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5 Reasons to Live in Midtown Toronto

January 3, 2024

Midtown, Toronto is one of the most vibrant and exciting neighborhoods in the city.

There’s a lot to love about this part of the city, including nightlife, great shopping, entertainment, dining and many other essentials. Plus, when you live in Midtown Toronto there’s always something new happening and a full calendar of festivals and events.

Here are some of the reasons why you should live in Midtown Toronto:

1. It’s Accessible Via Public Transport

When you live in Midtown, it’s easy to get anywhere else in the city relatively quickly. Eglinton Station provides you with quick transport to downtown via subway. Plus, you’ll have several easy bus connections to different areas of Toronto. Plus, the Eglinton Crosstown LRT is planned and will travel as far as Mount Dennis – so this area will become even more well-connected in the future.

2. The Shopping Malls Have a Lot to Offer

Let’s take the gargantuan Yonge and Eglinton Centre for example. Not only does it have a staggering selection of shops (featuring everything from clothing to accessories to electronics and more), it is also home to a supermarket, a food court, a Goodlife Fitness and a Cineplex cinema. Finding everything you need under one roof is pretty convenient! (Plus, the Yonge and Eglinton Centre is just one of the shopping centres in Midtown. Check out our post about shopping in Midtown for more details.)

3. There Are Plenty of Green Spaces

Midtown has plenty of pleasant parks and playgrounds where you can have a picnic, go for a walk and simply enjoy the great outdoors. Watch the squirrels leaping in the trees, listen to the birds chirping and seek out a quiet bench of your own. For example, the Beltline Trail offers a beautiful shady walking trail through Mount Pleasant Cemetery, the Moore Ravine and the Evergreen Brickworks.
live in midtown toronto

4. The Main Streets Are Vibrant

Midtown Toronto has many main streets that are lined with lively local businesses, such as Eglinton and Yonge, Bayview, Spadina and Mount Pleasant. The streets aren’t just lined with the cookie-cutter brands, there are so many one-of-a-kind businesses that you won’t find anywhere else. Walking down these streets is a delight, as you’ll find friendly local cafes and eateries, quirky boutiques and other interesting shops. It’s easy to spend hours exploring – and chatting to the friendly business owners who make up the community.

5. The Food Selection Is Fantastic

Another one of the perks of living in Midtown Toronto is the food. Some evenings you might not feel like cooking. Or, you might want to treat yourself to something special. You’ll have so many great choices within walking distance. There’s the legendary brunches at Boom Breakfast, the juicy Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches at Banh Mi Boys, the handmade desserts at Caffe Demetre and much more.

If you want to live in midtown Toronto, we offer a selection of short term apartment rentals right in the heart of the action. Click here to see our Midtown properties.

Downtown Toronto, Toronto Entertainment, Toronto Family Travel, Toronto History, toronto toursim

How to Get to Niagara Falls from Toronto

October 22, 2019
niagara falls from toronto

One of the most popular day trips from Toronto is Niagara Falls. It’s one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world and it’s hard to truly fathom the spectacular rushing flow of water unless you have seen it with your own eyes.

Niagara Falls is located just outside Toronto, so it’s perfect for exploring on a day trip or a weekend getaway. There are several choices for accommodation in the area, from luxurious boutique resorts to simple, affordable and basic hotels. So, it’s easy to stay over and explore the area more.

Since going to Niagara Falls from Toronto is so popular, there are multiple options for getting there.

Can I Take the Train from Toronto to Niagara Falls?

Yes, Via Rail offers direct daily service between Toronto and Niagara Falls. There are two trains daily and an adult return ticket will cost around $55-$75 depending on how far you book in advance. Keep in mind that the evening return trip to Toronto is a train that originates in New York City, so it often runs late.

Go Transit also offers a combination train and bus route between Toronto and Niagara Falls. You’ll need to transfer to a bus in Burlington and then continue onto Niagara Falls.

In the summer months, from May to Labour Day in September, Go Transit runs a convenient direct train service from Union Station to the Niagara Falls train station. It operates on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as holidays only. There is one return trip on Friday evenings and three return trips on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays.

It’s important to note that the train station is in old Niagara Falls, which is about a five minute drive from the Falls themselves. So, when you arrive at the Niagara Falls Train Station, you’ll need to go a little bit further to get to the Falls. It’s a short taxi ride (which should cost around $10-$15 CAD), or you can use the bus route 104.

Is There a Toronto to Niagara Falls Bus?

You can take the bus from both Megabus and Greyhound to Niagara Falls. They are both direct buses with no transfers and the prices for tickets range from $14-$30 CAD. The journey takes around 1.5-2.5 hours depending on the number of stops.

Both the Megabus and Greyhound leave every day, multiple times per day. To get a cheaper bus ride, book online in advance.

