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Teen attractions in Toronto

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Old Feb 15th, 2012, 06:29 PM
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Teen attractions in Toronto

We are taking our Junior High Student Council to Toronto in June for our annual trip. We choose a different city each year and this year have chosen Toronto. What are some attractions that 13 and 14 year olds would enjoy the most? Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
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Old Feb 15th, 2012, 07:03 PM
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For a start:

- Hockey Hall of Fame
- Bata Shoe Museum (I know, it sounds weird but it's interesting)
- Ontario Science Centre (lots of hands-on stuff)
- Tall ships tour of the harbour
- Kensington Market, especially the funky used clothing stores
- top of the CN Tower
- baseball at the Rogers Centre
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Old Feb 15th, 2012, 07:08 PM
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Oh, and there's tons of theatre here. War Horse may still be playing and there's also lots of little theatre.

If you want to go out of town, Niagara On The Lake is quite lovely and the Shaw Festival will be on at that time. And, of course, there's Niagara Falls.

Also, there are festivals every weekend in the summer so you might want to check www.toronto.com for events or www.nowtoronto.com (you can pick up NOW Magazine at just about any street corner for free).
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Old Feb 15th, 2012, 08:48 PM
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Toronto Islands. Taking the ferry to Toronto Islands.

Toronto Harbourfront Boat Cruise.

Queen Street West.

Rent bicycles & bike along Toronto waterfront.
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Old Feb 15th, 2012, 08:57 PM
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Toronto Stock Exchange Tour (Financial District/Bay Street)

Osgoode Hall Tour(Law) on Queen Street West across from Sheraton Hotel(can be combined with Queen Street West visit). Osgoode Hall is next door to City Hall(Nathan Phillips Square).

Take the street car...again, Queen Street West street car.

Where are you staying?

OB1
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Old Feb 16th, 2012, 05:08 AM
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Check some tours in Toronto, they can be a lot of fun for teens:

http://www.life-in-toronto.com/toronto-tours.html

and here is Toronto entertainment calendar so you can plan your activities accordingly:

http://www.life-in-toronto.com/toron...-calendar.html
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Old Feb 17th, 2012, 05:56 AM
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Not sure on the exact hotel yet. Would like to stay close to the CN Tower ( within walking distance ).
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Old Feb 17th, 2012, 09:09 AM
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So maybe Intercontinental Hotel downtown on Front Street? It's close to Union Station.(train), CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, Queen Street West
Osgoode Hall, Ferry to Toronto Islands(Westin Harbour Castle Hotel is next door to ferry docks)
The Sheraton on Queen Street West is also close to the CN Tower but not as close as Intercontinental.

OB1
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Old Feb 17th, 2012, 10:38 AM
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Are these kids good walkers?

Best hotel for small and mid-sized (13-14 qualifies) is Delta Chelsea on Gerrard, near Yonge Strert, because it has the best pool, waterslide, etc.

And you can walk to the CN Tower easily enough.

Delata Chelsea is a block north of the giant indoor Eaton Center teen-favorite shopping mall.

Second best pool is in the Sheraton Center, on the south side of Queen Street, which is the street at the south end of the aforementioned Eaton Center giant indoor mall.

The Hilton, on Richmond Street West and University Avenue is a block south and a block west of the Sheraton Center, on the way to the CN Tower. It's got a decent combo indoor-outdoor pool, and an elevator ont he outside that gives you great views of the west end of Toronto.

The pool at the Intercontinental on Front Street (there's two downtown (more or less) Intercontinentals -- the other is on Bloor Street) is not very big.

There';s a Hyatt on King Street between John Street and Spadina. It used to be a Holiday Inn, for those with long memories. Never seen teh pool, but the hotel location is great for biggish kids. A couple of blocks south the CN Tower, a couple north to Queen Street West shopping, afew west to Chinatown, a few east to the big downtown heart of Toronto, if they care about tall buildings. There are some cow statues over there, too. Look inbetween teh really tall, really black, really smooth collection of buildings at at King and (west side of) Bay. And an elephant with some babies behind the really tall, really smooth, silver buildings (CIBC) on the east side of Bay.

The blue french fries and hot dog truck at the eastern end of the line up along Queen St south of the City Hall is the best food truck in the neighborhood. (I once had a great hot dog in a bar in Cincinatti, and a great sandwich in a white colored restaurant in Bexley)

If you're here on a weekend, Saturday breakfast at the St. Lawrence Market at jarvis and Front is a Toronto tradition. Last summer I took some Americans (Houston, Kansas City) there, and we walked from the Sheraton Center.

