Toronto recommendations?

[Andrea_2]

We are planning to go to Toronto in August, and I am looking for recommendations, on sites to see, hotels, and restaurants. I just collected some information from previous posts, but most of them are quite old. Just wondering what the current advice is on what is best to see and do. We will have our two kids with us (ages 4 & 1). Thanks!

[Andrea_2]

Bumping... Anyone? Pretty please? :D

Here is some more specific information. I'm wondering where the most convenient area to stay would be if we want to visit Little Italy, go to a Blue Jays game, go to the science museum, maybe the CN tower... etc.

I looked on Hotwire.com and found hotel rates for east or west Toronto downtown, and I'm not sure which is more conveniently located. I still need to buy a map!

Recommendations for Thai, Italian or Greek restaurants would be great! As well as any others that are really good. We eat just about kind of food.

We'd like to check out any local summer events or festivals if anyone knows of any of those too.

Thanks!

[MiMo]

Hi, Andrea. I have been to Toronto twice for business (no pleasure, sadly) and I just want to tell you NOT to stay at the Delta Chelsea. Great location but paper-thin walls and way too noisy. I did stay at the Park Hyatt for one night and it was great. I plan to stay there again when I go back (for pleasure) next year. This also happens to be the hotel where all the MLB and NHL teams supposedly stay where they are in town.

I have no restaurant recommendations since I didn't get a chance to eat anywhere exciting in my one-day stays there.

If I think of anything else, I'll post here. I know right after I push "Submit Reply" that I'll think of something else. ;)

[Sarah]

Where would East or West Toronto be? How far out? From what you want to do, it sounds like you'd be better off downtown at somewhere like the Delta Chelsea.

Are you planning to use a car? Everything you list is accessible by TTC (public tranist), and that would be the cheapest option.

My favourite Greek is the Pappas Grill on the Danforth (also accessible by subway), but I'm not sure I'd recommend it with kids. The Royal Ontario Museum might be fun too. Great mummies and dinosaurs. If you're downtown, it's closer than the Science Centre (which is also fun, don't get me wrong)

As opposed to many major league towns, for baseball you can get decent seats as a walk up.

I haven't been up the CN tower in years. You used to be able to go up for lunch and then your ride to the top was included in the (somewhat expensive) food. I don't think lunch is an option any more.

PM me if you have any questions. I've just rambled a bit.

[funnybone]

When we lived there, we enjoyed going to Toronto Island with the kids - you take the ferry across and there is a park and rides, geered for the younger ones. It's also known as Centreville.


http://www.centreisland.ca/


As for hotels, it's been awhile, but it depends on if you want to stay in the city or not. If you'd rather not stay in Toronto, I'd rather stay to the west (Oakville, Mississauga, Etobicoke) than to the east of the city, but that's because I'm more familiar with the area. I wish I could help, but when we visit these days, we don't get into the city much to do things.

[foodfiend]

Hi Andrea,
For the best info, go to www.toronto.com. It will have every sightseeing/event/restaurant info you will want.
For Greek food, I recommend Avli, Pan and the Pantheon on Danforth Avenue. Danforth between Broadview and Pape Avenue is the Greek town. You'll find lots of decent Greek restaurants there, some upscale, and it's an interesting part of the city. Worth a stroll.
For Italian, good restaurants include La Vecchia and Zucca Trattoria in mid-town Toronto. Il Fornello is a good upscale chain restaurant that many families go to. California Sandwiches in downtown Toronto is the Torontonian's place to get messy veal or meatball sandwiches.
Again, toronto.com has a large selection of restaurants, including many reviews.
Tourists go to the CN Tower, but I'm not crazy about it. It's quite expensive and not worth the cost. Your kids will probably enjoy the Ontario Science Centre, a trip to Centre Island (amusement park on the island) or Wonderland (amusement just outside of town). The Royal Ontario Museum just re-opened with a stunning new glass design. It would be worth a visit.
Hope this helps.

[Sarah]

As for hotels, it's been awhile, but it depends on if you want to stay in the city or not. If you'd rather not stay in Toronto, I'd rather stay to the west (Oakville, Mississauga, Etobicoke) than to the east of the city, but that's because I'm more familiar with the area. I wish I could help, but when we visit these days, we don't get into the city much to do things.

I would second this. No one should live/stay east of the Don Valley...or maybe that's just me ;) (which is an odd statement when you think I was born in Eastern Ontario)

I wouldn't recommend Wonderland with a 1 and 4 year old. Centreville would be a better option.

We did the Toronto Harbour tour on a bit of a lark last summer. We went at dusk, so the lights were all coming on in the city. It goes out and around Toronto Island, etc. It leaves from Queen's Quay, and wasn't overly expensive. We (6 adults) had a good time, and learned more than we expected.

[Andrea_2]

Thanks for the recommendations! I bought a couple of good maps yesterday, so I'm getting a better feel for where everything is. Looks like some of the things we want to see are pretty spread out, but hopefully we can get to most places using public transportation. That toronto.com is full of information, but it is quite overwhelming! I keep finding more and more ideas for things to do. I'm thinking about leaving a day earlier in order to get more stuff in, because it certainly doesn't look like we'll be bored. Looks like a great city for a family vacation!

[gaja]

If your family enjoys vegetarian food, I highly recommend Fresh (http://www.juiceforlife.com) - I usually go to the one on Bloor st. but they have 3 locations. This is a great place for brunch or lunch and they have awesome smoothies.