The road trip. A Canadian rite of passage to citizens young and old of this vast country. Sooner or later you gotta take one if you want to get anywhere to see anything in this massive land of ours. Last week we packed up the kids and headed to Toronto to visit Ripley’s Aquarium for my youngest daughter’s birthday. This is pretty much the furthest we’ve ever taken them since they were born. To my pleasant surprise I was only asked “are we there yet?” about 17 times.
We checked in to the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, a swanky historic building that once hosted the queen of England AND the Rock. There were a few other famous folk too, but who else do you really need to know about? Our tiny room faced the back of another building and was not likely one of the rooms procured by the for-mentioned celebs, but the kids were impressed anyway.
The aquarium was only two blocks away from our hotel, which was a bonus and we stopped at a restaurant called the Loose moose on the way there. 
My Lunch and my daughter enjoying hers. 
We by-passed the long line of people waiting to get into Ripley’s because I pre-purchased tickets on-line beforehand. I would definitely advise this! There was a lot to see right off the bat, a large tank of fishes towered over your head and when you look down over the railing, you can see a kids play area, slide, horseshoe crab petting etc…. I thought this was a terrible place to put it because of course it’s right at the end of your tour, but the first thing your children see and want to go to! Ripley’s is also right next to the CN Tower, a landmark my children have been talking about seeing for the past year or so. 
Once we tore them away and headed through the dark fish tunnels of the aquarium, chaos ensued.
Crowds. These places would be so incredible if it weren’t for the crowds. It’s hard to look after children, take photos and read all about ocean life when there are hundreds of strangers crowded around trying to see what you want to see. Anyway, it was still a really cool place and for the most part the kids really enjoyed it. I think they also enjoyed riding the subway and street car with their uncle who lives in Toronto just as much.
My favorite part was listening to the kids oooh and aaah at the wonders of the deep, oh and of course the “human conveyor belt” (as my brother in law calls it) you stand on which ferries you through the shark section of the aquarium. We won’t likely be on any road trips as a family any time soon, but one day we will be brave and hopefully visit the east coast with them. My hubby just traded his fishing boat for a pop up camper circa 1983….but that’s a whole other story. Maybe once we pimp it out, it can come on road trips with us too!
Wishing all of you happy road trips and summer fun, enjoy life’s adventures no matter how big or small.
Look at those teeth! Yikes. 
Ahhhh, posing for the camera with daddy. 
I love this stingray photo, so ethereal. 
There were tunnels the kids could crawl through, which took them right through the center of the aquarium! 
Many of the tanks had little areas your kids could crawl under and pop up in the center of. Look at how cute that puffer fish is…awwwwww. 
Hey, there are even a couple pics of me! How unusual. Thanks hubby. 
Lion Fish. 
This felt a t little StarTrekkish to me. 
Notice the scuba diver? 
The wall of jellyfish were totally cool. 
How often do you get to pet a shark? 
Hanging out at the base of the CN tower and Rogers Center. 
Relaxing in the hotel room. 
City hall. 
My hubby and his brother, and a photo of a random stranger reading a book. 
The lobby of our swanky hotel. 
