Going To Toronto, What Should I See/Do

[Doctor Q]

Just look at that view!

Edgewalk

link

Thanks. I saw that when I looked over the CN Tower site. It looks a fun tower to visit but that you can spend a lot of money in a short visit.

I usually can't resist towers and monuments with views so I've gone up towers in many cities I've visited: Vancouver Lookout, citymates Willis Tower and John Hancock Center, the Empire State Building, the Washington Monument, the Eiffel Tower, and the Yokohama Landmark Tower. And once upon a time the World Trade Center.

The one I found most difficult as a tourist was Bunker Hill Monument on Breed's Hill in Boston. I charged up the stairs, didn't carry water, and didn't pause to rest enough. The air was stale with only a tiny window now and then. By the time I got to the top I was gasping. But the view was nice.

I've seen the St. Louis Gateway Arch from a distance but for some reason I never realized that you could go up inside. I'll keep that on my bucket list.

I wonder if we have any towers with views for tourists here in Los Angeles. Not being an L.A. tourist, I never thought to check!

EdgeWalking looks scary, but not as terrifying as tightrope walking up a cable car wire!

 

[cuestakid]

HOCKEY HALL OF FAME.

That is all.

Its the only reason I wanted to go there...however I want to add one small thing- Gretzky's restaurant-food ain't great but still must go to it and see the cool stuff there (jerseys, photos, ect)

 

[balamw]

Thanks. I saw that when I looked over the CN Tower site. It looks a fun tower to visit but that you can spend a lot of money in a short visit.

If you go to Niagara, you can always try the CN Tower's cheaper and smaller mini-me http://www.skylon.com/.

We did them both a few years ago and I'm not too fond of man-made heights.

Also FWIW my family just had a blast at Ontario Science Center http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/ and I enjoyed it too on our last trip.

B

 

[Apple OC]

ROM ... Royal Ontario Museum ... world class.

Casa Loma is amazing ... hard to believe it was a home.

 

[Raid]

As a fellow Torontonian, I can assure you that no Toronto trip is complete without a trip to Zanzibar's.

We should also add that Zanzibar is also just a few stores up and across the street from Salad King now...

But yeah, skip Zanzibar and stick to Salad King. The best 'day wasters' places would be the Ontario Science Centre or the ROM, the Science centre can be a pain to get to if you don't have a rental car, but worth it if you like interactive science stuff.

 

[Zombie Acorn]

Dufflet.

 

[Surely]

Dufflet.

Yeah. Finally something we can agree on.

 

[TwinCities Dan]

Never been to Canada but I hear cool shiz happens behind the Drake Hotel in the alleys?

 

[Surely]

Never been to Canada but I hear cool shiz happens behind the Drake Hotel in the alleys?

What, like magic tricks?

 

[TwinCities Dan]

What, like magic tricks?

Oh, I thought it was a more well known event.

All I had heard was that once a year they invite some talented "street artists" to "decorate" the surroundings?

 

[Surely]

Oh, I thought it was a more well known event.

All I had heard was that once a year they invite some talented "street artists" to "decorate" the surroundings?

I know. I was just messin' with ya.

I remember there's a great Pho restaurant around there too.....

 

[Iscariot]

A Toronto Island bike ride certainly sounds more leisurely than the Haleakala bike ride I took last year. I'm not sure I'd take the time, however, since if I get to go to Toronto it'll be for only a few days with a lot to see. I could easily spend an entire day in the Science Centre alone. Earlier this year I managed to stay in the Natural History Museum in Washington DC from opening time to closing time. And then I went back the next day for more!

The Toronto Island is located right downtown, and ferries run every ~20 minutes; a trip could be made in ~3 hours pretty easily. That said, there's not a whole lot to see or do on the island, so I'd probably skip it.

Is Casa Loma a tourist trap or good for getting a history lesson? I've taken tours of historic homes and some of them are better than others. Is it easy to get to? (Their map link is broken.)

I'd say it's rather tourist trap-y. I live here and I haven't been since grade school. As per your second question, it's easy to get to.

I'd seriously consider going to The Second City for some non-serious entertainment, if others recommend it. Anybody been to one of their shows?

