WorldPride will hit Toronto from June 20-29, making it the fourth such festival in the world ever, and the first to be held in North America.
Toronto has always had a reputation for being one the friendliest cities for LGBT travelers in North America and this year WorldPride coincides with Toronto Pride, which presents 10 days of parades, parties, street fairs and concerts featuring a wide variety of performers from different genres. At presstime, Chely Wright, Melissa Etheridge, Deborah Cox, Martha Wash and Tegan and Sara have been schedule to appear and perform during the festivities.
Toronto Pride normally attracts upwards of a million people to the city. This year organizers are expecting significantly more people to visit, so you might want to make your plans soon.
Luckily for you, we’ve already taken the time to scout out some places to visit, should you plan to attend WorldPride.
Where to stay
The Marriott Bloor Yorkville, 90 Bloor St. East, is comfortable and modern, and within walking distance of the gay village at Church and Wellesley, as well as Bloor shopping district. But being so close to much of the festivities of WorldPride means you should make reservations soon if you want to stay there. For more information, visit www.marriottbloor.com.
Closer to downtown and the bustling business and shopping districts is the Eaton Chelsea, 33 Gerard St. West, which could be ideal for traveling families, as it features a family fun zone and indoor pool with a 130-foot waterslide, as well as a kid center and a teen club. There is also a spa adjacent to the hotel so parents can have some relaxing fun of their own. For more information, visit http://chelsea.eatonhotels.com. Also check out the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, 123 Queen St. West. While further away from the gay village, it is close to the Queen Street corridor, which is where you’ll find more independent arts and fashion shops. For more information, visit www.sheratontoronto.com.
Where to eat
Ciao Wine Bar, 133 Yorkville Ave., is a dimly lit and causally elegant Italian restaurant with a romantic atmosphere that is perfect for its location in the picturesque and boutique-laden Yorkville neighborhood. For more information, visit www.ciaowinebar.com.
For something a little more laidback, visit Quinn’s Steakhouse and Bar, 96 Richmond St. West, which is closer to the Queen Street corridor and has a pub-like atmosphere but some excellently refined dishes on its menu. For more information, visit www.QuinnsSteakhouse.com.
Another interesting eatery in that area is Canteen, 330 King St., a casual but popular fresh-market café where diners can sit down or grab and go to make one of the many nearby shows or movie screenings. For more information, visit www.oliverbonacini.com/OurRestaurants/Canteen/About.aspx.
For a rich culinary experience that will allow you to stretch your legs, get in touch with The Culinary Adventure Company (www.culinaryadventureco.com). Founded by Chef Scott Savoie, the group specializes in guided small-group tours to explore the culinary, historical and culturally diverse communities of Toronto. Tours can be geared towards neighborhoods and particular styles of cuisine for a day of food and fun.
What to do
Toronto is a vast and forward-thinking metropolis but it also has a bucolic side to balance out the city scene. If you want a nice time outdoors, visit Centreville Amusement Park on Centre Island, 84 Advance Road, which features more than 30 rides and attractions and a wide selection of food outlets. For more information, visit www.centreisland.ca.
If you’re looking for a rich arts experience, visit the Gardiner Museum, 111 Queen’s Park, and embark on a guided tour of the nearby culture corridor, which includes Koerner Hall (basically Toronto’s version of the Kimmel Center), the Bata Shoe Museum and the Royal Ontario Museum. There are also many cultural organizations along Bloor Street in that area representing a wide range of diverse groups including Jewish, Aboriginal, Francophone and Japanese communities.
Also visit Bloor Hot Doc Cinema, 506 Bloor St. West (www.bloorcinema.com), a historic, massive century-old cinema that is a year-round home for first-run Canadian and international documentaries. The theater is also the longstanding host of the community cinema and many of the city’s independent film festivals.
For a full list of events and information about WorldPride, Toronto Pride or the city itself, visit www.seetorontonow.com or www.worldpridetoronto.com.