I have an American Airlines credit to burn and zero vacation days left, so I think I'm going to go to Toronto for 36 hours in a couple of weekends because there is a non-stop flight from a nearby airport. Possibilities for activities include Beethoven's opera Fidelio and the Royal Ontario Museum. I'm also looking for fun areas to explore/wander. I'm open to restaurant/hotel suggestions, too. I like history, art, architecture, music, and nature. Thanks for any suggestions!
Posted by
The Heartland USA
8967 posts
Baseball game? The stadium (with built-in hotel) is right downtown next to the CBC Tower, and close to the waterfront. Broadway market. This is one city where we found the HOHO bus to be worthwhile, and it includes a cruise on the lake. It's a big city, so hard to get to nature.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
7989 posts
I love Toronto! I used to go there quite a bit when I was working in theatre and opera. I would head up there for 4-5 days to rent costumes from the Toronto Opera but that gave me plenty of time to explore the city. Queen Street West is fascinating with lots of fun areas and shops. You can find some great restaurants in Chinatown and Greektown (in Danforth), and don't miss St. Lawrence Market, which has an amazing array of food stalls and restaurants.
Casa Loma is an interesting site - a huge medieval-looking mansion built around the turn of last century. The Toronto Islands are a nice place to get away and wander - it's a quick ferry ride from the city. Not sure how warm the beaches will be at this time of year, but it's a lovely place to visit and you can definitely find some nature there. Also, check out Kensington Market, which is really fun just to walk through and see everything going on!
Posted by
Canada
365 posts
What month are you coming in and what is your budget? Will you have a car or use public transportation? Is it just you coming?
I can be of more help with a bit more information.
Posted by
OP
Southeast US
4045 posts
stan — Thanks for the suggestions. For nature for this trip, I‘m thinking more parks.
Mardee — Thanks for the nice suggestions. Just the sorts of things I‘m trying to find!
bxrlover — The trip will be first weekend in October. Budget is very flexible. We will use public transportation. The travel party will be me (50ish male) and a friend. We will be using public transport.
We‘ve discovered that Second City has a troupe in Toronto — that may end up being our Saturday night activity.
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
468 posts
Thanks for posting this--in October I am doing a really quick Toronto and Montreal trip. Literally one day in Toronto and about a day and half in Montreal so this is very helpful.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
7989 posts
We‘ve discovered that Second City has a troupe in Toronto — that may end up being our Saturday night activity.
Dave, that would be a blast! I hope it works out for you!
Posted by
Ottawa, ON, Canada
172 posts
One of our favourite restaurants in Toronto is Pomegranate, 420 College Ave. It’s small, so good idea to make a reservation.
Posted by
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
4584 posts
It was 2018, but we went to this restaurant twice. https://www.lenarestaurante.com/
Posted by
OP
Southeast US
4045 posts
Thanks for the additional recommendations!
Posted by
Sioux Falls, SD, USA
3101 posts
One gallery that we visited 40 years ago is the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. This features the work of the Group of 7, or the Algonquin School. These are nature paintings of the Canadian Shield, and are mystical and quite interesting. It's not in Toronto, but is close by.