Four days in Toronto with kids

Jess, aged 15, writes: We have just returned from a break in Toronto, Canada, where we spent four days discovering the city. We did everything from bus tours to cycling, and really loved our time in the city. There was a lot to see and do, the people were friendly, it was unusually clean for such a big city, and the attractions were very well done. Here are our highlights of the trip and what we'd recommend:

What to do

Jess writes: My favourite part of our trip to Toronto had to be the island cycling tour. We met our friendly and knowledgeable guide Mina early in the morning and were quickly armed with bikes and helmets. Soon, we found ourselves cycling downtown to the port, where we took a ferry to the Toronto Islands. We spent the morning cycling around the islands, and learning about their history. I particularly enjoyed visiting the beach, listening to ghost stories, and seeing the lighthouse. This was especially interesting as it was only built six metres away from the seafront, but sediment deposition means that it is now inland. We all had an excellent time - the islands were gorgeous, the stories were fascinating, and the cycling wasn't too strenuous. Despite not being used to cycling on roads, we all felt very safe. It was a wonderfully tranquil morning.

[caption id="attachment_4303" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Casa Loma was spectacular[/caption]

Brian says: One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Casa Loma, a huge medieval looking mansion surrounded by beautiful gardens and a fountain. The gothic exterior with its two towers in completely different styles makes it look a bit like a fairy tale castle.
We began our visit with the very interesting 20 minute newsreel type film about the life of Sir Henry Pellatt, the financier who spent millions building Casa Loma then was forced to leave in 1923 after going bankrupt. We really enjoyed looking at the film posters on the walls downstairs showing the many movies shot there, and there was also a TV screen showing some clips (e.g. X-men, Chicago, Cocktail etc) with captions letting you know which room had been used for that scene. We then took an excellent audio guide of the nearly hundred rooms, the most beautiful ones for me being the Round Room and the Conservatory. We then climbed up the narrow steps to the Norman tower, which gave stunning views of the city in the distance. We were there for about two and a half hours, and hadn’t seen everything we would have liked to (especially the secret tunnels) as we just ran out of time. It might be a tourist trap, but Casa Loma is definitely a must-see when you come to Toronto.

Read more about Casa Loma here, in a full blog post by Sarah.

[caption id="attachment_4304" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Ripleys Aquarium was a must-visit![/caption]

Robert, aged 12, writes: Ripley's Aquarium is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, tourist attraction in Toronto with so much to see and do for both kids and adults. There are loads of different creatures to look at including jellyfish, sharks, turtles and an octopus. Throughout the aquarium were loads of interactive things to play or touch. There was a section when you could feel how cold the water is for the fish, customise your own jellyfish or even feel some baby sharks. Some of the creatures were incredible to look at especially the ones in the tunnel - I loved watching the sharks swim over my head. Over all I had a really fun time and there was really something for everyone. There's even a play area for younger kids.

[caption id="attachment_4309" align="alignnone" width="1200"] If you like shopping, you need to visit the Eaton Centre![/caption]

Jess says: The Eaton Centre is the busiest shopping centre in North America, so we knew we had to give it a try. The Centre contains a range of shops (varying from high end to ones you may see on the high street) and we enjoyed walking around and finding chains which we don't have in the UK. We exited the complex with books, t-shirts, and trousers, and generally had a nice, relaxing time traipsing the stores.

Robert writes: One of the tallest, most symbolic buildings in Canada is the CN tower which can be seen from nearly all the city and even further away.

[caption id="attachment_4311" align="alignnone" width="1200"] View from the CN Tower[/caption]

Classified as one of the modern wonders of the world, the tower stands at 1,815 feet so the views are amazing. We went up the first viewing point which was great, you could see the whole city. You could pay extra to go up a few extra floors but it seemed pointless to me as it is the same view. One floor down were two glass walkways on which you could sit, jump or even lie on while looking down at the roads directly under your feet.

[caption id="attachment_4310" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Robert on the glass floor at the CN Tower[/caption]

I found the whole experience very enjoyable, but it was just another view which I've seen a lot of - and there were so many great things to do in Toronto that it wasn't my favourite.

