<BR>Hi, <BR> I can't believe the first time that I am visiting Toronto, I pick the busiest week of the year! I was lucky to find a place....found one in Midtown. I am doing all my travel research on locations etc. to make my short stay efficient. Do you have any ideas on what I must see? ( Yes, I am seeing the Phantom!)

<BR>ALSO......tips on restaurants? Not expensive, but memorable.

Well, you already picked one - the Phantom. I was going to suggest that or a hockey game. It depends on what you like to do. If you like sports, I would say the Hockey Hall of Fame, which can be toured pretty well in 1 1/2 hours or so. The main thing would be to spend some time walking around the streets - Yonge Street definitely, and maybe Chinatown (unless you have been to other Chinatowns). If you want to get good views of the city, there are two ways - top of the CN Tower (only if clear) or take a ferry across to the islands and back (to see the sky-line). The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is excellent. Most people enjoy shopping at the Eaton Centre. <BR> <BR>Not knowing your preferences, in one day, I would spend a couple of hours in the ROM, 1 1/2 in the Hockey Hall of Fame, walk through the Eaton Centre, go to the top of the CN Tower, and spend the rest of the time walking around Yonge Street and vacinity. In the evening a good early dinner - maybe French, Chinese, Greek, or Italian - and then on to see the Phantom.

You must be lucky - I read Phantom was closing in September. This is not a plug by any means, but the Fodor's CityPack Toronto is fabulous. Included is one of the best maps I've ever seen for a destination (includes the bus and trolley routes). Highly recommend a tour of Casa Loma. And, if you love jazz, Upstairs at the Senator is magnificent. There are so many fabulous and well-priced restaurants in Toronto, you can't go wrong. You're sure to fall into someplace wonderful by wandering around. For drinks with a spectacular view go to the lounge at the top of the Manulife Center. "Bar Menu" is wonderful.

Seems "Phantom" was extended for five weeks. The Senator is one block over from the theatre.

CEDAR: YOU'LL HAVE A GREAT TIME IN TORONTO. YOU CAN AROUND EASILY ON OUR GREAT TRANSIT SYSTEM...THE TTC(BUSES,STREETCARS,AND SUBWAYS) BUY A DAY PASS AND YOU CAN TRAVEL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE THAT DAY. APPROX $6.50 CAD. YOU CAN GO TO THE ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO, THE ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM, THE SCIENCE CENTRE, THE SKYDOME, THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME, SHOP AT THE EATON'S CENTRE, OR ALONG QUEEN STREET...HAVE A GREAT TIME..TONI

We just got back from Toronto and we spent 4 fabulous days...To make efficient use of your time, especially since you seem to be going at a busy time 1) if you go to the CN tower, go earlier in the morning--as we were advised--which worked out great because we had no line and this was Saturday morning about 9:30 a.m. The lines get heavier later in the day. Forget the added attraction shows at the tower, they're pretty lame. 2) The quickest way to get around since you only have a day would be public transit or taxi. Walking in Toronto is easy, but since you have limited time, public transit is also easy, quick--and safe--you can transit back and forth to Casa Loma and tour it in 2 hours or less. It is worth a visit, the tour is self-guided so you can go through as quickly or slowly as you like. 3) If you want to kill two birds with one stone, visit the Eaton Center just to browse the underground PATH (which, by the way, is a great way to get around town if you're walking and weather is inclement). Movenpick has a great take-out place inside with many different types of food stations and pre-made European style sandwiches, also pasta, salads, desserts--you can get a quick lunch this way while seeing the Eaton Center and sample Movenpick. There are other neat deli's down here, too. Eaton Centre is basically a mall, but I found a momento Phantom of the Opera ornament in the Hallmark store there that I probably wouldn't have found elsewhere--so, even though the mall is pooh poohed, it was worth our time to browse through since the only souvenirs I usually purchase are Christmas ornaments. You can actually use the underground PATH to walk from the CN Tower to Eaton Center, but you'll need one of the local tourist guide maps to keep you going in the right direction. <BR> <BR>You will enjoy your day, but probably won't be able to wait until you can return. Have fun! <BR>