#WhenIn Toronto

Though Toronto may be better known for its CN Tower, Eaton Center, and Ripley’s Aquarium, I find that its (by far) best quality is in the ambiance of its many quaint neighborhoods and green parks. Canadians are as sweet as maple syrup, so there should be absolutely nothing to stop you from diving into the local atmosphere.

Where to stay:

Cambridge Suites Hotel is located conveniently in downtown and has very large and comfortable suites. The extra space is quite nice to have, and getting room service breakfast in the morning is really great.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto is also located in downtown and also has very large and comfortable suites (Toronto seems to have a bit more space than many other metropolitan cities). The only difference is that they (like all DoubleTrees by Hilton) greet you with a warm chocolate cookie when you arrive (with melted chocolate inside… and I found out that you can have more than one, so one may go a bit overboard).

How to get around:

Walk or take Uber around. Toronto’s streets are easy to figure out, and Uber is very affordable.

Where to eat:

Breakfast:

In bed… (with coffee, juice, scrambled eggs, potatoes, tomatoes, and a pretty groggy young man).

Pow Wow in Kensington Market is a small cafe with a big and hearty breakfast/brunch menu. The food is really good, and it is super nice to sit outside when the sun is out.

Lunch:

Japango in Downtown is my favorite sushi place in Toronto, and I have had many lunches and dinners in this cosy and intimate little restaurant. Their chirashi is super delicious, and their uni is very fresh.

Dinner:

Kinka Izakaya Original in Garden District is a very happening Japanese restaurant. The chefs and guests are all in very high spirits (at one point servers and guests literally broke out into some very impressive beatboxing), and the extensive menu provides for interesting exploration.

What to eat:

Anything with maple syrup, but I was also quite surprised to find that Toronto is quite good at sushi and seafood.

What to do:

Go (through Chinatown) to Kensington Market. This very calm area, right next to the bustling Chinatown, is full of vintage shops, small cafes, and colorful houses. The local (hippie) atmosphere is really great, and the quiet and relaxed neighborhood lends itself perfectly for coffee and getting some work done or just absorbing the vibe.

Walk or picnic in Trinity Bellwoods Park. This green park is especially lovely when the weather is good and the locals are out on the grass with picnics and guitars.

Spend the evening in the Distillery District. This recently-restored district with 19th century architecture once housed the largest whiskey distillery in the world. Today the pedestrian-only area is full of hip restaurants, bars, antique shops, and galleries and is a great place to have dinner and then an evening walk around to look for great vintage finds.

Walk around downtown by night. Like with most major cities, I prefer to explore the city center at night to avoid the crowds. Toronto (that doesn’t even feel crowded by day) gets extremely quiet by night, but the buildings are lit up nicely, and if you’re lucky you will catch some street artists in action.

What not to do:

Don’t spend time shopping at the Toronto Eaton Center, chase the typical main attractions, or go up and down tall buildings. Toronto has a lot of charm, but most of it is found in its quirky nooks and crannies.