Toronto's High Park
Jan 14th, 2007, 01:38 PM
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Toronto's High Park
Is High Park a nice place to explore? How long is the walk from one end of the park to the other? Is it safe in the early evenings? What kinds of things can you see/do? I looked on the web but couldn't find much detail. Just looking for a nice, low-key place to walk outdoors for a while, while I'm in town for a convention. If you have other suggestions, please let me know!
Also, can someone please provide specific details on how to get there via public transportation (which subway/bus, cost, how long to get there, etc.), from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre? Thanks in advance!
Also, can someone please provide specific details on how to get there via public transportation (which subway/bus, cost, how long to get there, etc.), from the Metro Toronto Convention Centre? Thanks in advance!
Jan 15th, 2007, 07:28 AM
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High Park is a nice spot ( Bloor subway line to High Park station $2.75 , you have to change from Yonge line Union Station near MTCC to Bloor line at Bloor))
but not worth 25-30 minutes trip.(in my opinion)
MTCC is only minutes from the lake. You can walk down to the water ; there are number of restaurants and shops in the area,( and parkland with benches) ), it is safe any time .
On a nice day you can take the ferry to the Island and have a walk there- most visitors to Toronto
realy enjoy the ride and the view.
but not worth 25-30 minutes trip.(in my opinion)
MTCC is only minutes from the lake. You can walk down to the water ; there are number of restaurants and shops in the area,( and parkland with benches) ), it is safe any time .
On a nice day you can take the ferry to the Island and have a walk there- most visitors to Toronto
realy enjoy the ride and the view.
Jan 15th, 2007, 07:55 AM
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I used to live next door to the High Park subway station.
Easy enough to get to.
Half an hour minimum to walk from theHiogh park sation south through the park -- downhill -- and when you emerge at the bottom, where you can take a Queen Street streetcar back downtown, near the convention center.
There's a little zoo, a restaurant, some nice gardens, ...
But, it's a lot of trouble to go for a walk for an hour.
You can walk down to the lake, as described already, and talk to the tcket taker at the ferry terminal about arriving on the island at one ferry boat dock and leving the island at another ferry boat dock.
But "low-key" has vrious definitions. You could walk up through the University of Toronto grounds, or walk over to the Distillery District, or turn right when you get to the lake and visit less developed parts of Harbourfront...
BAK
Easy enough to get to.
Half an hour minimum to walk from theHiogh park sation south through the park -- downhill -- and when you emerge at the bottom, where you can take a Queen Street streetcar back downtown, near the convention center.
There's a little zoo, a restaurant, some nice gardens, ...
But, it's a lot of trouble to go for a walk for an hour.
You can walk down to the lake, as described already, and talk to the tcket taker at the ferry terminal about arriving on the island at one ferry boat dock and leving the island at another ferry boat dock.
But "low-key" has vrious definitions. You could walk up through the University of Toronto grounds, or walk over to the Distillery District, or turn right when you get to the lake and visit less developed parts of Harbourfront...
BAK
Jan 15th, 2007, 11:32 AM
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The Bruce Trail Club (www.brucetrail.org) had an urban hike which started in High Park yesterday. We encountered a lot of dog walkers and just walkers but we started at 10 a.m. Hikes, which are free, are advertised in NOW Daily Events section which is a free alternative newspaper distributed widely.
When is your convention? In the summer there are lovely gardens, fishing in Grenadier Pond, a pool, tennis courts, the home of John Howard called Colborne Lodge, now a museum - Howard left the land to the city and he and his wife are buried in the park, bocce, lacross, the Dream in High Park, a Shakespearean play put on each summer, etc.
In the winter, there's a skating rink.
If you enjoy walking and getting away from downtown, it's worth it.
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/highpark.htm
When is your convention? In the summer there are lovely gardens, fishing in Grenadier Pond, a pool, tennis courts, the home of John Howard called Colborne Lodge, now a museum - Howard left the land to the city and he and his wife are buried in the park, bocce, lacross, the Dream in High Park, a Shakespearean play put on each summer, etc.
In the winter, there's a skating rink.
If you enjoy walking and getting away from downtown, it's worth it.
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/highpark.htm
Jan 16th, 2007, 08:41 AM
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Thank you, nbujic, BAK, and SallyCanuck. This is exactly the kind of info I was hoping for. I'm still interested in going to High Park, but maybe I won't give it as much priority considering the time & effort required to get there.
I will be at the convention in early June, for only 4 days or so, and without much free time (maybe a couple hours in the afternoon or early evenings).
Can you give me more info about the lake and the ferry? How long is the trip, from the convention centre? Sounds like something I'd like to do while in town. Also, if there are not-to-be-missed sights in the Distillery District or Harbourfront, please let me know your opinion. Thanks again, I appreciate the help.
I will be at the convention in early June, for only 4 days or so, and without much free time (maybe a couple hours in the afternoon or early evenings).
