So we're headed to Toronto tomorrow with my in-laws. I've been there before, but I've never really explored. What should we see? Where should we eat? We're probably going to do a casual lunch and fancier dinner.
Thanks!
-
eiiiii!! welcome!!
The Ripleys Aquarium is new and pretty cool. I would walk around kensington market and queen street west for some cool shops (although it's so cold now it might now be as enjoyable)TONS of places to eat.. what type of cuisine are you looking for?
-
@LovelyPlum: fun!!! Hope the weather cooperates for you. We always go for Asian so I'm no help.
Oh! What's that historic cobblestone district that everyone takes wedding pics at? Great chocolate shop there. You can actually watch them make chocolate.
-
@locavore_mama: Distillery district! Yes! almost forgot.
-
@locavore_mama: The distillery district! Amazing place to wander, and even more beautiful in winter than in summer.
If you want good coffee, check out Dineen in the lower West...its amazing.
Food wise, hard to give recommendations as I haven't lived there in years but there are always so many great restaurants.
Wandering Queen W, Ossington, and the Danforth are great ways to spend the day! Unless its too cold, then find somewhere to hole up -
I love the movenpik marche ... Such a fun and unique dining experience
-
I so knew I was doing the right thing by asking the hive. You all are the best!
@Reese: we're open to anything!!
Wandering sounds about our speed tomorrow, but it would be fun to have someplace to go and spend a bit of time, too.
Next question: should we park somewhere for the day and just walk? Is that feasible?
-
@char54: tell me more, please!
-
@LovelyPlum: It's been super cold and icy here this week - yesterday the windchill was -40 and the pavements have thick ice in places so wrap up warm!
Some fun things we like to do when visitors come over: Toronto Islands (really cold there but really nice to see the frozen lake)
The aquarium is really good and the Steam Whistle Brewery is opposite and their tours are fun
Yorkville is really pretty to walk around and the Park Hyatt Hotel there has a cocktail lounge with gorgeous skyline views.
Food-wise, it depends what you like. We just had my wing-and-burger-loving BIL to stay so I can tell you all about great burger joints, lol. -
OK, so it looks like the aquarium is sounding like the popular plan around these parts. If we wanted to walk around after that, is it close to shopping/food, etc?
-
@travelgirl1: thanks for the heads up!
-
@LovelyPlum: It's not right on the doorstep, but it depends where you want to eat. Front Street is nearby and there are places for food, but not fancy stuff. For shopping, are you looking for a mall or more independent shops? The nearest subway stop to the aquarium is probably St Andrews or Union. The aquarium is about a ten min walk from there. Just don't eat at the aquarium, I recently made that mistake! Fab, fab place but awful café!
-
@travelgirl1: we were thinking more independent...mostly just things to window shop, honestly. But if we have to choose food or shopping, food wins. It doesn't have to be really fancy-we will probably go for a late lunch before we head home. Just something in the "reasonable but nice" category
-
@locavore_mama: someday, I want to do that, too! Just not this trip.
-
@LovelyPlum: Oliver and Bonacini Cafe is a 15 minute walk or 5 minute drive from the aquarium. (http://www.oliverbonacini.com/yonge-front.aspx). St. Lawrence Market is also near the Aquarium which has some great picks for lunch! Distillery District would also be close by (east of St. Lawrence Market) and they have a great upscale Mexican restaurant called El Catrin.
What sort of food do you guys like? Atmosphere? There are so many options!
-
If you like independent shops, i'd check out West Queen West. Lots of great little shops for a variety of things.
I'd also go through this site: http://www.torontolife.com/daily-dish/restaurants-dish/2013/12/27/toronto-new-restaurants-2013/
-
@Freckles: thank you!! My in-laws are somewhat adventurous, but not overly so. We're coming up to celebrate the holidays and my DH's graduation, so not stuffy or formal, but something a little bit fun. We also all love sushi, if that's an option. Oliver and Bonacini looks really cool, and so does the market!
-
@LovelyPlum: Origin was a favourite of mine before i left TO. It's a bit pricey but a fun place that's not crazy loud/crowded. http://origintoronto.com. If you care about food, i'd stay away from the restaurants near the theatre/symphony on King West. There are a lot of sushi restaurants but i can't remember any downtown!
-
@Freckles: no worries, you have been more than helpful!
@Reese: @ScarletBegonia: @char54: @travelgirl1: so are you girls. I'll let you know how it goes!
-
@LovelyPlum: I hope you guys have fun! Let us know how the trip goes.
-
@LovelyPlum: you've gotten tons of great suggestions!! I always find it really windy downtown, so I second the suggestion to bundle up!!
O&B, distillery district and St. Lawrence market are my top picks. We also loved the aquarium when we were back in Ontario over the holidays. Drake 150 is a new restaurant that's kinda trendy but lots of fun and has a great vibe!
-
So that was predictable: we're all set to come, make awesome plans (thanks to you bees) and DH gets called into work. If I had stopped to think for a second, I should have figured this would happen.
Oh well...we'll just have to go sometime next week when it's just DH and I. I want to see this aquarium!Thanks again for all of your help! I'll let you ladies know how it goes when we get up there
-
Update: we ended up going to Burlington for dinner, and it was awesome! Thanks for your help, bees-we're going to head to the aquarium sometime in the next few weeks. I will let you know how it goes!
Oh well...we'll just have to go sometime next week when it's just DH and I. I want to see this aquarium!Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
22 comments