Teen attractions in Toronto
Mar 31st, 2012, 03:22 PM
#42
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Thank you. I am definitely checking out these suggestions. Can't go wrong with burgers and pizza. What would the best pizza place be that could seat a group of 35? Just so you know these kids are not very adventurous when it comes to pizza. Most of them would only like either plain cheese, pepperoni, or sausage.
Apr 1st, 2012, 05:04 AM
#43
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For the sake of convenience, I'd say Il Fornello on King at Simcoe. It's just a block from the theatre and while they have a long list of pizzas, you can get pretty much whatever you like on it.
It's a big place and could easily seat your group. There's an area at the front of the restaurant that they might give over to you. The place is casual but nice and the food is good and well-priced. They have a $10 pizza promotion on Tuesday nights at their other locations -- maybe they'll extend it to your group if you ask them.
Here's the website for you: http://www.ilfornello.com/
It's a big place and could easily seat your group. There's an area at the front of the restaurant that they might give over to you. The place is casual but nice and the food is good and well-priced. They have a $10 pizza promotion on Tuesday nights at their other locations -- maybe they'll extend it to your group if you ask them.
Here's the website for you: http://www.ilfornello.com/
Apr 1st, 2012, 07:27 AM
#44
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In June the "celebrations" of the War of 1812 will be heating up. It could be educational for American students to see how this obscure colonial brawl has become a legend for Canadians eager to assert that we beat the Yankees. The truth is far more complicated than that but pomp and pageantry do not care for subtleties.
Fort York is a central point for that conflict. It is being redeveloped, although its location under a modern elevated expressway can't help its charm. It was the defence for the original colony, known as York, and was unsuccessful. In 1813 the invaders burned down the fort and much of the town, but didn't stick around. The British replied a year later, attacking Washington and scorching the White House. The war, actually an offshoot of a European dispute, was settled in Europe in 1814, with no colonial representatives present, as a stalemate. No real winners, but some real losers -- the Indian nations who fought effectively with the British and were subsequently pushed out of Ohio. The fort, meanwhile, was rebuilt and the new city renamed Toronto.
Fort York is easy to get to by public transit (and your kids will enjoy riding Toronto's formidable streetcars.) Useful information here:
http://www.fortyork.ca/
http://wx.toronto.ca/festevents.nsf/...b?OpenDocument
http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museum...rk-history.htm
Fort York is a central point for that conflict. It is being redeveloped, although its location under a modern elevated expressway can't help its charm. It was the defence for the original colony, known as York, and was unsuccessful. In 1813 the invaders burned down the fort and much of the town, but didn't stick around. The British replied a year later, attacking Washington and scorching the White House. The war, actually an offshoot of a European dispute, was settled in Europe in 1814, with no colonial representatives present, as a stalemate. No real winners, but some real losers -- the Indian nations who fought effectively with the British and were subsequently pushed out of Ohio. The fort, meanwhile, was rebuilt and the new city renamed Toronto.
Fort York is easy to get to by public transit (and your kids will enjoy riding Toronto's formidable streetcars.) Useful information here:
http://www.fortyork.ca/
http://wx.toronto.ca/festevents.nsf/...b?OpenDocument
http://www.toronto.ca/culture/museum...rk-history.htm
Apr 2nd, 2012, 07:20 PM
#45
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What is the best time of day to go to the CN Tower and experience the view, the glass floor, etc? Also, would the St. Lawrence Market be a good place to go for either breakfast or lunch?
Apr 3rd, 2012, 06:46 AM
#46
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I believe the market is closed on Mondays... Weekends are the best time to see the hustle bustle of the Market...with only two days I would skip the market and spend more time near the water at Queens Quay and other attractions on your list...
Late morning is best for the tower... with a clear day in full sun, you can see well across the lake, watch airplanes take off, and see the ant people below... have breakfast at the hotel, then head for the tower... then the waterfront... perhaps a ferry ride to the Islands... lots of lunch places near the water...
Late morning is best for the tower... with a clear day in full sun, you can see well across the lake, watch airplanes take off, and see the ant people below... have breakfast at the hotel, then head for the tower... then the waterfront... perhaps a ferry ride to the Islands... lots of lunch places near the water...
Apr 3rd, 2012, 03:48 PM
#48
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I read on a website that Yonge Street really comes alive at night. Are the shops and restaurants open late even on weekdays? Also, what is the best time of day to see Queen Street West and ride the streetcar? Thank you for your suggestions.
Apr 4th, 2012, 08:50 PM
#50
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Thank you so much for your time. I have taken all of your suggestions into consideration, and am thankful for everything I have learned from you. We are leaving Ohio at 6 AM, and plan to be checking into the Delta Chelsea around 2 PM. We will have already eaten lunch on the way. I'm allowing for an hour at the border, hopefully that's enough. I've never taken our student council group out of the country before. Anyway, of the attractions suggested, here are the ones I know our kids would enjoy the most: CN Tower, Rogers Centre tour, Eaton Centre, ROM, Kensington Market, Chinatown, and Queen Street West. I also want to end the first night(Monday) by taking the last ferry over and back to the islands
Apr 4th, 2012, 09:15 PM
#51
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to see the skyline at night, and end the last night(Tuesday) by hitting Yonge Street for last minute souvenirs and snacks. I'm not planning on getting back to the hotel either night until around midnight. I also want the kids to experience the subway and the streetcar at least once. I would like to eat dinner one night at the Hard Rock, th other night is undecided-possibly pizza or Spaghetti Factory. Lunch can be anywhere. Hope this helps. As you can tell, I decided against War Horse. The kids thought it would be too serious.
