Visiting Toronto

[sue and co]

Hi,

I am from the Uk and we (myself, DH and three teenagers) are considering visitng Toronto for a couple of weeks in the summer instead of Orlando. I am interested in opinions of how much there would be to do for two weeks and also what the costs are likelyto be in terms of eating out etc. Also does anyone happen to know if a UK blue badge is accepted in Canada - it no longer is in Florida.

Thanks

Sue

 

[MM27]

I wouldn't spend several weeks in Toronto personally. When I went to Toronto on vacation, we flew into Toronto, spent a couple of days there and then took the train to Montreal and stayed there a few days.

 

[minnie56]

I live in Toronto and think a week or 10 days or so is ideal..there are the downtown Toronto sights and you might want to see Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, Cottage Country (the Muskoka's etc)..lots of pretty spots on the way to Montreal also should you visit there as well.

Not sure what the UK Blue badge is so can't be of help there!

You might want to post this as well on the Canadian boards for some further insight..

Enjoy however long you visit!

 

[peemagg]

Some of my favorite don't miss things in Toronto is:

Casa Loma
Spagghetti Factory
CN Tower


If you can get to Montreal: check out the Notre Dame Basillica.

 

[autumnpalm]

I live in Toronto!

Some fun sightseeing things:

Casa Loma
Royal Ontario Museum
Bata Shoe Museum (really cool!)
Art Gallery of Ontario
Harbourfront area/Queen's Quay
Toronto Islands/Center Island park
Toronto Eaton Center
CN Tower
Distillery District
Any of the theater shows!
The Beaches neighbourhood and boardwalk
Hockey Hall of Fame
Ontario Place/Canada's Wonderland theme parks

There are tons of summer events and festivals, at the waterfront and places like Dundas Square, etc. I would also recommend like the PP driving down to see Niagara Falls, it really is beautiful! The whole Niagara-on-the-Lake area is absolutely gorgeous there are tons of B&Bs there and it is so relaxing.

If I can help out at all, feel free to PM me! Toronto is a beautiful place in the summer.

 

[NHdisneylover]

We love toronto, though we have never stayed more than 5 days in a row before. I recomend getting a citypass. It is a very good deal and makes it easy to visit some of the top attractions:

http://www.citypass.com/city/toronto.html

Montreal is also a great city. I would agree with the PP who recomended splitting the time between the two places (with perhaps a bit more in Toronto).

 

[DutchsMommy]

I think if you are here for 2 weeks you should consider Toronto plus something else - like Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, or maybe Niagara Falls (nice tourist attraction but the town is pretty cheesy). Also Price Edward County is quite nice in the summer (provincial park, quaint towns, wine country). Definately post on the Canadian Board - we'd be happy to help!

 

[autumnpalm]

Oooh I would second Quebec City as well! It is absolutely gorgeous and the food is SO good.

Heading up north to Georgian Bay would also be a lovely weekend trip! There are some beautiful lodges up there.

 

[autumnpalm]

Oh! And the Sandbanks Provincial Park is so so so pretty! It has the world's largest fresh water sandbar and dune bank system!

 

[sue and co]

Thank you everyone for your help - it looks like it might be difficult to find 14 days worth in Toronto itself but I am not giving up yet. Although the idea of moving is in some ways a good one we found before that with five of us it was actually very stressful (we went from LA to San Diego) BUT the kids are older now so perhaps not quite so bad. The UK blue badge is for disabled parking - in FLorida it used to be accepted but now you have to apply for a temporary pass (at a cost) either before you go or when you get there. I may post over on the Canadian board as well as I guess they will have more insider knowledge.

Thanks again for your replies - it is appreciated.

 

[mickilee]

If the kids are into gaming there is the Playdium
Wonderland, disney its not. But still fun
Eaton center - kids love
Vaugh mall - another teens mall, with go karts and stuff to do.
Disney stores
York dale mall higher end mall.
Wild water kingdom
Toronto science center
Pioneer village
Toronto Zoo


the countless smaller communities where you can shop and eat their ethic food. YUM
The rogers center is always having concerts or holding something to do.
Young street for people watching
Depending on your timing, there is always a special event being held in the summer.

There is tons to do here. Just have to be creative.

 

[declansdad]

I think if you are here for 2 weeks you should consider Toronto plus something else - like Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, or maybe Niagara Falls (nice tourist attraction but the town is pretty cheesy). Also Price Edward County is quite nice in the summer (provincial park, quaint towns, wine country). Definately post on the Canadian Board - we'd be happy to help!

Getting from Toronto to PEI would be somewhere between a 16 to 20 hour drive.

 

[abdmom]

Quote:
Originally Posted by DutchsMommy
I think if you are here for 2 weeks you should consider Toronto plus something else - like Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, or maybe Niagara Falls (nice tourist attraction but the town is pretty cheesy). Also Price Edward County is quite nice in the summer (provincial park, quaint towns, wine country). Definately post on the Canadian Board - we'd be happy to help!

Getting from Toronto to PEI would be somewhere between a 16 to 20 hour drive.

Prince Edward county is about 2 hours east of Toronto.

I recommend Algonquin Provincial Park as a side trip.

 

[sk8jdgca]

There are so many interesting neighbourhoods in Toronto that really you could easily spend 14 days especially in the summer. I'd pick one neighbourhod a day and explore. Costwise, it depends on how you like to eat. There are so many different types of restaurants to chose from at many different price points.

 

[declansdad]

Prince Edward county is about 2 hours east of Toronto.

I recommend Algonquin Provincial Park as a side trip.

My bad, I read that as Prince Edward Island. So Sorry

 

[lisaviolet]

I thnk it depends what kind of vacationer you are.

Do like to live in the city - instead of being the vacation type?

Personally, I could live in any city for a month. Easily. I adore exploring neighbourhoods, relaxing, doing as the locals do.

Oh gosh Vancouver, Chicago, New York City, London, Barcelona. Oh boy. Any city. I ADORE cities.

I should look back and see when you are planning to come. If you can come the last two weeks before Labour Day - I would buy an Ontario Place season's pass. And then you could get into the EX (Canadian Nattional Exhibition - old time huge fair) for free. As well as Ontario Place.

A lot of people don't like Toronto. But honestly I think a great deal of those people don't go beyond the beaten path. They do Yonge Street and think "whatever". Toronto's strength is in its neighbourhoods. You can be in concrete turn a corner in the city and swear you're in the country.

I just moved out. Lived ten years in the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood. I didn't want to leave and miss it desperately. Desperately miss downtown living. I am on Georgian Bay - Collingwood - an area that is a perfect day trip (only an hour a half). So PM me on either downtown or Collingwood and I'd be happy to guide you.

Also, have you considered a condo/home swap instead of a hotel?

You might look on craigslist.com for such an alternative.

 

[sue and co]

Thanks everyone.

Toronto is still very much the front runner for our next hols.

 

[focusondisney]

Don't forget Blue Jays baseball if you are interested in seeing a major league game. And the Buffalo Bills might have a preseason football game scheduled for Toronto, don't know for sure tho.