Museum & Culture Weekend
Description:
This trip includes 2 nights of performances as well as some of Toronto's more traditional tourist sites. It will give you a chance to get a flavour of the artistic side of Toronto as well as capturing some of the "must-see" sights in Toronto such as the CN Tower, St. Lawrence Market and the Royal Ontario Museum.
Author: Jennifer
Day 1 - Toronto
Start your first day off in Toronto with a trip to the Museum of Textiles. This is a fascinating way to spend a few hours. The most interesting textiles are found in the Indonesian section but the museum also includes textiles from other parts of Asia, Africa and around the world. When you are ready to move on to your next museum, hop in a cab or take the subway up to the Royal Ontario Museum. Check the ROM’s website for current exhibits, but for 2008 ROM is hosting a fantastic exhibit on Evolution. You can easily spend a full day in the ROM, so don’t worry if you get off track with your itinerary here! When you get hungry, if you don’t mind rubbing elbows with other tourists, check out Jamie Kennedy’s restaurant in the museum. While you’re at the ROM, you’ll also see the Michael Lee Chin crystal, a highly controversial additional to Toronto’s cityscape. You won’t find a Torontonian who is ambivalent about this recent add on to the ROM. After your day at the ROM, head over to the Entertainment District on King St. West for dinner and a show. The neighbourhood is brimming with restaurants for every palate but a particularly great one is Monsoon on King St W. After dinner head to the Royal Alexandra Theatre to catch your show.
1
Museum for Textiles
Location:
view in google maps55 Centre Ave
(at University Avenue)
M5G 2H5 Toronto, Canada
Phone:
+1 416 599 53212
Jamie Kennedy at the Gardiner
Location:
view in google maps111 Queen's Park
Third floor of the Gardiner Museum
M5S 2C7 Toronto, Canada
Phone:
416 362 19573
Royal Ontario Museum
Location:
view in google maps100 Queen's Park
M5S 2C6 Toronto, Canada
Phone:
+1 416 586 55494
University of Toronto
Location:
view in google maps214 College Street
In the Koffler Centre
M5S 1A1 Toronto, Canada
Phone:
+1 416 978 20115
Monsoon
Location:
view in google maps100 Simcoe Street
M5H 3G2 Toronto, Canada
Phone:
41697971726
Royal Alexandra Theatre
Location:
view in google maps260 King St. W.
(At Simcoe)
M5V 1H9 Toronto, Canada
Phone:
+1 416 872 12127
Fairmont Royal York
Location:
view in google maps100 Front St West
(At York)
M5J1E3 Toronto, CA
Phone:
+1 416 368 2511 / +1 866 540 4489(Toll Free)Day 2 - Toronto
Start the second day of your trip off by visiting some Toronto landmarks. The CN tower is a must for any trip to Toronto. This can be quite touristy, so it’s a good idea to get there early and grab your tickets. The ticket booth has visibility information and it’s really only worth the trip up on a clear day. After visiting the CN Tower, walk or take the subway to Nathan Philips Square, Old City Hall and New City hall. These are true Toronto landmarks. If you’re in the mood for walking, continue East toward St. Lawrence Market, on your way, wander through Toronto’s Financial District. The architecture here is unique and varied. Of particular note is the BCE Place Atrium. By the time you get to Berczy Park on your way to the Market, you’ll be ready for a rest. Stop at Solferino’s for a gelato and sit in the small park that backs onto the Toronto’s Flatiron Building. Just a little farther to the market – if you need a caffeine hit stop at Second Cup on Front St. East at Church (65 Front St E). Although the St. Lawrence market is only open on Saturdays, it’s one of the city’s true treasures. Bring your appetite because there are multiple places to sample cheese, meat, and even homemade pasta and sauce at St. Lawrence Pizza on the upper level. Plan on spending a couple of hours at the market, it’s huge. The lower level has a bigger variety of trinkets and some Canadiana, as well as food and drinks. Downstairs also boasts Mustachio’s, which is home to Toronto’s best eggplant sandwich. If eggplant is not your thing, try peameal bacon sandwiches from Mano’s Deli or Carousel Bakery. Across the street from the main market is Market North which is a farmer’s market on Saturday’s and will be exclusively local produce and goods. After taking the sights of the market, keep traveling East to the Distillery District. Enjoy the art galleries and also the outdoor patio scene in the summer. SOMA Chocolatier in the Distillery District boasts some of the best chocolate in the city. The Distillery has several great restaurants and bars. Top the day and evening off with a performance by the Canadian Opera Company. Tickets are available through their website or ticket master.
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Nathan Phillips Square
Location:
view in google maps100 Queen Street West
M5H 2N1 Toronto, Canada
Phone:
+1 416 392 1111 (City of Toronto Parks and Recreation Department)2
New City Hall
Location:
view in google maps100 Queen St West
(at Bay Street)
M5H 2N1 Toronto, Canada
Phone:
+1 416 392 91113
Ontario Legislative Building
Location:
view in google maps400 University Avenue
(at Queen's Park Crescent)
M7A 1A2 Toronto, Canada
Phone:
+1 416 325 75004
Old City Hall
Location:
view in google maps60 Queen St West
(at Bay St)
M5H 2M3 Toronto, Canada
Phone:
+1 416 203 2500(Toll Free)5
Flatiron Building
Location:
view in google maps49 Wellington Street E
(Front & Wellington at Church)
M5E 1C9 Toronto, Canada
Phone:
+1 416 203 2500(Tourist Information)6
St Lawrence Market
Location:
view in google maps92 Front St East
(at Jarvis Street)
M5E 1C4 Toronto, Canada
Phone:
+1 416 392 72197
Distillery Historic District
Location:
view in google maps55 Mill Street, Building 32
(At Cherry)
M5A 3C4 Toronto, Canada
Phone:
+1 416 364 11778
Tappo
Location:
view in google maps55 Mill Street
55 Mill Street
M5A 3C4 Toronto,
Phone:
6474301111Day 3 - Toronto
For your final day in Toronto, check out Casa Loma. The history of the house is pretty interesting and the gardens are particularly special. Tourists at Casa Loma tend to have free rein of the house for the most part and this provides a different experience than most historical tourist spots. After spending a long day at Casa Loma, head to Corner House for a steak before catching your flight home.
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Corner House
Location:
view in google maps501 Davenport Road
M4V 1B8 Toronto, Canada
Phone:
416 923 2604