The Budget Destination Guide:
Toronto, Canada
By Hilary Maissner
Tips from a real Torontonian on how to enjoy the best of the city for free.
Toronto sits on the northern shores of Lake Ontario, Canada’s largest city and the fourth largest in North America. Toronto is Canada’s business capital, and with a population of over 4.5 million it has become the central hub for finance, communications and technology in Canada. Downtown Toronto is very clean and vibrant and is considered to be safe at night in most areas where you will always find people out and about. The subway, bus and streetcar system connects the city districts and is reliable and clean, called the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) but nicknamed “The Better Way” or “The Red Rocket” will get you pretty much anywhere you would like to go for a nominal price.
Read about Toronto's Top Free Attractions
Getting to Toronto
Air
There are two airports, Pearson International Airport which is just 24km to downtown Toronto and the small Toronto City Centre Airport, located on a small island south of downtown and accessible by ferry to and from the harbourfront. Although a vast majority of flight go through Pearson, Porter Airlines is now operating out of the City Centre airport from select locations.
Flying from Toronto? FlightNetwork is a great site for
cheap flights from Canada.
Rail
Union Station provides rail access to the rest of Ontario and Canada both regionally and nationally.
By Road
Highways 401 and 2, and the Queen Elizabeth Way, enter Toronto from the west. Highways 401 and 2 also enter Toronto from the east. Hwy 400 runs from the north and connects with Hwy 401. Major bus routes converge in Toronto. Out-of-town buses arrive and depart from the Bus Terminal, located at 610 Bay St. Service to/from points all over Ontario, Canada and the U.S. National and regional bus lines serve the Greater Toronto area. Call 416-393-7911 for bus company fares and schedules.
By Water
Toronto offers docking facilities and complete services for boaters. For information on harbour facilities, call the
Toronto Port Authority at 416-863-2000.
Read More about Toronto transportation options.
Where to Stay In Toronto
Depending on your budget Toronto has a huge selection of accommodations ranging from cheap hostels, bed and breakfasts and motels to world-class 5 star posh resort hotels. Rates will change with the seasons as higher rates usually occur in the summer months; however, in the winter months many hotels cut their rates almost in half. Most of the hotels can be found in the downtown core, motels are found mostly in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Two helpful sites are
Toronto Tourism.com and
Toronto Place.com.
Shopping in Toronto
Imagine a retail experience that includes everything from upscale boutiques, large department stores, malls, galleries, designer outlets bazaars and neighborhood shops. Toronto, similar to New York City is a shopper’s paradise. You can find anything from the latest high-end fashions to the most obscure items.
Yonge Street:
There are many well-known streets in Toronto with many places to shop or be entertained, but perhaps the best known is Yonge Street. One of the busiest streets in Toronto lined with many great shops and home to Toronto’s largest shopping mall, the Eaton Center where you will find shops specializing in everything. Yonge Street is a lively, industrious, busy, interesting, and a "do not miss" location for your visit to Toronto. It has been listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest street in the world, and is a national historic site. Every kind of goods, services, food, drink, & entertainment are in abundance here. A stroll down Yonge Street is an introduction to the many cultures and nationalities that become Toronto.
Bloor-Yorkville:
The upscale neighborhood that is also the unofficial destination of the stars during Toronto’s famous International Film Festival is known for its trendy shops and restaurants. Whether you’re looking for designer duds, a decadent meal or a day of pampering at one of the many spas, Bloor-Yorkville is the place to go. Bloor-Yorkville is often compared to other acclaimed shopping areas around the world such as 5th Ave in New York and Rodeo Drive in L.A. More info can be found here:
Article at ShowMeToronto.com
Articles at Wikipedia
Kensington Market:
Located near Spadina Ave and Dundas Street Kensington Market is known for its multicultural mix of shops, restaurants, thrift stores, pubs and eclectic cafes. At Kensington Market you can find imported goods from Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and the Middle East as well, there are also artist studios open to the public. Kensington Market is pedestrian friendly so if you visit during the warmer spring/summer months it’s a great way to become familiar with the nooks and crannies of the neighborhood.
Shopping Malls:
The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has a variety of shopping malls to satisfy even the pickiest shopper. Offering big brand names and special events indoor shopping malls are the best places to shop on those cold winter days.
Yorkdale Shopping Mall
The Eaton Center
Vaughn Mills
Square One
Dr. Flea’s Market
Dr. Flea's features Toronto's Mega City's 2 largest indoor flea market and farmer's market. It’s in a climate controlled building and outdoor facility that includes over 400 vendors. At Dr. Fleas you can find almost anything including baby accessories, health products, luggage, shoes and sunglasses. The admission and parking is free and there are free hourly giveaways. Open every Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Call 745-FLEA (3532) or visit
www.DrFleas.com
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