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Toronto in Six Local Art Galleries

March 22, 2022
Toronto art galleries photo by Donna Lay on Unsplash.

There’s a reason a day at the art gallery is such a vacation staple. It’s a fun, free afternoon out for anyone who’s into the finer things in life.

Toronto is home to the celebrated, Gehry-designed Art Gallery of Ontario, which has some major collections and full events list. But there’s a whole universe of smaller, international, tucked-away Toronto art galleries which are following what’s new, fun, and weird in visual art.

If you’re into the chance to really soak in what new, local, and unique talents are doing—or just like having a reason to explore whole neighbourhoods—here are some of Toronto’s best smaller art galleries.

Harbourfront Centre

While it’s not a sprawling, massive gallery, Harbourfront Centre is definitely an institution: a combination cultural space that hosts dance shows, theatre, art installations, major literary festivals, and more all year round.

Throughout it all, you can watch resident Toronto artists pot, shape, weld, glassblow, paint, and work through glass windows. And there’s no shortage of family-friendly activities, like learning to skate on their rink in the wintertime.

But between the events, their smaller gallery spaces can get sold short. They’re always host to a mix of incredible new and seasoned artists, both local and international—and absolutely free to browse. Featuring painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, installation art, and craft, it’s a sure source for a smart, fun afternoon. 235 Queens Quay West.

The University of Toronto Art Centre

The University of Toronto runs its own gallery—split between the Art Centre and the smaller Justina M. Barnicke Gallery in historic student centre Hart House. And while you can find all the student art exhibitions you’d expect, it’s frequently home to some great, international exhibitions.

As a teaching and research collection, the centre heaps a great list of programs on top of its diverse collection: guided tours, artist talks, and group exhibitions that are all usually free to attend. It’s a great chance to see modern and thoughtful art in some very historical buildings. 7 Hart House Circle.

The Distillery District

The historic Distillery District‘s a haven for smaller Toronto art galleries. It’s easy to find just about anything you’re interested in, within the arms of an old Victorian distillery made new.

Distillery District photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@lamikee12?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Michael Kristensen</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>.

While there’s a huge selection of high-end boutique shops—a large Fluevog store and Ontario’s only sake brewery are special highlights—it’s almost known for its commitment to art. The Distillery is home to galleries as large the Canadian Sculpture Society and Arta Gallery, a wide-open, airy space focused on contemporary art, to spaces as small as Artscape’s warren of individual upstairs studios. It also holds some genuinely unique offerings, like Toronto’s Deaf Culture Centre, which puts on regular exhibits.

It’s an experience that’s best taken in as a neighbourhood, with plenty of opportunities for shops, snacks, and enjoying the sunshine along the way. 14 Distillery Lane.

The Ryerson Image Centre

Another university-hosted gallery, the Ryerson Image Centre—just two blocks from the Eaton Centre—is all about photography and video. Whether it’s photojournalism, video installations, documentary, or new media, they’re all mixed expertly in a 4,500-square-foot space tucked discreetly away on campus.

Ryerson Image Centre’s exhibitions mix student and historical projects with an indigenous and social focus. You’re just as likely to find a history of WWII photography as a celebration of African women’s portraits. With quiet screening spots, tucked-away specialty rooms, and a huge archive collection, it’s an everlasting source for something quiet, provocative, and interesting in the middle of the downtown core. 33 Gould Street.

The Local Gallery

The Local Gallery only opened in early 2022—and as a spinoff from a Toronto ad agency, it’s absolutely focused on what’s up-to-the-minute in contemporary and pop art.

While they’re not too shy about the sales end of things—there’s a whole selection of “collectibles”—it’s one of the few spaces that has a category for 3D-printed work. If you’re looking to update your Warhol energy, this Little Italy storefront is a definite destination. 621 College Street.

Whippersnapper Gallery

Whippersnapper may be one of the tiniest Toronto art galleries. An 130-square-foot storefront at the south end of Kensington Market, where it borders Chinatown, Whippersnapper hosts most exhibitions through simply displaying them through the shop window, one installation at a time.

Whippersnapper packs more than a single installation into a small space. It’s also an avant-garde, artist-run centre focused on emerging—or “new generation”—artists. It’s also exquisitely responsive to the neighbourhood it’s in: the heritage of surrounding Chinatown often takes centre stage. 594b Dundas Street West.