Two of teh Americans (the Texans) are serious world travellers, taking pictures everywhere, and also living in Italy. The husband of the Kansas city couple is a National Geographic photographer... they liked the market too.

Once you get that far, a walk to the Distillery District (distillery islong gone) will get the kids some history, some interesting art, and they see where a dozen movies have been made.

There are tours of the Rogers Center, I believe. (Used to be, anyway)
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Old Feb 20th, 2012, 06:16 AM
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There's also an amazing selection of Broadway type shows that the kids might love...
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Old Feb 26th, 2012, 04:48 AM
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Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and Ontario Gallery of Art (AGO). Both have had recent renovations/additions which make them stunning buildings, and have great exhibits, not at all stuffy. In the city centre and easily accessible. Toronto Zoo is also wonderful, but a little further out.
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Old Feb 29th, 2012, 04:03 PM
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The ROM. Your kids appear to be the right age for its expanded and very dramatic dinosaur display.
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Old Mar 1st, 2012, 07:10 PM
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Defintely encourage walking ... it's the best way to see Toronto which is a city of neighbourhoods. Also considering taking a streetcar ride or two. Definitely head to the Islands .. see the homes on Wards Island, rent some quad bikes, wander. Walk them through Kensington Market or one of Toronto's China Towns ... there are good walking/eating tours of both. Plus a great chocolate walking tour in Yorkville. Google will lead you to the necessary links. Enjoy!
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Old Mar 8th, 2012, 03:02 AM
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The best hotel rates I'm being quoted are the Delta Chelsea and Hyatt Regency on King. The Delta Chelsea is the best rate, but the Hyatt seems to be in a better location. Any preference or suggestions? The Hyatt looks to be within walking distance to everything, but would it be better to take the lower rate with the Delta Chelsea and use the subway?
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Old Mar 8th, 2012, 04:39 AM
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The Delta Chelsea is the "cattle call" hotel in TO.. by that I mean its busy to the point of crazy with large kid groups like yours, families, and noise... a food court in the hotel spits out cheaper food for the throngs... just down the street from Eaton Centre... sounds perfect for your group

The Hyatt Regency is a former Holiday Inn that has been totally remodeled and is quieter (until your gang gets there) and better located in the heart of the Entertainment district... more bistro and boutiques

With Junior High kids, it might be better to cut them loose in the Mall and be closer to transit as well as the food court so I vote Delta...
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Old Mar 9th, 2012, 03:10 AM
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I think I wrote about this before. Anyway, the Delta Chelsea has a far better pool, which will appeal to many kids duringthe winter. It's a fine hotel for families, welcomes kids of all ages, and the location is fine.

There are bars nearby, but there are bars near the Hyatt, too.

BAK
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Old Mar 10th, 2012, 06:44 AM
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It sounds as if the Delta Chelsea would be a good choice. Would you say it is walkable from there to the CN Tower, Harbourfront, Chinatown, and the Theatre District? I'm sure those are some places we will want to take the kids. If not, how much would it cost to take the subway? I would definitely rather walk, just so the kids can see more of the city.
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Old Mar 10th, 2012, 08:34 AM
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Yes, it's easily walkable to every one of those places.
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Old Mar 10th, 2012, 10:05 AM
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Delta Chelsea is located at Gerrard and Bay, not too far from Younge street where all the problems could be had by young kids. Hotel could be busy and pricy if during trade show convention season.

Consider the Holiday Inn at Yorkville, room rate should be cheaper. It is still walking distance to a lot of things but also near subway station (2 blocks) and can take you anywhere. BTW, the restauarnt at that particular Holiday Inn is not so good last time I was there a year ago, but there are lots io cheap eating places nearby, bistros, cafe, pizza place, inclduing a cafeteria 1 block west, much cheaper than the Celsea's Market Place / food court.

I think taking the subway would be a great and unique experinece for those kids. Take them down to the Union Station, walk through the Royal York hotel lobby and foyer across the street would be a history lesson in itself.

If you are looking for a place to have a great dinner for the kids, try Hot Hosue Cafe. They have a fabulous buffet on Wednesday night only and it is less than $20. Food quality and selection is awesome and rivals any major hotels. It is located at Church & Front. They also do Sunday brunch but good luck getting in unless you made reservations.
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Old Mar 11th, 2012, 03:53 PM
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Why do you say that the Delta Chelsea is close to an area where problems could be had by young kids? Everything I have read on tripadvisor states that the hotel is in a great location, and the kids would be with chaperones wherever they go.
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