Torontonian here 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏼♀️ Wolter this was a very accurate travel guide. I can’t think of anything I would add other than if you are using the public transportation you do get 2 hours of free transfer from the time you pay for transit
But only if you use a PRESTO card or ticket. If you pay cash and take a transfer, you're subject to a lot of crazy rules that a visitor will never understand. Like not stopping to grab a bite and getting on the next bus going the same route. Or only valid at transfer points. And if the driver determines you didn't take the most direct route to B from A, yeah, that's a problem too.
We should also add that Tourists can choose to use GO Transit to get to Niagara Falls pretty painlessly, and GO uses the same presto pass seamlessly with TTC. You can explore many areas and cities in Ontario using GO, it's extremely convenient. Also Toronto's Union station is beautiful inside.
Living in Toronto for 22+ years and my favorite thing is still talking the ferry to the islands. You get the best views of the city and the beaches/parks are amazing (in the summer :)!
As a Canadian that goes to Toronto on a regular basis, I CANNOT stress enough how correct Wolter is that you do NOT want to drive in Toronto. Budget for ANY MODE WHATSOEVER for travel that means YOU dont have to drive in the city.
Yep I agree. I visit my dad and take the TTC to go downtown or I just let my dad drive. I am a photographer so there is lots of great photo opportunities.
As a downtown Toronto resident and someone who grew up just outside the city, he’s right about everything except the downtown core not being busy on weekends. It is super busy, yes things will die down in the financial district in the evening but that’s just a small part of downtown
As a long time resident of Downtown Toronto, we love the weekends cause that means all the out of people that don't live here don't fill up the pubs, restaurants and shops we have.
True. Toronto's downtown is no longer just a commercial district, like you often find in American cities, when the cities become ghost towns when the business people leave for the weekend. Toronto has more cranes in the sky than any other North American city and many thousands of high rise condominium apartments have been built and occupied over the past 20 years. You can also access dozens of parks and green spaces in or within minutes of the downtown core.
Can you recommend me going out there to see the baseball game. Is it better go on weekday or Weekend a t Roger stadium and I'll be staying at Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown
As a life long Toronto area resident I must say that this video is very accurate. During summer it’s worth taking the ferry over to the island. If this city looks strangely familiar to you but you've never been it is because it often stands in for American cities in movies and television shows. One Hallmark movie set in Texas was filmed here which was really weird.
That's cool. I believe the big fight in the Incredible Hulk took place in Toronto too even though it was identified as "Harlem". You could even see that iconic Sam The Record Man storefront in the fight scene.
@Jeff C I live in Toronto and just finished binge watching Suits a couple of weeks ago. I laughed looking at the transition shots between scenes that were from New York, but then when the next scene came on it was so obviously Toronto e.g. TTC, Beck Taxi, the CN Tower, Bay-Adelaide Centre, etc. lol
@@notthegoatseguy Yes, they filmed the Hulk fight at Yonge and Gerrard. A picture of the scene was on the walls of The Big Slice pizza place that was located there as their storefront was captured in the shot from the film. The Big Slice unfortunately was bought out a couple of years ago like a lot of other businesses and torn down as Yonge Street has been under major renovations. They also filmed the car chase scene in Suicide Squad where Batman was chasing the Joker and Harley Quinn at the exact same spot
I’d add: 1. Visit the science centre 2. Canadas wonderland 3. Ripleys aquarium 4. Toronto Zoo 5. Edwards gardens if your into nature 6. And a MUST are the Scarborough bluffs
+1 for the bluffs. A walk along the Don is also very nice! Start up at St. Clair and follow the creeks down to the river and then along the Bayview extension into downtown :)
I'm an avid foodie and let me tell you, I've traveled a lot around the world and I have yet to find a metropolis that rivals this city. Whatever it is you feel like eating from around the globe you will certainly find an awesome restaurant that prepares it here. My favorite city in all of North America not for food alone.
@@DieserMaBel I had the pleasure indeed of visiting Berlin on several occasions, alas it does not compare to Toronto. China town in Toronto for example does not offer ( Chinese food restaurants ) but rather, Shandong, Hunan, Fujian, Anhui, Jiangsu restaurants, and the list goes on so that every chinese region's quisine is represented, and that's only China town!. Nowhere in germany can you find anywhere near the variety.
@@ebonyladyy Montreal has some very fine dining restaurants, but not the variety thatToronto offers. I think it is due to the more diverse Immigrant population that Toronto atracts.
This is the best review I've ever seen of Toronto from someone who isn't Canadian. I have lived in Ontario all of my life and agree with everything in this video. I visited the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) and ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) last Summer for the first time. Both were great but I especially loved the AGO. I agree that Toronto City Hall does have an ugly look but it's interesting architecture due to the era it was built in and isn't boring. The only place I haven't been to in the video in St. Lawrence Market but I plan to go the next time I visit.
There are TONS of things to do in downtown Toronto. It's not just a working area. Restaurants, bars, theaters (film and live theatre), attractions, etc. Toronto downtown has been a tourist attraction for years. Plus, DO visit the CN Tower. The views are stunning and you can go to two different levels. The revolving restaurant is also pretty great. I was born and raised in Toronto and I still live here. It's an amazing city with a vibrant downtown area.
I think he meant to refer to the financial district... downtown is *THE* place to be on weekends lol. Even then, the financial district isn't entirely a dead zone and is super close to lots of great spots so it's not a bad place to stay at all.
I am planning to dine in the CN Tower restaurant. I did that on my only visit to the city 30 years ago and for me was an experience of a lifetime. I'll be there next month.
Don't know if it is still true but at one point Toronto had the third largest number of english speaking theatres in the world, after New York and London. The quality was second to none. I saw Kate Reid do a one woman show Stevie.
As a native Torontonian, you're pretty spot on! Winters here are awful. It IS expensive. It is against the law to not go to Niagara Falls😂. You MUST go. And I agree that it's pretty safe. If you're into nature, visit High Park. There are trails and even a little zoo. In the spring, we have the Cherry Blossoms there. The Cherry trees were a gift from the Emperor of Japan I forget how many years ago. If you like zoos, the Metro Toronto Zoo is great. Lots of animals too see. If you like science, you gotta see the Ontario Science Centre - loads of great interactive exhibits and an IMAX theatre.
@@woltersworld The problem is that the zoo is located all the way in Scarborough, which is far from downtown. You are looking at least an hour plus via public transportation. While the zoo is nice, it's not worth it unless you are really into animals. I would suggest visiting the aquarium beside the CN Tower instead.
There are almost two Torontos: the downtown, with the ROM, Toronto Island, CN Tower, Art Gallery, Ripley's Aquarium, the Danforth, St. Lawrence market... - NO CAR REQUIRED. Then there is the suburban Toronto, where a car is valuable: the Zoo, Science Centre, Pioneer Village, ... Downtown Toronto in the winter is AWESOME.
@@tojetsetterThe zoo is a must for kids, and is always coming with some weird stuff for adults as well. Around the time you wrote this comment, I went there to see their lumina event at night and it was a very interesting experience. But I digress, if you are visiting and time is at a premium, the Ripley aquarium is at the center of everything and it is definitely the better option.
I’m 58 years old and have lived in Toronto all my life, it’s a great city with so much to see and do here. This video has pretty much described Toronto pretty accurately, the only thing I would add to it would be not to miss a visit to the Toronto Zoo and Ripley’s Aquarium. The Toronto Zoo is one of the largest zoos in North America with over 5000 animals to welcome you to the city. You can literally walk for miles and miles inside the zoo or you can hop on the Zoomobile to take you from one area to another. Toronto is definitely an expensive city to visit, but the memories that you will take with you when you leave will be memories that will last you a lifetime !
The Toronto Zoo is great but the problem is that it's all the way in Scarborough, which is pretty far from the city centre and can take over an hour to get to via public transportation. So unless you have a car and/or are really into animals, I would avoid it. Ripley's aquarium, which just opened downtown beside the CN Tower is a better option if you are closer to the downtown core.
As a Torontonian, you really hit the nail on the head, that was a great description! Another thing we have a lot of is microbreweries on the east and west ends. You can walk to 3-4 fantastic ones in a small distance, it’s a great way to spend the afternoon!
This was a great video on Toronto, I have lived here for 17 years and I love the city. Toronto is not an easily discovered city and you have to transit around and really do your research on what you want to check out. Some cities have everything in one area it's not like that here. The best of the city is spread out in all the different neighborhoods and can seem tucked away. Expect to do a lot of walking while you're here. The best time to visit Toronto is in late spring or fall. I would say mid June or mid September, early October. Our winters are grey, windy, humid and cold and our summers are scorchers, we get into the late 30s to mid 40s in the summer and it's a super humid sticky heat. The pollution and grime mixed with the extreme heat of the city makes it rough. I wouldn't recommend coming during our heat wave unless you spend all your time outside on the beaches.
I have lived in Toronto my whole life and can confirm that this is really accurate, insightful stuff from someone who has clearly spent TIME here and understands the place. Great video.
As a Canadian who now lives in Germany, you summed up Toronto perfectly. It is well worth the visit and the food is amazing. I don’t know if I have been to another city with so many varied foods.
@@markreynolds9135NYC. It’s like the capital of the world when it comes to diversity. You have African, Caribbean, Central American and South American. I’m sure you don’t have any or little of that in Toronto l.
Love Toronto! One I would add, if you like good drinks, don't miss out on the distillery historic district. Spirit of York has the coolest tasting room I've ever seen with some incredible spirits. Next to that is Izumi, an awesome sake brewery! It's an awesome area and a bucket lister for unique experiences!
I winced when the creator of the video said he considered the city hall to be ugly or strange looking ... it's considered a masterpiece by many architects. I was in Germany once having lunch with some city planners ... when one realized I was from Toronto he reached into his briefcase and pulled out a design book all about the "new" city hall. He said it was brilliant.
