Top 5 Things to Do in Toronto

Top 5 Things to Do in Toronto
Angie Mohr

Planning a vacation in Toronto? If you are in the midst of plowing through a pile of shiny brochures that talk about the wonders of the CN Tower and the thrill of the Hockey Hall of Fame, go throw them in the trash now. Right now. Go on, I'll wait. Then we'll talk about what's really cool in T.O.

Queen Street West

The Queen West district in Toronto boasts the city's most eclectic and odd mix of stores, restaurants, street vendors, musicians, and other assorted characters. The street has a distinct Soho feel to it. Start at the corner of Queen and University and wander west from there. Some stops not to miss on your Queen West tour: lunch at the Shanghai Cowgirl restaurant (trying to find it is half the fun!), buying handmade soaps at Lush, a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon mid-afternoon in the Drake Hotel lounge. If your quest westward takes you too far out to have the energy to walk back downtown, just hop on the streetcar.

Amsterdam Brewery

This wonderful craft brewery was Toronto's very first brew pub, established in 1986. It is currently located at 21 Bathurst Street. The Amsterdam makes over 15 different beers, from light lagers to dark Irish stout. For $6, you can take the brewery tour and sample 8 different Amsterdam beers. For an extra $2, you can take home a brewery pint glass as well. If you enjoy artisan beers, this is the place you want to be in Toronto.

Centre Island

Centre Island is the largest of a collection of tiny islands a ten minute ferry ride from Toronto's waterfront. If you travel to Toronto between June and September, this is a great place to explore once you have had your fill of the "city life". Centre Island's main attraction is "Centreville"~ an amusement park filled with rides and games. The island also has great beaches and a boardwalk. The ferries travel from the harbourfront to the Islands Monday to Sunday about every half hour from June through September.

St. Lawrence Market

This amazing market has been in existence since 1901 and is the largest farmer's market in Canada. It has been rated one of the 25 best in the world by Food & Wine magazine. The St. Lawrence Market encompasses three buildings on the corner of Jarvis and Front Streets and houses over 60 vendors in the South Market Building. The North Market is renowned for its Saturday morning market, attracting vendors from all over Ontario. A farmer's market has been on that site since 1803, long before the current market. A Saturday morning wander through the market with steaming coffee in hand reveals gleaming glass cases filled with the freshest fish, the thickest cut organic beef, and baskets of heirloom vegetables, fruits and baked goods. A feast for all five senses.

Le Marche Movenpick/Richtree Market Restaurant (or simply, the "Marche")

This restaurant is located at 42 Yonge Street, close to the corner of Yonge and Front. The Marche is an incredible restaurant experience that brings to mind European open air markets. The menu is set up in stations and you order from the chalkboard menu of what's fresh today and they make it in front of you. You can wander from station to station and pick and choose to your heart's content. Your menu "passport" is stamped with your choices so when you are ready to eat, you can take your tray to the cash register and pay. A portion of the dining room has been transformed into a Mediterranean alfresco patio and there are many other "rooms" in which to enjoy your meal. The cost is moderate (although not cheap). A great adventure in fresh dining and one not to be missed. (626 words)



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Copyright 2011 Angie Mohr