[MrSlacker]

I am going to Toronto for the first time in a few days. I have never been to Canada so I have a few questions.

I will be staying close to downtown at my friend's place so I'll be fine with transportation.

1) Where is the best place to exchange currency?

2) What are touristy places I should check out?

3) Any bars or restaurants that are interesting?


Also, any other tips or advice on what to do in Toronto?


Thanks

 

[Pricklely Peete]

Hi MrSlacker,

Well you'll notice TO is a lot like NYC except much smaller and quite a bit safer (for the most part). Go to any Bank branch to exchange money ....the money changers downtown will charge more for the currency exchange although it's not a big difference.

The best places to start are Yonge St. Dundas Square is the heart of the downtown core, that being said good places to explore are Queen St West, Bloor Yonge (Yorkville area for major upscale shopping and restaurants), The Harbor Front has many cool places to experience, Nathan Phillips Square for outdoor skating (like the Rockefeller Place in NYC) and some interesting buildings (used for scenery in the original Star Trek series, you'll see what I mean when you get there). Another good place to check out is the CN Tower, no other building like it anywhere.....the theater district has excellent restaurants, entertainment and night clubs as does Queen St W and Bloor West. China town is worth a look (Dundas and Spadina) the Greek section On Bloor St East is another great area to spend an evening. What else....the Ontario Science Center, the Metro Zoo, The ROM,.......Massey Hall, Air Canada Center (for NHL Hockey and NBA B Ball).......that should occupy you and empty your wallet pretty quick. Oh Brunch at the King Edward Hotel on Sundays is outstanding but pricey (Belgian waffles there rule !!!! ).

Stay away from Jarvis E to Parliament St's between Bloor and King St's, those areas are pretty rough after dark. Other than that people are pretty cool for the most part and will help out a lost tourist with info etc...

Good luck and I hope you have fun...

Peete.

 

[Caribou679]

In Montreal we were under the impression that the clubs close at midnight in Toronto! LOL!!

Is this still true?

regards,

 

[oogabooga]

I strongly echo the CN Tower, as well as walking around Yonge / Dundas Square. Yorkville and Bloor has some great shopping. More "indie" things can be found around Queen St., I believe. There are a few nice restaurants - a favourite of mine is Milestone's (nothing special or Toronto-ish, just damn good food IMHO). Street meat is a Toronto favourite - don't worry, it's safe! Go to a Cora's for breakfast at least once - they are damn tasty - and probably cheaper than the King Ed

The Parliament Buildings at Queen's Park and the neigbouring University of Toronto have a lot of nice architecture that are worth seeing, if you like that thing.

A lot of the summer attractions (zoo, lion safari, Chetlenham Badlands, Centre Island) would probably suck in this weather

And since we're on Head-Fi - if you ever wanted to try out random headphones or IEMs, there's a store in Toronto that sells Grados, Senns, UEs, Shures, etc - and you can demo all their headphones and IEMs (they clean em off). PM me if you want the name/address - I'm not affiliated with them at all but I don't want to be seen as advertising for them either

 

[grawk]

Casa Loma is pretty cool.

The big thing you have to worry about is not getting let back into the US...

 

[digger945]

Make sure you don't forget your drivers licence and original birth certificate/other identification, you'll need it at the border.

 

[oogabooga]

2-3AM, last time I went. Last call is at 2, usually. Vancouver, where I am now, is about the same, although I *think* some places stay open till 4AM. Of course Montreal is the best in the country. The basement of McKibbins is probably my favourite pub spot in the world so far!

That reminds me - Pubs!

The Bier Market (there are two, I've been to the one on Esplanade) is a good time - LOTS of different beers, live music on weekends (usually cover bands). They're a restaurant in the evening and a bar in the late night.

If you still like beer but want a quieter more formal restaurant atmosphere, the Beer Bistro is a mildly ritzy place with even more beer choices, "taster" size glasses, etc. Good food too.

Of course, if you have a car, go to Niagara Falls. It's cold, but as long as it's not raining/snowing it's as majestic (if not moreso) in the winter than in the summer. Niagara's got all the weird touristry attractions too - wax museums, casinos, novelty stores, the works.



Quote:

Originally Posted by Caribou679 /img/forum/go_quote.gif In Montreal we were under the impression that the clubs close at midnight in Toronto! LOL!! Is this still true? regards,

 

[oogabooga]

Taking a passport helps too. If you're close to the age (19) some pubs may reject a non-Ontario license if the bouncers are uninformed and don't know what the IDs look like. Passports should work anywhere.

 

[MrSlacker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oogabooga /img/forum/go_quote.gif Taking a passport helps too. If you're close to the age (19) some pubs may reject a non-Ontario license if the bouncers are uninformed and don't know what the IDs look like. Passports should work anywhere.

Really? I turned 19 just a few months ago... NY State driver's license is pretty much impossible to fake nowadays. Do you think I will have problems with it? I will have my passport anyway for border crossing, but I would prefer not to carry it around with me.

 

[mbriant]

toronto.com Live Music Guide ?Concerts, Local Shows, Toronto Venues, Music Festivals and more.

Toronto - The official City of Toronto website

If the weather's anything like it's been lately, you'll likely want to spend as much time indoors as possible.

 

[NacMacFeegle]

Toronto is my favorite city...we get up there at least once a year. Love it.
Check out the Irish Embassy on Yonge st..fine beer and poutine (yes it's a pub). Second the stay indoors bit...walking down some of the streets is like hacking your way through wind tunnels if its nasty out...underground all the way!
Enjoy.

 

[andrewsvt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by oogabooga /img/forum/go_quote.gif Taking a passport helps too. If you're close to the age (19) some pubs may reject a non-Ontario license if the bouncers are uninformed and don't know what the IDs look like. Passports should work anywhere.

When I went to Canada, I was 17, but I didn't have any problems going to pubs or driniking in restaurants. BTW, I went to BC. Was I lucky or did I look that old?

I didn't have the chance to go anywhere else though... But BC is one of prettiest places I've been to. I may go to Canada again sometime soon cause a great friend of mine has been living in Ottawa.

 

[shigzeo]

just because in new york your driver's license is god, it is not god in another country: rather, it may even become like a library card unless it is officialised. passport or birth certificate are far better if you get a grumpy server.

and clubs: not the best in toronto but im sure they would do justice if you are from new york which has been slimming down its once great club image.