Toronto for two pensioners

mikedragon32

My parents are planning to visit Toronto for about 10 days in September.

The main reason for their visit is to go to Niagra Falls.

Could anyone recommend other trips from Toronto that might be worthwhile and things to do while in Toronto itself.

They're not really into museums/theatre but do like to walk and explore.

If anyone knows of beaches etc accessible from Toronto (presuming there are some, it's on a lake!).

Should also add, my parents can't drive, so will be relying on taxis and/or public transport.

Any assistance/advice greatly appreciated.

Nina_Angelica

if your parents are staying right in toronto, i would recommend they spend a day at toronto island.
there is a ferry that would take them across to the island (bout 15 mins on the boat i think?! been a while since i've done it).
it is not a huge island and they can probably do the whole thing in less than a day but there are lots of things to keep them occupied.

here's a link you might find helpful!
hope they enjoy it here!

http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/fallschedule.htm

jdivision

The Sunday Business Post does a 5 things to do in... column every week. Below is the entry on Toronto. Might be of help:
1. View the city from a height
No visit to Toronto would be complete without travelling to the top of one of the seven modern wonders of the world. The CN Tower -- the world's tallest freestanding structure (1,815 feet) -- was built in 1976 to reflect the strength of Canadian industry at the time. An outdoor observation deck and a glass floor is perched at 1,122 feet. A restaurant called 360 rotates once every 72 minutes, allowing diners a full, unobstructed and changing view of the city below.
2. Indulge your shoe fetish
The Bata Shoe Museum houses over 10,000 items of footwear, spanning 4,500 years. Its Walk of Fame section includes celebrities' shoes such as Pablo Picasso's zebra pony skin ankle boots from the 1960s, John Lennon's purple `Beatle Boot' from the early 1960s, Elton John's massive silver and red platform boots from around 1973, and Marilyn Monroe's red, leather pumps from around 1960. Other sections are dedicated to the history of western, North American Indian and circumpolar shoe fashion.
3. Visit Cabbagetown
This is a wonderful neighbourhood of stately Victorian homes. Its quiet narrow lanes, with small cottages and lush gardens, are to be found on the eastern outskirts of downtown Toronto. The area was settled by Irish immigrants fleeing the potato famine of 1841. It is so named because of its sandy soil, which proved ideal for growing cabbage. Today, it has a rich concentration of fine Victorian architecture and carefully tended gardens.
4. Get a taste for Canadian hockey
The Hockey Hall of Fame is dedicated to the Canadian love of the game. In the Household Family Zone there is a reconstruction of a typical 1950s family gathered round the television to watch the Saturday night hockey match. The TV transmits footage of real games and adverts that were shown at the time. Eavesdrop on the Montreal Canadians players in the full-scale Video Dressing Room Zone, and watch their pre-game rituals and routines. The Marquee Zone displays a collection of early and modern goalie masks.
5. Learn about the science of rollercoasters
Among the Ontario Science Centre's superb selection of Space, Sport, Human Body and The Living Earth exhibits is Scream Machines: the Science of Rollercoasters which runs until September 5. Visitors can learn about the psychology of thrill-seeking and the physiology of motion sickness. They can experience the illusion of motion similar to being on a rollercoaster, and defy gravity with G-force by sitting on bicycle designed to pedal up and around the inside of a five-metre loop.

aniascor

If your parents are heading to Niagara Falls anyway, suggest that they spend a night or two in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It's a beautiful town close to Niagara, and it's within easy reach of the local vineyards, if they'd like to do a wine tour.

Niagara Falls can be a bit of a shock when you see it first because the town is just all neon lights and casinos - a stark contrast to the natural beauty of the Falls themselves.

The Falls are fairly easy to get to with public transport - just check the bus times in advance. Not sure about Niagara on the Lake - we drove there anytime we went.

aniascor

Just re-read your first post - if your parents enjoying walking and exploring, they should get the subway out to High Park, and spend an afternoon strolling through the park.

Head from there down to Lakeshore and walk back towards the city along the lake. (It is possible to walk all the way back into the city centre - but it takes about 3 hours - not sure if they like walking that much!)

A shopping trip to the Eaton Centre is always worthwhile too.

Mrs. MacGyver

aniascor wrote:

If your parents are heading to Niagara Falls anyway, suggest that they spend a night or two in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It's a beautiful town close to Niagara, and it's within easy reach of the local vineyards, if they'd like to do a wine tour.

Niagara Falls can be a bit of a shock when you see it first because the town is just all neon lights and casinos - a stark contrast to the natural beauty of the Falls themselves.

The Falls are fairly easy to get to with public transport - just check the bus times in advance. Not sure about Niagara on the Lake - we drove there anytime we went.

Went there last year and it was amazing. I loved that little town, lots of quaint craft shops etc. They can go on many tours around Naigra, i did the wine tasting one and it was excellent, especially the ice wine!

mikedragon32

Thank you all for your advice so far... Any more ideas gratefully accepted!