Things to do in Canada
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Usa & Canada Express
15 days (New York)
by Intrepid
Take a bite out of the Big Apple, Talk politics in Washington DC, Hear the roar of Niagara Falls from both the US and Canadian sides, Go hiking in the pristine…Not LP reviewed
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Il Fornello
One of five Il Fornellos in Toronto, this insider's favorite is popular not only for its seafood-favoring menu but also its 200-seat patio overlooking Lake Ontario. If you're not fancying fish, there are plenty of other options, including gourmet pizza. We like the fig pizza: mascarpone, figs, honey and prosciutto are a few of the ingredients. Delightful.
reviewed
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Café International
The name may be generic, but the food is far from canned at this lively eatery on Little Italy’s main drag. Carefully prepared but unfussy dishes draw in the crowds to feast on homemade pastas, thin-crust pizzas, satisfying sandwiches, calamari salad and superb cappuccinos. In the summer, try to snag a sidewalk table for prime people-watching.
reviewed
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Circus After Hours
Sometimes featuring circus performers and dancers, this hot spot is more glamorous than you might expect from an after-hours joint. Big-name DJs join local residents behind the decks, to the dancing thrills of glo-stick-brandishing ravers, and city clubbers not yet ready to call it a night. Get there early to avoid the long line; alcohol served before 3am.
reviewed
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Celebrities
The city's other main gay club, Celebrities hosts a series of sparkling, sometimes sequined event nights throughout the week, including a raucous Red Hot Wednesday drag night and Saturday's Release, a massive dance party, when go-go dancers, live singers and occasional circus performers strut for your viewing pleasure. If you're on a budget, Tuesday is $3 highball night.
reviewed
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Red Tea Box
The jewel-like Red Tea Box has genuine South Asian flair. Handwoven Thai textiles drape the walls and locals queue for their monthly changing bento boxes ($25), a fusion world of taste-bud temptations. Everything's gorgeously presented, and seasonally inspired. Exotic and inviting afternoon teas are held Monday to Saturday from 2pm, and noon to 4pm Sunday.
reviewed
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Basquiat
A minimalist but pricey unisex clothing joint where you'll need all your credit cards to buy an outfit. Despite the price tags, the service is excellent and the carefully chosen selection of international labels is top-notch: look out for Ian, Dondop, Montesano and beyond. Since fashion is followed closely here, the end-of-season sales are truly excellent.
reviewed
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BC Orchard Industry Museum
Located in the old Laurel Orchards packing house, the BC Orchard Industry Museum recounts the conversion of the Okanagan Valley from ranch land to orchards. The exhibits have great appeal and show just about everything you can do with fruit. Note the displays of beautiful old packing crate labels such as the mouthwatering art for Earl's Court brand apples.
reviewed
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Garde-Manger
After midnight this tiny, upscale restaurant becomes party central as scenesters, actors and gourmands-turned-merrymakers gyrate around. You’ll probably find yourself dancing on the bar, or in the kitchen making out with some hottie. Be warned: the music is loud and getting in on weekends is tough – unless you’re a close pal with the cool, beautiful staff.
reviewed
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Bar Korova
Boozy, smiley fun with the city’s arty Anglo musicians and the girls (and boys) who love them. With DJ nights spanning soul, funk and rock, impromptu hipster dance parties go down at this no-frills watering hole almost every night. What else do you expect from a bar whose clientele refers to itself as Korova Kids, though most are on the upside of 30?
reviewed
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Café Romolo
This affordable Italian café is a beacon to the city’s coolest artists, musicians and those in search of a welcoming place to sip a beer or coffee. Romolo’s big-screen TV broadcasts international sports events such as soccer and hockey. Don’t be intimidated by the shouting fans; if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.
reviewed
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Harbour Cruises
View the city – and some unexpected wildlife – from the water on a 75-minute narrated harbour tour. Tours weave past Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge and the North Shore mountains. There's also a 2½-hour sunset dinner cruise (adult/child $75/65), with West Coast cuisine (ie salmon) and live music, plus a long, languid lunch trek to stunning Indian Arm ($65).
reviewed
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Mont-Tremblant Ski Centre
Mont-Tremblant Ski Centre is the area’s highest peak (968m), and a major ski center with more than 60 runs. Its state-of-the-art facilities include golf courses, water sports, cycling and tennis courts. Bicycles and skates can be rented at the ski center for the 10km skating/cycling path that runs through town and up to the mountain’s edge.
