Any suggestions anyone would care to make regarding a good hotel for kids (must have a pool preferably indoor) and family friendly resturants would be appreciated. My family of 4 - 2 girls ages 5 & 8 will be traveling in early July. Itinerary includes Canada's Wonderland, ROM, Blue Jays game, Niagrara Falls and the zoo. Can't decide between Toronto Islands or Ontario Place so comments on those two would be appreciated also.

The Toronto Islands would get my vote simply because of the ferry ride. The islands themselves are great too, with a lot of kid friendly activities.

Try Sheraton Centre - doentown, very central, pool, etc. <BR>Family restaurants include Marche (BCE Place), Movenpick (which owns Marche). European Bier Market is not a "family" restaurant but has good food in a pub/restaurant atmosphere. <BR>There is a Planet Holywood near CN tower. Don't forget Harbourfront, esp on Sat/Sun. <BR>Have fun!! <BR>Since you are alreay doing Wonderland, opt for the Islands over Ontario Place.

Bennie, <BR> <BR>Let me cast my vote for the Toronto Islands as well. Here's why: Ontario Place is basically just a theme park; but the Toronto Islands include a lot of green space and a (smaller) theme park for children called Centreville (the park is for little kids, so a 5 and an 8 year old will be fine). Also, it's just a very pleasant place to wander and there are beaches. Finally, just outside the theme park is a maze (the walls are hedge rows) that I always had a lot of fun in when I was a kid. Bring a picnic and relax. As a word of warning, the islands can be very busy on summer weekends. <BR> <BR>Also, you might want to tack Casa Loma on to your itinerary (a pretty cool castle in the heart of Toronto), and the Art Gallery of Ontario (possibly not as fun for kids). <BR> <BR>Also, you might want to consider a trip to Niagara-On-The-Lake in addition to Niagara Falls. It's got wonderful theatre in the summer (check out the Shaw Festival), great B&Bs and restaurants, all kinds of vineyards in the area, nice shops, and all in a very cozy environment. It's just a short drive from Niagara Falls, and might provide you and your wife with a romantic spot on your vacation. <BR> <BR>As for hotels, you might consider the Novotel ((416) 367-8900), which is right in the heart of downtown Toronto -- just a few blocks from the subway (the best way to get around town), the Skydome, and the ferry to the islands. It also has a pool, and is right across the street from The Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant which is a stupendously great place for kids, as well as the Bier Markt (which someone mentioned in an earlier post, but it is more of an adult place). The Novotel is also a block away from the St. Lawrence Market (sort of a farmer's/produce market in a big hall), which is a great place to buy lots of fresh produce, bread, meat, etc. for a picnic to the islands. <BR> <BR>Incidentally, I live next door to the Novotel, so I can testify to its convenience. You will be right in the hear of things. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps. <BR> <BR>Rob

Thanks for the advice. I've been to the both the Toronto Islands and Ontario Place when I lived on TO in the 80s and was leaning that towards the Islands. I know I had more fun there than at Ontario Place. <BR> <BR>Any comments on the Delta Chelsea Hotel. I've got a good rate there and am comfortable with the location and ammenities it offers, especially for the kids. I just don't know about the condition of the rooms. Should I trust the 4 diamond rating from AAA? Its the same rating that the Four Seasons earned but somehow I doubt the two really are on par with each other. Anyone have any recent experience there?

Hi, <BR>I can't comment on the Delta Chelsea, but I agree with Rob on the Novotel. We stayed there last July, and I can't say enough about the location. It was 2 blocks from the train station. At the train station there are subways, streetcars, and buses that can get you to every attraction imaginable. The hotel has a nice pool, the staff is excellent, breakfast was included, and the rooms were more then adequate. <BR> <BR>My kids loved Casa Loma. It has beautiful gardens. <BR> <BR>I would go to the islands rathere then Ontario Place. <BR> <BR>Don't bother with the CN tower. I found it to be a waste of money, and the kids didn't enjoy it all that much. <BR> <BR>A really good chinese buffet is Mandarin. East Side Mario's has good pizza. Go to Greentown and have some chocolate baklava. <BR> <BR>I found the ROM to be the best museum I've seen after the MET in NY. <BR> <BR>Your kids will probably enjoy the Ontario Science Center. It's a hands on museum experience. <BR>

