kendu

We have two days in Toronto, what should two adults a 12 year old boy 14 year old girl, 16 year old boy do? Planned on CN Tower, some shopping, sightseeing, should the boys go to Hall of Fame. They like hockey a lot, but not interested in the old timers. Would all of us enjoy Casa Loma? Other must dos?
Thanks
Ken

gannetmusic

If your kids like hockey the Hall of Fame is a must see. Lots of interactive things...and they can get their picture taken with the Stanley Cup.

Check out Queen Street West for the ultra-trendy shops, restaurants and people - your teens will enjoy it for sure. They can visit 'speakers corner ' at the City TV / Muchmusic building and record their video messages.

Depending on where you are from, a visit to one of Toronto's ethnic neighbourhoods might be a bit of an adventure for your kids. There are plenty of neighbourhoods where english is most defintely the 'second language'and the foods and culture are totally authentic.

cheers

Jerry

In my opinion Casa Loma would bore most teens

BAK

When my big kids were teenagers, they liked Casa Loma, but there were pretty intellectual kids.

Hockey Hall of Fame is a winner; interactive games, etc.

I'd suggest a double decker hop-on and hop-off bus tour, that gives you a quick look at lots of stuff, and the top of the bus is more fun than inside.

AGain, depending on the kids... take the ferry boat to Toronto Island. The amusement park there is better for younger kids but there's still a few things for all three to do. But only assign an hour or two to this, rather than a day.

Harbourfront will have something for them all; tour of the Steam Whistle Brewery is between CN Tower and Harbourfront, so is a good part of the walk.

Hot dogs and fries fromthe trucks in front of Convention Centre / CN Tower or in front of Toronto City Hall are fun. Won't poison you. Mr. Horvath's small truck at the convention centre is my first choice.

Queen West, as per suggestion before this, is good chocie.

For food; why not let ech kid pick an ethnic cuisine for one meal. Deli counts as ethnic, so corned beef sandwiches at Rueban's across from Holiday Inn on King might work. Chinese, Italian, Thai, Korean, Greek, etc. Regardless, then head for some part of town where there are lots of these.

BAK

BAK

HogtownJim

Take a ride on the Queen Street east street car to the Beaches. There is a boardwalk along the lake where your family can build sand castles and take it easy while watching people and dogs go by. On Queen street, there are numerous shops and restaurants such as Licks which have the most excellent burgers.

Scotia

How about the Science Centre on Don Mills Road? It is not in downtown Toronto so they will have to take public transportation or rent a car.

hdm

You don't say when you're coming to Toronto but upcoming events are the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) and Cirque du Soliel. CDS is in a big tent outside Ontario Place which your kids might also find fun. There's lots to do there including IMAX movies. Harbourfront and Queen West are good suggestions as are the ethnic neighbourhoods. Also Blue Man Group is playing here and I think your kids would love it. Personally I've never found Casa Loma particularly interesting. If you were going to be here for a long time, I'd include it but for a couple of days there are things that are a lot more fun. Look at www.harbourfrontcentre.com and www.toronto.com and www.nowtoronto.com for events.

lesliec1

We just got back from Toronto. Loved the Science Museum--my 16-year-old daughter spent the entire afternoon in the "Sports" room (basically physics and physiology), and experiencing G-force by pedaling a bike on a vertical track in the rollercoaster exhibit. There are 2 Imax theaters, too. We drove to the museum, but you can get there by public transportation--I don't think I'd rent a car just for that. (Parking at the museum was expensive.) My daughter loved shopping on Queen Street. Started at Queen and Yonge and walked west, shopping as we went. From traditional, main-stream stores, the shops grow progressively artier and funkier the further west you walk. There are plenty of nice restaurants with sidewalk tables, too. Also enjoyed the evening Haunted Toronto tour with muddyyorktours (www.muddyyorktours.com). Departs from the steps of the ROM and lasts about 2 hrs. Not terribly scary, but gives an interesting overview of the city, and Richard the tour guide is very knowledgeable. I think we held him hostage for about 2 hours after the tour, picking his brain about Toronto! On a prior trip, we did the CN tower. Don't know if it's still the case, but back then it was quite expensive just to ride up in the elevator, but the elevator was free for people eating at the restaurant at the top. So we went for Sunday brunch. Very fun.

JM

Skip Casa Loma. Much more intersting things to do with the kids as stated above.

vanclan

I'd agree with the previous poster who mentioned the "science museum" Known as the "Ontario Science Center" it's usually a real hit with kids....but adults can enjoy it too.

BuffaloGirl

My 20 year old nephew spent the summer in Buffalo last year and I took him to Toronto. We visited neighborhoods, all the popular sites, etc. Before we headed home, I dropped him (and my 13 year old son) off at the Hockey Hall of Fame while I went shopping. They loved it and agreed it was the best part of the trip. And they're not interested in the old timers either.

I think a walk through Chinatown is worth it....for kids and adults.

Have fun!

sobolik

We just returned from most of those places and would love to go again.

In Toronto we did Bata Shoe Museum and Yamato Japanese Steak house back room cook at the table flaming onion bit, and CN Tower with on the back side Toronto Hot Dog Cart feed the pigeons bit.
I would recommend the same especialy Yamato for the kids visual attention grabber. The pigeons behind the tower might get them a bit excited as most kids like living critters. What caught my eye but we did not do was the electric street cars (buses) I would have liked to just to say I did as they are a relics from the past in my country (USA) I do not know where you are from (city or not) but the kids might really tune in to this mass transit gig especially if you take the route through China Town and hop off for a visually stimulating walking tour.
The traffic can be very bad. Cheveron symbols are painted on the pavement to guage distances and warnings all over saying more or less to drive with your head but all of it is ignored by enough drivers to make it dangerous.