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What You Need to Know About Traveling On Canada Day

February 13, 2020

If you’re heading to Canada on July the 1st, you should know that you’ll be there for one of the biggest celebrations of the year. Keep reading to learn more about Canada Day and what you can expect during your visit.

What is Canada Day?

Wait a minute… when is Canada Day? WHAT is Canada Day? Why does Canada even have a day?

To put it simply, Canada Day is somewhat like the Fourth of July is for Americans – but it’s a little different. Here’s a bit of history:

Canada Day marks the day when the nation was officially “born” via the signing of the Constitution Act on the first of July, 1867. This act brought together the three provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the province of Canada – which then split into Quebec and Ontario.

It’s not exactly Canada’s “birthday” (although it’s often called that) – it’s more of a major milestone in the journey to full independence from the British Empire.

This holiday was originally known as Dominion Day, and it wasn’t really celebrated much until 100 years later. Canada’s 100th birthday sparked a growth in Canadian patriotism and it started to become popular to celebrate on July 1th. The new name of “Canada Day” wasn’t officially adopted until 1982.

Canada Day has become a day for Canadians to be proud of the true north strong and free. Over the years the day has come to stand for the things Canadians love about Canada – such as friendliness, camaraderie, diversity, acceptance and natural beauty. (And of course, toe-tappin tunes and the smell of barbeque in the sultry air of a warm July night!)

Typical Canada Day Celebrations

What does a typical Canada Day celebration look like? The answer is, there’s no one specific way to celebrate this holiday, but it will almost always include food, music, drinks and lots of fun. It’s a day off for the general population and most schools and businesses will be closed.

First of all, a popular tradition is a pancake breakfast, where delicious pancakes, waffles and bacon are served for free or by donation. Often a city or town will stage an all-day event, featuring live music, children’s entertainment, games, activities and performances. There may be face-painting, parades and even ceremonies to induct new Canadian citizens.

When evening falls, it’s tradition to light up the sky with fireworks and play the National Anthem. The dancing and celebrating may go on late into the night! Canada is one of the best nights of the summer and many people will be in great spirits – feeling patriotic and ready to have a good time.

Where to Celebrate Canada Day 2020

If you’re heading to Canada to take part in the festivities of Canada Day 2020, where’s the best place to wave the flag?

Well, the truth is that there will be Canada Day celebrations taking part on July 1st in almost every village, town and city in the country. However, these are a few examples of the biggest and best celebrations you can attend on this very Canadian day:
Canada Day 2020

Ottawa

One of the biggest Canada Day celebrations takes part at the nation’s capital. There are huge celebrations taking part on Parliament Hill, with live music, a live broadcast of CBC’s The Evening Show, fireworks and so much more. There will also be festivities taking place in Major’s Hill Park, located only a few minutes walk from Parliament Hill. You can even celebrate at the Canadian Museum of History, located just across the river from the other sites in Gatineau, Quebec.
Canada Day 2020 Toronto

Toronto

Toronto has another one of the liveliest Canada Day celebrations. Throughout the entire weekend there are celebrations taking part at Ontario Place, including an Indigenous arts and culture performance. The Waterfront Festival takes part at Sherbourne Common, featuring tall ships and other Maritime fun. Many people will be heading to Downsview Park, where there will be games, music, entertainment and much more. And of course, the fireworks will light up the night for the culmination of the Canada celebrations.
Vancouver Canada Day 2020

Vancouver

The first of July is a fantastic party in Vancouver and there are several events to mark this Canada national day. At Canada Place you’ll find the second largest Canada Day celebration in the country, with 13 solid hours of activities, performances, music, exhibits, food and much more. Plus, you don’t want to miss the spectacular firework display over the harbour. Also, don’t miss the chance to check out vibrant Granville Island, packed with food trucks, art and a multicultural fair.
Canada Day 2020 Montreal

Montreal

Celebrate La Fête du Canada French Canadian style. In the Old City of Montreal you’ll encounter lots of celebrations, including a performance by the Canadian Forces brass band, workshops, sporting events and food stalls. The highlight of the evening is the stunning fireworks display from Jacques-Cartier Pier.