Thanks for this video! Local Torontonian here and first time commenting but I'd say don't think Toronto is just an urban city without nature areas to explore. There are many nice parks and hiking trails in the neighbourhoods outside of downtown (in Scarborough or North York, for example) that are gorgeous especially during late autumn with the beautiful foliage. It does take a bit of time to travel on public transit and not many tourists would be interested, but it is definitely something I'd suggest for those looking for a bit of off-the-beaten-track options. Some parks that I really love: Crothers Woods, Morningside Park, Rouge Valley, Don Valley Trails (for salmon migration), and Scarborough Bluffs.
Another thing is don't miss the Toronto Islands, it has amazing evening views of the city. Also the residential section is adorable, you feel like you are in Hobbit town
Very accurate. I would add: don't forget to check what festivals are happening in the city during the time you're planning to visit. Pride, JazzFest, Caribbean carnival, CNE, Film Festival, etc., etc. because they each draw tens of thousands of extra visitors and it will affect traffic, hotel availability, restaurant reservations, and more. Also, don't miss the Toronto Zoo.
I am from Toronto, and my favourite art gallery is in a small town abutting on the North West edge of Toronto. It's the McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg (home if the local Bindertwine Festival ... there is a story to that). For museums, there is the ROM that he mentioned, but there is also the Bata Shoe Museum and one I haven't made it to yet, the Aga Khan Museum ... going there this summer. Generally, he did a great job explaining some of the don'ts. Don't worry too much about talking too loud. It isn't usual, but it would fall under live and let live. Although we do have actual authentic foods, we also have North Americanized versions, particularly Chinese. If you do come, enjoy yourself, but as he says, it isn't cheap. BTW please don't litter. I know you will see it, and natives will litter, but we don't like it even from us.
Torontonian here.... Wow. You pretty much nailed it on every single subject! So you have a friend or family member that lives here? I would just have to suggest one thing for those who are not planning to ever come back... going up the CN Tower is a nice experience and the views are incredible, but it's not for those that are scared of highs. Also, the Hop On Hop Off guided tour is worth it. Only a couple of hours but it brings you all over different parts of the city and the things you learn about our history is amazing! Even for a local, it's worth doing it at least once! :)
Great job, Mark! You did such a good job that you have me thinking wonderful thoughts about Toronto (Trawna), and that’s saying a lot because I was born in Alberta. It’s really nice to have such a positive, enthusiastic view from a visitor. I love your channel and watch every video you put out. Thank you for taking us with you all over the world.!
If you're in TO for an extended period, do take a day trip and drive south on the QEW to Niagara. Visit Niagara Falls (both Canadian and US sides- they have totally different feels; one built up tourist things to do, the other nature), wineries, quaint village shopping in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Buffalo. Only a 90 minute drive.
I always have been and am still impressed with your knowledge of Toronto...It's clear that you have been here many times...All of your Videos are very interesting and comprehensive...Thx for your Videos and especially this one Toronto Video Wolter...!!!
I am surprised you said the City Hall is ugly.I remember watching DuMaurier cigarette commercials when I was a kid right after they built the NEW City Hall long before I moved to Toronto. At that time the new City Hall was promoted as a having a great design. But there is really nice architecture right next door to the city hall - the beautiful Romanesque-style old City Hall which is used for City Court and weddings.
@@yenphung8809 All modern buildings seem dated at a certain age. In the 1960s Art Deco from the 20s and 30s looked dated, but now people love it. City Hall (1965) is mid-century modern, which has actually been trendy again for a few years now.
Me too; it was designed in the 1950's after an international contest, and was incredibly avant-garde for the time. Honestly, this is the first time I've ever heard anyone call it "ugly". 🙂
@@bobbbxxx Yes, I totally agree that it was avant garde and it's fun to read about the international design contest. I really love the look of the new City Hall and if there is a lot of bright sunshine you can get some amazing black and white photos when looking up at the curving ramp and towers from ground level.
Informative AND well edited! A pleasure to watch. As a local, I suggest walking. It’s the bits you’ll discover in between your origin and destination that can make Toronto fascinating. Also go behind the main streets and discover quaint neighbourhoods.
From a snap shot it might look that way, but if you live here, I wouldn't say that. It's got a bit of New York type atmosphere to it. Even outside the DT core. Everyone is always in rush, people complain about everything, cars always honking at each other.... Probably the main reason cottages are so popular here. People need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a bit.
@@blindpanthervlogs Then your not watching recent videos or the right videos that gives you a real idea of the city. That's exactly the reason the show "Suites " is filmed in Toronto. Other then it's cheaper to film here, they wanted the NY ambient noise in the background and Toronto has it.
@@C-mac_in_the_6ix I have to also disagree here. Toronto is loud, for a city of 3 million. NYC is a whole other beast of 8.5 million residents where car honking is more common than talking. Toronto feels more like chicago.
Great video. I'd add that downtown is often a very lively and vibrant place on weekends. I think you meant to say avoid the financial district which doesn't have much going on weekends (but is very short walking distance to a lot of great spots so it's still a great place to stay) but downtown is pretty big and has loads of amazing and busy neighbourhoods on weekends.
6:32 that's because the Entertainment District just west of downtown was bought up by condo developers and they took out all the bars/nightclubs/restaurants, and then the condo dwellers that moved in (plus the residents on the Islands...) complained about the noise from the few nightclubs that remained, shutting those down too.
Before I retired, I was a tour guide on the double decker buses in New York City and I enjoy the way that you inform the do's and don'ts of Toronto which I like.😁
I live a couple hours away from Toronto drive around 185 kilometres (115 miles). I would say, it is the best city to visit, and I know everyone has their own experience and opinion about Toronto. Toronto is more diverse and they have more options of international food that taste so much better than where I live in a decent small city. Downtown Toronto is the most international than anywhere I have gone anywhere to other cities in the province of Ontario. The downside of Toronto is way too expensive. I found the food is more expensive and housing the most is the most expensive. I only prefer visiting Toronto than to live there. I prefer going to North York area of Toronto and much more cleaner there. Downtown is more known for the iconic CN Tower. Since the 2026 FIFA World Cup is hosting in US, Canada, Mexico. I would like to have a chance to visit Toronto as they are one along with Vancouver the Canadian cities to host a few tournaments there. It is a good city at the end and it does not matter how bad can it be. Everywhere you go can be bad not just in Toronto.
Local Torontonian here! I have to say that this is a phenomenal review of the city and provided really insightful tips for visitors. The points on the great international food were especially spot on. I think that the city is quite busy on weekends though, perhaps not right by the CN tower but Queen St, King St, etc for sure.
As a resident of Toronto I advise people to avoid the TTC, especially on the weekends as there are holes in the service especially due to the partial closings on some of the subway stations due to ongoing maintenance which never seems to end. If you're downtown, you're better to walk as most attractions are relatively close and even walking to the ones that are further will give you a chance to see some of the vibrant life of Toronto's diverse neighbourhoods.
I've watched your other videos over the years, and this is the most polished, well paced video I've seen. (Not to discredit your other videos) Nicely done sir!
As a Torontonian, you shared some extremely accurate travel tips! One site to visit is actually right behind you - the Law Society of Ontario (formerly Law Society of Upper Canada). The building is behind iron gates, so it is not very noticeable, but it is a beautiful historic building. The library inside the building is exquisite and has been used on numerous occasions for filming movies. In addition, there are free tours of the building! Also, if anyone does visit Toronto in the Winter, the water next to you becomes a skating rink. :)
Thanks for the tips. We are going to Toronto this weekend and were planning on driving to get around but not any more based on your video and the comments.
As someone who visited Toronto (Toronna, as I was taught to pronounce it when I was there) for the first time in the last month or so, spot on info. One point for now: while you are correct that in absolute numbers, the prices were high, being from the US and having a strong dollar it was a welcome relief from the "sticker price". Won't last forever, I realize, but a nice twist!
This video is so accurate about Toronto! Especially about the food. Come to Toronto for so many different and excellent foods which are not overly expensive IMO, yet. If you are coming in the summer, don't miss out on the beach/boardwalk and island. Canada's Wonderland Theme Park is great also in the summer as is a day trip to Niagara Falls & Niagara on the Lake nearby. A HUGE DON'T to mention is DON'T go to Marineland! It is run down and known for animal abuse. In the summer there are TONs of street events and festivals, markets (Brickworks) to go to, DON'T miss them!
Oh and DON'T be afraid to talk to people here, while most Canadian's walk busy during the day most are super happy to give directions or a recommendation if you ask :)
Depends on what you mean by "downtown" being quiet on weekends - the central business district is quiet but the rest of the downtown neighbourhoods are packed! Like King West/ West Queen West / Little Italy / Dundas West / The Annex / Entertainment district
I would add that if you are staying in the downtown financial district on the weekend either head for the waterfront or go up to the Yorkville area. Close and a great area to wander around. The ROM is located there.
As a person who lives about 1/2 an hour away from Toronto (when the highway is moving) I agree with 100% of what you said and recommended. Great video! especially your point about the diversity and food diversity and food quality. I love me my poutine.. but if you don't try the amazing multi-cultural food in the city and find those amazing hidden gems you're not doing it right.
Adding a few thoughts as a someone who lives in Toronto: - From what I'm fortunate enough to taste everyday, to what I've heard about people who travel to Toronto, you hit the nail on the head when it comes to food. We're incredibly blessed as a food city, particularly with regards to different international flavours (my wife from Ottawa would disagree with me about our pizza and - at least compared to Ottawa, our shawarma). The one place we don't really excel is seafood. We're a long way from the ocean, and while you can find delicious seafood in Toronto, it's even more expensive than our already high prices (I love oysters, but the prices here make that tricky). - Really want to double-down on the fact that you should travel to neighbourhoods. I was confused for a bit about the video talking about the downtown being dead, but then I realized you meant the Financial District (the downtown core). For me the downtown goes from Bathurst at the west to Jarvis at the east, and Bloor at the north down to the lake. Highlight neighbourhoods around the city are Kensington Market (boho pedestrian-first neighbourhood with vintage ships, bars, and food shops), Bloordale/Bloorcourt (grittier spots with lots of restaurants and bars and fantastic retailers), the whole area around Trinity-Bellwoods park as well as to the west of it (very busy and trendy, perhaps to it's detriment, but still fun), & the Annex (perhaps a bit played-out and gentrified, but still a good spot for food, drinks, and activites). I would recommend avoiding Liberty Village, since it's mostly a spot for modern offices and tiny condos, and the over-priced retailers that cater to that crowd. - In warm weather: definitely go to the Island. Think of it as a big, multi-use park with great views of the city skyline.
