Explore Toronto: Bathurst Station Gets Honest Ed-ified!

Honest Ed's Art Installation at TTC Bathurst Station Review

The building at the corner of Bloor and Bathurst Streets, covered in tacky bright lights and funny hand-painted signs, need no introduction - every Torontonian knows of the giant discount retail store Honest Ed's. Whether you love it or hate it, Honest Ed's has become a huge part of Toronto's landscape and found a place within the city's heart. The long lines to purchase one of the coveted hand-painted signs are a testament to how far people will go to get a piece of Honest Ed's.

As a tribute to the iconic landmark, the TTC has transformed Bathurst Station, into a 'Honest Ed's-style installation commemorating the retail store and its former owner Ed Mirvish, and the impact that they had on the community and the city of Toronto.

Explore Toronto: Visiting Toronto's Past Surrounded by it's Future!

Historic Fort York Review

Several weeks ago I visited Historic Fort York, mainly to see the amazing Gertrude Kearn's Exhibit. While there I decided to tour the Fort's grounds and buildings, something I haven't done since a childhood school trip. And once I entered the grounds, I felt like I was transported back in time.

I'm sure plenty of us who grew up in Toronto or the GTA, had the opportunity to visit Fort York on a school trip, but I highly recommend revisiting it as an adult. I learned more and understood the significance of such an important time in Canadian history, which passed over my adorable 10 years-old head many years ago.

Event: Feeling Like a Kid Again at FIGMENT!

FIGMENT Toronto Festival Recap

This time in July I was enjoying the beautiful hot sunny weather on Toronto Island while participating in my first FIGMENT Festival with a friend of mine. FIGMENT is a creative arts festival where visitors are encouraged to participate and interact with the art, and it was the perfect way to spend a beautiful summer day!

Now in its third year in Toronto, FIGMENT is a grassroots effort, organized and run entirely by volunteers and is growing in size and popularity.

Explore Toronto: Living On The Edge at the CN Tower!

CN Tower Edge Walk Experience Review

I love exploring and seeing Toronto in a different light. Whether it's vising unique hidden gems in the city, like a new public art installation, or getting acquainted with a beautiful old park or neighbourhood, I'm always surprised at how much Toronto has to offer.

That's why when a friend invited me to join him on the CN Tower Edge Walk, I jumped at the chance to get the best view of the city.

Explore Toronto: Coupland and The City!

Several Toronto Public Art Installations by Douglas Coupland Review

Now that is had been a few months since the ending of the Douglas Coupland invasion of Toronto with two major exhibitions at MOCCA and the ROM, you might be going through Coupland withdrawal. Don't fret, I've got you covered!

Monument to The War of 1812, 2008

There are so many amazing pubic art installations in Toronto, especially downtown. A while back I had the opportunity to join a walking art tour organized by MOCCA, and tour a small part of Toronto and learn about some of Douglas Coupland's amazing art displayed for all to see!

Explore Toronto: Hauntingly Beautiful Memorial to Irish Immigrants!

Ireland Park Review

Along the waterfront, at the bottom of Bathurst Street lies one of my favourite public art installations in Toronto. Nestled between the abandoned Canada Malting Silos, Lake Ontario and a construction barricade is one of the most serene and heartbreaking places in Toronto - Ireland Park.

Until recently, I was among the many that never knew Ireland Park even existed. It opened in 2007 and then closed in 2010 for several years due to surrounding construction. A few months ago, I heard about an Irish monument down by the harbourfront, so last St. Patrick's Day a friend and I decided to go in search of it. And I'm so glad I did.

Explore Toronto: Coupland Celebrates Canadian Heroes at Canoe Landing Park!

Toronto's Canoe Landing Park and Public Art Installations Review

A few weeks ago I enjoyed a walking art tour organized by MOCCA and led by Betty Ann Jordan from Art InSite and Ben Mills from Public Art Management. The tour explored various public art installations near the Gardiner expressway that included several installations designed by Douglas Coupland. I have always known that Toronto has alot of public art (I walk by several every day), but I really had no idea of the amount of amazing art by world renowned artists are on display for free, throughout the city.

Bobber Plaza, 2009

Art tours and guided city walks are a great way to learn more about Toronto and all it has to offer. MOCCA's Douglas Coupland Tour packed in so many amazing art installations, that for this post I'm going to focus on one of my favourite outdoor spaces in Toronto from the tour - Canoe Landing Park.

Explore Toronto: Finding Magic in Allan Gardens!

Allan Gardens Conservatory and Park Review

There is a place downtown Toronto that is full of magic and wonder. It contains flowers that bloom all year, plants from across the globe, and is home to turtles, fish, and waterfalls. This magical place is called Allan Gardens Conservatory.

The Allan Gardens Conservatory is over 100 years old, making it one of the oldest parks in Toronto. It contains six greenhouses which are open all year long, and is surrounded by a large green space containing a new playground and an off-leash dog area.

Event: Frozen in Time at IceFest 2015!

Bloor-Yorkville IceFest 2015 Recap & Photos

Among hundreds of people, I braved the freezing cold last Saturday to view scenes, objects, and people normally associated with a blistering hot desert climate, that were being carved out of cold ice. It was the annual Bloor-Yorkville Ice Fest and Sassafraz Ice Carving Competition.

Now in its tenth year, the Bloor-Yorkville Ice Fest has become one of my favourite Toronto winter events.

Explore Toronto: Fall in Love With Toronto!

