Wednesday 16 December 2009

Toronto attractions and itineraries for our Winter Holiday

My brother-in-law and his wife (Irvin and Faye) will be celebrating the holidays with us in our First Christmas here in Toronto and we're all excited. I've been busy with the menu planning, naks, feeling like a good cook haha but I'm now done with that and I've started to research on the things to do and places to go to while they are here.

This will be a spoiler to them sorry ha, but I need to put this here in my blog for reference that others can use and for relatives or friends coming over in the future. Here are the Toronto's Top Destinations:

CN Tower
The CN Tower is Toronto's tallest and most defining landmark. Photos of Toronto are often defined by the building stretching more than 550 metres into the sky. We are taking advantage of the Citypass booklet and this must-see destination is included. Per the Attractions experience, we can visit the Look Out Level (1,136 feet), test our nerve on the Glass Floor to see everything from 1,122 feet and choose either "The height of excellence" film or the motion theatre ride. I guess Miggy would want the latter, hehehe.

Casa Loma
This is a real castle in the heart of Toronto. It says in the guide that once inside, we can experience the elegance and splendour of the Edwardian era. We can explore the former home of Sir Henry Pellat, a Canadian financier featuring unique architecture. Its secret passageways, breathtaking towers, sweeping staircase, 800-foot tunnel, stables and 5-acre gardens continue to excite all ages.

Ontario Science Center
We just live in front of this destination and although we have been there several times, the kids never lose interest. The wonders of science continue to amuse them. The Omnimax theatre inside is another attraction but they have not changed the movie showing, Miggy says it's boring him.

Royal Ontario Museum
No trip to Toronto is complete without a visit to ROM, Canada's largest museum of world cultures and natural history. I hope it also has the dinosaurs so Miggy and Kyle will finally see them live, I mean the bones, hahaha.

Toronto Zoo
Voted "Favourite Toronto Attraction". The amazing zoo is the third largest zoo in the world. We will see more than 5000 animals displayed according to their geographic location. There are over 10 kilometers of stunning trails throughout 710 acres of land. Mahabang lakarin pala ito hahaha. Canada's premier zoo has five indoor pavilions and outdoor trails. Haay, I'm so excited for the kids. Oh, btw, they say that Polar Bears are now showing. I'm looking forward to this one!

The following is not included in the Citypass but is included in our itineraries:

Air Canada Centre
I wonder who's playing against the Raptors on the week after Christmas.

Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is a popular and entertaining facility that houses many interactive displays for both children and adults. It features a replica of the NHL dressing room, Broadcast Pods showing some of the most famous hockey games, and much more.

Harbourfront/Queen's Quay
Toronto's Harbourfront is one of North America's largest recreational waterfronts. It is near major attractions such as CN Tower; The Roger's Center; and the Air Canada Center. During winter, the Natrel Rink is open for ice skaters. This beautiful rink is located within the Harbourfront Centre grounds, a popular destination for festivals and concerts in the heart of the city’s downtown waterfront. On scheduled nights, we can skate while celebrity DJs are mixing their gig. I hope there are family programs too. Miggy can skate here weather permitting, skates are for rent for $7.


Nathan Philips Square

This is where the winter event The Cavalcade of Lights is being held and we look forward to seeing it. Nathan Philips Square is I believe the equivalent of Rockefeller in NYC. Miggy can also Ice skate here. I hope Irvin or Faye knows how to skate to accompany my son who suddenly become interested in this activity.

Yonge-Dundas Square
I have posted a separate entry in my other blog.

Other sites to see but I don't know how we could squeeze in our schedules; Chinatown, Cabbagetown, the Distillery, Kensington Market, Mackenzie House

This is it for now, I got tired in visiting these places in my mind, hahaha...more later..recharge and research first.

2 comments:

Faye said...

excited na rin kami.

Faye said...

hi, ate irms! ako ulit. hehe. now ko lang tinignan yung mga links. ka-excite lalo. ok rin yung city pass noh... 5 attractions na. eh ang mahal din ng ticket kung punta isa isa. basta dapat di mawala sa listahan ang downtown toronto ha! yay!