There are also shuttle buses between Toronto and Niagara Falls and coming back the other way from Niagara Falls to Toronto. They cost more than public transit, but you’re paying extra for the comfort and convenience. You might even get picked up at your hotel in Toronto and delivered to the door of your hotel in Niagara Falls. Here’s an example of a shuttle bus service.
niagara falls from toronto

Can I Drive to Niagara Falls?

If you rent a car in Toronto, you can drive to Niagara Falls during your visit. This gives you the advantage of being able to travel on your own schedule and make stops along the way. The trip will take about an hour and a half to two hours.

The most direct route is along the Queen Elizabeth Highway, alongside Lake Ontario. Keep in mind that this is a major commuter route, so there will be heavy traffic on this road during rush hour. The peak traffic will be going into the city in the mornings until 9am and out of the city between 3 and 7pm. Keep this in mind and try to travel outside of these times, if possible.

You may want to allow time to stop in Burlington along the way. It’s less than an hour from Toronto and it has a beautiful Royal Botanical Gardens that are worth a visit. You can also visit the town of Jordan along the way, home to the well known local winery Cave Springs.
niagara falls from toronto

Niagara Falls Tours from Toronto

Another option is to hop on a group day tour to Niagara Falls. There are several companies that offer these tours, including Gray Line, Niagara Tours, North Star Tours, Royal Tours of Niagara Falls Canada, Toronto Tours, Niagara Bus Tours and more.

These tours usually leave Toronto in the morning, take you to the falls for a few hours and then bring you back in the evening. They might include lunch or other activities as well – such as visits to the local wineries. If you aren’t sure which tour is best for you, take a look at the reviews on Tripadvisor.

Taking a day tour might be a great option if you have a limited time in Toronto and you want to sit back and relax while someone else takes you to the highlights of the region.

No matter how you get there, it’s absolutely worth visiting Niagara Falls on your visit to Toronto

About me, Entertainment, Lifestyle talk, Toronto Family Travel, Toronto History

Toronto Neighbourhood Spotlight: Greektown

May 4, 2018

GreektownToronto is a delightfully diverse city and its many neighbourhoods reveal cultural influences from around the world.  Let’s take a close look at one of those exciting neighbourhoods – Greektown.

Introduction

Greektown, also known as the Danforth, is a neighborhood in Toronto located on Danforth Avenue between Dewhurst Blvd and Chester Avenue. This was one of the main settlements of Greek immigrants in Toronto after World War I. Several scenes in the film My Big Fat Greek Wedding were filmed here.

 

If you love Greek cuisine, you’ll want to head down to this part of town. It has one of the highest concentrations of dining establishments per kilometre of any other neighborhood on the planet, showcasing mostly delicious traditional Mediterranean dishes. If you visit during the Taste of the Danforth festival in mid-August you can enjoy yummy samples of cuisines from all of the restaurants along this street – not just Greek food but also Indian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese and much more.

Must Visit Spots in Greektown

  • Start with a great coffee at Broadview Espresso, where you can lean back on the comfy Muskoka chair on the outdoor patio and enjoy a high quality latte.
  • The Carrot Commons on Jackman Street is a busy avenue filled with cafes, bookstores and a funky organic food market.

Greektown

  • Shopping for cute clothes? Social Butterfly is a chic little shop with a great selection of jewellery, denim, boots, footwear and more.
  • Get your fill of big tasty Greek gyros at Messini Authentic Gyros.
  • If you want to enjoy Greek cuisine in a more sophisticated, sit-down setting you can treat yourself to a meal at Mezes. It’s a busy spot with a welcoming vibe and a heated patio. They serve up the dishes that you would find in any traditional greek home, with fresh, quality ingredients.
  • If you are a music geek, you will fall in love with the huge collection of new and old vinyl at Mike’s Music.
  • In the mood for some live music? The Danforth Music Hall is a fantastic venue that showcases a range of great talent. Check to see which shows are on during your visit!

History

greektownGreek immigrants came to this area after WWI and by the 1970s and 80s, it was the largest GreekTown in North America. There was also a large influx of Greek immigrants during the 1960s, as they were fleeing the political and economic unrest which resulted in the Greek military junta seized power in 1967-74.  This neighborhood became home to one of the highest concentrations of Greek immigrants living outside of Greece.

How to Get There

Greektown is located on the TTC Bloor-Danforth Subway line and can be accessed from Pape, Chester or Donlands stations. If you are visiting in a car, you can reach Danforth avenue by taking the Bayview/Bloor exit off the Don Valley Parkway and following the signs for Danforth Avenue/Bloor Street.

What’s your favourite Greektown spot? Let us know in the comments below.

