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An Urban Eco-adventure - 3 Nights in Toronto, Canada
Thursday evening
You can arrive in Toronto either by plane or by train but either way, in this city, you do not need a car. Take public transit downtown to Lowther House - Toronto's Downtown Bed & Breakfast, 72 Lowther Ave in the Annex neighborhood. This beautifully restored 100-year-old Victorian mansion is conveniently located walking distance from the Yorkville district of Toronto and the University of Toronto campus. This means lots of shops, restaurants and street cafes all waiting to be explored.
So if you have not eaten, check in with your hosts, get some suggestions and then venture out to explore your neighborhood and the local scene. While you are out, make sure to pick up a copy of NOW magazine, Toronto's free weekly guide to what's happening.
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Friday Day 1
Toronto Islands by bike and the Royal Ontario Museum
You wake up ready to explore the Toronto Islands by bike and going to the Royal Ontario Museum in the evening. Eat a good breakfast and then get ready for day of exploration. You will want water and a knapsack that you can carry on a bike.
Head out from the Lowther House to Bloor Street which runs parallel to Lowther St. Near the corner of Bloor and Spadina, you will find several options for picnic food for the day. You can shop at Noah's Natural Foods, 322 Bloor St. W., 416-968-7930, which has an extensive range of bulk and packaged vegetarian foods, organic produce, and a vegan café. Or call ahead for take out from Fresh on Bloor (Juice For Life) 326 Bloor St. W., 416-531-2635. You can look at their take out menu on the web.
Another interesting stop might be Toronto Sprouts, 720 Bathurst St. (s. of Bloor), 416-535-3111, www.torontosprouts.com This is an indoor organic sprout farm! Raw organic products are available as well as fresh soup, sandwiches, and sprout salad. They also have a fair-trade chocolate bar serving South American chocolate products including creative hot chocolate drinks, bars and raw and roasted coco beans.
Once you have your food, make sure to buy a Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) day pass at any store displaying the TTC ticket agent sign.
Jump on the 510 streetcar on Spadina heading south towards the city center. This streetcar should take you to Fleet St. and on to the Queens Quay. Get off at the harbourfront to catch the ferry to the islands.
Catch a ferry to Centre Island from the Toronto Ferry Docks located at the foot of Bay Street and Queens Quay, just West of the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. The ferry runs every 30 minutes to the island where you will rent your bike. The Centre Island Bicycle Rental is located by the hedge maze past the Centreville Amusement Park. Take a few hours to explore the island and picnic. Bike maps are available. For more information about the Island, renting bikes or the ferry schedule go to City of Toronto: Toronto Island Park web site.
When you are ready to return, head back to the bike rental shop and the ferry. Depending on the time when you arrive back at Harbourfront, you can shop and browse and then head north to the Royal Ontario Museum whose main entrance is on Bloor St. W. The St. George stop on the Bloor-Danforth subway line is closest to the main entrance. The closest fully accessible stop is also St. George. Elevators are available to street level at the Bloor St. and Bedford Rd. entrance. The Museum stop is not accessible to wheelchairs. The 142 routes use accessible buses and runs north and south with stops at Queen's Park in front of the Weston Wing. Or you can take the 511 streetcar back to Bloor St. and walk to the museum entrance.
The Royal Ontario Museum has reduced rates and evening functions on Friday from 4:30 to 9:30 PM so you have a choice - head back to the B&B and freshen up for the evening or go to the museum on your way back to Lowther House. Either way, pick a spot to eat with the help of your hosts at the B&B and make an evening of it!
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Saturday Day 2
Self Guided Walking Tour & Tommy Thompson Park
Today your adventures will take you through the heart of the city on a self-guided walking tour of your choice. Green Concierge Travel has provided you with "The Other Map of Toronto" produced by the Green Tourism Association. You will end up along the waterfront in the afternoon to enjoy Tommy Thompson Park. If you are a birdwatcher make sure to pack your binoculars!
Once you have eaten your breakfast and bid farewell to your host at Lowther House, head out to pack another picnic for the day. Don't forget to pick up your TTC day pass! Select the walking tour of your choice and use the Toronto Transit system to get to your starting point.
Make sure to arrive at Tommy Thompson Park (City of Toronto: Tommy Thompson Park) early in the afternoon. The park is only open on the weekends from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Admission is free and times for interpretive programs and guided walks (summer) are posted at the front gate. This restored natural area is known for its variety of bird species from owls (several species!) to ring billed gulls, terns, a variety of waterbirds and during spring and fall migration - songbirds.
Spend an enjoyable afternoon wandering this spit of land that juts out into Lake Ontario. You get here by taking any streetcar east along Queen St. to Jones Ave. where you transfer to the 83 Jones bus southbound. Get off at Commissioners St. and it's a 500 m walk south to the park gate.
When you are finished, return to Lowther House and freshen up for tonight's dinner at Serra Pizza & Pasta Ristorante, 780 Bloor St. This restaurant serves up moderately priced, fresh ingredient Italian cooking. It is also listed in the "The Other Map of Toronto". Enjoy the ambience and peruse your NOW magazine for some after dinner entertainment. Enjoy!
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Sunday Day 3
What an evening! Enjoy your breakfast and consider your possibilities for the day making sure to leave enough transfer time depending on your mode of travel. If you are flying, make sure to leave enough time for customs/immigration at the airport.
Use the morning after breakfast for shopping in Yo rkville a walk away from Lowther House. Or wander down onto the University of Toronto campus and visit Queens Park. Either way, you are sure to enjoy your last hours in this great city.
If you need to, buy another all day TTC pass or opt for the fare need to get to your departure point - Union Station or the airport.
There is still more to see and do in Toronto so make plans for your next visit! Try a different season to see the city from a new perspective. Toronto has many festivals and has a vibrant theatre district. Bid your host farewell and have a safe trip home!
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Trip Summary
DAYS/NIGHTS: 2.5 Days/3 Nights
ESTIMATED COST: $ 580 for two
The cost above is for two people and includes Toronto Transit Commission passes, 3 nights accommodation at Lowther House B&B and 3 breakfasts, ferry ride to the Toronto Islands, bike rental, Royal Ontario Museum entry.
The package price does not include the following meals: 3 lunches, 3 dinners, and air flights or train tickets to and from Toronto CA.
TRAVEL PHILANTHROPY: Green Concierge Travel encourages its clients to participate in Travel Philanthropy. Travel Philanthropy is the practice of giving back to the destination. This can be through volunteer work and, or donations to an organization working to protect the local culture and environment.
For the itinerary above, Green Concierge Travel recommends Pollution Probe, a multi-issue environmental advocacy group based in Toronto. Pollution Probe, 625 Church Street, Suite 402 Toronto, ON M4Y 2G1.
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