The authentic Toronto neighbourhood experience deserves a Toronto neighbourhood stay. Call DelSuites at 647-370-3504 or email info@delsuites.com to find out how we can open Toronto up for you to discover.

Downtown Toronto, Family Vacations in Toronto, Toronto Entertainment, Toronto Family Travel, toronto toursim

Toronto: Your Summer Vacation Destination

March 15, 2022
Toronto Summer Vacation photo by Scott Webb from Pexels.

If you’re like us, after two years of COVID restrictions, you’re starving for a good summer vacation: sun, socializing, and absolutely nothing to think about but having fun. A hard winter’s making this summer’s travel plans extra sweet—and also making everyone want to make those plans memorable.

If you’re putting together that dream vacation now, here are four reasons to do it in Toronto.

We’re super vaccinated

Let’s get the big question out of the way, because right now, practicalities count: Toronto has one of the highest urban vaccination rates in the world. Over 90% of eligible Torontonians have rolled up their sleeves for at least one shot, and public health measures like mask-wearing generally happen without a fuss.

Whatever COVID safety means to you, knowing you’re around people who take it seriously—and cheerfully—makes having fun much easier. And a Toronto summer vacation is one where that much easier to have a genuinely good time.

A Toronto summer vacation is a simple trip

And now: getting there. No matter where you visit from, Toronto’s one of the easier travel destinations to reach.

Pearson International Airport fields flights from over 180 destinations, and the Union-Pearson Express train makes regular trips directly downtown. For more regional visitors, the smaller, downtown Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport brings in regular flights from over 20 North American cities.

Toronto’s also reachable by train: on VIA Rail inside Canada, and Amtrak from New York State. And for an affordable, scenic trip, Megabus routes go to and from Toronto from Ontario, Quebec, New York City, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia.

While you’re here, it’s even simpler to get around: Toronto is one of the most walkable cities in the world. With regular pedestrians-only areas and the underground PATH network ready to help out when it’s rainy or cold, it’s an easy city to do on your own two feet.

If you’re heading a little farther afield—or just want to put your feet up—a web of streetcars, subways, buses, and LRTs connects every bit of the city, from the core to the suburbs.

And if you’d rather put those feet on pedals, the growing network of separated bike lanes—complete with BikeShare rental program—lets you speed through the city with ease.

An international vacation in one place

In a time when it’s easier to deep-dive in one place than plan multi-city tours, Toronto puts the whole world in walking distance. It’s been called the most diverse city in the world, with 117 languages regularly spoken and people from 230 countries calling the city home.

Wherever you’re from, you’ll be able to feel at home and discover something entirely new—usually in the same afternoon.

The dining scene is the most obvious place Toronto’s diversity shows—a United Nations of amazing restaurants that runs regular Lunar New Year celebrations and Eid-al-Fitr feasts. But those community roots run much deeper, to networks of bookstores, film festivals, classes, and what feels like ten national festivals every weekend.

It’s a city almost custom-built for sampling, befriending, and discovery, and a great way to see a little of the world without hours of travel—and at a fraction of the price.

That deep dive gets even easier with a DelSuites Toronto short-term rental. With year-round discounts on longer-term stays, a stay in a DelSuites furnished apartment makes discovering Toronto even more comfortable and affordable.

It is impossible to get bored

You have to work very hard to get bored in a Toronto summer. High culture, low culture, or subculture—whatever you love, there’s a way to enjoy it here.

For those looking for a touch of class, Toronto is home major galleries and museums, championship sports teams, several symphony orchestras, Canada’s national ballet, and the nation’s biggest opera company. There’s enough fine dining—award-winning or up-and-coming—to keep you full for days.

When you’re feeling cozy and local, there’s LGBTQIA+ theatre, movies outside in the park on a picnic blanket, and tiny neighbourhood zoos. Hundred-year-old diners, dumpling shops, and lunch counters stand ready to feed you for under twenty bucks.

And if it’s time to get away from it all, the parklike, green Toronto Islands are just a ten-minute ferry ride from downtown. You can spend the day on one of the city’s warm, sandy Blue Flag beaches, take a boat ride on the lake, or hike the Don Valley to get close to lush, thick nature.

A Toronto vacation is the kind you can spend changing it up, or changing your mind: hiking one day, and luxuriating in the spa tomorrow. All you have to do is start walking. There’s something out there for you: even if it’s only Sunday afternoon at the coffeeshop, petting the dogs.

