Home of the Maple Leafs

Even though we have been here for a while now, my most favorite thing to do still is to walk around downtown, specifically along Yonge Street and Queen Street. There are so many interesting stores and restaurants, people from all walks of life, and this area is always bustling with people, no matter where you go.

Quick Tips:

For the most part, the city is fairly well looked after, but there are some parts that can be quite stinky and dirty (i.e. Chinatown on Spadina on a hot Saturday afternoon). But even though it is stinky, dirty and usually very crowded on the weekends, I still think that it is an experience you have to have.

Best Way To Get Around:

The best way to get around is definetly the transit system, the TTC, with its collection of subways, buses and street cars. As of September 2000 the fare is .25CDN and you can use transfers when moving between subway, bus or streetcar. There are also day passes for .50CDN, that allow unlimited travel all day, if you purchase the pass on a Sunday or statutory holiday, two adults or one adult and up to five children/youth can ride on the 1 pass. Oh yeah, the pass also allows you to park in TTC lots on weekends or holidays for free. There website is http://www.ttc.ca which has current pricing, as well as route maps and schedules.

From the outside, One of a Kind Pasta & Grill doesn't look so hot, with a green exterior and stencilled sign illuminated by flashing lights, but inside, it's surprisingly decent. The decor is rustic-ish, with dim lighting and candlelit atmosphere, it seems like a place you could definetly bring a date. There is only seating for 24 and it gets a little busier on the weekends (noiser too), but they do except reservations if you are concerned with getting a seat. They also offer take-out at a 10% discount and are fully licensed to serve alcholic beverages.

More shocking are the prices -- 36 pasta dishes, most ringing in from $7CDN to $9CDN. The food from the grill is pricier, but still reasonable, with things like a rack of New Zealand lamb for $18 or pan-fried Atlantic salmon with grilled tiger shrimps for $14.

If it isn't high class enough for you, too bad, because the meals are plentiful and inexpensive. Oh yeah, I hadn't mentioned if they tasted good. Yes! Between my husband and myself we have tried about 15 of the pastas and haven't ever complained.

I know there are some Medieval Times in the States as well, but since I live in Toronto, we decided to visit the one here. I had only ever been to a few dinner theatre shows before, but this one is extraordinary. We enjoyed it so much we've been there twice already.

When you go in your group is assigned a specific knight that you cheer and root for. You get a colored paper crown as well; you are ushered to a location and they put a cape on you and take your picture with a knight and you are given the option to purchase the photo at the end of the knight (hehe). Each group is sent into the arena and assigned seating in a specific area (you dont have assigned seats, just an assigned area, obviously it is better to be sitting closer to the ring, you might even get a rose from your knight).

The prices as of now are $56.95CDN for adults and $38.95CDN for children. Check their website at http://www.medievaltimes.com/ for current pricing. That price includes four-course dinner, two-hour live show, beverages and taxes. Let me state that beverages are pop, water, coffee and tea (no alcohol, that comes at an extra charge). The four-course dinner is baked potato, chicken thigh, ribs, veggies and soup. The funny thing is, they don't give you utensils, you are expected to eat it with your hands, just like in medieval times. There are vegetarian meal options which consist of the potato, veggies, and rice. The meals are very filling and I think its a pastry you get for dessert.

If you get there early, there is a bar serving drinks before you are called into the arena and plenty of counters and shelves displaying the different souvenirs you can pick up. As you can see in the pictures I've included, one of our friends got a little too tipsy and decided it was a good idea to invest in the $15CDN mini wooden shield.

The knights are out in this common area once the show is over, where you can get your picture taken with them or get autographs. It is a rather interesting experience and I highly recommend it, at least once.

Now that I live in Toronto I thought I would be practically living at Wonderland, but I don't, probably comes with having more responsibilities than when I am on vacation. This park is definetly based on thrill rides, or some form of roller coaster.

I remember coming to Toronto for a few days before going to Disney World for our honeymoon, we went to Wonderland and had an awesome time on all the roller coasters, once we were in Florida we were disappointed at the lack of thrill rides throughout the different Disney parks. The one day at Wonderland gave more thrills than all of Disney World put together. (That being said, I do love the variety that Disney has to offer and its just that Disney makes up in other places where Wonderland lacks).

Wonderland is usually always busy, although the best times to come are weekday evenings if you are looking for limited crowds. There are always different shows going on but most of them are designed mainly for younger children. The grounds are clean and there are always lots of employees around to answer your questions.

Just in case you haven't heard, parents should stick close to their kids, this summer there was a man who hid in one of the male washrooms and sexually abused two young boys in the same weekend. Now, I haven't heard many stories of this happening, but of course it is possible anywhere. Personally, I would get my son to accompany me into the women's washroom. You never know what sickos are out there.

Of course, as with any amusement parks the food and drinks are more expensive if you purchase from vendors in the park. Wonderland has picnic tables outside of the gate and you are allowed to bring your own food (they say just no glass containers). For food onsite, they have all the regulars, hamburgers, hotdogs, pizza, nachos, french fries, donuts, etc. The one thing I do recommend are the Funnel Cakes. I don't know exactly, but they look like pancake batter that is fried and you can have it topped with ice cream or some type of fruit...um..um..they are good!!

If you are visiting and travel with the family pet, they do have an air-conditioned kennel service near the front gate to help you out. There is lots of parking, and I can't quite remember, but it does cost between $5 and $10 for the day. There is transit service to the park for those without cars, the cost is $4/pp one way. Please see http://www.gotransit.ca for more information.

Well, there are over 60 thrill rides and Slashworks, the water park, is a big bonus, especially on those hot dog days in T.O. If you come to Toronto and are into roller coasters you should definetly put this place on your To Do list.