Toronto Off the Beaten Path Tips by CdnJane

Some of the more interesting places to explore in Toronto are the cemetaries. Mount Pleasant Cemetary, entering east off Yonge St between Davisville and St Clair, and extending east towards Bayview Ave., has a wonderful collection of flowering trees, and shrubs. Many of Canada's who's who (No Mel, that is Not WHO as in World Health Organisation) of politics, literature, industry and finance are buried there... and of course in some of the other cemetaries around the city. It is sad seeing families that were wiped out through influenza and other illnesses early on in the history of the city.
Take a walk, ride a bike, respect the dignity of the families, but cemetaries are places for the living too.

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On a weekend in the summer, perhaps spring and fall as well, take yourself to one of the parks of Toronto with nice flowers and settings, and you will surely find wedding parties there for pictures. Edward's Gardens at the southwest corner of Lawrence Ave East & Leslie St is a perfect location.
Apparently there is a proper order of the places to go for pictures, the professional photographers are well aware of it. The bridge over the stream, this spot and that spot... it is all quite fun to watch.
If you are trying to decide upon a colour arrangement or a style for your own upcoming nuptials, then take a gander at what is being worn.
The joy of this is that there is no charge for admission, and its a lovely walk in the park. Take the family and have fun. Learn the different varieties of plants and flowers too.

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The previous tip showed you the Limos all lined up. This shot, taken at a distance, only takes in one wedding all set up. Rest assured that there will be a number of other ones lined up elsewhere in the park.

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"Summer time and the living is easy..." ah yes, how wonderful to sit back and listen to the music of yesteryear... or that of the some current musicians, or perhaps some music of different cultures. Mel Lastman Square in North York, has a bandstand where, for free, you can enjoy music and talent of all sorts during the summer. On Thursdays there is a farmer's market and you can purchase (although not always cheaply as the grocery stores) all sorts of produce. Holiday Weekends find different cultural activities going on for all ages.
Right now, in mid-February, the bandstand isn't used too much... skating is the name of the game.

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It doesn't matter where it is in Toronto and area, some place there is some filming going on. Toronto is used for many American locations, for movies and tv shows.
Sometimes they move out of the city too. For example, the tv show Wild Card, which supposedly takes place in Chicago, is filmed in Toronto. I mention this show, because just recently there was an episode about a suspicious insurance claim on a bull, and for that episode they needed some real farm footage. My cousin's farm was one of the locations used.... but in typical fashion, you needed to know the property to realise where it was. My picture is of the "nursery" which wasn't in the show, but was part of the interior of the barn.

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I haven't hiked on any of these paths, but as I was looking for an office on St. Claire Avenue, I happened to see this sign on the side of the library.
So many places to go walking still in centre of Toronto.

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The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce at the corner of Yonge & Front was, I believe, classified as a historical building... so, it couldn't be torn down. The BCE Place was constructing there... they bought that spot... so, what did they do? They built around it! And inside the BCE, is the CIBC!!! So, a bank inside a building!!!

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St Paul's on Bloor, Anglican Church, is between Church St and Yonge St, on the south side of Bloor St. (that makes sense!) It is one of the largest churches in Canada... 3000 seats. The original wooden church was founded in 1842, the 2nd oldest Parish in Toronto. A stone church was built in 1860, but the congregation outgrew it, although the building still exists. The current church was dedicated in 1913.
It is a massive church, and from the inside, does remind one of St. Paul's Cathedral in London, England. Certainly it was built in that style.
My only time in the church was to attend a Christmas Carole service, and it was amazing with the accoustics and organ, and choir.

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Phone: 416-961-8116
Website: www.stpaulsbloor.org
Other Contact: 227 Bloor St. E.,Toronto,M4W 1C8

I just discovered this as I was walking from an interview, and thought it was worth sharing. The piece is called Community and I believe it has only been there since 2001 but it might have been 1991... something like that anyway.
It was a nice piece, and in the failing light of the evening thought I'd share it with VT folks.
I found it on Bloor St East, on the North Side, between Jarvis and Church Streets.

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Right at the northwest corner of Queen and University you find the William Campbell House, now the home of the Advocate's Society.
Behind the Campbell House is the Canada Life building. Canada Life has the weather indicator ontop... showing clear weather.

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