Parkdalelife
My coffee / brunch spots
This place is a bit of a hidden gem, which can be pretty rare in Toronto these days. They have a great patio in the back (no outlets though), with a perfect mix of sun and shade. It's quiet but with a lovely ambiance of neighbours. They have a breakfast sandwhich which I found sensational, and their coffee is great (can buy beans from them too). They also have a big selection of wines, and are happy to talk about selections.
It's a five minute walk from homebase and a great option if you're not quite awake enough for the bustle of Queen street, or just in the mood for a mellow vibe.
They also have booths inside, and great music taste.
Happy Coffee & Wine
1304 King St WThis place is a bit of a hidden gem, which can be pretty rare in Toronto these days. They have a great patio in the back (no outlets though), with a perfect mix of sun and shade. It's quiet but with a lovely ambiance of neighbours. They have a breakfast sandwhich which I found sensational, and their coffee is great (can buy beans from them too). They also have a big selection of wines, and are happy to talk about selections.
It's a five minute walk from homebase and a great option if you're not quite awake enough for the bustle of Queen street, or just in the mood for a mellow vibe.
They also have booths inside, and great music taste.
Food scene
I love everything about Skyline, and every meal I've ever had there, all seasons, all times of day or eve. The only thing I don't love is that everyone else loves it too, so it can be sometimes to get a table at peak times.
The patio outfront is great for brunch, and the servings are generous so it's good to go with an appetite. On a rainy summer evening, it's also nice to go just for a drink inside. Check out their website to see their menu, very much homestyle - prepared and served with quality.
40 íbúar mæla með
Skyline Restaurant
1426 Queen St WI love everything about Skyline, and every meal I've ever had there, all seasons, all times of day or eve. The only thing I don't love is that everyone else loves it too, so it can be sometimes to get a table at peak times.
The patio outfront is great for brunch, and the servings are generous so it's good to go with an appetite. On a rainy summer evening, it's also nice to go just for a drink inside. Check out their website to see their menu, very much homestyle - prepared and served with quality.
Simple and tastyTibetian cuisine, though there are ample Tibetian restaurants around this stretch of Queen west.
Tsampa Tibetan Restaurant
1528 Queen Street WestSimple and tastyTibetian cuisine, though there are ample Tibetian restaurants around this stretch of Queen west.
Outdoor chill spots
In peak summer, Sunnyside is like a Canadian Miami, as in a very cool scene but in a very laid-back, anything goes sense. Plenty of sany beach to stretch out, bring tunes, a picnic, some magazines, just be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat as that summer sun can be intense. It's also great to go in the evening to catch a long summer sunset.
128 íbúar mæla með
Sunnyside Beach
In peak summer, Sunnyside is like a Canadian Miami, as in a very cool scene but in a very laid-back, anything goes sense. Plenty of sany beach to stretch out, bring tunes, a picnic, some magazines, just be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat as that summer sun can be intense. It's also great to go in the evening to catch a long summer sunset.
Another amazing gem of the West end of the city - Ontario Place has in recent years become a paradise for leisure strolls, jogs, and bikerides. To get there, just walk down to the lake then take the Martin Goodman trail (can't miss it) east towards downtown. It's about a ten minute walk, and from there, venture over the bridge and wander around to discover on your own. You'll find caves, secluded beach spots, scenic views of the lake, and great cityskape views as well.
139 íbúar mæla með
Ontario Place
955 Lake Shore Blvd WAnother amazing gem of the West end of the city - Ontario Place has in recent years become a paradise for leisure strolls, jogs, and bikerides. To get there, just walk down to the lake then take the Martin Goodman trail (can't miss it) east towards downtown. It's about a ten minute walk, and from there, venture over the bridge and wander around to discover on your own. You'll find caves, secluded beach spots, scenic views of the lake, and great cityskape views as well.
I can't recommend High Park enough, at any time of year but especially in the summer. Though the once best-kept secret of the west end has since become a well-known spot across the city, it's so big and full of areas to explore that there's room for everyone.
The sooner you discover High Park the better - it's a great place for a big walk or a bike ride, but there's also nothing better than a picnic next to Grenadier pond. Check the park out on Maps to get a good look at what areas you may want to explore - there are plenty of wood trails to take you where the roads and paths don't go.
