I was raised in the suburbs of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area), but I was born in the city. My heart will always call out to Toronto. As a teen, I know it’s difficult to get your kids excited about hanging out with their parents; planning some time in Toronto could change that. Here are some of my favourites that the whole family can enjoy!
Toronto | Kensington Market
Best described as an attack on the senses, Kensington Market is one of my favourite neighbourhoods in the city. There is so much to look at and so many different places to explore – if your teen is as curious as I am, they’ll feel like a kid in a candy store. There are a lot of great restaurants here (try The Burgernator for dinner and Sweet Olenka’s for dessert!) and every wall is the perfect place for an Instagram picture.
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Toronto | The CN Tower
The CN Tower is a classic symbol of Toronto. Whether you’ve never visited, only been once or seen the view countless times, their new LookOut level will provide you with a completely different perspective! The newly installed two-tier glass floor provides a view under your feet straight to the ground. If you have an adventurous teen, the Edgewalk is the World’s Highest External Walk on a Building according to the Guinness World Record! This attraction is on the more expensive side, but it is also a Canadian Signature Experience and an Ontario Signature Experience. There is also the 360 Restaurant (a great fine dining experience).
Seeing Mary Poppins at the LOT!
Toronto | Lower Ossington Theatre
One of my favourite things to do is see live productions at the Lower Ossington Theatre! They have multiple stage locations with a wide range of shows to see. Whether your teen is a Broadway fanatic or they just want to have a laugh, there is a performance that they can enjoy. On right now: the cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show; the kid-friendly Willy Wonka The Musical; and a Broadway musical based on Disney’s Newsies. The mainstage is a cozy venue located near trendy restaurants and shops (my favourites: Pizzeria Libretto and Peace Treats).
The Blue Whale Exhibit from 2017
Toronto | The Royal Ontario Museum
Now, this may just be my inner nerd speaking, but I absolutely love the ROM. They always have really interesting and diverse exhibits for all kinds of passions. Their current exhibits are an excellent example of this! Was your teen obsessed with the MET Gala fashions? Take them to see Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion. Can your teen recite all the lines from the Star Wars movies? They should check out Philip Beesley: Transforming Space. Is their favourite subject biology? Help them expand their knowledge with Spiders: Fear & Fascination. Learn something new through their exhibits that are interactive for parents and teens alike!
The CNE in 2016
Toronto | The Canadian National Exhibition
The CNE (also called The Ex) is a huge annual exhibition that takes place at the end of the summer at Exhibition Place. The carnival style rides, food trucks, and live entertainment make it difficult to not have a good time. The event goes on for the last 18 days before Labour Day weekend (this year: August 17 to September 3) and is a great source of family fun!
Though it can sometimes be difficult to connect with your teen, the city has so many different activities and places to explore. These are some of my favourite places in Toronto. I hope you and your teens will enjoy them too!
(Looking for fall activities in Toronto? Check out: https://globetrottingmama.com/top-5-things-toronto-fall/)
For more information on Toronto visit www.seetorontonow.com
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Nice article. I also went Toronto when I was 19 year old an seriously this city is amazing to travel and full of fun for all age travelers, specially for teenagers. Thanks for sharing this.
Almost everything is interactive, but KidSpark is a learn-through-play area that’s fun for all ages, especially the little ones. The huge playground, designed in part by children, is an enticing feature for yours.
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