Toronto--What not to miss/Where to stay

[disneyfanatic60]

I am thinking about taking a quick trip to Toronto in a few weeks. I live in Buffalo so it's a short drive. My adult children and I are going to celebrate my DD graduation with her Master's in Spec. Ed. I have been there many, many times but not in the past 5 or more years. I know it has changed a lot. We have done the CN Tower/Science Center before so that is out. Does anyone have any other recommendations of things we can do?

We will probably stay over one night in downtown or by the airport. Has anyone stayed there lately and have a good hotel recommendation that wouldn't be breaking the bank?

Also, how about places to eat? I am looking for all sorts of ideas! Thank you.

 

[anniemae]

We stayed at the Delta Chelsea, it was nice.

We enjoyed Casa Loma. It was a short subway ride away and was very beautiful to walk around the grounds. You do an audio tour so you can go at your own pace.

 

[prettyblueskies]

I haven't been in a very long time, but one of the fun things we did while there was visit the Hard Rock Cafe Skydome. The restaurant is attached to a baseball field so we got to watch a game while we ate our meal, I dont' know if you all are sports fans, but it was pretty cool

 

[MamaLema]

I am thinking about taking a quick trip to Toronto in a few weeks. I live in Buffalo so it's a short drive. My adult children and I are going to celebrate my DD graduation with her Master's in Spec. Ed. I have been there many, many times but not in the past 5 or more years. I know it has changed a lot. We have done the CN Tower/Science Center before so that is out. Does anyone have any other recommendations of things we can do?

We will probably stay over one night in downtown or by the airport. Has anyone stayed there lately and have a good hotel recommendation that wouldn't be breaking the bank?

Also, how about places to eat? I am looking for all sorts of ideas! Thank you.

I could help you with a little bit more information

Are you interested in shopping?

Do you like sports?

Do you want to do something indoors/outdoors?

Are you OK with a lot of walking?

Are you willing to leave the downtown area to do some attractions a little bit farther?

There is a great website that could help you. You can find something that interests you and get some reviews either here or tripadvisor www.toronto.com

 

[crashbb]

I haven't been in a very long time, but one of the fun things we did while there was visit the Hard Rock Cafe Skydome. The restaurant is attached to a baseball field so we got to watch a game while we ate our meal, I dont' know if you all are sports fans, but it was pretty cool

I'm pretty that is now gone.

I walk past the Roger's Centre (the SkyDome was renamed a number years ago) almost everyday and I don't remember seeing it. There is a still a restaurant that overlooks the field (as well as a Renaissance Hotel), but no Hard Rock Cafe. There is a Hard Rock Cafe downtown though.

OP - What is your hotel budget? I like the Hilton Garden Inn on John Street - close to the Roger's Centre, Entertainment District (good theatre), and Queen West (fun shopping). Very new, so nice and clean. Generally not too expensive. Walking distance to a lot more (and just off a streetcar line).

Toronto has some great theatre, if you enjoy that. Shopping is probably not a good idea given the parity of the dollars (and the fact that most things are more expensive here).

As a PP said, more details would be very helpful.

 

[disneyfanatic60]

We will probably not arrive into Toronto until early Friday evening and will be there all day Saturday. I would like to keep the hotel price under $150. I have stayed at the Delta Chelsea many, many times but not in the past 10 years. I have read some good reviews on a view of the Hilton Garden hotels and would definitely stay there. All I care is the hotel is clean and not run down.

As far as what we would like to do, I have been trying to leave the plans up to my daughter since it is her celebration. However, I have been trying to give her some ideas. My kids are 24 and 28. I know the zoo has been suggested and a strong possibility as well as Casa Loma. I haven't been to the Toronto Islands or Centreville in years and was wondering what there was there. Also, a lot depends on the weather. Right now it's cold and wet in this area. We will definitely do some shopping and walk down Yonge Street. The kids are up to walking. They are use to WDW walking! However, I am sure they would prefer not to do as much as WDW!

Thanks for the ideas and keep them coming.

 

[BKMETV]

Something to keep in mind is that the Zoo is no where near downtown...but at the far northeast end of the city.

Walking Yonge street is always great....be sure to check out the new Dundas Square area.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I'm shocked no one has mentioned the ROM, it's an incredible museum with amazing amounts of historic artifacts!

I've stayed at the Le Meridien King Edward, Sheraton Centerville and Intercontinental Centerville and liked each one for different reasons. The Intercontinental is right next to CN Tower so it's extremely convenient, Le Meridien King Edward and Sheraton are right near a subway line (Toronto has very good public transportation) and are easy to get to over all. I prefer the interior Lobby of the Le Meridien but the rooms could use some work (they are looking tired). Valet can be an issue at the Sheraton as they have a very small valet area but parking is right across the street.