Happy Canada Day, and safe travels!

Toronto Entertainment

Entertainment in Toronto: 2020

February 7, 2020

Toronto is known as one of the most vibrant cities in Canada. This major metropolis has a packed calendar of events throughout the year – so there’s always something fun to do. Whether you’re into art, music, dance, food or anything else, you’ll find plenty of entertainment in Toronto to enjoy. 

 

From art gallery exhibitions to live music and much more, here are some of the entertaining events you can look forward to in Toronto throughout 2020:

2020 Entertainment in Toronto

Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Royal Ontario Museum

Until March 29, 2020

Breathtaking photos capture amazing creatures from every corner of the globe. This is the most prestigious and longest running nature photography competition in the world, and it returns to the ROM in downtown Toronto for the 7th year in a row. 

 

Every photo tells an amazing story and showcases the incredible skill and expertise required to photograph such rare animals. From lions resting on the Savannah to the diversity of life on a coral reef, this exhibit evokes the beautiful and fragile natural world. Also, be sure to check out the other exhibits at the ROM while you are there – it’s a fantastic music! 

Hit the Floor Dance Competition

Metro Toronto Convention Centre

April 17-19, 2020

Watch some of Canada’s best dancers hit the floor in this impressive dance competition. You’ll be impressed by the incredible choreography and the skill of their movement. The competition includes more than 9,000 dancers from 250 schools across Canada, competing in 9 different dance styles. 

 

Watch as these talented performers compete for nearly $50,000 in prizes and scholarships. Created in 2010, this multi-city dance event has been around for almost a decade and it is one of the most noteworthy dance-related events in Toronto. 

 

The Toronto Maple Leafs

The Air Canada Centre

Various Dates Until April

The impressive 13 time Stanley Cup winners, the Toronto Maple Leafs, play hockey at the Air Canada Centre throughout the season. You can watch them face off against other major teams, including the Calgary Flames, the Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers. The games are incredibly popular and usually sell out quickly, but you can sometimes get a last minute ticket so that you can watch the action live. 

 

If you don’t manage to get a seat for the game, you’ll be able to see it on the TV of nearly every sports bar in the city. After all, Torontonians take their hockey very seriously! 

Toronto PoutineFest

Yonge – Dundas Square

May 22-24, 2020

Celebrate one of the most iconic Canadian dishes ever! The glorious combination of thick-cut fries, squeaky cheese curds and rich brown gravy is the star at PoutineFest. The 2nd annual festival will be held at Yonge-Dundas Square and will feature vendors serving up every variation on poutine you can imagine. 

 

Some of the city’s best poutine peddlers will be there, including Golden Fries, Le Smoking BBQ, Fat Les’ Chip Stand and True North Eats. There will also be live music to enjoy while you munch on your fries, from the likes of The Kuah Collective, Coco Brown, Cardboard Crowns and Mr. and Mrs. Sound. Therefore, this festival is a treat for your ears and your tastebuds. 

Canadian Music Week

Various Venues

May 19-23rd, 2020

This music festival celebrates the fantastic and diverse range of talent originating from our home and native land. Performances take part in venues across Toronto, alongside a daytime conference at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. The city will host more than a thousand bands at over 60 live music venues – so you’re sure to find a performance you’ll love. 

 

Above all, it brings together more than 3,000 music industry professionals for the week’s events, which include award shows and conferences. In the evenings, performers put on shows at venues throughout the city. Some of the artists featured in the past  included Alice Glass, Dani Robert and Hungry Lake. 

Toronto Comicon

Various Venues

March 20 to 22, 2020

 

Celebrate pop culture at this huge convention of fans of sci-fi, fantasy, comic books, anime and video games. This three day event will be packed with exciting panel discussions, celebrity appearances, family-friendly activities and shopping. 

