Toronto Review

Overall 4.75 of 5 view all 4 reviews

typeamom
AshevilleAsheville, NC

This clean, friendly city has a surprise around each corner!

family traveler, mother of 3 (including twins), total type-a mom, travel junkie mom, frequent Toronto visitor, married to a hockey fanatic, a travel & lifestyles writer, an avid and frequent traveler

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Pros

destination for foodies, inexpensive for a big city, great daytrips nearby, walkable, stroller-friendly city, clean, friendly city, family-friendly destination, destination for hockey fans

Cons

cold in winter

AUG

2007

Toronto —

I have visited Toronto several times, and there's one thing that I find amazing about it. Each visit, I stumble on yet another cool neighborhood I've never seen before. There are beaches and islands, busy chain-store lined avenues and quaint neighborhoods with cheese shops and cafes. You can even see the underground city.

I've visited Toronto as a couple, and as a mom. I've met up with another couple with a kid for a family getaway. I've even done Toronto with a baby during the blackout. I've never had a bad Toronto experience.

Toronto has all the diversity and vibrancy of a big city, but very little of the trade-off you must endure in other large cities such as crime and general grunginess. This is a clean, friendly, fun and fascinating destination.

This is also a city that has a little something for everyone. I'm partial to the St. Lawrence produce market, but my husband insists on visiting the Hockey Hall of Fame each and every time we go there.

You will probably not get a chance to visit every neighborhood, but these are must-see areas:

Yonge Street - This is the heart of the city, and this busy street is lined with shops and a stream of passersby.
Queen Street West - This is the spot to find upscale shopping.
Kensington Market - This area features charming narrow streets lined with ethnic shops and restaurants.
The Harbour - Along the banks of the St. Lawrence, this is a charming area for a stroll and to find waterfront dining.
Cabbagetown - If you're into historic homes with lovely architecture, don't miss this old Toronto neighborhood.

If nothing else, we managed on the one trip to find activities to please two kids, two women and two men. The Royal Ontario Museum actually kept everyone entertained, and there are also so many other museums and attractions. There's a shoe museum (yeah, I said it!), and Inuit Art museum and even a sugar museum. There is really something for everyone in Toronto.