What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Toronto???
Niagara Falls... CN Tower....Dundas square
Sometimes we get so lost in tick-marking things off our buck-list, clicking those cliched pictures in those iconic locations for our social media feeds, we forget to appreciate the beauty of the place, the very essence of the existence of the place and those tiny pockets of serendipity and charm tucked away from the limelight. For people who love blending in with culture or those who choose to spend the day amidst trees and trails, Toronto has plenty to offer.
So here is presenting to you landmarks, places, festivals not earmarked in your google search or on your friends' insta feed. The next time you land up in the commercial capital of Canada, you know there is so much more to cherish.
An open-air heritage museum, Pioneer Village transports you back to erstwhile Europe. Set amidst the green landscape of North York, craftsmen, artisans and historical interpreters take you on a journey through the life, art and work of the mid-19th century with some 40 unique cottages, barns, wheat mills, blacksmith's furnace, shops, printing press and weaving centers.
One can spend hours gazing at the sheep graze on the meadows, or the cobbler cut out leather and craft his shoes. The typewriter slowly inks letter-by-letter and the weaver intricately weaves a beautiful rug. The blacksmith hammers a block of cast iron into a tong, while the baker gently picks out fresh cookies from the clay ovens, sweeping the air with a gust of fresh aroma.
On different occasions, a skilled artist performs mind-blowing fire and circus tricks while on Halloween the village transforms to a trick-and-treating experience.
The most beautiful time to visit this in in Fall (Late October) when the myriad hues of the leaves spread a colored carpet and the eyes gaze, bewitched.
This museum is roughly 20 km from the airport, situated in North York. It can be easily located as it is just adjacent to the York University campus. The nearest subway station is the Pioneer Village Subway Station.
Canoeing in serenity
Set amidst the vast green landscape is Algonquin Provincial Park, a huge park set amidst rocky ridges, maple hills, thousands of lakes, cottages and home to the iconic Canadian moose, black bears and white-tailed deer. Roughly 3 hours from Toronto, this park offers unique hiking, camping and canoeing opportunities.
You can spend days exploring the gigantic park, on foot or on a canoe, possibly catch a glimpse of the moose and sit atop the numerous hills, with a green carpet spreading all across.
There are lodges, hotels, cottages to rent out and stay. All the picture-perfect coniferous trees and lakes found on postcards of Canada can actually be relished here. Not to forget a canoeing experience, on the lakes.
In winter there is the fat biking and snowshoeing along the snowy trails. There are guided day and day-night tours available from Toronto.
Living in nature is a treat, and simply put, this place is nothing short of paradise.
A runner/hiker/cyclists dream
High Park is frequented by thousands of fitness lovers daily, for it is interspersed with forested trails, hiking paths, tennis and baseball courts, parks, dog off-leash areas, ponds, zoo and flowering gardens.
Besides the routine visit to the zoo, or the park, High Park also houses the Grenadier Pond with an active cycling/running trail all around it. Walking along its length, you can get up-close with the wildlife in the pound and photograph ducks, swans and numerous other creatures that inhabit it. This trail slowly blends into a forested trail. It is a blessed getaway from the hustle-bustle of the city. One can also keep following the trail in the south direction and end up at the Harbourfront.
One of the most popular times to visit it is during the Cheery Blossom season in late April or Early May when the innumerable buds sprout among the dozen or so cherry blossom trees, serenading the landscaping with beautiful light pink flowers. It is also radiantly colored in red and orange hues during the leaf-shedding season in late Oct/ early Nov. Note cycles can be rented from the bike stations within High Park itself.
The colourful vibrant India festival
The annual festival of India takes place in Toronto in the end of June or early July, and if you happen to visit Toronto during this time, this festival is something you cannot miss out on.
In collaboration with ISKCON, this festival is characterized by a colourful parade where the famous Rathas (chariots) dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra make their way down the streets of Downtown Toronto amidst cheerful chanting, merry dancing, colourfully dressed priests and locals and flavourful treats.
This festival is supported by a colourful market at Central Island where the ISCKON trust provide food and prashad to everyone who visits. A simple street bazaar is put-up where you can pick up handicrafts, Indian wear, jewelry alongside enjoying a cultural festival with dance and music.
The festival also spreads out towards the Gerard India Bazaar located in south-east Toronto, where a fair is organised, complete with some famous Indian street delicacies, games, traditional wear, dance and performances.
If you are a fan of Indian culture, vibrance and diversity, you cannot miss out on this as it is heartwarming to see people from other countries and cultures mingling and enjoying the Indian hospitality.
Along the shores
"Lake Ontario", yeah!!! There is so so much to do in and around lake Ontario. Whether its a ferry to the island or the cruise around Toronto or simply renting a bike and cycling down the entire harbourfront and the numerous board walks, both on Toronto Mainland and on the island.
For me, personally, this is the best getaway as it is so relaxing with the cool breeze gently caressing your face, the waves lapping the rocky projections and swans and ducks quacking their way to the shores. Toronto is blessed with a long shoreline. The Martin Goodman bike path along Lake Ontario’s shoreline takes you through parks, beaches and bridges all set along the shores of Lake Ontario. And with bike stations at every km or so, why not pick up a bike and ease you way through. It is open year-around.
One ideal route is from the Toronto Harbourfront Center to the Humber Bay bridge, which is approx 9km one way. And not to forger if you happen to hop on to the island ferry, then you enjoy another bike ride/walk/run from Wards island to Hanlan point. Blessed with picturesque ponds, gardens on one side and beaches and waves on the other, don't limit yourself to the restaurants or the amusement park at Central Island. EXPLORE.
The island is open year-around though most activities are limited to the summer months. However, if you have a bike or if you want to walk/run you are free to go any time.
So hop on to the "travelling bandwagon" once all this is over. Appreciate the ability to travel, the beauty of nature and of the animals and people.