Toronto

Walk to Explore

By Sylvia Seschel

It is said, of the big cities, one loves to visit but wouldn’t want to live there. That’s my sentiment of Toronto. I could not have asked for a better day. The sky was blue, the air warm on this September day.

My neck stretched gazing up at the CN Tower, the tallest free standing structure in the world at 1815 feet. (Place picture 1 here). Opened in 1976, this 130,000 tons is still listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Up at the tower, the City of Toronto, Lake Ontario and the scenery as far as they eye can see under my feet. Of the different observation decks to choose from I liked the Glass Floor Level; I walked along the glass floor.  It’s an eerie feeling when you look straight down at some 1,100 feet toward the concrete.

Next to the CN Tower is the SkyDome, home of the back-to-back Toronto Blue Jays World Series baseball team winning in1992 & 1993. If it wasn’t for the strike, they may have won their third in 1994. It is the first stadium ever to build a retractable roof.  Not only does baseball entertain in this 52,000-seat stadium but other events such as concerts. And if you’d like to stay in this vicinity, all 70 rooms at the Renaissance Hotel look into the field. Price varies with the event. But then be prepared to fork out the dough.   

I don’t know how many times I passed by The Royal York Hotel and believe it or not never set foot. This visit was my first time stepping inside seeing the elaborate lobby of 1929 décor with travertine walls and columns. This hotel, built for the rail travelers, is linked to the rail station and the Underground city leading to shops and restaurants where it’s great to be on a snowy or rainy day. But keep in mind a lot of the underground shops aren’t open Saturday and Sunday as it caters to the crowd that uses the subway going to and from work Monday to Friday.

Across from the hotel is Union Station, opened in 1927. This historic building was almost destroyed due to the decline of train travel but the strong public opposition saved it. Today, though you can still catch a train, you can also shop and grab a quick bite to eat. This station is connected to Air Canada Centre (ACC) where hockey games are played and concerts are performed.

Walking down Front Street, I walked into the BCE Place where modern office, retail and the Bank of Montreal are under a glass roof. Plenty of restaurants to choose from including the colourful Café Bar Masquerade, chairs and tables are painted in different colours, has a variety of menu including spaghetti, salads, salmon and mussels.

Passing by outdoor restaurants, I decided to wait until I got to the St. Lawrence Market to see if I could pick something up. Looking at the variety of fresh meats, cheese, fruits and vegetables made me hungrier. There are vendors outside selling their wares. Even though there was seating outside of the market, I decided to backtrack and go to an outdoor restaurant.

I cut across Market Lane Park and to my right is St. Lawrence Hall (1850-51) was used for political rallies and entertainment. Even an anti-slavery lecture was delivered here. Across the road is St. James Cathedral (1850-74) boasts the tallest steeple in Canada.  Next to the cathedral is St. James Park where I took a few moments to sit back and admire the beautiful flowers and greenery soaking in the warmth of the sun knowing that summer is slipping away much to quickly. Also, I had a better view up further of the park of the St. Lawrence Hall to take a picture.

A word over the street sign indicates what the theme of that street is. For example, above King Street is the word “entertainment”. Here stands the Princess of Wales Theatre opened in 1993 by Diana herself. Sadly, four years later the theatre was the mourning place, where people placed flowers in a tribute to her death.

A few doors down is the Royal Alexandra Theatre (built 1906-07) was to be demolished but Ed Mirvish bought and restored it. The entrance foyer is lined with green marble of this 1,500- seat theatre. From this historic building to across the street a space age looking exterior of Roy Thomson Hall (1972-82) with it’s sensitive acoustics, the home to Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Next door I welcomed peace from the city’s noise in St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (1874-75) on this busy King Street.

Toronto is filled with impressive architecture such as Toronto-Dominion Centre, a black steel and dark-bronzed-tinted glass. The Royal Bank Building and Plaza’s exterior is coated with 2,500 ounces of precious ore to keep heat in and cold out (visa versa during the summer season). The red-granite Scotia Tower also reaches toward the sky. (Place picture 2 here)

I wish my city had done this, preserve our Old City Hall. Even though the New City Hall was built (1958-1965), they didn’t destroy their Old City Hall (1885 opened 1899), which now houses criminal courts. Guards are at the door entrance ready to check your bag and you have to walk through a metal detector.

At the New City Hall is the nine-acre square called Nathan Phillips where it’s a gathering place whether it be a concert, rally, meeting friends or just sit there alone and people watch or listen to the fountain in the pool. The pool becomes an ice rink in the winter. Sitting by the pool, I had a beautiful view of the side of Old City Hall. (Place picture 3 here)

Since 1830’s, Osgoode Hall was the headquarters of the Law Society of Upper Canada. The building was constructed in stages started in 1831 and ended in 1860. Walking further down is the Georgian house built in 1822 called Campbell House, home to Sir William Campbell, the first Scot who became Chief Justice of Upper Canada.  Costumed guides provide an insight into Toronto’s early history. Behind the house is the impressive Canada Life Assurance Building where the top tower reports the weather using neon sign.

With its diverse ethnicity, from Little Italy, Little India to Greek town and Chinatown, Toronto has a lot to offer in restaurants. There are plenty of outdoor cafes to enjoy on those warm summer days where you can watch the world go by, which is my favourite past time. Toronto is definitely not a one day visit so I can understand travelers from a far the need to see how much they can. I can relate when I travel abroad. I know I can visit Toronto again since I’m only one hour away so I took my time and savoured the beauty of this big, clean and friendly city.

Copyright 2001  Sylvia Seschel