Topic: holidaying in Toronto this summer with family - any tips/ ideas?

[birdy]

All booked for 1st in July.
Brochures reckon 10 days rain expected in July?
Any places to visit not usually mentioned in the brochures or other ideas? PS family not interested in bikes....son 18, daughter 16.

[cookindaddy]

There is lots to see and do in Toronto but but good tips/ideas will depend on your interests.

When you say, "not in the brochures" do you mean that you already know about all the "big" attractions. How about stuff that is not big and also does not cost a lot of money? Do you like to walk? Museums/art galleries/parks/shopping/wonderful parks and great neighborhoods and of course great places to eat.

I am beginning to sound like a tour director!

Will you be staying downtown? Will you have a car? The area of which Toronto is only a part has a population of about 10 million and rims the whole western edge of Lake Ontario (The "Golden Horseshoe")

What are you curious about?

I spent most of my life in Toronto and know it pretty well.

The weather in July should be fabulous, but even if it rains the odd day, there is lots to do inside.

I am pretty sure that you will enjoy your visit.

I get it, no bike stuff...but what if there was a swap meet nearby?

[Duke McDukiedook]

Toronto is just like New York but without all the stuff.

[david 750f]

Britbirdy,
as cookindaddy says we need some more info on location, interests etc.

Sports, museums, galleries, dining, pub crawls, day trips?

I live right downtown and can give you lots of feedback. Feel free to send me a PM if you like.
Cheers,
David

BTY, the weather will be warm. Probably highs of at least 80 degrees that time of year.

This may help.

http://www.torontolife.com/

[winnipeg550guy]

 It's important to remember to book ahead if you plan on golfing, if your into that, At this time of year the courses are always booked solid by Toronto Maple Laughs hockey players.  






 
 


 



 LEAFS SUCK !!

[birdy]

Thanks so far everyone.
Will be staying downtown-Chesea Delta (hope it's OK...).
We plan to hire a car when we arrive for a few days of the 10 we're staying so we can do Niagara Falls - is there anything else that way we could do whilst there?
Rest of the time we'll be Toronto based and rely on public transport. Interests- 18 year old son and my wife heavily into movies, plus he's into music- Dylan, Cash then into current stuff etc.
Daughter, like wife, likes shopping. Wife wants to see all the touristy things she can.
Me - I go along for the ride and a quiet life, but love country scenery - lakes, mountains,etc.

[bucky katt]

isnt there a folk music festival there in july?

[birdy]

That could explain why the hotel rates spiked!

[cookindaddy]

The Delta Chelsea is a great place to be in Toronto. One of the first places you should walk is to Yonge-Dundas Square, possibly one early evening. About three blocks away. It's a bit like Times Square in NYC with lots of lights and huge illuminated billboard ads except that there is a performance stage, buskers (street performers), musicians and much activity. Lots of young people hang out there, yours will probably disappear there at night once you show it to them. Here's the website:
http://www.ydsquare.ca/

[cookindaddy]

There is a big film festival in Toronto (TIFF - Toronto International Film Festival) but it is not until September.

One interesting place to visit, not far from your hotel is the National Film Board (http://www.nfb.ca/) where you can watch some of the new avant-garde Canadian Films plus it is an interesting place to visit.

Canada is the birthplace of the IMAX film system (http://www.imax.com/) and there are several IMAX theatres in Toronto.

One is at the Ontario Science Center (http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/). They have a new type called the IMAX DOME. I haven't seen that. The "regular" IMAX is pretty spectacular. OSC is a bit of a trek from downtown but you could get there with transit easily (or a taxi) and the Science Center is a great rainy day thing, including the IMAX film, whatever they will have playing beginning of July (they haven't got July posted yet).

There are three other IMAX theatres in Toronto - check the IMAX website.

Personally, I can't see traveling half way around the world to sit in a dark room and watch a screen, but that's just me.

[birdy]

Thanks for the info everyone, keep it coming!

[demon78]

And If  you guys like Greek food there is a place called "Pan" that has the best lamb I've had in 70+ plus years, other claim to fame is lady who owns it is on top of things and stopped our party cold  when she ran up steps to make sure customers were good, in 4" spike heels, all the lady's at my table went quiet and said amongst themselves "did you see that" and then when she ran down again it was "holy #$%*" or equivalent, great food and if you've been once the owner will remember you next time.
it's at 516 Danforth and 416-466-8155, I would make reservations and the other place I, we like is Yitz's at 346 Eglington it's a jewish deli and Saturday brunch is great with decent Bagels etc.
Bill the demo.