susa

Hi we are visiting Toronto for the first time in first week of July. We have fourteen year olds travelling with us.
Our total stay is five nights.
We are planning one full day seeing Niagara falls (do Maid of Mist)
Were intending to spen 2 days in Toronto seeing the city.
Would welcome suggestions for sightseeing.
Ww do not want to do any theme parks style stuff as we will be going to Disney after this.
Would it be possible to see Ottawa or even Montreal in this time frame or is too ambitious.

JMM

Toronto Things to do:
Metro Toronto Zoo is very good - basically it would be a day long excursion but if the 14 year olds like animals worth it.
Ontario Science Centre
ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) - dinosaur galleries and bat cave might be of interest to 14 year olds
Ottawa is a 5 hour drive from Toronto; Montreal is about the same - so unless you feel you really must see them I would do that on another trip.
If you are driving to Niagara Falls, consider spending the night and stopping at Crawford Lake on the way back to Toronto(very good recreated Huron village and the scenery is interesting (cliffs from which vultures soar and an odd little lake).

Syv

Ontario Science Centre is a must-see for 14 year olds. Lots of "hands-on" fun things to do & see about science. You could easily spend a whole day here.

Drive along the Lakeshore to point out the SKYDOME (where Toronto Blue Jays play with its huge retractable dome roof) and the world's tallest tower - the C.N. TOWER. You can go up it by glass elevator ride which is cool & fun too, but not sure how much you want to spend on tickets for things like that. Then you can go out at the top if you have the nerve

You'll enjoy the day at Niagara Falls too. Don't forget to drive "to the left" of the falls to the WHIRLPOOL look-out. That's pretty neat too.

If you drive "to the right" of the falls, you'll come to Niagara-on-the-Lake which mommy would love, but probably not the kids. Lovely shops, etc.

Junetravelfall

For 14 yr olds, if they are hockey fans, there's the Hockey Hall of Fame. The CN Tower is expensive but one of those things you must do. The islands are really nice, though there is a mini amusement park in the middle, you can rent bikes or just walk, take a picnic. Ontario Place has an IMAX theatre, but otherwise not sure they'd like it as the play area is for kids younger than them. There is also Fort York with early military history of Toronto. And you will have to walk along Queen Street West and go by MuchMusic, let them do a "Speaker's Corner" segment. Science Centre is definitely fun, ditto on the ROM. Plus Harbourfront will certainly have lots going on, and often have free concerts and/or festivals by the lake www.harbourfront.on.ca. The Dream in High Park may have started, too, check the reviews and which play is being shown. There is a hydrafoil from Toronto to Niagara on the Lake which would be cool. Not sure but there must be a bus that goes to the falls from there.

I think it's not enough time to visit another city, there is tons to do here in the summer, and you would lose up to 2 days in travelling. Check the TorontoStar.ca or Toronto.com, as well as nowmagazine.com for event listings.

Ariel

I would also recommend the Beaches (I live here). While my kids are younger, it is very much a family oriented destination. Take the streetcar (#501 or #502 I believe) and get off on Queen Street anywhere East of Woodbine. Then just walk east along Queen - tons of restuarants, coffee shops, interesting stores (clothing, books, etc). Grab lunch at the Lion (a pub) - your sons will only be allowed to sit on the patio due to age restrictions, but a great place to eat and watch the world go by on Queen. Queen St in the Beaches is also a people watching place. Head down to the beach and boardwalk as well. Also talk your teenagers to Queen St. West - go to Queen and Spadina and head east - the latest in urban fashion - they will love it!