Apr 6th, 2012, 07:42 AM
#53
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If you cross at Niagara Falls, Consider a quick ride on the Maid of the Mist before you continue on to Toronto.. its not out of the way...
after arrival and check-in. I would have everyone meet and and take the subway on Yonge down to Union Station...A Group Day Pass is $10.50 and covers 1 adult and 5 students or 2 adults and 4 kids... that puts you within walking distance of the the CN Tower and Rodgers Centre... that could easily take a few hours... after that, walk them back through the Entertainment District to Queen Street West to see some of the vendors and boutiques and then head back up to the Hotel area, clean em up and have your dinner at Hard Rock and let them explore the Eaton Centre which is open til 9pm. Mondays in TO are quieter so get them ready for a busy Tuesday...
On tuesday, eat breakfast at the food court and make your way to ROM in the Yorkville neighborhood consider the same passes for transit use ... after exploring Yorkville, head to Chinatown/Kensington near Spadina... head back through Nathan Phillips Square grabbing a lunch along the way... then head for the waterfront via streetcar and subway to Union Station and walk down for Harbourfront, Queens Quay, and a ferry ride for a walk along the beach at Centre Island... consider dinner down by the waterfront or wander back toward Front Street and the Entertainment District for eats... if you are still alive, the walk back to the hotel will wear them out...
also remember that transit is available along all of these routes to shorten your walking... have fun
after arrival and check-in. I would have everyone meet and and take the subway on Yonge down to Union Station...A Group Day Pass is $10.50 and covers 1 adult and 5 students or 2 adults and 4 kids... that puts you within walking distance of the the CN Tower and Rodgers Centre... that could easily take a few hours... after that, walk them back through the Entertainment District to Queen Street West to see some of the vendors and boutiques and then head back up to the Hotel area, clean em up and have your dinner at Hard Rock and let them explore the Eaton Centre which is open til 9pm. Mondays in TO are quieter so get them ready for a busy Tuesday...
On tuesday, eat breakfast at the food court and make your way to ROM in the Yorkville neighborhood consider the same passes for transit use ... after exploring Yorkville, head to Chinatown/Kensington near Spadina... head back through Nathan Phillips Square grabbing a lunch along the way... then head for the waterfront via streetcar and subway to Union Station and walk down for Harbourfront, Queens Quay, and a ferry ride for a walk along the beach at Centre Island... consider dinner down by the waterfront or wander back toward Front Street and the Entertainment District for eats... if you are still alive, the walk back to the hotel will wear them out...
also remember that transit is available along all of these routes to shorten your walking... have fun
Apr 6th, 2012, 07:48 AM
#54
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Also remember that you should have a letter signed by each parent authorizing the adult leaders to bring their child into Canada... this will ease your wait at the border and eliminate any question about your "smuggling" their kids into a foreign country... strange but true...
Apr 6th, 2012, 09:17 AM
#56
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Just so I know how to plan, about how much time should I allow for Chinatown/Kensington? Also, about how much time should I allow for Queen Street West? Again, thank you for your input
Apr 6th, 2012, 01:04 PM
#58
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Your views of Toronto are from the ferrys to and from the islands...
Its hard for me to guess on times because it depends on how you nudge your group along... they may not find much interest at kensington because it is an assortment of small stores and food shops... Chinatown near kensington is similar and they may be satisfied just walking by... Queen St W is more boutiquey and younger so it may slow down there, especially if they want tattoos (just kidding)... kids seem to stop at every vendor to see jewelery, art, fashion... the good news is that they are all next to each other so a couple of hours total should do it... just keep them walking...
some of the Chinatown stores have the paper umbrellas, and fans and bamboo flip flops and other junk kids like...
Short of assigning times, its all part of the flow...
Its hard for me to guess on times because it depends on how you nudge your group along... they may not find much interest at kensington because it is an assortment of small stores and food shops... Chinatown near kensington is similar and they may be satisfied just walking by... Queen St W is more boutiquey and younger so it may slow down there, especially if they want tattoos (just kidding)... kids seem to stop at every vendor to see jewelery, art, fashion... the good news is that they are all next to each other so a couple of hours total should do it... just keep them walking...
some of the Chinatown stores have the paper umbrellas, and fans and bamboo flip flops and other junk kids like...
Short of assigning times, its all part of the flow...
May 1st, 2012, 03:30 AM
#59
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Thanks again to everyone who has helped me plan this trip. My itinerary is almost complete and I just have one last question. Which do you think 13 and 14 year olds would enjoy more, a tour of the Air Canada Centre or a tour of Casa Loma? We are not going to have time to do both. Thank you again in advance for your suggestions.
May 1st, 2012, 06:30 AM
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Casa Loma tour is more impressive to a group of Senior Citizens rather than teens...I toured it in my '40s and wasn't that impressed... its also a bit out of the way...
The more impressive tour may be the Rogers Center (formerly the Skydome)... Home of the Blue Jays... its also next to the CN Tower
The Air Canada Centre is the Hockey/Basketball arena and seems like a waste of time for teens...
personnally, I would take them on the Toronto Hippo Tour... it runs around the city and waterfront and even takes you for a water view of the city... kids love that... good luck
The more impressive tour may be the Rogers Center (formerly the Skydome)... Home of the Blue Jays... its also next to the CN Tower
The Air Canada Centre is the Hockey/Basketball arena and seems like a waste of time for teens...
personnally, I would take them on the Toronto Hippo Tour... it runs around the city and waterfront and even takes you for a water view of the city... kids love that... good luck