Unique Valentine's Day Activity Ideas

Even with a big freeze hitting Toronto, I'm still excited about this weekend. Not only is it a long weekend (Woo-hoo!), but it is also Valentine's Day on Saturday.

You probably already have Valentine's Night planned, but because February 14th lands on a Saturday, it's an opportunity to plan fun activities during the day as well. If you are not leaving the city or hiding indoors, I have a few fabulous ideas on how to spend Valentine's Day, either with friends, your special someone, or you IPOD.

Explore Toronto: Chillin' at The Chill Ice House!

CHILL Ice House Review

Looking for a unique place to visit? If it's not cold enough outside for you yet, visit one of Toronto's coolest bars - CHILL Ice House.

Ice Bar in Chill Ice House Lounge

I recently visited the CHILL Ice House for a private event for Uniikii Inc. Located just south of King Street on Bathurst Street, it may look like an ordinary bar on the outside but inside CHILL Ice House is a winter ice wonderland. 

Explore Toronto: Strolling Through the Solar System While Enjoying the Many Charms of Toronto!

Walkable Planets Community Art Project Review

There are so many cool and interesting things to do and places to explore in Toronto. So many that even Torontonians don't know about them all or haven't visited them, like the Toronto Public Labyrinth. A great way to explore and learn about this amazing city is to take part in organized tours. 

 

There are a lot of city and site specific tours that cost money, like The Steam Whistle Brewing Tour. But a unique and economical way to explore Toronto is to take advantage of one of the many free walking tours, both guided by volunteers or self-guided, organized by Jane's Walk. Jane's Walk was founded in Toronto by a group of friends and colleagues of Jane Jacobs, who "believed in walkable neighbourhoods, urban literacy, and cities planned for and by people."  Jane's Walk organizes free locally led walking tours "in which people get together to explore, talk about, and celebrate their neighbourhoods" in over 100 cities across the globe. Please visit Jane's Walk to find out more information on walks around Toronto and other cities.

Explore Toronto: An Afternoon of Beer & Fun at Steam Whistle Brewery!

Enjoying the Steam Whistle Brewing Tour

There are so many great places and areas to visit in Toronto. I love exploring interesting places like the Toronto Public Labyrinth, and revisiting some fun places like Steam Whistle Brewery. Last week a friend and I enjoyed an afternoon of beer and fun, as we took part of The Steam Whistle Brewing tour at the Roundhouse downtown Toronto. I have been on the Steam Whistle tour before, but it was over 7 years ago, as part of a birthday party. I was excited to take The Steam Whistle Brewing tour again, as the details from my last tour are a little hazy.

Event: Doors Wide Open in Toronto!

The weekend before last was one of my favourite events in Toronto: Doors Open Toronto! I love this event. It's a fabulous opportunity to not only visit companies and buildings not usually open to the public, but to learn a little history about this great city. Unlike previous years, I took part both Saturday and Sunday (which my body felt on Monday), and visited about 10 different sites. It would take up too much time to list all that I learned and saw but here are my highlights from the weekend:

Event: Toronto Opens Its Doors this Weekend!

If you haven't heard, this weekend is Doors Open Toronto; an annual event where different buildings, sites, and institutions, open their doors to the public to learn about them, their buildings, and some interesting facts about Toronto and its history. 

Exhibit: Coffee, Beer & Mosh Pits at The Toronto Public Library!

Last week I braved the cold to visit visit an interesting exhibit at The Toronto Public Library. Yes, you read that right, The Library. The exhibition, Coffee, Beer + Mosh Pits, chronicles the evolution of The Toronto music scene from the 1960s until present day.

Event: The Long Journey To Buy Honest Ed's Signs!

Honest Ed's Giant Sign Sale Event Recap

Last Monday, I joined thousands of Torontonians and lined up for hours for a chance to buy a piece of Toronto Retail History. Yes that's right, I was one of the crazy people who lined up for hours to buy some of Honest Ed's unique hand painted signs. 

Honest Ed's Sign Sale: The end of the line at 5:30pm outside

Event: The Beauty of Ice!

Last Saturday night I wandered the Bloor-Yorkville Area in Toronto, to take in some beautiful Ice Sculptures. Last weekend was the annual Bloor-Yorkville Ice Fest and I took some pictures to share with you. Sorry about the quality, but enjoy!

Event: All Night At Toronto's Giant Museum!

Nuit Blanche Art Event Recap

Last Saturday, the city of Toronto turned into an all night art museum, free to the public from sunset to sundown. This yearly event, called Nuit Blanche, is one of the reason's I love this city. I've been participating in Nuit Blanche since 2007, the year I moved back to Toronto. And I have enjoyed this event every year since.

This I Build For You, Performance and Installation by David R. Harper

Plastic Bags Sculpture by Pascale Marthine Tayou

Explore Toronto: Serenity Now!

  
Sometimes I find it hard to get some peace and feel grounded living downtown in North America's fourth largest city. I love Toronto and it is my favourite city in the world, but sometimes a girl has just got to get away! If I don't have the time or the means to leave the city for a weekend, I find myself walking the winding path of The Toronto Public Labyrinth downtown in the heart of Toronto. I walk the pathway towards the centre, just letting my mind empty of all the worries and questions that have been bothering me that week. Once I reach the centre, I just stand there and take deep breaths, feeling myself calm and content. Once I follow the path out and reach the end of the Labyrinth, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, more happy and able to see things with a better perspective.