Toronto Hotels

While Torontonians are generally polite and gentle, the one subject that’s bound to get them riled up is ice hockey. The Toronto Maple Leaves (often misheard by visitors as ‘Make Believes’ – to the annoyance of the locals) are the city’s pride and joy. If you get the opportunity to see a home game at the Air Canada Centre, take it.

In addition to its cultural mishmash and exciting gastronomy, Toronto has a thriving arts and cultural scene and is home to world-class museums and galleries, including the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art (MOCCA).

The newly revamped Distillery District is a fusion of European charm and New York buzz. Don’t be misled by the name, though. Despite occupying the former industrial buildings of the Gooderham and Worts Distillery, it’s not quite as rye-soaked as you’d imagine. That’s not to say Toronto is a dull town after dark. Quite the contrary, in fact, with clubs and bars buzzing from dusk to dawn.

And then, of course, there’s the shopping. Many of Canada’s cities boast malls of mind-bending enormity, with Toronto’s famed Eaton Centre forming the retail heart of the city. Its 250 stores are housed in an impressive monument to capitalism.

TORONTO’S TOP 10:

TORONTO LOCAL

Old Toronto

The heart of Toronto is home to a stack of attractions, but let’s face it – there’s no better way to start your day than with some retail therapy. Roll out of bed and into the Eaton Centre, and marvel at the fact that youths around the world seem to have ‘mall loitering’ as a common pastime. Next, the CN Tower will give you a spectacular view – assuming you have a head for heights. Lastly, check out The Waterfront, along the shores of Lake Ontario, for a fun, relaxed vibe paired with great eateries and bars.

Scarborough

This lush and leafy area is home to the famous Toronto Zoo, the place to gawk at gorillas and leer at lions. If animals aren’t your thing, enjoy some scenery along the Scarborough Bluffs (FYI, they’re cliffs) and then grab a drink at one of the many trendy bars in the district, or laze away a summer’s day at Thompson Memorial Park.

North York

This area of Toronto is an absolute smorgasbord of culture. Grab some grub at one of the dozens of kosher delis in Lawrence Manor, hit up Central North York for a spot of serious shopping and then catch your breath at the Toronto Botanical Gardens. Once you’ve had your fill of flora, head to the Persian Section for a delish dinner, Little Moscow for some memory-erasing vodka and then the Korean Strip for some alcohol-induced karaoke. A perfect day, no?

TORONTO EAT & DRINK:

TORONTO EVENTS

Winterlicious! A slightly lame name for the awesome late January to early February food fest. If you’re ballsy enough to be in Toronto during winter, you’ll enjoy big-name chefs churning out top-notch nosh for a number of events all over the city. But if the thought of a Canadian winter makes you want to rock back and forth in a corner, head to Summerlicious in July.

Mid-June welcomes Luminato, a festival of arts, culture and creativity. This festival has only been around for a few years but is hugely successful and always popular with locals and visitors alike. Expect a feast of music, dance, film, fashion, design, art and food. Most of the events are free.

If you’re down for smooth crooners and a nice sax riff, hit up the Toronto Jazz Festival, held every late June to early July. In the 24 years this festival has been around, nearly 2000 free events have been held and over seven and half million people have come to enjoy them. Nice.

WHEN TO GO

• Toronto’s winter is brutal so unless you’re into blizzards and frostbite, stay away during late-November to mid-March. For warmth and the ability to feel your face, visit during June-September.
• Winter damn near cracks the mercury with temperatures averaging -10°C (14°F) during the day, and often getting down to -25°C (-13°F). Brrrrrr!
• Spring in Toronto is pretty, though can still be cold with temperatures hovering around 10-17°C (50-63°F)
• Summer is pleasant and sometimes quite hot in Toronto, with averages between 25-30°C (77-86°F)
• Autumn has temperatures that would be considered winter in any sane part of the world, with averages of around 2°C (36°F).

GETTING AROUND

• The TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) offers a subway system, streetcars and buses on the transport menu. All are effective ways to get around the city and are pretty cheap. Tickets for adults are CA$3.
• Cabs in Toronto are clean and relatively inexpensive, and your driver will most likely know the score of the hockey game if you’re interested.

WHAT TO MISS

• Don’t joke about hockey. In a city with more religious and cultural backgrounds than you can point a relic at, hockey is the undisputed god.
• Try not to get sick or hurt during your Canadian travels as you’ll have to pay upfront for any treatment you need (and we’re talking hefty amounts). Travel insurance is always a good idea.
• The homeless population of Toronto is huge and one of the city’s major problems. While most homeless people are harmless, there have been increased reports of violence in recent years, so keep valuables close.

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