Kari, you absolutely do not need a car in Toronto if you are planning most of your activities in the city proper. Transit is safe and inexpensive; the subways are very fast and the streetcars and buses less so, of course, but you would likely be travelling outside the rush hour. I really would recommend NOT having a car with you, in fact. But bear in mind I am a walker and bat for team flats. It would be amazing if you came! Although I must add that November is not exactly the city at its most beautiful. I mean, apart from the YLF contingent!

Kari, I have to agree on the no-car thing. Many people who live in the city do not have cars. There are even these bike rental things all over the streets so that you can rent, et from point A to point B and return it. They are quite handy. I also must agree that November may not be the most beautiful but it is also less busy too. We would love to have you!

Kari, if you make it you will beat Suz to the prize "She who travels the farthest"

Kari I do not live in Toronto but would really be glad to have you at my house if you feel comfortable with it.
Even from where I live you have transportation for downtown if you want.
May I mention that the 12th is around my birthday so it would be like a birthday present if you visited?

Erin it's so good you can come.When Sveta posted I was wondering about you.
And Suz you do deserve sn award.

Hey you guys, what about Crystal and Kim? I remember hearing from them in some of our previous Toronto posts. I believe Kim is in Ottawa and Crystal somewhere up north. Anyone know what they're up to?

Hi ladies!
Thanks for thinking of me, I've been watching this thread with interest but am not sure about a trip just yet. I'll keep watching and I'll PM Sveta if I think I can do the trip.

Kitty, I have not seen Crystal on the forum since last year. I will be bumping this thread from time to time so if she comes here she can see it. I remember she lives about 2h north of Toronto...

I am really really thinking about it and am going to check to see if I can get the time off from work for about 4 business days.

So... in case I can make it work, in your expert opinion as residents in the area, what should I absolutely not miss if I'm in Toronto for about 5 days or so in November? What's a must-see on your list?

I cannot say much about Toronto but if you have not seen Niagara Falls you must. I think you can get a bus trip there from Toronto if you don't want to rent a car.
I will let local Toronto residents to chime in with suggestions but I am sure you will find lot to see there!

Kari, I think that it depends on your interests and how touristy you want to go. The CN tower is of course world famous and if you like heights they even have a new thing that you can go outside on a tether and walk around...
The shopping is really great and some different things like the Bata Shoe Museum, St. Laurence Market or go and see a stage show. I have to say that I agree on Niagara Falls if you have the extra time.

Casa Loma, ROM,Niagara for sure.

Hi Kari, I know this thread has been quiet for awhile. If you are still considering coming, here are some things to see and do around Toronto (and my personal opinion of those I have experienced):

Bigger tourist attractions:

CN Tower – It’s not bad, but if you’ve been up other towers, this one isn’t much different. The view is nothing spectacular, especially in November: a big grey city, a lake, and another big, grey city across it! I definitely wouldn’t pay for any of the extras (motion ride, movie, etc), they’re not really worth it. Now if you’re interested in EdgeWalk (what Erin mentioned), where you get to walk around the outside edge of the tower wearing only a harness – that’s a whole different ballgame! That sounds very cool but it is pricey.

AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario) and ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) – if you like museums and art galleries, they are very nice. The ROM has free admission on Wednesdays after 3:30 (but closes at 5:30) and half-price admission on Fridays after 4:30 (closes at 8:30).

Casa Loma – an interesting building with beautiful gardens, but history-wise it’s not really a true castle. It was just built by a very rich man who wanted to live in a castle! That kind of ruined it for me but maybe that’s just me Also the gardens won’t be much to look at in November.

Bata Shoe Museum – haven’t been but have heard great things about it.

Hockey Hall of Fame – (where the actual Stanley Cup is kept) - same as Bata Shoe Museum.

St. Lawrence Market – a large indoor market with 2 buildings. The food building operates 6 days a week. The other building houses a farmer’s market on Saturdays and antique market on Sundays. (This is my favourite place in Toronto and is in the heart of downtown)

Other stuff:

Eating – this is the main draw, really. Because of its extremely diverse population, Toronto has fantastic ethnic cuisine. Whatever you want to try, you can probably find it here, cheap and delicious!

Ethnic neighborhoods – Toronto is known for its ethnic neighbourhoods. You can stroll around Little India, Greektown, Koreatown, Little Italy….and many more.

Theater – Toronto has the 3rd largest theatre scene in the world, behind London and NYC! Big Broadway musicals…Cirque du Soleil…small independent shows…there’s a huge variety here.

Shopping – lots of great shopping! Queen Street West for unique, funky boutiques and a boho vibe, Bloor Street for high-end shops, the Eaton Centre for a huge assortment of standard mall fare.

