What to do, where to stay in Toronto?

[busy mom]

Planning a trip to Toronto to see a show at the Ed Mirvish Theatre this summer and looking for a convenient hotel and any recommendations for good restaurants or "must do's" in or around Toronto.

Thank you!!!

 

[cyndik1111]

delta chelsea is really family friendly hotel. I think i just saw a deal on groupons or livingsocial website.

Depending on your children's ages- Toronto science museaum- really fantastic, Ikea, toronto zoo, baseball game, ontario place, CNE, skylon tower, easton centre. Toronto is Canada's NYC. Spend some time researching. There is tons to do, tons of shopping, restaurants, neat neighborhoods to explore. Love that place!

 

[Sugar Jones]

The Delta Chelsea is nice and centrally located.

Things to do:

CN Tower
ROM
Hockey Hall of Fame

 

[Couchy]

Delta Chelsea is great!

Shopping at the Eaton Center
Hockey Hall of Fame
Lots of good restaurants
catch a show at one of the theaters
there is a great wine trail about an hour away - Niagara on the Lake

 

[Feckless]

I've stayed at the Delta Chelsea with kids and we loved it. I just got back from TO on business and stayed at the Fairmont Royal York and although it is a bit dated it was gorgeous, and the service and location could not be beat. I really can't say enough good about my stay.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

Depending on what you are interested in, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum can be fun.

If your family likes roller coasters, there is a big amusement park (Canada's Wonderland) just north of the city.

What kind of food do you like?

TP

 

[cyndik1111]

Oh yea, I forgot about Canada's wonderland. If you (or the kids) are into rollercoasters- this is the place to go. They have one called the behemouth. I nearly had a heart attack on that thing- and I love roller coasters. Go to youtube to see videos.
This park is also great for younger kids who like rollercoasters. They have so many for little ones under the dreaded 48inches.

Niagara Falls is about a 2 hour drive south- depending on traffic!

 

[briar_rose_59]

I'll also recommend the Delta Chelsea. I grew up in Toronto & am heading back for a mini getaway with my boyfriend and we will be staying there. We'll be going to a Jay's game, the Toronto Zoo (a fair ways away from downtown but still very fun), a couple of shows downtown (Rent and Bring it On) and then heading to Port Credit/Mississauga for our last day so I can go to Square One and check out the Disney Store! I'm going to try to talk him into a dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory one night too.

 

[saffsmom]

I'll also recommend the Delta Chelsea. I grew up in Toronto & am heading back for a mini getaway with my boyfriend and we will be staying there. We'll be going to a Jay's game, the Toronto Zoo (a fair ways away from downtown but still very fun), a couple of shows downtown (Rent and Bring it On) and then heading to Port Credit/Mississauga for our last day so I can go to Square One and check out the Disney Store! I'm going to try to talk him into a dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory one night too.

there is a disney store at the eaton centre too....

 

[saffsmom]

delta chelsea is really family friendly hotel. I think i just saw a deal on groupons or livingsocial website.

Depending on your children's ages- Toronto science museaum- really fantastic, Ikea, toronto zoo, baseball game, ontario place, CNE, skylon tower, easton centre. Toronto is Canada's NYC. Spend some time researching. There is tons to do, tons of shopping, restaurants, neat neighborhoods to explore. Love that place!

ontario place is closed

 

[YukiPhnx]

there is a disney store at the eaton centre too....

The Eaton Centre store closed a while ago. Last year I believe.

There's a new one opening up in Yorkdale! I'm sure it'll be just like the one in Square one.

OP, if you want more advice about Toronto, hop on over to the Canadian boards!

 

[VAfamily1998]

We stopped very briefly in Toronto last summer. Something I really liked about Toronto was that it has a very high immigrant population, which has let to it having lots of ethnic neighborhoods. I LOVE Greek food and they have a Greek neighborhood there with lots of great restaurants. If there is a specific type of ethnic cuisine you love, or would like to try, maybe seek it out in Toronto!

 

[Colleen27]

We've stayed at the Delta Chelsea on all but one of our trips, both with and without kids, and we really enjoy it. The location is great, the service is good, and the rooms are comfortable.

Something I haven't seen mentioned yet that we consider a must-do is Casa Loma. It is so beautiful and the views are amazing. My kids were absolutely enthralled with the idea of a castle right there in the city.

 

[michellev]

We stopped very briefly in Toronto last summer. Something I really liked about Toronto was that it has a very high immigrant population, which has let to it having lots of ethnic neighborhoods. I LOVE Greek food and they have a Greek neighborhood there with lots of great restaurants. If there is a specific type of ethnic cuisine you love, or would like to try, maybe seek it out in Toronto!

When I met my now husband he lived in Greektown. We ate a lot of Greek food while dating, it was fantastic.

Chinatown is close to downtown and HUGE. Go out for a Sunday brunch in Chinatown (dim sum)!

If I was from out of town and staying right downtown to see a show, I would definitely go to the CN Tower and a Jay's game (if they are in town). The ROM is also nearby and a fantastic choice.

 

[pampam]

ontario place is closed

Since the OP is going in the summer, it should be open then.

 

[briar_rose_59]

Since the OP is going in the summer, it should be open then.

They closed it permanently.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/02/01/toronto-ontario-place-future.html

 

[gk90]

If you're going to be there after Aug 17 look at the Ex, lots of fun stuff there, not just rides
https://www.theex.com/get-tickets/

St Lawrence Market has lots of interesting food stalls

Bata Shoe museum is fun and has a pay-what-you-want evening
http://www.batashoemuseum.ca/visiting/hours_admission.shtml

CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company) Museum is interesting if you're into that kind of thing, it's not very big but it's free!
http://www.cbc.ca/museum/visit.html

Enjoy!

 

[lizabu]

wow...some of these things are a snore-fest. I remember being dragged to all of them as a kid. I would do the ROM because its actually pretty cool. The Science center is pretty awesome too depending on the ages of the kids. Smaller kids will love it more. Canada's Wonderland is good too. The zoo can be fun. Center Island is good. Maybe get a city pass and do all the things on it. It depends how long you will be there though.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Living Social has a Delta Chelsea deal going on right now... I didn't read the fine print. It may or may not work for you. Here's the link.

http://www.livingsocial.com/cities/201-rochester-ny/escapes

 

[sandynd]

I really second the CityPass idea - admission to the zoo, CN tower, Science Centre, Casa Loma and Rom (1 time each) for $100 per adult, $60 per kid. Saves about half on the price of separate admissions.