1205 íbúar mæla með
High Park
1873 Bloor St WI can't recommend High Park enough, at any time of year but especially in the summer. Though the once best-kept secret of the west end has since become a well-known spot across the city, it's so big and full of areas to explore that there's room for everyone.
The sooner you discover High Park the better - it's a great place for a big walk or a bike ride, but there's also nothing better than a picnic next to Grenadier pond. Check the park out on Maps to get a good look at what areas you may want to explore - there are plenty of wood trails to take you where the roads and paths don't go.
Sightseeing
The island is everyone's favourite spot to go in the summer, so if you're heading there on a weekend, be prepared for crowds. A great way to avoid the long line ups for ferries is to get a boat taxi. It's well worth the $10 splurge - fun tunes on the ride, small group, and an amazing view of the skyline. This is especially the case on the route home. The ferry is fun too, but maybe best to save for a weekday.
Check out Hanlan's point for an amazing beach, but be weary of extreme sun / heat, as there is minimal shade. It's also quite a scene - a nudist beach that is welcoming to all, as in, no pressure to drop your drawers. There are plenty of other beach areas if that isn't your thing. Hanlan's is just a particularly awesome and unique experience, so it's worth checking out.
Bikes are a great way to explore the island, but going on foot is fine too. Whatever you choose to do, just make sure you bring food and water and give yourselves loads of time, as an island day can stretch out.
1035 íbúar mæla með
Toronto Islands
The island is everyone's favourite spot to go in the summer, so if you're heading there on a weekend, be prepared for crowds. A great way to avoid the long line ups for ferries is to get a boat taxi. It's well worth the $10 splurge - fun tunes on the ride, small group, and an amazing view of the skyline. This is especially the case on the route home. The ferry is fun too, but maybe best to save for a weekday.
Check out Hanlan's point for an amazing beach, but be weary of extreme sun / heat, as there is minimal shade. It's also quite a scene - a nudist beach that is welcoming to all, as in, no pressure to drop your drawers. There are plenty of other beach areas if that isn't your thing. Hanlan's is just a particularly awesome and unique experience, so it's worth checking out.
Bikes are a great way to explore the island, but going on foot is fine too. Whatever you choose to do, just make sure you bring food and water and give yourselves loads of time, as an island day can stretch out.
Regardless of what you're into, there's something for everyone in Kensington, whether it's an authentic (old) fish market, vintage clothing stores, a new burrito spot, or a bar patio. Great for checking out on Pedestrian Sundays, when the streets are closed off to cars and the musicians pour out. Even when it's busy (and often is), Kensington has an amazingly chill vibe, and despite all the changes going on around it, it has managed to hold strong.
Note: Kensington is a block or two west of China Town - a whole different scene but well worth exploring in its own right (and for MANY great spots to eat).
1698 íbúar mæla með
Kensington Market
Regardless of what you're into, there's something for everyone in Kensington, whether it's an authentic (old) fish market, vintage clothing stores, a new burrito spot, or a bar patio. Great for checking out on Pedestrian Sundays, when the streets are closed off to cars and the musicians pour out. Even when it's busy (and often is), Kensington has an amazingly chill vibe, and despite all the changes going on around it, it has managed to hold strong.
Note: Kensington is a block or two west of China Town - a whole different scene but well worth exploring in its own right (and for MANY great spots to eat).
Venturing out for a drink
Round the Horn has a great low-key vibe and a lovely atmosphere in the back patio. A great spot to have a bite and a drink in the early eve (the back patio closes at 11). The staff and locals are very friendly and approachable, great for asking about the area or just meeting some of the neighbours. Also a nice spot to start your night if you plan on continuing to explore.
12 íbúar mæla með
Round The Horn
331 Roncesvalles AveRound the Horn has a great low-key vibe and a lovely atmosphere in the back patio. A great spot to have a bite and a drink in the early eve (the back patio closes at 11). The staff and locals are very friendly and approachable, great for asking about the area or just meeting some of the neighbours. Also a nice spot to start your night if you plan on continuing to explore.
The Local is a beloved neighbourhood spot, and can be wildly popular any night of the week. There's often a band playing, but even when there isn't, the crowd is fun, welcoming and lively. A great spot to meet locals or just take in the scene.
75 íbúar mæla með
The Local Pub
396 Roncesvalles AveThe Local is a beloved neighbourhood spot, and can be wildly popular any night of the week. There's often a band playing, but even when there isn't, the crowd is fun, welcoming and lively. A great spot to meet locals or just take in the scene.
