Thinking about Toronto... - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

imstilldreaming · #1 01-24-2007, 04:17 AM

Casey and I would like to take a smaller 4 day or so trip right after the wedding and then save up to take a bigger trip at the end of the fall before grad school would start. He's always wanted to go to Toronto, and we have a free two night hotel stay there (on a list of places) for listening to a spiel about pots and pans at a bridal fair. (I know, I know...I hope it's worth it!)

Does anyone have any suggestions from vacationing there or living there? It would be greatly appreciated!

LadyFaile · #2 01-24-2007, 08:33 AM

definately hit up the CN Tower, great photo opps from the top. skip the restuarant up there though, pricey and not that great from what i've heard. there's no lack of great restaurants downtown.
i'd say catch a Blue Man Group show but they cancelled the toronto show in december. there are other great shows i'm sure.

word of advice: don't bother with renting a car if you're flying there. it's impossible and expensive to park anywhere. but the subway system is fantastic, and it's really fun to just wander around on foot. you can't get lost, i've tried!

hit Yorkdale mall, hopefully the renovations will be done by then, it's a great (huge)mall and has a subway station attached so it's easy to get to. but don't forget about the downtown shops too. a lot of great little independent shops all over.

chinatown is fun

there are museums and galleries and whatnot if you're into that kind of thing. and a great nightclub scene

hotels can be pricey but if you can swing it the Royal York is a beautiful old building right smack in the middle of downtown, attached to the train station which is a site to see (or at least it was for my small-town self)

here's a site to check out http://www.toronto.ca/visitors/index.htm

oh and if you do have a vehicle while you're there..
depending on when you go and how much spare time you have, and wether or not you're into plays (that's a lot of if's lol) you should make the hour and a half drive to Stratford and catch a play
http://www.stratfordfestival.ca/
i live there, it's a beautiful town to visit (but don't suggest living there lol and yes you do get used to the perpetual "farm" smell but it's still gross). in the summer i spend most of my days off work just wandering around the nicer parts of town. there's other stuff in the area worth checking out if you have time to kill. a butterfly conservatory (awesome) and st. jacobs market (menonite farmers' market, very cool) are about a 40 minute drive from town. and other stuff in between here and t.o. i'm sure.

or skip stratford and spend a day in niagara falls instead :P not too far of a drive from toronto, definately worth checking out but be prepared to spend a lot of money

Marksbride · #3 01-24-2007, 12:52 PM

ohhhhhhhhhh niagra falls!

imstilldreaming · #4 01-24-2007, 03:01 PM

Thanks you guys! I didn't even THINK of Niagra Falls (DUH

). I forgot FH had already been there but he said he went while they were on a road trip to somewhere else and it was just a quick stop. It was really cold and they didn't stay long so it will be okay. It is SO HARD to find somewhere that boy has never been!

Keep the suggestions rolling!! Anyone, anyone? Bueller?

SerendipityCrafts · #5 01-24-2007, 04:56 PM

Let me preface the following by telling you that Montreal and Toronto have a looooooooong standing rivalry.

Don't do it; don't visit Toronto! Ewwwww Yeck! LOL Why would anyone want to go there when they could visit Montreal instead?

Visit Montreal instead. Our Jazz Festival, Comedy Festival & Fireworks Festivals are fantastic! Dining out is better in Montreal. Visiting "Old Montreal is similar to visiting a European city; complete with cobblestone streets, horse and buggy rides, history and outdoor cafes.

"At night, Montréal catches a second wind and the action shifts over to comedy clubs, porto, martini, and wine bars. Weekends start early, as every Thursday night the bars and terrasses along Crescent and Saint-Denis Streets and Saint-Laurent Boulevard fill up after work for the traditional 5 à 7—a misnomer, really, because they're usually carried on well into the evening at favourite eating spots. By then it's clubbing time until the wee hours as bars and clubs have their "last call" at 3 a.m. (BTW - last call in Toronto is 1 am Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz)

Lovers can dine and dance the evening away on a romantic river cruise down the majestic St. Lawrence River, before heading to Montréal's glittering Casino—open all night, every night—to play or to catch a show at the Cabaret. Sports fans have the pick of a crop of professional sports events: football, soccer, and, of course, NHL hockey, featuring Montréal's much-beloved "Habs"."

imstilldreaming · #6 01-24-2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SerendipityCrafts

Let me preface the following by telling you that Montreal and Toronto have a looooooooong standing rivalry.

Don't do it; don't visit Toronto! Ewwwww Yeck! LOL Why would anyone want to go there when they could visit Montreal instead?

Visit Montreal instead. Our Jazz Festival, Comedy Festival & Fireworks Festivals are fantastic! Dining out is better in Montreal. Visiting "Old Montreal is similar to visiting a European city; complete with cobblestone streets, horse and buggy rides, history and outdoor cafes.

"At night, Montréal catches a second wind and the action shifts over to comedy clubs, porto, martini, and wine bars. Weekends start early, as every Thursday night the bars and terrasses along Crescent and Saint-Denis Streets and Saint-Laurent Boulevard fill up after work for the traditional 5 à 7—a misnomer, really, because they're usually carried on well into the evening at favourite eating spots. By then it's clubbing time until the wee hours as bars and clubs have their "last call" at 3 a.m. (BTW - last call in Toronto is 1 am Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz)

Lovers can dine and dance the evening away on a romantic river cruise down the majestic St. Lawrence River, before heading to Montréal's glittering Casino—open all night, every night—to play or to catch a show at the Cabaret. Sports fans have the pick of a crop of professional sports events: football, soccer, and, of course, NHL hockey, featuring Montréal's much-beloved "Habs"."

I love it!! The hotel is actually good for Montreal too so we're turning this into the Great Montreal Toronto debate

Thanks for the info!

SerendipityCrafts · #7 01-24-2007, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imstilldreaming

I love it!! The hotel is actually good for Montreal too so we're turning this into the Great Montreal Toronto debate

Thanks for the info!

Fair enough but if you absolutely have to visit *gag* Toronto ... just know that the better city is just a 5 1/2 hour drive east along the 401. Email me before you leave and we would be happy to play guide for a night.

imstilldreaming · #8 01-24-2007, 05:54 PM

Well, we're still just throwing some ideas around, so Montreal may still be in the picture. If we decide to come I will definitely contact you!

LadyFaile · #9 01-24-2007, 07:58 PM

nah the bars in toronto serve until 2am, some of the dance clubs stay open later they just can't serve alcohol after then. there are also some after-hours places here and there if you know where to look (like the chinese restaurant in Mississauga that is open 24 hours, if you ask for "yellow tea" they will serve you a teapot full of beer. and the food is amazing. forget what it's called though)

i have heard that montreal is a beautiful place to visit, my fiance has relatives there and one's getting married soon so we will get to go visit

i'm biased though, i've been to toronto a bunch of times and absolutely love it. they have a lot of festivals and culture and whatnot also, you just have to know where to look.