TRIP TO TORONTO. WHAT TO DO...


The thing is that I will be visiting my son who is studying at the University of Toronto next Easter week.

My interests when visiting a new city -apart from blues and rock music shows- are:

1.- Contemporary architecture;

2.- Discovering places and neighborhoods not mentioned on tourist guides;

3.- One day trip to towns around the main city;

4.- Local "cuisine" as there´s an Spanish cuisine. Not meaning "hi-end cuisine" a la Ferrán Adriá. This trend seems to me like 70s progressive music -how to get the more complicated pentatonic scale-. Let´s keep it simple;

5.- Eating on the cheap. I mean affordable prices. Not breaking the bank;

6.- Drinking undiscovered beers and/or unexpected wines

7.- Bookstores (if they still exists); CD stores -if they still exist- and why not -the vice strikes again- audio stores -if they still exist-;

I´m open to your suggestions.

Thank you all.

Daniel
jesusa0
Bixi bike rentals: Ride all around U of T and hit a couple of museums. You can even ride through China Town. The other place I love is Kensington Market. Buy anything-cheap. My favorite restaurant is Grilled Cheese in Kensington Market.
Coincident speakers are produced about 20km northeast of town. Email Israel Blume about a tour? I think his audiogon name is "Beanie".
If you take a drive down Yonge St. heading north you will come to a little town called Richmond Hill where there is a good little shop called "American Sound" run by Angie...very nice gear there.

Not sure what is left in the downtown area, used to be nice shop in the Yorkville area, but it's been a few years since I was around there. Big HMV music shop on Yonge St. downtown - Bookstores are Chapters - like Barnes and Noble - the little places are gone.

Good restaurants everywhere in TO.

Lots of microbreweries around too....Have fun!

Ct0517 - I went to Western!
Granite Brewery on Eglinton Ave East. A great micro brewery.

The big tower is the CN Tower. It's a must see for a first timer.

Remember, Toronto is Canada's largest city so the opportunity to see top notch live music is abundant. I live in Rochester NY so for me to see a big name in Toronto is easier than going to NYC or Boston. I've spent a lifetime going to Toronto for very short trips. It's a beautiful clean city unlike anything you'll see in most of the U.S.

Comedy. Canadians are some of the funniest people on the planet and unlike say English humor, people from the U.S. get it. See if you can catch a show at Second City.

Good quality food is everywhere. I used to go to this seafood joint called The Filet of Soul. Not sure if its still around. To be honest, I would ask your concierge about dining. That sort of thing changes constantly in big cities. I've never had a bad meal anywhere in Canada. If its packed the food is good. One thing they do in Canada which is more of a tactic you would see at the Campo Di Fiore or Little Italy in New York is they come out on the sidewalk and try to lure you in for a meal. The best places don't need to do this, regardless of pricing.

If you haven't spent much time in Canada, you should try and find a good joint for Poutine. This is fresh cut fries with fresh cheese curds covered in a poultry gravy. It's really good and I've read recently that there's restaurants in Toronto that are kicking it up a bit with fancy ingredients.

There's a ton of great museums. If you have the time check one out. Again ask your concierge. I believe the Art Gallerynof Toronto is remodeling.

Check out China Town.

Go shopping at Eaton Centre.

Spend time asking questions. People are friendly. If your daughter is in school there, it's in your best interest to get to know the city. It's a great one I can assure you.

This is going to piss some people off but Canadians are not in love with the U.S. Remember this. They hate our outlook on gun laws and health care and cannot understand it at all. They basically think we're stupid on issues like this. If you lean towards the right On US politics keep it to yourself.
Soundscapes on College is a great CD shop.

Sonic Boom on Bathurst is great as well, haven't been to their new location but the old one was impressive.

Rotate This on Queen West is great for records.

Both Soundscapes and Rotate this sell tickets to shows and they have a good listing of local concerts on their websites.

Beer wise, Volo on Yonge or Beer Bistro on King Street are good if a bit pricey. C'est What on Front Street is quite good as well.

Hard to narrow down food but I hear that Burger's Priest is supposed to be good.

Lots to do there enjoy your stay...