 

Downtown Toronto, Food & Recipes, Lifestyle talk, Toronto History, toronto toursim

Toronto Neighbourhood: Little Italy

November 17, 2017

Little ItalyLittle Italy

Also referred to as College Street West, Little Italy is known for it’s superb Italian-Canadian restaurants. During the weekends the streets are buzzing with visitors and locals dining on the outdoor patios. The Italian trattorias have a casual, family-friendly vibe and they are all about good, traditional recipes cooking with fresh ingredients.

Little Italy isn’t a 100% Italian neighbourhood – while there is a strong Italian community there is also a significant Portuguese population located around the Portugal Village shopping centre and the First Portuguese Canadian Cultural Centre.

Must Visit Spots in Little ItalyLittle Italy

  • La Forchetta Ristorante is the classic Italian dining experience, with pasta and meat dishes originating in the Old Country. Plus – they have a superb wine list to pair with your entree.
  • If you are into live music there are a lot of great places to check out in Little Italy, including the Mod Club or the basement of Nightowl.
  • Check out Cafe Diplomatico. Known as “The Dip” by locals, this coffee shop and restaurant has become an institution for caffeine fiends in Toronto. It also serves up all of the Italian classics including paninis, pizzas and more. If it looks familiar to you, it’s because filmmakers often use it as a set.
  • Rita’s Italian Ice serves up delicious frozen treats in a ton of different flavours – the ultimate treat for a warm day.
  • Check out the Italian Walk of Fame – where stars line the sidewalk with the names of famous Italian Canadians.

History

Large numbers of Italian immigrants came to Toronto in the early 20th century, settling in the area around College Street in the affordable Edwardian homes there. Most found work on the railways or in road construction and many started businesses in the area.

It was during the 1920s that Little Italy really became recognized as the commercial and residential centre of the Italian community in Toronto. These days the area is home to the largest Italian Little Italycommunity that is located outside of Italy and it is a popular area of the city for visitors to explore.

How to Get There

It’s quite simple to get here via the TTC. You can arrive from Queens Park or start from College Station on the Yonge-University-Spadina Line. Then, from there you can catch the 506 Carlton streetcar towards High Park traveling west on College Street. You can disembark anywhere between Bathurst Street and Ossington Avenue.

You can also travel from Bathurst Station on the Bloor-Danforth Line. When you exit, catch the 511 Carlton Towards Exhibition streetcar traveling south on Bathurst Street. You can disembark at College Street West. Exploring this street on foot is a delight, give yourself plenty of time to dip into the little shops and cafes to sample what they have to offer.

What’s your favourite Little Italy spot? Let us know in the comments below.

Downtown Toronto, Toronto Entertainment, Toronto History, toronto toursim

Cool Toronto Art Galleries to Check Out

September 26, 2017

Toronto Art GalleriesThe first item on the list for any art lover visiting Toronto is to check out what’s on at the Art Gallery of Ontario – the city’s largest gallery. However, once you have perused the AGO’s collection don’t just stop there. Toronto is a city bursting at the seams with great art and there are so many other intriguing galleries that you can visit if your thirst for art has yet to be quenched. If you love nothing better than strolling through an art gallery and discussing the themes and questions raised by the art on display – check out the following Toronto Art Galleries:

Toronto Art Galleries – The Power Plant

The Power Plant is known for hosting the annual Power Pall, an indulgent party for the city’s art elite. It is located at the Harbourfront, which means that it is within reach of the other main tourist attractions and furnished downtown toronto apartments in Toronto. The exhibitions here are varied and they are often experimental and conceptual, with an emphasis on modern art by Canadian artists.

Wil Kucey GalleryToronto Art Galleries

Wil Kucey is the owner and director of this unique and interesting gallery, located in the Little Portugal neighbourhood of Toronto. It focuses on promoting the work of emerging artists who haven’t yet broken into the commercial market. This gallery has represented several fantastic artists over the years, including Benjamin Oakley, Tristram Lansdowne and Nicholas Di Genova. When you visit you will discover an array of thought-provoking work in many different mediums.

Mercer Union

“The Mercer” as it is called, moved north to Bloor and Landsdowne a few years ago and it is now located in a gorgeous historic building designed by the same architect as the Casa Loma. The artist-run gallery has some of the most ambitious and exciting programming in the city, including lots of great video installations.

Cooper Cole Gallery

Toronto Art Galleries

Simon Cole opened this gallery as a way of showcasing a wide range of works, from conceptual paintings to abstract works to sculptures. He doesn’t restrict the gallery to a specific style – he refuses to be pigeon-holed. His goal is to include a wide range of different types of styles so that he can represent a cross section of the Toronto art scene.

If you are an art lover visiting Toronto, these are just a few of the intriguing galleries you can explore after you have seen the Art Gallery of Ontario. Tap into Toronto’s art scene and you will discover so many conversation-worthy pieces by talented and creative artists from Canada and all over the world.

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