 

Get an autograph from your favourite celebrity, find a t-shirt from that obscure anime you love and show off your cosplay costume. You’ll even get a chance to meet legendary comic book artists and creators. Whether you are a Whovian, a Trekkie or a Jedi, you’ll feel welcome here . In fact, you just might meet someone who shares your passion for your favourite fandom! 

 

These are just a few of the many great events on the entertainment in Toronto calendar for this year. Which ones are you looking forward to the most?

Toronto Family Travel, Vacation Travel

Things for Families to Do in Scarborough

January 17, 2020

Scarborough is a very family friendly area of Toronto. With several great museums, parks, community centres and recreational facilities – there’s always something to do to keep the kids busy and occupied.

If you’re planning to head out and explore, here are some ideas for a great day out with the family in Scarborough.

Scarborough Museum

Learn about the past of the community at this museum, set within historical buildings in a 19th century garden in Thomson Memorial Park. This area was once the farm fields where Scarborough’s first settlers lived and the museum tells the story of Scarborough from the first founding to its growth into a major suburb.

While you are there, you can also explore the beautiful walking trails of Thomson Memorial Park with your family.

East Point Park

Take a hike with your children in East Point Park, a beautiful bird sanctuary where hundreds of migratory birds make their home. One of the largest parkland areas in Toronto, there are over 178 species of birds here – as well as monarch butterflies.

Your little ones can learn about birds and watch them from the weathered steel pavilion bird blinds. You can also get down to the natural beach by walking from the end of Beechgrove and Copperfield Road.

Kidstown Water Park

On a hot summer’s day, Kidstown Water Park is the perfect place for young kids to play. It’s one of the most well-loved Toronto outdoor water facilities for grade school and preschool children and it offers an exciting collection of water features, including spray rings, a tipping bucket, squirting aquatic animals and more.

There’s also a lovely picnic area, where you can relax and keep an eye on your children while you have a picnic in the sunshine. The park is open from late June to early September.
things for families to do in Scarborough

Agincourt Recreation Centre & Leisure Pool

One of only two leisure pools in Scarborough, Agincourt Recreation Centre provides lessons, swims and other activities for families. It’s also home to a tennis club and two indoor rinks for skating.

The centre also features the “Snoezelen Room” for children with disabilities. It features soft textures, soothing music and colours designed to be comforting for children with sensory processing issues. Regular sessions in the room have shown to improve relaxation, increase attention span and help with behaviour issues.

Hit the Beach

Scarborough is home to two beaches where you can picnic, hike, sunbathe and swim. Bluffer’s Park is located near the southern part of Brimley Road and it is surrounded by great nature trails. Even in the cooler months when swimming isn’t possible, it’s a spectacular place for a walk.

There’s also Rouge Beach. It’s part of Rouge Beach Park, which is located along the eastern edge of the city. Both of these beaches have great facilities including changing rooms and it’s one of the best things for families to do in Scarborough.

Check out our short term furnished apartment rentals in Scarborough and contact us if you have any questions.

Toronto Entertainment, toronto toursim

The Best Cheap Eats in Scarborough

January 10, 2020
cheap eats in scarborough

There are a lot of reasons to love the Toronto suburb of Scarborough, from it’s beautiful green spaces to its excellent shopping to its diverse population and vibrant art and culture scene.

But one of the best things about living in Scarborough?

The food!

In this part of TO, you’ll find a dizzying selection of delicious grub down every street. Plus, many of these options are very affordable, which is handy when your appetite is big but your budget is small.

Here are a few of the best cheap eats in Scarborough. (Warning, reading this may cause drooling.)

