Toronto Travel Forum

Hi,
My boyfriend and I are going to Torono aug 5th-aug 21st (coming from ireland). We'd like to do as much as possible while we're there. we've already booked 2 nights in niagara falls, we'll go to the CN tower also. we've a weding to go to aswell so that will take up a few days. but id like to have as much planned as possible to do before we get there.
any suggestions? here's what we've come up with so far:
we've heard about getting a boat to chicago, anyone done that?
we'd also like to see a ice hockey match, would there be any on then? iv already requested a timetable from the toronto ice hockey website but have gotten no reply.
is there any good markets, museums, parks we should check out?
any suggestions at all would be much appreciated, like i said we want to do as much as poss while we're there!

Some suggestions:
- as you are interested in ice hockey, visit the Hockey Hall of Fame
- make a trip to the Toronto Islands
- St. Lawrence Market in downtown Toronto
- the Distillery District
- Kleinburg (a stone's throw from Toronto); a quaint little un-Canadian village with also the famous the McMichael Canadian Art Collection
- Unionville, another small village with 'old world charm'

happy travels
Jaap

I'm a little familiar with Toronto having vacationed there with my wife and children once and also had a business trip as well. Here is what I can tell you.

I live in the Chicago area and haven't heard of a boat trip from Toronto to Chicago. It is a little over 500 miles between the 2 cities. If you want to visit Chicago you could probably take a train, although we visited using a car.

The Toronto Islands are an interesting place to visit. You can check out the Toronto website for the latest information at http://www.toronto.ca/

The Ice Hockey season doesn't start until September, so you will not be able to see a game. However if you want to see an American baseball game, Toronto has the only Canadian baseball team in the American Major Leagues. The team is the Toronto Blue Jays. You can google to find out their website and home schedule.

Casa Loma is an old historical house. Check out other Toronto information by searching for Toronto on the main Virtual Tourist page.

I don't think there will be a hockey game on...the season will be over soon. Instead, why don't you do a Blue Jays Baseball game? They happen in at the Rogers Centre (used to be the Sky Dome), right next to the CN tower.
http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=tor
OR Toronto just got an american league soccer team, the Toronto FC http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/t280/index.jsp
Visit the Steamwhistle brewery! Local Toronto brewery with samples and tours.
You could also head out to the Toronto Zoo. http://www.torontozoo.com/
Since you'll be there for awhile, you could travel out to a few other cities and towns around Toronto. The bus service from Toronto is very good.
http://www.coachcanada.com
Enjoy your visit!

ONE MORE! Can't believe I forgot this one...my favourite place in the city!!
The ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) http://www.rom.on.ca/
It's a pretty typical museum, but REALLY well done and lots to see. And right outside, the BEST street meat in the city (hot dog cart!!).

Hi Lynn,

Your question about ice hockey will get a chuckle out of every hockey fan in Canada. But don't be too sad, even during the season, tickets are impossible to find unless you scalp them at several times their value.

You've got a number of good suggestions and you should have no problem getting a ticket for a baseball game.

Given that your visit will be in August and the temperature should be fairly high, I suggest you spend one day at Canada's Wonderland, a wonderful amusement park for kids and adults alike. They have great water rides so pick a hot day and you and your bo should have plenty of fun. If it is all the same to you, try to go on a weekday (e.g. Tuesday) when it is less crowded. Here is their website: http://www.canadaswonderland.com/

If you're a foodie, I suggest hitting as many restaurants as possible in T.O.
We have AMAZING food here for decent prices, especially compared to Ireland IMO.

Kensington Market is a great place for "ethnic" food. It's off Chinatown (Spadina & Dundas) so you have a ton of choices for Chinese food but there's also great Mexican and Jamaican food as well as funky vintage shops, coffee shops and patios.

Try to go into the little pockets of T.O. Little Italy, Greektown, Little India, our Gaybourhood (very funky!) and on and on...

Feel free to email me if you want details.

By the way, I think Hockey Hall of Fame is overrated and yes, I'm a hockey fan.

=)

One off-beat surprise to us was the Bata Shoe Museum - sounds mundane but it is absolutely excellent. Just around the corner from the ROM. You can also do a sight-seeing trip of the city on an amphibious vehicle i.e. the trip is on land and water. Called the Hippo.
Btw, Toronto will be very hot in August, so be prepared.

I think many points have been covered off by the others here. Check homepages of everyone who has posted for their Toronto section. I'm sure there will be more detailed information. I have information on getting to the city from the airport, parks in the city, shopping, areas of interest ... etc.

My link:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/d8970/dc8fa/

a teaser...
The CN Tower (currently the tallest freestanding structure in the world): it's worth the money to go up to the observation decks, but if you really want to enjoy the visit make a reservation in the revolving restaurant which gets you up the tower at no charge. The food in the restaurant is really good and not priced exorbitantly.

http://www.cntower.ca/portal/SmartDefault.aspx?at=789

The Rogers Centre (Previously the Skydome): this one of the first retractable roof stadiums currently used by the Toronto Blue Jays (baseball) and the Toronto Argonauts (Canadian Football), as well as other special events. There is a great tour of the facility, but if you just want a peak at the inside go into the Hard Rock Café for a coffee, beer and or meal. You can see the stadium through the windows of the restaurant. If there’s a game on, you can reserve a seat by the window for a small price and you recoup that price on your bill.

The Air Canada Centre: home to the Toronto Maple Leafs (ice hockey) and Toronto Raptors (basketball), as well as other special events.

The Eaton Centre: the epitome of a shopper’s paradise, it is a major multi-floored shopping mall in the centre of downtown. Not only is there a great selection of stores but the atmosphere is great and the architecture is worth a look-see.

Theatre: there are many theatres in Toronto with varying major productions in the big venues and some off-beat productions in the smaller houses.

There are a lot of links posted on the City of Toronto’s website: http://www.toronto.ca/links.htm#guides

If you are visiting in the summer, visit these two neighbourhoods – the Beaches (or The Beach, depending on who you speak to) and the Dan forth.
The Beaches, obviously have wonderful beaches, boardwalk, parks, and concerts and if you walk a block away from the beach area you will come to Queen Street (near Woodbine Ave. and east from there). This area is filled with boutique shops, restaurants and pubs. It has a great atmosphere day or night.
The Danforth also has a great atmosphere day or night and wonderful unique shops, restaurants and pubs. This area is renowned for being Toronto’s Greektown, although it has become a haven and desired neighbourhood for young families.
Another area to visit regardless of your sexual orientation is the Gay Village area, predominantly on Church Street (near the downtown area) from basically Bloor Street down to Carlton St. There are a plethora of pubs, cafes, restaurants, clubs, shops and an eclectic mix of people.

and World Weather Information link for Toronto

http://www.worldweather.org/056/c00264.htm

All of the answers above are excellent and covers a lot (since there is that much to do in Toronto). Depending on who's travelling, I'd suggest different places:

Children:
ROM, Canada's Wonderland, Centre Island (Centreville), Ontario Place, Casa Loma, Toronto zoo, a baseball game, even a trip up to Wasaga beach (about an hours drive) if you're willing.

Adults:
Shopping @ Eaton Centre, Yorkville, or at Yorkdale mall. Bata shoe museum (a must for any shoe lover), visiting the many clubs downtown, anything on Queen Street, St Lawrence Market, Distillery District, Danforth (I believe the Taste of the Danforth will be on while you are there). Going down along the lakshore is also very nice, whether its to bike, rollerblade, or just stroll.

If you have any more questions feel free to email me. I live in T.O so I can fill you in on any upcoming events. Have a great trip!