Canada
Toronto offers a wealth of different activities
by Mike Cohen
For family reasons, Toronto has become my “go to” vacation spot recently and I could not be happier.
This is where 250 cultures collide and create something entirely new. More than 135 million people live within a 90-minute flight of Toronto, which is served by two international airports serving 200 destinations across 55 countries. The city features a safe, clean and highly rated public transit network, including subway, streetcar and bus service. It is also served by regional connections such as the UP Express, which provides fast access to downtown from Pearson International Airport. Toronto is highly walkable with convenient ride-share and bike-share options.
In terms of where to stay last January the Pan Pacific rebranded to a Crowne Plaza Toronto North York. There are 405 guest rooms here, a large parking lot, a beautiful lobby, extensive greenspace (including a jogging track and wooded walking trails), games and pool table rooms (operated by a concessionaire), tennis courts and Seasons restaurant. We enjoyed the ambiance there. You can stay active at their fitness center (which is about to be upgraded) and wooded walking trails. Hosting an event? They offer 16 meeting rooms and over 20,000 sq. ft. of flexible space for gatherings of up to 500 guests, supported by on-site catering and a dedicated events team. They are also pet-friendly. Cocktails are served at the 900 Lounge Bar. What I like about this venue its proximity to both the suburbs and downtown and for summer guests a most beautiful outdoor pool. We sat comfortably in lounge chairs, shielded from the sun by large umbrellas. The water was more than comfortable. Good outdoor pools at Toronto hotels are hard to find.
In Toronto, food is both a reflection of identity and a celebration of creativity, a true taste of the city’s multicultural spirit. Let me recommend Lyla Toronto, an upscale Mediterranean-inspired restaurant located at 60 Sudbury Street in the city’s Queen West neighborhood, near Liberty Village and BMO Field. The restaurant opened in 2024 and focuses on Italian, French and contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, combining coastal flavors with modern techniques and some subtle international. Consider the Chef’s Menu. For $110 per person, there are four “chapters” or servings featuring such choices as Radicchio & endive, steak tartare, Paccheri Alla Gin, Risotto Al Funghi, sea bream, steak et pavé and a variety of desserts.
In terms of museums, Little Canada at Eaton Centre downtown spans 45,000 square feet and shrinks the distance from coast to coast to make it possible for Canadians to explore and appreciate the country’s vast geography in miniature form, highlighting thousands of big stories and iconic scenes in a unique and immersive way.
In Toronto, sport is a shared heartbeat uniting a nation. Whether it’s the rush of a Raptors playoff game, the deep-rooted belief in the Maple Leafs and Blue Jays, the global spirit of TFC fans, or the feverish anticipation of Canada’s first WNBA team the Tempo – Toronto’s fans ignite stadiums with unmatched energy.
Toronto features the largest concentration of stage theatres in Canada and is the third-largest English-speaking theatre district in the world, after London and New York City. Just go to Mirvish.com for all of the details.
Spanning 29 kilometres, the PATH is the world’s largest underground pedestrian walkway. It connects over 1,200 retail spaces, 50 office towers, five subway stations, six hotels and Union Station, Toronto’s main railway terminal.
Open-hearted and inclusive, in Toronto you can be who you are and become who you’re meant to be. As an LGBTQ2S+ affirming city, Toronto is a safe space for expression and a beacon for those who dare to dream differently. It’s a city where you can both blend in and stand out. A place where you don’t just visit—you belong.
