t.o.

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you know I'm an intrepid urban explorer. Since moving here, however, I haven't seen all that much of Toronto. I was more focused on our house and our own neighbourhood here in Port Credit. And who could blame me: our first house, first yard, first life in suburbia, our incredible proximity to the lake and the waterfront trail. There's been so much to enjoy right here.

Now, after three months, I'm feeling the urge to see more of Toronto. I've done a handful of things in the city, seen a few neighbourhoods, maybe more than many suburbanites do in a year. But for me, it's next to nothing. I'm ready to start.

By the way, I did get that Soulpepper subscription I mentioned earlier, so that guarantees a certain number of city days. But now I'll start flipping through my Time Out Toronto and randomly picking things to see.

As always, I'm open to all your suggestions. I may not hurry off to do them right away, but if they're on The List, I'll get there eventually.

Comments

  1. Unknown28 November 2005 at 07:14

    hey laura, I think I feel a bit like you in that I know around my area quite well but never explore parts of the city enough. can't wait to hear more about your explorations.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beausejour28 November 2005 at 09:50

    I lived in the Annex when I was there -- it was great! Bloor Street between Bathurst and Bay had everything I ever wanted in a city - bookstores, movie theaters, coffee shops (I wish they werent all chains), restaurants (cheap and pricey), parks, low-key bars.

    Also -- you ought to check out the Danforth (Keep going east on Bloor over the DVP). Also, good friends of mine (also ex-Maritimers and ex-New Yorkers) live in the Beaches and love it. (She is a freelance writer/edtior, He works for a live-webcasting service)

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  3. kelly28 November 2005 at 09:53

    Bloor West Village is lovely, and conveniently is where High Park lives.

    The Beaches (aka The Beach) is lovely, with loads of fun little shops. If it's a nice day, head down to the Boardwalk, but it might be too cold for that now.

    I second the Kensington Market recommendation. If you like cheeses, try World of Cheese or Global. My Market Bakery is yummy, especially try their Potato Leek bread. Divine!

    ReplyDelete
  4. laura k28 November 2005 at 10:30

    Also -- you ought to check out the Danforth (Keep going east on Bloor over the DVP). Also, good friends of mine (also ex-Maritimers and ex-New Yorkers) live in the Beaches and love it.

    I've been to The Beaches and The Danforth, liked them both very much. I especially liked the Danforth, and can see spending more time there.

    I love to explore neighbourhoods, but I'm also looking for museums, buildings, history, culture, views, pubs, bookstores, food, what have you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. laura k28 November 2005 at 10:43

    James: thanks, great list and a useful link. Keep 'em coming!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wrye28 November 2005 at 12:43

    When I visited Toronto, friends physically prevented me from going inside Honest Ed's. They said people went in there never to emerge. Beware! Beware!

    The outside sure was hypnotic, though.

    ReplyDelete
  7. hemlock28 November 2005 at 12:53

    Once again...slow to the comment board.

    I suggest the beaches. I haven't done much exploring along the streets, but I love the neighbourhoods. If I were to live in Toronto, I'd choose the beaches. Ha, I know...I'm dreaming....but it's true! ;)

    Now...if I could only find that elusive high six figure salary.

    ReplyDelete
  8. mister anchovy28 November 2005 at 14:24

    for bookstores, add Nicholas Hoare on Front St. to the list...
    ..go for a walk down Ronsesvailles....enjoy Sunday breakfast at Easy on Queen W....then walk east on Queen through Parkdale - not fancy, but very interesting. Once it warms up, go for a long bike ride, down the Don Valley, or the Humber River trails.
    ...Have a Korean fast food lunch on Bloor near Bathurst, then wander into David Mirvish books on Markham, and get lost in the art books for hours....

    ReplyDelete
  9. laura k28 November 2005 at 14:32

    The Bata Shoe Museum -- no, really! I have no idea how interesting it is, but it exists

    Funny you put this under "minor museums" - it's hugely famous outside of Toronto. For many tourists, it's the first stop. I've read the Bata Shoe Museum is the #2 most visited site in Toronto after the Hockey HOF. I'm actually saving it for when my sister's visit. She loves shoes. :)

    Brilliant list James, thank you.

    Leafgirl, not only are you late, but you're not reading carefully. Beaches is one of the few places I've been. Got any other ideas? ;-)

    Hey Mister Anchovy, those sound nice! On one of our exploratory visits to Toronto, before we moved, we looked at an apartment in Ronsesvailles. What a beautiful neighbourhood - it reminded me so much of lovely neighbourhoods in Brooklyn. (We had an odd experience with a crackpot landlady, who lives forever in our lore as "The Illuminati Woman"...)

    Thanks everybody...!

    ReplyDelete
  10. laura k28 November 2005 at 19:57

    I've read that the Eaton Centre is the #1 visited site, but maybe your list didn't include it 'cause it's shopping. :)

    Bingo. :)

    I'm glad I didn't know that about the Eaton Centre. Maybe the list I saw was "most visited sites that aren't malls".

    By the way, one fun thing to consider: get a copy of Google Earth (the more sophisticated, non-web-based version of Google Maps) and use it to explore Toronto visually and find things you want to see in person.

    I dunno... I know you like it, but it just doesn't do anything for me. I don't need any excuses to spend even more time at my computer.

    ReplyDelete
  11. James Redekop29 November 2005 at 16:01

    One other major site that hasn't been mentioned is Casa Loma, the eccentric Castle overlooking downtown. That's worth a visit as well.

    ReplyDelete
  12. James Redekop30 November 2005 at 18:29

    Another: the Distillery District on Cherry Street.

    ReplyDelete
  13. laura k1 December 2005 at 04:58

    Distillery District: our Soulpepper subscription should take care of that. That's one area I'm really looking forward to seeing.

    I'll be using your list today... :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. laura k1 December 2005 at 07:21

    CN Tower -- as some people have said about the Empire State Building, the best view of the city is from there because you can't see it from there. :)

    !!!!!

    I just caught this!! The Empire State Building is beautiful! It is one of THE classic art deco skyscrapers of its (or any other) age. There are plenty of ugly buildings in New York City (many even as ugly as the CN tower!) but the ESB is not one of them!

    HMPH.

    ReplyDelete

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