Hi Bennie: <BR>I live about an 1 1/2 hours north of Toronto and when we go down to stay for the weekend with our grandson this is where we usually stay. The hotel is great for kids. They have a pool for families and another for adults only. They even let the kids in the huge hot tub with their parents. There is a supervised play room and exercise room. The buffet style restaurant downstairs caters to families also and there is another restaurant more geared towards adults. <BR>I would go ahead with the Delta Chelsea. The rooms are fine, nothing fancy but with everything you need in them. Coffee/tea maker, ironing board and iron and hairblower also. <BR>It is in a great location just a block from Eaton's Centre and lots of restaurants and you can walk to the ROM from there (well maybe not with a 5 year old) or hop on the subway. <BR>If you are renting a car why not get out of the city and head north. I live in Midland which as I said is about an hour and a half north. We are the gateway to the 30,000 islands. Right on Georgian Bay and lots to do with the kids. It's an historic area with an old French/ Huron Indian settlement reconstruction at Ste Marie among the Hurons staffed by costumed interpreters, there's a wetlands centre next to it with great outdoor stuff to do. You can take a boat cruise around some of the islands out of Midland also. It would give you a chance to get out of the city, get a breath of fresh air (July can be stifling in Toronto) and relax. <BR>Enjoy your trip. <BR>Regards, <BR>Lynn

Lynn - thank you for your suggestions. I'm glad to hear from someone who has stayed at the hotel. I picked it based on a good deal plus good facilities for the kids so its sounds like the right fit for us. <BR> <BR>Thank you also for your suggestion on Midland. My daughter saw a picture of the museum you refered to in a guidebook and was dieing to go. Her class studied Native Americans this year. I wasn't sure how far north it was and if it there was enough to see for the entire day. But we'll definately work it into the itinerary. Believe it or not, I lived in Mississuaga for 2 years and never made it further north than Vaughn. I think its time to see more of Ontario than just Toronto. <BR> <BR>

You are getting a lot of good advice. The Chelsea Inn is a good hotel and a lot of tour groups stay there because it is reasonable and well-located. It <BR>is also very child-friendly. Altho' Niagara-on-the Lake is very pretty, I think a ride on the Maid-of-the-Mist in <BR>Niagara Falls would probably be more exciting. Watch out for the traffic heading to the Falls and try to time your trip from T.O. on an off day (maybe a Monday morning). There are the hop-on, hop-off tour buses that are fun to take. They give you a chance to decide where you want to spend more time. The islands are great but if the kids are tired you can take one of the tour boats around the islands that takes about an hour. You can see the inside of the dome if you eat in the Hard Rock Cafe. My kids love the CN Tower but get there early because they won't love waiting in the line-up. Have <BR>fun.

Thanks again for all the great advice. There's so much to do and we only have 5 full days. Its hard to decide between all the interesting stuff. With young children you really have to pace yourself or the trip could be a disaster. Any more suggestions would be welcome.

I will try to simplify your choices: You didn't say what days you are in T.O. so I'm going to take you through a Sunday-Thurs. scenario. Stay away from Niagara Falls or Wonderland on a Sunday. Take the kids to Harbourfront. Take a harbour tour and/or go to Centre Island. You can also rent a type of bike on C.I. that you can put the kids in the back seats and you pedal (sort of surrey with the fringe on top). They will like the rides on C.I. Maybe take a picnic. We eat at the Rectory on Ward's Island. There are usually free concerts back at Harbourfront and lots happening. In the evening (if it's nice) head to The Beaches area of Toronto. Walk the boardwalk and then go for dinner and ice-cream at Lick's. Monday head for Niagara Falls, do the Maid of the Mist boat ride (bring extra dry clothes and shoes and socks or wear waterproof footwear.)Come back and stop either in Jordan Station(you'll enjoy it) for something to eat or head back to T.O. Dinner at Marche at B.C.E. Place or at a Shopsy's Deli. Tuesday: Wonderland for the day. Go early, bring change of clothes to put in locker for wet rides, and lots of sunscreen and raincoats. You never know! Spend the day. Tuesday night Eaton Centre-dinner and shopping. Wed: Matinee for Lion King and evening at Playdium or have dinner at Hard Rock Cafe. Thursday, go early for CN Tower. Eat at Le Papillon for crepes. Have fun!

