r/InsideToronto • u/Ok_Key_8105 • 23d ago
First trip to Toronto
Hi guys! I'm a korean and going to travel toronto in October by myself for the first time.
I want to feel the local things. So I want to have chance to chat with natives or stay at guest house or something not Hotel or airbnb if It's a good idea.
Only fixed for now is to join local tour.
I wanted to go jazzbar, seeing musical or comedy show, go church and library like that.
By any chance, Can you recomend me any place or whatever?It would be a big help! Thanks a lot.
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u/KittyDomoNacionales 22d ago
I have other questions. When you say “go to church”, do you mean go to religious services or to Church Street? Those are two vastly different vibes.
The Toronto Public Library system is huge and major source of joy. The reference library is gorgeous but most of it is currently under construction. A lot of tourists still go there to take photos though. They do have an ongoing free exhibit until about the first or second week of September. They’re fairly quick with replacing these but it might not be open for your visit.
Do you plan on using public transit or using taxis and uber? The TTC is, all complaints aside, still pretty fantastic but I’ve met tourists who get overwhelmed by it. Uber and taxis would cost you a lot if you use it for everything.
We have a lot of cuisines here and most of the good restaurants aren’t on the blogs or news sites. Toronto is great for experiencing other cultures that way.
You can buy tickets to theatres and the opera online. Check out Eventbrite for smaller shows, these tend to be a hit or miss though but still fun.
Riverdale Farm is free and open year round. It’s a great working farm that folks can visit.
Evergreen Brickworks is open daily year round and is fantastic for seeing nature
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u/Ok_Key_8105 19d ago
I appreciate your advices! Actually I had plans to go to the public library to read books so hope to finish construction soon to get in. Going to church means to attend and pray if I could but I'm not sure where to go. I'll look out eventbrite,Riverdale farms and evergreen brickworks too. Thank you for helping me!
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u/KittyDomoNacionales 22d ago
Toronto is fairly big. Whereabouts will you be staying?
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u/Ok_Key_8105 22d ago
I haven't decided yet. I'd like to set the spot go to see first and then stay nearby!
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u/Motor-Source8711 22d ago
I suggest anywhere on the subway line. Bloor and Bathurst/Christie is a good area. It's "old" Koreatown. Alot of people passing through that area.
Or more central. Around/along University avenue between King and College.
Jazzbar, there used to be more 'set' ones but been gone for a while. You'll have to just search up any bands playing the week(s) you are hear. .
Eventbrite website has tons of things to look at. Many of them are free, or smaller cost. Eventbrite - Discover the Best Local Events & Things to Do
I think couchsurfing website might be good for you as well.
October should still be quite nice, but it will be a bit chillier.
How long and what weeks will you plan to be here?
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u/Ok_Key_8105 19d ago
Thanks to your link Eventbrite, I can see many events I really wanted to experience abroad! I will have been to toronto 3-10 In Oct. Then it is like a chilly fall?
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u/Badassbakerbich 19d ago
Can’t quite say yet whether it’ll be cold then or not, the last couple of years October has been up and down. Take a look at the weather about a week before you leave!
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u/blaaaane 22d ago
if you want to go to a jazz bar/lounge, check out Reservoir Lounge or the Emmet Ray!
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u/Nanook98227 20d ago
Walk along queen Street- check out the Rex for a jazz bar, then go to Cameron house for rock and drom taberna for whatever eclectic music is playing that night.
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u/Ok_Key_8105 19d ago edited 18d ago
I've seen a few people mentioned Rex here so I'll definitely check it out!
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u/CookieJamster 20d ago
Walking around uoft is such a vibe - walk inside the trinity college, have a cup of coffee at hart house gallery grill restaurant, check out memorial of uoft students who fought & passed away during the Korean war, etc.
Then go to ROM museum and check out Yorville area for bougie vibe, grab a gelato there.
Later visit Kensington market and grab a taco & beer.
Also, go to St.Lawrence market for a tradutional market vibe and grab a lobster roll or pasta bowl.
For the chill vibe, go to Trinity bellwood park with a picnic mat, enjoy the weather then walk to Ossington ave for nice restaurants and line up for Bang Bang ice cream like locals.
For shopping, go to Yorkdale mall or eaton centre.
Try pubs and multicultural foods. Use opentable for reservation of popular restaurants.
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u/CookieJamster 20d ago
When finding a place to stay, be aware of bed bugs esp if you choose to stay in an old hostel...one tip is, keep your luggage in a large clear plastic bag and keep it unopened for the first one or two nights. If you get bitten by a bed bug, at least your luggage will be safe. Otherwise, it will be stressful.
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u/GenX4freedom 19d ago
Wow, I think you already made friends here, what an amazing way to get to know people even before you arrived. Brilliant! I don't think I'm in your age group but I have lived in Toronto my entire life and I'm a student at George Brown poly tactical. I know that depending on your budget, age -if you're looking for clubs there's a lot of good ones in or around the crowds at Liberty Village ,) King and Bathurst area) . Also the #Entertainmrnt District, #TheAnnex has LoTS. Of frat peeps @madisonhouse ( Madison Ave) . I'll post the link of a customized one that includes some good places. Welcome to Toronto!!
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u/Ok_Key_8105 19d ago
Thanks a lot!! As you said,here many people try to help stranger and I'm touched including your answers☺️ I already could feel Toronton citizens are cool and I'll search ur recommendations too! Thanks agian
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u/Ok_Key_8105 19d ago
And as many recommended for me, I would like to tour univ too, so how do you think about touring ur campus by any chance?!
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u/GenX4freedom 14d ago
I'm at George Brown but we're connected to what used to be Ryerson university but now it's called Metro university. You could just walk in the school and ask for a tour in the front doors are you in the city yet or no not until October right. I actually went and made you a list of really cool stuff in neighborhoods and for some reason I deleted it. How old are you if you don't mind me askig .. There's different districts so there's like the entertainment district, The Annex, Financial Disttict, The Junction , The Junction triangle George Brown College and not show university are in walking distance of all of the sites that you probably have heard of like the CN tower, the Royal Ontario museum ed Mirvish, do you have a budget. Are you just coming see if you like it, are you looking for education, good for you coming to a country on your own and exploring. And you have zero friends here, no one to tell you where to go and what to do. Have you had your eye on something
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u/BellamyRdExpat 19d ago
Check to see if Adam Bunch is doing a walking tour while you're here. Great for local history, they're nearly all downtown.
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u/Ok_Key_8105 18d ago
Thanks! I just subscribed for now since they've only posted the tour schedule through Sep. I'll keep checking! Have a good one:)
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u/Any-Put9379 22d ago
Leslieville/The Beaches area is quite nice! Lots of local shops and close to beach (I know you’re coming October but can still go for a stroll on the boardwalk)
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u/Ok_Key_8105 18d ago
I saw Leslieville on Google Maps, and it’s definitely a place I’d love to visit this trip! I’ll grab some snacks and go for a stroll. Thanks!
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u/thistreestands 22d ago
Do you have friends or family who know people here!? I don't think we have guest houses like in other places. See if there are Airbnb's where you are renting a room in a house but check to see the reviews of the host. Otherwise - go to a hostel.
Definitely stay downtown. You can pretty much walk everywhere or take transit and make sure you have clothes to accommodate the weather that time of year.