Even Roncy, litte italy, little portugal, Saint clair west, ossington, summerhill, yonge & eglinton, the junction and leslieville/woodbine… so many more hip areas to explore.
As a Torontonian myself, downtown has some cool areas but its mostly a necessity rather than a destination. One of my biggest regrets about tourists in Toronto is that they don’t leave the downtown area when the soul, magic and creativity of our city is in our neighbourhoods that lie outside of the commercial core.
Great video, you pretty much nailed it except for the part about downtown being dead on weekends. When the weather is nice downtown Toronto during weekends is way more jam-packed with people and activity than it is on weekdays all along Yonge, Bloor, Queen W, along the Harbourfront, St. Lawrence, The Village, Chinatown, Kensington, Yorkville etc. Yonge & Dundas on a warm summer Saturday is bonkers! Only the financial district is more quiet on weekends, so I'm just going to assume that's what you meant by "downtown". haha
Fair accurate guide. Well done. Indeed Wintertime is slow. Tons of bike lanes. TTC does have an express bus to the the airport and the subways line. Toronto island is pretty much a huge park with tons of nice beaches (including a nude one) Renting a bike or canoe on the island. Tours from TO to Niagara falls is something I do a few times a year. Usually I take the casino bus and use the promotional casino bonus to cover the cost of the bus fair by heading to a virtual roulette machine and spinning half on red/black (maybe a buck on the 0's) to "win" the fair back and cash out. Pretty much a free trip to Niagara Falls.
I was here for the first time in early November and loved it. Rented a car for the second half to visit my friend in barrie, (hour north) and decided to see Niagara Falls, and traffic from Hamilton to my highway to head north, was hair pulling !! Stayed at the Rex hotel, and subway is really great to get around! Awesome video !!
Don't worry about how you pronounce 'Toronto'. If you pronounce that second 'T' no one will get in your face. They will just know you are a visitor and that's ok. I am originally from T.O. and recommend the Beaches neighbourhood for the weekend. Castle Loma is prettiest decorated for Xmas. I would check ahead for pricing but the Science Center would be free on Friday afternoon/evening and would be pretty empty. It's great if you're traveling with kids. Dress warm in the winter because it's a humid city and that makes the cold more noticeable.
When last year in August. Weather was nice and dry with a pleasant breeze. I went up to CN Tower, went to Casa Loma, Art Museum, & side trip to Niagara Falls. Took the Metro which is always fun.
Great review. As an Ontarian, I can tell you that I’ve never been up in the CN Tower. Also, don’t drive in downtown Toronto, it reminds me of driving in Chicago . Lots of different foods and outdoor free concerts in the summer. The Harbourfront is nice to visit. The newer streetcars are air conditioned. The Toronto Science Centre in a suburb is pretty good.
@@aden1337 it's funny how some things i totally forget just because of the time of year i am filming in. I was in Switzerland this summer and was filming and realized i hadn't even mentioned skiing :) guess i am getting old and forgetful.
Love the videos. You need to get out to Nova Scotia though. Halifax/Dartmouth has lots of history and plenty of beaches close by, plus Peggy's Cove is 40-45min drive from Halifax/Dartmouth. The Cape Breton Highlands are amazing, wine tours in the Annapolis Valley are great, and the South Shore is also a nice place.
Yes! I’m a native Haligonian and couldn’t agree with you more. Take a ride on the harbour ferry (the oldest continuously operating salt water ferry in North America), take a whale watching tour or a sail on a tall ship, go on the Harbour Hopper, visit the Citadel, etc. Also, you have to have a donair when you’re here. It is the official food of Halifax, after all. The Cabot Trail is a must do.
Great review! I differ on a couple points-#1 Toronto is a GREAT city to visit in the winter- lots to do in and out of the weather. Smaller crowds too. #2- CN Tower is a must visit. It’s an absolute wonder of architectural achievement and provides amazing views. The 360 restaurant is worth the splurge- to dine while viewing the horizon.
City Hall is also the key feature in Resident Evil Apocalypse! One main reason why I love this city! Also the hockey museum has a really neat ghost story attached to it that I absolutely hope to spot one day!
Toronto City Hall is beautiful, one of the best buildings in the city. You also missed the main thing that makes Toronto unlike any major city I know of and that is the Don Valley, and the Toronto ravine network, ....many trails, and unique parks make you feel like you are in the middle of a forest when you are just steps away from the city. Places like Brick Works and many other parks here are very unique.
Tourists can ask TTC staff to get a map for tourists. This special map shows all the popular sight seeing places you can visit, such as : Casa Loma, Centre Island, Distillery District, Ripley's Aquarium, CN Towner, Glen Gould Studio, Hockey Hall of Fame, Royal Ontario Museum......
I live in Toronto and Mark is VERY spot on in this video! The traffic in most of Toronto is horrible, which isn't surprising for a major city. The food is amazing, people are friendly, and probably the most important thing: Toronto is of course in Canada!
Just a few things. GO Transit does extend their Lakeshore West line with some trains going to Niagara Falls in the summer. There is some stuff that happens downtown on the weekends, usually centered on Yonge-Dundas Square or Nathan Phillips Square - where he was filming from - or other street festivals like Taste of the Danforth in Greektown or Corso Italia in Little Italy. Oh, and it's a little subdued this year because of the weather, but with Toronto being so diverse, every 4 years in June/July during the World Cup, you can be assured to see fans from just about EVERY participating team in the streets and at the pubs with their flags displayed with pride...and speaking of Pride, ours is one of the biggest around. And if you come here around the first weekend in October, we have Nuit Blanche, with many dozens of art installations across the city that runs from sundown to sunup...which again, you can get to on the TTC, as the subway runs all night long just for the event. (Usually the subway and most bus routes shut down from about 1:30-2:00 AM to around 6:00-7::00 AM - 9:00 AM on Sundays - which is another thing to remember if you're out late at night any other time here - while some bus and streetcar routes become a less frequent Blue Night service.)
Wolter just want to thank you for all your tips. We used them all on our weekend in Toronto a few weeks ago. Well, all we could fit in that is. There’s SO MUCH to do in Toronto we are planning to go back next year. It’s such a safe walkable city with so many shops and restaurants and cool things to see and do. We caught a Blue Jays game and it was just a 10 minute walk from our downtown hotel. Thanks again for this helpful video
I watch a lot of your videos, so as a Torontonian, I was excited to see you had visited us. But I don't totally agree with everything you said, and I would add some other 'don'ts': -It's ok to pronounce Toronto however you want. I'm originally from Montreal, but have been living here 45 years, and still pronounce the final T. Half of our population are immigrants to Canada, so you will hear many accents, and many pronunciations; I've never heard of anyone who cares. -I agree about not renting a car, but only if you are staying and sightseeing all in the downtown core (from Bloor to the lake). But, depending how long someone is visiting, renting a car for part of a trip may be very helpful, as a lot of things to do and see are not in downtown, and our public transit (TTC) isn't that great: the subway lines are limited, and the city is very spread out. And a car helps for day trips, such as Niagara Falls. -I agree with not skipping a day trip to Niagara falls (if you have the time), and I would add a 'don't': If you drive to Niagara falls, don't forget to consider visiting Niagara-on-the-Lake (a lovely town, with the Shaw Festival for theatre), and visiting the Niagara region wineries (some are producing award winning wines); both these areas are just off the highway before you hit the falls. -I don't agree about Toronto being costly, if you are talking to Americans, or people used to US dollars. Buying a home is crazy expensive, but most things (for example, restaurants prices) are about the same as US prices, but in Canadian dollars. So, for Americans, given that their dollar can buy $1.35 Canadian now, Toronto will seem like a bargain. -Fun fact: we do have a large Portuguese community, so there are a lot of Portuguese bakeries, etc, but most of the Portuguese immigrants to Toronto are from the Azores (as opposed to mainland Portugal). I'm not sure the reason, but it is something I learned recently (likely has to do with the economy in the Azores being tough). -I totally agree about the food scene here, and not missing out on the cuisines of various cultures. For example, we have had a lot of immigration from Korea in recent years, so there are now a ton of great, authentic Korean restaurants. We have a very large Chinese population, so in the northeast part of the city, there are a ton of amazing dim sum places. I have had amazing Ethiopian food here, and I've had Italian food better than I had in Italy! There's even an area west of downtown (Parkdale) with a section called 'little Tibet' where you can get cheap, delicious momos (dumplings). We have a lot of people here from South Asia (Pakistan and India), so there is great food from that area, even regional specialities (if you have never had a dosa, there are many places for that). You could do an hour long video just about the food scene. -You did mention the art scene, but I would specifically say, if you are into art, don't miss seeing the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario). The architecture of the building makes it worth visiting, and also non-Canadians will find a great collection of 'the group of seven', famous art that you won't find much outside Canada. -When downtown, don't miss walking around Chinatown, and beside it the area of Kensington market. I agree with seeing St Lawrence market as well, and the Danforth (Greektown) is a cool area. We are a city of neighbourhoods, with many to explore, like little Italy, the Beaches, the Junction, Bloor west village, Leslieville, etc. -Hockey and basketball tickets are very expensive, but you can get baseball tickets more reasonably and the retractable roof of the Rogers Centre (a lot of us still call it the Skydome) is very cool. -By the way, I don't agree about City Hall being ugly. I think it is one of our coolest buildings, and after it was built it became known internationally for its unique architecture. You can see it in a lot of movies and TV shows; I've seen it in some sci fi shows, due to its futuristic look. These are just my opinions; we are a city with about 3 million in the metropolitan area, so you will find a very wide range of views about any of these things ;)
"It's ok to pronounce Toronto however you want. I'm originally from Montreal, but have been living here 45 years, and still pronounce the final T. Half of our population are immigrants to Canada, so you will hear many accents, and many pronunciations; I've never heard of anyone who cares." Thank you! I am an American and pronounce the final T because it makes sense. No one cares that I know...in fact, a few friends who live there pronounce that T. It's like when my friends from London say--- Los Angeleez...it is Los AngeLES. But I can't bother getting all up in their pronunciation. There are better things to do like have a glass of wine and share some "friend" time.