[caption id="attachment_4308" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The spectacular Horseshoe Falls[/caption]

Sarah writes: It’s hard to tell you how wonderful our visit to Niagara Falls was without referring you to our full post on it (which you can see here!). It was, honestly, the most fantastic day and we cannot recommend it enough – it’s unlike anything else we’ve ever done.

[kad_youtube url="https://youtu.be/PhfPag2VQCw" width=200 height=100 ]

The Falls are majestic and beautiful, a real wonder of the world. And it doesn’t mater that Niagara is really busy, because all the people who are there simply want to enjoy what you do – extraordinary waterfalls!
I have never seen The Falls from the US side, but my husband assures me that the Canadian side, with the Horseshoe Falls, is far better. I can believe it. We experienced our trip from different angles – a helicopter above, a boat riding on and going down to see the Falls at the level at which they gush past. All were well worth doing.
We hired a car to get to Niagara and it took around two hours. We left early in the morning and would recommend that. It really was a wonderful day.

What to see

[caption id="attachment_4307" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The views from the islands were amazing![/caption]

Jess writes: Aside from Niagara, the best views on this holiday had to be on the ferry from Downtown Toronto to the Toronto Islands. During our cycling tour, we took a ferry from the port to Hanlan's Point, and the view was simply stunning. We had a clear, close up view of the Toronto skyline, the water shone in the sun, and there was a small breeze in our hair. It was truly lovely; very serene and tranquil. It made our visit to the islands even more special.

The City Sightseeing Toronto bus tour is another way to see the sights. The two hour journey takes you all around the sights of Toronto, giving lots of information. There was also a real guide, as opposed to listening through headphones and hearing the same annoying music again and again! The only negative of this was it could be difficult to hear the guide due to the microphone static. The trip was very pleasant, though traffic meant we moved quite slowly.

Where to eat

[caption id="attachment_4321" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The food at Eva's was so delicious![/caption]

Brian says: We ate some delicious food on our Canadian holiday, but Eva’s Original was one of the standouts. My sweet toothed daughter had found out about this before our visit, and it took us about 20 minutes to get there from our hotel downtown, but it was really worth it. Eva’s bake traditional Hungarian chimney cakes fresh on the premises. They look delicious enough all by themselves, but we added some extra calories by each having chimney cones which are filled with delicious vanilla soft serve ice-cream. I chose a cone that had been baked with coconut flakes, and a chocolate sauce topping. It was huge, but delicious, so I managed to finish it. We then saw that a couple at the table next to us were sharing one. Eva’s Original was a real treat, and I would love to go back again one day.

Jess writes: Kensington Market is very different to the rest of Toronto, as it is filled with vintage clothes stores and hipster places to eat. I would have loved to explore had we had more time, as there was lots to see and do. We had lunch at a waffle shop which was a bit of a let down, but I know that there were many other places to go to which looked nicer.

[caption id="attachment_4306" align="alignnone" width="1200"] The Beavers Tails were so delicious![/caption]

Sarah says: We found the BeaverTails stall down by the waterfront in Toronto. Quite honestly they were utterly delicious and it is lucky they don't seem possible to get in London, as I would galumph my way through them and become far too vast! Put it this way, we got one each and the couple sitting opposite us, shared theirs...
They are basically pastries with toppings on, but that doesn't sell them well enough! They are huge, the pastry (fried!) is delicious and the toppings - whether chocolate hazelnut or nutella are utterly decadent. A real holiday food!

Jess writes: In conclusion, we all had a lovely time in Toronto. Paired with an excursion to Niagara, it was a holiday with something for all the family. The atmosphere was friendly, it was easy to navigate, and there was lots to do. I definitely recommend a visit.

Disclosure: We were fortunate enough to be given a CityPass to try out when we were in Toronto. This meant we got free entry into a number of attractions and, as importantly, that we skipped the queue - particularly brilliant for the CN Tower and Aquarium! We genuinely thought the CityPass was fantastic as it gave you freedom to do what you wanted, when you wanted - but the company had no input into our decisions of what to do, or what we wrote in this post. The CityPASS costs around £55 per adult and £37 per child.
We were also very fortunate that Toronto Bicycle Tours provided us with the bicycle tour of the Islands, including bike hire and ferry crossing, on a complimentary basis. This usually costs around CAD 90 per person (around £54). However, they also had no input into this post and all our thoughts, as usual, are our own.

