Visiting Toronto in 2 weeks; What is there to do?

I’ve lived 1-2 hours from Toronto all my life, but I’ve totally taken it for granted, and don’t know everything it has to offer. I have a friend coming from Chicago (who is originally from France) and this will be his first trip to Canada; I want to make it a good one. We’ll be in Toronto on Jan 15, 16, & 17.

I’m looking for things that will be inexpensive and also Winter friendly. I’d love to do things like the CN Tower, ROM, Casa Loma, etc, but those are all kind of pricey, and too many things like this will cost us a lot.

Also, I’d love it if anyone can suggest bars or pubs that cater to people in the mid to late 20s. We’re staying at the Hilton Garden Inn which is close to Adelaide & Spadina, so it would be great if you could also suggest anything in that area as well.

5 Responses

Simon Tonekham
27 Feb 2010

Nathan Phillips Square is a popular place to do some ice skating (NPS is also where Toronto City Hall is).

If you are into shopping, then there’s the Eaton Centre. Yonge-Dundas Square is also a popular place to hang out as well.

Toronto has a good transit system as well. Please be advised that the single adult fare will cost $3.00CDN next week. A TTC fare allows you to travel on their subways, buses and streetcars.

If you want to find some cheaper hotels in Toronto, then I would suggest going to these websites:
http://www.hotwire.com
http://www.expedia.ca
http://www.itravel2000.com

If you have an American friend, you can check out these following websites:
http://www.priceline.com
http://www.orbitz.com
http://www.expedia.com

Here’s another tourism website in which you can check out:
http://www.seetorontonow.com/

I hope this helps and have a good trip!!!

Chris
27 Feb 2010

Guvernment nightclub and Circa nightclub are the 2 biggest dance clubs, mostly playing house music but they have a hip hop room

Dont waste your money at a hotel, and stay at a Hostel in downtown toronto, and you can meet plenty of other travellers from across the world , instead of running into rich douche bags in the elevator of a hotel. Atleast you can see what the other tourists are up to

And by doing that you wouldn’t have to be so stingy with your money and you could visit all the tourist attractions. Besides why pay so much to relax in a hotel when the whole point of the trip is to explore new places.

Also look into any events going on , usually you can see by looking at ticketmaster.ca , and from there you can by tickets to the event using a credit card

Kam
27 Feb 2010

Don’t go to Circa. It is pretty sketchy and just recently opened up again due to bankrupcy and drug issues. I used to bartend there, I should know.
Cheap and good bars/pubs go to places on Queen West, like Horsehoe Taven & the Rivoli, who usually have live, good music. Or you can go somewhere like Tattoo Rock Parlour, also on Queen West, very cool and cover isn’t too expensive, I think it’s usually $5. If you drink beer, there is a cheap pub called the Black Bull. It is literally right beside the Rivoli & Horsehoe Tavern. Those are not too far from your hotel.

As for attractions, yes the CN is expensive, and not worth it if the weather is bad. I would suggest cool places like Kensington Market, which offers cool shops and bars and just an all around fun area to just walk around and observe. Maybe as well take your friends ice skating at Nathan Philips Square. It is free, and if you don’t own ice skates you can rent some. Good luck and have fun!

Melissa
27 Feb 2010

Im very happy that you and your American are coming to visit Toronto.
Im VERY sure you will have a great time. Its a very beautiful City.

Tourists all around come to Visit Toronto, and the *CN Tower* is their Number one tourist Attration! Its the Tallest Tower in North America, you will have a chance to see Canadas Largest City. Boy, At Sunset Toronto is BEAUTIFUL, you will see all the tall buildings filled with light!

The Toronto Eaton Centre, is a great Mall to Do ALOT of Shopping! Its the Biggest Mall in Toronto. You will have a great time.

There are soo much things to see there. ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) .. Ontario Science Centre, and Art Gallery Of Ontario are great Destinations! .. so many things to take pictures .. etc.

Centre Island, is a beautful Island, you will have a chance to go on the Ferry, and see Toronto’s nice Skyline.

Toronto is very Multicultural. .. So there are places such as China Town, Little Itlay, Greek Town. ..etc.

Take your friend to the Nathan Phillips Square Skating! You guys will have an awseme time! Skating is a really good sport.

Hope u have a lot of Fun!!
Take Care!

golfnwench
27 Feb 2010

Absolutely agree with the writer suggesting the Horseshoe, Rivoli (don’t know Black Bull). Grace O’Malley’s is in the Entertainment District, tends to have a fairly normal 20 year old crowd with live bands. Could check out the St. Lawrence Market on Saturday and go over to the Distillery District to window shop. There’s some reasonable restaurants in the area of the market and maybe one in the Distillery District.
Hockey Hall of Fame is on Yonge St. near Wellington. Much of that area is connected underground by the PATH system of walkways, if the weather is very bad.

Let us know your thoughts!