9 Best Family Things to Do in Toronto

 

Although Toronto isn't exactly a gigantic playground, it is one of the most family-friendly cities in the world. For those travelling with children, there are many fantastic attractions and activities in and around the city, with a wide range to pick from.

Several of the options available might make bold claims, including some of Canada's largest and best amusement parks and museums. Learning is increasingly being made enjoyable and interactive, so a day's diversion for the kids can also be educational.

1 Museum of the Royal Province of Ontario

Investigate the history and culture of Canada and the rest of the world.

The Royal Ontario Museum, founded in 1914, is one of Canada's oldest and largest museums. It houses nearly 6 million artefacts in 40 galleries that cover a wide range of topics from natural history to Near Eastern and African art, as well as, of course, Canadian history. It's housed in a structure that's both traditionally historical and dazzlingly modern on the University of Toronto's campus. Adult admission is around $20, while children's admission is around $14.

• 100 Queens Park, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2C6
• Daily from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (open until 8.30 pm on Fridays in summer)
• +1 416-586-8000; Fax: +1 416-586-8000

2 Hall of Fame in Hockey

Check out the Stanley Cup.

Torontonians are passionate about their sports, with ice hockey being one of the most popular. The Stanley Cup, the sport's most prized award, as well as a wide selection of exhibits, may be found at the Hockey Hall of Fame. A to-scale replica of the Montreal Canadiens locker room, as well as seemingly unlimited amounts of hockey memorabilia and equipment, are among them. The Great Hall, on the other hand, is the real show-stopper, with names and biographies of some of the sport's biggest luminaries. The cost of admission is around $20.

• 30 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M5E 1X8, Canada
• Summer hours are 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Winter, Spring, and Autumn: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays, 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• +1 416-360-7735; Fax: +1 416-360-7735

3 Science Centre of Ontario

There are over 500 interactive experiences to choose from.

The 'learn-through-play' philosophy is at the heart of the Ontario Science Centre, with many of the displays being interactive and entertaining. It spans eight exhibit rooms and covers geography, biology, astronomy, and a little chemistry. The Planetarium in the Space Hall is very popular, but a walk through the rainforest or a movie in the IMAX theatre are equally worthwhile. The displays rotate on a regular basis, keeping everything interesting and fresh.

• 770 Don Mills Rd, North York, Ontario, Canada M3C 1T3
• Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (hours may vary by season)
• +1 416-696-1000; Fax: +1 416-696-1000

4 Theme Park of Centreville

For younger children, traditional amusements

By amusement park standards, Centreville Theme Park is a little out of date, but it is still a lot of fun for little children. A Ferris wheel, twirling teacups, a tiny rollercoaster, and a log flume are among the iconic rides. The carousel, which dates from 1907 and features 52 hand-carved animals, is a real antique. Because the park is located on one of Toronto's islands, you'll need to take a ferry to get there, which will set you back roughly $35 for an all-day admission.

• 9 Queens Quay West, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2H3, Canada
• From May to September, the museum is open everyday from 10.30 a.m. until 8 p.m. (hours may vary by season)
• 416-203-0405 (phone)

5 National Historic Site of Fort York

Visit a historically significant battleground in Canada's early years.

In the early years of the city of Toronto, Fort York played a significant role. It was built in 1793 to protect the growing settlement, but it was destroyed during the War of 1812's Battle of York. It was rapidly rebuilt, however, to secure York from subsequent invasions. The site today houses Canada's biggest collection of period structures, giving tourists a window into the past. Summer is the greatest time to visit because there are special activities and exhibits, as well as reenactors dressed in period military outfits. Adults will pay around $14 to enter.

• 250 Fort York Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3K9, Canada
• Open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closes at 4 pm on weekdays in winter)
• +1 416-392-6907; Fax: +1 416-392-6907

High Park is number six.

The playground was created by and for children.

High Park distinguishes out among Toronto's many green spaces as the most family-friendly. The 161-hectare park, located west of downtown Toronto, features a large playground that was largely designed by children. Sports facilities, 18 picnic spots, hiking paths, and special events are all available throughout the year. Llamas, deer, buffalo, and peacocks can all be seen in the mini-zoo. The coastline surrounding Grenadier Pond is quite lovely, but it's best seen in the spring when the Sakura trees are in bloom.

• 1873 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M6R 2Z3, Canada

7 Pioneer Village of Black Creek

Take a trip back in time to see how Toronto used to be.

Black Creek Pioneer Town, as the name suggests, is a reconstruction of the village that eventually expanded into the city of Toronto, located near the Black Creek Parkland and operated by York University. It is a living history museum that depicts life for pioneers who came in Canada in the early 1800s, featuring a blacksmith's shop, weaver's shop, bake oven, cider mill, and other exhibits, the majority of which are active. It's like stepping back in time with costumed guides and period architecture. Adult admission is around $15, while children's admission is around $11.

• 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy, North York, Ontario, Canada M3J 2P3
• From April to December, the museum is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (hours vary slightly by season)
• +1 416-736-1733; Fax: +1 416-736-1733

8 Wonderland of Canada

One of the oldest and largest amusement parks in the country.

With over 70 rides spread across 130 acres, Canada's Wonderland is one of the world's largest and most popular amusement parks. The Behemoth, the Time Warp flying coaster, the wooden Mighty Canadian Minebuster, and the Flight Deck, which has inverted loops, are among the 17 rollercoasters. A water park, live performances, an animatronic dinosaur park, and family-friendly attractions, some themed after Snoopy characters, are also available. The cost of a ticket starts at roughly $40.

• 1 Canada's Wonderland Drive, Vaughan, Ontario, Canada L6A 1S6
• From May to August, the museum is open everyday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Weekends from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in September; weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in October

9 Discovery Centre at LEGOLAND

View the world's largest Lego flag.

The LEGOLAND Discovery Centre is located on the suburbs of Toronto, inside the Vaughan Mills shopping mall. With ten play zones, a few coasters, a 4D theatre, and, of course, enough of a certain famous little plastic brick, it's practically a scaled-down theme park. Kids can put their creations to the test on the Earthquake Tables or the racetrack, or explore Miniland's representations of Toronto landmarks. Because it is a popular destination, purchasing tickets in advance online is highly recommended. The cost of admission is around $20.

• Vaughan Mills is located at 1 Bass Pro Mills Dr, Concord, ON L4K 5W4, Canada.
• Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sundays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• +1 905-761-7066; Fax: +1 905-761-7066
  

The blog post "9 Best Family Things to Do in Toronto" was appeared first on Hotels.com

Enrich Your Mind And Body. Upgrade Your Wellness Naturally - Toronto Functional Medicine Centre