Am surprising my daughter with a weekend trip to Toronto. Am staying at the Royal York for subway convienence. Intend on going to CN Tower, Hockey Hall of Fame, the Science Centre and walking up and down Yonge St. for window shopping. Have already been to Casa Loma and don't wish to go to the zoo when I'm two blocks from one. I'm trying to gear this trip to her so what other kinds of fun can you suggest? Also, what restaurants in the downtown area can you suggest? We love authentic Italian cuisine, Japanese and all around American food. Don't want to worry about getting dressed up, just casual.

Well, you might consider the Eaton Centre- a mega-mall downtown. Also, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM); both on the subway. The ROM has a large exhibit on dresses of the1950's; not my particular idea of excitement, but your daughter might find it interesting (and funny).

She'll enjoy eating at Le Marche, wiht is a sort of fancy food court where you do to verious preparation stations and wathc while the food is prepared. it's in BCE Place, right beside the Hockey Hall of Fame.

On Saturday morning, as early as you wake up, walk over to the St. Lawrence Market, about four blocks east on Front Street, and enjoy the street entertainers and have a back bacon sandwich which you buy inside and take outside to eat.

Queen Street West, from Duncan west to Bathurst, is worth a long walk. leavet he hotel, walk north on York to Queen, turn left (west) and keep going until you get bored or your feet hurt.

Harbboufront's worth visiting. Go to the basement of the hotel, look for the tunnel to Union Station, go through this, then turn left and go to the GO Station (green signage) and turn right, walk to the back, look for the tunnel to the Air Canda Centre, go through that, and you're almost at harbourfront. (You can do this above ground, but it's not as much fun for a kid)

Hot dogs and french fries off the trucks in front of City Hall are good, and a bargain, and fun.

For semi-fancy to fancy food, walk up to King Street, turn west, and walk past Roy Thomson hall, the Royal Alexandra and The Princess of Wales Theatres and pick whatever restrautans on King from Simcoe to Spadian appeal to you. All have the menus posted. All at "good' at the worst and "extraordinary" at the best. Best food, lowest price, most child-friendly is Swiss Chalet (chicken) dowen a flight of stairs at Simcoe and King, on King.

BAK

You might want to take her to see The Lion King or Mama Mia. And if she loves to shop for sure go to the Eaton Centre; you can check out all the shops on their web site. It's 3 floors ( and more at one end) of clothes, clothes and more clothes!!! Mr.Greenjeans is a fun place to eat there.

Something a little different is the Bata Shoe Museum on Bloor St W. Our daughter, 11, quite enjoyed it.

All the other replies are great. You can combine the Royal Ontario Museum with the Bata Shoe Museum and a visit to the Toy Shop on Cumberland, and then go to Yorkville or Cumberland Ave. for lunch in one of their great restaurants.

Combine shopping at the Eaton Centre with browsing the record/DVD stores at Yonge and Elm Streets, the World's Biggest Bookstore, Yonge Street clothing stores, and then lunch for Chinese or Japanese in Chinatown.

If the weather is bad, you can check out the underground path of shops (ask at the Hotel) that runs from the Royal York up to the Eaton Centre.

Take in a movie at the Paramount Theatre on Richmond St., Chapters bookstore at Richmond and John, then browse the shops and take in a restaurant on Queen St. West.

Enjoy your trip and let us know how your daughter enjoyed it.

Thanks for all your great replies. I will post when back from our trip!