If there is one thing I know for sure about Toronto it is this: it is not just another big city. Though cleverly nicknamed The Big Smoke, Hog Town, and T-Dot (whatever that means), Toronto is a beautiful city with so much to see and do it is almost impossible to know where to start. I grew up close to Toronto and lived there a few times, returning each time to enjoy rediscovering this dynamic, busy, inviting city with entertainment for the night lifers, chow for the foodies, a diorama of sports teams for the weekend warriors, and art and culture for those who want to feel they are on another continent.
There is too much to do to put it all here, but I am going to share with you a few of the key reasons I love Toronto— things you may or may not expect from Canada’s largest city, and things you need to know about Toronto that will make your visit spectacular.
The Walkable City: This isn’t one of Toronto’s official nicknames, but it should be. Downtown near the waterfront and the Royal York is a bustling hub of activity with must-see sights just steps from each other. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, the Hockey Hall of Fame (seriously, don’t miss this), the CN Tower, Harbourfront Centre, and Roy Thompson Hall are all situated blocks from the Royal York in the city’s Entertainment District. If you have time to wander, don’t miss St. Lawerence Market, or a bit farther north, Kensington Market, which is a bit of a trek but still totally achievable with good shoes and an ambitious spirit. At night, be sure to see Toronto’s version of Times Square at Dundas Square, which is a fabulous destination for an evening out to see the lights, experience Yonge Street shopping and, partake in the city’s official sport: people watching. The joy of it is, you can get to all of these places on foot, with a good sense of direction and Google maps in case you get … disoriented. There really is no better way than to see Toronto than on foot, immersed in its ambiance.
Transit Town: In all my travels I have never found a transit system more convenient or simple to figure out. Between the subway, streetcars, and buses, it is difficult to get lost, but simple enough to correct if that happens, since the city is more or less on a grid. Check out www.tcc.ca ahead of time to see how it all works and find your way to anywhere in a fraction of the time. Toronto also has Bike & Ride stations, in case a pedal cruise is more your style. Pro tip: If anyone is looking for great, boutique-style shopping away from the big boxes on Yonge, head north on Yonge and go west on Queen to a neighbourhood appropriately named Queen West. Stop for an idillic photo in front of the Toronto sign at city hall and then keep heading west for some amazing shops and places to eat.
Don’t Miss the Waterfront: You won’t believe the beauty of Toronto’s waterfront. Actually one of the world’s longest urban lakefronts, the 46-kilometer-long stretch covers everything from parks and beaches to art galleries, concert venues, and a BMX park. The Artisan Market is a nice place to stroll on the weekends, and The Beaches are lovely and of different sizes and densities in the summer months. Toronto has over 8,000 restaurants, a good many of them patio venues—a sure find on the downtown waterfront stretch. See Toronto from a completely different angle with a boat or tall ship cruise, or the more adventurous don’t miss a stroll along the Scarborough Bluffs—a 15-kilometre bluff encompassing parks, a gorgeous beach, and walking trails of all descriptions.
World Cuisine: One of my favourite things about Toronto is its multiculturalism, the buzz of many languages and music, weekly festivals celebrating life and culture from around the globe, and best of all, food from every corner of the world. If you’ve every wanted to experience why Ethiopian food seals friendships for life, learn what a thali is and what it has to do with dinner, or give up hotdogs for exotic street food like falafels, gyro, or beef patties, this is your chance. Come hungry and with an open mind—you wont regret it.
Take the Photos, Send the Postcards: Toronto was built by some of the world’s most imaginative and thoughtful designers and at the same time, features some incredible nods to its rich and proud heritage. The Distillery District and the Brickworks (if you venture that far) are places to experience history stopped in time and surrounded by the city’s stunning, contemporary history. Just across the street from the hotel is Union Station—go in and take a peek. The skyline alone is incredible and wait until you see it from the CN Tower. Of 320 photos I took in Toronto last fall, 112 of them are just of skyscrapers looking fabulous against the midday and evening skies. So, settle in and be the tourist you always wanted to be. Take the photos, snap the selfies. The Royal York is the absolutely perfect location to do and see and capture images of everything iconic about the city, so enjoy and let loose. I can’t wait to see you there.
