Morningglory. Thank you.. Seems my diet would go by the wayside!
Where is the Junction? I don't know.

Goddess, yes that is the email address I used. I just looked and I have your SO's email. I'll see if I can find the email I sent and will forward it to SO.

Cathy have a good time.. Seems there are lots of choices.
Thanks everyone.

I wrote a reply and lost it! Shorter reply....

The Junction is Dundas West, west of Keele over to about Jane. http://www.thejunctionbia.com/Home.aspx

There's an interesting synagogue on Maria Street in the Junction. http://www.ontariojewisharchives.org...l/history.html - it's usually open with tours during Doors Open weekend.

And, as mentioned, there's Little Italy on College Street between Bathurst and Shaw, from Shaw over to I don't know there's Little Portugal (and Portuguese from the Azores have claimed Dundas West, west of Bathurst); Via Corsa on St. Clair from about Dufferin over to Earlscourt is the second Italian area...there's a smaller Italian area without a name (yet!) on Danforth around Greenwood. The Koreans have the Christie/Bloor area; the Greeks have Danforth from about Chester to Jones. There's a big mosque and shops catering to Muslims around Danforth and Donlands and further east around Shoppers World near Vic Park. The Wasps have Leaside.

For a rainy day or if you just want to take a long streetcar ride - the 506 College/Main car starts in High Park, travels past the large homes in that area, Parkdale, Little Portugal, Little Italy, northern part of Kensington, crosses Spadina/Chinatown, passes by U of T, Queen's Park and University Avenue with the hospitals, Police HQ, College and Yonge, Maple Leaf Gardens, Allan Gardens, turns onto Gerrard Street for Cabbagetown, Regent Park, over the Don River to Broadview Chinatown with it's many Vietnamese businesses; past India Bazaar, the Upper Beach, and ends at Main Subway station. With a day pass, you can hop on and off anytime you see something that you fancy getting a better look at.

Doors Open is a good weekend to come into the city - buildings not normally open to the public have tours -
http://www.toronto.ca/doorsopen/ May 28 and 29 this year.

Thanks, Goddess, I looked up the Mad Bean - their website says they have events at night, too - definitely a place I'll drag the coffee "girls" to soon. I've been to Phipps nearby.

Morningglory, You are amazing! Thank you so so much. This is fantastic information.
I'm going to print this out so I have it for future trips.

I'm sure many others will appreciate all this great information too.

It's good to know about Open Doors too.

Thanks again Morning Glory!! Have a wonderful day everyone!

When I grow up, I want to be as well-versed as Morningglory, goddesstogo and BAK. :) Seriously, there's a whack of great information there that I'd just make a couple of minor additions to.

Doors Open is a province-wide on varying weekends and definitely worth checking out. Here's a link to this year's schedule:

http://bit.ly/DoorsOpen2011

Also, if you enjoy walking tours, the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) conducts a series of free walking tours on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons throughout the summer and they're well worth the time. Below is this year's schedule:

http://bit.ly/ROMWalk

HTH
u

I enjoyed West Queen West my last trip to Toronto just south of Little Portugal and Little Italy (near the Drake & the Gladstone hotels). There was an enjoyable vibe there due to some eclectic restaurants and shops, particularly around just past dark. Cabbagetown is quieter, but I appreciated that neighborhood for the architecture and a "petting zoo" as unique urban farm-like ambience.

I second the Bata Shoe Museum (not nearly as frivolous as I thought it would be, rather historically fascinating to tell the truth!) and think seeing Chinatown, Kensington Market, Little Italy and Little Portugal are all great plans!

Have fun! Daniel

Daniel - yes, Queen West can be a fun day out - a friend and I started at University and ended at the Gladstone one sunny day. The farm in Cabbagetown is the former zoo - some of the awful cages they used are still there; there's a small farm on Centre Island, too. And at Black Creek Pioneer Village - these 3 farms are good for city kids. AND city adults...I really like Black Creek (although not the crappy restaurant)...I think it's because there are no cars.

Cabbagetown comprises "the largest continuous area of preserved Victorian housing in North America", according to the Cabbagetown Preservation Association. They have a home tour in the fall during the Cabbagetown Festival.

UTour - thanks for link to Ontario Doors Open - I always mean to get to the Guelph day as family came from the area.

Heritage Toronto offers free walks - http://www.heritagetoronto.org/

Toronto Field Naturalists offer free walks, too - http://www.torontofieldnaturalists.org/v-walks.htm - the walks aren't rushed - they take time to smell the flowers...and often take you into Toronto's ravines.

The Bruce Trail Club Toronto Section has some city walks. https://media6.magma.ca/www.torontob...indexhttps.php

The Brickworks http://ebw.evergreen.ca/ was a surprise to me - it's hard to believe you're in the city - There's a free bus from just outside Broadview Station most days - even in winter - or the Davisville #28A (not the 28) bus goes there on Saturdays. http://www3.ttc.ca/ I'd wait till it's warmer though ... but that's me.

NOW magazine's daily events section is a free publication to check for walks and other events.

Having typed this ... I now feel I should get dressed and get out there!

Fabulous information. Thank you so very much, all of you. I can see I'm going to have a busy, but very enjoyable summer.

Daniel and Morning Glory, are you talking about the old Riverdale zoo? Back in the very early 50's my parents would have my brother's birthday picnic there. I have pictures of us in the park.

There is much great information here. Thanks again. I am looking forward to exploring Toronto! I have a 5 wk exchange there in late September.

Yes, kodi, the Cabbagetown farm is the old Riverdale Zoo.

Annetti - I hope local fodorites get to meet you and mr. annetti in September.

Morningglory: Thanks for the nice thought!