Can you give me more info about the lake and the ferry? How long is the trip, from the convention centre? Sounds like something I'd like to do while in town. Also, if there are not-to-be-missed sights in the Distillery District or Harbourfront, please let me know your opinion. Thanks again, I appreciate the help.
Jan 16th, 2007, 10:23 AM
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It's not a very long trip from the Convention Centre to High Park by subway north from St. Andrew's Station, west from St. George but if you think you won't have the time:
Harbourfront has weekly events which are listed in papers - often in NOW which is free everywhere. http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/noflash/frontpage.php
Same for the Distillery District. http://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/frameset.html - but it's not a wander in a park like setting nor is Harbourfront.
The Islands: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/
It's a long walk from Ward's Island (there is a restaurant there and which is residential) to Centre Island. The islands are covered in goose poop so be prepared for that.
Harbourfront has weekly events which are listed in papers - often in NOW which is free everywhere. http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/noflash/frontpage.php
Same for the Distillery District. http://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/frameset.html - but it's not a wander in a park like setting nor is Harbourfront.
The Islands: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/island/
It's a long walk from Ward's Island (there is a restaurant there and which is residential) to Centre Island. The islands are covered in goose poop so be prepared for that.
Jan 16th, 2007, 01:07 PM
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The Distillrey District is a long way from the MTCC. There are a few restaurants, shops and galleries there.
If the weather is nice walking by the lake is very plesant ( you can stop for a drink and look at the boats)
If you take a street car East on Queen Street to Kingston Road you can go to another area by the lake called the Beaches ( 20 min on the street car).
It is not low-key but it is very nice:
many restaurant, a boardwalk , very popular with the locals!
If the weather is nice walking by the lake is very plesant ( you can stop for a drink and look at the boats)
If you take a street car East on Queen Street to Kingston Road you can go to another area by the lake called the Beaches ( 20 min on the street car).
It is not low-key but it is very nice:
many restaurant, a boardwalk , very popular with the locals!
Jan 16th, 2007, 06:16 PM
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Guide us here... is there a compulstion to walk in a big park when you are in a vibrant city with lots of little parks, tons of trees, and lots of other places to walk?
If so, High Park is a great park.
But for the vast majority of tourists on a tight schedule, there are better places to go for a half hour of walking on grass.
Toronto Island is really several islands connected by little bridges. No cars on the island, perhaps ten minutes by ferry from the dock beside the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel at the foot of Bay Street.
Mostly, Toronto Island, in the part you'd likely be, is grass and trees and some beach, plus there's a good amusement park for little and middle sized kids.
Once you get yourself a map...
The convention center is nexty door to the CN Tower.
There are paths from the convention center to Harbourfront, which is beside the lake.
What's your hotel? That would help in some planning.
BAK
If so, High Park is a great park.
But for the vast majority of tourists on a tight schedule, there are better places to go for a half hour of walking on grass.
Toronto Island is really several islands connected by little bridges. No cars on the island, perhaps ten minutes by ferry from the dock beside the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel at the foot of Bay Street.
Mostly, Toronto Island, in the part you'd likely be, is grass and trees and some beach, plus there's a good amusement park for little and middle sized kids.
Once you get yourself a map...
The convention center is nexty door to the CN Tower.
There are paths from the convention center to Harbourfront, which is beside the lake.
What's your hotel? That would help in some planning.
BAK
Jan 17th, 2007, 09:26 AM
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Thanks again for your informative replies. You've helped me figure out where I'd like to explore during my limited time.
I still have not booked a hotel, but I'm considering the following (from least to most expensive, including convention discount): Delta Chelsea, Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto, Holiday Inn on King, Renaissance Toronto Hotel Downtown, and Hilton Toronto. Cost is important, since I have limited funding for the trip. (Hence, the cheap, easy to get to, "low-key" events I've been asking about.) During the convention I'm expecting to spend about 8 daytime hours indoors for the four days I'm there, so I'd like to get out and about to stretch, even if it's just a walk in the park or along the lake. For this trip, I think I'd be more interested in "nature walks" than "city walks."
Please feel free to reply or comment. In the meantime, I'll study the map and read up on all your suggestions! I'm sure I'll have more questions, which I'll probably post as new threads, as June approaches.
I still have not booked a hotel, but I'm considering the following (from least to most expensive, including convention discount): Delta Chelsea, Courtyard by Marriott Downtown Toronto, Holiday Inn on King, Renaissance Toronto Hotel Downtown, and Hilton Toronto. Cost is important, since I have limited funding for the trip. (Hence, the cheap, easy to get to, "low-key" events I've been asking about.) During the convention I'm expecting to spend about 8 daytime hours indoors for the four days I'm there, so I'd like to get out and about to stretch, even if it's just a walk in the park or along the lake. For this trip, I think I'd be more interested in "nature walks" than "city walks."
Please feel free to reply or comment. In the meantime, I'll study the map and read up on all your suggestions! I'm sure I'll have more questions, which I'll probably post as new threads, as June approaches.
