Off the beaten path Toronto

Old May 30th, 2013, 03:25 AM
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Off the beaten path Toronto

Looking for things to do that aren't well known tourist traps in early June for sister and me, mid 50's in age. We like culture, photography, street art fairs, adventurous eating. Always seeking a special event that isn't well publicized or that hidden gem of a restaurant we'd remember forever. Wandering through neighborhoods on the agenda as well as symphony and baseball and shopping. Staying downtown Toronto near Union Station.
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Old May 30th, 2013, 05:35 AM
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Pedestrian Sundays have started in Kensington Market -- lots of music, food, games, and it's butted right up to Chinatown on Spadina. Here's the website:
http://www.kensington-market.ca/Default.asp?id=1&l=1
If you don't have empanadas for lunch at Wandas Pie In The Sky, have noodles and duck or pork in soup at King's Noodle on Spadina, or Pho or Vietnamese sandwiches. The Pedestrian Sunday dates are on the website but even if you don't make one of those days you should still explore Kensington Market.

You might also enjoy the Indian part of town at Broadview and Gerrard. It's easily accessible by public transportation. Go and buy a sari and eat corn on the cob on the street.

There are lots of street fairs in Toronto in the summer -- several every weekend. Pick up a copy of NOW Magazine found on just about every street corner (or google it) to see what's on. Also, check www.toronto.com, although I have to admit it's not my favourite website.

I'm not sure if Luminato will be on when you're here. It's a great arts festival and there are lots of free and ticketed events. Here's the website for that: http://luminatofestival.com.
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Old May 30th, 2013, 03:26 PM
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Bata Shoe Museum -- plenty of history can be told on mankind's feet -- you can see how the path became beaten -- www.batashoemuseum.ca
Smaller and more focused on crafts than icons is the Textile Museum of Canada http://www.textilemuseum.ca/
Tableware to make even the Antiques Roadshow catch its breath at the Gardiner Museum www.gardinermuseum.on.ca
All three are in downtown central; the Gardiner is across the street from the Royal Ontario Museum.
Offbeat eats (selfconsciously so) at Wurst, selling sausages made from things you never thought of. Everyone sits at communal tables. Dazzling selection of Canadian craft beers. Line-ups on weekend evenings but its website promises to take reservations. http://wvrst.com/
Gastropub cooking at its best (many aren't) at Queen & Beaver. Pricy pub-fusion where old English standards find new life. Careful although limited selections of draught beer. www.queenandbeaverpub.ca
C'est Wha is a downstairs roadhouse bar with 39 Canadian craft draughts, some they make themselves, a block from St. Lawrence Market. Kitchen doesn't match the bar's ambitions. The name is a French-English pun that's complicated to explain. www.cestwhat.ca
(Do you see a certain pattern in my dining choices?)
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Old May 30th, 2013, 05:30 PM
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@ Southam - I DO notice a trend. This event on June 22 may interest you:
http://sessiontoronto.ca/
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Old Jun 2nd, 2013, 09:39 AM
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Jamierin, you make me thirsty. The latest generation of craft brews, and places to drink them, are turning Toronto into a permanent beer festival.
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Old Jun 3rd, 2013, 12:29 PM
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I love the Kensington Market area. I took a walking tour with Toronto Urban Adventures - great way to spend the afternoon. Covered both Kensington and China Town with delicious Dim Sum afterwards!

http://www.torontourbanadventures.com/
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Old Jun 4th, 2013, 02:39 AM
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Walking tour--very cool! Thank you, Wingsgal!!
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Old Jun 4th, 2013, 05:18 AM
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You're welcome. We loved the company. It was one of my favorite walking tours ever. They also have a free walking tour that gives an overview of Toronto that we enjoyed. Not as in depth but still had some interesting facts about the City Hall buildings. Enjoy!
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Old Jun 12th, 2013, 03:41 AM
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Wingsgal, we took the Kensington walking tour you suggested. WOW!! How interesting! I'd planned to revisit the area on our last day but unforgiving rain precluded. Can't wait to go back. Of all the neighborhood we visited, Kensington definitely was my favorite. Love the diversity.
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Old Jun 20th, 2013, 05:39 PM
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Anymore suggestions???
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Old Jun 23rd, 2013, 05:38 AM
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Distillery district was interesting: www.thedistillerydistrict.com

THE BEST!!: http://www.torontourbanadventures.com/
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