Make your Toronto summer vacation memorable

After all the last year’s had to hold for us, we all deserve a vacation that’s unique. Call us at 647-370-3504 or email info@delsuites.com to find out how we can help you discover summer in Toronto—whether you’d like to spend it chowing down everything the town has to offer, or relaxing peacefully in the sunshine.

Toronto Entertainment

Entertainment in Toronto: 2020

February 7, 2020

Toronto is known as one of the most vibrant cities in Canada. This major metropolis has a packed calendar of events throughout the year – so there’s always something fun to do. Whether you’re into art, music, dance, food or anything else, you’ll find plenty of entertainment in Toronto to enjoy. 

 

From art gallery exhibitions to live music and much more, here are some of the entertaining events you can look forward to in Toronto throughout 2020:

2020 Entertainment in Toronto

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Royal Ontario Museum

Until March 29, 2020

Breathtaking photos capture amazing creatures from every corner of the globe. This is the most prestigious and longest running nature photography competition in the world, and it returns to the ROM in downtown Toronto for the 7th year in a row. 

 

Every photo tells an amazing story and showcases the incredible skill and expertise required to photograph such rare animals. From lions resting on the Savannah to the diversity of life on a coral reef, this exhibit evokes the beautiful and fragile natural world. Also, be sure to check out the other exhibits at the ROM while you are there – it’s a fantastic music! 

Hit the Floor Dance Competition

Metro Toronto Convention Centre

April 17-19, 2020

Watch some of Canada’s best dancers hit the floor in this impressive dance competition. You’ll be impressed by the incredible choreography and the skill of their movement. The competition includes more than 9,000 dancers from 250 schools across Canada, competing in 9 different dance styles. 

 

Watch as these talented performers compete for nearly $50,000 in prizes and scholarships. Created in 2010, this multi-city dance event has been around for almost a decade and it is one of the most noteworthy dance-related events in Toronto. 

 

The Toronto Maple Leafs

The Air Canada Centre

Various Dates Until April

The impressive 13 time Stanley Cup winners, the Toronto Maple Leafs, play hockey at the Air Canada Centre throughout the season. You can watch them face off against other major teams, including the Calgary Flames, the Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers. The games are incredibly popular and usually sell out quickly, but you can sometimes get a last minute ticket so that you can watch the action live. 

 

If you don’t manage to get a seat for the game, you’ll be able to see it on the TV of nearly every sports bar in the city. After all, Torontonians take their hockey very seriously! 

Toronto PoutineFest

Yonge – Dundas Square

May 22-24, 2020

Celebrate one of the most iconic Canadian dishes ever! The glorious combination of thick-cut fries, squeaky cheese curds and rich brown gravy is the star at PoutineFest. The 2nd annual festival will be held at Yonge-Dundas Square and will feature vendors serving up every variation on poutine you can imagine. 

 

Some of the city’s best poutine peddlers will be there, including Golden Fries, Le Smoking BBQ, Fat Les’ Chip Stand and True North Eats. There will also be live music to enjoy while you munch on your fries, from the likes of The Kuah Collective, Coco Brown, Cardboard Crowns and Mr. and Mrs. Sound. Therefore, this festival is a treat for your ears and your tastebuds. 

Canadian Music Week

Various Venues

May 19-23rd, 2020

This music festival celebrates the fantastic and diverse range of talent originating from our home and native land. Performances take part in venues across Toronto, alongside a daytime conference at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. The city will host more than a thousand bands at over 60 live music venues – so you’re sure to find a performance you’ll love. 

 

Above all, it brings together more than 3,000 music industry professionals for the week’s events, which include award shows and conferences. In the evenings, performers put on shows at venues throughout the city. Some of the artists featured in the past  included Alice Glass, Dani Robert and Hungry Lake. 

Toronto Comicon

Various Venues

March 20 to 22, 2020

 

Celebrate pop culture at this huge convention of fans of sci-fi, fantasy, comic books, anime and video games. This three day event will be packed with exciting panel discussions, celebrity appearances, family-friendly activities and shopping. 

 

Get an autograph from your favourite celebrity, find a t-shirt from that obscure anime you love and show off your cosplay costume. You’ll even get a chance to meet legendary comic book artists and creators. Whether you are a Whovian, a Trekkie or a Jedi, you’ll feel welcome here . In fact, you just might meet someone who shares your passion for your favourite fandom! 

