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Original poster

Anyone been to Toronto?

25 replies

Returnofthesmileybar · 17/09/2018 20:41

Found out today that dh has to go to Toronto for five days in November and I can go too. I have never been, dh will have three days free. I was wondering if anyone could give me tips on things to do and also if anyone knew about shopping, is there outlet shopping like in the U.S? Hoping might pick up a few designer bits and bobs that would otherwise be out of my price range here. Thanks in advance Grin

OP posts:
ClosdesMouches · 17/09/2018 21:04

I love it, but must admit I prefer it in the summer months when Lake Ontario can be as blue as the Mediterranean Grin
Not sure about outlet shopping there but you should go. It's a great city, lovely friendly vibe, great places to eat.
Go. I'll be jealous!

ClosdesMouches · 17/09/2018 21:07

Just found this in my bookmarks saved for my trip last year. May give you some good pointers :

www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/north-america/canada/toronto/articles/toronto-shopping/

HundredMilesAnHour · 17/09/2018 21:09

Not sure about outlet shopping but they do have Sephora Smile

Roots is also good for leather bags, sweaters, socks etc.

Nov could be cold but you can get around downtown using the underground tunnels.

Summer is a much nicer time to visit when you can spend time on/by the lake, visit Niagara, go wine tasting etc.

babbi · 17/09/2018 21:16

Loads of shopping !
Vaughan Mills is good .... it’s great fun shopping and eating underground in the PATH system ...

Enjoy !
I’m jealous too !!

Goldenbug · 17/09/2018 21:21

But people don't have faces in Toronto!

Oblomov18 · 17/09/2018 21:22

Love Toronto. Went for Christmas when there was tonnes of snow.
Don't remember much shopping centres though. But buzzing place.

Original poster
Returnofthesmileybar · 17/09/2018 21:48

Thank you so much for your replies! ClousdesMouches I am going to read that article now, thank you Smile. I am very excited, love Sephora, dd will no doubt give me a list for there. I had never heard of the Path system, that sounds great!

I was jealous dh got to go until I found out I get to go too, thrilled!

OP posts:
bassackwards · 18/09/2018 04:02

There's not a lot of outlet shopping downtown, but Vaughn Mills is a big outlet shopping mall just outside the city. For downtown shopping check out the Eaton's Centre, Yorkdale Mall and Bloor Street West. I'd also recommend Queen Street West, Kensington Market and the Distillery District, which have a more cultural vibe. November will be cool but probably sunny. Have fun!

Thesnobbymiddleclassone · 18/09/2018 05:08

You will love it!

My mums family are originally from Canada just outside Toronto. My great grandparents came over after the war.

It's a beautiful country and Toronto has some amazing attractions, places to eat, nightlife.

My must visit is the CN Tower though.
www.cntower.ca/intro.html

Silvercatowner · 18/09/2018 05:47

Having a meal at the top of the CN tower is definitely a must - you do need to book well in advance.

Original poster
Returnofthesmileybar · 18/09/2018 20:31

Thank you do much for all the tips, I just saw there was more now. I am definitely going to check out Vaughn Mills and the CN tower, I wouldn't have thought of dinner there but I will look that up now. I see you can walk around the outside at the top, gulp, not sure I have the stomach for that!

OP posts:
VanillaSugary · 18/09/2018 20:37

Toronto is AMAZING!

Try Cora's for an omelette that will fill you up all day. The art gallery is fab, the museum is great - cross the road and you're in designer alley.

Kezzie200 · 18/09/2018 20:44

Love Toronto! Can be very cold!

Try and catch a hockey match. Marlies are cheaper than the Maple Leafs. Go up CN tower. Try a beer and sandwich in the brewery across the road from CN Tower. Eaton centre lots of shops. Get lost on the PATH. Find out how to use the tube and trams first...they still use tokens.

We were there for 5 days (plus 2 at niagara)... Great amount of time.

Original poster
Returnofthesmileybar · 18/09/2018 22:26

A hockey game sounds great!! I won't have a clue but hey ho I can shout for the under dog Grin

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Knittedfairies · 18/09/2018 23:01

I tagged along on a conference trip too, and had a wonderful time in Toronto for three days - by myself, with nobody to please but me. I went shopping, chatted to people in cafes, went to the Bata Shoe Museum and wandered around Chinatown. I did walk around the top of the CN tower; the glass floor was a bit scary!

Original poster
Returnofthesmileybar · 18/09/2018 23:12

Knittedfairies that sounds like heaven! I think hope I will manage the glass ceiling, for two seconds I contemplated the outside walk where you lean off the edge, gave my head a wobble and changed my mind Grin

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EscapeToTheMoon · 19/09/2018 15:44

I loved it! Went late November and it was bitterly cold and snowy and christmassy!

Shopping wise, Eaton Centre. CN Tower and of course the revolving restaurant. We went to Niagara which was quite frozen in places. Niagara on the Lake was quaint with a lovely Christmas Shop (don’t know if it is still there).

EscapeToTheMoon · 19/09/2018 15:46

Oh Ice skating in Nathan Phillips Square. Very festive like it is on films.

Kezzie200 · 19/09/2018 15:52

You'll have a great time. Are you in a central hotel?

Kezzie200 · 19/09/2018 15:56

The PATH is crazy. Its like as soon as you go underground you lose all sense of direction. There seems to be a really good map system - darned if I could work it out! Like the crystal maze with shops. Lol.

But people were really friendly helping out with directions and it was a great way to avoid the bitter cold (we had minus 18!).

Love to go back. Im very envious!

nornironrock · 19/09/2018 16:31

The CN Tower is an absolute must.

Please do pay attention to the weather forecast - it can be properly cold. I'm a northerner, and even I had to don a sweater once in March.

As far as shopping goes, I found it quite expensive, although you may save a few quid on a Canada Goose jacket....

Also, the sports bar across form the hockey stadium is fantastic. Supposedly the best in North America...... I'll leave you to decide.

VanillaSugary · 19/09/2018 16:45

The Christmas shop was there as at March 2017!!!

LadyDuplo · 19/09/2018 16:51

Day trip to Niagara Falls.

Sports bar does the best milkshakes ever (I am an adult btw Blush)

Second the CN tower. We had a meal
Up there which was nice.

We also done one of those open top bus tours which was good. It was pouring with rain so they gave us ponchos.

MadeleineMaxwell · 19/09/2018 18:14

We went to Toronto on honeymoon, had a meal at the top of the CN Tower - bloody amazing! Niagara and a helicopter ride. And if you possibly can, get down to Susur Lee's restaurant and have the famous slaw, it's just divine.

And not to forget - poutine! Just about everywhere does it.

Otherwise, we mainly bummed about the Lake, got attacked by giant caterpillars and got lost in the Path system. I remember it very fondly!

topcat2014 · 19/09/2018 18:15

I used to travel to Ottawa regularly, in the winter, with Christmas shops etc.

No travel anymore in my current job :(

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