Toronto is tuned to family pursuits this coming Spring Break. And for lots of folks that means the weekend of Mar. 11 through 13 – and immediately thereafter. Consider these ideas:
Water, water everywhere: The Royal Ontario Museum wants you and the kids to learn lots about the aquatic world around us, and just how much we depend on humble H2O for enjoyment. Not to mention our existence. General admission plus access to Water: The Exhibition is $31CAD for adults, $28CAD for students 15 through 17 and $19.50CAD for children. Kids three and under get in free.
Rides at Rogers Centre: Beginning Mar. 11 Toronto’s Rogers Centre rocks with midway rides, entertainment on the Children’s Stage, and exotic animals. An all-day ride ticket runs $20CAD, but if you get there early and buy at the box office between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. you get it for $16.00CAD.
Exotic zoo life: The Toronto Zoo is the setting for exotic flora and fauna beginning Mar. 12. Head to the zoo’s tropical environs and check out meerkats, pigmy hippos, ring-tailed lemurs and more out-of-the-ordinary animals. You’ll find them in the refurbished African Rainforest Pavilion. Admission for adults is $23CAD. Children four through 13 get in for $13CAD, and kids under three for free.
Justin Bieber Fever: Got a teenage girl? It’s a safe bet they’ve at least heard of Canadian heartthrob Justin Bieber. Stay over a bit, brace yourself, and beat a path to Bata Shoe Museum’s Rockstar Madness. It opens Mar. 14. The place is unveiling—gasp—a pair of Justin’s shoes. Ticket’s are $8CAD each.
Basics at Black Creek: Celebrity shoes not for you? Perhaps a pioneer village is. Visit Black Creek Pioneer Village, and start the adventure with a free pancake breakfast. Explore a log cabin, participate in an old-time spelling bee, or take a wagon ride. It all starts March 12. Adult, student and senior admission is $10CAD. For children and young teen five to 15 the fee is $7.50CAD. Kids under four are free.
Alice and Wonderland: Take time to immerse yourself in another world as the Lorraine Kimsa Theater for Young People presents a variation on Lewis Carrol’s classic Alice in Wonderland. This award-winning adaptation is anything but boring. It’s fast-paced and thoroughly engaging. The show plays through Mar. 19 and tickets are $19CAD.
Free skating: This is still technically winter, and Toronto is north of the border. That means ice-skating. Locations around town as far north as Steeles Avenue and as far south as Queen Street are offering drop-in skating programs beginning March 14. While the activity is free, you’re going to have to bring along your own helmets (kids under six have to wear them) and skates. They’re not available for rent on site.
Marvelous Maharaja: The Art Gallery of Ontario is hosting a blockbuster of an exhibit just now – Maharaja: The Splendor of India’s Royal Courts. To make things sweeter The Fairmount Royal York has a package starting at $219CAD on weekends. The deal includes one-night’s accommodations, two adult tickets to the exhibition (usually $22 each), and tickets for children accompanied by an adult. Considering that the room alone usually runs $209, this can be a decent deal. Taxes and fees are not included.
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Story by Jerry Chandler
Photo by paul (dex)
