{"id":27993,"date":"2018-11-30T09:22:12","date_gmt":"2018-11-29T22:52:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/?p=27993"},"modified":"2022-11-07T13:17:28","modified_gmt":"2022-11-07T02:47:28","slug":"toronto-city-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snowys.com.au\/blog\/toronto-city-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"The Essential Guide to Visiting Toronto"},"content":{"rendered":"

Toronto has a lot of names. The \u2018Foodie City\u2019, \u2018the Baby New York\u2019, \u2018T.O\u2019 (T as in Toronto and O for Ontario), are just a handful of them. I never categorise a complete city experience into one label, I certainly do see why Toronto is the city you come to, to eat\u2026 or get an entree of the Big Apple, but served up on a friendly plate.<\/p>\n

With a population of nearly 2.8 million, it\u2019s a sizeable city. I must admit, when I first arrived last month, I was a little, let\u2019s say, confused. Sure, I had come from New York (and we seem to have a special talent for comparing every city to NYC after living there), but I was surprised at how spread out Toronto is.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople leave the city to do things, actually\u201d, a new friend said, when I was looking for Toronto\u2019s \u2018Manhattan equivalent.\u2019 The penny dropped.<\/p>\n

\"People<\/p>\n

Welcome to Toronto, the baby New York.<\/em><\/p>\n

Toronto\u2019s lively neighbourhoods & nooks<\/h2>\n

Alright, this is where the action happens. Just like New York (sorry, I can\u2019t help myself), you can pick where you hang out, according to what you feel like doing (or eating).<\/p>\n

I\u2019m smack-bang in between \u2018Little Portugal\u2019 and \u2018Little Italy\u2019, which could easily be mistaken for the \u2018burbs. But, wandering around the main streets and you\u2019ll find coffee shops, bars and boutiques a-plenty.<\/p>\n

\"Drinking<\/p>\n

Explore the coffee shops, boutiques and bars in the city.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

West Queen West<\/h2>\n

My two favourite spots so far are West Queen West and Chinatown<\/a>. Follow two main thoroughfares, Queen Street and King Street, which connect the two areas.<\/p>\n

Having an affinity for street art, which both neighbourhoods are known for, I enjoy tackling sections of these two main streets, stopping in the various eateries and shops along the way.<\/p>\n

\"Buildings<\/p>\n

Explore the streets and check out the street art along the way.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Chinatown<\/h2>\n

In Chinatown, Graffiti Alley is worth a look (especially if you\u2019re familiar with and love Melbourne\u2019s laneways). Slightly north is the Kensington Markets<\/a> \u2013 the famous and colourfully quirky area that attracts both tourists and local weekend market-goers.<\/p>\n

Distillery District<\/h2>\n

St. Lawrence Market<\/a>, further east in Toronto\u2019s trendy Distillery District<\/a> (a spectacle in itself with its 19th<\/sup> Century whiskey distillery buildings), is another Saturday activity, as it\u2019s shut on Sunday. Meander at your \u2018market-pace\u2019 around the 100+ vendors, bakers, butchers, artists and collectors.<\/p>\n

While the quaint Distillery District has enough indie restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, outdoor sculptors and music performances to keep you occupied, you\u2019re in for a special treat if you visit in November or December \u2013 as this is when Toronto\u2019s Christmas Markets<\/a> is on. Picture a big Christmas tree, fairy lights, mulled wine, sweets, carols and, most probably, snow.<\/p>\n

Again, there’s plenty of opportunities for more food eating, but that\u2019s okay!<\/p>\n

\"Distillery<\/p>\n

Wander through the old distillery district to see what it has to offer.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Where else should you visit?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019ve got time, visit the world\u2019s tallest free-standing structure in the western hemisphere – the CN Tower<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And, if it\u2019s warm enough, head to the Toronto Islands which is only a short ferry ride<\/a> from downtown Toronto.<\/p>\n

\"Ground<\/p>\n

The CN Tower is an iconic landmark to visit in Toronto.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Poutine, pancakes & coffee<\/h2>\n

You can literally eat your way around the world without leaving Toronto\u2026 Latin American, Italian, Greek, Portuguese, Indian, Chinese, Polish as well as many Canadian-themed dishes.<\/p>\n

Get ready to eat more than you should (but it\u2019ll be worth it) consuming triple-stacked pancakes, sweet Canadian bacon or poutine \u2013 french fries, cheese curds, brown gravy and usually some delicious meat.<\/p>\n

And yes, it\u2019s as good as it sounds. Forget the calories.<\/p>\n

\"Plate<\/p>\n

Toronto is known for its food, so sample as much as you can!<\/em><\/p>\n

Enjoy some craft beer tasting<\/h2>\n

Brunch is also religion here, as is craft beer tasting. Check out Bellwoods Brewery, Kensington Brewing Company and Junction Craft Brewing.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re stuck in food choice paralysis, Blog TO<\/a> is a great resource for finding somewhere to dine.<\/p>\n

\"Dining<\/p>\n

Daily brunch is not to be missed during your visit.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Organising your trip to Toronto<\/h2>\n

Life in Canada is pretty darn close to home, culture-wise. You don\u2019t need to worry about vaccinations or learning the basics of a new language.<\/p>\n

\"Buildings<\/p>\n

Organising and planning a trip here is fairly straightforward.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Transport to and from the airport<\/h2>\n

When you\u2019re booking your flight, keep in mind there are two airports. If you\u2019re travelling from Australia, you\u2019ll most likely arrive at Pearson International Airport. Jump in an Uber to the city, which should only be around CAD$24 vs. a $55 taxi.<\/p>\n

However, if you\u2019re connecting in North America, you might land at Billy Bishop Airport on Toronto Island. Walk 10 minutes in the underground tunnel and you\u2019ll come out in downtown Toronto.<\/p>\n

Getting around the city – Uber Pool and the Subway system<\/h2>\n

Getting around the city depends on two things: the weather and where you want to go. I use Uber pool most of the time, but there is an underground subway system, Toronto Transit Commission, and something locals call \u2018the trolley\u2019, which is like Melbourne\u2019s tram system. Visit TTC<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n

But given that Toronto\u2019s public transport is notoriously poor, many Torontonians ride their bike. And yes\u2026 that’s in sunshine, rain, hail or snow.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Ride, walk or use ride-sharing services when getting around the city.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Booking accommodation – where should you stay?<\/h2>\n

As for pre-booking your accommodation, don\u2019t assume that you need to be right in the city\u2019s downtown (near the water). Remember, the outer neighbourhoods are where it\u2019s at. I\u2019d suggest looking for AirBnb\u2019s around Chinatown, Little Portugal, and King West Village. I spent most of my time in the Chinatown district. It\u2019s always best to book a week or two earlier, especially during the warmer months.<\/p>\n

Packing for the weather<\/h2>\n

The last part of your preparation, and probably the most important part, is packing for the weather. The summer sits at a perfect mid-twenties, but as soon as we get closer to November, it gets chilly\u2026 and I mean bone-aching kind of cold. Rug up, Aussies.<\/p>\n

\"Packing<\/p>\n

Pack your warm down jacket, a beanie and a scarf to keep yourself warm.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

What gear to bring to Toronto<\/h2>\n