Hello everyone! Just back and wanted to thank everyone for their great suggestions. We stayed at the Sheraton Fallsview in Niagara Falls and it was very nice. I was glad we stayed in that section of town rather than Clifton Hill area. We loved doing the Maid of the Mist!! We also enjoyed the Butterfly conservatory and botanical gardens. We went to the dinner show, Oh Canada, Eh?, and had a great time. However, we all decided that now that everyone in the family has seen the falls, we would probably not return there. Toronto was a different story. We all want to go back!!! What a great city - easy to get around, clean, friendly, lots to do. We did a lot of walking and used the easy public transportation. The Cambridge Suites Hotel was fabulous!! Great location for everything. We certainly appreciated the nightly bottled water and chocolate after a long day of sightseeing. I would definitely want to stay there again. We did the usual tourist sights: ROM, Hockey Hall of Fame, CN Tower, Skydome tour, CBC tour. Enjoyed a Bluejays game and then the boys went back the following night for free because of "Big Ticket" Alumni week promo. Where else can you go to a major league game (with great seats) for free!! We toured Casa Loma and really enjoyed it! Even the fifteen year old said it was "interesting" because of the audio tour they give you. Easy to get to from the Dupont subway stop - love those stairs! We also saw the Lion King and it was fabulous. Afterwards the priest at St. Patrick's church recommended Leonni's for Italian food (across the street from Wayne Gretzsky's restaurant). Thanks to him! The food was plentiful and delicious!! We also had good meals at the two different Hard Rock Cafes. We really enjoyed Toronto!! Tax refund was no problem. Got it immediately when coming home via the Lewiston Bridge. Thanks again for all the help! Maureen

Hi Maureen, so happy to hear that you had a wonderful time in our city and even more that you took the time to post a note about your experiences. Next time, you may want to skip the tour book sites and go exploring in our many interesting neighbourhoods. Come visit again!

Hi Maureen,<BR>Thanks Maureen for replying after your trip. Toronto people are always happy to know that people have had fun in our city. Come back soon!!!

I was so happy to read this thread since my husband and I are making our first trip to Toronto in two weeks, and we've heard nothing but great things about the city.<BR><BR>A question to Tutu (or should that be 2 22?): We will only be there from Friday afternoon to Sunday mid-day; staying at Sutton Place, dinner one night at Bistro 990. What other non-tourbook suggestions do you have? I've read about the markets on another thread I started, but would love any other ideas. We esp. like just wandering around to explore a new city. Thanks for any ideas!

My husband and I just came back from a three day long weekend up to T.O. We have been up enough times to have done a few things more than once. <BR><BR>We stayed at the Quality on Jarvis because many of our choices were already booked up. It was fine and we thought the location was great for walking around. It does not have a lot of amenities, though.<BR><BR>We walked all over the Harborfront area on Sunday. (hot and humid!) We went to the St. Lawrence Flea Market and saw some very usual stuff. We went to The Beaches on Monday (not crowded and also hot and humid) and did rollerblading, walking and beach glass collecting (so relaxing). Shopped on Queen St. East, ate outside. The last day we went to Queen St. West (near Bathurst Spadina) and shopped and ate.<BR><BR>It was a great few days. We were amazed at how much construction was going on. Everywhere we went the wait staff/workers were friendly. People seem happy in T.O.<BR><BR>We'll be back next summer, hopefully when it's Hot and Humid (my favorite).

We live in Toronto, just west of the Beaches. We're often in that area, but there's other nice neighbourhoods as well. We live south of the Danforth, so often are up there - it's traditionally Greek, but there's other restaurants as well. Little Italy (College Street) is fun, and there are some nice restaurants. Recently we were driving along Dundas west of Bathurst and there were a lot of Portuguese places along there. I agree, I like the neighbourhoods in Toronto.

