Toronto Things to Do Tips by Martman

I love seeing animals so naturally suggest the zoos of cities. The Toronto one, however, is not just a nice zoo that I enjoyed and recommend. In my opinion, it is truly the greatest zoo that I have ever been to. It is truly spectacular. If you enjoy zoos like me, do not miss this one.

I do know for certain, that it is huge. Theymake an effort to display any unusual animal such as a white lion. Another example, is that they wont just have rhinocerouses. They will make sure that they include a rare breed of rhinocerous too. The Zoo has over 5,000 animals which represent 460 species.

Some of the greatest days of my life, were at the Toronto zoo. I seldom hesitate to take visitors there. The only problem, however, is that it requires lots of walking. I do know, one can hire special mobiles for less-abled people.

I could continue writing about highlights there. I do remember that the ostriches are curious. When we stood by the fence to see them, they came directly opposite us to stare at us too! We felt like we were in the zoo!

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Phone: 416-392-5900
Address: 361A Old Finch Avenue Scarborough, Ont, M1B 5K7
Directions: The Main Entrance is on Meadowvale Road, Scarborough, just north of Highway 401 (Exit #389 going eastbound and westbound).
Website: http://www.torontozoo.com
Other Contact: Email: torontozoo@torontozoo.ca

Yonge street is apparently the longest street in the world. It is worth walking through Yonge Street downtown in the evenings. The city is full of life. The busiest part is between Queen and Dundas, in other words next to the Eaton Center. There is an abundance of painters, magicians, singers etc. If you have the time, you may wish to also walk along Queen Street. A great way to spend an evening is to walk along Queen street, Yonge Street and then Bloor Street in the evenings. You will see every type of shop imaginable. Naturally, a Saturday night is the best time to be here for most people. To see my album on Yonge street in general, click here: Yonge Street Album 1

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Directions: Yonge street goes through the centre of Toronto starting at Lake Ontario.

This is an exciting parade that takes place every year during the summer. I have watched it so many times, that I have accumulated enough pictures to fill 7 pages of album!

To enter page one of the album, click here: Gay Parade Album 1

I give some of my favorite pictures below. There is far more information and pictures in my album.

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Website: http://www.pridetoronto.com/

The city is full of coffe shops. It is actually a cheap way to socialize, for those who do not feel like spending at restaurants. People even have business meetings there. The most common names in the Greater Toronto Area are "Starbucks" and "Second Cup".
As one example, I attented a meeting for people interested in health and fitness. This picture is us four of us meeting. It was taken at Starbucks in the heart of the city i.e. near the corner of Yonge and King streets. Yonge is the longest street in the city (and the world!) Most of the tallest buildings in Toronto, are in King Street, just west of Yonge. I have often had relaxing evenings in these coffee shops and they are not an expensive way of entertaining!

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Edward Gardens is open to the public from early to late. It is a large park nestling in the city subarbs, always with activity. People, families, clubs etc enjoy picnics. There are joggers. Othisrs simply enjoy a relaxing walk. It is a wonderful excuse to escape the city without escaping the city! In fact, Edward Gardents is one of many inter-connected parks in the city. Arguably we have one gargantuan park with names for its respective segments! I believe it is possible to reach downtown from Edward Gardens, using only parks. The entrance faces the west side of Bayview on the corner of Bayview / Lawrence. There is ample parking.

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Phone: (416) 397-8186
Address: 777 Lawrence Ave E
Directions: South west corner of Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East
Website: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/parks_gardens/edwardsgdns.htm

The city is so large and vibrant, it has many unusual and exciting areas. One of them is Queen street, the hub of excitement. My suggestion to you is as follows:
Find an evening when you are free from about 7pm onwards. Goto Yonge Street downtown, byt the intersection of Queen Street. This is by the south side of Eaton Centre. From there, walk west along Queen Street. Almost immediately, you will pass Nathan Phillips Square on your right. At that square, you will likely see the Quaint but stunning Old City Hall and the Modern New City Hall. Nathan Phillips Square

Continue along Queen Street. You will see many exciting unusual shops and thousands of people adding to the excitement. This will really be a rewarding walk. In fact a great idea is to meander your way down this street with a bunch of friends examining and comparing the various unusual shops. You do not need to spend money. You are also obviously welcome to spend money too, that is your choice!