Niagara area – Niagara Falls is pretty awe-inspiring. I’d put it as a must-see if you have enough time. Also, the Niagara area is world-renowned for wines – if you are interested in wine-tasting, there’s an abundance here.

HAVE I SOLD YOU YET?????

Oh yeah there are also always festivals, concerts and the like going on, I haven't checked for that stuff specifically but can, once you've decided on dates

Oh also forgot to mention, I think the Greyhound from Buffalo to downtown Toronto costs $20. That is potentially a good option for you since flights to/from Toronto can be pricey.

Kari, everything HelloKitty said. Also...you are a big reader, are you not? If you came a bit earlier than our proposed get-together (RATS, bad timing!) the International Festival of Authors is on!!!

http://www.readings.org/?q=ifoa

Toronto has a fantastic opera hall now. Some terrific theatre. And wonderful ballet and other dance.

DO come!

Oh yes.I need company to go to the theatre and leave the kids at home

Celia, I'd be happy to go with you!! I loove theatre and hardly go anymore

It sounds verrry verry likely that I'll be able to make it that week, but I'm still waiting for the official go-ahead at work to take the time off before I confirm anything.

You ladies are the best. I can't wait to meet you in person!

I can't believe I'm just seeing this now!!! Life's been crazy as usual and I had just gotten into the habit of lurking and then I got out of the habit of my daily YLF check. Now I'm kicking myself. Thanks for thinking of me though ladies.... and good memory Sveta!

I already have a trip to Toronto planned Nov. 25-26 with my mom and sister-in-law, so I'm doubting I'll be able to make Nov. 12 work, but I'll see what I can do!

Lets try to get some plans in place for next spring (or fall) and I will be sure to be there!

Omgomgomgomgomgomg!!! Kari, did I see that right? You're probably coming? *Extreme happy dance!!* I am so, so excited! strongly second many of the suggestions made above, plus adding in the ARt Gallery of Ontario. The Toronto Islands can also be fun for biking and what not, though possibly not as much in November. Also, if you're checking airlines, be sure to look into Porter Airlines...they're a great new carrier with first-rate service and they land much closer to the city centre. You also have another offer of a place to crash if you need it, and it would be more than my pleasure to join y ou for dinners, or a show, or shopping, or whatever. WE can even hit St. Lawrence Market together, pick out the ingredients for a gourmet meal then have it chez moi. Keep us posted!!

You guys are going to have such a blast! I sure wish I could make it but alas it's impossible....

I'm sorry I've been absent but Mom's 80th birthday is next week and I'm hosting a bunch of people from Toronto, party etc and niece's wedding is not quite three days later...sigh.

Final dress fitting on the dress tomorrow...whoo hooo. But she changed her shoes today and decided none of her jewellery works anymore...egads... That's okay, she changed her dress earlier this summer...lol.

Sorry I went so off topic.

You are going to have such a great time and I can't believe I'm going to miss it and Kari. I'll be thinking of you all.

Kim, we should get together sometime as I live in the same city. West end for me.

Seeing the thread active again has gotten me excited all over again for our meet-up! I wonder how to mention to my hubby that I'm going to TO for a shopping weekend with my "Internet friends"...

This is a copy of a post that I sent to Kari in another thread but I was thinking that it is a really great place to experience in Toronto.

http://www.lilliputhats.com

Just think if you come to the meet-up in Toronto you could go and check out her shop. She is one of the few traditional hand milliners left and right in the city. She has a store front in "Little Italy" where she will even custom design or change one of her creations to make it perfect for the wearer. I have beautiful winter hat from Lilliput and when I bought it she sized it to make it fit perfectly. (so it wouldn't flatten my hair with hat head!)

For the others in the city, she usually has a booth at the fall One of a Kind show.

Okay. I am checking in to say - I'LL BE THERE!
I will be in the area from Nov. 10-14 and I'm still figuring out the logistics, but for sure, I will at the very least be at the meetup on the 12th and will have some flexibility if any of you would like to meet up separately or do other things. Please feel welcome to PM me for more details.
YAY!

Total mosh-pit-style happy dancing over here!!!!! YAAAAAAAY!
Yeah, we're totally hanging out. Will msg you back soon.

Me too, Michelle! So psyched!

OH. MY. PENCIL SKIRT!!!!!!!!

I can't wait. This is going to be SO amazing.

Who is going to bring the camera?

Suz, I will at least have my camera (tourist, hey!) and will be happy to take lots of pics.

Suz, I found the link, thanks. I haven't been to yorkdale for years, my husband is traveling that weekend but I may be able to get Dow, I'm in Barrie, about 1 hr, 15 min on a good day

And I know I have to get a picture