, or at least used to be.

Pop into the Royal York on Front across from Union Station, it's a beautiful old hotel that's nice to have a drink in.

Have fun!

 

[ccudmore]

If you're up for an adventure, you can try to find your way from Union Station to the Eatons Centre via the PATH (The underground walkway that goes all over downtown Toronto.

 

[TLinden16]

Thanks for the tips, everyone.

I'm a city girl, so I'm glad to hear that Toronto is hopping in the evening. It would be fun to walk back to the hotel if there's other people around I love cities at night.

I looked up Mr. Green Jeans online. Looks like a good menu.

 

[LSmith]

All very good tips here. Toronto is an amazing city to visit (or live).

St. Michael's Cathedral is one block from the Eaton Centre on Queen Street and is a beautiful church. They have amazing choirs during church service as well.

The subway is about as safe as you are going to get, easy to figure out and very "new" compared to Boston's (which I love).

The ROM is a first class museum. You will love it.

As someone has already said Queen Street West is great for shopping. You can hop on or off the streetcar for $3.00 or walk if the weather co-operates.

If you can get tickets to the musical, Jersey Boys, by all means do it. Waaaay better than I ever thought it would be, excellent. Pay for better seats, it's worth it. Also, it's on the subway line.


As for restaurants, The Wine Bar, formerly Jamie Kennedy's Wine Bar, is an excellent choice for food and wine and within walking distance (about 10 minutes) from the Eaton Centre. Mr. Greenjeans, in the Eaton Centre, is fine for appletini's but I wouldn't personally go there for the generic food. King St. is full of great restaurants. Basically, for a restaurant "experience", I would steer clear of any establishment attached to the Eaton Centre.

Also, if you haven't already, purchase a Toronto City Pass which will get you into the ROM, Hockey Hall of Fame, and CN Tower for much, much less.

You will LOVE Toronto. That said, Boston is my favorite city in the world.

 

[Salinger]

Yeah, forgot that in my post. I agree with LSmith; I would definitely give Mr. Greenjeans a pass. I wasn't impressed at all. There are so many other far better places when you're right downtown, it'd be a shame to waste a meal there.

 

[ferris198]

# Airport Express Shuttle: The Airport Express takes about 40 minutes to reach downtown Toronto and costs about Cdn$17 one way (plus tip). The Airport Express Shuttle runs from the arrivals terminal at Pearson International Airport to downtown Toronto hotels, including the Delta Chelsea and the Hilton Hotel Toronto every 40 minutes between 4:15 am and 11:10 pm. Call (905) 564-6333 or (905) 564-3232.

The subway is very safe and easy to use. Just follow the signs.

Walking up and down Younge st is fun, tons of little shops. Yorkville is the higher end street with Prada, Vuitton and Tiffanys.

In the Eaton center is Mr. Green Jeans, bit pricey but awesome food.
There is the Spaghetti Factory.

Wow, hard to believe you live in Toronto.
You have spelled Yonge Street incorrectly, Yorkville is an area, and an avenue, Tiffanys and the other high end stored mentioned are on Bloor Street.
As for Mr. Green Jeans, I don't find it expensive or over the top in terms of quality of food.

While I don't know your exact location, being downtowm you have many options.
The Royal York Hotel has a Benihana of Tokyo, there is also Big Daddys Crab shack on King.You can walk along on either King or Queen Street and find a decent place to eat.
If you are adventerous you could head to the Danforth for Greek food, plus many nice shops.

 

[TLinden16]

Thanks for more great tips, everyone! I really appreciate everyone's suggestions.

I'm really hoping for decent weather the weekend I'm there. I am a walker, and love walking around and exploring LSmith, I absolutely love Boston--on nice weekends, I usually go into the city and just wander around aimlessly.

For restaurants, I really love trying places that are unique to a city. I love Italian and Chinese food, and I'm always up for a good steak.

I'll have to check out the Wine Bar.

I am a big theatre fan, and have already looked into theatre scene. I'm considering goign to see Jersey Boys but I'll probably hold off buying tickets until I get there, as I want to make sure I have time to see what I want to see in the city

Thanks again, everyone! I'm really looking forward to my first trip to Toronto, and I appreciate your help!

 

[sue and co]

Hi, sorry to jump in on this thread but my understanding is that the citypass no longer includes the hockey hall of fame as mentioned - it is not listed on the citypass website. Can anyone confirm this as we are currently looking at the citypass and it is 50/50 whether it is worth getting and this would swing it.

Thanks

 

[TLinden16]

Hi, sorry to jump in on this thread but my understanding is that the citypass no longer includes the hockey hall of fame as mentioned - it is not listed on the citypass website. Can anyone confirm this as we are currently looking at the citypass and it is 50/50 whether it is worth getting and this would swing it.

Thanks

I noticed that the Hockey Hall of Fame isn't listed on it anymore as well. I decided to skip the city pass since there were only two attractions on my definite list that are included in it.

 

[LSmith]

Hi, sorry to jump in on this thread but my understanding is that the citypass no longer includes the hockey hall of fame as mentioned - it is not listed on the citypass website. Can anyone confirm this as we are currently looking at the citypass and it is 50/50 whether it is worth getting and this would swing it.

Thanks

I just checked the website and you are right. It looks like the Hockey Hall of Fame is no longer included. I'm not sure when they took that out but it was definitely there a couple of years ago when I bought some passes for friends.

TLinden16:
For Chinese food you can walk to Spadina Garden on Dundas St. , just west of Bay St (a couple of minuted from the EC). Best Chinese food in the city IMO. Order the dry shredded beef (if you like spice), beef fried rice, beef spring rolls and chow mein noodles.

For Italian food try Spuntini's on 116 Avenue Road a few blocks North of Bloor. Our very favorite Italian restaurant with the best service. It is a bit upscale but not overly priced.

Here's some places to avoid at all costs: Steak Restaurant & Bar (located under the Sheraton Hotel) and Fisherman's Wharf located on Richmond Street. Tourist traps with horrible food and service.

Have fun and any more questions, ask away!

 

[papertraveller]

Hi,
One of the things you will discover is that Torontonians love their city, and thus love to share it with visitors. It is a vibrant downtown where people live (and some of us work!) and thus there is plenty to do.

PPs have recommended taking the airport bus downtown from Pearson - this is by far the most cost-efficient way to do it. Have you booked your air ticket yet? It's my understanding that you could also travel Porter Airlines, which brings you into the City Centre Airport and is a quick cab ride to your hotel. They've been running discount deals in the papers here; not sure if you see them too.

The subway is safe. But you can easily walk to the Air Canada Centre (ACC) for the game, and back again with the crowds. I'm not going to mention restaurants, largely because there are so many good ones that for each one I mention, there will be another I regret not including!

Will you be here for a Saturday morning? Take a stroll a few blocks east of Yonge along Front Street to the St. Lawrence Market.
The Art Gallery of Ontario currently has a King Tut exhibition -- I haven't been, but DD's class trip was a hit. I find the ROM a bit tired, despite its 'crystal' addition.

Another PP mentioned wandering west of Yonge along Queen Street -- not quite as Bohemian as it used to be, but still kinda fun.

And shocking, has anyone mentioned the Disney Store? It's at the Eaton Centre. But you'll find the retail wares the same as everywhere else.

Have a great visit. Hope you fall for our city, just as my family has fallen for yours!!