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Author: Neil Carlson
Contributor: Waheeda Harris, Anya Wassenberg
ISBN: 1-934724-02-5
Price: $17.95
Web Direct Price: $9.95
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| Today’s savvy travelers rely on NIGHT+DAY Toronto — with its opinionated listings, insightful descriptions, and witty, intelligent writing — to get the sophisticated edge in travel. From the trendiest tables, hippest hotels, top shops and galleries, to the hottest nightspots and coolest attractions, NIGHT+DAY Toronto is packed with expert recommendations and insider tips. |
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HOME » DESTINATIONS » TORONTO
NIGHT+DAY TORONTO Sip a martini at one of Toronto’s trendiest rooftop lounges, visit up-and-coming galleries and neo-bohemian haunts, savor live jazz on an outdoor patio, indulge at one of the city’s world-class restaurants—and you’ll soon see why Toronto is enjoying such a surge in popularity.
February Love Letter
On Groundhog Day (Feb. 2), just north of the city, Wiarton Willie (wiarton-willie.org), Toronto’s own version of Punxsutawney Phil, will determine how much more winter Canadians will have to endure before the spring thaw. Whatever the prognostication, locals have any number of reasons to get out this month.
For rock lovers, ‘80s hair metal kings Motley Crue take the stage at the Air Canada Centre (theaircanadacentre.com) on the 4th. A few days later on the 9th, it’s the sweet strains of Mariah Carey. Or celebrate Valentine’s Day with the poppy romanticism of singer/songwriter John Mayer.
Speaking of Valentine’s Day, couples looking for that romantic spot might try the Rooftop Lounge at the Park Hyatt (parktoronto.hyatt.com) or Panorama Lounge atop the Manulife Centre (eatertainment.com/restaurants/panorama) for cocktails a deux and unbeatable views of the city. Chinese New Year also happens to coincide with V-Day this year, so keep an eye out for dragon parades and fireworks on Spadina Avenue and Broadview Avenue (chinatownbia.com).
On Feb. 20, Yorkville transforms into a frozen wonderland with its annual IceFest (bloor-yorkville.com), where the ice-carving competition attracts carvers from across North America and the Ice Night kick-off party is the must-attend event for local fashionistas.
End the month with a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum ( rom.on.ca) to see Dan Perjovschi’s “Late News,” an exhibition of political cartoons at the Institute for Contemporary Culture’s Roloff Beny Gallery.
Waheeda Harris
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TORONTO (2008):
Piers Handling (Community Leader)
 Piers Handling has transformed staid and respectable
Toronto into a sexy and desirable city—not just in the
eyes of the numerous travelers and tourists who come
to the largest city in Canada, but to the residents whose
traditionally cautious nature has made it such a conservative metropolis
for the past 20 years. With his effortless grace and presence as the artistic
director of the Toronto International Film Festival, Handling has
transformed a small regional festival into a world-renowned event.
Handling attended the world’s film hot spots every year—Hollywood,
Cannes, New York—and cajoled the movers and shakers into putting
Toronto on their annual schedule to showcase their films in the number
three movie market in North America. For ten days each September,
heavyweight producers, dazzling red-carpet mainstays, and obsessed
movie viewers crowd the streets. And Toronto has a chance to preen
before the world. Having ascended the ranks to become artistic director
of the festival in 1994 and now in transition to become its CEO,
Handling continues his promotion of TIFF and the city of Toronto to a
global network of influencers. TIFF’s glow extends far beyond the festival
itself. Residents are taking renewed pride in their hometown, and the
entire city is experiencing a renaissance: the downtown core is vibrant
with trendy condos, upscale shopping, and lively nightlife. The arts
scene is thriving. Impressive restoration projects have created the underground
glories of the Gladstone and Drake Hotels. The Crystal at the
Royal Ontario Museum and the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing
Arts gave the city a huge cultural boost. The redevelopment of forgotten
19th-century relics like the Distillery District and the Brickworks have
encouraged restoration, while on the horizon sits the reinvention of the
Art Gallery of Ontario by native son Frank Gehry. Thanks to Handling’s
shining the spotlight on Toronto, the city has fallen in love with itself
again—and is more eager than ever before to show off to the world.
Check out our choice for the
world's foremost Urbanistas in other cities:
The Urbie Awards.
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