Tips for a woman alone in Toronto for two days/nights? (m)

[bajanswife]

If you were going to be alone in the city for some business meetings, and you were interested in a little shopping, a little strolling around, and you were going to a concert at the Air Canada Centre one of the nights, where would you stay (specific hotel if you have a recommendation, or general area)? Where are good strolling areas for women alone? I have been to Toronto several times, and I know my way around the subway system - but I'm not as familiar with all the neighborhoods.

After my concert (it will be about 11.30 p.m. then) I won't want to go straight to bed, I will be so wired! What can I do?

It's been a few years, and I've lost touch with how safe/unsafe certain areas might be. I'd appreciate any advice you guys can give me, and any ideas of things you like to do when you're alone in the city, and what you consider safe to do at night!

Is it just me, or are the good downtown hotels expensive?!

 

[tone.def]

Shopping - depends on what your tastes and budgets are...

Yorkville (Yonge/Bloor to Avenue/Bloor and a block north) has some swankier shops, more designer clothes $$$$$

Eaton Centre on Yonge Street - you can never go wrong there!

Queen Street West from University to Strachan Ave. has a lot of boutique like shops with clothes you're not going to find everywhere else, can be a bit pricey...

As a woman, I caution you against walking the streets at night alone, however, I am guilty of walking home at night from work and the walk takes about 30 minutes. I've never had a problem (knocking on wood right now) and I walk through the King Street West entertainment district, through texttiles district into new yuppie condo area of Liberty Village (West King West). Where ever there is hustle and bustle, you'll be fine. Just no detours down dark alleys with shady characters!

Yes, hotels are pricey downtown, no lie. There is a huge Holiday Inn on King Street West in the heart of the entertainment district with a great pool. The Delta Chelsea is right off Yonge Street and very handy to subways and it's pretty nice and has a water slide if that excites you. I remember staying at the Royal York as a child and feeling like a celebrity or royalty and the Harbour Westin Castle will give you a nice view of the Harbourfront if you get a southern view room. These 4 are fairly handy to the ACC. For some strange reason, I'm totally blanking on other hotels in the area...

If you have a free day and have never been to Toronto Island, do it! Also, I recommend visiting the Royal Ontario Museum at Avenue and Bloor (subway stop Museum on the University line). As to what to do at night on your own... people watching is always fun! Have a cold pint on a patio and relax.

Have fun

 

[Mortlives]

During the day, you can go to all sorts of places. Anywhere downtown should be fine, really. Try shopping at Kensington Market and Chinatown for some nifty shops and cool bargains. Yorkville is definitely for if you want to spend. If you like malls, there's always the Eaton Centre.

As for nighttime: I've never had any trouble on Queen West at night (John to Spadina). As long as you stick to busy areas you should be fine. I'm not as crazy about Yonge St. at night. You might also find the theatre district along King St with it's numerous clubs, bars and other hangouts to be welcoming. The important thing is just to stay where there's lots of people around. As for good hotels, tone.def made some good recommendations.

Hope you have a great time.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[bajanswife]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I will definitely end up at the Eaton Centre, though I've been there many times before! I'm not looking for designer stuff really. I've also been down on King St. W, but not in the last few years, and never alone. One thing I might like to do after the concert is go to one of those cafes/coffee shops that stay open until very, very late and have a yummy coffee and dessert - any ideas within close proximity to the Air Canada Centre? I know I've been to one right downtown (near the King W entertainment area), but I can't remember what it was called or exactly where it was.

I wanted to stay at the Holiday Inn on King, but right now it's showing as full for those nights. U2 is in town (that's the concert I'm going to) and the Film Festival is also on then. I'd like to keep trying - any ideas on who might have reserved a block of rooms other than the usual discounters (Expedia, Travelocity, Hotles.com, Orbitz etc.)? I'll definitely look into the other hotels suggested. I've only ever stayed at the Royal York, but it's very, very pricey now!

 

[KatieKateKate]

I'm so lame! I live downtown and I have nothing to add except that the film festival week and the U2 concert would have had a lot of hotels booked up awhile ago!

what about the hotel and the Skydome? I think it's called Renassaince? I probably spelled it wrong... there's a Travelodge at King and Bathurst, Sutton Place Hotel, Kind Edward. Have you tried the websites directly linked from the hotel as opposed to trying expedia?

 

[bajanswife]

I'm so lame! I live downtown and I have nothing to add except that the film festival week and the U2 concert would have had a lot of hotels booked up awhile ago!

what about the hotel and the Skydome? I think it's called Renassaince? I probably spelled it wrong... there's a Travelodge at King and Bathurst, Sutton Place Hotel, Kind Edward. Have you tried the websites directly linked from the hotel as opposed to trying expedia?

Yes, the Holiday Inn on King's website shows it as sold out. I'm checking others.

 

[digskat]

If you are planning on being downtown, and want to visit the Eatons Centre, ACC, etc. My advice would be the Sheraton Centre. It is attached to the underground mall (PATH) system, so you can take the elevator from your room to the lobby, then take the escalator into the mall. You are a five minute walk in underground security, from the Bay (and Eatons Centre), and a 10-15 minute walk the other direction from the ACC. You are also directly across from city hall, and connected to great shopping.


here is a PATH brochure
http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/path/pdf/path_brochure.pdf

 

[bajanswife]

If you are planning on being downtown, and want to visit the Eatons Centre, ACC, etc. My advice would be the Sheraton Centre. It is attached to the underground mall (PATH) system, so you can take the elevator from your room to the lobby, then take the escalator into the mall. You are a five minute walk in underground security, from the Bay (and Eatons Centre), and a 10-15 minute walk the other direction from the ACC. You are also directly across from city hall, and connected to great shopping.


here is a PATH brochure
http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/path/pdf/path_brochure.pdf

So PATH has security the whole way, even at night? I've never walked it at night before, and I've only walked a small part of it anyway. I'd like to walk back to the hotel from my concert at the ACC, since I know I will be so wired from the experience, a taxi ride will be too quick and non-energy-burning LOL - I need to walk and wind down!

 

[digskat]

My wife, kids and I walked from Movenpicks (TD Bank building) to the Sheraton Centre at 10:30 PM, and a couple co-workers and I walked back from the Skydome, and never saw a security guard, but also found it quiet and free of street people. My wife is nervous in Toronto, and felt very safe in the PATH.