Hi All,

We have finally decided that we go for a week to land in Canada and see the "greener grass on the other side". That week (in June) is going to be spent in Toronto, so I have some questions.

I really want to see people and things around the city, without being separated from the world by the car. Is using TTC easy for a family with school-age boy and a toddler? I mean, connections, comfort (outside of peak hours) etc? I assume that most of major attractions are reachable with public transport, right? Or at least, whatever is reachable is enough for a week.

I think we'll take a car for a weekend to see what's outside of the city. I really want to see Ottawa (in my imagination it differs significantly from Toronto). Can one make it, just briefly, in one day? I mean, start early on Sunday (highways should be easier to deal with less commuters), and return in the evening? How long does it take on weekend?

I have done a quick preliminary search for hotels, but as always with big cities you get too much but not what you need. We want to find a place within the reach of TTC, with a kitchen but without nasty insects, to try to shop and cook, to get a feeling of how much does it cost. Doesn't matter if the rooms are tiny - I still remember hotels in Paris. I had a good experience once in US with Candlewood hotel chain - anything like that in Toronto? I will appreciate your advice. (Hotel owners are welcome - send me a private message).

What will be the best place (in regard to price) to buy organic food? Do "normal" supermarkets have departments with those things? We don't need to have a big luxury choice - just things for every day.

Thanks in advance!!!

Oh my. Ottawa is 4 hours on a good day so it's not really feasible for a day trip. Yes, the TTC will get you to a week's worth of attractions. Organic food can be had at Alternatives or the Big Carrot, supermarkets also carry a limited range of organic products, all of it costs a arm and a leg. Toronto in June will be lovely, come in February instead, it's more realistic.

The TTC is eay to use, we have been here since Feb 06 and live in East York area. We get a bus to the sub way and then sub way downtown. We usually have an 18 month old in a pram. Most stations we have been to have had lifts but some don't. The subway trains are always fairly easy to get on to, although at rush hour the buses can get a little crowded for the pram. We have always managed though. It cost $2.75 per trip with free transfers, so if we pay $2.75 to get on the bus ,we can transfer to the subway without paying. If you are going to use the TTC often, a weekly pass may be better.

The TTC takes you to most places but some walking is also required. (Everything looks so much closer on the maps than it actually is!)

Toronto Island is worth a visit. Well it was three years ago we we came for a week I assume it is still as nice.

We shop at loblaws and have no problem getting organic food for the little one.

Have fun

Mark

Thanks!

Hmmm... and any hotels recommendations? (I am googling in a second browser window )

There are several in the downtown core that I would recomend what is your price range? are you looking for cheap and cheerful or something a little extra?

For cheap and cheerful check out the Bond Place hotel, its situated right next to the Eaton Centre Mall on Yonge Street and id say in the middle of just about anything. For a room for 7 nights second week of June for all of you $1238 cdn (around 600 quid) includes breakfast and parking
http://bondplacehoteltoronto.com/

For something a little more flashy try the Marriot Eaton Hotel, situated the other side of the Eaton Centre on Bay Street its also very central but a little nicer. Room there for 7 nights will set you back $2038 cdn does not include breakfast or parking
https://marriott.com/reservation/rateListMenu.mi

There are many more in Toronto, but ive personally stayed at both and thought that they were both very nice.

PS if you need a tour guide id be happy to show you around one day

Thanks. Actually, what we need is not a hotel but kind of "extended stay". Kitchen/ironing. No breakfast - with two boys we'll be too entertaining to other restaurant visitors. We don't need central location - just near public transit. Price - $1000 for 7 days is an absolute maximum. I have checked several appartment hotels in sub-$100/day range. Is staying in those asking for a trouble?

Which are they ?

Hi, we stayed in Toronto last year at this place

http://cromwell.sites.toronto.com/

They have furnished apartments just on the edge of Downtown but with good access to the TTC. They are quoting $1085 on their website for a 2 bed apartment for a week (but will have GST on top, although you can claim that back). It gave us a little more space with two kids, later in the year we had a couple of nights at the Days Inn, which was pretty cramped with 4 of us in the room!

I would recommend the Islands for a day trip, also check out the fab play castle thingy at High Park - the highlights of both trips for our kids! We did get to the zoo by public transport but it took about 2 hours each way :scared: We also had a look at the Beaches area.

Oh, and we had no problems using the TTC with two 4 year olds.

HTH

I don't know if it's an issue but readers should be aware that the apartments mentioned are right in the middle of the gay village.

Found this - no idea what the area is like though, but are a short walk to subway

http://www.apartments2book.com/toronto15.htm

http://www.apartments2book.com/toronto.htm Or use this link and click on the numbers on the map (some of the site isn't functioning properly), they have a variety of self catering apartments I have no knowledge of the company, though.

It's a bit vague about the location. I would guess that you'd want to walk the first two blocks from the door quickly as it's probably in the area of hostels, bums and hookers. Still, worst case, it'll be on an ugly but not dangerous block.

You can see the locations on the second link - maybe you can comment

#7 and #13 are in an edgy bit of town, Queen and Sherbourne and Dundas are Sherbourne are really rough corners. I don't know the area around #11. The rest would be fine.

The building in boystown would be my choice so far.

Wasn't a problem for us. In fact, we quite liked the area around Church Street. Our biggest worry when we stayed at the Cromwell Suites was stopping the kids eating the snow piled up outside, bearing in mind this was March last year and who knows how long it had been hanging around :scared:. That shouldn't be a problem in June...