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Ontario: Toronto, CityPass Family Vacation Ideas – SkyPod, Gorillas, and a Castle.  Create a Canadian urban adventure which includes a castle, gorillas, water fun, quirky science stuff, amazing art and a Sky Pod trip. Buy a CityPASS Toronto and do the city, it’s as easy as that. The pocket-sized Toronto coupon book makes the deciding effortless and provides an itinerary for the best of Toronto with kids. The pass book provides admission, helps you bypass ticket lines and has loads of helpful information, including transportation, hours, insider's tips and more.
What’s included? The Ontario Science Centre, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto Zoo, CN Tower and Casa Loma making it easy to have fun in the city.
A skeleton, a waterfall, and a science arcade. Science can be lots of fun and The Ontario Science Centre prove the point. It is a world class museum which provides the space and fuel to transform the way in which people see and think about the world around them by using engaging interactive exhibits, science demonstrations and dome IMAX® films. Visit the Weston Family Innovation Centre which features current science and technology. See a harp that plays words and think about the importance of duct tape. Take a drinking water test or examine a human skeleton. Use DNA to catch a criminal or try the look in the future with our Amazing Aging Machine. Bonus points: Before visiting the science center, check out their interactive virtual map online, complete with a guide to the best exhibits for kids, teens, and special exhibitions. Not to be missed: Be sure to check out the new “Facing Mars” exhibit now open to find out if you could survive the journey to Mars. Just for kids: Bring your little ones to KidSpark, a unique discovery playground for children ages 1 to 8. They can build a roller coaster or float balls in mid-air. Create shapes, colors and patterns using magnets, mirrors, a pin wall and puffs of water vapor; cook a make-believe meal in a mini-kitchen; perform in a studio or just get wet in the expanded water play area.
Egyptian mummies, a beehive and an archaeological dig. The Royal Ontario Museum (a.k.a. The ROM) is Canada's largest museum of world cultures and natural history. Nowhere else in the city but at Royal Ontario Museum can you marvel at the mystery of Egyptian mummies, hear the buzz of an active beehive and be inspired by spectacular new galleries of China, Korea, Japan and Canada's First Peoples. Come to the ROM and return home with a world of new experiences! Need to know: Weekday afternoons at Royal Ontario Museum after 1:00pm are the least crowded. Daily guided gallery tours free with admission (ask at the Information Desk or visit ROM website for details). Bonus points: The museum website has a ton of great online interactive activities – log on to try your hand at an archaeological dig, make an ancient Egyptian wall relief, match wits with a ROM curator, or go into the jungles of Vietnam to find a Mossy Frog. Not to be missed: The museum features a wonderful rotating exhibit –The Nature of Diamonds will be featured starting in October and many more exciting exhibits. Just for families: The museum offers specialized family events throughout the year, entertaining families with touchable displays, demonstrations, live animals, games and other interactive activities.
Gorillas, polar bears and a splash island. At the Toronto Zoo is home to more than 5,000 animals and 460 species within 710 acres. The habitat includes five pavilions, outdoor trails, waterfalls and striking horticulture displays. Visit the 30-acre African Savanna and the Gorilla Rainforest, the largest indoor Gorilla exhibit in North America. Creativity, play and learning are all part of the exciting new Zellers Discovery Zone which is open seasonally. The new Kids' Zoo offers youngsters a series of dynamic interactive wildlife experience as well as Splash Island, an exciting 2-acre water play area. The 750 seat Waterslide Theatre is the location for Amazing Animal Show. Bonus points: Visitors to the zoo will love learning about their favorite Zoo animals with Keeper Talks. Not to be missed: Make time for the Gorilla Rainforest, African Savanna, and the new Great Barrier Reef Exhibits. Just for families with young kids: The Zoo’s Parents & Tots programs are for children ages 2-3 and a parent, allowing families with small children to experience the wonders of the zoo in a controlled environment – making the whole experience fun for all.
A castle, a tunnel and a place for a picnic. Experience the elegance and splendor of the Edwardian era at Casa Loma. Explore the former home of Sir Henry Pellatt featuring unique architecture, beautifully furnished rooms, secret passages, towers and an 800-foot tunnel to luxurious stables. Five acres of beautiful estate gardens surround the Casa Loma Castle and are in bloom May through October. Bonus points: Admission to an introductory film about Sir Henry Pellatt is included. Not to be missed: The Gardens of Casa Loma feature a wide variety of specialty garden areas with perennial borders and artistic annuals displays with a myriad of breathtaking color schemes. Just for kids: A series of events are hosted throughout the year specifically for kids, offering great ways to interact with history.
From the SkyPod you can see forever.  CN Tower is the world's tallest building and Wonder of the Modern World and is Canada's most celebrated architectural triumph offering Toronto's most spectacular views. Make sure to visit the Look Out Level at 1,136 ft/346 m, the Sky Pod - the World's Highest Man-made Observation Level at 1,465 ft/447 m, or test your nerve on the Glass Floor at 1,122 ft/342 m above the ground Bonus points: Enjoy casual dining in Horizons Cafe or award-winning dining in 360 Restaurant. Also the Height of Excellence film is included or the motion theatre ride with the CityPASS package. Need to know: Mornings at CN Tower, before 11:00 am and evenings, after 7:00 pm are the least crowded.
Toronto CityPASS The pocket sized pass booklet includes: The Ontario Science Centre, Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto Zoo, CN Tower and Casa Loma. Call toll-free 1-888-330-5008 or CityPASS Toronto
Toronto Details
The Ontario Science Centre. 770 Don Mills Road at Eglinton Ave East. The Science Centre has on-site parking. (416) 696-1000 or www.OntarioScienceCentre.ca
Royal Ontario Museum. 100 Queen's Park (at Bloor St. West and Avenue Rd.) (416) 586-8000 or www.rom.on.ca
Art Gallery of Ontario. 317 Dundas St. West, at McCaul St. (416)979-6648 or www.ago.net
Toronto Zoo. 361A Old Finch Ave; located northeast of downtown at Highway 401 and Meadowvale Rd (exit 389), Scarborough (416) 392-5929 or www.torontozoo.com
CN Tower. 301 Front Street West, in the heart of the Toronto Entertainment District (416) 86-TOWER (868-6937) or www.cntower.ca
Casa Loma. 1 Austin Terace, corner of Spadina Road and Davenport Road. (416) 923-1171 or www.casaloma.org
General text and images ezine provided by CiyPass.com. Bonus points for families researched by Travel Communications staff. Copyright 2012.
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