thingstodointoronto

Things to do in Toronto during (before, in-between, after) QTUG or APA:

Ryerson is located close to Yonge Street, which is a busy shopping and dining street.

Map of Downtown

1) Dundas and College stations-> The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is the third largest public transit system in North America. The TTC provides public transit within the City of Toronto. The backbone of its public transport network is the subway system. The TTC also operates an extensive network of buses and streetcars. The nearest subway station to Ryerson University are the Yonge/Dundas and Yonge/ College stations in the Yonge-University-Spadina line (fare: $2.75). At the stations (mainly the Union and Dundas stations), you may be able to buy your tickets from vending machines and collector booths using cash or credit cards.

2) Yonge-Square ("The heart of the city")-> Yonge-Dundas Square is a unique focal point of downtown Toronto. You'll find a wide range of activities on the Square: theatrical events, concerts, receptions, promotions, etc. Find the Square on the South-East corner of Younge and Dundas. The Square has been closed on occasions to host free concerts, including performances by R. E. M., Beyoncé, and John Mayer.

3) Yonge Street -> It was formely listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest street in the world (until 1998) an dis a national historic site. Yonge Street is frequently considered to be Toronto's main street, because of its position dividing the city east and west, and the presence of the Yonge subway line. As a result, it is the traditional gathering place for public celebrations.

4) College Park- is a shopping mall, residential and office complex located on the South-West corner of Yonge Street and College Street. The seventh floor houses The Carlu, a fancy event venue.

5) Toronto Eaton Centre ->The intersection of Dundas and Yonge is also the location of this major Downtown shopping mall, which has 2 food courts and lots of shops. It is the busiest mall in the City of Toronto. Its spectacular glass galleria soars above a fascinating selection of more than 230 retailers, restaurants and services. Located in the heart of the city, it is one of the most interesting and exciting shopping experiences you will find anywhere.

6) The PATH-> PATH is downtown Toronto's underground underground walkway linking 27 kilometers of shopping, services and entertainment. Follow PATH and you'll reach your downtown destination easily in weatherproof comfort. Here is a map.

Places to go while in Toronto:

1) CN Tower and the 360 Restaurant->the tower stood as the tallest free-standing land structure in the world at 553 metres (1,815 ft). To the surprise of its creators, the tower held the world record for over 30 years. The CN Tower is located between the Rogers Centre and the Metro Convention Centre or Front Street, just north of Brenner Blvd., a quick 5 minute walk from the Theatre District. If you take the subway, your ultimate destination is Union Station. From there, the Tower is a short walk wast along Front Street, or a 5 minute stroll along the PATH.

2) APA will be selling tickets at a discount to the Toronto Blue Jays-Baltimore Orioles game on Friday, August 7, 7:07 pm. A limited number of tickets may be purchased for $5.00 US each at the Special Events Desk in the APA Registration Area. The Blue Jays play their home games at the Rogers Centre, in the downtown area.

3) Royal Ontario Museum ->The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is located in the city of Toronto, one of North America’s largest, most diverse and exciting urban centres. It houses an exceptional array of themed galleries throughout the Museum, spanning both world cultures and natural history. The museum is located at the corner of Bloor Street and Avenue Road, north of Queen's Park and on the east side of Philosopher's Walk in the University of Toronto.

4) Art Gallery of Ontario -> The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is one of the largest art museums in North America. It has a variety of impressive collections, including the works of Pablo Picasso, Auguste Rodin, Vincent Van Gogh, Edgar Degas, Andy Warhol, and others. It is located on the eastern edge of Toronto's downtown Chinatown district, on 317 Dundas Street West between McCaul Street and Beverly Street. If you take the subway, exit at St. Patrick Station of the Yonge-University-Spadina subway line, and walk one block west along Dundas Street.

5) Toronto Zoo ->The Toronto Zoo is the third largest in the world. It is divided into six zoogeographic regions: Indo-Malaya, Africa, Americas, Australasia, Eurasia and the Canadian Domain. Some animals are displayed indoors in tropical pavilions and outdoors in what would be their naturalistic environments, with viewing at many levels. The zoo is currently home to over 5,000 animals (including invertebrates and fish) representing over 491 distinct species.The 86A Scarborought bus route operates to the Zoo from Kennedy Station (of the Bloor-Danforth subway line) everyday during the summer. The 85 Sheppard East bus route (85A "Via Toronto Zoo" and 85B "To Toronto Zoo") operates to the Zoo from the Don Mills Station (of the Sheppard subway line) on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

6) Greektown and the Taste of the Danforth->Greektown on the Danforth is another one of the major attractions of Toronto which boasts one of the highest concentrations of greek restaurants per kilometre in the world. GreekTown is a Business Improvement Area located roughly between Chester and Jones Ave on Danforth Ave. 450 businesses are situated in this area and each contributes financially to the promotion and beautification of the community. Several scenes in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding were shot here. It is also home to the annual "Taste of the Danforth" festival which attracts over one million people in 2 1/2 days. With no admission charge, the event welcomes all to enjoy modestly-priced samples of cuisine available at restaurants along this stretch of Danforth Avenue. Greek food prevails, but there are numerous options, including Thai, Chinese, Brazilian, Japanese, Indian, and others. This year it will take place August 7, 8, 9 2009. If you take the subway, exit at Chester Station of the Bloor-Danforth subway line.

7) Caribana -> Toronto's Caribana festival takes place from mid-July to early August of every summer, and is one of North America's largest street festivals.Primarily based on the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, the first Caribana took place in 1967 when the city's Caribbean community celebrated Canada's Centennial year. Forty years later, it has grown to attract one million people to Toronto's Lake Shore Boulevard annually. The last activity will take place on August 3 at Ontario Place: Caribana Tent Village Goes to Ontario Place. Ontario Place is a multiple use entertainment and seasonal amusement park in Toronto. From Union Station, take the Harbourfront 509 streetcar to Exhibition Place. You will then have to walk south through the Exhibition grounds, over the Lakeshore bridge and into Ontario Place.

8) Little Italy -> Little Italy, sometimes referred to as College Street West or Latintown, is well known for its numerous Italian Canadian restaurants and businesses. The district is centered around a restaurant/bar/shopping strip along College Street, the heart of which being the intersection of College and Clinton Streets and the adjacent residential area, but spreading out between Bathurst Street and Dufferin Street. It overlaps into two official City of Toronto neighborhoods: Palmerston-Little Italy north of College Street and Trinity-Bellwoods to the south. Today, Little Italy's population is ethnically diverse. The Hispanic Canadians had become the largest ethnic group. Little Italy has also become quite popular with younger crowds because of its vibrant nightlife and its proximity to the downtown core.

9) Corso Italia→ Corso Italia is a neighborhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on St. Clair Avenue West, between Westmount Avenue (just east of Dufferin Street) and Lansdowne Avenue. The neighborhood includes numerous cafés, clothing shops, shoe stores, restaurants, food markets, as well as several gelaterias (ice cream parlors, visit “La Paloma” at St. Clair Ave. and Lansdowne) and bakeries. The community is considered Toronto's second Italian neighborhood after Little Italy, although Corso Italia has a stronger Italian presence. There is also a significant Latin American and Portuguese community in the area.

10) Chinatown-> Toronto's Chinatown is an ethnic enclave in Downtown Toronto with a high concentration of ethnic Chinese residents and businesses, extending along Dundas Street West and Spadina Avenue. First developed in the late 19th century, it is now one of the largest Chinatowns in North America and one of several major Chinese-Canadian communities in the Greater Toronto Area.

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