What to do in Washington DC with kids (by the whole family)

[caption id="attachment_1925" align="alignnone" width="940"] Us standing in front of the Capitol Building on a beautiful Autumn day[/caption]

Jess, aged 13 writes: Last week, our family visited Washington DC for three days. Although we had a very busy time, we definitely managed to narrow down the best things to do in that time period and really loved it. The city itself is unusual: as it is a purpose built capital it is mainly composed of museums, memorials, lawyers and lobbyists! However, this does make it very good for sightseeing. There is so much to do, especially for kids, and we would have been happy to stay for longer.

Robert made a video of our stay - the first he's done by himself - so please take a look for our highlights.

[kad_youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW13vZlCLtM" width=200 height=100 ]

Where to Stay

Our hotel was the famous Willard Hotel, which used to be the thriving centre of DC's social life. Today, it is not as busy as it was in the 1900s, but we could definitely imagine how the extravagant lobby would have looked back then, full of the most important people in the city.

The hotel is full of history; Martin Luther King stayed there when he wrote the famous "I have a dream" speech, and it is where President Ulysses S. Grant coined the phrase "lobbyists", from all the people pestering him in the lobby when he was trying to have a drink! In fact, there is a lovely museum-style room near the back of the hotel. This tells you about the significant events that happened there, and we found it very interesting.

The room we had was big and spacious, with two double beds and a sofa. As Robert and I didn't want to sleep in the same bed, one of us slept in the fold out bed from the sofa. Even with this folded out, there was still lots of space to walk around and sit down. The TV was massive, and it was really cool to see the streets of DC from our window. However, it was quite noisy with the noise from all the cars.

[caption id="attachment_1929" align="alignnone" width="940"] It was great to stay just a few minutes walk from The White House[/caption]

Breakfast was one of the best I've ever been to, with lots of delicious fresh fruit and scrumptious pastries. I loved the glass full of granola, berries, and yoghurt, and ate loads of potatoes. There were also American sticky buns and mum had pancakes.

The Willard is in a brilliant location for getting around and very near the White House.

[caption id="attachment_1940" align="alignnone" width="940"] We did have a good breakfast at the Cafe du Parc at the Willard[/caption]

What to See

[caption id="attachment_1927" align="alignnone" width="940"] We love this picture of the Washington Monument and its reflection![/caption]

Sarah says: Washington is full of monuments and the most noticeable is the Washington Monument itself, which was built in honour of the country's first President. It stands at 555 feet and is located right in the centre of the National Mall (in between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol). The Washington Monument is the largest stone structure in the world, made of marble, granite and bluestone gneiss and is very impressive (as well as being rather gorgeous). It's surrounded by 50 flags, one representing each of the states of America and you can also go up it in a lift, but we didn't have time to do that (we hadn't booked tickets in advance).

[caption id="attachment_1931" align="alignnone" width="940"] The very impressive Lincoln Memorial[/caption]

We also visited the stunning Lincoln Memorial which is unbelievably grand and really moving. It is a must-see when you go to Washington and will make you stop and think.

[caption id="attachment_1930" align="alignnone" width="940"] A plaque at the World War II Memorial[/caption]

The Second World War memorial is another one we were glad to have visited, but I'm afraid we missed out on a proper visit to the Martin Luther King memorial and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial as we simply ran out of time, and to some extent energy. We (the adults) have seen the Roosevelt Memorial before and it really is worth a trip. We saw the beautiful Jefferson memorial from the tour bus we took.

If you are with children, I simply don't think you can happily visit all the monuments in Washington as younger members of the family may not appreciate their historical value as much as you do! They are also all spaced out - Washington is a trip where you walk and walk...

Our tips would be do to the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial as these are the most iconic. If you want to go to the top of the Monument, you can queue up on the day at a booth adjacent to the Monument or book in advance (there's a $.150 service charge per ticket). Each trip is timed and lasts around half an hour in total.

Brian writes: We visited the National Archives Museum, and headed straight for the Rotunda to see the original copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.

We were there relatively late in the afternoon, so the queues were not too long. All the documents are in secure cases, but you can look down at them very closely (although you can't take any photographs). The lights are kept very dim, so the documents don’t fade any more - the Declaration of Independence was particularly faded.

