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Catch a Game: Torontonians are big into sports. Here, a sports jersey doesn’t mean it’s game night; it’s a fashion staple. The Rogers Centre is home base for the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. The Scotiabank Arena is where the Maple Leafs (hockey) and the Raptors (basketball) play, while the Argonauts (football) and TFC (soccer) call BMO Field home. Toronto even has its own rugby team, the Wolfpack, who tackle their British opponents at Lamport Stadium.
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Comedy Clubs: Maybe it's something in the water: Toronto has produced more than its share of top-notch comedians, including the shagadelic Mike Myers, Jim Carrey, Dan Aykroyd, and the late John Candy. Checking out local talent or international stand-up stars at one of the many comedy clubs is a favorite pastime for Torontonians.
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Checking Out Local Theater & Music: Sure, Toronto mounts its fair share of blockbusters. But the fine, and often more rewarding, theater offerings from Soulpepper, Tarragon, Aluna Theatre, the Canadian Stage Company, and Factory Theatre are innovative and generally excellent. And seeing the Canadian Opera Company onstage at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts is breathtaking.
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Tour King in a Red Rocket: Hitch a ride down King Street on one of the new bright red streetcars (they’re air-conditioned now!). With a day pass, you can hop on and off starting at the historic Distillery District, making your way west with stops at the St. Lawrence Market, through the towering financial district, and to King West, one of the most animated nightlife strips in town. Note: Although locals affectionately refer to the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) as “The Rocket,” the streetcars aren’t particularly fast, which makes them ideal for sightseeing, not so ideal in a rush.
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The Drake Hotel: This Queen West staple isn’t just a hotel. The Drake is a Toronto-born institution that has become synonymous with the local art scene. At the Drake, you’re just as likely to walk in on a literary reading as you are a punk band wreaking havoc onstage. If you hate feeling like a tourist, this place is for you.
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Ossington Avenue: This once-downtrodden strip is now packed with good places to eat, drink, and catch live music. Dine at the excellent restaurants or grab a great pizza, sip a cocktail at an intimate club, take in some live music, and then stroll the streets that frame the area and get a look at how the locals live — in Victorian-era homes side-by-side with family-owned shops. Utterly charming.
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Treasure Hunting for Vintage Clothing in Kensington Market: How can one small area have a dozen vintage-clothing vendors? And how do they keep prices low and the quality high? Haphazard Kensington Market is a big draw for local bargain hunters.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