My suggestion would be 1. In summer on weekends goto the harbour front center on waterfront. They have free concerts. 2. For every fine dining restaurant, you will find a smaller self service food place of same cuisine. Eat there. Its a bit cheaper and you won't have to tip in a self service place. 3. Donot stand in a bike lane, especially on waterfront as its also the bike and running trail. 4. You can get free presto card in any local library. Get one from there and load it up. 5. CN tower is over rated. 6. Instead of taking a boat tour, if you have time, then please take the ferry to Toronto island. Its a 7 to 8 minute ride and you will get better pics of the city from there. 7. To goto Toronto island, buy online tickets of ferry. That way you will not be standing in long line to buy physical tickets. Also a ferry is better than water taxi as those are costlier. Hope you all have a wonderful time in our city and have fond memories of it.
The last time I was in Toronto it was during a World Cup and during the games cars would ride up and down the streets with their different national flags hanging out of the windows. It was pretty cool.
Pretty spot on and this video actually makes me a bit homesick (Used to live in Toronto but am now in Vancouver) There is plenty of stuff to do downtown during the weekends, but the financial core area specifically is pretty dead. I'd also have suggested going to see a sports game if that is something one is into. Toronto FC for MLS (soccer), The Leafs (hockey), Raptors (NBA), Blue Jays (baseball) are all things to do. Plus in the summer there's almost always a festival of sorts going on. Kudos for the correct pronounciation. If someone pronounces the last "T" when saying the city, it's a dead giveaway that they're not from the area.
I’m glad you came to my country… all you say applies to all of Canada. The construction is our huge sore point. Montreal is no different! Canada in general has amazing multi cultural foods. If you are coming to Old Montreal, don’t rent a car.. metro is best. To avoid tourist trap places to eat, I recommend going to the Plateau area (metro Mont-Royal. Canada isn’t a cheap country and Quebec has 15% sales tax. Highest in all of North American, sadly. Summer is the best for every festival the world can offer, here in Montreal. Cheers
Something to add about going out downtown at night, like he said its not necessarily busy on the weekends, but that doesn't mean Toronto doesn't have great night life down town. Look at when the Blue Jays play. If they have a 7PM game, head down town for the night. You don't even have to go to the game (although you should), but it is poppin all night.
Had the pleasure of visiting Toronto with my partner back in the first days of 2020. What a lovely city you all have. I indulged (maybe a bit too much) on the fantastic Italian food scene there. Holy moly.
As a long-time Torontonian, Wolters is spot-on. One thing I'd add is that you can find the best and more affordable food by exploring the fringes of the city, such as Scarborough and Brampton. As a world traveler myself, you'll find it difficult to discover a better mix of quality and variety.
I visited Toronto on vacation (from the UK) around 2015. I don't think that the big "Toronto" sign was there then, plus the streetcars were very old, not the modern ones that are shown in this video. St Lawrence Market was closed when I visited, was very disappointing after all I had read about it. I did a day trip to Niagara Falls, would be rude not to, having travelled all that way and got so close to it. I went with a small local travel company who used minibuses not a coach, so we stopped off at several places on the way including the Flower Clock and Niagara on the Lake. Brings back happy memories.....
@@hancocki Just checked and it was October 2012 when I went so no wonder I didn't see it. If it had been there I'd have walked past it almost every evening after leaving my hotel for dinner
I was born in Toronto and raised not far from it. You've done a great job expressing the awesomeness of this city. For those interested, Centre Island is just a ferry away and is pretty cool to check out as well.
I live here. This is mostly true! I am polite, but tourists get the murder eyes and a pointed excuse me if they stop like a pylon in the middle of the people traffic in Union station while people are not on vacation. If you do that here you might be making someone late for work or an appointment. There are suburbs if you want the best of certain foods, but yes you should be happy with restaurants downtown. Toronto is also underrated for theatre too. We get runs of the big Broadway shows too. Canada has a big comedy scene too.
"if they stop like a pylon" made me laugh out loud! I feel the same way. Also, when groups of more than 2 people walk side by side and block the sidewalk!
Torontonian here...also lived in London, NYC, Switzerland & 3 other Canadian cities & can say Toronto is truly special. The other neighbourhood I'd recommend is Cabbagetown, a collection of Victorian homes of all styles. carefully preserved and protected by city bylaws. It's easily walkable, about 30 minutes from downtown, or you can take the 506 streetcar. Drop into the working Riverdale Farm, walk through 2 cemeteries, St. James & the Necropolis for some history and then stop at House on Parliament for an excellent pub meal, all within the residential neighbourhood.
Great video, very accurate. However, as a native of Toronto, I have to say that it is a great place to visit but living in the city really sucks personally. The reason I say this is for many reasons such as the cold winters, lacking in sun, cost of living is absurd, (rent is unaffordable) city has a homeless problem including many of them with a lot of mental illness and/or drug addiction problems, sad but true.
One of the very best restaurants in Toronto is The Rushton. It's on St. Clair Ave West and Rushton Road. There's a 'neighborhood' all along St. Clair West, so good for a walk, too. Its small, sort of New York decor, noisy when busy, and really really good food. A tiny bit pricey but worth it for the quality of your meal. French food.
Not correct info about downtown on weekends. Only financial district is empty, the rest is very alive. "Canadian Club 12 years old" whisky is the best value/taste.
Nailed it Mark! On a recent trip to watch the Red Sox play, we rented a car for a couple reasons, 1...to/from the airport, although we probably didn't need to. and 2. To do a Niagara Falls day trip. The rest of the time (Stayed at the Eaton Centre Marriott), we just walked and took public transit. It was awesome! Expensive...yes, but awesome. Yes, we did the CN Tower...although I was the only one to walk over the glass floor...haha. I love visiting Toronto and hope to be back soon!
I honestly hate what they did to the ROM. The dinosaur exhibit was so much more alive when I was younger. The new gallery doesn't match at all. Shutting down the planetarium was tragic too.
Toronto born and raised and this video is spot on. One of my favourite things about here is the variety of restaurants and shops from literally around the world. Chinatown is awesome, Greektown has it's own festival each summer, little Italy has some of the best places to get gelato. Same with little India if you love your food with spice!
Torontonian here 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏼♀️ Wolter this was a very accurate travel guide. I can’t think of anything I would add other than if you are using the public transportation you do get 2 hours of free transfer from the time you pay for transit
@@Elatenl unfortunately, it’s a real local word we use to describe ourselves
But only if you use a PRESTO card or ticket. If you pay cash and take a transfer, you're subject to a lot of crazy rules that a visitor will never understand. Like not stopping to grab a bite and getting on the next bus going the same route. Or only valid at transfer points. And if the driver determines you didn't take the most direct route to B from A, yeah, that's a problem too.
We should also add that Tourists can choose to use GO Transit to get to Niagara Falls pretty painlessly, and GO uses the same presto pass seamlessly with TTC. You can explore many areas and cities in Ontario using GO, it's extremely convenient. Also Toronto's Union station is beautiful inside.
Living in Toronto for 22+ years and my favorite thing is still talking the ferry to the islands. You get the best views of the city and the beaches/parks are amazing (in the summer :)!
As a Canadian that goes to Toronto on a regular basis, I CANNOT stress enough how correct Wolter is that you do NOT want to drive in Toronto. Budget for ANY MODE WHATSOEVER for travel that means YOU dont have to drive in the city.
It's not that bad.
@@DD-eg2mg it's that bad.
Yep I agree. I visit my dad and take the TTC to go downtown or I just let my dad drive. I am a photographer so there is lots of great photo opportunities.
@@DD-eg2mg it absolutely is.
It depends you gotta know some hacks and not just get stuck on the main roads
As a downtown Toronto resident and someone who grew up just outside the city, he’s right about everything except the downtown core not being busy on weekends. It is super busy, yes things will die down in the financial district in the evening but that’s just a small part of downtown
As a long time resident of Downtown Toronto, we love the weekends cause that means all the out of people that don't live here don't fill up the pubs, restaurants and shops we have.
True. Toronto's downtown is no longer just a commercial district, like you often find in American cities, when the cities become ghost towns when the business people leave for the weekend. Toronto has more cranes in the sky than any other North American city and many thousands of high rise condominium apartments have been built and occupied over the past 20 years. You can also access dozens of parks and green spaces in or within minutes of the downtown core.
I'm thinking he must have meant the financial district.
100% true.
Can you recommend me going out there to see the baseball game. Is it better go on weekday or Weekend a t Roger stadium and I'll be staying at Radisson Blu Toronto Downtown
As a life long Toronto area resident I must say that this video is very accurate. During summer it’s worth taking the ferry over to the island. If this city looks strangely familiar to you but you've never been it is because it often stands in for American cities in movies and television shows. One Hallmark movie set in Texas was filmed here which was really weird.
That's cool. I believe the big fight in the Incredible Hulk took place in Toronto too even though it was identified as "Harlem". You could even see that iconic Sam The Record Man storefront in the fight scene.
I agree ! But I would take the water taxi for a cool experience 😊
@Jeff C I live in Toronto and just finished binge watching Suits a couple of weeks ago. I laughed looking at the transition shots between scenes that were from New York, but then when the next scene came on it was so obviously Toronto e.g. TTC, Beck Taxi, the CN Tower, Bay-Adelaide Centre, etc. lol
@@notthegoatseguy Yes, they filmed the Hulk fight at Yonge and Gerrard. A picture of the scene was on the walls of The Big Slice pizza place that was located there as their storefront was captured in the shot from the film. The Big Slice unfortunately was bought out a couple of years ago like a lot of other businesses and torn down as Yonge Street has been under major renovations. They also filmed the car chase scene in Suicide Squad where Batman was chasing the Joker and Harley Quinn at the exact same spot
'Toronto area resident' is just a long & convoluted way of saying you are NOT from Toronto. Let me guess, Brampton?
I’d add:
1. Visit the science centre
2. Canadas wonderland
3. Ripleys aquarium
4. Toronto Zoo
5. Edwards gardens if your into nature
6. And a MUST are the Scarborough bluffs
Hard agree with all the things you mentioned!
+1 for the bluffs. A walk along the Don is also very nice! Start up at St. Clair and follow the creeks down to the river and then along the Bayview extension into downtown :)
RIP your first one :(
@grege5074 It’s still gonna be around they're just moving it to Ontario place. Admittedly, that's a big L for North York.
The province has closed the science centre
I'm an avid foodie and let me tell you, I've traveled a lot around the world and I have yet to find a metropolis that rivals this city. Whatever it is you feel like eating from around the globe you will certainly find an awesome restaurant that prepares it here. My favorite city in all of North America not for food alone.
It is true that Toronto has a vast international restaurants option. Howeverrrrrrr....i think Montreal has a more refined taste.
Try Berlin for eating
@@DieserMaBel I had the pleasure indeed of visiting Berlin on several occasions, alas it does not compare to Toronto. China town in Toronto for example does not offer ( Chinese food restaurants ) but rather, Shandong, Hunan, Fujian, Anhui, Jiangsu restaurants, and the list goes on so that every chinese region's quisine is represented, and that's only China town!. Nowhere in germany can you find anywhere near the variety.
@@ebonyladyy Montreal has some very fine dining restaurants, but not the variety thatToronto offers. I think it is due to the more diverse Immigrant population that Toronto atracts.
Have you ever been too Vancouver? How does the food there compare too Toronto?
As a Toronto resident, your Toronto videos are always spot on. You could be an honourary Torontonian.
This is the best review I've ever seen of Toronto from someone who isn't Canadian. I have lived in Ontario all of my life and agree with everything in this video. I visited the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) and ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) last Summer for the first time. Both were great but I especially loved the AGO. I agree that Toronto City Hall does have an ugly look but it's interesting architecture due to the era it was built in and isn't boring. The only place I haven't been to in the video in St. Lawrence Market but I plan to go the next time I visit.
Thank you. that is really nice of you.
The area is great. The Market itself nothing special, unless you're fan of old Victorian style of covered markets.
There are TONS of things to do in downtown Toronto. It's not just a working area. Restaurants, bars, theaters (film and live theatre), attractions, etc. Toronto downtown has been a tourist attraction for years. Plus, DO visit the CN Tower. The views are stunning and you can go to two different levels. The revolving restaurant is also pretty great. I was born and raised in Toronto and I still live here. It's an amazing city with a vibrant downtown area.
I think he meant to refer to the financial district... downtown is *THE* place to be on weekends lol. Even then, the financial district isn't entirely a dead zone and is super close to lots of great spots so it's not a bad place to stay at all.
I am planning to dine in the CN Tower restaurant. I did that on my only visit to the city 30 years ago and for me was an experience of a lifetime. I'll be there next month.
Don't know if it is still true but at one point Toronto had the third largest number of english speaking theatres in the world, after New York and London. The quality was second to none. I saw Kate Reid do a one woman show Stevie.
@@badplay156Still true!!
The 360 restaurant is shit
As a native Torontonian, you're pretty spot on! Winters here are awful. It IS expensive. It is against the law to not go to Niagara Falls😂. You MUST go. And I agree that it's pretty safe. If you're into nature, visit High Park. There are trails and even a little zoo. In the spring, we have the Cherry Blossoms there. The Cherry trees were a gift from the Emperor of Japan I forget how many years ago. If you like zoos, the Metro Toronto Zoo is great. Lots of animals too see. If you like science, you gotta see the Ontario Science Centre - loads of great interactive exhibits and an IMAX theatre.
Thank you so much!
Worth noting, the video says go to Niagara Falls yet all the Falls footage is of the U.S. side...
@@woltersworld The problem is that the zoo is located all the way in Scarborough, which is far from downtown. You are looking at least an hour plus via public transportation. While the zoo is nice, it's not worth it unless you are really into animals. I would suggest visiting the aquarium beside the CN Tower instead.
There are almost two Torontos: the downtown, with the ROM, Toronto Island, CN Tower, Art Gallery, Ripley's Aquarium, the Danforth, St. Lawrence market... - NO CAR REQUIRED. Then there is the suburban Toronto, where a car is valuable: the Zoo, Science Centre, Pioneer Village, ... Downtown Toronto in the winter is AWESOME.
@@tojetsetterThe zoo is a must for kids, and is always coming with some weird stuff for adults as well. Around the time you wrote this comment, I went there to see their lumina event at night and it was a very interesting experience.
But I digress, if you are visiting and time is at a premium, the Ripley aquarium is at the center of everything and it is definitely the better option.
I’m 58 years old and have lived in Toronto all my life, it’s a great city with so much to see and do here. This video has pretty much described Toronto pretty accurately, the only thing I would add to it would be not to miss a visit to the Toronto Zoo and Ripley’s Aquarium. The Toronto Zoo is one of the largest zoos in North America with over 5000 animals to welcome you to the city. You can literally walk for miles and miles inside the zoo or you can hop on the Zoomobile to take you from one area to another. Toronto is definitely an expensive city to visit, but the memories that you will take with you when you leave will be memories that will last you a lifetime !
The Toronto Zoo is great but the problem is that it's all the way in Scarborough, which is pretty far from the city centre and can take over an hour to get to via public transportation. So unless you have a car and/or are really into animals, I would avoid it. Ripley's aquarium, which just opened downtown beside the CN Tower is a better option if you are closer to the downtown core.
@@tojetsetter It opened 3 or 4 years ago.
Thank you Ken, and thank yo ufor mentioning the zoo and the aquarium!
@@DrGranahan I would like to correct this and say the aquarium opened in 2013 so almost a decade ago now.
@@woltersworldanother good place to visit us fort York. Amazing spot to visit
As a Torontonian, you really hit the nail on the head, that was a great description! Another thing we have a lot of is microbreweries on the east and west ends. You can walk to 3-4 fantastic ones in a small distance, it’s a great way to spend the afternoon!
I'm pretty sure he's not from Toronto.
This was a great video on Toronto, I have lived here for 17 years and I love the city. Toronto is not an easily discovered city and you have to transit around and really do your research on what you want to check out. Some cities have everything in one area it's not like that here. The best of the city is spread out in all the different neighborhoods and can seem tucked away. Expect to do a lot of walking while you're here. The best time to visit Toronto is in late spring or fall. I would say mid June or mid September, early October. Our winters are grey, windy, humid and cold and our summers are scorchers, we get into the late 30s to mid 40s in the summer and it's a super humid sticky heat. The pollution and grime mixed with the extreme heat of the city makes it rough. I wouldn't recommend coming during our heat wave unless you spend all your time outside on the beaches.
I have lived in Toronto my whole life and can confirm that this is really accurate, insightful stuff from someone who has clearly spent TIME here and understands the place. Great video.
Toronto is one of our favorite cities to visit. We need to go back and vlog it now that we are on UA-cam! Great tips!!
As a Canadian who now lives in Germany, you summed up Toronto perfectly. It is well worth the visit and the food is amazing. I don’t know if I have been to another city with so many varied foods.
That would be Vancouver.
Thanks Mark
@@gng11 Vancouver certainly has a good Asian culinary influence but lacks the diversity that Toronto offers.
Montreal is way better for foid , architecture, arts , culture , night life ... Toronto has no identity with a fake Times square
@@markreynolds9135NYC. It’s like the capital of the world when it comes to diversity. You have African, Caribbean, Central American and South American. I’m sure you don’t have any or little of that in Toronto l.
Love Toronto! One I would add, if you like good drinks, don't miss out on the distillery historic district. Spirit of York has the coolest tasting room I've ever seen with some incredible spirits. Next to that is Izumi, an awesome sake brewery! It's an awesome area and a bucket lister for unique experiences!
I've lived in Toronto for the last 55 yrs and love it, and actually think our City Hall is awesome. I have such great memories.
I winced when the creator of the video said he considered the city hall to be ugly or strange looking ... it's considered a masterpiece by many architects. I was in Germany once having lunch with some city planners ... when one realized I was from Toronto he reached into his briefcase and pulled out a design book all about the "new" city hall. He said it was brilliant.
Being from Toronto you made me appreciate my city a little bit more.
It's a great city
Thanks for this video! Local Torontonian here and first time commenting but I'd say don't think Toronto is just an urban city without nature areas to explore. There are many nice parks and hiking trails in the neighbourhoods outside of downtown (in Scarborough or North York, for example) that are gorgeous especially during late autumn with the beautiful foliage. It does take a bit of time to travel on public transit and not many tourists would be interested, but it is definitely something I'd suggest for those looking for a bit of off-the-beaten-track options. Some parks that I really love: Crothers Woods, Morningside Park, Rouge Valley, Don Valley Trails (for salmon migration), and Scarborough Bluffs.
Very well said. We have a really expansive ravine system too that is being added to and upgraded
Yes I agree, would definitely recommend the Scarborough Bluffs. Amazing nature.
Is it safe for solo travelers?
Another thing is don't miss the Toronto Islands, it has amazing evening views of the city. Also the residential section is adorable, you feel like you are in Hobbit town
Very accurate. I would add: don't forget to check what festivals are happening in the city during the time you're planning to visit. Pride, JazzFest, Caribbean carnival, CNE, Film Festival, etc., etc. because they each draw tens of thousands of extra visitors and it will affect traffic, hotel availability, restaurant reservations, and more. Also, don't miss the Toronto Zoo.
This is a city I really want to visit ever since I read it's a one of the best cities to visit without an itinerary.
Sounds like an April trip in 2023. Great info! Thanks Mark
I am from Toronto, and my favourite art gallery is in a small town abutting on the North West edge of Toronto. It's the McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg (home if the local Bindertwine Festival ... there is a story to that). For museums, there is the ROM that he mentioned, but there is also the Bata Shoe Museum and one I haven't made it to yet, the Aga Khan Museum ... going there this summer.
Generally, he did a great job explaining some of the don'ts. Don't worry too much about talking too loud. It isn't usual, but it would fall under live and let live. Although we do have actual authentic foods, we also have North Americanized versions, particularly Chinese. If you do come, enjoy yourself, but as he says, it isn't cheap. BTW please don't litter. I know you will see it, and natives will litter, but we don't like it even from us.
Well done Walter! I love how you captured all the essential information needed when visiting, even down to the local pronunciation of the city! 👏🏻
Torontonian here.... Wow. You pretty much nailed it on every single subject! So you have a friend or family member that lives here? I would just have to suggest one thing for those who are not planning to ever come back... going up the CN Tower is a nice experience and the views are incredible, but it's not for those that are scared of highs. Also, the Hop On Hop Off guided tour is worth it. Only a couple of hours but it brings you all over different parts of the city and the things you learn about our history is amazing! Even for a local, it's worth doing it at least once! :)
Thanks Jiji!
@@woltersworld Toronto… Where even the Mayor smokes crack!
Great job, Mark! You did such a good job that you have me thinking wonderful thoughts about Toronto (Trawna), and that’s saying a lot because I was born in Alberta. It’s really nice to have such a positive, enthusiastic view from a visitor. I love your channel and watch every video you put out. Thank you for taking us with you all over the world.!
Bless this man for all his tips, I’m always searching up his videos before I travel
If you're in TO for an extended period, do take a day trip and drive south on the QEW to Niagara. Visit Niagara Falls (both Canadian and US sides- they have totally different feels; one built up tourist things to do, the other nature), wineries, quaint village shopping in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Buffalo. Only a 90 minute drive.
I always have been and am still impressed with your knowledge of Toronto...It's clear that you have been here many times...All of your Videos are very interesting and comprehensive...Thx for your Videos and especially this one Toronto Video Wolter...!!!
I am surprised you said the City Hall is ugly.I remember watching DuMaurier cigarette commercials when I was a kid right after they built the NEW City Hall long before I moved to Toronto. At that time the new City Hall was promoted as a having a great design. But there is really nice architecture right next door to the city hall - the beautiful Romanesque-style old City Hall which is used for City Court and weddings.
Lol I'm with Mark, our City Hall is ugly. Back in the 80s, I thought it was cool and modern, now it just seem dated.
and they say Old City Hall is haunted. It's been said that the courts hanged criminals there.
@@yenphung8809 All modern buildings seem dated at a certain age. In the 1960s Art Deco from the 20s and 30s looked dated, but now people love it. City Hall (1965) is mid-century modern, which has actually been trendy again for a few years now.
Me too; it was designed in the 1950's after an international contest, and was incredibly avant-garde for the time. Honestly, this is the first time I've ever heard anyone call it "ugly". 🙂
@@bobbbxxx Yes, I totally agree that it was avant garde and it's fun to read about the international design contest. I really love the look of the new City Hall and if there is a lot of bright sunshine you can get some amazing black and white photos when looking up at the curving ramp and towers from ground level.
Informative AND well edited! A pleasure to watch. As a local, I suggest walking. It’s the bits you’ll discover in between your origin and destination that can make Toronto fascinating.
Also go behind the main streets and discover quaint neighbourhoods.
Agree! I love just walking around Toronto. I was walking about 25k steps every day and justvtaking it in. Love the city
You did a great job with this video - hit a bunch of important and entertaining points. Also very well shoot and edited - kudos!!
You nailed Toronto but you showed the American side of Niagara Falls and the Canadian side is much nicer.
It Amazes me how Toronto feels like such an easy-going city considering how much it has to offer.
From a snap shot it might look that way, but if you live here, I wouldn't say that. It's got a bit of New York type atmosphere to it. Even outside the DT core. Everyone is always in rush, people complain about everything, cars always honking at each other.... Probably the main reason cottages are so popular here. People need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a bit.
@@C-mac_in_the_6ix I have heard many videos of that place and car honking is not that common. Not New York common anyway.
@@blindpanthervlogs Then your not watching recent videos or the right videos that gives you a real idea of the city. That's exactly the reason the show "Suites " is filmed in Toronto. Other then it's cheaper to film here, they wanted the NY ambient noise in the background and Toronto has it.
@@C-mac_in_the_6ix i’m not saying it’s not loud. And I was watching action kid live streaming around Toronto during Canadian Thanksgiving.
@@C-mac_in_the_6ix I have to also disagree here. Toronto is loud, for a city of 3 million. NYC is a whole other beast of 8.5 million residents where car honking is more common than talking. Toronto feels more like chicago.
Great video. I'd add that downtown is often a very lively and vibrant place on weekends. I think you meant to say avoid the financial district which doesn't have much going on weekends (but is very short walking distance to a lot of great spots so it's still a great place to stay) but downtown is pretty big and has loads of amazing and busy neighbourhoods on weekends.
Yeah. Financial district for sure.
6:32 that's because the Entertainment District just west of downtown was bought up by condo developers and they took out all the bars/nightclubs/restaurants, and then the condo dwellers that moved in (plus the residents on the Islands...) complained about the noise from the few nightclubs that remained, shutting those down too.
The Entertainment district has been pretty much a construction zone for years now...
Before I retired, I was a tour guide on the double decker buses in New York City and I enjoy the way that you inform the do's and don'ts of Toronto which I like.😁
I live a couple hours away from Toronto drive around 185 kilometres (115 miles). I would say, it is the best city to visit, and I know everyone has their own experience and opinion about Toronto. Toronto is more diverse and they have more options of international food that taste so much better than where I live in a decent small city. Downtown Toronto is the most international than anywhere I have gone anywhere to other cities in the province of Ontario. The downside of Toronto is way too expensive. I found the food is more expensive and housing the most is the most expensive. I only prefer visiting Toronto than to live there. I prefer going to North York area of Toronto and much more cleaner there. Downtown is more known for the iconic CN Tower. Since the 2026 FIFA World Cup is hosting in US, Canada, Mexico. I would like to have a chance to visit Toronto as they are one along with Vancouver the Canadian cities to host a few tournaments there. It is a good city at the end and it does not matter how bad can it be. Everywhere you go can be bad not just in Toronto.
I plan one day trip in Toronto. This is a big help. Thank you.
I have been to Toronto many times and it’s a great city
Local Torontonian here! I have to say that this is a phenomenal review of the city and provided really insightful tips for visitors. The points on the great international food were especially spot on. I think that the city is quite busy on weekends though, perhaps not right by the CN tower but Queen St, King St, etc for sure.
Very honest review!! You definitely articulated all that has to be said about my city, Toronto.
As someone that lives in the GTA, this video is pretty legit
Also I'm team plain butter tart. There's a certain beauty to its simplicity
Toronto City Hall is an iconic modernist masterpiece lol
As a resident of Toronto I advise people to avoid the TTC, especially on the weekends as there are holes in the service especially due to the partial closings on some of the subway stations due to ongoing maintenance which never seems to end. If you're downtown, you're better to walk as most attractions are relatively close and even walking to the ones that are further will give you a chance to see some of the vibrant life of Toronto's diverse neighbourhoods.
I've watched your other videos over the years, and this is the most polished, well paced video I've seen. (Not to discredit your other videos) Nicely done sir!
As a Torontonian, you shared some extremely accurate travel tips! One site to visit is actually right behind you - the Law Society of Ontario (formerly Law Society of Upper Canada). The building is behind iron gates, so it is not very noticeable, but it is a beautiful historic building. The library inside the building is exquisite and has been used on numerous occasions for filming movies. In addition, there are free tours of the building! Also, if anyone does visit Toronto in the Winter, the water next to you becomes a skating rink. :)
Thanks for the tips. We are going to Toronto this weekend and were planning on driving to get around but not any more based on your video and the comments.
Can i go with you please to downtown ? Because i have no transport.
As someone who visited Toronto (Toronna, as I was taught to pronounce it when I was there) for the first time in the last month or so, spot on info. One point for now: while you are correct that in absolute numbers, the prices were high, being from the US and having a strong dollar it was a welcome relief from the "sticker price". Won't last forever, I realize, but a nice twist!
This video is so accurate about Toronto! Especially about the food. Come to Toronto for so many different and excellent foods which are not overly expensive IMO, yet. If you are coming in the summer, don't miss out on the beach/boardwalk and island. Canada's Wonderland Theme Park is great also in the summer as is a day trip to Niagara Falls & Niagara on the Lake nearby. A HUGE DON'T to mention is DON'T go to Marineland! It is run down and known for animal abuse. In the summer there are TONs of street events and festivals, markets (Brickworks) to go to, DON'T miss them!
Oh and DON'T be afraid to talk to people here, while most Canadian's walk busy during the day most are super happy to give directions or a recommendation if you ask :)
I was in Toronto and had a great time there. It s very clean and abd has a very good infrastructure .
I rely want to go there again soon.
Same here
Depends on what you mean by "downtown" being quiet on weekends - the central business district is quiet but the rest of the downtown neighbourhoods are packed! Like King West/ West Queen West / Little Italy / Dundas West / The Annex / Entertainment district
I would add that if you are staying in the downtown financial district on the weekend either head for the waterfront or go up to the Yorkville area. Close and a great area to wander around. The ROM is located there.
The driving there is the most accurate part. Parking in a nearby city and taking the go train to union Station is a must
As a person who lives about 1/2 an hour away from Toronto (when the highway is moving) I agree with 100% of what you said and recommended. Great video! especially your point about the diversity and food diversity and food quality. I love me my poutine.. but if you don't try the amazing multi-cultural food in the city and find those amazing hidden gems you're not doing it right.
Adding a few thoughts as a someone who lives in Toronto:
- From what I'm fortunate enough to taste everyday, to what I've heard about people who travel to Toronto, you hit the nail on the head when it comes to food. We're incredibly blessed as a food city, particularly with regards to different international flavours (my wife from Ottawa would disagree with me about our pizza and - at least compared to Ottawa, our shawarma). The one place we don't really excel is seafood. We're a long way from the ocean, and while you can find delicious seafood in Toronto, it's even more expensive than our already high prices (I love oysters, but the prices here make that tricky).
- Really want to double-down on the fact that you should travel to neighbourhoods. I was confused for a bit about the video talking about the downtown being dead, but then I realized you meant the Financial District (the downtown core). For me the downtown goes from Bathurst at the west to Jarvis at the east, and Bloor at the north down to the lake. Highlight neighbourhoods around the city are Kensington Market (boho pedestrian-first neighbourhood with vintage ships, bars, and food shops), Bloordale/Bloorcourt (grittier spots with lots of restaurants and bars and fantastic retailers), the whole area around Trinity-Bellwoods park as well as to the west of it (very busy and trendy, perhaps to it's detriment, but still fun), & the Annex (perhaps a bit played-out and gentrified, but still a good spot for food, drinks, and activites). I would recommend avoiding Liberty Village, since it's mostly a spot for modern offices and tiny condos, and the over-priced retailers that cater to that crowd.
- In warm weather: definitely go to the Island. Think of it as a big, multi-use park with great views of the city skyline.
Even Roncy, litte italy, little portugal, Saint clair west, ossington, summerhill, yonge & eglinton, the junction and leslieville/woodbine… so many more hip areas to explore.
As a Torontonian myself, downtown has some cool areas but its mostly a necessity rather than a destination.
One of my biggest regrets about tourists in Toronto is that they don’t leave the downtown area when the soul, magic and creativity of our city is in our neighbourhoods that lie outside of the commercial core.
For example Danforth is great for food, or Korea Town.
Couldn’t agree more
Great video, you pretty much nailed it except for the part about downtown being dead on weekends. When the weather is nice downtown Toronto during weekends is way more jam-packed with people and activity than it is on weekdays all along Yonge, Bloor, Queen W, along the Harbourfront, St. Lawrence, The Village, Chinatown, Kensington, Yorkville etc. Yonge & Dundas on a warm summer Saturday is bonkers! Only the financial district is more quiet on weekends, so I'm just going to assume that's what you meant by "downtown". haha
haha! Nice catch Ken. I was going to comment about that too, but I kind of assumed that's what he meant...lol.
Fair accurate guide. Well done. Indeed Wintertime is slow. Tons of bike lanes. TTC does have an express bus to the the airport and the subways line. Toronto island is pretty much a huge park with tons of nice beaches (including a nude one) Renting a bike or canoe on the island. Tours from TO to Niagara falls is something I do a few times a year. Usually I take the casino bus and use the promotional casino bonus to cover the cost of the bus fair by heading to a virtual roulette machine and spinning half on red/black (maybe a buck on the 0's) to "win" the fair back and cash out. Pretty much a free trip to Niagara Falls.
I was here for the first time in early November and loved it. Rented a car for the second half to visit my friend in barrie, (hour north) and decided to see Niagara Falls, and traffic from Hamilton to my highway to head north, was hair pulling !! Stayed at the Rex hotel, and subway is really great to get around! Awesome video !!
Don't worry about how you pronounce 'Toronto'. If you pronounce that second 'T' no one will get in your face. They will just know you are a visitor and that's ok. I am originally from T.O. and recommend the Beaches neighbourhood for the weekend. Castle Loma is prettiest decorated for Xmas. I would check ahead for pricing but the Science Center would be free on Friday afternoon/evening and would be pretty empty. It's great if you're traveling with kids. Dress warm in the winter because it's a humid city and that makes the cold more noticeable.
Do you recommend or not recommend going in December?
When last year in August. Weather was nice and dry with a pleasant breeze. I went up to CN Tower, went to Casa Loma, Art Museum, & side trip to Niagara Falls.
Took the Metro which is always fun.
Great review. As an Ontarian, I can tell you that I’ve never been up in the CN Tower. Also, don’t drive in downtown Toronto, it reminds me of driving in Chicago . Lots of different foods and outdoor free concerts in the summer. The Harbourfront is nice to visit. The newer streetcars are air conditioned. The Toronto Science Centre in a suburb is pretty good.
Thank you Kate!
I have lived in Toronto all my life and I would say that this was very accurate. Good job
Don’t forget Toronto Island, especially during the summer.
Amazing maintained park and man made beach to swim in Lake Ontario!
Thanks for the tips!
@@woltersworld No problem! love your channel and used it for my previous trips and will do for future. Keep up the amazing work!
@@aden1337 it's funny how some things i totally forget just because of the time of year i am filming in. I was in Switzerland this summer and was filming and realized i hadn't even mentioned skiing :) guess i am getting old and forgetful.
Mark Toronto City Hall is the coolest and has been a feature in many tv shows .
Love the videos. You need to get out to Nova Scotia though. Halifax/Dartmouth has lots of history and plenty of beaches close by, plus Peggy's Cove is 40-45min drive from Halifax/Dartmouth. The Cape Breton Highlands are amazing, wine tours in the Annapolis Valley are great, and the South Shore is also a nice place.
Yes! I’m a native Haligonian and couldn’t agree with you more. Take a ride on the harbour ferry (the oldest continuously operating salt water ferry in North America), take a whale watching tour or a sail on a tall ship, go on the Harbour Hopper, visit the Citadel, etc. Also, you have to have a donair when you’re here. It is the official food of Halifax, after all. The Cabot Trail is a must do.
This video is approved by me - a 10+ year-living-here Torontonian. Thanks for the video!
Great review! I differ on a couple points-#1 Toronto is a GREAT city to visit in the winter- lots to do in and out of the weather. Smaller crowds too.
#2- CN Tower is a must visit. It’s an absolute wonder of architectural achievement and provides amazing views. The 360 restaurant is worth the splurge- to dine while viewing the horizon.
City Hall is also the key feature in Resident Evil Apocalypse! One main reason why I love this city!
Also the hockey museum has a really neat ghost story attached to it that I absolutely hope to spot one day!
Toronto City Hall is beautiful, one of the best buildings in the city. You also missed the main thing that makes Toronto unlike any major city I know of and that is the Don Valley, and the Toronto ravine network, ....many trails, and unique parks make you feel like you are in the middle of a forest when you are just steps away from the city. Places like Brick Works and many other parks here are very unique.
Tourists can ask TTC staff to get a map for tourists. This special map shows all the popular sight seeing places you can visit, such as : Casa Loma, Centre Island, Distillery District, Ripley's Aquarium, CN Towner, Glen Gould Studio, Hockey Hall of Fame, Royal Ontario Museum......
I’m visiting Canada in January as an Australian I would love some tips and things to do during the winter.
Dress warm. Canada is cold in January
Depends where you are going mate, it’s a big country!
Niagara Falls in the winter is beautiful
Which part of Canada are you heading to?
Stay home , Canada is for people that are tough .
I live in Toronto and Mark is VERY spot on in this video! The traffic in most of Toronto is horrible, which isn't surprising for a major city. The food is amazing, people are friendly, and probably the most important thing: Toronto is of course in Canada!
Just a few things. GO Transit does extend their Lakeshore West line with some trains going to Niagara Falls in the summer. There is some stuff that happens downtown on the weekends, usually centered on Yonge-Dundas Square or Nathan Phillips Square - where he was filming from - or other street festivals like Taste of the Danforth in Greektown or Corso Italia in Little Italy. Oh, and it's a little subdued this year because of the weather, but with Toronto being so diverse, every 4 years in June/July during the World Cup, you can be assured to see fans from just about EVERY participating team in the streets and at the pubs with their flags displayed with pride...and speaking of Pride, ours is one of the biggest around.
And if you come here around the first weekend in October, we have Nuit Blanche, with many dozens of art installations across the city that runs from sundown to sunup...which again, you can get to on the TTC, as the subway runs all night long just for the event. (Usually the subway and most bus routes shut down from about 1:30-2:00 AM to around 6:00-7::00 AM - 9:00 AM on Sundays - which is another thing to remember if you're out late at night any other time here - while some bus and streetcar routes become a less frequent Blue Night service.)
Wolter just want to thank you for all your tips. We used them all on our weekend in Toronto a few weeks ago. Well, all we could fit in that is. There’s SO MUCH to do in Toronto we are planning to go back next year. It’s such a safe walkable city with so many shops and restaurants and cool things to see and do. We caught a Blue Jays game and it was just a 10 minute walk from our downtown hotel. Thanks again for this helpful video
I watch a lot of your videos, so as a Torontonian, I was excited to see you had visited us. But I don't totally agree with everything you said, and I would add some other 'don'ts':
-It's ok to pronounce Toronto however you want. I'm originally from Montreal, but have been living here 45 years, and still pronounce the final T. Half of our population are immigrants to Canada, so you will hear many accents, and many pronunciations; I've never heard of anyone who cares.
-I agree about not renting a car, but only if you are staying and sightseeing all in the downtown core (from Bloor to the lake). But, depending how long someone is visiting, renting a car for part of a trip may be very helpful, as a lot of things to do and see are not in downtown, and our public transit (TTC) isn't that great: the subway lines are limited, and the city is very spread out. And a car helps for day trips, such as Niagara Falls.
