Celebrate Family Day 2014 at Toronto entertainment venues and on the waterfront

   One-Tank Trip for Feb. 8/14

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Have a howling good time on the Family Day weekend at the Toronto Zoo, look down on the metropolis from the CN Tower and let the kids bounce, laugh, play, run and scream.

   The Toronto waterfront has Woofjocks canine sports, Inuit art, crafts and free hot drinks.

   And, for a sweet treat, join a cupcake decorating class at Le Dolci.

Face painting is one of the activities offered on Family Day on Toronto’s Waterfront.

   It’s all happening at the zoo

   Vanessa Somarriba of Tourism Toronto is our guide, suggesting the following things to see and do on the Family Day Weekend from Feb. 14 to 17.

   - Toronto Zoo: Cold-loving furry friends are looking for visitors for the Polar Bear Fest.

   “The Arctic wolves and foxes, the reindeer – and certainly the polar bears – are embracing our chilly temperatures instead of hibernating from them,” she said.

   There are meet-the-keeper talks, polar bear photobombing, crafts and prize draws. torontozoo.com

The night-time view of Toronto’s downtown from high atop the CN Tower’s revolving restaurant. (Jim Fox photo)

   - CN Tower: Catch a breathtaking view from the Look Out and Glass Floor with its thrilling 342-metre view straight down to the ground.

CN Tower’s 360 The Restaurant offers a $1,600-an-ounce shot of Remy Martin Louis XIII Grande Champagne Cognac from its “world’s highest wine cellar.” (Jim Fox photo)

   Or, take your love to new heights for a romantic Valentine’s/Family Day dinner at the sky-high and revolving 360 The Restaurant, home of the “world’s highest wine cellar.” cntower.ca

   - Kids-Fest: Billed as “Canada's largest indoor inflatable show,” kids can bounce, run and scream at the International Centre in Mississauga.

   There will be stage shows, face painting and pony rides at the Feb. 16 and 17 event that’s also at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton from Feb. 15 to 17. kids-fest.ca

   - Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park: This is the place to jump, leap and defy gravity on the all-trampoline walled playing court.

  Activities include Open Jump, 3-D Dodgeball and SkyRobics workouts, with parks in Toronto and Mississauga. toronto.skyzonesports.com

   - Le Dolci: Sweets for the sweet are at “Toronto’s fun, foodie studio.”

   Le Dolci, “Toronto’s fun, foodie studio,” offers cupcake decorating classes for couples. (Barbara Fox photo)

   There’s a Valentine’s cupcake decorating class for couples on Feb. 14 and 15, working with fondant and buttercream, to create treats adorned with “hearts, roses, bows and cupid’s arrows.”
   A truffle-making class shows the art of making ganache from scratch; there’s a Valentine’s Afternoon Tea on Feb. 16 with scones, macarons and sandwiches; and a Family Day cupcake class. ledolci.com

   Play it again, Sam

   - Toronto Symphony Orchestra: The classic romantic film Casablanca is being presented as never before on Feb. 14 and 15 at 8 p.m. at Roy Thomson Hall.

   The orchestra will perform Max Steiner’s score live to the film, “enhancing every beat of the movie’s noble heart with luscious live sound.” tso.ca

   - Ontario Science Centre: The AstraZeneca Human Edge exhibition hall explores the human body through more than 80 exhibits.

   Through May 5 is Sesame Street Presents: The Body where kids can run, jump and play their way through an interactive exhibition. ontariosciencecentre.ca

   - Royal Ontario Museum: Learn about Wildlife Diversity, incredible insects, mammals and reptiles, Feb. 15 to 17. See the Earth Rangers animal show (Feb. 15, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.); the Bat Cave with live bats and owls; animal artifacts and insects; dinosaur mascots Gordo, Gertie and Gurgle; crafts; and the aquarium keeper (Feb. 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.). rom.on.ca

   - Also: Family activities are at the Art Gallery of Ontario, Gardiner Museum, TIFF Bell Lightbox and Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament.

   For more information and to plan a getaway: SeeTorontoNow.com; 1-800-499-2514

   On the waterfront

   Free activities are offered on Family Day, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Toronto’s Waterfront.

   “Families can check out the Woofjocks at PawsWay, take part in hands-on activities and tour the Museum of Inuit Art, make crafts and experience face painting in Queen’s Quay Terminal,” said publicist Peter Ashworth.

Woofjocks canine sports will be presented at PawsWay during Family Day on Toronto’s Waterfront.

   Also at PawsWay are clowns Pockets and Bilboa with magic shows, making balloon animals and helping with pet-themed face painting.

   Presented by the Waterfront BIA (Business Improvement Area), visitors can “warm up with free refills of hot beverages,” he added.

   Bring along an insulated mug for masala chai tea at Indian Roti House; tea or hot-mulled apple cider at Iron Rose Tea Gallery; and coffee or hot chocolate at Lick It Gelata, Music Garden Cafe, Rabba Fine Foods, RBC Insurance, Sobeys and Williams Fresh Cafe.

   The Wine Shop at Queens Quay West and Simcoe Street will have samples of Panama Jack’s Cream Wine Liquor. waterfrontbia.com; (416) 596-9821

                                                                                

-30-

Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca