Toronto Visit and Tour Questions

[halloween1031]

Greetings to “Our Friends from Canada” (pardon the EPCOT cliché)! Hopefully a few of you can offer some travel advice for a trip to Toronto this coming June.

I am a history professor at a university in Florida and have developed a class/trip for 15 of my undergraduate and graduate students entitled “The Great Urban American Adventure” where we will be traveling for 26 days across the Northeastern part of the country (Charleston, Richmond, Williamsburg, Washington D.C., Baltimore, NYC, Boston, Toronto, Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Nashville, home). Although this class centers primarily centers around U.S. cities, we do have a trip to Toronto for a few days to give them an exposure to the finer points of “American” urbanization.

While as an Urban Historian I am well-equipped to tour them around the U.S. destinations, I regret that other than the scholarship elements, I am unfamiliar with where to stay, how to get around, what “not to miss” when faced with only two days, etc.

We are arriving in three seven-passenger vans so, like most of the urban areas we visit, would rather not try to navigate the city itself and rather stay on the outskirts of town and use public transportation to come and go. Currently we are scheduled to stay in Mississauga. However, if there are more logical places to stay, I would certainly like to explore this. (Logical being easy to drive in, find hotel, see the city, etc.) Finally, how “user-friendly” is the public transportation system and is there a challenge? As mentioned, I would rather simply board a bus or subway from walking distance to our hotel, but if necessary, are there parking options near stations?

This is good for a start. If any Toronto locals—or frequent visitors—could offer advice, I would be certainly grateful.

 

[Jewel99]

If you stay in Mississauga, there's some lovely hotels, but you're not right in Toronto so you'll have to battle traffic in and out of the city on most days. During the weekend or mid-day it's not much of an issue, but at rush hour, or after baseball games, etc., the traffic can be a major problem. Public transit from Mississauga isn't something I'm that familiar with, but I think it's a totally separate system, so you'd have to take a Mississauga bus then transfer to the Toronto system, so I don't know how expensive or complicated that is.

If you stay in one of the core downtown areas, you'll be able to easily take public transit (subway/streetcar for the most part), plus you wouldn't have to go too far afield to see lots. Depending on where you stay, there's tons you could even walk to in most areas.

One key area to consider is close to Skydome (now called the Rogers Centre) as it gives you ready access to Skydome/Rogers Centre (which used to have really interesting tours), the CN Tower, the waterfront, theatre district, Chinatown, the Eaton Centre, Queen Street/Yonge Street and also the financial district.

You could also stay further into the city near Bloor/Yonge and take public transit if you're on one of the main North/South subway lines, or stay up near the 401 which is at the North End of Toronto and take public transit into the city from there.

A lot of what you'll want to see will depend on what your goals are... entertainment/fun? historical/architectural tours? shopping/sightseeing? educational content related to school curriculum?

As for the public transit, I'm not a regular user of it (always had a car when I lived in Toronto), but the subways are pretty simply as there is essentially one main line that runs East/West from one end of the city to the other, and then there's another line that runs in a "U" or horseshoe from the North end of the city, down South and then North again. (see http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/ttc/pdf/subway_rt.pdf for a subway map if you like).

A good site to look over is http://www.torontotourism.com/Visitor which might give you some more information. As Toronto is like most major cities, you'll want to be sure you're in a location that is safe, affordable for your group but also convenient. If it were up to me, I'd try to stick to one of the many hotels near the Rogers Centre (or that general area) as it gives you the most to see (imho) in a condensed area. This is a link to the types of interesting neighbourhoods in Toronto that you might be interested in seeing, even if they aren't appropriate for staying near (http://www.torontotourism.com/Visitor/WhatToSeeAndDo/Neighbourhoods/)

Hope this helps. Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions and I hope you enjoy your upcoming trip!

 

[Scratch42]

Welcome!

First may I recommend that you stay within the GTA. Easier access to the Public Transit system and only one fare. If you must stay in Mississauga, parking may be a problem, especially at the Islington Subway Station, which is strictly for Metro Pass Holders.

Some must do's while in TO ~ The CN Tower, Skydome or is it the Rogers' Centre?, Eaton's Centre, Kensington Market, China Town, Yonge Street, Yorkville, which are all withing walking distance of each other. There is also an underground system that can take you from Front Street up to Bloor Street, without going outside! Good for those rainy days! But hoping your group will have Sunshine!

