I am visiting Toronto with my 15 year old son March 2-4. Any suggestions on weather? Am planning on staying either at Park Hyatt or Royal York. Is Park Hyatt too far from the action? Any opinions? Thoughts on Royal York? Planning on Skydome, Air Canada Ctr, Hockey H of F, CN Tower, Eaton Centre. Any other suggestions? What is best Fish and Chips in city? Is Ed's Warehouse still open? Any suggestions on an interesting restaurant that's very special and unusual, but not a touristy theme restaurant? Any restaurants serve food that is typically canadian? Thanks for your opinions, dear friends of our neighbor to the north.

Wow! You've certainly planned a lot to do in a couple of days. Stay at the Royal York, it's a beautiful hotel, and it's almost within walking distance of the attractions that you mentioned. Unfortunately, Ed's Warehouse has closed down. Have a wonderful time in TO!

Other suggestions... <BR> <BR>You might want to add Casa Loma on to your itinerary -- it's a magnificent castle with a great history, and it's easily accessible via TTC (Toronto's public transit system). <BR> <BR>The Royal York sounds ideal as a place to stay. It is literally blocks away from HHOF, ACC, Eaton Centre, CN Tower, Skydome, etc. <BR> <BR>Typically Canadian food is tough. In Toronto you can sample the cuisine of just about any ethnic group, but you'd be hard pressed to have someone even know what a traditionally Canadian dish is. I suppose you can buy poutine (pronounced poo-teen) at several places -- it's french fries smothered in cheese curds and gravy. It is a french canadian specialty but you can get it no problem in Toronto. Also, it's the kind of food 15 year olds love. <BR> <BR>I hope this helps, and I hope your trip goes well. <BR> <BR>Rob

Of those two hotyels, pick the Royal York. It's a few minutes walk from almost all the places you mention. <BR> <BR>Weather will be more or less like New York City, if this helps. Maybe below freezing, maybe above. Maybe snow. <BR> <BR>The Royal York is connected by tunnels to lots of interesting places, and you can get all the way to the Eaton Centre underground, and almost to the CN Tower. <BR> <BR>Low priced Canadian classic dinner is chicken at the Swiss Chalet chain. there's one about three blocks west of the front door of the Royal York, on the south side of Front Street, at Simcoe, next to the Crowne Plaza. <BR> <BR>Honest Ed has closed all his restaurants. <BR> <BR>Consider the Ontario Science Center, if your son likes science stuff. It's a fairly long subway and bus ride, or easy to get to by car. <BR> <BR>Once you get past Swiss Chalet, it's really difficult to figure out what Canadian food is. Try the on-street hot dogs and try the french fries from the truck that is probably parked in front of the Convention Center, a few blocks west of the hotel. <BR> <BR>The Peel Pub, which is a restaurant, too, so kids are allowed, is underneath what used to be Old Ed's, next door to Ed's Warehouse, and is a npoisy sports bar owned by Frank and Brenda, who own the Peel Pub in Montreal, which is an old Candian institution. <BR> <BR>Best Fish and Chips are at Kingsway Fish and Chips, a long way from downtown, but worth the trip, and easy to get to by subway. <BR> <BR>Take the subway from Union Station (across the street from the Royal York) up the University line, to St. George. Get off and transfer to the wetbound Bloor Street line, and go to Royal York. <BR> <BR>Get off, and walk one block west on Bloor Street. It's near the end of the block. We are there about once a month, and it can't be beat. Closes early, so go around 6, 6:30 so you can get a seat on the subway, but well before it closes. <BR> <BR>For a good, rairly fancy but not too expensive a steak, go to le Bifteque, on the Richmond Street side of he Sheraton Center hotel. This is a dress-up place, modeled, again, on a Montreal restaurant. <BR> <BR>For lots of variety and very good food, and a sense of adventure buying it, go to le Marche, at the Yonge Street end of BCE Place, which is a block north and east of the hotel.Shopsy's Deli, at Yonge Street and Front Street (across Yonge Street from the Hockey hall of Fame) is a Candian institution, too. Have thecorned beef or smoked meat sandwich, and a dill pickle. <BR> <BR>There are a dozen excellent, interesting restaurants along the south side of King Street, west of John Street. I'd pick the Kit Kat, but youmightwant to look in the windows and read the menus. <BR> <BR>BAK <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

As Rob explained, it would be hard to say exactly what "Canadian" food is! You might want to try Le Papillon, on Church just south of Front Street, for French and French-Canadian food. Specialties include a scrumptious french onion soup, crepes, and "tourtiere" (a traditional French-Canadian meat pie). This restaurant also has lovely atmosphere and great service. <BR> <BR>Your son (and you) might also enjoy 7 West, a laid-back, perennially trendy cafe located at 7 Charles Street West, just south of Yonge and Bloor. The menu is brief but good: sandwiches, a couple of pasta dishes, and a tuna melt which will permanently elevate your opinion of this humble food! It's also open 24 hours/day, as an added bonus. Beware: it's calm enough in the daytime, but it can get loud there at night (after about 9 pm). The first floor tends to be quieter than the upstairs. <BR> <BR>Please post here upon your return and let us know how it went!

Royal York is closer to action suited for 15 yr old. If sports fans, good news... <BR>March 2 Raptors host Nets (7:30) <BR>March 3 Leafs host Senators (7:00) <BR>March 4 Raptors host Knicks (12:30) <BR>Hurry up and get tickets as they may be difficult to get unless willing to pay scalpers. <BR> <BR>A unique restaurant already mentioned is Marche which is BCE Place which is also where Hockey Hall of Fame is. <BR> <BR>Skating at City Hall. You can rent skates there. <BR> <BR>Have fun!! <BR>

About tickets: <BR> <BR>Forget Leafs tickets unless you're willing to pay a scalper twice the face value -- they sell out within hours of going sale, so they are already gone. <BR> <BR>Raptors tickets are definitely a possibility but don't wait to long. <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip. <BR> <BR>Rob

As to weather in early March, unfortunately over a short stay you could encounter temperatures from 25 to 60 degrees F.! We usually have at least one bad snow storm in March as well. Usually, daily highs will be around 40 - 50 degrees, but be prepared!

I'd think the York is too upscale to be much fun for a teen, but it depends on the teen, doesn't it? <BR> <BR>Depending on what he likes the Ontario Science Centre is a must, but you might also consider one of the big scale shows that are often in town. Sometimes the CBC is taping a comedy show and that can be great fun. Check out their website. <BR> <BR>Toronto is a prime site for wonderful music including great trad music (Ashley MacIsaac or Great Big Sea might be playing), the Bare Naked Ladies play there quite a bit, let's see...lots and lots of great bands. The concierge should know what's playing, what's open to fifteen year olds and what's safe. <BR> <BR>The perfect Canadian food for a fifteen year old is pooteen, a monstrosity made up of french fries topped by melted cheese and then brown gravy. For some reason people up there LOVE them. Also you absolutely must check out Tim Horton's. The coffee is very strong the donuts very good and Canadians are completely hooked. There is (almost literally) a Tim Horton's on every corner. Go to Queen Street for funky, trendy, edgy shops that are a bit different from anything I've seen anywhere else. Polite punk kids, f'example! <BR> <BR>Have a good time and let us know how it turns out.