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Post by PTH on Jul 21, 2006 0:03:08 GMT -5
Hi all,
I'll be going down to the center of the universe in 2 weeks, and while most of my time will be spent with family, I'd like a few ideas for fun things to do, preferable downtown and which don't require having the car with me, and which aren't too time-sensitive (ie, nothing on a strict schedule unless it's like every hour on the hour ), since anything I do will be 100% improvisation, and I'll probably be on my own.
So, any ideas ?
EDIT: I haven't been to Toronto since 1999, and haven't visited since like 1995, so even something that seems cliché to the locals might be fun for me.
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Jul 21, 2006 1:15:56 GMT -5
Don't forget your passports. Most of the people there speak English as their second language after hindi,
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Post by BadCompany on Jul 21, 2006 7:43:01 GMT -5
There is the Hockey Hall of Fame.
(Can't say I've ever been - I've been boycotting it's choice of location. Toronto over Montreal?? Pu-shaw!)
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Jul 21, 2006 11:57:41 GMT -5
I recently drove through Toronto. It didn't look too bad from the 401. I happened upon a small town called Eloria. It's about 1 hour west of Toronto. Your wife might like antiqueing there, It's charming, cool, a short outing, nice Gorge nearby, and best of all, it gets you out of Toronto for a day. Everything is within walking distance. Off the beaten trail, quaint, pass through Cambridge.
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Post by cigarviper on Jul 21, 2006 12:08:02 GMT -5
Well, there is of course the famous La Casa Del Habanos on Bloor St., my favourite Cuban cigar store, but I digress....Actually right across the street from the Casa is the Royal Ontario Museum, known simply as ROM. Will take an entire day to go through it and well worth it. Bring a digital camera with extra batteries and a large memory card. Across the street from it is the Ceramics Museum. Sounds boring but it pretty cool. If you stay on Bloor you'll find the best shopping in the city along the strip. Bring lots of money cause your wife or significant other wil want to check out all the high society shopping spots it offers. Then there's Ontario Place. Depending on what is going on that week it could be pretty interesting also. The HHOF is a must see. Have fun.
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Post by Polarice on Jul 21, 2006 12:42:12 GMT -5
Stubbsy60 is one of the main guys the the Hockey Hall of Fame, you should PM him, maybe he can give you an insiders tour or something.
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Post by PTH on Jul 22, 2006 14:46:26 GMT -5
Hockey Hall of Fame ? Blah. Hockey in August?
What's Ontario Place?
The ROM sounds cool.
Any other ideas, anyone?
Sounds like I'll have all of Wednesday and part of Thursday (the 3d and 4th of August) just roaming about downtown, carless. Any and all ideas for activities are still very welcome.
I get to see Toronto once per like 10 years, so I might just go for like the ultimate cliché and go up the CN tower.
Edit: Oh, and will have a Friday in Waterloo, possibly visiting relatives, possibly looking around - anything interesting thereabouts? I'd have a car but would be looking for as little driving as possible.
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Post by Skilly on Jul 22, 2006 15:09:17 GMT -5
I get to see Toronto once per like 10 years, so I might just go for like the ultimate cliché and go up the CN tower. I can think of alot better things to do with $40, than give it to someone for an elevator ride up the CN Tower. Heck, I am sure HA could find you a good Toronto hooker if ya got 10 more dollars to add! ;D And she might even wear a Habs jersey for you while you do it!!!
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Post by Disgruntled70sHab on Jul 22, 2006 19:22:03 GMT -5
Hockey Hall of Fame ? Blah. Hockey in August? What's Ontario Place? The ROM sounds cool. Any other ideas, anyone? Sounds like I'll have all of Wednesday and part of Thursday (the 3d and 4th of August) just roaming about downtown, carless. Any and all ideas for activities are still very welcome. I get to see Toronto once per like 10 years, so I might just go for like the ultimate cliché and go up the CN tower. Edit: Oh, and will have a Friday in Waterloo, possibly visiting relatives, possibly looking around - anything interesting thereabouts? I'd have a car but would be looking for as little driving as possible. Was at the HHOF back in 2002. Just touring the old Canadiens dressingroom and getting my photo inside of it made my visit. Got a photo with the Grail as well. I enjoyed it but was expecting more. Still it's worth a look. Ontario Place is a summer family-oriented fun land of sorts. I took my family there and there's lots to do. They have mini speed boats you can bomb around the water in and it's safe. Don't know the nightlife at all, PTH. Sorry. Have a good time. Cheers.
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Post by jkr on Jul 22, 2006 19:49:27 GMT -5
I recently drove through Toronto. It didn't look too bad from the 401. I happened upon a small town called Eloria. It's about 1 hour west of Toronto. Your wife might like antiqueing there, It's charming, cool, a short outing, nice Gorge nearby, and best of all, it gets you out of Toronto for a day. Everything is within walking distance. Off the beaten trail, quaint, pass through Cambridge. If your thinking about Elora HFLA, I live about 30 minutes away. It is a very quaint little town but it's actually about 1.5 - 2 hours away from Toronto. But if's PTH is going to be in Waterloo, Elora isn't too far away from there.
