Toronto has been a desired travel destination over the past few years. With Toronto natives Drake and the Weeknd tearing up the airwaves, the beloved Maple Leafs always being a hot sell, the Raptors ballin’ in the NBA, and the recent resurgence of the Toronto Blue Jays, it’s safe to say the city north of New York has a Bruce Leroy glow.
Traveling north to the province of Ontario comes with a duty to embrace the Canadian city to the fullest. The CN Tower should definitely be tackled to get a bird’s eye view of the city—think of the average panoramic view on straight up steroids. Also, hit the distillery district when looking to burn a chunk of time. It’s filled with restaurants, performing arts theaters, shopping boutiques and pop-up shows.
While in the city, navigating King Street is a must. Looking to grub? Hit King. Looking for a lounge? Hit King. Looking for a sports bar to catch the game? Hit King. Not hitting King at this point is a crime. Along the well-known street sits the restaurant Fring’s. It may be on the pricey side, but it’s well worth the experience. Initially, the restaurant was thought to be wholly owned by Drake, but the restaurant is another venture with his business partner and chef, Susur Lee. Upon entrance, there’s an initial walk-up entry, presenting a chic two-level experience. The top level brings features the restaurant and a horseshoe bar, which is immediately impressive. Bartenders with their shakers over their shoulders and patrons enjoying their meals while tunes circulate throughout is a common scene. The bottom level brings a more intimate lounge experience to the venue with an ability to transform into a “turn-up” if the right elements are brewing.
The city’s offerings of art include the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) and the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM). As a fair warning, carve out an hour or two for the AGO. The museum is absolutely massive and appears to take up the length of two football fields. Within exists an exhibition from Son Dong, who illustrates the communal courtyards of Beijing, China, and takes the visitor across the world while standing firm on Canadian soil. Collections extend to the Photographic, Print, African, Modern and Canadian realms. On the flipside, the ROM is mind-bending from its exterior alone. Appearing as if a diamond is upside down with its bottom point on a 45-degree angle, the immediate thought is, “What is that and how can I get inside?” With its primary focus on cultural and natural history, any lover of wildlife, origins of life and contemporary art are not disappointed.
Toronto is a surefire checkmark on anyone’s travel list. There’s no need to worry about whether or not it will be a good time. If anyone lucky enough to visit the city heads home saying, “Toronto is whack,” some serious soul-searching may be required. Word to the wise: it gets Antarctic cold in the city. So for those who shiver the instant cold air hits the skin, the best time to visit would be during the summer season.
