Toronto Things to Do Tips by MissAntarctica2002

At first the concept of the Bata Shoe Museum sounds ridiculous and dull, but I can assure you that it is neither. The museum's founder, Sonja Bata, has an incredible collection of foot related artifacts and the displays are colourful, fun and informative. How can you pass up a chance to see one of Napolean's socks, complete with his imperial toe jam?!

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Phone: 416-979-7799
Address: 327 Bloor Street West
Directions: Bloor & St. George, right by St. George subway stop. Hard to miss.
Website: http://www.batashoemuseum.ca

If I was visiting Toronto and only had an opportunity to do one or two things, I would make sure one of them was a visit to the Textile Museum of Canada.

The Textile Museum has a breathtaking permanent collection. All of the displays, whether permanent or temporary are always tremendously interesting and informative.

Those interested in crafts, particularly the various fibre arts will absolutely want to visit this museum's store for an irresistable selection of books and other items.

Closed on Mondays.

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Phone: 416-599-5321
Address: 55 Centre Street
Directions: Behind City Hall, near the Metropolitan Hotel.
Website: www.museumfortextiles.on.ca

Winterlicious is a culinary event that occurs every year during Toronto's WinterCity festival. During this time restaurants participating in Winterlicious offer a special menu that is typically much less expensive than you would normally find at these fine dining establishments. Lunch is either $10 or $20 per person and dinner is $20 or $30 per person depending on the restaurant. The prix fixe menu typically includes several courses and is an excellent way to try many restuarants that would normally be out of reach for some folks. The reservations get snapped up quickly, so if there is a specific restaurant that you have your heart set on, make your reservations as soon as you can.

Check the winterlicious web page for dates and participating restaurants as they change every year.

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Website: http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/special_events/wintercity/winterlicious.htm

The Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art is another one of those things that may sound a little dull at first glance, but is surprisingly interesting, informative, and inspiring.

I've gone there a couple of times, it is always amazes me the things you can learn from art such as this. The museum houses a wide range of permanent and visiting collections of all descriptions. This is not a gigantic version of your grandma's china cabinet.

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Phone: 416-586-8080
Address: 111 Queen's Park
Directions: Near Provincial Parliament buildings, University of Toronto, and Royal Ontario Museum. If taking the subway, get off at the Museum stop on the University Line.
Website: www.gardinermuseum.on.ca

The Design Exchange a museum and resource centre devoted to Canadian design. It is worth the price of admission just to see the gorgeous building that it's in (original Toronto Stock Exchange). Its craftsmanship is definitely that of a bygone era. To top it off, their exhibits are always excellent, informative and inspiring.

If you're looking to have a fancy gathering, they also rent out space for functions such as product launches, dinners, weddings, press conferences.

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Phone: 416-393-6121
Address: 234 Bay Street
Directions: Located in the Toronto Dominion (aka TD) Centre in the financial district.

Closest subway stops would be King or Union.
Website: www.dx.org
Other Contact: info@dx.org

The Canadian National Exhibition (aka "CNE" or "The Ex") takes place at the end of every summer. In a nutshell it is a massive version of your average country fair. It has a massive midway, agricultural displays, all kinds of food vendors, a car show, all sorts of cheesy merchandise and much more.

In 2004 the Ex will take place August 20 to September 6.

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Address: Exhibition Place
Directions: Along the Lakeshore near Ontario Place.
Website: www.theex.com

The Royal is a must see event if you have even the slightest interest in agriculture. There are tons of interesting things to see. The equestrian events are the most popular and require advance tickets.

My husband and I love to go look at all of the different farm animals and produce displays.

In 2005 The Royal will take place November 4-13.

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Address: Exhibition Place
Directions: On Lakeshore Blvd near Ontario Place.
Website: www.royalfair.org

The Word On The Street (WOTS) is a literary festival that takes place every year in September in cities across Canada, including Toronto.

For the first years the festival has took place on Queen Street West, with the whole street closed off for the day. The WOTS has since moved to Queen's Park (the site of the Ontario provincial legislature) so that they can have more space.

It's a great event, especially for booklovers. It features all kinds of book sales, readings and other literary activities. It is a great place to broaden your horizons.

It takes place the last Sunday in September and admission is FREE!

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Address: Queen's Park
Directions: Take the University subway line and get off at Queen's Park station.

In the heart of the provincial legislature and the University of Toronto campus.
Website: http://www.thewordonthestreet.ca/toronto.php

The Canadian Filmmakers' festival is an emerging festival in Toronto. It doesn't yet have the cache of other events like the Toronto International Film Festival, but its star is certainly on the rise.

Last years' event was impressive, especially since it is organized by a very small group of people who just love cinema. The program included an interesting assortment of Canadian feature films and shorts from a variety of genres (They have posters that say "Canadian is not a genre", which I find amusing). If you are a cinema buff I recommend keeping an eye on the dates of the festival, and planning your holiday in Toronto around it.

The Canadian Filmmakers' Festival is still in its infancy so the dates and location within the city are subject change every year. I recommend checking the latest details on their web site.

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Address: changes yearly - check website
Website: www.canfilmfest.ca

In April or May the Ontario College of Art & Design has its Annual Student Exhibition. It is always an awesome event to see, with hundreds of pieces of the best work students have created that year. As you would expect there are lots of drawings, paintings and sculptures, but what might surprise you are the new media, jewellery, wood, textiles, printmaking and much more. It's also a great chance to get a closer look at the Sharpe Centre, one of Toronto's newest architechtural innovations.

Admission is "Pay What You Can" so it's guaranteed that you can afford it. In 2005 the Annual Student Exhibition takes place May 6-8.

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Phone: 426-977-6000
Address: 100 McCaul Street
Directions: On McCaul Street between Queen St. W. and Dundas. If taking the subway get off at St. Patrick. You can also take the 501 streetcar and get off at McCaul.
Website: www.ocad.ca
Other Contact: general@ocad.ca