 

These are just a few of the many great events on the entertainment in Toronto calendar for this year. Which ones are you looking forward to the most?

Toronto Entertainment, toronto toursim

The Best Cheap Eats in Scarborough

January 10, 2020
cheap eats in scarborough

There are a lot of reasons to love the Toronto suburb of Scarborough, from it’s beautiful green spaces to its excellent shopping to its diverse population and vibrant art and culture scene.

But one of the best things about living in Scarborough?

The food!

In this part of TO, you’ll find a dizzying selection of delicious grub down every street. Plus, many of these options are very affordable, which is handy when your appetite is big but your budget is small.

Here are a few of the best cheap eats in Scarborough. (Warning, reading this may cause drooling.)

Mona’s Roti

Mona’s Roti is owned by the Khan family and Mona herself has been proudly serving up some of the best roti in Toronto for decades. She runs the place with the help of her daughters, Melissa and Reesa. The dishes are wonderfully affordable and deeply satisfying – such as Dhal Puri stuffed with split peas or a veggie roti with spinach, pumpkin, chickpeas and juicy curry mango. Don’t miss the oxtail stew – only available Thursday through Saturday and fall-off-the-bone-good.

Johnny’s Charbroiled Hamburgers

Johnny’s has been serving up classic charbroiled burgers for 50 years – so you know you can’t go wrong. They are simple, juicy and delicious – and they only cost $3.30. You can pair that with a milkshake for another three bucks, or make it a double for only $1.65. You can’t go wrong!

Plus, there’s the fries – which were once praised for their crispness by Scarborough famous native Mike Myers. It’s a Scarborough institution – so it’s certainly worth giving it a try the next time your hamburger cravings strike.

Chris Jerk

At this Scarborough Caribbean bistro you can try a fusion cuisine that you might never have thought of – jerk shawarma. The juicy jerk-marinated meat turns slowly on a spit, Middle Eastern style. It is then served with spicy sauce in wraps, dinners and even on poutine. You can fill yourself up for less than $10 and you’ll get addicted to the flavourful, spicy and vibrantly seasoned jerk sauce. (Try the Jerk Quarter Chicken Dinner for $8.95 with a portion of vegetables and caramelized plantains over basmati rice and beans.You won’t be disappointed.)

Samosa King

There’s nothing quite like a Samosa. The deep fried pastry, the rich, curried filling, the satisfying flavor. These mouth-watering, crispy vegetarian samosas are irresistible – and they are only $1 for 5 of them. Talk about cheap eats! This might be one of the best cheap eats in Scarborough – so be sure to give them a try. The menu also has other wonderful South Indian specials, such as Vegetable Thali, Meat Thali, Egg Masala Dosa and more. It’s a great place to have a quick snack, or to share a bunch of different dishes with a group of friends.

Babu

This takeout spot has been serving up some of the city’s best Sri Lankan food for over 25 years. A wonderfully filling and affordable dish is the Lamprais for $8.45, which includes five different curries, dried eggs and eggplant pickle – all wrapped in a banana leaf. It’s a steaming, aromatic package with enough food inside to feed several people. The Kothu Roti is also divine – make with a vibrant blend of spices along with veggies, curry and egg. (Not to mention the butter naan which is baked in the traditional charcoal tandoor oven.)
cheap eats in scarborough

Shawarma Empire

Hidden in a humble strip mall in Scarborough, this popular eatery still boasts a steady line throughout the day. That’s because the big juicy shawarma they serve has quite a reputation. All the dishes are made from scratch in-house, without any preservatives – so it’s fresh and juicy. They even make their own falafel in house, grinding and soaking their own chickpeas. The flavorful, perfectly cooked meat (beef or chicken) is served with all the fixin’s – including pickled turnip, lettuce and the unforgettable garlic sauce. It’s cash only, so make sure you have enough in your wallet before you join the line.

Pho Metro

Sometimes, you simply crave the warm, rich, satisfying broth of a steaming bowl of Vietnamese Pho. Pho Metro is a very affordable and delicious place to dine on vermicelli, pho and other hearty and satisfying Vietnamese dishes. The meals here are very affordable and will fill you up. For example, Vermicelli with grilled chicken and a spring roll is $10.45 and comes with a heaping serving of carrot, cucumber, herbs and bean sprouts. Plus, there are plenty of great lunch specials offering excellent value.

These are just a few of the wonderful cheap eats in Scarborough to enjoy. Hungry yet? Check out our short term fully furnished rentals in Scarborough so you can be close to all of this delicious food.

Downtown Toronto, Toronto Entertainment

The Best Shopping in Midtown Toronto

December 27, 2019
shopping in midtown

If you love shopping, Midtown, Toronto is where it’s at. From enormous shopping malls to cute boutiques and much more, you’ll find everything you could wish for in this area of the city.

There are several great shopping areas within a short distance from each other, so you can cover a lot in a day. You’ll find all of the typical North American flagship brands, as well as luxury retailers and local boutiques with unique one-of-a-kind items. Put on your comfy shoes – there’s a lot of ground to cover!

So, where should you start when shopping in Midtown Toronto? Let’s take a look at the best shopping options in this part of the city.

Yonge Street

Yonge Street is one of the most famous shopping streets in Toronto. It’s a dynamic street lined with exciting things to see and do – whether you feel like shopping, catching a movie or heading to the theater.

Take a stroll down Yonge Street and you’ll find a mix of chain stores from big name brands, as well as several unique storefronts that are home to unique local businesses. For example, there’s the stylish shoes at Studio D, or the beautiful bohemian boutique Canopy Blue.

You can also check out That’s Italy, where you can find elegant designer frocks for your next party. Afterwards, you can check in at Room 2046 to sip a latte and nibble a donut while you admire locally made jewellery and soaps. If you get hungry while shopping, there are several restaurants to check out – from luxurious sit-down dining to fast food outlets.

This is a great part of the city if you love discovering shops that are unique, quirky and one of a kind. Be sure to check it out on your travels in Toronto.

Yonge-Eglinton Centre

If you are looking for the big shopping mall experience in Midtown Toronto, this is the place to head. You’ll find 70 retailers, including a wide range of brands such as Sephora, Indigo Books, Reitmans and more.

It’s located across the street from the Canada Square Complex and it is connected to the Eglinton subway station via a lower level tunnel. It has everything you’ll need – from groceries to gyms to liquor stores and convenience shops.

This bustling shopping centre has recently been renovated and the architecture is quite impressive – with columns of colour-changing LED lights and giant digital billboards. It feels futuristic and thriving and the centre often hosts events such as free rooftop yoga sessions (in the summer, of course!).
shopping in midtown toronto

Yorkville Village

Another shopping mall in the area, Yorkville Village is located north of Bloor Street along Avenue Road. It was previously opened in 1976 as Hazelton Lanes, and fell into disrepair in the 1990s. It was redeveloped in 2011 and rebranded as Yorkville Village.

Yorkville Village has great options for shopping and food and it has been recently renovated, so it feels bright, spacious and modern. It’s an upscale shopping experience and there are plenty of high end retailers such as TNT, Andrews, Bois et Cuir and Belstaff.

This is where to shop if you really love fashion and decor – and you want to pick up something unique and stylish. Also, the mall has a SoulCycle, so you can get your workout on with an energizing spin class to exciting music.

Plus, when it comes to fueling up after a busy day of shopping, the mall offers ELXR Juice Lab AND Mi’Hito Sushi Laboratory. Whatever those labs are experimenting with – it’s likely to be pretty delicious.

Manulife Centre

Located on the corner of Bay and Bloor, this shopping centre is another great place to get your retail fix. The Manulife Centre is located on what’s known as the “Mink Mile”. It’s an upscale shopping district in Yorkville, along Bloor Street between Avenue Road and Yonge Street. It’s the most expensive place in Canada to lease retail space and is the 7th most expensive shopping street in the world. Essentially, the Mink Mile is the Fifth Avenue or Rodeo Drive of Canada.

The Manulife Centre is one of the tallest buildings in Toronto. Within this shopping centre, you’ll find the Bloor Street market, as well as many great fashion brands such as Ron White Shoes, Petra Karthaus and De Catarina. There’s also a GoodLife Fitness Centre, A Post Office, a Pharmacy and much more.

The good news? If the weather is terrible you can go straight through the underground tunnel from the Bloor and Yonge subway station and reach the mall without having to brave the cold!

These are just a few of the great places you can shop while staying at our midtown Toronto apartments. Click here to learn more about our short term apartment rentals in Midtown, Toronto. Our locations are accessible to great shopping, dining, nightlife and more.

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