Bonnie - Thanks again for the great advice. I appreciate the comments for the schedule. This is the itinerary that I've planned so far - your comments would be helpful. <BR> <BR>Sat - drive all day - arrival and crash. We'll probably eat at the hotel and take a swim in the pool. <BR> <BR>Sun - Jul 1 Metro zoo - we don't have a decent zoo in Boston so this will be a treat for the kids. I remember the zoo being quite nice (I thought it was better than San Diego). We will head for the waterfront for fireworks and I think I read there is a water parade with boats lit up at night. <BR> <BR>Mon Jul 2 - Red Sox v. Blue Jays - tickets already bought so we're locked into this one (its the whole reason for coming to Toronto) Thought we'd do the CN Tower in the am and have dinner at the Hard Rock after the game. <BR> <BR>Tues Jul 3 - Canada's Wonderland - thought it might be slightly less crowded than on a weekend unless this is a big vacation week in Canada as it is in the US. Will definately make use of the suggestions regarding changes of clothes and lockers. <BR> <BR>Wed Jul 4 - Heading to Niagrara Falls - I know this is probably suicidal but I'm just one of those people who want to celebrate the US's big day in the US. It stems from living in Canada for 3 years and really feeling like I was missing out on the fun -as much as I love Canada. So this is pretty much set in stone. What's Jordan Station? Is is a town or a restaurant? There are fireworks over the Falls that night so I think we'll want to stay and see those. <BR> <BR>Thurs Jul 5 - Possibly Midlands or possibly Islands. Would love to rent bikes on the Islands but daughter is really into Native cultures and would probably get a lot out of the musuem up there. Does anyone know if there is a good bike riding spot up there? We are not athletes just an average family so we can't be doing marathons. I'm very curious about seeing this part of Ontario as I never went up there when I lived in TO. So I'm leaning toward this choice over the Islands. <BR> <BR>Fri July 6 - head for home. Sob Sob <BR> <BR>Still can't seem to fit the ROM into the schedule unless we do it before we hit the road to Niagrara Falls. Also no time for Science Musuem (but we have a great one here in Boston so its not the end of the world). Also would love to do the Lion King but my husband is balking on the expense and we live close enough to NY to see it there. <BR> <BR>Also - I don't recall the Beaches area of TO - what's there? - a walk on a boardwalk and some ice cream sounds right up our alley. <BR> <BR>Sorry for the length of the posting. Vacation planning is just such fun for me.

Don't know much about Midland but it sounds like you're going to be doing a l-o-t of driving while you're only in T.O. for a short time. Midland is in the opposite direction of Niagara which is in the opposite direction of the zoo but is in the same direction as Wonderland give or take a few hours. Would you want to stay over in Niagara if you're going to wait to see the fireworks at night? Are you going to be on the Canadian or American side of the Falls? If you don't want to eat at the Hard Rock Cafe afterwards since you'll have already seen the Dome, you could consider Gretzky's just down the street. By the way I assume that the Zoo will be open on the 1st but you should check. It's huge so take the monorail for an overview first. San Diego Zoo is my favourite. The Beaches area is Queen Street (very) East. It is crowded in the summer and has both the Beach/Boardwalk area and the shops/restaurants part. Licks is casual(inexpensive burgers), fun and central. there.

