On Thursday I'm embarking on my first-ever trip to the urban wonderland that is the T-Dot, and I was just wondering if anyone could suggest some places that I should totally try to visit while I'm up there.

Thanks!

Oooh how long are you coming for?

Well first of all, there's US!! I'm sure there a bunch of passioneers that would love to meet you if you (and we) have the time!

As far as sites/sights to see... I would strongly suggest some random exploring, there's always some really cool random stuff to encounter. Specific suggestions though would include the CN Tower, Eaton Centre/Dundas Square, BCE Place (I'll be working there in January!! But it's pretty nonetheless lol), Fort York, Queen's Quay and the waterfront area (especially considering the great weather!), Chinatown, Church-Wellesley Village, the Danforth, Yorkville (really expensive shopping area), Queen St. W (including the CHUMCity building... everyone who comes to town always wants to see that for some reason... but I think it's still under construction atm). OK that's a whole bunch of stuff, I'm sure other people have suggestions too!! If you have time to take a day out of the city, I'd recommend a trip to Niagara Falls if you've never been before.

Hope you have a great trip

Neal pretty much summed up a lot of places I would visit if I was a visitor. I'd also like to add the Centre Island (a short but relaxing ferry ride away), and just Yonge St. in general (but mainly Yonge/Bloor and Yonge/Eglinton areas.)

all good suggestions....

Depends alot on what you're into Chuckles.

AGO is an awesome gallery, in spite of the on-going construction & renovations.

I would also strongly recommend a visit to Kensington Market, especially if you've got a Saturday morning free to do so.

Enjoy your trip!

...jim

I suggest a visit to Casa Loma. Its a castle (Casa) in the middle of Toronto.When people suggest things to do in Toronto, I rarely see it mentioned, but its definatley worth a visit. I took a friend of mine who was visiting from Texas there a couple years ago... neither of us had been before and we both loved it!

http://www.casaloma.org

(from the site)
[i:90029970d6]"Visit Canada's Majestic Castle, Casa Loma and step back in time to a period of European elegance and splendour. The former home of Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt, Canada's foremost castle is complete with decorated suites, secret passages, an 800-foot tunnel, towers, stables, and beautiful 5-acre estate gardens."[/i:90029970d6]

[quote:e257701a54="joleary"]

AGO is an awesome gallery, in spite of the on-going construction & renovations.


...jim[/quote:e257701a54]


OOH! Yes. And the ROM! Also under renovations but a great museum. Might want to check out the U of T campus too, tons of beautiful old building... OH! And how could I forget? Queen's Park! Not sure if you can get a tour if parliament is in session when you get here, but worth checking out.

And speaking of parks, check out High Park too. Haven't been there in ages, but from what I can remember, it's a pretty cool stroll.
And ya, I totally forgot about the AGO and the ROM. You can probly spend a full day just in those 2 buildings alone.

do some walkin'n'shoppin' in the underground tunnels, definitely try a few ethnic restaurants, visit the CN tower at night and stand on the glass floor... go to the zoo - ranked one of the Top 10 in the world. take in some live music if you can!

[quote:f0c8a0f760="siren72"]do some walkin'n'shoppin' in the underground tunnels, definitely try a few ethnic restaurants, visit the CN tower at night and stand on the glass floor... go to the zoo - ranked one of the Top 10 in the world. take in some live music if you can![/quote:f0c8a0f760]

i've heard many great things about the Indian and Thai restaurants up there, so i'm pretty excited. i will also take advantage of Taco Bell and Harvey's, since they are virtually nowhere to be found here in St. John's.

as for the live music, i'm going to see one of my favourite bands (New Pornographers) on Sunday, and i totally can't wait.

i'll also be at the Audioslave Live@Much tonight. i'm not really that big a fan of them, but Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden are some of my most important musical influences, so just watching the guys play anything should be satisfaction enough for me

GREAT Indian and Thai food for sure!!! if you're on a budget, try Indian Flavour at the Atrium on Bay. it's an inexpensive Indian buffet. if you have more money there are other great places! as for Thai, it's hard to find agreement on where to get the best, but I'd strongly suggest Golden Thai... mmm. and if you need cheap, Salad King at Yonge & Gould is yum.
you can also get great Mexican food, South American, African, you name it. what else do you expect from the city the UN named as the most multicultural metropolis on earth? you really do see the faces of the world at every turn in Toronto, which is why it's such a beautiful place.

Mmm... Salad King!!!!!! :wink:

Wow... siren, who hired you as a Toronto ambassador? Though I admit I agree with everything you just said.

Re: Thai food... DEFINITELY Salad King. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I personally prefer Spring Rolls (across from Eatons centre).

Ooh yes they're pretty good too .... they've got another store further north on Yonge St., between Bloor and Charles. It's got both a sit-down and a take-out style section too!

"East" on Queen Street W (north side right across from Much) is pretty goo d too - same onwers as "Spring Rolls", but a much better location and ambience.

...jim

[quote:9313b746d5]Wow... siren, who hired you as a Toronto ambassador? Wink Though I admit I agree with everything you just said.
[/quote:9313b746d5]
well what can i say? i'm a very proud Torontonian. it's a great place and some of the greatest reasons why those that we take for granted. but gettin' back to food... :lol: for many, many years, the best Thai noodles in all of T.O. were those at the Bamboo. god i miss that place SOOOO much! it used to be my favourite restaurant... such an amazing vibe and the food was obscenely splendid. R.I.P. Bamboo! (sniff, sniff). you can also get a nice plate of pad thai at the Rivoli, although it isn't a Thai restaurant. when i had my CD release party there last year though, almost everyone in the audience ordered dinner and half of them had the pad thai! man the room smelled good...

Salad King is so good that although i'm a very honest person, i continued to get food there with my Ryerson student discount for a full two years after i left! i never actually[i:9313b746d5] told[/i:9313b746d5] them i was still a student - they just kept giving me the discount and i didn't say anything 'cuz i was poor. but after about two years i started correcting them 'cuz i felt superguilty!

if you're interested in Sunday brunch, the Hothouse Cafe has a great one as does the Free Times with their traditional Jewish buffet. mmmm latkes & blintzes... Baton Rouge at the Eaton Centre is fabulous. for Italian food that'll make you weak in the knees and magnificent service, Vini Vidi Vici on College is the bomb. of course Chinatown & the Danforth are where to go for awesome Greek & Chinese. and if you want another WICKED restaurant, you must must must go the The Real Jerk!!! it's one of my faves. incredible West Indian cuisine... and i'm saying that as someone of Caribbean stock who knows the deal! and i can't forget to mention one of my favourite spots in the city, the wonderfully cozy 7 West on Charles St. love that place!!!