 

[elgerber]

We stayed at the Delta Chelsea, it was nice.

We enjoyed Casa Loma. It was a short subway ride away and was very beautiful to walk around the grounds. You do an audio tour so you can go at your own pace.

We really enjoyed Casa Loma also, it was beautiful!

 

[crashbb]

I'm shocked no one has mentioned the ROM, it's an incredible museum with amazing amounts of historic artifacts!

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is also great. It was re-done in about 2008 and is worth a visit just for the building (Frank Gehry was the architect).

For Canadian art, I love the McMicheal. It isn't actually in Toronto (it is in Kleinburg - about an hour north), but I'm assuming that you'll have a car.

Chinatown (right by the AGO) is always fun to poke around. Actually there are a lot of "ethnic pockets" (Greektown, Little Italy, Indian), if you are craving a particular type of food.

 

[rigs32]

I'm also from WNY. My new favorite hotel is the Radisson Admiral Harbourfront. Right on the lake, convienient to downtown. 2 blocks from the CN tower. We paid $100/nt by booking 3 weeks in advance. Parking was ~$15/20 per night, but our group of 6 had driven up in one vehicle. Our room faced east, so we had a lovely sunrise view in the morning.

Next door is an animal focused museum/cafe. Can't remember the name. They have dog meet ups in there and we went and watching about 30 pugs run around and play for awhile. It was hilarious.

We had an amazing dinner at beerbistro.

 

[crashbb]

I'm also from WNY. My new favorite hotel is the Radisson Admiral Harbourfront. Right on the lake, convienient to downtown. 2 blocks from the CN tower. We paid $100/nt by booking 3 weeks in advance. Parking was ~$15/20 per night, but our group of 6 had driven up in one vehicle. Our room faced east, so we had a lovely sunrise view in the morning.

Next door is an animal focused museum/cafe. Can't remember the name. They have dog meet ups in there and we went and watching about 30 pugs run around and play for awhile. It was hilarious.

We had an amazing dinner at beerbistro.

The PawsWay.

I never think of the Radisson (even though I pass it at least twice a day) when asked about hotel. I love the Harbourfront area, but I'd suggest being above the highway for a short tourist stay.

 

[autumnpalm]

I would recommend:

ROM (Royal Ontario Museum)
AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario)
Bata Shoe Museum- if you or your daughter are into shoes

In the Yorkville neighbourhood there are all kinds of cute boutiques, cafes and restaurants. It can tend to be pricey, but it is a very pretty area. If you want to eat somewhere with a great view of the city, try Panorama:

http://www.eatertainment.com/restaurants/panorama/

Much, much cheaper than eating at the top of the CN tower and the views are awesome.

The Toronto Islands are very nice if the weather is pretty, you can tour the Harbourfront and then take the ferry over.

I would also recommend the Beaches neighbourhood.

http://www.thetorontobeaches.com/

Another great neighbourhood with lots of shops, parks, a boardwalk and a close to Danforth Ave. which has some really, really amazing Greek food. Tons of Greek restaurants in that area for every budget.

 

[autumnpalm]

One more thing: this is a great guide to restaurants in Toronto from Toronto Life Magazine.


http://www.torontolife.com/restaurants/

 

[MM27]

Hockey Hall of Fame

 

[themermaidgirl]

Sunday is the opening day of Canada's Wonderland, a theme park. Relatively easy transit from Downtown, and will be $30/ticket for the opening of their 30th year! It's worth the fun (and the funnel cake is to DIE for!)

 

[lizabu]

I like to stay at Sheraton Center and walk everywhere when I'm doing downtown. We park across the street and love to have breakfast at Fran's Diner across the street the other way. Lion King is on right now at the Princess of Wales. You can walk to Eaton Center too. We like Medival times for a fun dinner. The ROM is great. Costco sells a City Pass to do tons of activities. Canada's Wonderland is about to open. It's still coldish to be outside all day though. Depends how hardcore you are about theme parks though. If I was just going to Wonderland and other outskirts places I wouldn't spend the extra money staying downtown when there are cheaper places on the outskirts. If you will be doing stuff downtown then definitely stay there and walk. China town is pretty cool for shopping. My DH almost bought a TV last time. Everything is so cheap there.

 

[Vallie]

I'm from Toronto! Here's my suggestions

Art Gallery of Ontario
Royal Ontario Museum
Hockey Hall of Fame
Toronto Zoo
Queen Street Shopping (my fave)
Eaton Centre & Younge Street for shopping
Metro Toronto Zoo
Kensington Markets
Jays Game at the Skydome (aka Rogers Centre as its now called)
Yorkville neighbourhood is fantastic and upscale with cute shops and cafes
Center Islands - small amusement park called Centerville

Enjoy Toronto, its a nice little city