What's Rad to do in Toronto?

[baddox]

So I'll be venturing out of the States in a few weeks, heading through Chicago and to Toronto with some buddies. I'm sure we'll see a hockey game, but other than that, what things rad are to be had in Toronto (or Chicago for that matter)?

[satori]

knowing a bit more about you would probably be helpful to guide you on Toronto. Post some info back about what you're into including what type of shopping you want to do when you're here, if you're into art, if you're into museums, if you're into ice skating, or what physical sorts of things you like.

I'll start by saying that if you're on this forum you'll likely really enjoy going to the best Comic shop in Canada: The Silver Snail. It's fairly central and there's lots of other shops to go shopping in around it. check it here:
https://www.silversnail.com/default.html

There's the CN Tower which will give you a great view. Until last year it was the worlds tallest freestanding structure:
http://cntower.com/



Maybe check out the some museums:


Royal Ontario Museum:
http://www.rom.on.ca/index.php

Or the Ontario Science centre, although it's not so centra, they're supposed to be re-opening the Space section on December 15th, but that date's not carved in stone:
http://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/


Art Gallery of Ontario

http://www.ago.net/navigation/flash/frameset.cfm

If you go to the Royal Ontario Museum you should head down bloor street a little and hit up the other great Toronto Comic shop The Beguiling: http://www.beguiling.com/ their main business is more alternative comics, but if you're into the scene they are a must visit.

Try and visit some part of P.A.T.H. which is the underground city, it's kind of cool, but it gets fairly repetitive fast. Still, if it's cold here it's great to be able to walk places if P.A.T.H. gets you there. http://www.toronto.ca/path/

There are loads of other places, but I think we need to know more about you.

As an aside if you have Half Life 2 you should download the City 7: Toronto Conflict mod, it's got lots of bugs, but it's a great little expose of areas of toronto done in Half life 2, it's a single player mod and will take about an hour or 2 to get through.

[wideawakewesley]

Have your honeymoon, like I did, that was RAD!

[masherscf]

Amber Mac is pretty rad...

[ngower]

Get high as hell, drink Moose Head on tap like there's no tomorrow, find the millions of record stores on Queen St W, stay in a ****y overpriced hotel and go to one of the nine hotel parties there, get yelled at by French Canadians, almost get stabbed by homeless people when you don't give them money, and almost get raped by Bulgarian men.....


.....well at least that's how my trip went a few months ago :D

Seriously though, Toronto is a great city, I loved every minute of it, just walk around and you'll find **** to do.

[tokenuser]

Come on ... highlight of a trip to Toronto.

The Bata Shoe Museum (http://www.batashoemuseum.ca/) ... never been, but I see it outside my hotel window nearly every time I stay in Toronto.

[eddielee]

I'll start by saying that if you're on this forum you'll likely really enjoy going to the best Comic shop in Canada: The Silver Snail. It's fairly central and there's lots of other shops to go shopping in around it. check it here:
https://www.silversnail.com/default.html




I'm ashamed to say that I've lived here for 8 years now, and I have never heard of the Silver Snail. What kind of geek am I?!?!?!

[baddox]

Thanks for the recommendations and links so far. I'll be traveling with some less geeky friends, so those museums look pretty neat.

[zombierin]

The Silver Snail Is A Must

[baddox]

I'll try to get there, maybe buy the comic with the TRS guys in it. What was it again, Adam issue 18?

[rabidbadger]

four words: fully nude strip clubs

[asquared]

You guys covered pretty much all the good stuff. There are clubs on Richmond if you're into the night life. Queen St. W is my favourite, it has great food and unique stores such as the Friendly Stranger (http://www.friendlystranger.com/). Have lunch at the Queen Mother Cafe (http://www.queenmothercafe.ca/) (delicious food), and check out China Town Queen St. W and Spadina. Oh, and there's Much Music on Queen St. as well, if you want to see a truck penetrating through a wall.
Good call rabidbadger, I forgot how deprived those Americans are :P

[alx]

smoke weed? its semi legal there...

