martha50

My 30 Year old daughter and I are traveling to Toronto in June and would like a list of sights/things to do and the best location of where to stay as well as hotels if you know any. Is there any must dos? We are flying into buffalo and driving into Canada
we are staying at the Sheraton Falls View for the first two night and doing things at the falls then wanting to move into Toronto for the remainder 7 days.

Thank you,
Martha

starfish1

Martha50, I just topped a thread called "Must see's and accommodation in Niagara and Toronto" - you won't need the Niagara portion but lots of good tips for T.O.

martha50

Thanks, we are going to Niagara too but dont know if two days are enough? Do you think we should stay longer? We will probably be staying at Sutton Place in Toronto do you know if that is in a good location in respect to the sights and things to do?
Thanks,
Martha

BAK

Toronto's a goodhotel city; sort of like New York. Pick a hotel is some area within reason, and it will be a good location.

Sutton Place is fine. I'd put it pretty far down a list, but on the otherhand, there's lots of hotels on a list, so being pretty far down does not make it bad.

The reality is that it is sort of half way to lots of places, but actually no-where by itself, surrounded by apartments and government buildings, plus one really good restaurant.

Walk for ten minutes, though, and you're approaching intereting areas.

For the original question-poser... it really would be useful to just go back a while in this forum and see what you can learn.

Hotels are clustered around City Hall, in the entertainment district, and in the Yorkville area along Bloor Street, near Yonge and over to near Spadiana.

There's lots to be said for each area.

Just spent some time walking along the street with a family staying at the Holiday Inn on King. They're from the Eastern shore of Virginia, and thought the hotel was fine, as was the area. grandparents in 50s, daughter and son in law around 30, kids 3 and 7.

Must dos depends on your interests? Need fabrics because you sew? Love model trains? Want spare parts for a motorcycle? Looking for sushi?

Tell us more.

BAK

BAK

Gavin

I agree with BAK's characterization of the location of the Sutton Place. Not too much within five minutes but a fair bit within a 10 minute walk. It is not a matter of the hotel being in a "bad" area just that its imediate neighbours are condominiums and government office buildings. Not bad neighbours but a tad uninteresting

Tricky_Rick

Martha, 2 days is more than enough for the Niagara area. What I would do is spend one day in the direct Niagara Falls area. Lots of nice things to see other than the falls, but one day is more than enough. As for the second day, I would definately spend the time to go to Niagara-on-the-Lake. It is about 20 minutes from Niagara Falls. I live in a Toronto suburb, and I really enjoy going to Niagara-on-the-Lake. This is the famous wine region of Ontario, so you can take in various winery tours or simply visit NOTL. Either way, no need to spend more than 2 days in the Niagara region.

GeoNit

Toronto has been one of my favorite get-away cities for many years.

Here a several Toronto websites that you may find helpful:

TORONTO LINKS
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum...o_Ontario.html (general Toronto forum)
http://www.chowhound.com/canada/boar...o/toronto.html (Toronto food/restaurant forum)
www.stlawrencemarket.com (city food market house)
www.torontofoodies.com (brief Toronto restaurant review/photos)
www.foodpages.ca (Canadian restaurant locator maps/locations)
www.menuplace.com (some Toronto restaurant menus)
www.toronto.com (general Toronto information)
www.city.toronto.on.ca (Toronto government website)
www.city.toronto.on.ca/ttc/index.htm (transit authority website)
www.city.toronto.on.ca/ttc/family_pass.htm (transit day pass information)
www.city.toronto.on.ca/parks/island/index.htm (Toronto Islands & ferry schedule)
www.city.toronto.on.ca/path/index.htm (Downtown 16.5-mile underground walkway map)
www.city.toronto.on.ca/torontomaps/index.htm (interactive city map)
www.greenp.com/tpa (Toronto Parking Authority lot locator interactive map)
http://www.greenp.com/tpa/parkingloc...ttractions.jsp (parking lots near attractions)

