Eating & Playing in Niagara & Toronto
Feb 10th, 2005 | 05:56 AM
#1
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Eating & Playing in Niagara & Toronto
We are two families coming to Canada over July 4th. The kids range from 5 - 11. We are spending three days in Toronto, staying at the Four Seasons. We have cars, and plan to see the CNTower and Ontario Place. What other suggestions do you have? We have a butterfly farm here in MA so that is out and our kids are not museum goers. Also what good places are there to eat. We are not huge fans of chain resturants. Does the CNTower have a restaurant? Is it worth going to?
In Niagara we are staying at the Sheraton Fallsview for two nights. We plan to do the Maiden Mist and the Whirlpool speadboats (not sure of the right name) what else should we not miss and we are again looking for eating suggestions.
Thanks
In Niagara we are staying at the Sheraton Fallsview for two nights. We plan to do the Maiden Mist and the Whirlpool speadboats (not sure of the right name) what else should we not miss and we are again looking for eating suggestions.
Thanks
Feb 10th, 2005 | 07:18 AM
#2
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It's Maid of the Mist, and well worth taking.
Near Niagara Falls (the city with the falls right there) is the town of Niagara on the Lake, and there is an old fort there the children will enjoy. Plus a fudge shop they will enjoy. (lots of good stuff for parents, too.) You can see a fort in the USA from NotL, and children seem to enjoy this view.
You might re-think the non--museum stiff -- the Royal Ontario Museuam, a block from your hotel, has a good dinasaur exhibit, plus good knights, etc.
The littlest kids will enoy the park along Cumbertland Street (the south side of the hotel) where there's a huge rock they can climb on, plus imitation wilderness.
The main restaurant at the CN Tower is excellent, expensive, and fancy. There are places to eat that are less fornmal up on the observation level and down at the bottom, near the gift shop.
My 10 year old was there a few weeks ago with friends, and we all had a great time. We arrived at 1 and left at 5 and could have used more time. (see www.BrianKilgore.com and then click on the travel section heading and scroll down a bit for the cN Tower story)
Ignoring your aversion to chains, I draw your attention to Swiss Chalet, a chain of chicken restaurants. The original, now 50 years old, is on Bloor Street West, a long block west from your hotel. Kids love this place, for the food and generally good service. Nothing special like decor, etc., just chicken they can eat with their fingers if they want. And, in desperation, there's a McDonald's half way along the block to Swiss Chalet.
But you'll get hints about non-chain places soon, too.
BAK
Near Niagara Falls (the city with the falls right there) is the town of Niagara on the Lake, and there is an old fort there the children will enjoy. Plus a fudge shop they will enjoy. (lots of good stuff for parents, too.) You can see a fort in the USA from NotL, and children seem to enjoy this view.
You might re-think the non--museum stiff -- the Royal Ontario Museuam, a block from your hotel, has a good dinasaur exhibit, plus good knights, etc.
The littlest kids will enoy the park along Cumbertland Street (the south side of the hotel) where there's a huge rock they can climb on, plus imitation wilderness.
The main restaurant at the CN Tower is excellent, expensive, and fancy. There are places to eat that are less fornmal up on the observation level and down at the bottom, near the gift shop.
My 10 year old was there a few weeks ago with friends, and we all had a great time. We arrived at 1 and left at 5 and could have used more time. (see www.BrianKilgore.com and then click on the travel section heading and scroll down a bit for the cN Tower story)
Ignoring your aversion to chains, I draw your attention to Swiss Chalet, a chain of chicken restaurants. The original, now 50 years old, is on Bloor Street West, a long block west from your hotel. Kids love this place, for the food and generally good service. Nothing special like decor, etc., just chicken they can eat with their fingers if they want. And, in desperation, there's a McDonald's half way along the block to Swiss Chalet.
But you'll get hints about non-chain places soon, too.
BAK
Feb 10th, 2005 | 10:45 AM
#4
Joined: Feb 2003
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Yes, you can eat lunch in 360, the fancy restaurant, or the other restaurants inside, too. The CN Tower is very, very close to another dozen good to excellent restaurants, too, many of which might be more kid-friendly. Which is not to say I have any idea how a five year old would enjoy 360. I've had three five year olds, and if I had a forth, I'd go somewhere else nearby.
By nearby, I mean within five minutes by foot. You can get to the harbor, and eat outside and watch the boats. You can walk east a bit, and go to Joe Baldaldi's, where I ate twice just before Christmas and would take kids anythime. East Side mario's is a quasi-Italian restaurnat with a good kid's menu, and decent food for grownups, too.
Up on King Street (two blocks away) Kit Kat is owned by a man with a six year old who eats there sometimes. Plus there's another half dozen good places near the Kit Kat.
Plus, the hot dogs and french fries from the street vendors in front of the CN Tower and really good, and you can eat in a park right across the street. I give my French Fry business to a little truck with Horvath written on it.
Cora's, (see my web site) could be lots of fun for the kids for breakfast, before you go to the CN Tower.
The nearest playground to the Four Sasons is just east of it. leave the hotel by the Yorkville Avenue entrance, walk east to Hazelton. Turn north (left) and walk a block and a bit north, to the laneway beside 37 hazelton. Look down the laneway and you'll see a school yard. Walk down the lane and into the school yard and the kids can run around, and then go over to the play equipment.
If the children like Japanese food, try Yamato, on Belair, a block east of the hotel, between Cumberland and Yorkville Avenues. Lunch gets cooked right at the table, and is fun to watch, plus the food's very good.
In July, there will be lots of outdoor cafe's near the hotel, too.
When riding the subway, the first car is the best for kids, because they can look out the front.
Centerville, on Toronto Island, is a great amusement park for small(ish) children, and you get there by taking the Toronto Island Ferry boat, which is fun.
Parking in Toronto is either a pain and expensive, or easy and even a bargain, depending on where you came from.
If you need to take two cars to get everyone to your destinations, the subway might be easier and more fun, for the central things.
Go to the CN Tower by subway. Easiest is to walk to the Museum stoation, a couple of blocks south of the Four Seasons. (There's a clsoer station, but then you need to change trains), get off at Union Station, and walk a couple of blocks to the CN Tower.
For Ontario Place and The Ontario Science Center (highly recommended for 5-11 year olds, too) it's just easier to drive. Same for the Toronto Zoo.
Casa Loma is a favorite with kids.
BAK
By nearby, I mean within five minutes by foot. You can get to the harbor, and eat outside and watch the boats. You can walk east a bit, and go to Joe Baldaldi's, where I ate twice just before Christmas and would take kids anythime. East Side mario's is a quasi-Italian restaurnat with a good kid's menu, and decent food for grownups, too.
Up on King Street (two blocks away) Kit Kat is owned by a man with a six year old who eats there sometimes. Plus there's another half dozen good places near the Kit Kat.
Plus, the hot dogs and french fries from the street vendors in front of the CN Tower and really good, and you can eat in a park right across the street. I give my French Fry business to a little truck with Horvath written on it.
Cora's, (see my web site) could be lots of fun for the kids for breakfast, before you go to the CN Tower.
The nearest playground to the Four Sasons is just east of it. leave the hotel by the Yorkville Avenue entrance, walk east to Hazelton. Turn north (left) and walk a block and a bit north, to the laneway beside 37 hazelton. Look down the laneway and you'll see a school yard. Walk down the lane and into the school yard and the kids can run around, and then go over to the play equipment.
If the children like Japanese food, try Yamato, on Belair, a block east of the hotel, between Cumberland and Yorkville Avenues. Lunch gets cooked right at the table, and is fun to watch, plus the food's very good.
In July, there will be lots of outdoor cafe's near the hotel, too.
When riding the subway, the first car is the best for kids, because they can look out the front.
Centerville, on Toronto Island, is a great amusement park for small(ish) children, and you get there by taking the Toronto Island Ferry boat, which is fun.
Parking in Toronto is either a pain and expensive, or easy and even a bargain, depending on where you came from.
If you need to take two cars to get everyone to your destinations, the subway might be easier and more fun, for the central things.
Go to the CN Tower by subway. Easiest is to walk to the Museum stoation, a couple of blocks south of the Four Seasons. (There's a clsoer station, but then you need to change trains), get off at Union Station, and walk a couple of blocks to the CN Tower.
For Ontario Place and The Ontario Science Center (highly recommended for 5-11 year olds, too) it's just easier to drive. Same for the Toronto Zoo.
Casa Loma is a favorite with kids.
BAK
Feb 10th, 2005 | 06:34 PM
#5
Joined: Mar 2003
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I just stayed at the Sheraton Fallsview hotel last weekend - the views are great. Do not confuse it with the Sherataon on the Falls however, which is at the other end of the strip.
The whirlpool boat is called the Jet Boat and it leaves from Niagara on the Lake. If you have time, I would cross back over to the US side to tour Goat Island and to do the the Cave of the Winds. It is a tour that takes you to the base of the Bridal Falls and it is so spectacular! You can reach out and touch the falls. The Canadian version is called the Journey Behind the Falls, which I have never done, but I don't believe that you can get as close. The US tour is something like $8 and you get a free pair of teva-like sandals out of the deal.
