Toronto Travel Forum

Hello,

I will be coming to Toronto next week for one week and I will be staying near Toronto university (Gloucester St). I have a few questions:

1. I understand the weather will be somewhat cold and rainy this time of the year, but I am curious as to how cold and what kind of clothes should I bring along?

2. Does anyone know any good fast food or simple (casual) restaurants on or near Gloucester st where I can have breakfast / lunch / dinner?

3. I am thinking about taking the airport express transport from the airport when I arrive. But since it only makes 8 stops at certain hotels in downtown Toronto (which do not include the place I will be staying at), I can get off at Bond Palace Hotel or Delta Chelsea Hotel and then get a taxi to Gloucester st. Is it easy to get a taxi on the streets of Toronto in that area? or would it be difficult especially at mid-day?

4. Best places to do shopping for gifts for the family?

Thank You.

I was in Toronto last week and it was sunny, the temperature was in the low 20's (C) 70's F all week. Unfortunately for you the forecast is for it to drop to 6 or 7 C (40-50F) next week. So make sure you have a jacket and a sweater maybe.Perhaps an umbrella. The other bad news is that a transit strike began today so the subways may not be running when you get there meaning that taxis will be busy. Depending on how much luggage you have and if you can wheel it around, Gloucester St. is walking distance (10-15 mins) from the Delta Chelsea if you get off there.

There are lots of restaurants and fast food places on Yonge St. in that area.

Shopping - the Eaton Centre which runs on Yonge St. from Queen to King and has 300 or stores or even closer to you the Bloor/Yonge intersection. If it is raining Toronto has an extensive underground you can use and it is filled with stores from the Eaton Centre down to Union Station. It connects many of the major office towers downtown. http://www.toronto.ca/path/

All the places mentioned above are within walking distance so the transit strike if it is still on may slow you but should not stop you.

This is my Toronto page:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/d8970/dc8fa/

Sorry about your luck, but we've had fantastic weather for the past few weeks. It's currently 21C. But the next four day temperature highs are: 16C, 12C, 7C, 6C.

Check the World Weather Information service before you leave, you say 'next week'. Is that this coming week or a week from now? The weather can improve dramatically by the end of the week.
http://www.worldweather.org/056/c00264.htm

If you bring a light spring jacket and sweater, this should be more than adequate.

Eating:
One block east of Yonge St. is Church St. and if you want an eclectic mix of restaurants, it's a great stip from Bloor St. down to Alexander St.

If you go a little further east and two streets south of Gloucester(corner of Jarvis/Maitland) you will find The Keg Mansion. An excellent restaurant specializing in steak, but have a varied menu.


Shopping:
I'm not a fan of shopping, but many people that visit Toronto are - basically for UK visitors, what you get for £1 you can get for $1. So, basically your spending power is double here. The Eaton Centre is not the least expensive place to buy things, but it's worth a visit.

I like the Eaton Centre for the architecture. It looks like crap from the outside but as you can see in the picture on my page, it's really cool inside.

Phone: 416-598-8560
Address: 220 Yonge Street
Directions: Extends along Yonge street from Queen St to the south and Dundas St to the north. Centrally located to many downtown hotels and accessible by subway (Queen or Dundas stations).
Website: http://www.torontoeatoncentre.com/contact/index.ch2
Other Contact: TECcares@cadillacfairview.com

Transportation:
don't forget to book your ticket online to get a 10% discount.
The two points you mentioned that Airport Express will be stopping at is not very far at all from your hotel ~ Delta Chelsae is the closest to Gloucester. Taxis are readily accessible either at the hotels your disembark at or on Yonge, or Gerard and should not cost more than $10 (probably closer to $6).

Hi VT member,
The weather currently here in TO has been hovering around the +14. You will need a jacket, even though the temps could hover around the mid teens, it has been rather windy.
Since your staying around the UofT area, you shouldn't have a problem finding casual restaurants. If you wonder over to Yonge St (casual/inexpensive), just north of Gloucester theres a mix of ethnic restaurants, mainly asian.
I like going to Spring Rolls -thai, then theres Ginger - vietnamese. You will also come across a McD's, KFC, Starbucks.
Take the airport express to Delta Chelsea Inn. Theres always cabs parked in front of the hotel, and Gloucester St. is no more than a 5-10 min ride north.
As for shopping, since your close to Yonge st, there's some souvenir stores(combined with all sorts of nick naks). Your best bet is the Eaton Centre Yonge/Dundas, just by the Delta Chelsea Inn. It's three storeys. For something a little more high end, head over to Bloor St. West.

Have a great time visiting Toronto.

Mai

Regarding Shopping:

Close to where you are staying there is Bloor St from Yonge to University.North of that area there is Yorkville and Hazelton Lanes.Both areas are more expensive than the Eaton's Centre.