I'm always surprised that anyone would want to visit Toronto, the most boring big city in North America. It's just characterless collection of skyscrapers with absolutely no character and no sense of place. <BR><BR>There's nothing unusual and different. The biggest tourist attraction in town in the Eaton Centre, b shopping mall. That about says it all. <BR><BR>It is also the unfriendliest big city around. It's a complete myth that Canadiens are friendly and polite. That may be true some places, but not in Ontario. I never ceased to be amazed at how rude people are in Toronto. <BR><BR>There's an old saying about Canada" "There's no there there." I don't think that it's true about everyplace, but it is true about Toronto.<BR><BR>Oh, yeah, One more thing. If you are American, be prepared for a good dose of Yankee basking if you read the newspapers or whatch much TV.<BR><BR>Coleman, a 10 year Toronto resident

Coleman - Thank you for your candid comments about your adopted city. I too was an American living in Ontario and agree to a certain extent with your comments about the friendliness of Torontonians. The same has been said about Bostonians. But what I have found is that while people may be reserved when you meet them initially they are more willing to form long lasting relationships. I personally find this a more appealing characteristic than those who are all smiling and cheerful but truly closed inside and have no desire to let an outsider in.<BR><BR>I also found that Toronto was a very attractive city with lots to do. My then boyfriend (now husband)often commented that we would love to return some day to Toronto with our kids because we thought there was so much to for them to see. I've traveled on business to many cities in the US since living in Toronto and am still convinced that TO would be a nice place to raise kids and is a worthy vacation destination (though maybe not the most obvious). I have recommended the trip to other families and they seem to have a great time. We can't go to DisneyWorld every year! Its a big world out there and I want my kids to see as much of it as possible.

I have never encountered any rudeness on our visits to Toronto. Our family of 4 (including 2 children 11 &amp; 14) have voted Toronto their favorite city. We always stay at the Sheraton Centre because of their location &amp; connection to the PATH &amp; go for a long weekend every summer. On all of our visits we have been approached by people to see if we needed "help or directions". Usually, we are just trying to agree on where to head to next...an impossible task w/ 2 siblings that can't agree on what color the sky is!! On our very 1st visit, we were kinda lost &amp; trying to figure out which subway to use &amp; some businessman saw us looking at the map &amp; explained which line to take &amp; where to transfer...he even went so far as to walk w/ us the 2 blocks &amp; show us which train to get on. We loved the Lion King, the Science Center, &amp; we've been to the Skydome, CN Tower, Harbourfront, and our favorite...just exploring the neighborhoods. We always end up talking to all kinds of people. We feel very safe there. Have a great time....we'll be going back this summer!!

I will confirm everything that Rob says. I went to Toronto about 3 years ago and we stayed at the novotel. Wonderful place, close to everything. However, to go to the zoo, niagara, casa loma, etc. the hotel can set you up, just ask them. The hotel couldn't be any better, simple, but nice. A nice walk to anywhere. We just took off walking because you are bound to find something of interest for anyone. The kensington market is really neat, I suggest going. Have a wonderful time. There is a lot to do, you will never get bored, but you will sleep good at night, too much to see and do, but too little time. Have fun, we had an amazing time.

I'm so glad you posted this message, bennie. We, too, are going to Toronto (from Mass.) during that exact week. We are also going for the Sox vs. Bluejays games--we will be at all 4 games (much cheaper than Fenway, eh?). We will have a child with us, too, and I found all the replies here very, very helpful. <BR> <BR>Thanks to all!!

Its good to know we won't be the only family there in our Red Sox regalia. The prices for tickets at Fenway are ridiculuos. For the price of a bleacher seat at Fenway, we'll be sitting 10 rows back from the visitors dugout at the Skydome. The exchange rate makes this a very affordable trip and it beats the drive to the Cape. <BR> <BR>Still looking for suggestions on restaurants. And thanks again for all the previous suggestions. Can't wait for July!

More restaurants...These are all "affordable" restaurants. <BR>Wayne Gretzky's,near Skydome, for the memorabilia. <BR>Chinese restaurant for dim sum - any number of restaurants in Chinatown. For more refined, try Dynasty on Bloor St W near Royal Ontario Museum. <BR>Any one of numerous Greek restaurants along Danforth Ave. <BR>Il Fornello's is a local wood oven pizza chain with thin pizzas <BR>{reviously mentioned but worth repeating)Marche in BCE Place - Some will say a glorified cafeteria but to most it is a fun place with multiple food stations. Expect line-ups at peak times. <BR>Also checkout toronto.com and torontolife.com for restaurants.