help with trip in June
 

We are driving up from NY (mid-50's couple), and would like any and all help about places to stay, eat and see. Money is not a problem, within reason. I am not sure about the layout of Toronto, so don't know if we are better off downtown or around town. I understand there is a Jazz festival, but can't seem to locate dates. We will be there, probably beginning of June for about 5-6 days. B&B's or hotels are both fine with us. We'd like to do sight seeing, shopping, shows, maybe ferry trips, etc. If we don't get to do all, it's fine. This is our first time in Toronto, so all help is welcome. We would like to get to the zoo, so if you could let me know about how far from the main area. Thanks in advance.

Abbylou

http://www.toronto.ca/

This should help. Stay in midtown, Yorkville area. Lots of great hotels & restaurants. Enjoy!

Thank you, Sharkdiver for the link and info. However, I am most interested in some personal opinions about hotels/B&B's, restaurants, nightlife and sights. Thanks.

Abbylou

We went in July 05. The Yamato Japanese Steak House was neat. In the back they cook at the table with a flaming onion deal.

It is near the Bata shoe museum which was also cool.

You can even use a credit card to purchase a parking ticket from the mail box type machine on the street.

The CN tower is WAY UP there. Looking down you get the message.

I liked the electric busses.

China town may be worth a peek.

Hotels range from chain to small -- if you are into a view, get a room at The Westin Harborfront, with a lake view. The view from the restaurant at the top is terrific, and you are a 5 minute walk from the TTC at Union Station. It is also right on the pier to the ferry across to the island. It has a great tourist booking information desk, where they can arrange local transport to various sites, such as Niagara Falls (a day trip), provide you with theatre bookings, restaurant recommendations, and maps of the city. If you want to be in a more interesting accommodation, try anything off of Bloor and Yonge (near the best shopping) or a B and B in the Beaches area. You might try the Second City Review for local improv comedy, or the Blue Man Group (if an international chain is more your style). You will need to drive to the zoo. You can use bus/TTC for the rest. A trip to Chinatown is interesting, as is a trip to the Exhibition Grounds. Try the website link that was previously mentioned for what is going on at that time.
Good luck!

Here's what you need to know about the layout of Toronto.

It is a very big city that used to be five cities, and befgore that, 13 cities, towns, boroughs, etc.

The main part for tourists ...

Find yourself a map or photo of the city.

From the lake at the bottom, Yonge Street runs north for miles, just a few blocks east of the CN Tower and Rogers Center, which used to be SkyDome.

The interesting part of town extends for a few blocks east and west of Yonge Street, from Lake Ontario at the bottom, to Eglinton Avenue at the north end, and there are two clusters along Yonge of most interest.

At the bottom, from the Lake up to Dundas Street, (which runs east-west) you'll find The Entertainment District, three separate theatre districts, hundreds of restaurants, lots of funky art galleries, the giant Art Gallery of Ontario.

In NY terms, imagine Soho meets Broadway.

Perhaps a dozen blcoks farther up (close enough to walk -- I did it this evening) you get to the Bloor and Yonge area, which is also known as Yorkville.

This is sort of Fifth Avenue meets the Upper East Side meets the Upper West Side. Four Seasons, Windsor Arms, and PArk Hyatt are three of Toronto's most expensoive hotels, and are in this area. Cartier, Tiffany's, Mont Blanc, ryc are all in this neighborhood. I was there tonight taking my daugheter out to dinner. $42 for four in a Vietnamese restaurant, but generally, $42 would buy less than half a dinner for one in most of the neightborhood restaurants.

This area has the Bata Shoe Museum, The Royal Ontario Museum (under construction but still open).

And this is where Yamato is. One of the great price bargains at lunch, buy the way.

You want to stay either in or near the entertainment district, or in the Yorkville area.

Depending on how long you stay, you'll probably be better off leaving your car parked for a day or two, and taking it out for a day or two.

Away from the core -- the Toronto Zoo, the Ontario Science Center, The McMichael Art Gallery (traditional Canadian paitings, heavy on landscapes), the Candian WArplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton and another aviation museum in Toronto.

When I had a car, I drove all around the city; now that I don't have a car anymore, I use the public tranmsit system, which is clean, quick, efficient, etc., or ride in cars with other people I know. Or walk.

BAK

The toronto Jazz festival runs from June 23 - July 2... schedule at www.tojazz.com ... looks like its too late for your trip, however there is a lot of jazz in TO so you won't be disappointed... I agree with the Westin Harbour Castle as a good waterfront location for a first timer... if you want theatre its only a short cab or 20 minute walk....

A better itinerary might be a night or two in the Niagara wine region with beautiful vineyards and Niagara-on-the Lake...There are hundreds of B&B and several excellent hotels... Toronto is just an hour away and three or four days there would be plenty to see the sights... catch a show... see the Zoo, take the Ferry and get some shopping in...

If you are more into shopping consider Yorkville which is an upscale neighborhood with boutiques, bistros, and clubs. The Park Hyatt or Four Seasons are on the corners.

B&B in Toronto is growing and can be tricky... I'd rather stay in the City near the action...

You guys are all great! Thank you so much for all of your insightful help. I have always counted on Fodorites to help me plan a trip, and have never been disappointed. Thanks again.

Abbylou

The Reservoir Lounge is a great place to go, especially if you like swing dance and the music.

Parking in downtown Toronto is difficult and fairly expensive. Look for hotels with good rates - one might be the Cambridge Suites Hotel, just east of Yonge on Richmond Street. Some people really like the Cambridge because they get more space (bedroom, sitting room and a small kitcheonette), others don't like because it's a little less full service than a regular hotel.

Downtown Toronto isn't dangerous, but there are a few areas that are a little more rundown than others. The business district and entertainment district hotels (e.g. from Queen Street south to the Lakeshore, from about a block East of Yonge to Spadina on the West) are fine. Here you'll find, e.g. the Sheraton, Hilton, King Edward, Cambridge Suites, Royal York, Le Germain (very stylish boutique), Holiday Inn and the lakefront hotels). I'm not a fan of the Toronto lakefront, because it's cut off from the rest of the city by the hideous Gardiner Expressway. But if you really like waterfront spaces, then go for it.

Yonge Street and the area to the east (e.g. to Jarvis) from Dundas north to Bloor) is a bit rundown. It's a busy area, the old commercial centre (and still full of shops), but still ... Hotels in this area include a Marriott Courtyard, Days Inn, Grand Hotel. The Delta Chelsea is quite popular (just West of Yonge), but I don't really like the location. The Marriott is a little further West on Bay Street and is, I think, a better option.

Then there are the midtown hotels, some of them quite luxurious, e.g. the Hyatt, the Inter-Continental and Four Seasons. There is also a Marriott on Bloor Street just east of Yonge. This is quite an upscale shopping and dining area, near several good museums, and has good public transit. You're also close to a nice residential area (the annex), beside the University of Toronto. If you'd like to see some trees, you'll find some in this neighourhood (north of Bloor, West of Avenue Road). There are also some budget options, including a Holiday Inn on Bloor Street West (formerly a Quality Hotel).