I've seen a couple good shows there.

 

[Lord Blackadder]

Has anyone mentioned the Distillery Historic District? It's a pretty neat adaptively re-used historic whiskey distillery complex with shops, pubs and restaurants.

 

[Apple OC]

Has anyone mentioned the Distillery Historic District? It's a pretty neat adaptively re-used historic whiskey distillery complex with shops, pubs and restaurants.

^^^ A very good choice

 

[iJohnHenry]

I doubt if you'll be doing any domestic tasks, but the St. Lawrence Market is steeped in tradition.

Farmers, butchers, and the like.

Lots of atmosphere, and a good nosh, here and there.

 

[*LTD*]

The Brass Rail.

Ask for Maria.

 

[Sankersizzle]

The Brass Rail.

Ask for Maria.

The scenery at Zanzibar's is waaayy better! Drinks are cheaper too .

 

[iJohnHenry]

Do we know the OP's music taste, the better to direct him to a live venue??

 

[Surely]

I doubt if you'll be doing any domestic tasks, but the St. Lawrence Market is steeped in tradition.

Farmers, butchers, and the like.

Lots of atmosphere, and a good nosh, here and there.

Before I moved to LA, I lived right next to the St. Lawrence Market. I think I was in that place 3-4 times a week.

Although most of the place is as you said, there are some places to eat in there as well. There's a great Italian place in the basement that makes a famous breaded veal and eggplant sandwich, there are a few good places for breakfast, a crepe place, sandwich places, fresh fish places, etc. Plus, a lot of the venders give samples of their foods, especially on Saturday when it's the busiest there.....the deli on the left side near the middle gives freshly sliced prosciutto and cheese.....so good.

Keep in mind the market is closed on Sundays and Mondays.

EDIT: And the House of Lancaster beats the Brass Rail and Zanzabar.

What part of my post drove "someone" to -1 it?

 

[iJohnHenry]

What part of my post drove "someone" to -1 it?

Probably the House of Lancaster.

I remember one at the S/W corner of University and King??

My, the things I saw there, before they kicked them out.

 

[Surely]

Probably the House of Lancaster.

I remember one at the S/W corner of University and King??

My, the things I saw there, before they kicked them out.

Nope. it was -1ed before I put the HoL comment in there. I think I know who did it.....

I can't remember which location I used to go to......I went a few times when I was still in high school and had a crappy fake ID that they didn't ever check. And I looked young (I still do). We used to order the oldest and least-attractive dancer to give a lap dance to a friend of mine. Every. Time. It was hilarious.



Getting back to the Market.....it's actually a really good place to go to as a tourist, especially because of its location. Browse around and eat for a couple of hours in the morning, and then walk west on Front street to the Hockey Hall of Fame for the rest of the day.

 

[Apple OC]

House of Lancaster is a complete Dive ... just driving past it will confirm that.

 

[Surely]

Another great little area to walk around in is the Annex. Little shops, coffee houses, bars, restaurants.....the area has some character.

There's a restaurant there called Future's that we used to go to for dessert. They have an amazing selection of cakes.....I used to get a different type each time we went. Good espresso drinks as well.

 

[*LTD*]

In all seriousness though, visit the Harbourfront area. Get on a boat and go out onto the lake.

Do note, that we also have an entire city (well, there's a lot to see and do) underground. Lots of shops, restaurants, etc.

Union Station would be a good place to start for that, and you can walk underground all the way to the Eaton Centre. However, if you check out Yonge Street by the Eaton Centre (outside) you'll see lots of activity.

The big pointy thing, and the hideous domed building beside it.

Queen Street (for shopping)
Bloor Street (shopping for expensive stuff)
"The Beaches"
AGO
Science Museum (not joking)
Apple Store
Steamwhistle Breweries
The Esplanade (a short street with good pubs/bars. The best is The Bier Market)
Does Toronto FC play now? Go watch them.
The Blue Jays
Hockey Hall of Fame

Great list!

 

[Surely]

In all seriousness though, visit the Harbourfront area. Get on a boat and go out onto the lake.



Great list!

Except for the Toronto FC part....they're just awful.

What about the Arrrrrrrrrrrgos?