The Constitution with its opening “We the people” in large letters makes a big impression and is also interesting because of its mistakes – some words needed to be inserted between lines, and Benjamin Franklin signs for “Pensylvania” (with only one “n”, instead of “Pennsylvania”).

There are two armed guards, one on either side of the Constitution, so there is no chance of it being stolen (as Nicholas Cage impressively managed in “National Treasure”).

The rotunda is huge and incredibly imposing. There are also two large-scale murals on the walls depicting scenes of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution being presented. There are two signs which helpfully identify the signatories depicted in the murals. This makes it more obvious that George Washington only signed the Constitution, while Benjamin Franklin signed both.

We probably spent about 45 minutes in the Rotunda, but I am really pleased that we took the opportunity to visit - you don't see documents like this every day and I think the children felt that too. We also looked round the temporary exhibition on the history of alcohol in the US. This mainly focussed on the Prohibition era (during the 1920s, and early 1930s) and was very interesting.

The museum closed at 5.30pm and there was lots we had not managed to see, including its copy of The Magna Carta. But we had already seen two copies a few months ago in Lincoln, so gave this one a miss.

We pre-booked our visit to the National Archives Museum in advance, so we beat the queue to get through security at the main entrance. This cost $1.50 per person. Entrance itself is free.

[caption id="attachment_1932" align="alignnone" width="940"] By the Lincoln Memorial, on the Big Bus Tour[/caption]

Jess says: We took the Washington DC Big Bus Tour around the city, which was very convenient as one of the stops was right outside our hotel! Every other bus has an actual person speaking, and the ones in between had recorded audio that you heard through headphones. As our hotel was one of the last stops on the tour, we took a bus with the recording to get to the first stop: Union Station. The recording wasn't great - it didn't give you a lot of information and just kept playing Sousa's Washington Post March over and over!

However, the bus tour with a "live" guide is a very good way to see the city. Our guide, Tom, was funny and exciting, and we saw lots of interesting landmarks. I definitely do recommend it and I think it is good for kids too, as Tom told jokes, asked us questions and was very willing to answer them too. We saw so many different Washington attractions and learnt a lot, but the full tour is quite long, and we got off the bus after two hours as we were cold. In better weather, it would have been absolutely perfect.

The Best Museums

[caption id="attachment_1934" align="alignnone" width="940"] Spy glasses[/caption]

Robert, who is 10, writes: The International Spy Museum is probably the best museum we’ve ever been to (and we have been to a lot!) as it was so unique and cleverly thought out. First we chose an identity and had to memorise various facts about “ourselves” like our age, job and name. Afterwards we walked into the main exhibition where we got tested on who we were and learnt some more crucial facts. We could also watch videos about real life spy missions, learn about disguise and weaponry, do spy activities on interactive screens and see some amazing real life weapons. There was a lipstick that shot bullets, a shoe with a hidden knife and loads of other everyday objects used by the secret service. After a section on the history of spies we came to a brilliant James Bond exhibition. We spent more than three hours there, and could have been there longer.

Unlike the Smithsonian Museums (see below...) which are free, the Spy Museum costs $21.95 per adult and $14.95 for kids aged 7 to 11. It's free for 6 and under and perfect for any age from around 6+.

Sarah writes: The Smithsonian Institution is the world's largest museum and research grouping, consisting of 19 museums and galleries, plus the Washington Zoo. Most of them are free, and they cover such a lot of different topics, from art to American history, air and space to the wonderful Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden (worth walking through at the very least). We saw the newest being built (it won't be open for a while yet), but it sounds fascinating - it's to be a museum of African American history.

[caption id="attachment_1935" align="alignnone" width="940"] We loved this Roy Lichenstein house which we saw in the Hirshhorn sculpture gardens[/caption]

Unless you are in Washington for a long time, it would be almost impossible to visit all these museums. We limited ourselves to just one in-depth visit, to the Air and Space Museum (we have a budding astronaut in the family). I (but not the kids) have been to Washington a few times, and felt that this would be the best for us. Do look at what the museums offer before you travel, as there are often special exhibits or activities which might be perfect for your family.

[caption id="attachment_1936" align="alignnone" width="940"] The Spirit of St Louis - flown across the Atlantic by Charles Lindbergh in 1927[/caption]

The Air and Space Museum is the most visited museum in the world and is absolutely amazing - but you need time to explore it properly. We split up, with Brian and Robert trying out the simulator (which Robert loved) and seeing an IMAX film, plus enjoying lots of the interactive displays. Jess enjoyed a show in the Planetarium and we both liked an old-style exhibit about the birth of flying, which included some brilliant old film and commentary. We all found the Wright brothers section impressive, and couldn't believe that Charles Lindbergh managed to fly across the Atlantic in the Spirit of St Louis (which you can see, right in front of your eyes!).

The Air and Space Museum is free to enter, but the simulator and films do cost extra. Films are shown at different times of the day, so book in advance if you really fancy seeing one of them. IMAX and Planetarium films cost $9 for adults (over 13) and $7.50 for aged 2-12. The shop is also incredible, so be prepared to spend some money there! If you are baffled by the amount of things on offer, you can take a guided tour (these are free).

Jess says: We popped into the Natural History Museum, to see if the entrance looked anything like it did in Night of the Museum 2. If it did, we definitely didn't recognise it! However, we stayed for about an hour until closing time, and I was amazed by how much there was to do. Robert wanted to go to the section about mammals, and he, mum, and dad enjoyed it and thought that it was really well done. I didn't enjoy this as much, as I knew all of the information from science lessons at school. As soon as we went to another part of the museum, I started to have a really good time. I learnt about cells and bacteria, created my own country, and marvelled at how fast the world's population was growing. I wish that we could have stayed for longer to see some of the exhibits as it was really exciting and fascinating. There was so much to do that it was perfect for all the family, including Q?rius, which is especially created for tweens and teens.

[caption id="attachment_1937" align="alignnone" width="768"] Becoming a reporter at the Newseum[/caption]

Robert says: The Newseum was fantastic. It had so many different things from all around the world dating back for many years. There were some amazing things to see like part of the Berlin Wall or the antenna which had stood at the top of the Twin Towers. It had interactive games to play and many boards to read about wars and people. The range of subjects was so big as there was everything from the president’s pets to the history of news on the TV and radio. I loved being a reporter in one section and seeing every Pulitzer Prize winning photograph in another. There were so many different things to do and so many things to learn that we will write more about the Newseum in a separate post!

The Newseum is probably best for around age 7 plus. It costs $22.95 for adults (19+ in this case), and $13.95 for children aged 7-18. All tickets are valid for two days and as there is so much to see, it is well worth a return visit, if you have time.

Where to Eat?

Sarah writes: There are so many places to eat in Washington, but that won't surprise you! As we weren't there for very long, we could only try out a few, but we enjoyed a supper at Clydes in gorgeous Georgetown and were very grateful that our hotel was opposite the Corner Bakery which was just perfect for breakfast and light snacks (and cakes!).

[caption id="attachment_1938" align="alignnone" width="940"] Enjoying lunch at the Native Foods Cafe[/caption]

We visited the Native Foods Cafe twice in three days for lunch! It's a vegan cafe with lots of choice, very friendly staff and reasonable prices too. Brian and I loved the (fake) steak sandwich, Jess enjoyed some meatballs and Robert was extremely happy to munch through a chicken sandwich. The desserts were also yummy!

Is Three Days Enough?

Jess says: Not really! There are a lot of other places we would have loved to visit, but we did manage to fit in pretty much everything we wanted to do. I loved walking up to the imposing Lincoln Memorial, assuming the identity of a 62 year old woman named Sandra Miller in the Spy Museum, marvelling at the films and photos in the Newseum, and being very surprised that they serve sugar on bread for breakfast...

I definitely recommend Washington DC to families of all, although perhaps for a longer stay than three days!

We stayed in the Willard Hotel thanks largely to the IHG points we have gathered on other trips to Holiday Inns! It costs upwards of $299 per night. Our Big Bus Tour, visit to the Newseum and to the International Spy Museum were all complimentary. However, our opinions and views are entirely our own.

More about the fabulous Spy Museum (Don't miss it!)

More about the terrific Air and Space Museum

For more on America, read about Robert's time at Space Camp at the Kennedy Space Centre, and the day we opened the park at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando.

With thanks to the Capital Region USA who helped us to set up this trip and gave us inspiration!

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