Harriet, it seems like many have responded to your question re neighbourhoods. Further to the Greek, Italian, Korean neighbourhoods, there is Indian on Gerrard at Coxwell. Also, Kensington Market on a Saturday morning is a treat or the St. Lawrence Market on Front St. You could take a ferry (next to the Westin Harbourcastle Hotel) across to Center Island - great views of the city. Check out website for Harbourfront - always something happening at the w/e & most of it is free. For Sunday brunch, you may like to try Chinese Dim Sum, there's a good one upstairs at the Harbourfront called the Pink Pearl. Have fun!

We are leaving tomorrow from NYC for a trip upstate, then Niagara Falls and thn Toronto for 3 days. We are staying at the Holiday Inn on King. Being used to NYC traffic, we would prefer to leave our car at the hotel & do our sightseeing by either walking or by public transportation. How easy are the buses and trains to navigate? We want to do the usuaul tourist stuff, CN Tower, Ontario Place, etc. We are also going to a gmae at the Skydome. I was told the Skydome is walking distance from the hotel, is it safe to walk back after the game? Remember I'm from NYC so I am used to big cities.Thansk

Your hotel on King St. W. is in a good location. You will be within easy walking distance of many sights including Skydome and the CN Tower. (And, yes, it is a safe walk back to your hotel after the ballgame.) You will also find that you can reach many other sights via TTC (public transit) - including Ontario Place. TTC buses, subway, and streetcars are easy, safe, and inexpensive to use.<BR><BR>Have a great trip!

It looks like you will have good weather although a bit on the cool side which is a nice relief from this summer's heat and humidity.<BR><BR>One thing that is happpening now is the Canadian National Exhibition which is adjacent to Ontario Place. The CNE is annual fair with exhibits. shows and midway. Admission to CNE (C$9) or Ontario Place gets you into both but each has its own ride passes (CNE - C$23). You did not mention whether you have children, or whether you are children at heart, but they will enjoy the CNE. Some say its dated -- don't worry and have fun.<BR><BR>Enjoy!

Thanks for the quick replies! Yes, we are traveling children, my 13 year old daughter and her friend. I know about the CNE and we are looking forward to it. I think I read that you can pay one price and ride all the rides there and in Ontario Place. Either way, we're on vacation so if I have to spend $$$ at both places so be it. Thanks again for your help.

Staci,<BR><BR>About the TTC, day passes per person are $7.50 Monday to Saturday, and up to 6 people (2 adult maximum) on Sundays and holidays(Labour Day if you're here). Get a day pass and visit the city at your own pace. Best way is by streetcar. With the pass you can hop on and off wherever and whenever you like. Otherwise cash fare is $2.25 for adults, and $1.50 for students, of course they're cheaper in tickets.<BR><BR>Get a map from the subway station (passes as well for that matter), the closest to the hotel being St. Andrew (King & University) which is just a few blocks east of the hotel. Toronto routes are in red and streetcar routes are in the 500 series (501, 502 etc.) The longest route and perhaps the most interesting Queen 501 is undergoing some trackwork and is replaced by buses. Not exactly the same thing, but the trip is still worth it. (A ride would cover the Long Branch and Mimico-village charm, western beaches, Queen West shopping, Kensington Market, Chinatown, the Beaches-east end, feels like New England, so much so that it often doubles for it in the movies!)<BR><BR>Other interesting streetcar rides:<BR>510 Spadina-Chinatown, Kensington Market, U of T, Fashion District, Skydome, Harbourfront.<BR>509 Harbourfront-Harbourfront, Fort York, CNE<BR>505 Dundas-Little Poland, Little Portugal, Cabbagetown, East Chinatown<BR>504 King-Little Poland, Fashion District, St. Lawrence Market, East Chinatown<BR>506 Carlton-Little Poland, Little Italy, U of T, East Chinatown, Little India, far end of Greektown running into little Finland<BR>512 St. Clair-Corso Italia (upscale Italian, think Little Milan), Forest Hill, Casa Loma (bit of a walk)<BR><BR>All the routes except for the 512 and 511 (to some extent) run through Downtown. Of course the subways and buses will take you everywhere else.<BR><BR>Hope this helps and enjoy your trip!