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Post by Habs_fan_in_LA on Jul 23, 2006 12:17:46 GMT -5
I recently drove through Toronto. It didn't look too bad from the 401. I happened upon a small town called Eloria. It's about 1 hour west of Toronto. Your wife might like antiqueing there, It's charming, cool, a short outing, nice Gorge nearby, and best of all, it gets you out of Toronto for a day. Everything is within walking distance. Off the beaten trail, quaint, pass through Cambridge. If your thinking about Elora HFLA, I live about 30 minutes away. It is a very quaint little town but it's actually about 1.5 - 2 hours away from Toronto. But if's PTH is going to be in Waterloo, Elora isn't too far away from there. I drove thru Elora this summer. Never heard of it before but really impressed. Bought some antiques for the wife. (out of character for me) Don't get there often, but next time we'll get together for brew.
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Post by cigarviper on Jul 23, 2006 22:38:52 GMT -5
Not too far from Waterloo, in Guelph, they have the African Lion Safari. I haven't been to it in a long time, but basically, you drive around in your car while monkeys climb all over and rip off your antenna and trim. Giraffes stick their heads in your windows to lick your face and lions roam freely. Has to be experiencd at least once, don't you think? Might want to bring a rental car...and get the additional insurance with additional insurance-insurance. Motorcycles not recommended. Seriously, it was a hoot. www.lionsafari.com/location.asp
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Post by franko on Jul 24, 2006 10:42:17 GMT -5
Not too far from Waterloo, in Guelph, they have the African Lion Safari. I haven't been to it in a long time, but basically, you drive around in your car while monkeys climb all over and rip off your antenna and trim. Giraffes stick their heads in your windows to lick your face and lions roam freely. Has to be experiencd at least once, don't you think? Might want to bring a rental car...and get the additional insurance with additional insurance-insurance. Motorcycles not recommended. Seriously, it was a hoot. www.lionsafari.com/location.aspHey, I don't remember seeing any owls there when I went last. And beware those monkeys -- they attack a car like a forward should attack a net. Actually, last time we were there the monkeys acted like Ribs at a net and stayed away from the car (though the giraffe actually did stick its head in the car and licked my (at the time) 9-year-old dayghter). Our children didn't think it was very fun, and insisted we go through again. When we finished we were sans some of the weatherstripping courtesy of Mr. Monkey (children loved it -- me, not so happy).
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Post by stubbsy60 on Jul 24, 2006 22:40:15 GMT -5
Hey PTH, was a little disappointed to here that you would rather not visit the Hall of Fame but here is a list of great things to see and experience in Toronto:
Blue Jay's Game (cheap seats are $10 but for $23 you can get a descent seat)
ROM (as before mentioned by cigarviper it is a good time)
Casa Loma (old castle now used to tour around in)
AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario)
Eaton's Centre (huge shopping mall located downtown)
Centre Island (take a ferry across the lake to the islands which is good for the view)
Rogers Centre Tour (shows how the dome was built and allows guests to see the feild, dressing room, and private suites)
Air Canada Centre Tours (allows you to visit various areas behind the scenes in the home of the Raptors and Make-Me-Laughs)
Lord of the Rings (3 1/2 hour play that is apparently very cool. I had family go to a matinee showing last week and they absolutely loved it)
Ontario Science Centre (although a little more difficult to get to, a sure shot full day)
Did I mention the HOCKEY HALL OF FAME??? LOL If you come I'll give you a tour and make it worth your time. Just PM me and let me know if you want to come.
If you want more suggestions or directions drop me a PM.
For Meals:
Old Speghetti Factory (just south of the Hall of Fame) Hard Rock Cafe (one in the Rogers Centre and one across from the Eaton's Centre) Tons of other great stops that if I knew what you liked for food I could help you out.
Hope this helps out a little.
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Post by franko on Jul 25, 2006 6:03:26 GMT -5
ROM (as before mentioned by cigarviper it is a good time) Excellent. Always add the Planetarium if still operational. I'd forgotten about that -- well worth the visit. Don't forget to take money for the panhandlers sidewalk employees. HA's House of Gollum is somewhere around there too.
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Post by Toronthab on Jul 28, 2006 7:50:55 GMT -5
I hear that tickets for Lord of the Rings are cheaper (if $100 plus fr a theatre ticket is cheap..)
Spending some time in Toronto? Why not spend it driving to Montreal...time well spent...
There are tons of beautiful golf courses hereabouts.
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Post by franko on Jul 28, 2006 15:05:49 GMT -5
There are tons of beautiful golf courses hereabouts. Ah, golfing . . . just got out for the first time in two years . . . shot 4 . . . um, never mind, and a final tally of . . . um, never mind again . . . just let it be known that my calculator couldn't count that high.
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Post by stubbsy60 on Jul 30, 2006 9:32:34 GMT -5
Just thought of another good venture; the Steam Whistle Brewery tour. Not sure what they charge but I know you get to sample beer and I think you get a souvenir glass as well. Not a bad way to kill time and it's right downtown near the Roger's Centre (Sky Dome).
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