I live in Mexico and plan to spend summers in either Toronto or Montreal with my kids. Which one has more options? Shopping, day summer camps, learning options attractions. Which one is safer? Should i buy or rent something if I plan to go for 2 months every year?
2006-11-06 14:08:09 · 12 answers · asked by apo 2 in Travel ➔ Canada ➔ Other - Canada
Go to a smaller city - one close to Lake Huron or Georgian Bay. We have fantastic beaches. You can do day trips to Toronto. In the summer Toronto is hot and smoggy. I don't know much about Montreal. All our small towns are safe. Toronto is probably safer than Montreal. Compared to other cities, both are very safe. Rent something.
2006-11-06 15:04:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've lived in the New York City area all my life, and I have family in both Montreal AND Toronto, and I like them both. So, I could be giving you the most objective opinion here on this question...
Toronto has a lot of things that any typical American city would have. It's nice, and it reminds me of an American Great Lakes city but cleaner and bigger than most of them. Very modern, not as old as a lot of American cities - at least doesn't look as old for the most part.
Montreal, however, has very old buildings and areas, mixed in with beautiful modern, new buildings and areas. The French aspect is a great change, you will feel like you're away from home instead of just in a different American city. And although they speak French everywhere, they all also speak English, so you'll never be stuck.
Montreal has plenty for the family, they have everything that Toronto has and they have more in terms of unique things to see and do. Montreal has loads of CHARACTER, Toronto has almost no character at all. Also, Montreal is a 2 1/2 hour drive from Quebec City, a GREAT day trip.
When I was a kid, I spent summers in Canada with my mother's side of the family, and went to both cities. My favorite memories as a child are of Montreal, I can barely remember Toronto, it was boring.
Montreal wins that contest hands down. Have fun!!!
2006-11-06 19:05:20 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Toronto is the place to be for kids, a lot more to do. Canada's Wonderland, Sea World, Toronto Science Center, Ontario Place, and these are just the bigger attractions.
Montreal is more of an adult kind of town, great for jazz and the bar scene and shopping is excellent but much more expensive then Toronto.
If you plan on going for 2 months every year I would suggest renting a couple of rooms at a good bed & breakfast, there are some great ones in any part of the city so you can stay at a different one each year. This is the least expensive way to go and most of your hosts will make you feel right at home. And, since you'll be staying with someone from the city, you'll great tips on all the many things to do in T.O. Just type in Toronto bed & breakfast in your search engine and you're sure to find what you're looking for.
It's very expensive to buy in Toronto. Go to mls.ca and check it out for yourself.
2006-11-06 14:22:39 · answer #3 · answered by CarolynJayne 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I took my kids to Toronto a few years ago and they loved it. They were between the ages of 9 and 13. We stayed right downtown so that we didn't have such hassles with the traffic--we mostly didn't drive, just took busses. It was a wonderful trip. We did discover that some areas of the downtown turn into a red-light district at night. We never felt unsafe, but I was careful about keeping the kids out of streets heavily populated with prostitutes. Haven't been to Monteal, so I can't really compare. I'd spend 1/2 the summer in one place then 1/2 in the other if that's an option.
2006-11-06 14:13:00 · answer #4 · answered by jonahbeast 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Toronto has more because you can easily drive to Niagara Falls from there, if you rent a car, and up to Santa's village, etc. Also, Montreal has most signs in french only, and not everyone speaks english. Unless you also speak french. They are both equally expensive. Montreal has mountains nearby, Toronto has many lakes nearby. Lots of summer camps for children.
Here are some travel websites that my help:
http://www.ontariotravel.net
http://www.discovercanada.com/
2006-11-07 06:35:23 · answer #5 · answered by K M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definately Toronto !!!! There is so many interesting places to take your children to. For Example, The Science Centre is so entertaining for not only children but adults and the Metro Zoo is amazing. Then theres the Royal Ontario Museum and Canadas Wonderland. Oh there are so many wonderful things in Toronto and that's what I would choose :)
Also I would rent something if I were you but not right in the downtown area and I might just make it a different place evey year just to add a little more variety to your trips there.
2006-11-07 00:53:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Montreal is the greatest city in the world... amazing history, culture, and there is tons for kids to do (museums, the big O, Old Montreal, etc)
Toronto is a wannabe Montreal... it thinks it's good, but it really isn't that good.... Toronto is full of stuck-up snobs who think they're all high and mighty, and they cheer for a horrible hockey team.
In terms of safety, Toronto is horrible, especially compared to Montreal. There are lots of gang problems in the Toronto area, and you don't hear about that stuff as much in Montreal.
The streets in downtown Montreal are always full of all different kinds of people, and you don't need to worry about being "different" because nobody cares... you just walk on by, and everyone else does the same. Montreal is always full of energy, and hustle-bustle, where Toronto tends to die and get boring now and then... i've actually been downtown Toronto with the streets being empty and there was nothing going on... that never happens in Montreal.
2006-11-06 15:06:18 · answer #7 · answered by Canadian Scientist 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
For the kids the best bet would be to try toronto. If you're going to be there a while rent a place in kingston, which is only about an hours drive from toronto and has lots to do. you can rent cottages on an island in kingston. it has no roads and is accesed by boat several times a day. make day trips to toronto to see the sights and check out the kingston night life
2006-11-06 18:30:00 · answer #8 · answered by mRNA 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Quebec City! We went there for our honeymoon and then later with kids. It's the most "European" city on this continent, in my opinion. People are very nice; no anti-American stuff (of course they want the dollars). Try to stay at the Hotel Frontenac (sp?) It's like a huge castle over looking the St Lawrence. They have a board walk all around it and many summer evenings of entertainment take place there. I love it!
2016-05-22 05:53:22 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i would say toronto. and maybe you can rent a cottage in maskoka its north ontario for a week. that would be fun for the kids.
shopping is great in both cities. just depends on the age of your kids.
if they are younger i say toronto. if they are older montreal would be a blast.
montreal is mopre european and toronto is moreamerican. both have a lot of great things. like quebec city by montreal.
i would suggest you rent. it will be c\heaper for you in the end
2006-11-07 02:36:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