Toronto

Rockman

Going to Toronto next week for a holiday. Any tips regarding using public transport, good places to eat, things to avoid/must see and any money savings tips in general?

Thanks

balsingh

Was in Toronto in June ... here some stuff:

If you're flying into Lester Pearson Int Airport, you can get the 192 bus from there to the subway and then get the metro downtown. total cost is a measly few dollars each.

On weekends, a 1 day travelcard can be used by 2 adults - usable on buses, trams and metro.

Eating is generally cheap anyway (approx. half the price of here with bigger portions). Dont forget tips (12-15%)

take a look at www.richtree.ca which is an excellent chain of places to eat (fresh food, low prices).

Otherwise, use your Nationwide card to spend (if you have one).

trets77

get a City Pass if you plan on seeing most of the things on it as this will save you money.

CN Tower is where most people start out and is worth going.

Casa Loma is a bit of let down to be honest, espically as grand house's like it are ten a penny in England.

Bata shoe museum is a strange affair. but easily do able in about 30 mins so check it out of you think it will intrest you .

Younge street is worth a walk down. again it's a bit weird as there are all the big malls and designer stores down towards the main train station ect and cheap and tacky stores at the other end . The Pickle Barrel on Younge street is nice place with pretty good food to eat reasonably cheaply for Breakfast or lunch.

we purchased a Grays bus ticket . this lets you hop on and hop off as you fancy and you get to see the whole city with a guide who narrates what is what and can answer questions. just call them up or call them from one of thier bus stops to pick you up like we did.

we found the sub way the best way of getting around otherwise

shudd1967

try great eggspectations for a fab breakfast on Yonge street. We also had a nice lunch in Mr Greenjeans which is at the top of the mall (Eaton centre).

Don't bother with 360 at top of cn tower, rubbish food but fab view. Really enjoyed my first experience of baseball too so would suggest thats worth it

towiggum

Walking down Yonge St and along Bloor St west of Yonge, shopping in the Eaton Centre, day-trip to Niagara Falls plus wine-tasting in Niagara on the Lake, cafes and bars in Little Italy (College St. west of Bathhurst, easy walking distance from downtown), Greek food on the Danforth around the Pape subway station, Chinatown and the computer shops around College and Spadina, Entertainment district around King St West near St. Andrews subway stop for a top show or bar, Keg Steakhouse and Reds wine bar on Adelaide St, patio of the Madison Ave pub (N of Bloor, E of Spadina), waterfront area around Queens Quay and ferry to the Toronto islands, CN Tower (expensive but a must do), and Blue Jays baseball game. Toronto is very walkable, and the subways/buses/streetcars excellent.

rlc22

We barely used public transport - found it a really nice city to walk around.

Really enjoyed going out to the Toronto islands - get great views of the city and it's really pretty and peaceful (well, it was in September anyway)

Would recommend an Asian restaurant called Spring Rolls - there's at least a couple of branches in the city. The food was GORGEOUS - we still talk about it now nearly a year later!

Unlike Trets77, I really liked Casa Loma - pretty old house, with a film telling the story of its owner (have to say, think that was my fave bit!).

Another vote for the Pickle Barrel in terms of food - their milkshakes were great and they sell beer by the yard too (OH was v pleased with that!)

We went to Toronto Zoo and had a great time. Huge zoo, loads of animals.

Can't think of anything else right now, but you will have a great time. We really enjoyed it over there and would go back in a flash :T

SoozyJ22

shudd1967 wrote: »

try great eggspectations for a fab breakfast on Yonge street.

I'd forgotten about this place - it's great for breakfast or brunch, but closes around 3pm.

joe3k

Excellent. I'm going to Toronto and Niagra start of September. Staying in the Delta Chelsea in Toronto and prob the Embassy Suites or Sheraton the Falls in Niagra (still to book).

Keep the tips coming in, they are really useful and appreciated :-)

krishna

Also when boarding a bus, etc and paying, always ask for a transfer. This will allow you to travel on the NEXT bus/metro etc without having to pay again. Can't remember how it works in Toronto, different cities seem to do it differently. It may be that a transfer is valid for any journey within a specified time limit (typically 1 or 2 hours), in which case you may even be able to use it for your return journey, or it may be that it is valid for any journeys in a particular direction.

trets77

joe3k wrote: »

Excellent. I'm going to Toronto and Niagra start of September. Staying in the Delta Chelsea in Toronto and prob the Embassy Suites or Sheraton the Falls in Niagra (still to book).

Keep the tips coming in, they are really useful and appreciated :-)

thoose are the 2 hotels i stayed in. Sheraton Falls is pretty good all round . was less impressed with Delta Chelsea .Great location and looks very impressive when you arrive , but rooms are a liitle tired. your much better eating breakfast down the road at the Pickel Barrel as well. i would ask for a Younge street view if i went again.

ailuro2

Make sure it is the newer Sheraton that ovelooks the falls- it's called Sheraton Fallsview- it is worth paying over the odds for the view if you are staying there on a night when they do the fireworks- it's one of our most memorable sights from our trip there. Get the breakfast thrown in if you can.There's an older Sheraton further down the road from the actual horseshoe of the falls that will not have the spectacular view.

In Toronto it is easy and pretty cheap to use the tube/metro system.

In Niagara you can buy a day pass that lets you into most of the attractions, but be aware the free bus stops running to the butterfly gardens after six pm. We got stranded with no phone and a 5 year old, a few miles out of Niagara.:mad:

ps In Toronto we stayed in the Grand Hotel and Suites, in Jarvis street, iirc, and recommend it to anyone we know who goes there. We've stayed in a lot of pretty good hotels, but for service and value for money, not forgetting the cityscape seen from the rooftop hot-tubs, it is still our favourite choice.