Nancy

My husband, two children ages 5 and 8 and I will be traveling to Toronto for a Wednesday and Thursday night at the end of August. We booked a two bedroom suite at the Metropolitan Hotel. Is that a mistake or should I look into the Park Hyatt? We got a family rate of $399CAN. We got Cirque du Soleil tickets and my son wants to go to CN Tower. Hippo Tours yes or no? Any suggestions for fun dining areas or other must-do activities?

bennie

My children were the same ages when we went to Toronto last summer. They really enjoyed the ROM - for its dinosaurs, bat cave and totem poles. CN Tower was a hit as was a Blue Jays game. Taking the ferry to Centre Island was fun but the bike rentals there were disappointing (bad condition of the bikes). The biggest hit of all was Canada's Wonderland - a very clean and enjoyable amusement park with lots of rides that were age appropriate.<BR><BR>You could also choose from Ontario Place, the zoo, the Science Center,and Casa Loma There is no lack of fun things to do in Toronto.<BR><BR>We stayed at the Delta Chelsea which worked for us because of the reasonable family dining(kids 5 and under eat free the 8 yr old was 50% off)and the family pool. Room was large enough for us for 5 nights. Our rate last summer was $199 including breakfast, parking and tax.<BR><BR>Enjoy your stay.

Brian Kilgore

The Metropolitan is fine. The restaurants are probably too fancy for the children, but you can walk across the street to the Colony to get more casual. <BR><BR>There's a little playground along the side of Toronto City Hall, just south of your hotel, and the children will enjoy this. At the south side of city hall are good french fries from trucks; again, kid food that is worth buying.<BR><BR>The little kid will enjoy the Children's Own Museum, next door to the Royal Ontario Museum, although the 8-year old is too old for the Children's museum.<BR><BR>If the Hippo tour fits your budget, take it. Otherwise, you can take an oopen-top bus tour and a harbour tour seperately, and maybe see more and save a little money. The Hippo tour bus will be remembered by your kids for a long time.<BR>BAK<BR>

Bonnie

There is no comparison between the 2 hotels. If you want elegant, Yorkville/Bloor location in the nicest hotel in Toronto then book the Park Hyatt. Otherwise, consider one of the 2 Marriotts (Eaton Centre - closer to downtown and adjacent to the Eaton Centre which has lots of eating options or Yorkville/Bloor which is right on the subway.) As another poster told you the Delta Chelsea Inn is very child-friendly. There is also an independent hotel called the Cambridge Suites which is downtown just off Yonge St. You should go to the Hockey Hall of Fame and eat at the Marche which is in the same building (BCE Place). If the weather is good take a ferry over to the Islands or take the kids to The Docks which is on the water and has an amazing view of the Toronto skyline (also a great entertainment complex). You won't see everything in 2 days but your plan sounds great.

Judy

If you do go to the Royal Ontario Museum, then walk east to the Toy Shop on Cumberland (main floor and lower floor). It's at Cumberland and Bay Streets. The best toy shop in Toronto. Just watch for the bubbles from the doorway. Have a great holiday in Toronto!