Travel
24 Hours In… Toronto
Intro TorontoToronto is one of the most multicultural cities in the world – and where I call home. I’ve travelled to over 50 countries, and Toronto still remains my favourite city. I love the fact that I can experience every culture on any given day, and everything is within a short train ride away from each other. There’s really an endless amount of things you can see and do in the city, but I’m here to share some of my favourites. Here’s how I would spend a perfect 24 hours in Toronto…
[Photo: Tourism Toronto]0/15
Travel
24 Hours In… Toronto.
Coffee8am: Grab A Coffee – Toronto brews up some of the best coffee in the world in some of the cutest and funkiest coffee shops. No matter where in the city you start your day, there are a handful of great coffee shops to get that kick-start you need. Among my favourites are Wallace Coffee, Coffee Tree, Full Stop and Merchants of Green Coffee.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Toronto.
Breakfast8:30am: Breakfast Of Champions – While a coffee will give you a morning boost, you can’t have a perfect day in Toronto without getting some food in your belly – and Toronto has FANTASTIC food. In fact, we’re kind of known for it (and I’m not just saying that because I’m biased). I could write an entire food guide on all of the great breakfast joints, but here I’ll narrow it down to three: Starving Artist, Cool Hand of a Girl and Calii Love (try a smoothie bowl).
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Travel
24 Hours In… Toronto.
Shopping10am: Shop ‘Til You Drop – If you love to shop, then your bank account is going to hate Toronto. This city has some of the best shopping in the world! Queen Street West is the place to be, where you can find every store from H&M to Dior. There are also several cute boutique and vintage shops. Don’t say I didn’t warn you…
[Photo: Yu-Jen Shih/Flickr]3/15
Travel
24 Hours In… Toronto.
Chinatown1pm: A Taste Of China – One of the best things about Toronto is that you can feel like you’ve travelled around the world in a day without leaving the city. Among my favourite cultural areas is Chinatown, which is a great place to explore in the afternoon and is always an exciting experience, even if you’ve been to China. There are countless restaurants, fruit stands, shops, historical monuments, spas and karaoke bars for you to check out, and even though it can get congested at times (especially on summer weekends), there’s always a laid-back vibe. Take a tour to learn about Chinese culture and traditions, and if you’re lucky enough to be there during one of the annual festivals, be sure to participate in any of the many activities. Like most Toronto events, the Chinatown festivals are free to attend. Talk about a bargain! [Photo: dbking/Wikimedia Commons]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Toronto.
Kensington2pm: The Cool Kid In Town – While you’re in the area, check out Chinatown’s super-cool neighbour, Kensington Market, which I like to refer to as the “cool kid in town” because it’s one of the most unique and happening communities within Toronto. A melting pot of creativity and various ethnicities, Kensington Market is the place to be if you’re looking for good vibes, street entertainment, art, vintage clothing, organic foods, Latin American grocers, upbeat music, funky cafes and all-around outdoor fun. This is definitely one of my favourite hangouts in the city.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Toronto.
Empanadas4pm: Empanadas – El Gordo Fine Foods is one of those places you either stumble upon because you got lucky, know about because you’re a local, or know about because you’re reading this article (feel free to hit me up and thank me). If you’ve never had an empanada, prepare to be blown away. A dough shell stuffed with vegetables, meat and cheese, and then baked or fried, empanadas are like a Latin American version of pizza pockets (if you’ve never had one of those, you really aren’t living). I’m practically drooling all over my keyboard as I type this.
[Photo: Gord Fynes/Flickr]6/15
Travel
24 Hours In… Toronto.
EdgeWalk4:30pm: The Touristy Stuff – There’s a reason why tourist attractions are often flooded by, well, tourists: these attractions are a MUST-SEE/DO in the city you’re visiting. When you’re in Toronto, you must visit the CN Tower. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even strap on a harness and walk along the top of it. Yup. It’s no joke. The Edge Walk is an adrenaline-pumping way to experience Toronto’s most visited landmark. You can even get a photo of yourself hanging off the edge to prove to your friends and family what you did. My only advice: give those empanadas time to digest a little beforehand.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Toronto.
Dinner7pm: Dinner Time – You’ve explored quite a bit today, but the night is still young. Before you head out for a night on the town, you need to refuel. As previously mentioned, Toronto has amazing cuisine and from all over the world. If you’re feeling sushi, check out Miku – it’s incredible. Craving some Ramen? Kinton Ramon serves up the best in town. For my veggie lovers out there, Fresh has some of the best vegan dishes I’ve ever feasted on. And last but not least, there’s Ethiopian restaurant Nazareth, where I dine on the reg. It’s cheap, delicious and offers a great environment. It’s also another hidden gem only locals know about. You’re welcome.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Toronto.
Drinks9pm: Get Your Drink On – If you’re looking for somewhere to pre-drink, head into one of the many Irish pubs in the city. While there are many “Irish” pubs that will certainly yield a good time, only a select few have the atmosphere, character and legendary Irish hospitality that truly make you feel welcome and instantly part of the crowd. Some personal favourites are the Irish Embassy, The Foggy Dew, The Pour House and Murphy’s Law. [Photo: Irish Embassy]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Toronto.
Dance11pm: Baila, Baila – Even if you claim you don’t dance, you might actually try it after spending some time at the pub, and the best place to get your dance on is at one of the city’s Latin clubs. Toronto has a fairly large salsa community that always welcomes new dancers, whether you’re experienced or not. For those of you not familiar with Latin dance, several of the clubs – such as Lula Lounge and El Rancho – provide a dance lesson in the basic steps at the start of the night, free of charge. And the great thing about the Latin dance community is that no matter what level you are, someone who knows how to move will sweep you off your feet. You’re always guaranteed a friendly, positive and outgoing atmosphere and an overall great time.
[Photo: Anna Encheva]10/15
Travel
24 Hours In… Toronto.
WatchWatch Before You Go – Did you know many Hollywood blockbusters and popular TV series are actually filmed in Toronto, but set in other cities like New York? X-Men, The Incredible Hulk, Billy Madison and legal dramedy series Suits are just a few examples, but if you’re looking for a good laugh and a movie actually set in Toronto, check out Scott Pilgrim VS. The World.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Toronto.
ListenListen Before You Go – Our boy Drake is one of the hottest artists out there right now. If you’ve listened to his songs, you’ve probably heard him reference Toronto several times (although he refers to the city as The 6ix). He’s got much love for the city – and the city has much love for him.
[Photo: The Come Up Show/Wikimedia Commons]12/15
Travel
24 Hours In… Toronto.
ReadRead Before You Go – There’s nothing quite like kicking back with a good novel. To prep you for your Toronto trip, we suggest picking up one (or all) of these popular novels set in Toronto: Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town by Cory Doctorow; In The Skin Of A Lion by Michael Ondaatje and Girls Fall Down by Maggie Helwig.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Toronto.
KristenKristen Sarah is the creator of travel blog and web series Hopscotch the Globe. She’s a full-time traveller who’s been to over 50 countries and is one of the top travel videographers and travel video creators on YouTube. Her YouTube channel, Hopscotch the Globe, has over 19 million views and 117,000 subscribers, and her blog is the ultimate resource for all ages looking for travel tips, recommendations and stories – including further tips for experiencing Toronto. Follow Kristen on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
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