Toronto Things to Do Tips by VeronicaG

The CN Tower was located within walking distance from our hotel, the Renaissance. After purchasing tickets at the base of the tower and then going through a security check we shot to the top of the tower in an elevator with glass walls. The view of Toronto was spectacular! Once at the top, we joined the throngs of people waiting to take in the panorama of the city and areas beyond. CN Tower is 1,815 feet high and was designed by architect, John Andrews in 1976.

In one area, a glass floor was a popular feature and permitted a view to the street level from atop the tower. Although my husband and grandson happily took advantage of this sight, I edged as far away from it as possible, feeling a bit squeamish.

The ride down took a while because we had to join a slowly moving line at the elevators. It was very hot and uncomfortable at this point, but we survived. A large gift shop and places to eat await visitors at the lower level while above the city the 360 Restaurant serves lunch and dinner from Mid-March to December----reservations recommended.

Thumbs up for this locale, it was almost a view from the heavens!

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Phone: 416-868-6937
Address: 301 Front St. W.
Directions: In the heart of Downtown Toronto, right in between the SkyDome and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Front Street, just north of Bremner Blvd.
Website: http://www.cntower.ca/

Toronto can boast of having a castle in its own backyard--Casa Loma. It was the residence of Sir Henry Mill Pellatt in the early 1900's. Pellatt was a military officer knighted by King Edward VII and who made it to the Queens Own Rifles. He was also an industrialist and financier.

An audio guided tour took us through his palatial home where we glimpsed what life must have been like for this family in the early 20th century. A collection of military weapons really caught the attention of our ten year old grandson. He always seems to zero in on the soldier-stuff! My husband and he climbed to the tower to view the city. I stayed behind to cool myself in front of one of the fans placed strategically at the end of the hall, trying real hard not to seem a party-pooper.

Casa Loma is connected to a carriage garage and stables by an 800 foot tunnel. It was so much cooler down there! Outside, the grounds were manicured and flowers were everywhere. The castle sits on a five acre site.

Tour hours are from 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (the last tour being at 4pm). Gardens are open from May through October. A small cafe and gift shop are located in the lower level. NOTE: This is not a tour recommended for kids under 10. Admission fee is $12 for adults; $7.50 for seniors; $7.50 for ages 14-17; $6.75 for children 4-13. **A self-gided audio tour in 8 languages is available for $2.00

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Phone: 416-923-1171
Address: 1 Austin Terrace
Website: www.casaloma.org

The Royal Ontario Museum is such an interesting place to spend part of the afternoon. It has displays on ancient cultures, hands-on fun for children and exhibits about the world of nature.

We liked the Egyptian exhibit with its mummy cases, scarab seals and artifacts. There was also art from Greek and Etruscan cultures. Our grandson got caught up in the medieval history section where kids could don armor and imagine employing the weaponry of that time. A large collection of Arms and Armour caught our attention!

Hours are Mon.-Thurs. 10 am-6 pm; Fri. 10 am-9:30 pm; Sat. 7 Sun. 10 am-6 pm. On December 24 and 31 the museum closes at 4 pm. The museum is not open on Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is $8 for adults; $6 for seniors; $6 for students and $5 for children 5-14

Hours are from 10-6 p.m. except for Friday when it is opened until 9:30 p.m. There is no charge on Friday between 4:30 pm-9:30 pm. The museum is closed on Dec. 25 and Jan.1

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Phone: 416-586-5549
Address: 100 Queen's Park
Directions: Located near the intersection of Bloor St. W and Avenue R.
Website: http://www.rom.on.ca/

The best thing about Ontario Place was its newest addition, SOAK CITY! It was boiling hot when we visited Toronto, so coming to this water attraction seemed a smart thing to do. Water slides and raft rides down the chute made it really fun! Because it is so popular, expect to wait in line for a while.

Go to SOAK CITY before doing any other activity here at Ontario Place because it has the longest lines as the day progresses. There is a great water play area here that kept the kids giggling!!!!!!! We highly recommend SOAK CITY for a hot, Canadian afternoon.

Soak City hours are 10-8 p.m in July and August and was the best activity at this park! The cost to enter the park (Grounds Admission) is $5.00 for age 4-15 and seniors; $10 for age 16-64. Soak City is $12.00 additional.

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Phone: 416-869-3200
Address: Exhibition Place

Toronto's music garden was within walking distance from the CN Tower. It is a pretty two acre garden area designed by cellist, Yo Yo Ma. We read there was to be a free concert here during the time of our visit, so dropped by. French folk songs were performed for the appreciative crowd by an entertaining couple. Most people sat perched on lawn chairs brought for the event, but a few benches were scattered throughout the area,too.

The garden is along the waterfront so we watched boats motoring up and down the quay as the music played. There is a green area nearby where a few homeless people wandered about.

Free concerts are scheduled from June through September on Thursdays at 7 p.m. and on Sundays at 4pm. The garden is open year round. If you're up for a free concert, check the website for event schedules.

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Phone: 416-392-1111
Address: Queens Quay West
Directions: Between Bathurst Street and Spadina Avenue
Website: www.toronto.ca/parks/musicgarden_events.htm

We like museums alot in our family, so a stop at The Royal Ontario Museum was high on our list of things to do.

The museum had so many fascinating bits of information in their dinosaur exhibit. There were videos logging the newest discoveries on dinosaur habitats, models of prehistoric reptiles and photos of other archaeological findings. We saw a Maiasaur skeleton--considered the world's best of this type.

Our grandson found a hands-on site that fueled his curiosity about fossils. A section devoted to the natural world was fun, too--featuring insects, birds,mammals and some slithery snakes!

Hours are Mon.-Thurs. 10 am-6 pm; Fri. 10 am-9:30 pm; Sat.& Sun. 10 am-6 pm. On Dec. 24 and 31 the museum closes at 4 pm. ROM is closed on Christmas and New Year's Days. Fridays are FREE from 4:30 pm-9:30 p.m.!!!! Admission is $8 for adults; $6 for seniors; $6 for students; and $5 for children age 5-14.

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Phone: (416) 586-5549
Address: 100 Queen's Park
Directions: By TTC: Museum Subway Station. By Car: Drive on Bloor until you reach Avenue Road/Queen's Park. The Museum is on the southwest corner of Bloor Street and Queen's Park.
Website: http://www.rom.on.ca/

Toronto Gardens is wisely located along the waterfront. While I was listening to the concert in the park, the "guys" were watching the activity here in the water. It was a nice compromise--they visited the waterfront and I soaked up the music. In their estimation, the folk songs couldn't compete with the boats zooming up and down the quay area. I beg to differ, however.

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Address: Queens Quay West
Directions: Between Bathurst St. and Spadine