Doug

The first week of July, my wife and I will be visiting Toronto from the U.S. for the first time. We've heard such great things about the city but we only have 3 days/3nites to explore and experience what Toronto has to offer (we then move on to Niagara Falls for a couple of days). We'll be staying at the Four Seasons and will probably be without a car (at least until we drive down to the Falls).

What would be your "unique to Toronto" can't-miss things to do and can't miss places to eat?

Thanks in advance for all your help......

BAK

My friend Sandra, a world traveller, was at the Four Seasons last week, and says the in-room Pilates treatment was wonderful.

"Unique to Toronto" depends a bit on where you are from, of course. And how old you are and what you enjoy matters.

That said, from the Four Seasons, by foot:
Royal Ontario Museum, one fo the world's great one, a block away.

Bata Shoe Museum, several blocks west along Bloor Street.

Gardiner Ceramics Museum, a block away, across the street from the Royal Ontario Museum.

The cluster of commercial art galleries (where the art is for sale) in Yorkville (the Four Seasons' neighborhood, most;ly up Hazelton from Yorkville Avenue.

Extraordinary food shops, supermartket size, inside Hazelton Lanes shopping center and also a couple of blocks away on Bay Street, at Yorkville Avenue.

You can't beat Truffles, the main dining room of the Four Seasons, but if you want to try, Avalon at Adelaide and John, Canoe on top of the Toronto Dominion Tower of the Toronto Dominion office complex at Bay and King.

Book lovers enjoy both Chapters, a block away, back door on Cumberland, which is the south side of the Four Seasons, and Indigo, two blocks away on Bay Street, just south of Bloor.

Cabs are at the Four Seasons to take you anywaere, and there are subway stops for two routes very close by., one behind Chapters and one across from the royal Ontario Museum.

The Yamato Japanese restaurat on Belair, a couple of blocks away, is very inexpensive and really good for lunch, but the neighborhood is full of excellent restauarants.

Doyou have any serious hobbies?

BAK

MikeT

I would add Toronto's ethnic neighborhoods, especially Chinatown near Spadina and Dundas is one of the most interesting ethnic neighborhoods I've seen.

Doug

Thanks guys for your help.

Our bios, f.y.i.:
My wife and I are from NYC and in our mid-30s. We have a very broad range of interests....honestly, we're just looking to be tourists, to do and see all we can in only a few days time.

Hope that helps. Also, have heard that Toronto has great theater. True? I know we come from a city known for its theater as well, but thought it might be nice to see a show while there. Worth doing or save it for back in NY?

Thanks again....

JMM

My top personal recommendation for anyone visiting the city for the first time is to "Ride the Rocket" for a day - purchase a TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) Day pass ($7.75 Canadian)(Mon-Fri - good for UNLIMITED travel from 9:30 AM to 5:30 AM (the next day), Weekends - good from Start of service until 5:30 AM the next day). Some of my favorite routes are the streetcar lines - in particular (Queen St., Dundas St., King St, College St) These routes go through some of the more interesting parts of the city (The Queen Streetcar Eastbound takes you to the Beaches - nice neighbourhood - lots of shops and restaurants; the Dundas streetcar takes you right past the Art Gallery of Ontario and into China Town, further West into Little Italy, the College/Carleton streetcar takes you West to High Park or East to Little India. Plus of course you can take buses and the subway, the King streetcar West takes you through the business district, through the old industrial area that is getting all yuppiefied, bursts out into the open for a brief view of the Lake, turns north up Roncesvalles and through little Poland (stop at Granowska's for YUMMY pastries, ever had Mauritian food (food from the island of Mauritius in the Indian ocean) - consider stopping at the Blue Bay Cafe - a block from the end of the line). Just wander around, getting on and off buses and streetcars and the subway whenever you want to explore or check out an interesting looking shop or restaurant. You might find yourself in some slightly seedy areas but no part of Toronto is unsafe in broad daylight. Just avoid rush hour (VERY busy and crowded) (about 8AM-9:00AM and 4PM-6PM).
Good website with links to TTC:
www.city.toronto.on.ca/visitors/index.htm
Pick a nice day, get a TTC map and pass and wander.

SuperMom

In addition to BAK's great ideas, you can try toronto.com for lots of great info about Toronto

Mathieu

And may I add, that if you're going the TTC Day Pass route, you may enjoy a leisurely stroll along our waterfront. Take the subway on either the Yonge or University lines southbound and exit at Union Station. Then just walk 6 minutes south along Yonge street and you're there. There are also Ferries at that point to take you for the 10 minute trip across to the Toronto islands where you can have a nice stroll from one end to the other (Wards Island to Hanlans Point or vice versa). Check out the cute tiny homes on Wards island. Have fun and welcome to Toronto.

BAK

Or, to get to the waterfront, get to the aforementioned Union Station subway station, and look for signs for the harbourfront streetcar, which will take you under the highways and railroad tracks, and let you out at the ferry terminal to Toronto Island, or turn west along Queens Quay (pronounced Key) to let you off at other places.

CN Tower is a good idea.
BAK

JetLag

Hi Doug,

Yes, T.O. has a thriving theatre scene. As you are from NY, skip the larger Broadway shows such as the Producers (which you can see at home) and try out some of the smaller local productions. Runs the gamut from very mainstream to very experimental and everything in between. I have no idea what your tastes are, so I recommend you pick up one of the free local weeklies when you get there, they have comprehensive listings. There are also peforming arts festivals at various times of the year.

Also, if you are into dance then do look for some shows by the local or regional companies. T.O. boasts some fine dancers and choreographers.

Music scene is alive and well, I'm told. If you like live music, you won't be hard up for choices. Pretty good nightclubs, too. That is a whole thread unto itself. Again I have no idea what your tastes are so check teh listings and follow your instincts.

And if you like readings and spoken word, you can usually find some interesting voices. As in NY the talent can be hit or miss, but that's part of the fun, no?

Seriously, if you can't find anything to do there at night, then you're not looking.

BAK

Here's something to think about; if you have some favorite NY activities, why not see how Toronto compares?

What I was thinking about to start with was this. If you are a fan of NY steakhouses -- I really enjoy Smith & Wollensky -- youmight try Barbarian's, or Carmen's, in Toronto.

If your wife sews, check out the fabric stores on Spadina Avenue and on Queen Street West, west for a few blocks from Spadina.

Photographer? Compare Vistek and Henry's with B&H and Adorama.

Is the Oyster Bar in Grand Central a favorite? Then try Rodney's, here.

BAK

knitarella

Art & Culture resources in TORONTO

Akimbo http://www.akimbo.biz

Toronto Arts Online http://www.torontoartsonline.org

Cocktails & Restaurants http://www.martiniboys.com

If you need to gete your knit on, I just found this great new knitting place: KNITOMATIC, 1378 Bathurst St, Toronto, 416-653-7849 (St. Clair West subway station, 2 Blocks South of St. Clair)

best dim sum: Laai Wa Heen in the Metropolitan Hotel (off Dundas & University.

Doug

Thanks for everyone's help! Leaving tomorrow, but have one more question first. Flight arrives a little after 11 A.M.....what's the easiest (best) way to get to the Four Seasons at that time of the day? Cab? Train? Bus?

Thanks.....

BAK

If you can afford the Four Seasons, take a limo from the airport.

Limo rates should be around $70, including tip.

There are limo lines outside each of the Toronto airport terminals. The cars are usually regular Lincoln Town Cars, the service is generally fine, and the cars are clean and comfortable.

Talk to the hotel about pilates; apparently that's a real treat, done the Four Seasons way.

Enjoy your visit.

BAK