There is also the Musuem and the Art Gallery.

Maybe someone else can suggest other stuff!

Scratch

 

[talicskai]

FYI ~ when I was in college (17 years ago! )there was a University downtown (near Carlton?) that sold dorm rooms as accommodation in the summer. That might be fun for the students to check out another campus. Does anyone local have more information on that? Another must do is the Toronto Islands. You can take the ferry over from the bottom of Bay STreet and rent bikes etc to explore.

Teresa

 

[MECH8T7]

Subject to knowing a little more about what types of things you would like to do, I would recommend trying to find someplace to stay in the city core, ideally within very close walking distance to the subway...particularly if we're only talking about a couple of days.

Can you give us some sense of the types of places that you will be visiting in the other cities?

 

[Gsdlee]

I agree with the other posters.

I would recommand that you stay in GTA or even downtown Toronto. I took a look at http://biddingfortravel.com/ in the "Canada-ONtario (Toronto, Ottawa) section, they have a list of Toronto hotels that people had received using Priceline. Take a look at the "ONTARIO HOTELS LIST" Downtown Toronto section, there are a few hotels there, they are all within the Toronto downtown core area, and and I think they should be okay but you might to read the review on that forum and also check the review on the www.tripadvisor.com.

Personally, although I never stayed there, I think the Sheraton Downtown Toronto is quite conveneient for visitors since it's near Yonge Steet, City Hall, Queen St, and also lakeshore.

 

[blusk]

If I were you I would get a map of the GTA and try to pick any hotel that was within walking distance of a subway stop. For info about the TTC, go to http://www.toronto.ca/ttc/ there are route maps and schedules and information about parking there.

 

[cslittle999]

Teresa is think of the St. George campus of the University of Toronto. Here is a link to the summer resident section of the student housing web site http://link.library.utoronto.ca/StudentHousing/index.cfm?fuseaction=section&section=51&category=2

Depending on when in June you will be in Toronto you might be able to check out the downtown jazz festival (June 24 to July 2). More details here http://www.tojazz.com/Pages/Toronto_Downtown_Jazz_Festival_pgM29.asp

Here is another list of festivals running in June. http://www.tdbab.com/toronto2.htm#jun

 

[DreamsComingTrue]

Toronto is a beautiful place to find many things to see and do. May I suggest afew places also. First off Casa Loma, Mackenzie House,Gibson House Museum. All can be reached by the public transit(T.T.C).You can go anywhere by TTC from one end of the city to the other with little problem.
A good place also to look up information would be www.toronto.com
Hope you all enjoy your stay.

 

[marylou]

Don't forget the Royal Ontario Museaum. If you are there on a Friday evening it used to be free admission but I'm not sure if it still is. Then there is also Ontario Place, and the Science Centre for things to do or Canada's Paramount Wonderland. Depending on what you plan to do.
There are all kinds of cultural festivals going on too. and of course the parliament buildings
Have fun

 

[CDN Prince Charming]

Halloween1031,

After reading post after post about us Canadians yurning to go to FLA, its refreshing to read a post where someone from FLA actually comes to Canada.

Your tour sounds quite interesting, but I am positive that once it is over and you look back on the journey, your fondest memories will be of our fair city, and you will see why we call Toronto, "The Center of the Universe".

Welcome and enjoy!!

 

[twinz]

Using the TTC is a good idea, but keep in mind that it is $2.50 each way. We have transfers which are good to transfer from bus to bus, or bus to streetcar. I belive they also have a one day pass but I am not too sure, and I f they do I am not too sure of the cost (I think like $7.50 or something like that). I will check the next time I use the TTC or if I run into my friend who works for the TTC. Keep in mind that it should be quite warm (hopefully) at that time, so don't forget the sunscreen. With a bunch of teenagers it will definately be a good idea to check out the Eaton Centre, which is a 5 story mall right in the heart of downtown. With the exchange rate you should get some good deals.

 

[EvilQueen]

I can't believe no one mentioned this already.... how about the HOCKEY HALL of FAME. Can't visit Toronto and not visit the one museum dedicated to Canada's sport. Check out their website www.hhof.com. You can speak to group sales to get discounts and the have different levels of educational programs that students can learn from while walking through the museum.