As for eating suggestions, it is unfortunately mainly chains in Niagara - Applebee's, TGI Fridays, Tony Romas, take your pick. There is also a Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock and Rainforest Cafe. Actually, there are some non-chain places but I have never been to any of them. NOTL has some great non-chain restaurants.
Other kid-friendly suggestions in the area:
Paramount Canada's Wonderland - Toronto
African Lion Safari - between Toronto and Niagara
Marineland - Niagara
The whirlpool boat is called the Jet Boat and it leaves from Niagara on the Lake. If you have time, I would cross back over to the US side to tour Goat Island and to do the the Cave of the Winds. It is a tour that takes you to the base of the Bridal Falls and it is so spectacular! You can reach out and touch the falls. The Canadian version is called the Journey Behind the Falls, which I have never done, but I don't believe that you can get as close. The US tour is something like $8 and you get a free pair of teva-like sandals out of the deal.
As for eating suggestions, it is unfortunately mainly chains in Niagara - Applebee's, TGI Fridays, Tony Romas, take your pick. There is also a Planet Hollywood, Hard Rock and Rainforest Cafe. Actually, there are some non-chain places but I have never been to any of them. NOTL has some great non-chain restaurants.
Other kid-friendly suggestions in the area:
Paramount Canada's Wonderland - Toronto
African Lion Safari - between Toronto and Niagara
Marineland - Niagara
Feb 10th, 2005 | 09:41 PM
#6
Joined: Aug 2004
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For the kids, consider Canada's Wonderland at highway 400 and Major Mackenzie. (See http://www.canadas-wonderland.com/)
The Hockey Hall of Fame is another good place to go with kids.
(http://www.hhof.com/index.htm)
Riding the subway or taking a street
car is a "cheap thrill" for kids.
Toronto Zoo would also be on my list http://www.torontozoo.com/
Other activities would be visiting skate board parks, renting bikes, chilling out on the beach in the Beaches, travelling the Toronto Islands via ferries for a picknick, eating hamburgers at Licks and ordering a mango gelato at Hollywood Gelato on Bayview.
For fine dining in the Niagara region, do visit Peller Estates Wineries in Niagara on the Lake. http://www.peller.com/peller/index.html
The Hockey Hall of Fame is another good place to go with kids.
(http://www.hhof.com/index.htm)
Riding the subway or taking a street
car is a "cheap thrill" for kids.
Toronto Zoo would also be on my list http://www.torontozoo.com/
Other activities would be visiting skate board parks, renting bikes, chilling out on the beach in the Beaches, travelling the Toronto Islands via ferries for a picknick, eating hamburgers at Licks and ordering a mango gelato at Hollywood Gelato on Bayview.
For fine dining in the Niagara region, do visit Peller Estates Wineries in Niagara on the Lake. http://www.peller.com/peller/index.html
Feb 14th, 2005 | 12:20 PM
#7
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Great suggestions from everyone. I think we might do African Lion Safari. I think the kids would enjoy it. IS driving easy around Toronto? Everyone talks about the subway being a big thrill but we are from Boston and the other family is from NYC so all the kids ride the subway all the time. HAs anyone tried the restaraunt in the 4 seasons? IS it worth going to one night since it is in the hotel.
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Feb 14th, 2005 | 02:18 PM
#8
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Toronto driving should not be a problem for people from Boston.
You may find yourself driving around the block in order to cope with one way streets and no left turn signs, but you'll be fine.
African Lion Safari is a great place. there's a water play area, so bring swimsuits. Last time I was there, even the food in the snack bars was good.
The Four Seasons has two or three or four restaurants, depending on your definition; two are bars with food. Truffles is the top of the line restaurant, and is about as good as restaurants get in Toronto. Formal, expensive, wonderful.
The Studio Cafe is brighter, less formal, very, very, good, and mid-priced, in the sense that diner for two might be $100 in the Studio Cafe, compared to $200 in Truffles.
In an earlier life, I was in the Studio Cafe so often that waiters automatically brought me black coffee when I sat down.
The Four Seasons is surrounded by excellent restaurants, within a block or two, so you'll have lots of choice. It's a walking neighborhood, by the way.
BAK
You may find yourself driving around the block in order to cope with one way streets and no left turn signs, but you'll be fine.
African Lion Safari is a great place. there's a water play area, so bring swimsuits. Last time I was there, even the food in the snack bars was good.
The Four Seasons has two or three or four restaurants, depending on your definition; two are bars with food. Truffles is the top of the line restaurant, and is about as good as restaurants get in Toronto. Formal, expensive, wonderful.
