Canada.

[theoryofgravity]

So the husband and I were discussing new possible travel destinations and he floats Toronto, as he has maaaany times in the past and I always say no because we are asshole Americans without passports and international travel is kind of pricey. But now I'm thinking about it and have a couple questions

Comments

[i_dreamed_i_was]

I'm sure it's lovely and maybe we just chose the wrong activities (nothing super-specific because we thought it was going to be a Canadian NYC), but my mom and I went in 2002 or 2003 and were mostly bored to tears. Very clean, very nice, but seemed more like a place you'd want to live than to visit. YMMV and all that.

[knox_y]

There's lots to do in Toronto. There's tons of Museums everywhere to satisfy any real subject (lots of historic places, some science museums, the ROM, art galleries, architecture schools...). There's a lot of theaters you can get show tickets too (think Broadway). There's the CN tower which is fun to go up. I've never really done Toronto in Winter (other than visiting family there). You could visit the provincial Parliament if you're into polictics. My boyfriend also says there's a lot skiing around the city (I don't ski so I can't recommend anything)
Ottawa has some nice festivals going on though during February (Winterlude which is a great time to visit the capital). Quebec City is also really nice in the winter.

[feisty_jenn]

i say this as a Canadian and an Ottawa-n, so maybe i'm biased....but if i were going to make a trip to Canada, it likely wouldn't be Toronto. Sticking w/ the same area, I'd go to Montreal! Lots of great destinations both for "culture" and geek stuff....good restaurants....plus if you do Montreal you could also hit Quebec City which is gorgeous!

[coco73]

Oh, Toronto, my stinky lover. I can't gush enough about 'ronto and every day I consider moving back. As much as my nose is completely out of joint about i_dreamed_i_was saying she was bored to tears, it's not untrue that touristy shit blows in Toronto, but I would submit that it blows everywhere. The real experience of any city is going to and doing what the locals do.

For art and culture, you cannot miss the OAG and the ROM, but the real deal is happening in the Gallery District up on Queen West.

I could write an entire entry about food and I will happily give deets if you're interested. A visit to my old neighbouhood - Kensington Market - (where you have to eat freshly made pupusa off an old freezer in my favourite Salvadoran market and have some delicious Turkish coffee) is a must do in 'ronto, as is a trip to The Horseshoe Tavern, Shanghai Cowgirl, The Beaver, The Bovine Sex Club, and, and, and, and.......I love that City

[coco73]

Oh, but don't go in February. Winning the respect of the few Torontonians you will actually meet out in the sleet and hell of a Toronto winter will not comfort you.