Summer in the City: Trendy Toronto

Going to Tornoto? JULIE HAWRISHOK has tips on what to do and where to stay.

A city of skyscrapers, world-class theatre and an important film festival (4–13 September) — it’s no wonder that people looking for a good time travel to Canada’s largest city. Toronto balances its world-class programme of entertainment with excellent shopping and the Canadian modesty that visitors find so attractive.

Take a ferry from Queens Quay on to Lake Ontario, and look back at the skyline. The CN Tower — until 2007 the tallest free-standing structure in the world — is just over 550 metres high; enjoy the view from the top. Next to it is Rogers Centre, a stadium that’s home to the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team and the Toronto Argonauts football team. Seeing either one play is a classic summer treat; tickets are usually available on the day of the game. Between the tall buildings lies downtown’s famous entertainment district. Broadway musicals and plays fill the 2,000-seat theatres, and comedy clubs invite world-class talent. Warm temperatures bring with them a programme of open-air concerts, too. Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour will be appearing at the Harbourfront Centre on 6 July 2008.

Near downtown, ethnic, historic and artists’ neighbourhoods spread out in all directions. The Bloor-Yorkville area is where trendy Torontonians shop. Here you’ll find local fashion designers selling clothing none of your friends will have. Feeling hungry after shopping? Go to Chinatown or any of Toronto’s many other ethnic neighbourhoods. Nearly half of the city’s inhabitants were born outside of Canada and have brought their music, food, and other cultural specialities to the city.

From mid-July until August, Toronto celebrates its Caribbean residents at Caribana, a festival with reggae and calypso music and dancing. More than a million people come to the city for a four-kilometre parade with flamboyant floats. What other cities on the continent have that? Well, New York is one: its West Indian Labor Day parade in Brooklyn takes place on 1 September. But don’t be surprised if you meet some of that city’s Caribbean community in Toronto — those smart people who’ve come to town to double their fun.

Enjoy the entire article, "Summer in the city", with travel tips for London, Dublin and Washington, DC from Spotlight 6/2008.  Download it as a PDF:  Summer in the city, Spotlight 6/2008

Stay: where downtown’s business, entertainment and shopping districts meet. Rooms from Can$ 169 (€105) at The Suites, 1 King Street West; tel. (001) 416-548 8200; www.onekingwest.com

Eat: at 5th Elementt, an Indian-Italian restaurant in the heart of the film festival district. 1033 Bay Street; tel. (001) 416-923 8159; www.5thelementt.com

Tourist info: at 207 Queen’s Quay West; tel. (001) 416-203 2600; www.torontotourism.com