Mona’s Roti

Mona’s Roti is owned by the Khan family and Mona herself has been proudly serving up some of the best roti in Toronto for decades. She runs the place with the help of her daughters, Melissa and Reesa. The dishes are wonderfully affordable and deeply satisfying – such as Dhal Puri stuffed with split peas or a veggie roti with spinach, pumpkin, chickpeas and juicy curry mango. Don’t miss the oxtail stew – only available Thursday through Saturday and fall-off-the-bone-good.

Johnny’s Charbroiled Hamburgers

Johnny’s has been serving up classic charbroiled burgers for 50 years – so you know you can’t go wrong. They are simple, juicy and delicious – and they only cost $3.30. You can pair that with a milkshake for another three bucks, or make it a double for only $1.65. You can’t go wrong!

Plus, there’s the fries – which were once praised for their crispness by Scarborough famous native Mike Myers. It’s a Scarborough institution – so it’s certainly worth giving it a try the next time your hamburger cravings strike.

Chris Jerk

At this Scarborough Caribbean bistro you can try a fusion cuisine that you might never have thought of – jerk shawarma. The juicy jerk-marinated meat turns slowly on a spit, Middle Eastern style. It is then served with spicy sauce in wraps, dinners and even on poutine. You can fill yourself up for less than $10 and you’ll get addicted to the flavourful, spicy and vibrantly seasoned jerk sauce. (Try the Jerk Quarter Chicken Dinner for $8.95 with a portion of vegetables and caramelized plantains over basmati rice and beans.You won’t be disappointed.)

Samosa King

There’s nothing quite like a Samosa. The deep fried pastry, the rich, curried filling, the satisfying flavor. These mouth-watering, crispy vegetarian samosas are irresistible – and they are only $1 for 5 of them. Talk about cheap eats! This might be one of the best cheap eats in Scarborough – so be sure to give them a try. The menu also has other wonderful South Indian specials, such as Vegetable Thali, Meat Thali, Egg Masala Dosa and more. It’s a great place to have a quick snack, or to share a bunch of different dishes with a group of friends.

Babu

This takeout spot has been serving up some of the city’s best Sri Lankan food for over 25 years. A wonderfully filling and affordable dish is the Lamprais for $8.45, which includes five different curries, dried eggs and eggplant pickle – all wrapped in a banana leaf. It’s a steaming, aromatic package with enough food inside to feed several people. The Kothu Roti is also divine – make with a vibrant blend of spices along with veggies, curry and egg. (Not to mention the butter naan which is baked in the traditional charcoal tandoor oven.)
cheap eats in scarborough

Shawarma Empire

Hidden in a humble strip mall in Scarborough, this popular eatery still boasts a steady line throughout the day. That’s because the big juicy shawarma they serve has quite a reputation. All the dishes are made from scratch in-house, without any preservatives – so it’s fresh and juicy. They even make their own falafel in house, grinding and soaking their own chickpeas. The flavorful, perfectly cooked meat (beef or chicken) is served with all the fixin’s – including pickled turnip, lettuce and the unforgettable garlic sauce. It’s cash only, so make sure you have enough in your wallet before you join the line.

Pho Metro

Sometimes, you simply crave the warm, rich, satisfying broth of a steaming bowl of Vietnamese Pho. Pho Metro is a very affordable and delicious place to dine on vermicelli, pho and other hearty and satisfying Vietnamese dishes. The meals here are very affordable and will fill you up. For example, Vermicelli with grilled chicken and a spring roll is $10.45 and comes with a heaping serving of carrot, cucumber, herbs and bean sprouts. Plus, there are plenty of great lunch specials offering excellent value.

These are just a few of the wonderful cheap eats in Scarborough to enjoy. Hungry yet? Check out our short term fully furnished rentals in Scarborough so you can be close to all of this delicious food.

Downtown Toronto, Toronto Entertainment

The Best Shopping in Midtown Toronto

December 27, 2019
shopping in midtown

If you love shopping, Midtown, Toronto is where it’s at. From enormous shopping malls to cute boutiques and much more, you’ll find everything you could wish for in this area of the city.

