Will be visiting Toronto in July with my family for three days in July. We have tickets to a Blue Jays game. I would like some advice on where to stay (close to Skydome? and other sites) and what to see while we are there. My kids are 9 and 14 years old.
Thank you

Hello Mswof2,

I was going to suggest Niagara Falls, but I see from another discussion thread that you're planning a night there as well, so I take it your Toronto question is focused on Toronto's more immediate environs. Just to provide some clarification for others who may answer your question.

It doesn't matter where you stay, if you are within a rectangle from , along the north, just above Bloor Street, to, opn the south, lake Ontario. East limit is jarvis Street and West limit is Spadina Avenue.

Within that big recatnagle there's lots to do everywhere, and good transit service, and walks that are not too long.

North edge (Bloor) is the Royal Ontario Museum and Yorkville, which the kids will like.

The lake has lots of stuff for kids to do and see.

And when in doubt, I recommend the Holiday Inn on King, and, for a better pool, the Sheraton Center or the Delta Chelsea. All a reasonable walk to Skydome. (Holiday Inn is five minutes)

Ontario Science Center is worth a half-day. Take the ferry to Toronto Island. Centerville is good for the nine year old.

There will be something going on at the National Film Board the kids will enjoy. Probably animation class, free movies, other things, at John Street and Richmond Street. Cheap.

BAK

The Renaissance at the SkyDome is handy, but can be expensive. The Holiday Inn King Street is good but can be very busy. DO NOT allow them to put you in a smoking room - they are REALLY bad. We had a very large room there, plenty big enough for a cot too. We have been to Toronto many times and I can't really comment on what else to do there as my kids hate shopping (unless it is for CDs or posters) and I guess they liked the Museum. The Science Center is outdated and dull (just my opinion - probably some people love it). The zoo is huge and when we went the kids were too young to enjoy it. We have caught musicals that the kids liked a lot. Don't eat at the Hollywood restaurant near the skydome - it is awful. We ate at a place called the Red Tomato across from the Holiday Inn that the kids liked (but they are older than yours). This year we hope to take the fast ferry from Rochester over to Toronto to catch a few Yankees games in August. That should be a new adventure!!!

We were in Toronto 3 summers ago when our kids were 10 (girl) and 14 (boy). We stayed at Skydome hotel and they thought it was cool. It is a weird hotel with a lot of concrete and steel - since it is part of the wall of the ballpark. Halls are long and curved - also to conform with shape of park. We did not have room with window overlooking field. We were able to have breakfast in the restaurant that looks out over field - watched them use leaf blowers to clean up trash and set up field for the night. We also took Skydome tour which was interesting.

Able to walk to CN Tower and some food court (don't remember name). After game could watch them close the roof from inside hotel. Kids also enjoyed walk through Chinatown - they sell all sorts of mysterious things from bins outsdie storefronts. Son and husband went to Hockey Hall of Fame - enjoyed that and neither are hockey fans.

I'm sure your children would love to go to Canada's Wonderland.
Would you have a rental car to get there?

Also, take a stroll down and around the harbourfront. There are usually lots of things happening down there in the summer.

If you visit Chinatown, be sure to check out nearby Kensington Market; depending on your 14 year olds tastes, he/she may appreciate the row of vintage clothing stores on Kensington Ave. Queen West is great for teen/youth shopping as well. The National Film Board is a great idea BAK - I always forget about the free movies.
Have fun!