baltageus

Hi all,

We are a Franco-British family with two children ,off to Toronto for our very first home exchange holiday.

We basically need some infos on Toronto from the locals.
Where do you like going with your children at the week end or holidays?
What would you recommend us visiting in Toronto or its vicinity?

Is it realistic achievable to drive to Niagara falls in a day and back?
My wife wants to know if the shopping is as good value as in the States?Or will we need visiting Buffalo?

What about the local drivers?Do they drive as good as in Southern France ?
Thanks
Balt

TooseyP

While we were there we used to enjoy catching the ferry over to the Island www.toronto.ca/parks/island/index.htm

Yep, you could also fit in a pit stop at one of the vineyards

dbd33

The zoo, the African Lion Safari, Wild Water Kingdom, the Island (small amusement park). Some people like Canada's Wonderland (a large Disneyesque amusement park). The bat cave at the ROM. Ontario Place, an amusement park with bumper boats. Note that these are mainly summer places, Canadian houses have cellars so that the children can be detained out of sight during the winter.

Oh yes, it's two hours or less. I usually go directly there along the highway and then back via the Niagara Parkway to Niagara on the Lake. The two good value attractions in Niagara are the Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds (on the US side but well worth the US$6 for a visa).

The outlet malls are in Niagara Falls NY, just across the border, so you may as well go and have a look. Value varies with the exchange rate.

No. They drive very badly indeed around here.

dbd33

Oh, if you do want to shop in ordinary American shops, the Walden Galleria Mall is by the Buffalo airport, you don't have to go into Buffalo to get there. A quick look at Buffalo from the elevated highway is really quite enough of Buffalo.

monique

DBD33: you left out our city's only landmark, the CN Tower, how could you??!!.

Other places to see in central Toronto: Toronto Islands, Little Italy, Portugal, China town, Bata Shoe Museum, Hockey Hall of Fame, Hummingbird Centre, Air Canada Centre, Molson Amphitheatre, IMAX, Eaton Centre, Osgoode Hall, Old and New City Hall.

Outside Toronto: Niagara on the Lake on the way to the Falls, Marineland (if open for the season), this is a chance to see killer whales, dolphins, etc.

Have fun!.

dbd33

The question was about amusing children. My children hated it!

Depending on the age of the children, and the weather, you might want to rent a combination of canoes or kayaks from that place just south of the Skydome and/or get them a sailing lesson from the place opposite. If they're much smaller there was (perhaps still is) a room upstairs over the Harbourfront Gallery where you could leave them to make "art" while sneaking off to the bar, er, I mean while exploring the art exhibits aimed at adults.

Toronto has lots of swimming pools and they're free. If you're here in the summer a visit to the one by the beach (Queen/Woodbine) combined with wandering on the beach might be pleasant. Over on the island you can rent bicycles or these exhausting family bicycle cart things which two people pedal frenziedly while their children relax. If going to the island take a picnic; there is food there but it's very bad and very expensive.

Novocastrian

All good advice. Might I just add the Science museum to the list?

dbd33

Oh yes, we went there to see Bodyworks after which we, a quorum of Gruaniad posters, kicked the little kids off the exhibits and played for hours. Toronto also has a couple of parks with animals, Riverdale Farm and High Park, they're economical diverisons for children. If you're coming soon I suppose you should take them ice skating, it's Canada after all, there are outdoor rinks at city hall and harbourfront.

baltageus

Thank you for your replies.
Toronto seems like a very vibrant and exciting city to visit(for adults and kiddies alike).

I should have mentionned the ages of our children( 2 and 5 at the time of our visit) so I will have to do a bit of research regarding the places you suggested to see if they are suitable for our lil' ones.

The actual area where our exchange property is situated is called "the Beaches" anyone has good words to say about that part of Toronto?

We will be travelling in September,is it still warm enough for swimming outside?
Will the main attractions still be open or does the season ends before our visit?
Thanks again for picking your brains about Toronto but who knows better than the locals

Balt

sarahbegood

Hi, can i ask what exchange company are you signed up with and roughly what is the cost going to be?And for how long? thanks

baltageus

Hello Sarah,

Have a look at Homeforexchange.com,there is loads of properties for exchange and we received bucket load of demands(I guess it depends on where you live).
Got in as a freebie session was on,so we haven't paid any monies yet but definitely will in the future.
I think their new prices are around $55 per year or $110 for three years membership.
Can't tell you yet about the whole home swapping experience as this is our first exchange.

Balt,

Novocastrian

The Beaches (more properly the Beach) is a great area, very lively and kid friendly too. Our local corresponent used to be dbd33 (see upthread) who until very recently lived there. I'm surprised he hasn't replied to your query, but this may be one of those rare days when he actually has some w*rk to do.

dbd33

"Beaches" is a bit vague. Real estate agents keep expanding "beaches" so that it now means "south of the 401". If the house is actually in the beach neighbourhood then it's ideal; there's the beach, the pool, lots of outdoor cafes and so on. Be aware that it's a very doggy area, everyone has a dog or three. Outdoor stuff will all be open until Labour Day (sometime in mid-September) and it'll be warm enough after that to enjoy whatever hasn't closed.

dbd33

Work's now bubbling in the background.