The Rhino is a longtime popular spot, especially in the summertime, when the large patio space is a prime spot for enjoying a bite and some drinks with the last rays of sun (and onwards). It's a big, bustling venue, but still relatively low key. A fun place to start or wind up after an evening elswhere. The menu is surprisingly robust and tasty, and with affordable prices.
94 íbúar mæla með
The Rhino
1249 Queen St WThe Rhino is a longtime popular spot, especially in the summertime, when the large patio space is a prime spot for enjoying a bite and some drinks with the last rays of sun (and onwards). It's a big, bustling venue, but still relatively low key. A fun place to start or wind up after an evening elswhere. The menu is surprisingly robust and tasty, and with affordable prices.
Laid-back and unassuming, longtime Parkdale haunt that is very much a locals hang spot. The patio in the back is perfect for a low-key pint or several, and less than a five minute walk home.
7 íbúar mæla með
The Mezz
1546 Queen St WLaid-back and unassuming, longtime Parkdale haunt that is very much a locals hang spot. The patio in the back is perfect for a low-key pint or several, and less than a five minute walk home.
Neighbourhoods
Roncesvalles is my hometown neighbourhood, so it has a special place in my heart... but it has also since gone on the map as one of the best neighbourhoods in the city. Insider tip: everyone now calls it Roncey, but the old guard like myself still call it Ronces ("Ron-sees"). Referring it as this will not fall on deaf ears for those who know (although there's few still left!)
Whether you walk along Queen st. West then up Roncesvalles or cut across the sidestreets (notably Sorauren Ave), its a beautiful neck of the woods and one of my favourite strolls in the city.
Roncesvalles is packed full of shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants, as well as the Review Cinema - check out their listings, it makes for a great weeknight or rainy weekend evening. You can also keep heading west towards the incredible High Park - but if you do this, have good walking shoes. Or take bikes, and head back through High Park towards the lake and take the bike path (Martin Goodman trail) back home.
135 íbúar mæla með
Roncesvalles Village
147 Roncesvalles AveRoncesvalles is my hometown neighbourhood, so it has a special place in my heart... but it has also since gone on the map as one of the best neighbourhoods in the city. Insider tip: everyone now calls it Roncey, but the old guard like myself still call it Ronces ("Ron-sees"). Referring it as this will not fall on deaf ears for those who know (although there's few still left!)
Whether you walk along Queen st. West then up Roncesvalles or cut across the sidestreets (notably Sorauren Ave), its a beautiful neck of the woods and one of my favourite strolls in the city.
Roncesvalles is packed full of shops, cafes, pubs, and restaurants, as well as the Review Cinema - check out their listings, it makes for a great weeknight or rainy weekend evening. You can also keep heading west towards the incredible High Park - but if you do this, have good walking shoes. Or take bikes, and head back through High Park towards the lake and take the bike path (Martin Goodman trail) back home.
Borgartillaga
Samgöngur
Rent a bike and explore the city from the lakeshore path
There are bike share racks all over the place around Parkdale and the lake now, so once you get set up, it's easy to hop on / off. If you're weary of biking through city streets (*very understandable, and not to be taken lightly if you're not too experienced), just walk down to the lake and pick up a bike there.
You can take the Martin Goodman trail right across the city - whether to Harbourfront in central downtown (and either walk up or take the TTC to get around there), or to Cherry Beach in the East end. You can also opt to go west to explore the Humber Bay park.
Samgöngur
Take the King bus rather than the Queen street car
Due to a couple of major construction projects, the King and Queen lines have some hiccup spots to be aware of. The King line (formally a streetcar) is now a bus service. Check with the driver to confirm it's not making any surprise detours. It's generally reliable from the Jameson stop onwards though. The Queen street car often turns at Sudbury street, so if you're hopping on, check with the driver to ensure they're reaching your intended stop.
Samgöngur
When taking the King bus back home - watch for the 504 line
If you're heading home from downtown via King street, just make sure you're getting on a bus that's got the 504 number. The sign should read "Dundas West" - others will likely turn southward at Dufferin. If that happens to you (it's happened to me MANY times), it's not a big deal... just get off at the first stop after the turn and either catch the next bus on King or walk the rest of the way back. It's less than 10 min and gives you a nice tour of south Parkdale.