-I agree with not skipping a day trip to Niagara falls (if you have the time), and I would add a 'don't': If you drive to Niagara falls, don't forget to consider visiting Niagara-on-the-Lake (a lovely town, with the Shaw Festival for theatre), and visiting the Niagara region wineries (some are producing award winning wines); both these areas are just off the highway before you hit the falls.
-I don't agree about Toronto being costly, if you are talking to Americans, or people used to US dollars. Buying a home is crazy expensive, but most things (for example, restaurants prices) are about the same as US prices, but in Canadian dollars. So, for Americans, given that their dollar can buy $1.35 Canadian now, Toronto will seem like a bargain.
-Fun fact: we do have a large Portuguese community, so there are a lot of Portuguese bakeries, etc, but most of the Portuguese immigrants to Toronto are from the Azores (as opposed to mainland Portugal). I'm not sure the reason, but it is something I learned recently (likely has to do with the economy in the Azores being tough).
-I totally agree about the food scene here, and not missing out on the cuisines of various cultures. For example, we have had a lot of immigration from Korea in recent years, so there are now a ton of great, authentic Korean restaurants. We have a very large Chinese population, so in the northeast part of the city, there are a ton of amazing dim sum places. I have had amazing Ethiopian food here, and I've had Italian food better than I had in Italy! There's even an area west of downtown (Parkdale) with a section called 'little Tibet' where you can get cheap, delicious momos (dumplings). We have a lot of people here from South Asia (Pakistan and India), so there is great food from that area, even regional specialities (if you have never had a dosa, there are many places for that). You could do an hour long video just about the food scene.
-You did mention the art scene, but I would specifically say, if you are into art, don't miss seeing the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario). The architecture of the building makes it worth visiting, and also non-Canadians will find a great collection of 'the group of seven', famous art that you won't find much outside Canada.
-When downtown, don't miss walking around Chinatown, and beside it the area of Kensington market. I agree with seeing St Lawrence market as well, and the Danforth (Greektown) is a cool area. We are a city of neighbourhoods, with many to explore, like little Italy, the Beaches, the Junction, Bloor west village, Leslieville, etc.
-Hockey and basketball tickets are very expensive, but you can get baseball tickets more reasonably and the retractable roof of the Rogers Centre (a lot of us still call it the Skydome) is very cool.
-By the way, I don't agree about City Hall being ugly. I think it is one of our coolest buildings, and after it was built it became known internationally for its unique architecture. You can see it in a lot of movies and TV shows; I've seen it in some sci fi shows, due to its futuristic look.
These are just my opinions; we are a city with about 3 million in the metropolitan area, so you will find a very wide range of views about any of these things ;)
"It's ok to pronounce Toronto however you want. I'm originally from Montreal, but have been living here 45 years, and still pronounce the final T. Half of our population are immigrants to Canada, so you will hear many accents, and many pronunciations; I've never heard of anyone who cares."
Thank you! I am an American and pronounce the final T because it makes sense. No one cares that I know...in fact, a few friends who live there pronounce that T. It's like when my friends from London say--- Los Angeleez...it is Los AngeLES. But I can't bother getting all up in their pronunciation. There are better things to do like have a glass of wine and share some "friend" time.
Great points!
My suggestion would be
1. In summer on weekends goto the harbour front center on waterfront. They have free concerts.
2. For every fine dining restaurant, you will find a smaller self service food place of same cuisine. Eat there. Its a bit cheaper and you won't have to tip in a self service place.
3. Donot stand in a bike lane, especially on waterfront as its also the bike and running trail.
4. You can get free presto card in any local library. Get one from there and load it up.
5. CN tower is over rated.
6. Instead of taking a boat tour, if you have time, then please take the ferry to Toronto island. Its a 7 to 8 minute ride and you will get better pics of the city from there.
7. To goto Toronto island, buy online tickets of ferry. That way you will not be standing in long line to buy physical tickets. Also a ferry is better than water taxi as those are costlier.
Hope you all have a wonderful time in our city and have fond memories of it.
Fond memories?:- you really are being psychotic!
You should have also talked about all of the trails and ravines. You could walk for days here.
The last time I was in Toronto it was during a World Cup and during the games cars would ride up and down the streets with their different national flags hanging out of the windows. It was pretty cool.
Pretty spot on and this video actually makes me a bit homesick (Used to live in Toronto but am now in Vancouver)
There is plenty of stuff to do downtown during the weekends, but the financial core area specifically is pretty dead.
I'd also have suggested going to see a sports game if that is something one is into. Toronto FC for MLS (soccer), The Leafs (hockey), Raptors (NBA), Blue Jays (baseball) are all things to do. Plus in the summer there's almost always a festival of sorts going on.
Kudos for the correct pronounciation. If someone pronounces the last "T" when saying the city, it's a dead giveaway that they're not from the area.
Born and lived in Toronto for 67 years. I’ve always pronounced the second T.
As a long time local, you definitely nailed the don’ts especially no double “t” in Toronto
I’m glad you came to my country… all you say applies to all of Canada. The construction is our huge sore point. Montreal is no different!
Canada in general has amazing multi cultural foods. If you are coming to Old Montreal, don’t rent a car.. metro is best.
To avoid tourist trap places to eat, I recommend going to the Plateau area (metro Mont-Royal.
Canada isn’t a cheap country and Quebec has 15% sales tax. Highest in all of North American, sadly.
Summer is the best for every festival the world can offer, here in Montreal.
Cheers
Something to add about going out downtown at night, like he said its not necessarily busy on the weekends, but that doesn't mean Toronto doesn't have great night life down town. Look at when the Blue Jays play. If they have a 7PM game, head down town for the night. You don't even have to go to the game (although you should), but it is poppin all night.
Had the pleasure of visiting Toronto with my partner back in the first days of 2020.
What a lovely city you all have.
I indulged (maybe a bit too much) on the fantastic Italian food scene there. Holy moly.
As a long-time Torontonian, Wolters is spot-on. One thing I'd add is that you can find the best and more affordable food by exploring the fringes of the city, such as Scarborough and Brampton. As a world traveler myself, you'll find it difficult to discover a better mix of quality and variety.
I visited Toronto on vacation (from the UK) around 2015. I don't think that the big "Toronto" sign was there then, plus the streetcars were very old, not the modern ones that are shown in this video. St Lawrence Market was closed when I visited, was very disappointing after all I had read about it. I did a day trip to Niagara Falls, would be rude not to, having travelled all that way and got so close to it. I went with a small local travel company who used minibuses not a coach, so we stopped off at several places on the way including the Flower Clock and Niagara on the Lake. Brings back happy memories.....
The "Toronto" sign in Nathan Phillips Square was installed in 2015 for the Pan Am Games, and has been upgraded once or twice over the years :)
@@hancocki Just checked and it was October 2012 when I went so no wonder I didn't see it. If it had been there I'd have walked past it almost every evening after leaving my hotel for dinner
I was born in Toronto and raised not far from it. You've done a great job expressing the awesomeness of this city. For those interested, Centre Island is just a ferry away and is pretty cool to check out as well.
Lived in Toronto for most of my life. This is all correct. Especially the neighbourhood advice. One note: the PATH is great but it's easy to get lost
It really is oddly easy to get lost or have to problems at all. I had both issues 😀
Thanks for sharing! Very helpful
I live here. This is mostly true! I am polite, but tourists get the murder eyes and a pointed excuse me if they stop like a pylon in the middle of the people traffic in Union station while people are not on vacation. If you do that here you might be making someone late for work or an appointment. There are suburbs if you want the best of certain foods, but yes you should be happy with restaurants downtown. Toronto is also underrated for theatre too. We get runs of the big Broadway shows too. Canada has a big comedy scene too.
Toronto is the 3rd largest centre for english-language theatre in the world alongside London & New York!
"if they stop like a pylon" made me laugh out loud! I feel the same way. Also, when groups of more than 2 people walk side by side and block the sidewalk!
Torontonian here...also lived in London, NYC, Switzerland & 3 other Canadian cities & can say Toronto is truly special. The other neighbourhood I'd recommend is Cabbagetown, a collection of Victorian homes of all styles. carefully preserved and protected by city bylaws. It's easily walkable, about 30 minutes from downtown, or you can take the 506 streetcar. Drop into the working Riverdale Farm, walk through 2 cemeteries, St. James & the Necropolis for some history and then stop at House on Parliament for an excellent pub meal, all within the residential neighbourhood.
Great video, very accurate. However, as a native of Toronto, I have to say that it is a great place to visit but living in the city really sucks personally. The reason I say this is for many reasons such as the cold winters, lacking in sun, cost of living is absurd, (rent is unaffordable) city has a homeless problem including many of them with a lot of mental illness and/or drug addiction problems, sad but true.
Agreed 150%
One of the very best restaurants in Toronto is The Rushton. It's on St. Clair Ave West and Rushton Road. There's a 'neighborhood' all along St. Clair West, so good for a walk, too. Its small, sort of New York decor, noisy when busy, and really really good food. A tiny bit pricey but worth it for the quality of your meal. French food.
Not correct info about downtown on weekends. Only financial district is empty, the rest is very alive. "Canadian Club 12 years old" whisky is the best value/taste.
I live in Harbourfront in downtown Toronto and it is very alive on the summer weekends
Nailed it Mark! On a recent trip to watch the Red Sox play, we rented a car for a couple reasons, 1...to/from the airport, although we probably didn't need to. and 2. To do a Niagara Falls day trip. The rest of the time (Stayed at the Eaton Centre Marriott), we just walked and took public transit. It was awesome! Expensive...yes, but awesome. Yes, we did the CN Tower...although I was the only one to walk over the glass floor...haha. I love visiting Toronto and hope to be back soon!
I honestly hate what they did to the ROM. The dinosaur exhibit was so much more alive when I was younger. The new gallery doesn't match at all. Shutting down the planetarium was tragic too.
Toronto born and raised and this video is spot on. One of my favourite things about here is the variety of restaurants and shops from literally around the world. Chinatown is awesome, Greektown has it's own festival each summer, little Italy has some of the best places to get gelato. Same with little India if you love your food with spice!