As for where to stay... I thought of another option. If you stay in the outskirts of the city either to the east or the west, there is GO transit. From either direction, you can get to Union station relatively quickly. It is a little more expensive than the TTC, but you can get day passes. You can also get day passes for the TTC as well. GO transit's website is www.gotransit.com.

Enjoy!

 

[MickeyMacks]

I visited Toronto last year and used a great deal called Citypass (www.citypass.com) It's available in several American cities, too. It gives you discounted tickets and sort of a "FastPass" treatment for six attractions in Toronto, lists the hours for each attraction plus advice on the best times and days of the week to go, and how to get there with public transportation (or where to park).

It includes the Toronto Zoo (have to drive there), CN Tower including Skypod, Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, Ontario Science Center and the Art Gallery. I bought my Citypass tickets at the CN Tower, we didn't even go to the art gallery and we STILL saved money on admission!

Citypass may not be the best option if you're only in Toronto for a day or two, but if you're there three days or more it's worth it!

If just in Toronto a day, I'd advise CN Tower and Casa Loma as they are the most unique attractions (you can find museums, art galleries and science centers in most other cities). Other cities have zoos, too, but if you have another whole day in Toronto, definitely do the zoo! It's one of the world's best zoos and the Africa section is especially fantastic - go first thing in the morning on a weekday. (BTW, they have a deal where you can camp overnight AT THE ZOO in their group tents and have the run of the zoo the next day - you need to book in advance of course, details on the zoo's website and it's a pretty good deal - food, accommodations and adventure all in one!)

Have fun in Toronto!

 

[twinz]

"It includes the Toronto Zoo (have to drive there), "

Actually you can take the TTC there, it takes a long time but you can take your $2.50 9one way)and get dropped off right outside the gates.

I checked today and there is a daypass but it is only for weekends, unless they have changed it. The pass is $8.00 and it is good for 2 Adults and 2 children or 1 adult, and 4 children.

 

[halloween1031]

A thousand thanks to you all! My apologies at not responding to questions as I was called out of town and out of computer contact. Despite my “post and run” you provided great suggestions. Your insights have certainly helped bring some definition to the tour.

I did indeed move our accommodations to near Downtown (Dufferin St.) that is a short walk to the Yorkdale Subway station. My only major concern is the prospect of driving to the hotel with three vehicles in caravan. We use a GPS navigation system, but as apparently in the minds of the software programmers the world ends at the US border (sounds like most Americans? ), there are no details on streets in Toronto. Nothing like using a map!

If anyone has further ideas (best places to eat perhaps—in the 15-25 CD range? We are making a point of eating only local cuisine everyplace we go.) please do not hesitate to post. Sadly, I will be gone yet again (14-day Disney Magic westbound through the Panama Canal) but will have a week of class here before we set out for our round-trip journey to Canada!

 

[twinz]

If you are close to Yorkdale Station keep in mind that you will more then likely have to walk through a hugh mall to get to the subway. The mall closes at 9 or 10pm, 6pm on Saturdays and 5pm on Sundays (I think) week nights, and if you are later then that you may have to walk around the outside of the mall.
You will have to try Swiss Chalet (Chicken and ribs), Tim Hortons (donuts and coffee), Harveys (like McDonalds---only better, so its a "fast food" buger place where they make your burgers fresh in front of you). Thats' al I can think of for now.
Keep in mind food at the zoo is EXPENSIVE. You can drink the tap water here! LOL a flashing green light at an intersection means that you can go (called an advance light). Have fun.

 

[pampam]

Don't forget to try poutine (french fries with shredded cheese and beef gravy) and butter tarts. Both are Canadian foods.

 

[Mortlives]

I did indeed move our accommodations to near Downtown (Dufferin St.) that is a short walk to the Yorkdale Subway station. My only major concern is the prospect of driving to the hotel with three vehicles in caravan!

Yorkdale is right off the 401 (major highway), so you shouldn't have any problems that way. However, I wonder who told you that Dufferin St. was close to downtown as it is only somewhat close at the South end. If you're near Yorkdale, you're at the North end of the city, downtown is near the Lake (South end of the city).

For good maps and directions to things, try mapquest.ca

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.