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| *Travel Tips>>>Toronto Travel Tips |
Toronto.. WIfe and I are going to Toronto for a few days. We need help with good places to stay, visit, etc.? |
Travel Info We are both in our early 50's and have never been there. Anybody know anything about the Howard Johnson's or the Radison? Or any other good places to stay. Also, any really good restaurants you can recommend? What are some good things to see or do in Toronto? Are there areas to stay away from? Any help to help make our stay better would be appreciated. Thank you, Bob Travel Tips Of the two, if it's the water front Raddison you're asking about, I'd choose it. Classier and it's located at Queen Quay which is closer to all the freebies and festivals going on at Harbor Front. It's also easier to get around town from there by public transport such as the street car and the subway is a short hike. What to do ? Depends on your interests. The Royal Ontario Museum just opened a new wing and is about a half hour transit ride from Queen's Quay. The CN tower is close by the hotel as is Skydome ( now known as Roger's centre) Ontario Place is an option for a half day.There is an Imax theatre there as well which I believe is the first one ever built and the grounds are one large amusement area. The Eaton Centre is a must for shopping as it's one of the biggest damn malls you'll ever see. Toronto Islands are also a short Ferry hop from the Raddison. Parks and an amusement area. Also a nude beach if you're so inclined that is legal. Harbor tours aboard a dining/dancing boat or even a tall ship sailing vessel are close by. The Science Centre is in the north east area of the city and is considered to be one of the best in the world. The Docks Entertainment area is close by. Clubs and amusements such as go karts and golf. If history is your thing, check out Old Fort York at the foot of Bathurst St by the CNE grounds. Authentic War of 1812 fort that protected what was once known as York (Toronto's original name). The garrison is staffed by students in historical costume. Just north of here on Bathurst st at King st is the Wheat Sheaf Tavern, one of Toronto's oldest pubs at 150 years and counting There's also Black Creek Pioneer Villiage, about 30 minutes north of downtown with pioneer era buildings and demonstrations of pioneer living. About 45 minutes north of town is a villiage called Llloydtown where you can visit the area that was responsible for the first rebellion in Canada that brought an end to "the family compact" and helped establish responsible parliament in Upper Canada ( Ontario) in 1837. Speaking of Parliaments, you can get a tour of the Ontario Legislature at Queen's Park. If Government is sitting during your visit to Toronto you can actually watch the parliamentary process from the Gallery. Entertainment? The entertainment district is close to the Raddison as well. It's called The Esplanade. Theaters, Pubs and just about every ethnic food you can eat. The Old Spaghetti Factory and the Duke of York Pub are next door to each other and are great establishments There are also many fine dining and drinking establishments near Queen's Quay and it's also the site of many free concerts and art shows. Grab a copy of Eye or NOW magazine from a subway station. They're free and list all the entertainment and dining happening in the city for the week. North from there you can visit the area of Hazleton Lanes and Yorkville. Very posh and is considered the " Greenwhich Villiage" of Toronto. You'll find comedy clubs, piano bars and very upscale fine dining there. Sotto Sotto is close by an excellent, though very expensive eatery. This area is where you do your celebrity spotting as on an average weekend this is where the movie stars filming in town come to. Sotto Sotto being one of their stops. Chances are you'll be rubbing elbows with Goldie Haun or her Hubby as they are in at times being "locals". China Town, near the university of Toronto is a neat area as well. I't close to the garment district where you can get some good deals on fashion as well as authentic meals. Queen Street west of Yonge street (longest street in the world and the centre of Toronto) is an artsy fartsy area with upscale shopping and galleries. Areas to avoid? Parkdale and the Jane St-Finch St area. Tourists rarely get near these places as they are a bit out of the way and nothing of interest is near them. It's mostly public housing. Crime , on the whole is fairly low if you compare these areas to other North American cities but it does happen as these are the drug hot spots. I think you'll find Toronto to be a pretty safe city. In 43 years I've never been worried about walking alone at night even in some of the tougher neighborhoods. Downtown is especially safe. Everyone is concentrating on having a good time. :) Extended trips? Niagara Falls is one and a half hours away. You can stop in Niagara on the Lake on the way. Quaint town with winery tours and tasting as it is the major vinting area in Ontario. Lake Simcoe is an hour north for diving a 1860's era steam boat or taking a lake cruise. Further north is cottage country with some amazing scenery, lakes and great fishing. If a day fishing on Lake Ontario is in the cards then stop in the area of Port Credit about 30 minutes west from downtown Toronto. You can charter a salmon boat or try your luck at the harbor mouth. You'll need a visitors fishing license which can be purchased at any Canadian Tire Store in the province. It may be included in a charter. You'll be shooting for Atlantic salmon or Lake Trout. Some are monsters If you're going to be here for the July 6,7,8 th weekend, expect part of the city to be shut down west of the downtown core. It's the weekend for the the Indy race and part of the course is on Lakeshore Drive, a major artery for points west. I'll be there. :) Source(s): Toronto area resident Other Travel Tips Stay at the Royal York,have lunch in the Kennsington market.After that,you'll know what to do. If u visit www.toronto.com or www.toronto.ca it will give u a fair picture and info required have Fun Howard Johnsons and the Radisson are good hotels-ask at the front desk for a brochure that will answer your questions. There is a lot to see and do. Stay away from King and Jameson, Queen and Landsdowne as these are high crime areas riddled with prostitutes. If youre downtown you will never venture into the rough areas like jane and finch, however. at the east end of downtown is region park which is the roughest place in the entire country, so dont walk past jarvis street, its scummy near there anyways and thats where the hookers and druggies live. Other than that the rest is finejust like any majot city, so ppl are in a rush dont expect them to be extra nice. Most ppl come to Toronto thinking that theyll be treated well becuase they are tourists. This will not happen it is impossible to tell if you are a tourist as we all come from different places and have accents. stay near th heart of downtown liek near the Eaton centre, from here you can walk to pretty much anything you want to do so youl save money on ttaxis as our public transport is disgusting. Also, ive lived here my whole life. |
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