The Studio Cafe is brighter, less formal, very, very, good, and mid-priced, in the sense that diner for two might be $100 in the Studio Cafe, compared to $200 in Truffles.
In an earlier life, I was in the Studio Cafe so often that waiters automatically brought me black coffee when I sat down.
The Four Seasons is surrounded by excellent restaurants, within a block or two, so you'll have lots of choice. It's a walking neighborhood, by the way.
BAK
Feb 18th, 2005 | 07:01 PM
#9
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Our family had a great vacation last summer in Toronto and Niagara Falls. Our sons are ages 7 and 11. Paramount Canada's wonderland was a hit (could have used more days). The hockey Hall of Fame was good and right outside of there is a restaurant called Marche - this is a must! It will make everyone happy - it's different - my kids loved it. Also there is a restaurant close to CN Tower called Gretzky's - my hockey loving family thought this was great. We walked there after attending a blue jays game.
In Niagara Falls Marineland was the best thing we did!
In Niagara Falls Marineland was the best thing we did!
Feb 20th, 2005 | 08:27 AM
#10
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RJR:
Can yo tell me more about Paramount. I wa going to take thekids to Ontario Place. Is Paramount another amusement park? The restaurant neat the CNTower is it a sport theme? We have girls so sports, especially hockey does not interest them. IS Marche the place where you get a passport and walk around to get your food? I heard that was fun but isthe food good? Whatis marineland. Did you kids like that better than the falls?
Can yo tell me more about Paramount. I wa going to take thekids to Ontario Place. Is Paramount another amusement park? The restaurant neat the CNTower is it a sport theme? We have girls so sports, especially hockey does not interest them. IS Marche the place where you get a passport and walk around to get your food? I heard that was fun but isthe food good? Whatis marineland. Did you kids like that better than the falls?
Feb 20th, 2005 | 01:08 PM
#11
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Paramount Canada's Wonderland is a theme park a few miles north of Toronto.
I would recommend it over Ontario Place.
African Lion Safari is excellent and conveniently located more-or-less between Niagara and Toronto.
Marineland in Niagara Falls has Killer Whales, Belugas etc and some midway type rides. I personally do not recommend the place. Their treatment and care of the animals, is, at best "adequete" in my opinion.
In Niagara Falls the Clifton Hill area has wax musuems, etc that kids enjoy.
We've stayed at the Sheraton Fallsview and enjoyed the hotel very much.
Jerry
I would recommend it over Ontario Place.
African Lion Safari is excellent and conveniently located more-or-less between Niagara and Toronto.
Marineland in Niagara Falls has Killer Whales, Belugas etc and some midway type rides. I personally do not recommend the place. Their treatment and care of the animals, is, at best "adequete" in my opinion.
In Niagara Falls the Clifton Hill area has wax musuems, etc that kids enjoy.
We've stayed at the Sheraton Fallsview and enjoyed the hotel very much.
Jerry
Feb 20th, 2005 | 07:27 PM
#12
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kgn:
My 11 year old is right here saying that Marineland was better than the falls. I have to say I don't love thnking about any animals in a zoo type atmosphere (and we do not attend circus for that reason)but that being said...my children have never had the opportunity to see a dolphin show or any kind of marine life at all. There is no where close to us (we live in Alberta) that would even come close. My oldest son got to feed and pet a buluga whale and that memory will stay with him a life time!
As for the main "tourist" area of Niagara falls - crazy, loud and tacky!! I'm glad we saw it but I have to say tacky!!
Marche's is the "passport" place and the four of us each ordered from different areas and all had great meals - no complaints. Yes Gretzky's is completely hockey, hockey, hockey. I was told Paramount was much better than Ontario Place. My son really investigated and actually wanted to go to Paramount more than he wanted Disneyland. If you have time and are going to Paramount we could have used one full day in just the water park area - so much to do and not enough time to do it all in!!
If your interested, I ordered all my tickets for Paramount and Cn Tower and Marineland with my airmiles (I didn't have enough airmiles for any kind of trip). It was great to have all the passes in advance and I saved a ton of money.
If there is anything else I can help with just let me know
RJR
My 11 year old is right here saying that Marineland was better than the falls. I have to say I don't love thnking about any animals in a zoo type atmosphere (and we do not attend circus for that reason)but that being said...my children have never had the opportunity to see a dolphin show or any kind of marine life at all. There is no where close to us (we live in Alberta) that would even come close. My oldest son got to feed and pet a buluga whale and that memory will stay with him a life time!
As for the main "tourist" area of Niagara falls - crazy, loud and tacky!! I'm glad we saw it but I have to say tacky!!
