Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

The aquarium is busiest from late morning to mid-afternoon, on weekends, school holidays and rainy summer days. Arrive at opening, or come in the evening on days with extended hours, when families have gone home. Check the official site before you go for hours.

Tickets are sold online in advance, often for a set date and entry time, which avoids the ticket line. Prices can vary by day and season. Check the official site before you go.

If you arrive at a busy time, move quickly through the first galleries to Dangerous Lagoon before the crowd bunches up, then circle back. The tunnel is quietest right after opening.

The aquarium and the CN Tower are neighbours, and combination tickets have been offered at a discount on the two separate prices. City attraction passes have also included both; compare before you buy.

The Discovery Centre is built for children: viewing bubbles, a mock submarine and touch pools. The whole building is step-free and stroller-friendly. Dive shows are a good way to keep younger kids engaged.

There is a cafe inside the aquarium. For more choice, the restaurants around the CN Tower, Union Station and along Front and King streets are all within a short walk.

Hotels in the Entertainment District, around Union Station and the hotel built into the Rogers Centre next door are all a short walk away. From any of them the aquarium, the CN Tower and the waterfront can be done on foot.

Across Bremner Boulevard, Roundhouse Park preserves a railway roundhouse and turntable, historic locomotives and the Toronto Railway Museum, free to wander outside. It is a good contrast after a couple of hours indoors.