Travel Tips

Beyond Niagara: Family-Friendly Travel in Toronto, Canada

Locations in this article:  Toronto, Canada

Missing Teeth SmileIn part three of her four-part series, Loretta Copeland explores downtown Toronto’s family-oriented (as well as some not-so-kid-friendly) offerings, and in the meantime, conquers a lifelong fear.

When planning to explore a new city, a good first stop is often the local convention and visitors bureau Web site.

Although it may not offer much in terms of off-the-brochure activities, the CVB may offer discounted packages to experience some of the more popular attractions.

This can take a lot of the guesswork out of planning and afford more free time to see the sights. The Toronto City Pass is a coupon booklet that costs CA$59  for adults and CA$39 for children, and includes discounted entrance to five top attractions: Ontario Science Center, Casa Loma castle, the Royal Ontario Museum, CN Tower, and the Toronto Zoo.

Science Center Electricity exhibitAs long as you take advantage of the coupons, the savings can be significant. The Ontario Science Center plus IMAX, for example, normally runs $25 for adults and $19 for seniors and children, so when bundled with the other experiences, the pass was a great deal.

Lesson of the day: Don’t rush and allow ample time for the kids (and parents) to experience family-friendly activities. Though Noelle and I both enjoyed the Science Center, its sprawling size was a challenge considering the few hours of exploration that we had allotted.

Although the exhibitions generally didn’t go above and beyond the standard museum fare, we both liked the Electricity Science Demonstration, and thought The Science of Spying exhibit was the best. The exhibition is absolutely huge, with fun gadgets, cool twists and turns, cubby holes for “hiding out” and disguises for the “missions.”

The entire adventure was complex and we could have spent a good two hours to get through that exhibit alone.

Toronto’s CN TowerCONQUERING FEARS IN A TORONTO ICON

Gazing up at a monolithic structure, I was struck squarely between being awed (it’s really very elegant) and scared silly.

Toronto’s signature icon, the CN Tower, stands at an impressive 1,465 feet at its tallest observation deck, 33 floors above the lookout level, aka the SkyPod, which stands at 1,136 feet high. CN Tower opened its doors on June 26, 1994 and since then has held the title of being the tallest freestanding structure on land, as well as having the highest observation deck in the world, and was the first to feature a glass floor for guests to peer straight down.

Find out about more great things to do in the city with our Off the Brochure Travel Guide: Toronto, Canada.

Though I’m not a big fan of heights, no way did it stop me from stepping (cautiously) onto the 256-square-foot glass floor, and getting my behind up to stand in the SkyPod observation deck.

CN Tower View from lunchLunch at Horizons Café, also on the Observation Level, is on the pricey side and doesn’t have much to offer in terms of kid-friendly meals. But the expression “million-dollar view” is right on the money with expansive windows overlooking the city and Lake Ontario.

At ground level is the motion-simulator ride, Himalamazon. Definitely a kid-friendly option, it left us all chuckling, a little bit wet and was just the right way to end our visit to CN Tower. The whole experience, including the simulator ride, runs about $33, or $27 for adults/$21 children for the Tower visit only.

BAT CAVES AND MAMMALS AND BIRD ROOMS, OH MY!

Royal Ontario Museum exteriorAs an adult, the Royal Ontario Museum was one place I would have liked to dedicate a full afternoon to explore every nook and cranny of the four-level structure. I’m just geeky that way.

My daughter Noelle however, was definitely not feeling it, and I could see her point. She sat through a rather tedious “Earth Rangers” show which lured us in by touting a “live” interactive animal experience which ended up being a bird flying over our heads a few times (and actually scaring the smaller children in the audience) and then watching a non-too-impressive “save our planet, recycle” video for several minutes.

Find more family-friendly travel activities near Toronto, Canada.

Upon exiting the show, we were handed a trading card reminding us to recycle. When I commented that the card wasn’t very eco-friendly, I was graced with a dour expression by the monotone host, Drew.

Learn about the Luminato Arts Festival Happening in Toronto.

The Bat Cave and Mammals gallery, however, is a taxidermist’s—and adventurous kid’s— dream: lots and lots and lots of dead animals in all sizes and shapes. Creatures sit in bottles, boxes, tall jars, drawers, cabinets, book cases, and even full-size displays. I thought Noelle would be yucked out, but surprisingly enough she enjoyed it.

Bird room at Royal Ontario MuseumThe real gem however was the equally creepy and fascinating Bird Room, filled to the brim with more stuffed birds from around the globe in every size imaginable, all hanging from strings in the ceiling, simulating flight. If it sounds disturbing, it is, but also strangely beautiful.

We managed to get through the impressive dinosaur fossil collection before the kiddo started grumbling about dinner and sore feet. Again, the museum is four levels and therefore difficult to tackle in one day. And at a steep $15 for children and up to $28 for admission to the special exhibits for adults, I don’t know if it’s really the best family-friendly deal available.

As a side note, as friendly and welcoming as most Canadians were (monotone Drew excluded), we were irked when a restaurant failed to honor our reservation, but did have room enough to seat Rob Lowe. Just saying.

Next up, the coup de grace of Niagara Falls.

By Loretta Copeland for PeterGreenberg.com.

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