The "Things to do in Toronto when you visit" thread
- Thread starter Arn
- Start date
Nik the Trik said:
Yeah, I got the sense it was quite hipstery. Even some of the descriptions by locals smacked me as hipstery. I'm surprised they didn't do any restaurants on King closer to York and nothing to speak of on Yonge. No Yorkville and very little in the annex.
At any rate, I'll be going to Pancers today at your suggestion. I'll let you know how it goes.
Arn
Active member
Bender said:What have you done/what stands out so far?
I did a lot of standard tourist stuff - up the CN Tower, which was pretty cool and even more expensive than anticipated, but sure why not. Took in the Royal Ontario Museum which was pretty cool as much from a point of view of my interest in architecture - I'd love to see the reaction if they tried something like that here in Northern Ireland.
I checked out a couple of the delis mentioned in this thread for lunches and went down to the St Lawrence and Christmas and some other market. I also tried Poutine, which was interesting!
Went up to Casa Loma, again as much from my interest in architecture. They were putting on a few shows with carol singers and some Peter Pan ballet type show so it was fairly buzzing, and got some great views back down to the city skyline. Really impressive house though.
Took in a Leafs game in Gretzkys (senators) and another in Real Sports (Stars) - insane number of TVs - (and of course attended the ACC on Sunday for the Boston game) and had a seriously good steak in The Keg on Monday night. Went to the Steam Whistle Brewery and generally drank quite a lot of Steam Whistle (and a few other beers) over the course of the week. Went skating at City Hall. I struggled badly at this cos it was I think the 4th time I'd ever been skating in my life, but it was awesome fun.
Took a day to go down to Niagara Falls, which was incredible as much cos of the way it was all beginning to freeze up. I'd love to have seen it with a bit more snow though! Stopped off in Niagara on the Lake and at Dan Akroyd's vineyard (apparently) to try ice wine.
Again as suggested here, and something I'd never even have thought of, got tickets to Roy Thomson Hall for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra on Friday night and had a really enjoyable evening despite not being hugely familiar with all the programme they played.
Other than that we generally just wandered about in between times in various neighbourhoods up round China Town and the Italian parts and round the colleges. Tried to avoid the PATH so we could be outside and see more of the city, and thankfully until really yesterday it wasn't overly cold. Just a really relaxed and enjoyable week and I definitely would hope to come back again.
maplesyrup
New member
Wow! You crammed in a couple things I've never done. Good for you.
Arn
Active member
It was a great time thanks. Tried to shoe horn in a lot and still probably missed plenty. Still had time to chill out though. It's a great city and I'll be back!
I think Niagara was a bit of a highlight. It was absolutely freezing and ice everywhere and looked incredible. Way better seeing it like that than in the summer sun I think!
I think Niagara was a bit of a highlight. It was absolutely freezing and ice everywhere and looked incredible. Way better seeing it like that than in the summer sun I think!
LittleHockeyFan
Moderator
Arn said:
I agree with you. Hubby and I got married on Valentine's Day (back in the dark ages) and we went to Niagara. It was frozen over when we were there that particular year, but absolutely gorgeous. We go for the anniversary weekend every couple years now, and they've got the coloured lights on it and it's generally way more commercial than it was back in the early 80s? but it's still just a beautiful sight, and a lovely walk along the river too.
I'm glad you guys had such a great time here, Arn. Hope you make it back again someday!
Stickytape
New member
Wow, nice work getting all that done! You made some great choices there, and I'm glad you had a good time. Come back soon!
hockeyfan1
New member
Glad you enjoyed Toronro, Arn. I am a Torontonian myself, yet I still haven"t seen all of what the city has to offer! 
Hope you come back someday. In the summer months, leading all the way to the TIFF (Toronto International Film Fesrival) event well into early fall, the city comes to life even more with so many festivities (including the world class Roger's Cup tennis tournament).
Check out Canada's Wonderland (North of Toronto), the Luminato Street Fesrival, Caribana, Jambana, Dundas Square events, Victoria Day fireworks, the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition), Black Creek Pioneer Village, Ripley's Aquarium, the Blue Jays, and the list goes on.... Also, if you happen to be here in mid-November, there's the Santa Clause Parade (the world's largest and best).
Oh, by the way, if you happen to be in Toronto in the summer during World Cup soccer time, should Italy win some games or even win the World Cup itself, College Street ("Little Italy") becomes a sea of dancing, flag-waving, and singing scenario with so many Italian people (young & old), having come on down mostly from Woodbridge). No cars can usually pass through, and all are welcome to the official Toronto Italian street party!
During the World Cup, you'll be seeing the colours of various flags displayed on people's car windows -- Spain, Italy, Germany, many nationalities.
Anyways, have a safe trip home and "Merry Christmas" to you & your family.
Hope you come back someday. In the summer months, leading all the way to the TIFF (Toronto International Film Fesrival) event well into early fall, the city comes to life even more with so many festivities (including the world class Roger's Cup tennis tournament).
Check out Canada's Wonderland (North of Toronto), the Luminato Street Fesrival, Caribana, Jambana, Dundas Square events, Victoria Day fireworks, the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition), Black Creek Pioneer Village, Ripley's Aquarium, the Blue Jays, and the list goes on.... Also, if you happen to be here in mid-November, there's the Santa Clause Parade (the world's largest and best).
Oh, by the way, if you happen to be in Toronto in the summer during World Cup soccer time, should Italy win some games or even win the World Cup itself, College Street ("Little Italy") becomes a sea of dancing, flag-waving, and singing scenario with so many Italian people (young & old), having come on down mostly from Woodbridge). No cars can usually pass through, and all are welcome to the official Toronto Italian street party!
During the World Cup, you'll be seeing the colours of various flags displayed on people's car windows -- Spain, Italy, Germany, many nationalities.
Anyways, have a safe trip home and "Merry Christmas" to you & your family.
Bullfrog
Active member
My turn now. I'm heading to Toronto next month, around the 22nd to 26th or so. I have two business meetings and am getting reimbursed for two nights in a hotel and my flight, so I figured I'll extend it a couple of days and bring my wife and 5 year old boy. I've been to Toronto a bunch of times, but don't generally do much because I fly in for a meeting and immediately fly back home.
Anyway, we're on a very tight budget and would prefer to stay in Toronto and on public transport lines as much as possible. My son is absolutely obsessed with cars and diecast cars. Is there anything downtown that might satisfy that obsession? Like a diecast car store (hotwheels, Maisto, Jada, etc.) or an auto museum?
Also, any other suggestions for a five year old? They don't have to be car related. What about the science centre?
Anyway, we're on a very tight budget and would prefer to stay in Toronto and on public transport lines as much as possible. My son is absolutely obsessed with cars and diecast cars. Is there anything downtown that might satisfy that obsession? Like a diecast car store (hotwheels, Maisto, Jada, etc.) or an auto museum?
Also, any other suggestions for a five year old? They don't have to be car related. What about the science centre?
That's a good question actually. I wonder if centreville would still be open. I loved that place as a kid (on the island).Bullfrog said:
Science centre is a bit off from the subway line. Same with the Zoo iirc.
Maybe Eaton's Centre would be a cool experience. I'm sure there's a games and toys shop... But I'm going to have to defer to someone else who has kids to field this one.