aao.aaf, July 2006 * WNY Family * 21

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n obvious place to begin a family visit to TorontoFor All Agcs is the CN Tower, the tallest free standing structure in the world. Filipino, Polish class museums: the Art Gallery of We decided to skip it this time, and Jamaican (now undergoing a $5OO million however, as the wait, the height, communities, redesign and expansion at the hands of and the price seemed a bit much among Toronto born architect Frank Gehry) for a 2 l/2 year old, and my others.Atour and the . The 'ethnic" pregnant wife was not interested in of latter, a substantial natural history a quarter-mile elevator ride. Toronto museum, is also in the midst of a Since we weren't going to spend would be spectacular overhaul. As impressive as time up high, we opted to takethe Hippo never ending, these institutions are, they are better place tour, a bus that travels on land and but agood to start is suited to older kids, and in deference to water. The Hippo zipped past key spots Chinatown and nearby Kensington our young charge, we passed on both, downtown including the Hockey Hdl of Market. Chinatown features not only stopping instead at the Bata Shoe Fame, City Hall, and the University of restaurants, but also numerous markets Museum. The museum building's goods Toronto. Unfortunately, sight lines from and dry emporiums selling herbs, inventive design was inspired by a shoe the bus are not good, and for a very mushrooms, and roots, as well as bizane box, and it's a great spot for children of (to young person, the attractions are of my taste) items including cured all ages, with plenty of interactive little appeal. That said, once'Harry the seahorses and preserved animal organs. features and a subject easilygrasped by get Hippo" plopped into La.ke Ontario, all You will the real deal in Toronto's the youngest of visitors. Chireatown, notJust curios and "Chinese was right. The Bata experience is equal American" fare heaw on the sweet and measures serious anthropologr and We spent 35 minutes cruising in sour sauce. and around , awaterfront celebrity kitsch. The permanent amusement park. For grownups, there The busy intersection of Spadina collection includes an EgrpUan wooden is an excellent view of theToronto slryline and Dundas is Chinatown's center. Just sandal from 25OO BC, a moon boot, and the extensive Canadian National west of Spadina, between Dundas and Chinese shoes for bound female feet, Exhibition grounds; my daughter loved College, is Kensington Market, an area and elaborate ceremonial footwear from that was once the principal home of various cultures. One of the current the ducks and waving Ontario Place 'Watched patrons. Ifyou don't.wish to travel in an Toronto's Jewish communit5r. Many temporary exhibitions is by amphibious craft painted like a hippo, a nations are represented, and it's agreat Heaven, Tied to Earth," which is on much cheaper way to get out on the lake place to take kids (and adults) who may display until March 2OO7 and comprises is to take the short ferry ride to the not knowwhat food looks like before it's 2OO Chinese children's shoes and from the Harbourfront been slickly merchandised by garments. The exhibit includes a kids' area. supermarkets. The lively market activity area with masks, puppets and (featured in the l97os Canadian TV games. In addition to the educational Toronto is a great place to expose series King oJKerwingtorl has outdoor stuff, the Bata museum includes a kids to diverse cultures. The city is a stalls, as well as small stores selling gallery of celebrit5r footwear, displayed magnet for immigrants, and nearly half produce, meats, drygoods and clothes. on a rotating basis. Among the famous population ofToronto's was born outside shoes are Madonna's platforms, James . There are large ltalian, In addition to its renowned zoo and Portugese, Chinese, South Asian, science center, Toronto has two world continued page 64

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Dean's Oxfords, Liz Taylor's silver (adults), $ 19.99 (children 4- 12), 3 years Waclqy Wilderness Mini-Golf offers 18- stilettos, and my favorite, Shaquille and under, free. Other packages holes of interactive miniature golf. O'Neal's srze 20 Nike.There's plenty to available. Prices do not include tax. You Future plans for the site include Toronto beyond the busy downtown can avoid the crowds by going at night the opening of Ripley's Aquarium of area. Toronto's Westend features - a nighttime visit provides a spectacular Canada in 2OO8, directly adjacent to the Roncesvalles Avenue, a center for view of the downtown slqyscrapers and Lodge. Toronto's Polish community. the lights of the sprawling metro area. Roncesvalles is being transformed - If You Go: Toronto Htppo Tours Departs from Eastern European delis, pharmacies, The GreatWotf t"odge Niagara Falls SE corner of Front and Simcoe streets and restaurants lie next to newer, is located at 3950 Victoria Avenue, in . (416) 703-4476: trendier establishments offering water Niagara Falls, Ontario. Room rates toll free (877) 635-55 rO therapy and holistic pet products. We include one-night's accommodations .www.torontohippotours.com. stopped at Granowska's, a Polish bakery $SS and two days of play in the waterpark. (adults), (students l3-17 and and deli, for some first rate baked goods, $33 The number of waterpark passes seniors), (children 3-12), particularly enjofing chrust, a twig $25 $3 provided depends on the type of room (children under 3). Family rate for 2 shaped fried cookie. booked. (Note that the waterpark adults and 2 children f O; for $f $15 cannot be used by the general public; About a half mile to the west of each additional child. Roncesvalles is the massive (399 acre) it is only for registered Lodge guests, , which has extensive biking Bata Shoe Museum 327 Bloor although other features are open to all. and walking trails. We entered on Street West. (416) 979-7799. You can view the waterpark through Parkside Drive and ate at the Grenadier www.batashoemuseum.ca. $8 (adults) : windows at the back of the main lobby Cafe, essentially a large cafeteria with $+ (ages 5-17): under 5, free. Family of should you like to make a pre-planning an extensive menu and lots of indoor one adult and up to 4 children under 18 visit.) Free parking is plentiful. and outdoor years of age $12; Check out their web site at seating. From family of 2 adults www.greatwolf.con for web-only there, you canwalk and up to 4 discounts and special packages or call to manicured children under l8 I-8OO-6O5-WOLF (9653). Remember flower gardens, years of age $2O. that prices quoted are Canadian dollars Grenadier Pond. - you'll find a currency converter on Colborne Lodge Chlnatown - the web site. Remember to bring proper (built in 1837), and Centered around identification for every member of the a small free zoo Spadina and family for border crossing. specializing in Dundas streets in The Lodge is a non-smoking, grazing animals. central Toronto, family-oriented facility and has While the mountain notfarfromtheArt established policies which stress safe goats were a hit Gallery of Ontario. and considerate behavior by all guests. with my daugfiter, Numerous the park's most Chinese as well as Dlrectlone: notable feature is Vietnamese From Niagara Falle, I\IY vla the its preservation of restaurants and Ralabow Brldge: Take Highway 42O to a sizable chunk of Ihe CN Towerand harbor ferries stores. West of the VictoriaAvenue ramp on right (first virgin forest. High di stin gu i s h Toro nto's w aterf ro nt. Spadina IS exit). Turn right onto Victoria Ave. and Park contains over Kenslngton follow to end. Great Wolf todge is on 1OOacres of oakwoodland communities, Market, between Dundas and College the right. including rare Black Oaks. Heavy Streets, which has stalls and small development in Southern Ontario, and stores selling produce, fish, meats, From Buffalo vla Peace Brldge: across the entire Great Lakes region, clothing, and bric-a-brac. Take the OEW towards Toronto/ has virtually Niagara Falls. Exit onto Highway 42O. eliminated such habitats Roncesvalles Vlllage. Roncesvalles elsewhere. The CN Tower, that great At lights, continue straight to Victoria Avenue from to Dundas feat of human Ave. exit (on right). Turn left onto engineering and concrete Street is the heart of Toronto's Polish pouring,iis Victoria Ave.and follow to end. Great certainly impressive, but an and Ukrainian communities. Old Polish oak forest well predating Wolf tndge is on right. the several delis, shops and restaurants rub million strong polyglot megalopolis shoulders with new, hipper Vla $ueenston/Lewlston Brldge : surrounding it is no less inspiring. establishments. Granowska's Bakery Take Highway 4O5 towards Toronto. For Toronto vlsltor lnformatlon: and Caf6. 175 Roncesvalles Avenue. Exit at Stanley Avenue. Turn right on www. toronto. com and www. toronto. ca. (4 I 6) 533 -7 7 55. www.granowskas. com. Stanley Ave. Turn right on Portage. All prices quoted Turn right at traffic circle on to the below are in Candian Hlgh Park. Bounded by the *The dollars. Niagara Parkway towards Falls." Parkside Drive, and Bloor Queensway, Turn right onto Victoria Avenue. Great The CN Tower "Canada's Wonder Street West in Toronto's Westend. The Wolf Lodge will be on the left. of the World." 3Ol Front Street West almost 4OO acre park features flower (416) 868-6937. www.cntower.ca. The gardens, a playground, a small freezoo, Mlchele Miller is the publisher oJ tower celebrates its Soth anniversary historic Colborne Lodge, Shakespeare 'ObservaUon Western New York Familg. With two this year. Admission for the in the Park, playrng lields, biking and groun children, she Great Wolf s Experience" comprising the l,ook Out, walking trails, and lots of oak forest. found Lazg River to be just her speed! Glass Floor and Slcy Pod is $25.99 www. toronto. ca/parks /highpark.htm.