There are several great shopping areas within a short distance from each other, so you can cover a lot in a day. You’ll find all of the typical North American flagship brands, as well as luxury retailers and local boutiques with unique one-of-a-kind items. Put on your comfy shoes – there’s a lot of ground to cover!

So, where should you start when shopping in Midtown Toronto? Let’s take a look at the best shopping options in this part of the city.

Yonge Street

Yonge Street is one of the most famous shopping streets in Toronto. It’s a dynamic street lined with exciting things to see and do – whether you feel like shopping, catching a movie or heading to the theater.

Take a stroll down Yonge Street and you’ll find a mix of chain stores from big name brands, as well as several unique storefronts that are home to unique local businesses. For example, there’s the stylish shoes at Studio D, or the beautiful bohemian boutique Canopy Blue.

You can also check out That’s Italy, where you can find elegant designer frocks for your next party. Afterwards, you can check in at Room 2046 to sip a latte and nibble a donut while you admire locally made jewellery and soaps. If you get hungry while shopping, there are several restaurants to check out – from luxurious sit-down dining to fast food outlets.

This is a great part of the city if you love discovering shops that are unique, quirky and one of a kind. Be sure to check it out on your travels in Toronto.

Yonge-Eglinton Centre

If you are looking for the big shopping mall experience in Midtown Toronto, this is the place to head. You’ll find 70 retailers, including a wide range of brands such as Sephora, Indigo Books, Reitmans and more.

It’s located across the street from the Canada Square Complex and it is connected to the Eglinton subway station via a lower level tunnel. It has everything you’ll need – from groceries to gyms to liquor stores and convenience shops.

This bustling shopping centre has recently been renovated and the architecture is quite impressive – with columns of colour-changing LED lights and giant digital billboards. It feels futuristic and thriving and the centre often hosts events such as free rooftop yoga sessions (in the summer, of course!).
shopping in midtown toronto

Yorkville Village

Another shopping mall in the area, Yorkville Village is located north of Bloor Street along Avenue Road. It was previously opened in 1976 as Hazelton Lanes, and fell into disrepair in the 1990s. It was redeveloped in 2011 and rebranded as Yorkville Village.

Yorkville Village has great options for shopping and food and it has been recently renovated, so it feels bright, spacious and modern. It’s an upscale shopping experience and there are plenty of high end retailers such as TNT, Andrews, Bois et Cuir and Belstaff.

This is where to shop if you really love fashion and decor – and you want to pick up something unique and stylish. Also, the mall has a SoulCycle, so you can get your workout on with an energizing spin class to exciting music.

Plus, when it comes to fueling up after a busy day of shopping, the mall offers ELXR Juice Lab AND Mi’Hito Sushi Laboratory. Whatever those labs are experimenting with – it’s likely to be pretty delicious.

Manulife Centre

Located on the corner of Bay and Bloor, this shopping centre is another great place to get your retail fix. The Manulife Centre is located on what’s known as the “Mink Mile”. It’s an upscale shopping district in Yorkville, along Bloor Street between Avenue Road and Yonge Street. It’s the most expensive place in Canada to lease retail space and is the 7th most expensive shopping street in the world. Essentially, the Mink Mile is the Fifth Avenue or Rodeo Drive of Canada.

The Manulife Centre is one of the tallest buildings in Toronto. Within this shopping centre, you’ll find the Bloor Street market, as well as many great fashion brands such as Ron White Shoes, Petra Karthaus and De Catarina. There’s also a GoodLife Fitness Centre, A Post Office, a Pharmacy and much more.

The good news? If the weather is terrible you can go straight through the underground tunnel from the Bloor and Yonge subway station and reach the mall without having to brave the cold!

These are just a few of the great places you can shop while staying at our midtown Toronto apartments. Click here to learn more about our short term apartment rentals in Midtown, Toronto. Our locations are accessible to great shopping, dining, nightlife and more.

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