Toronto is one of the world’s great cities.
It is a place with incredible variety and offers something for everyone who visits. Of course, every major city – Toronto included – has the side the tourists see and a side that the locals enjoy away from the buzz of the millions of visitors. But what if you want to experience Toronto just like the locals do? Well, we can help. Here are some top tips to help you along the way.
- Take Public Transport
It is probably easier to take Ubers or taxis everywhere you go. You could even rent a car. But if you want to get a sense of what really makes Toronto tick, then you have to travel around the city as the locals do – on public transport.
In Toronto, you can take a bus, a streetcar or even hop on the subway. The most iconic public transport journey in Toronto is the 501 streetcar, which is one of the longest routes in North America. Not only is it a piece of living history, but it is also a fantastic way to see some of Toronto’s many neighbourhoods without the need to go on a sightseeing tour. You see locals going about their business, but you will also save a few pennies to spend in other places around the city.
- Ride a bike
As Ben Groundwater says in his “The One Thing” blog series, you would be wise to visit Canada and Toronto in the summer months. That is certainly good advice when it comes to renting a bike. Cycling is a fantastic way to get around this beautiful city. Toronto, like many major metropolises, offers bikes to hire from 80 automated stations. Grab one of those for a few hours and explore the city in any way you see fit.
- Get an apartment
Hotel rooms are easy, comfortable and expensive but they don’t help you replicate the lifestyle of a local. So, when you are visiting the city, why not stay in an AirBNB the next time? This will even give you the option to stay with a local, by renting one of their rooms, or stay in your own apartment. But either way, you will get the chance to live a little more like the locals do.
- Find a neighbourhood restaurant, bar or cafe and make it your own
Toronto has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to places to eat and drink. When you are staying in the city, try and find a locals’ place and go there regularly. Not only will you build up a great relationship with the owners, but you are likely to bump into plenty of locals too and they can give you an entirely new perspective on the city. It can be the best possible way to get good recommendations for places to go and sights to see, too.
(Images: Unsplash)
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