Marche's is the "passport" place and the four of us each ordered from different areas and all had great meals - no complaints. Yes Gretzky's is completely hockey, hockey, hockey. I was told Paramount was much better than Ontario Place. My son really investigated and actually wanted to go to Paramount more than he wanted Disneyland. If you have time and are going to Paramount we could have used one full day in just the water park area - so much to do and not enough time to do it all in!!
If your interested, I ordered all my tickets for Paramount and Cn Tower and Marineland with my airmiles (I didn't have enough airmiles for any kind of trip). It was great to have all the passes in advance and I saved a ton of money.
If there is anything else I can help with just let me know
RJR
Feb 20th, 2005 | 09:02 PM
#13
Joined: Mar 2003
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Agree w/ Jerry on Marineland. The place has had a lot of justifiably bad press over the years. I cannot believe that they are still there. They do not treat their animals well. These animals should not be in captivity. Period.
Feb 21st, 2005 | 05:01 AM
#15
Joined: Jan 2005
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I cannot speak for a lot to do, because everytime I have gone to Toronto it is to see a show.
However, I highly recommend a restaurant called the Kit Kat Club. It is really good and not that expensive. It is family friendly, and they do take reservations.
They have a banyon tree that grows in the middle of the kitchen..
However, I highly recommend a restaurant called the Kit Kat Club. It is really good and not that expensive. It is family friendly, and they do take reservations.
They have a banyon tree that grows in the middle of the kitchen..
Mar 16th, 2005 | 06:03 AM
#17
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I am getting some great ideas. It sounds like restaurants are easy to find in Toronto and I willbe taking the kids to Wonderland (how many days do I need) Lion Safari and the CN Tower.
Niagra seems to be tricker in reference to eating establishments unless I want chains. But I will be doing the Jet Boats, wind caves and the maid of the mist. Will this take two full days?
Niagra seems to be tricker in reference to eating establishments unless I want chains. But I will be doing the Jet Boats, wind caves and the maid of the mist. Will this take two full days?
Mar 16th, 2005 | 01:58 PM
#18
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You could do the Jet Boat, Cave of the Winds and Maid of the Mist in a day, but I would do the Cave and Maid of the Mist on day one, then the Jet Boat on day two. The Jet Boat leaves from Niagara on the Lake, which is about 15 miles north of NF. NOTL is a quaint town worth spending some time shopping and having lunch. Day two should only take half a day.
Mar 16th, 2005 | 03:57 PM
#19
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Wonderland is just another giant amusement park with lots of rides and long lines, and you could probably find one just as good closer to home, without taking valuable days out of a holiday. And it's at least an hour's drive from the Four Seasons.
For smaller kids -- 11 is getting close to the upper limit but 5 is perfect -- Centreville on Toronto Island is a great place. You can take the subway from Museum station (just down the street from the hotel) to Union Station, and then a streetcar through a tunnel to the ferry terminal.
Or you can drive to the terminal; lots of parking nearby.
The kids will enjoy the ferry ride, still have a good time, you'll save lots of money compared to Wonderland, kids will spend more time on rides than waiting in line, ...
And there are lots of kid-oriented things to do -- excellent water slide, among others -- at Ontario Place, just west of downtown, easy to get to, lots of parking, etc.
I had season passes to Wonderland for about a decade, and my kids loved it, but it is inconvenient to get too, and we already had lots of time to enjoy the rest of Toronto, too.
Niagara Falls and Niagara ont he Lake are close enough together than you can drive back and forth if you want. Two days (one night) is more than enough time unless you want to use your NF hotel as the base for the trip to African Lion Safari.
BAK
For smaller kids -- 11 is getting close to the upper limit but 5 is perfect -- Centreville on Toronto Island is a great place. You can take the subway from Museum station (just down the street from the hotel) to Union Station, and then a streetcar through a tunnel to the ferry terminal.
Or you can drive to the terminal; lots of parking nearby.
The kids will enjoy the ferry ride, still have a good time, you'll save lots of money compared to Wonderland, kids will spend more time on rides than waiting in line, ...
And there are lots of kid-oriented things to do -- excellent water slide, among others -- at Ontario Place, just west of downtown, easy to get to, lots of parking, etc.
I had season passes to Wonderland for about a decade, and my kids loved it, but it is inconvenient to get too, and we already had lots of time to enjoy the rest of Toronto, too.
Niagara Falls and Niagara ont he Lake are close enough together than you can drive back and forth if you want. Two days (one night) is more than enough time unless you want to use your NF hotel as the base for the trip to African Lion Safari.
BAK
