This is my list of unique Toronto attractions for visitors. I’ve lived in Toronto for 25 years and have explored many parts of it – so this list is a little different from what you’d find on Travelocity.
Tibetan restaurants
Toronto is unique in that you can find almost any cuisine in this city. One of the more unusual (and tastiest!) cuisines you can try is Tibetan.
Below is a set of Tibetan restaurants that are all located near each other. I used to live nearby, and remember that Himalayan Kitchen was good. But that was many years ago so take a look at current reviews. Things to try: momos (either fried or steamed large dumplings), blood sausage (very spicy, you might also know this dish as “black pudding”), tripe (also very spicy).
Royal Ontario Museum
The only things that the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) excels at are the collection of minerals, the dinosaur exhibit and the fantastic new Burgess Shale exhibit (aka “Dawn of Life” exhibit). Head straight for those and skip everything else.
If you purchased a “Presto” card to ride TTC transit, present the card during admission to get a discount on your tickets.
Here is more on how the items in the ROM’s Burgess Shale exhibit were made by Objex Unlimited [archive link]. It also looks like some of the 3D-printed plastic creatures were cast in bronze.
Graffiti Alley
Graffiti Alley is an alleyway with some of Toronto’s best graffiti murals. It starts near Queen & Spadina (on the southwest corner, in a driveway just south of Queen) and ends around Richmond & Niagara.
You can use Google Streetview to preview the kind of artwork you’ll see there. Keep in mind that the art constantly changes. This is an actual alley at the back of working restaurants and shops, so it might get smelly.
The underground PATH system
The PATH is a network of underground walkways and shopping concourses that connect downtown buildings together. In winter, they are a great way to move around without going outside in the cold.
The PATH has a great “sad mall” vibe during (and around) work hours. At night and on weekends, it has a strong liminal-space feel because there are hardly any people in it.
As a tourist do not try to use the path to go from point A to point B. It is impossibly convoluted and the wayfinding signage won’t help. Just enter it and get lost intentionally.
Here is a little more information about Toronto’s PATH. The only other comparable system I’ve heard of is the Underground City in Montreal.
The ravine network
One of the most unique features of Toronto is its ravine system. Ravines are gullies and riverbeds that are found throughout the city. They function as a way to control stormwater/flooding. Ravines usually have a walking path, a beautiful stream and lots of plants – they’re a great way of escaping the bustle of the city and cooling down in the summer.
Below is the system of interconnected ravines that I’m most familiar with. I’ve marked several entry/exit branches that you can use to shorten or lengthen your walk. This whole path is a bit too intense for a single walk, so pick and choose which segments appeal to you. I recommend that you spend some time at Evergreen Brickworks – a place with many ponds, turtles, frogs and herons. The 28 bus goes between there and Davisville Station.
In North York
North York is an area of Toronto that used to be it’s own city. The liveliest part is on Yonge street, between Sheppard and Finch (reachable through Sheppard, North York Centre or Finch subway stations).
LUNA BAKERY – good coffee and atmosphere. If you are a fan of velvety mochi textures, try the mugwort cubes dusted in soy powder. If you like delicate rice flavours with an odd cakey texture, try the “ricecake cakes” – they look like squares that are about 5 inches on each side.
Kin-Kin Bakery – in the basement of the mall at Yonge & Sheppard. Great Chinese buns with filling, and the best-textured mochi in town.
Tavazo Dried Nuts & Fruits – decent dried-fruits store with a couple unique items. Definitely try the dried melon / cantaloupe. It’s a fantastic item you won’t find anywhere else. They also have a million varieties of dates, “fruit leathers” and “essence waters” (you might’ve heard of rose water, they have several others).
Pacific Mall
If you find yourself at the Northern end of the city, around Steeles and Victoria Park, make sure to visit Pacific Mall – possibly the largest Asian shopping mall in the western world. It is organized in a very unusual way, with stores occupying transparent glass cubicles.
Located at 4300 Steeles Ave E, Markham.
I recommend the BBQ duck food stall upstairs (yes, the staff are incredibly grumpy but the duck is worth it). There are vendors selling unusual candy, good K-Pop merchandise, and an infinite number of cellphone covers & accessories.
Here’s a photo-filled essay by Joan Chang who loved (RIP) Pacific Mall as much as I do.
Go across to Splendid China Mall (a fantastic dilapidated mall) and eat at Graceful Vegetarian. This is a vegetarian dim-sum place, with very delicately flavoured dishes. Get the fresh Chinese donut, the turnip & mock beef dish, and trio of mock meats.
To be added later:
Okonomi house
ontario science centre, get an Afghan bread, park across the road. Oomomo and snacks at C&C. Don’t be too proud: eat that greasy stuff!
Rich people: Rosedale, great kids’ park, yorkville, rooster/camel, tea shop
aquarium
Chinatown, the bakery I like, restaurants,
Kensington Market + Fahrenheit coffee
St. Lawrence Market
Walk along Queen’s Quay – make sure to take the streetcar there from Union. There’s a trick to finding it.
Riverdale Farm + Cabbagetown
Scarborough: Bluffers Park + Guildwood
UofT old buildings / Victoria book sale