reviewed
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Whiskey Café
Cuban cigars and fine whiskies are partners in crime at this classy joint, hidden near the industrial sector of the Mile End. The well-ventilated cigar lounge is separated from the main bar, which stocks 150 Scotch whiskies, plus wines, ports and tasting trios. Snacks range from foie gras to Belgian chocolates. Music is as sexy-smooth as the leather chairs.
reviewed
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Friends of Chamber Music
Taking over downtown's Vancouver Playhouse for intermittent Tuesday evening (plus some Sunday afternoon) performances, the Friends stages a tasty menu of shows from international visiting musicians. It's the kind of roster where you'll see chamber musicians from the Lincoln Center one week and the Berlin Philharmonic wind quintet the next.
reviewed
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Fitness World
Known as 'Fatness World' by locals, this West End 2nd-floor gym – you'll see the bedraggled staggering back to their apartments after overdoing it – has long opening hours, so you can usually find some quiet time. Hop on a running machine by the window and work out while you look down over the unfit masses below. The company has several other city branches.
reviewed
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Enoch Turner Schoolhouse
Dating from 1848, this restored one-room classroom is where local kids are shown what the good ol' days were like. Wealthy brewer Enoch Turner opened it as Toronto's first free school so poor children could learn the three Rs. Gothic church-style windows emphasize the seriousness of it all. Visitors are only allowed inside when school tours aren't scheduled.
reviewed
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Steam Whistle Brewing
'Do one thing and do it well,' is the motto of Steam Whistle Brewing, a microbrewery that makes only a crisp European-style pilsner.Bubbling away in a 1929 train depot, Steam Whistle continually works on being environmentally friendly, in part by using renewable energy, steam heating, all-natural (and often local) ingredients, and using super-cool ginger ale bottles that can be reused up to 40 times. During snappy tours of the premises, guides explain the brewing process in great detail. Tours depart half-hourly from 1 to 5pm and include tastings.
reviewed
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Restaurant Globe
This stylish see-and-be-seen place features an imaginative menu combining high- and low-brow ingredients to create a decadent kind of comfort food. Recent standouts include lobster mac’n’cheese, calamari stuffed with goat cheese and chorizo, and mashed potatoes alongside slow-cooked rabbit with crispy fried pancetta. Reservations are essential.
reviewed
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National Film Board Mediatheque
Aiming to 'reconnect Canadians with their past, present and future on film, ' the NFB has opened its vast collection of 3200 audiovisual gems to the public. Attend a low-cost (or sometimes free) film screening in an intimate, 80-seat cinema, or try one of the personal touch-screen viewing stations. Rare DVDs and videotapes are available for rent or purchase.
reviewed
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Magpie Magazine Gallery
Regularly voted among Vancouver’s best magazine stores, Magpie’s 2000 titles certainly represent the city’s largest and most varied selection. Prepare for a squeeze while perusing the narrow aisles, and make sure you hit the back of the store where a small selection of discount art, philosophy and fiction books waits to lure you further.
reviewed
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Kanuk
When people in Québec say ‘Kanuk’ they mean the winter coats that last a lifetime, and although they’re available throughout the province, this flagship store has the best selection, and seasonal sales. Most jackets stay toasty in temperatures dipping to -30ºC. Kanuk also carries raincoats, swimsuits, backpacks and hiking gear.
reviewed
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Brooklyn Clothing
Proving that Yaletown men are just as aesthetically focused as women, this hipster menswear boutique is the perfect spot to upgrade your style from that New Romantic look you've been sporting since 1983. Local designers are well represented – check out the achingly cool T-shirts – and there are dozens of jeans styles so you can finally nail that perfect fit.
reviewed
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Preloved
Preloved is all about reusing and recycling, but this is no thrift store: you can find Preloved designs on the runway. Reclaimed vintage fabrics are reassembled to create all-new, one-of-a-kind clothing. Women's items are the main focus, but kids and men will find kicky outfits as well. Items are reassuringly expensive, but not so much as to break the bank.
reviewed
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Fire on the East Side
A fusion kitchen works haywire variations on African, Caribbean, Acadian French and Cajun themes, from spicy crab cakes to duck confit quesadillas, and the menu changes quarterly. At night, the kitchen closes and beats from the next-door club are piped in, making it more of a lounge. It's a popular brunch spot, so reservations are essential for the weekends.
reviewed
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Schreter
This Jewish-run store has been going strong since 1928 thanks to its inexpensive brand-name clothing in all sizes: winter coats and boots, socks, underwear, jeans, sportswear. Parents remember how their parents brought them here to stock up on the equivalent of Nike, Reebok and Adidas at great savings. It’s still the place to get your basics.
reviewed