www.torontoeatoncentre.com (Downtown indoor shopping mall)
www.tdcentre.com (Downtown indoor shopping mall)
www.firstcanadianplace.com (Downtown indoor shopping mall)
www.bceplace.com (Downtown indoor shopping mall)
www.geocities.com/cplarosa/toronto/malls.htm (map locating 46 Chinese shopping malls)
www.first-markham-place.com
www.pacificmalltoronto.com
www.marketvillage.net
www.torontomalls.com/mapsfrm.htm (interactive shopping mall map)
www.rom.on.ca (Royal Ontario Museum)
www.ago.net (Art Gallery of Ontario)
www.gardinermuseum.on.ca (ceramics museum)
www.batashoemuseum.ca (shoe museum)
www.masseyhall.com (theater venues)
www.mirvish.com (theater venues)
www.hummingbirdcentre.com (theatre venue)
www.tso.on.ca (Toronto Symphony Orchestra)
http://www.national.ballet.ca/home.php (National Ballet of Canada)
www.coc.ca (Canadian Opera Company)
www.fourseasonscentre.ca (new home of ballet/opera opening 2006)
www.rogerscentre.com (indoor stadium formerly known as Skydome)
www.theaircanadacentre.com (indoor arena)
www.ojc.com (Woodbine -- flat & harness racing)
www.hhof.com (Hockey Hall of Fame)
www.canadas-wonderland.com (amusement park)
www.cntower.ca (CN Tower)
www.casaloma.org (Casa Loma)
www.osc.on.ca (Ontario Science Centre)
www.torontozoo.com (Toronto Zoo)
www.ontarioplace.com (Ontario Place)
www.harbourfront.on.ca (Harbourfront Centre)
www.city.toronto.on.ca/culture/fort_york.htm (Fort York)
www.trca.on.ca (Toronto Regional Conservation Authority/Black Creek Pioneer Village, etc.)
www.thestar.com (Toronto’s largest daily newspaper)
www.nowtoronto.com (alternative weekly)
www.torontolife.com (monthly city magazine)
www.torontotourism.com
www.boldts.net/Toronto.shtml (Toronto’s neighborhoods – excellent photos & text)
If you are looking for a subject and can’t find it among
the links listed above, try this website that has eight pages
of Toronto website links:
www.math.toronto.edu/toronto


NIAGARA FALLS AND NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE
(NOTL) LINKS:

www.city.niagarafalls.on.ca official city government website
www.niagarafallschamber.com Chamber of Commerce website
www.niagarafallstourism.com NF Tourism & Convention Bureau website
www.niagaraparks.com Niagara Parks regional website
www.wfol.com Winter Festival of Lights
http://www.TripAdvisor.com/ShowForum...s_Ontario.html NF forum
www.niagaraonthelake.com NOTL city website
www.shawfest.com Shaw Festival Website
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum...e_Ontario.html
NOTL Forum
www.regional.niagara.on.ca Niagara regional government website
www.winesofontario.org Ontario wineries website

sher11

Cut your stay in Niagra to only 1 day. Niagra is very tacky touristy. Or stay 2 days and do a quick side trip to Wine Country near the Falls. We are from the states and lived in Toronto for 3 years--this is what I think you should miss and is worth seeing but not necessarily in the top 10 things--
1. Toronto Islands--take a ferry (about 5 minutes ) to the Islands for a nice picnic, scenic walk, and great views of the city.

oops gotta go I'll add more later

sher11

This is a continuation of my previous post. My first recommendation was the
1. Toronto Islands (also called Centreville Island)
2. Talk a walk through Edwards Gardens this is a beautiful area of manicured lawns, flowers, bridges, walking paths and an ice cream shop and all for free! (Except the ice cream)
3. See a Maple Leaf game or a Blue Jay's game depending on the season you go
4. You may want to stop at Niagra-on-the Lake which is Canadian wine country. It is a quaint little town that sometimes host Shakespeare festivals. Don't expect Napa, this is very small and the wine is sweet but it is on the way to Toronto only about 20 minutes or so out of Niagra.
5. If you go a little on the outskirts of Toronto there is a cool little town call Unionville. It is like a turn back in time to little quaint towns with gazebo's, boutiques, and cafes and restaurants. It's about 45 minute or so out of Toronto.
6. See a show in the Theatre District
7. Stay at the Fairmont Royal York for a European flair. They have special tea services on some days. It would be a very nice hotel for 2 women and it is in the heart of downtown.
8. Use the subways if you need to---they are safe, clean, and there is a whole other city down there with tons of shopping.

wow

Hi, Martha! Curious as to why you are flying into Buffalo when most of your time will be spent in Toronto. Why not fly into Toronto & then simply do a "day trip" out to Niagara Falls? Personally, I wld skip Niagara Falls! Are you planning on renting a car in Buffalo & keeping it for your entire trip? Parking in Toronto is very expensive & you do not need a car in Toronto. I like a lot of Sher11's suggestions. Royal York wld be an excellent choice. Close to the theatre district & subway. And, across the street from the train station(Union Station) if you decide to venture outside of Toronto. Seven days seems like a long time to me for Toronto. From Toronto you can easily explore other areas. Where are you flying from(when you fly into Buffalo)?

chris_r

Martha, if you're visiting the falls I would recommend staying on the Canadian side; Niagara Falls, NY is pretty dodgy (the Canadian side is too, but not as bad). I think two days in Niagara- seeing the falls and wineries- would be sufficient. I personally don't think Toronto is worth seven days, but if you will be staying there for that long I recommend the Royal Ontario Museum and Hockey Hall of Fame ('when in Rome...'), as well as the Waterfront. You're best off telling us your preferences though.

SallyCanuck

I agree about Toronto - 7 days here is too much - since you have a car try to get out of the city - north to lake country or to St. Jacob's and other small places.

SallyCanuck

Should have mentioend Stratford - it's a pretty place and the Stratford Festival is on then.