I consider myself a traveler. Although I haven’t trekked across deserts on touring safari, taken a cruise down the Nile River, or eaten a warm croissant atop the Eiffel tower, I have made my way around my city—and that is more exciting than it may seem. Toronto is both diverse and compartmentalized, and can be seen as many places in one, with each pocket of the city creating its own rhythm and theme. I have created a list, with this in mind, of places worth a visit: places which revolve around one thing, or have one thing in particular that’s worth visiting. This is not your average travel guide, this is the tucked away places and the less obvious spaces in Toronto. Every corner of this city holds within it the opportunity for new discovery— all you need are your two feet, and possibly a Presto card.
Just North of the Annex and below Richmond Hill there is a funny little neighborhood which declared itself an independent state, the Republic of Rathnelly, in 1967. This was done in protest against a proposed highway which would have destroyed the neighborhood. In order to assert their independence, they elected a queen, distributed passports to residents and established a military for protection. Still today, the residents hold a bi-annual street party as a continued assertion of their independence. Aside from being known for its independence, the neighborhood is also beautiful with wide tree-lined streets. Come here and appreciate the quirky history or even crash their epic block party, you don’t need a visa to attend.
Kensington market, located between Spadina and Bathurst just below College, is well-loved by Torontonians. The neighbourhood is an eclectic mix of surplus goods, vintage clothes, foreign ingredients, and unique items. It is worth a visit here just for the burekas served at the Moonbean Café. These are Bulgarian phyllo pastries with savory fillings such as feta and olive or spinach and cheese. Each one weighs about as much as a small child—so at around $4 each, you are certainly getting your money’s worth. My recommendation; share with a friend. You can even take a seat inside the ramshackle café for some relatively quiet study time as you tuck into your large flaky pastry.
St. Andrews Road is what I would define as Toronto’s time machine. Located in Scarborough, just east of Brimly, and above Lawrence East, this narrow pioneer village-like street will surprise you if you stumble upon it unintentionally (as I did). The houses on this street date back to the 1800s and I was not surprised to learn that some of them housed the first European settlers, most of which are now buried in the church cemetery on the same street. A walk along this street is almost eerie, as you can imagine that it has gone nearly unchanged since its first structures were built. It can be unexpectedly calming to take a stroll along here and enjoy this step-back-in-time in the middle of a bustling suburban area.
Neville Park in Toronto’s east end is the last stop on the 501 streetcar along Queen Street. Get off at this stop, and you will be greeted with a structure resembling something like a majestic art deco castle. This is the R.C. Harris water filtration plant (I know, letdown). Although this building is sometimes open to the public during Toronto’s open doors event, the best you can do on any regular day is press your face up to the windows to get a glimpse of the expanse of glittering marble and sparkling brass railings. But believe me, it is worth visiting this area just to get a look. After admiring every angle, clamber down one of the rolling hills (pro tip: do not go sledding here, just don’t do it), and cross the threshold on the east side onto the secret beach. You can walk along here all the way to the bluffs and see some seriously guide-book worthy views—just watch out for the nudists when the warm weather arrives.
[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Every corner of this city holds within it the opportunity for new discovery— all you need are your two feet, and possibly a Presto card.[/pullquote]
India Bazaar, located on Gerrard Street East, west of Coxwell, is the place to go for food in general. Colourful and fragrant, this cluttered strip contains all the South Asian food you could want, and many of its businesses are open late at night. Find all the spices you need at Kohinoor foods, ready to eat Barfi at the BJ supermarket, a Kulfi popsicle at any convenient store, and a hot, deep-fried samosa nearly anywhere. If you are going to go for just one thing, go for the roasted corn. A couple bucks will get you one cob from a street vendor on the weekends, either plain or rubbed with lime and a secret blend of spices—don’t ask, they won’t tell you. Live on the edge and ask for extra spices, if you’re up for it.
As a kid, I visited Centre Island a lot to go to Centreville and ride the Ferris wheel on an endless loop. It was not until I was older that I discovered the rest of the island, which can be accessed by ferry, which is only $5 with student ID. On the east end of the island (easily accessed by the ward’s island ferry), lies a cluster of tiny houses, many of which are brightly coloured and whimsically decorated. There are no cars or driveways and the lanes connecting them are barely wide enough for a bicycle. To the North, the city can be viewed from a pier at a distance, yet the noise barely reaches. A visit to this little community is like falling into a fairytale, where the area is totally cut off from society. You are so close to the city and yet, completely isolated.
One word, Mansions. The Bridle Path is Toronto’s mansion district, and it’s a fun place to go and nose around. Located east of Bayview above Lawrence East, you can easily cycle or walk your way around the wide and manicured streets to admire the houses—sorry, palaces. Note the fact that quite a few of them even have their own underground parking. You will find that many resemble the palace of Versailles, the Disney Castle, or a prison—though that was probably not the look they were going for. Some have even been home to celebrities like Prince and Conrad Black. Even if mansions aren’t your style, just admire the fact that some of them are serious architectural marvels. We’re talking everything from elaborate recreations of 15th century turrets to extensive factory-inspired concrete paneling.
Do you like bagels? Me too, and I often make the trip to Toronto’s north end, just to get them from Bagel Nash. Just east of Bayview and well past Steeles, this place is far out for those of us centered in or around the downtown core. But good bagels aren’t just bought at the grocery store now are they (does this make me a bagel snob?). This family operated establishment has been a neighborhood staple since the 1990’s and have a massive selection of pastries, cheese, dips, bread, and, of course, bagels and everything you would ever want to put on one. Their Montréal style bagels are slightly crunchy and salty on the outside, and doughy on the inside. I recommend the everything-bagels, you can’t go wrong with a classic.
The Don Valley Brickworks, otherwise known as the Evergreen Brickworks, is an old quarry and brick-making site turned environmental space. Although there are many events that take place here each month, including a weekly farmers market, it is worth a trip here just to walk around and enjoy the scenery. The trails have been managed to allow for natural wildlife to remain, and there is even a wetland at the center. Look closely and you might catch a glimpse of a frog or two hiding under the water. Not only is this a great space to walk around in, but its location in the Don Valley means that there are also many scenic walks to and from the brickworks. Try walking there through the Lower Don Trail and enjoy a view of the Bloor viaduct along the way.
This list barely scratches the surface of the endless array of unexpected compartments of Toronto, but these are a few of my favourites that are worth discovering for yourself. What are your favourite places in this city? Do you know of any places where one thing or idea has been allowed to grow and flourish? For your next adventure, why not go out and discover the world inside the city for yourself, and see what else you can find.