[satori]

four words: fully nude strip clubs

If you do decide to do this first off only bother going to For Your Eyes Only, there are lots of places to go, but this place is fairly classy as far as these places go, and you won't feel like you need crow bar to unsticky yourself from the seat.

Oh, and there's Much Music on Queen St. as well, if you want to see a truck penetrating through a wall.
Good call rabidbadger, I forgot how deprived those Americans are :P

Chumcity was bought and split up between CTV and Rogers. They took down the truck, it's sad.

[baddox]

Don't think the strip club's going to happen.

[asquared]

If you do decide to do this first off only bother going to For Your Eyes Only, there are lots of places to go, but this place is fairly classy as far as these places go, and you won't feel like you need crow bar to unsticky yourself from the seat.

I second that. It's if not the best one I've ever been to...and that says a lot.

[satori]

smoke weed? its semi legal there...

well no, not really. The cops will bust you if they catch you, you'll just likely get off with nothing more than a slap on the wrist... still, I wouldn't push your luck because they may not let you back into the country, and also you'll have to pay for a lawyer while you deal with the issue... having said that it seems like everyone does it here, just keep it on the down low. It's certainly not like in the states where you'll get some ridiculous jail time for smoking a joint.

[satori]

Don't think the strip club's going to happen.

probably a smart move, there's no cover charge, but drinks are usually about 8 dollars.

On club land on Richmond it gets a little dicey around there on the weekend, and unless you're really into going to a club you shouldn't go there. there's always fights, arrests and stupidity. I go sure enough, but if you don't have to be around there don't go. Up on Queen street there are always a bunch of great bands to see. Not sure when you're coming but a couple of local publications that have listings that will explain what is going on during your stay are
www.eye.net and www.nowtoronto.com
They'll have club listings, band showings, and any festivals that are going on.

[rabidbadger]

maybe Montreal, where I go once in a while is different, but boy, you guys make toronto sound like Newark! are things really that scary there?

[satori]

maybe Montreal, where I go once in a while is different, but boy, you guys make toronto sound like Newark! are things really that scary there?
well FYO is fine, and then there's all the ones in the burbs that are fine, but the rest not so much. Now I haven't gone in years so maybe this has changed, but I'd avoid at all costs Jilly's, Zanzibars... not sure about BrassRail, that might be ok again.

[ngower]

smoke weed? its semi legal there...

Basically what the guy earlier said, it's still illegal, the cops just don't care. To be honest, I didn't see one cop while I was in Toronto. We were smoking a bowl on the balcony of the Travelodge on King St. W when I was there and no one cared.

I really do love Toronto, can't wait to make the trip up again.

[satori]

just don't pull out a joint and smoke up in front of a cop or they *will* do you. It's not Amsterdam.

[tectec]

just a few Chicago ideas:

-Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (http://www.neofuturists.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=45) is a most excellent show featuring 30 mini plays in 60 minutes. Very limited seating so show up early to ensure a ticket.

-Millennium Park (http://millenniumpark.org/) has some cool sculptures and architecture and even an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter months

-The John Hancock Tower (http://www.hancock-observatory.com/) and Sears Tower (http://www.the-skydeck.com/) offer beautiful views if its nice out and if you're willing to pay $10-15 for a ride to the observation decks

-Field Museum (http://www.fieldmuseum.org) always has some pretty cool exhibits too.

-I've never been to the Shedd Aquarium, (http://www.sheddaquarium.org) but maybe you have a desire to see fish and stuff in the winter?

[satori]

I'm surprised that Kowgod hasn't weighed in on the Chicago suggestions.

[masherscf]

four words: fully nude strip clubs


I'd rather catch some nude dancing than smoke weed anyday.

[ngower]

I'd rather catch some nude dancing than smoke weed anyday.

Why choose?