Toronto Off the Beaten Path Tips by Chrystyna

Black Creek Pioneer Village

Many tourists will miss Black Creek Pioneer Village because it's not in the downtown core. Still located in Toronto, but a bit more north west, Black Creek Pioneer Village captures life before our city evolved into the concrete jungle it is today.

BCPV is a re-created village with buildings dating to the 1800s, and staff and volunteers that share with you what life was like back in those days.

If you're interested in this time period or if you have kids and want to give them a bit of an educational daytrip, Black Creek is an excellent destination.

Visit http://www.trca.on.ca/bcpv.html for more info.

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Hockey Hall of Fame

Now many know that Toronto is THE hockey city. But how many know that the Hockey Hall of fame is here. If you're a hockey fan, definitely drop by. It's located at 30 Yonge Street (BCE Place).

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Children's Own Museum
(Formerly the McLaughlin Planetarium)

If you have young kids (2-8 years), this is a definite treat. A Whole museum dedicated to kids! It's filled with hands-on activities, great exhibits, and much more.

Located beside the Royal Ontario Museum gives adults a place to play as well!

90 Queen's Park (Museum Subway Station)
Toronto, ON M5S2C5
Phone: (416) 542-1492
Fax: (416) 542-1495

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Try some Bubble Tea while you're here!

There are loads of Bubble Teashops around Toronto. Bubble Tea, traditionally from Taiwan, is very popular in the Asian community and now becoming known to the locals. The bubbles in the tea? They're tapioca balls that you slurp up in huge colourful straws. It would be impossible to list all the great tea shops in the city, however if you see a Ten Ren's Tea shop, they are definitely one of the better ones. There's a Ten Ren located at Empress Walk, at North York Centre subway station, and one at Yorkdale shopping mall by the Rainforest Cafe.

Even if you're not a tea fan, you'd be surprised how fun these drinks are. My personal favourite? Green Apple Milk Tea with Lychees.

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The Beaches

Not many tourists know that Toronto has a beach, but the beaches area in Toronto is a definite romantic alternative to the night life if you're here for any long period of time. Mind you, this is only if you're here in the summer, the winter months don't prove to be as accomodating :) Take the queen street east street car WAY east. Before getting on, ask the driver if their street car heads towards the beaches. Ask them to tell you when to get off. You'll find that you go through different parts of Toronto, some that are trendy, and some not so great, but the treasure is when you reach the end of your journey and you're in the Beaches area. The beaches is home to a great Jazz festival and some great outdoor concerts. Be sure to check out their schedules before you go. There are some great local eating haunts as well. One of my most favourite pubs is there, called 'Lion on the Beach' I was there on a wet wednesday night and it was still jumping. Ask a local which way is the boardwalk, and once you reach it you'll see it stretch far far far. In the summer, with the waves crashing on the shore and the long walk ahead, you'll find this place a definite winner.

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Mount Pleasant Cemetary

Perhaps this sounds a bit morbid and macabre, however Mount Pleasant really is a beautiful cemetary. Some famous Canadians have been burried here, like Mackenzie King. In the fall, the changing colours of the leaves create a most beautiful sight. Many people take the time to walk through this renowned example of a Victorian Cemetary with its unique looking monuments.

To visit get off at Davisville Subway Station on the Yonge-University-Spadina line.

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