Tag Archives: Things to do in Toronto

Canadian Air and Space Museum

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It used to be all about cars and trucks.  Then it was trains.  Now it’s airplanes.

Old-fashioned paper planes soar around the main floor of the house causing me to shriek, “Watch the baby!” about a gazillion times a day.  A remote control helicopter was a favourite birthday gift and is quickly becoming a Saturday morning play ritual with daddy.  And of course, Santa didn’t disappoint leaving a battery-powered hovercraft under the tree.

To say that the boys are deep into an “airplane stage” is probably a gross understatement.   To satisfy their love for all things aviation we headed over to The Canadian Air and Space Museum at Downsview Park.

I live about 15 minutes away and I didn’t even know that this gem existed!  The large hangar is home to several to-scale replica planes (including one of the Avro Arrow) and some are even the real deal.

Unlike other museums where I panic that we are going to be the new owners of a priceless Picasso, I wasn’t the least bit anxious when the boys, excited beyond words, ran from airplane to airplane.  Simple cord ropes keep the children back from the exhibit but many of the displays have metal, ladder-like stairs that children can climb in order to get a better view of the cockpit.

A cross-section of an Air Canada passenger jet is tons to fun to explore.  The boys eagerly took their seats and belted up, all the while flicking the tray in front of their seat up and down.

The highlight was sitting in the fighter jet.  The buttons!  Oh, the buttons!  If your kids are anything like my boys, they love pressing buttons and this dashboard is guaranteed to keep even the busiest of fingers occupied for a good five minutes!

What You Need To Know:

  • Admission is $11 per adult and children under 5 are free.
  • Parking is plentiful and free.
  • The hangar is spacious with lots to see but after a few hours you will find yourself ready to head home.
  • There is a flight simulator for older children (and grown-ups too!).
  • Definitely stroller friendly but washrooms are upstairs and no changetables were to be found (of course, I learned this the hard way and had to change an explosion diaper on the front seat of the car . . . in minus ten degree weather!).
  • Looking for some down time?  A quiet colouring station is the perfect place to unwind before packing in the car and heading home.
  • The only way to access the museum is to go through the gift shop, so be warned that this could result in lots of incredibly annoying begging polite requests for a keepsake.
  • I didn’t see food or drink for sale anywhere on the premise, so pack a snack (like your purse isn’t a sink hole of nibblies, crayons, hand sanitizer, Kleenex, etc. anyway).

Check it out!  Let me know if your kids enjoyed it as much as mine.

Do you have an aviation museum in your city?  Share with the rest of us . . .

 

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair

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Every November the country comes to the city.  Horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs and a host of other barnyard residents pack up and make the trek to downtown Toronto.  For ten days urbanites like myself get a chance to intermix with the farmers we depend on for our food.

Toronto can boast that The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, known to locals as The Royal, is the world’s largest indoor agricultural and equestrian competition.  Since 1922, farmers and breeders from all over the globe meet in Toronto annually to share unique breeds (the miniature horses are always a favourite), showcase one-of-a-kind vegetables and discuss emerging trends in agriculture (like using canola oil to power automobiles).

We have attended six consecutive fairs and this year has shaped up to be the best!  The many improvements to the layout and an increase in family-friendly events made this year’s fair better than any before.

HIGHLIGHTS:

-       The President’s Choice Superdogs Show

  • Dogs of all breeds perform tricks; zoom through an obstacle course and parade around an arena.  Seats fill-up fast and once you have taken your place, you are not able to leave.  Make sure everyone has used the washroom before settling in to watch the show.  Strollers must be left in the “stroller parking lot” and be warned, there are close to a hundred Bugaboos, Mountain Buggies and Gracos, which makes exiting the arena seem like rush hour on the 401.

-       The Royal Horse Show

  • This year The Royal has added a unique twist to the show.  In addition to the usual dressage competitions, spectators can watch professional NHL legends play hockey upon horseback!  Be sure to check the schedule and purchase your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

 

-       The Pizza Pizza Petting Farm

  • My favourite exhibit at the fair is the petting farm.  Watching the kids feed llamas, goats, calves, sheep and lambs make the trek downtown worth it.  Five dollars will buy three Dixie cups worth of pellets to hand feed the animals.  Make sure that your little one holds their hand out flat to avoid getting their fingers nipped.   
  • Thank you to Dyson for sponsoring the hand washing station.  All of us germaphobes are able to better enjoy our lunch knowing that goat saliva is no longer caked on our hands.
  • Improved!  In previous years strollers had to be carried up a long flight of stairs and this year the exhibit is located on the main floor.   

 

-       University of Guelph’s Equimania

  • An exhibit all about horses.  Children have the opportunity to ride mechanical horses, pet live horses, braid a horsetail, and complete a series of horse-themed crafts.

 

-       Family Fun Stage

  • A variety of children’s entertainers are scheduled to perform and provide the perfect break from roaming the fair. 

-       Kubota Tractors

  • My boys love this exhibit!  Kubota allows kids to climb in and pretend to operate a plethora of tractors.  Great photo ops but be warned that you may have to drag your little farmer away with the promise of ice cream.

-       Santa

  • November 14th is the final day of The Royal and Santa makes an appearance.  His elves dish out shortbread cookies and candy canes while the man in red listens to children’s Christmas wishes.

-       Food

  • Seriously yummy treats of the fare one would expect to see at a fair (ice cream, cotton candy, fried foods, etc.) to fresh vegetables and fruits, homemade fudge, kettle corn made on premise, freshly made donuts, gourmet lollipops, churned before your eyes butter . . . Oh the list goes on and on!

COSTS:

General admission for a family pass is $46.  Each adult ticket is $20 and each youth ticket (5-17 years) is $16.

Tickets to the horse show and horse hockey are additional.

Parking is $15.

Petting Farm pellets are $2 for one cup, $5 for 3 cups.

Riding the mechanical horse is $5.

Various food stations and artisanal vendors with goods ranging in price.

MY INSIDER TIPS:

  • It is actually cheaper to buy your tickets at the fair compared to on-line.
  • Get to the fair either right at entry time or wait until the afternoon.  The line-up for tickets can be long on the weekends.
  • There are two entrances.  Scope out which line up is shorter.  It was worth our while to walk to the main entrance to The Royal as opposed to using the Direct Energy Centre entrance.
  • Parking underground is the same price as parking above ground but by parking indoors jackets can be left in the car.  The fair is entirely indoors making coats cumbersome.
  • Consider using a carrier for infants or babies and using a compact umbrella stroller for toddlers.
  • Bathrooms are few and far between so use them when you come across them.

LOOKING TO SAVE MONEY:

  • Go after 5 pm for the reduce rate.  We did this one-year and changed the kids into their pajamas for the ride home.
  • Many of the food stands offer free samples for you to enjoy.
  • Take public transit or look for parking away from the Direct Energy Centre.

photo credit: http://royalfair.org/home