Eventually you will reach the famous Chum City Building. Chum City Building It is worth looking round there.

I also suggest visiting my Toronto Off The Beaten Path Page. There, you can read about the City Council, Nathan Phillips Square, Osgoode Hall and the Mayor's office, which are all in Queen Street.

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Directions: Queen Street is an East-West street. It crosses Yonge street at the south side of Eaton Centre. That intersection is by the Queen subway station on the Yonge line.

Museums come in many forms. Usually, we equate a museum as a place for looking but not touching. The Ontario Science Centre is the exact opposite. It is a museum of science, space, geology, technology etc. The very essence is that participation is encouraged, hence touching and manipulation is the theme. Many exhibit have buttons to press. People visit the museum due to this hands on approach. Throughout the museum, there are live demonstrations. Visitors are encouraged to look at the schedule when and where each of these demonstrations are.
In 1996, the centre also introduced the first Omnimax theatre by its entrance. This is a theatre with an extra huge screen traditionally the height of a small building.

The museum?s most famous exhibit is the Van de Graaff generator, which when touched, makes the recipient?s hair stand out vertically!

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Phone: 416-696-1000
Address: 770 Don Mills Road
Directions: The location is Don Mills Road, the west side and just south of Eglinton. The centre is about 12Km from downtown Toronto.
Website: http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/
Other Contact: webmaster@osc.on.ca

Be advised: The Gardens may be closing soon if not already. I do not want anyone driving there for nothing and being disappointed. Please read their website carefully for updates or phone them.

The Cullen Gardens is a combination of both a delightful miniature village and meticulously maintained gardens. There are two ways of enjoying it.
It is either beautiful gardens with a miniature town, or a miniature town built into beautiful gardens. It is so beautiful that many weddings go there for their photographs.
Whenever I have gone, I had a wonderful time. The miniature exhibits are really good. There are plenty extra features. For example, the miniature parade has the audio sounds effects of the parade. There are many miniature boats traversing the lake. Some areas of the gardens have bushes that are meticulously cut to shape an animal.

The gardens stretch a full mile and half. The models are a 1/12 scale. Most of the miniature exhibits are replicas of historical or contemporary Southern Ontario buildings. There are more than 160 miniature exhibits.

My favorite exhibit is the miniature ferry that traverses back and forth across the lake. At each end, it has a miniature docking station.

Each time I visited the beautiful gardens, I came home knowing that I had the most wonderful day. I encourage you to look at all 5 pictures here. As mentioned at the top of these pages, these gardens may close down. Maybe they have closed already. Maybe the new owners will maintain this attraction. I really hope the Cullen Gardens continues. It would really be sad if such a beautiful tourist attraction closes. I spent many wonderful times there.

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Phone: 1 (800) 461-1821
Directions: 300 Taunton Road West , Whitby, Ontario

Highway 401 to Brock Street/Hwy 12 in Whitby (Exit 410)
Go 7 kms north on Highway 12 until Taunton Road
Turn Left onto Taunton Rd (to west)
Cullen Gardens 1 km further on north Side.
Many signs to direct you too.
Website: http://www.cullengardens.com/
Other Contact: (905) 686-1600 or (905)668-6606

The ROY THOMSON HALL is not just a concert hall in Toronto, but is also the home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as well as the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. It is well known for its impressive pipe organ.
This concert hall was originally opened in 1982. It is most famous for its circular architectural glass exterior. The hall has a capacity for 2812 lucky spectators.
The hall is also a main venue for the Toronto International Film Festival, which shows screenings each year.

The hall is so pretty, that it really boosts the city's centre. I am sure that even people who do not care much for the symphony, enjoy seeing this pretty building. I really love having it, even to just walk past it.

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Phone: tickets Call: (416) 872-4255
Address: 60 Simcoe Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2H5
Directions: Roy Thomson Hall is located at the corner of King and Simcoe Street.
Website: http://www.masseyhall.com/home.cfm
Other Contact: Admin (416) 593-4822

The Air Canada Centre is a new exhibition building in Toronto. It has many events including sport and shows. One suggestion, is to visit their calendar:

Air Canada Centre Calendar

to see what is showing.

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Phone: 416-815-5500
Directions: 40 Bay St., Suite 400
Toronto, ON
M5J 2X2
Website: http://www.theaircanadacentre.com/