From: howard@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca (Howard Lem)
Subject: Re: 6 hours in Toronto with 3 kids
Organization: UTCS Public Access
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 15 Apr 1992 16:09:23 GMT

In article <1992Apr14.163435.15196@ems.psu.edu> elsworth@hekla.pnge.psu.edu (Derek Elsworth) writes:
>In article <1992Apr10.162647.14006@pony.Ingres.COM> cmorris@Ingres.COM (Colin Morris) writes:
>>Another boring x hours in y question I'm afraid... It looks like I'm
>>going to have a 6 hour stopover in Toronto this summer. What can I
>>usefully do that will (i) keep kids aged 6,6 and 4 occupied, and (ii)
>>tire them out so they'll sleep on the ensuing overnight flight?
     About 10 minutes away, there is Woobine Centre.  It's a shopping mall
     with a small indoor amusement area with rides for young children.  It
     ideal for small children and an all-day pass allows them on all the rides
     and play areas.  Cost is approximately $5/child.  Adults are available @ $9
     each. Adults really only need tickets for the train, ferris wheel, and
     one other ride.  My daughter just loves it there!
>There is a hands on science center/centre in Toronto that is very
>good for kids. It is hands on so should keep them occupied. Unfortunately
>it is not easy to get to.
     The Science Centre is NOT downtown and would take about 35-40 minutes to
     get there from downtown on Public Transit.
>Alternatively, if the weather is good, take them to The Beaches in
>east Toronto. Lots of parks, lakeshore and a boardwalk.
     Yep, Just take the 501 (Queen Streetcar) east past Greenwood Racetrack.
     The streecar ride takes about 20-30 minutes.  There are shops on Queen St. 
     and the beach and boardwalk is just to the south.  You don't have to go
     that far, to enjoy the fresh air.  Just head for the Harbour and take the
     ferry across to the Island.  The ferry ride is 15 min. each way.  Great
     view of the city skyline from the ferry & the Island.  The Amusement Park
     doesn't open until early June.  On the city side, there is Harbourfront
     between the ferry docks on the east to Bathurst Street on the west.  Along
     the waterfront, you can watch small planes land at the Island Airport and
     see ships enter via the harbour's western channel, everything from small
     pleasure craft to lake freighters to ocean freighters.
>There is also Ontario place to wander around at lakefront. Things like
>a battleship and planes to climb around.
     Ontario Place is only open from the end of May(after Victoria day)
>One final thought is the restaurant at the 'old' Pearson Airport
>Terminal. It has huge plate glass windows and overlooks the runway and
>some of the gates. Kids would love that. It is in one of the old terminals,
>however. They are all connected by bus service (free).
     This view can be had from the upper levels of the car park in Terminal One.
     Might be a little windy or chilly depending on conditions.  It's noisy too!
>>My (somewhat old) guidebook tells me there's no subway or other train
>>between the international airport and the city center. Is that still
>>the case? Are there any other relatively cheap ways for the five of us
>>to get to the vicinity of the CN Tower (which seems like an obvious
>>starting point)? Any other things we can do in that vicinity? Isn't
>>the new baseball stadium near there and can one visit it?
>
     Take the "Airport Express" bus to Downtown Toronto.  It departs regualarly
     from the Arrivals level of each of the terminal buildings.  Cost is 18.50
     return trip.  Children's fare is $8.50 one way.  1 child under 11 yr is
     free for every adult fare.  The driver will sell you the tickets.  The bus
     stops at L'Hotel next to the CN tower.  The Tower has a great view on most
     days.  At the base of the tower is 'Tour of the Universe',(ala Star Tours).
     Next door is SkyDome, Home of the Toronto Blue Jays BaseBall Team.  Tours
     of SkyDome are available each day.  Depending on your timing, they may take
     you through the dressing rooms and other backstage areas.

					Howard
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