For those who live there and those of us who are fortunate to cross it off our must-visit bucket lists, the city of Toronto has a kinetic energy and vibe that simply goes unmatched. Sights catering to nature lovers as well as thrill seekers, soul connections with the land and history and a thriving Black culture in Toronto make it a travel destination you’ll want to visit again and again.
“As a resident of the Greater Toronto Area for nearly four decades, I certainly look forward to sharing this wonderful city with friends and family whenever they visit. As a multicultural city with people from around the world, there is a diversity of cultures, food and other experiences for everyone,” says Guyanese writer Ron Fanfair, whose site follows Black culture in Toronto.
If you’re on the fence, hopefully, we can push you over to book that flight and begin planning if not now (as the cold weather sets in) but sometime in 2024. Fanfair shares, “Best time of the year to visit is during the summer when you can relish the outdoors and myriad activities. You can spend a day at Toronto Islands or on a beach, attend a cultural festival or just sit in a backyard or on a patio with friends and family.”
With so much to do, see, and, of course, eat (I am saving that for another article), here is a list of experiences curated with timers in mind.
Getting There From Anywhere
Getting to Toronto is as easy as booking a flight, grabbing your passport and packing your bags. If flying, you’ll want to land at Toronto Pearson Airport. However, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport may also be an option for anyone looking for a less commercial experience with air connections to regional Canadian and U.S. destinations.
For road trippers, Toronto is very drivable for those coming from the Midwest and East Coast. You’re looking at a 5-6 hour drive from Chicago, Detroit, Washington, D.C. or Atlantic City and just under two hours from Buffalo, New York.
Once there, if wanderlust continues to take over, you can head to Niagara Falls within three hours and Montreal within six.
Other travel options for getting to Toronto include the train via VIA Rail Canada and Amtrak.
Getting from the airport and into the city to get our visit going is as simple as riding the Up Express train. After you grab your bag, follow the signs and head to Terminal 1. Purchase your ticket at the kiosk, wait for the next train and your Toronto adventure is about to begin.
Where to Stay While You Play
Accommodation options are plenty in Toronto and it comes down to budget and location. I stayed at the historic Fairmont Royal York during my visit earlier this fall. Designated as a landmark in 1929, this 4-star hotel is located in the heart of the city and is just a quick 25-minute train ride on the Up Express and conveniently located right across from Union Station.
Luxury is the thread that weaves each experience together, starting with the rooms that offer elegant comfort, followed by the hotel’s restaurant, Reign Restaurant + Bar + Bakery and CLOCKWORK Champagne and Cocktails.
Enjoy a full breakfast in the morning and elevated fine dining during the evening at Reign. In addition, the Fairmont is quite the social spot for both guests and locals as food and drinks flow while a DJ spins at CLOCKWORK, perfectly centered in the hotel across from Reign.
Renovations wrapped not too long ago for The Library Bar, another gathering spot for Toronto’s in-crowd. On any night, you will catch the co-mingling of guests and professionals after work and during the season, Blue Jays before or after the game, as the Rogers Centre is a quick four-minute walk away.
Whether your visit is personal or business-related, Toronto has a wide range of accommodations to fit your lifestyle, budget, and location preference. A detailed Google search will populate several options, including international properties such as the Four Seasons, Hilton Toronto, W Toronto, Hyatt Regency Toronto and Kimpton Saint George (an IHG Hotel).
Smaller and more Toronto-centric hotels also have their books open to reservations. For those who want an even more personal experience, a rental through Airbnb, Vrbo and Bluepillow is also a great option to explore.
11 Sights, Art and Cultural Connections
As you plan your trip, one thing to remember is that there is absolutely no way you’ll be able to see everything the first time unless you are there for an extended period of time. We’re talking more than a month and even then, it may be hard.
Nevertheless, the key is to plan wisely. If you are a “go with the flow” type of person, having an informal itinerary with so much you can do also works.
By V. Sheree Williams
Read the full article over at Cuisine Noir.
Cuisine Noir Magazine is the country’s first Black food publication, launched in 2009 and dedicated to connecting the African diaspora through food, drink and travel. To read the rest of this article and more, visit www.cuisinenoirmag.com.
