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Connie "My head is not made of veal" T.'s Profile

Free and cheap hangouts in Toronto

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Who says you need to spend bucks to have a good time? Here are some free or PWYC parks, centres, cinemas, and eventy-places to explore.

 1. Ward's Island

Toronto Island
Toronto, ON M5J 2H3

Categories: Beaches, Parks

5.0 star rating
  11/15/2008

It boggles my mind when I meet born and bred Torontonians who've not set foot on Ward's Island. Having said that, if Ward's was overrun by as many people as Centre Island, perhaps I wouldn't go as often?  

Ward's is the gem of the three ferry stops,…More »

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 2. Kensington Market

34 St Andrew St
Toronto, ON M5T 1K6
(416) 593-0616

Categories: Farmers Market, Used, Vintage & Consignment, Local Flavour

Neighbourhood: Kensington Market

5.0 star rating
  12/25/2008

This neighbourhood is the singular reason I'm enjoying the city again.

I always had in my mind that Kensington was just a place for overpriced used clothing clearly ripped from Value Village the day before.

But in my daily wanderings through this…More »

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 3. St. Lawrence Market

92 Front Street E
Toronto, ON M5E 1C4
(416) 392-7219

Categories: Farmers Market, Grocery

Neighbourhoods: St. Lawrence, Downtown Core

5.0 star rating
  12/27/2008

I used to live near Granville Island market in Vancouver and thought that there was nothing to rival it in Toronto.

And then I returned and the city just smacked me in the face and reminded me that sometimes I'm not really good at noticing what's…More »

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 4. Toronto Island

Toronto Island
Toronto, ON M5J 1A7
(416) 392-8186

Category: Parks

5.0 star rating
  1/1/2009

Most locals only consider a trip to Island Park when they're forced to play tour guide or attend large music festivals. Shame!

Despite Centre Island's smattering of tourist crap, including the disappointing Centreville (http://www.yelp.ca/biz...), the…More »

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 5. Honest Ed's

581 Bloor St W
Toronto, ON M6G 1K3
(416) 537-1574

Categories: Department Stores, Outlet Stores

Neighbourhoods: Palmerston, Seaton Village

5.0 star rating
  11/27/2008

Honest Ed's is cheap and pure kitsch, and it has certainly clung to its mission, merging cheap goods and entertainment together for the past 60 years. In fact, I don't recall it changing an iota since I first stepped foot in the store 20 years ago.

I…More »

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 6. Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries

375 Mount Pleasant Rd
Toronto, ON M4T 2V8
(416) 485-9129
5.0 star rating
  1/19/2009

Yes, I agree with Melissa -- it does seem a bit creepy to rate a cemetery, but this one's a beauty... especially in the winter months.

As a photographer, this place is a godsend. Full of great mausoleums and structures, and devoid of people walking…More »

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 7. Riverdale Farm

201 Winchester St
Toronto, ON M4X 1B8
(416) 392-6794

Categories: Zoos, Parks

Neighbourhood: Cabbagetown

4.0 star rating
  1/14/2009

I was raised in a town of 400, so most of my field trips involved going to some manure-filled animal farm, which usually ended in me puking into my mitten and spreading the vomit along the wall.

Now that I've moved to the city and my sense of smell…More »

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 8. Harbourfront Centre

235 Queens Quay W
Toronto, ON M5J 2G8
(416) 973-4000

Categories: Performing Arts, Venues & Event Spaces

Neighbourhood: Harbourfront

4.0 star rating
  1/11/2009

I love Harbourfront Centre and what they offer, but so much more could be done year-round to attract a buzz and consistent pedestrian traffic.

In the summer, it's fantastic. Programs run daily, with many free weekly movies (Run Lola Run, Monsoon…More »

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 9. NFB Mediatheque

150 John St
Toronto, ON M5V 3C3
(416) 973-3012

Category: Cinema

Neighbourhoods: Entertainment District, Queen Street West, Downtown Core

4.0 star rating
  11/10/2008 First to Review

When autumn hits and it becomes not-so-nice outside, my mind starts wandering back to the days of high school.  

Now, the mere thought of high school makes me barf, but the one spew-free memory was of my high school history teacher, Mr. Williamson. He…More »

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 10. Whippersnapper Gallery

594 Dundas St W
Toronto, ON M5T 1H5

Categories: Music Venues, Art Galleries

Neighbourhoods: Alexandra Park, Chinatown, Kensington Market

4.0 star rating
  11/12/2008 First to Review

This youth art collective has its finger super-glued on the pulse of what's cool, and it ain't even thinking of letting go. In fact, I won't let that happen. If it comes down to stapling that finger to the vein, I'm ready to do it.

Not only does…More »

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 11. Nathan Phillips Square

100 Queen St W
Toronto, ON M5H 2N1

Categories: Parks, Landmarks & Historical Buildings

Neighbourhood: Downtown Core

4.0 star rating
  12/5/2008

I thought the only thing I liked about NPS were the chip trucks, but it really is a decent square with some pretty quirky architecture.

On a summer day, this place is an excellent spot for people watching, especially from one of the benches facing the…More »

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 12. Camera Bar

1028 Queen Street W
Toronto, ON M6J 1H6
(416) 530-7856

Categories: Cinema, Art Galleries, Bars

Neighbourhoods: West Queen West, Beaconsfield Village

4.0 star rating
  11/16/2008 First to Review

At first glance, I thought this joint was just an upscale drinking hole, but passed by to discover it's also a gallery and houses a screening room in the back. FREE (!!!) Saturday indie and arthouse movies? Great photography on the walls? Count me…More »

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 13. Trinity Bellwoods Park

1053 Dundas St W
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
(416) 392-0743

Category: Parks

Neighbourhood: Trinity Bellwoods

4.0 star rating
  12/1/2008

I have friends who complain about the lack of green space in Toronto. True, you could probably navigate your way through parts and not see much grass, but try criss-crossing some of the cooler areas without stepping foot in Trinity Bellwoods.

Okay, so…More »

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 14. Grange Park

Beverley St & Grange St
Toronto, ON M5T

Category: Parks

Neighbourhood: Downtown Core

4.0 star rating
  12/1/2008 First to Review

The more I think about parks in Toronto, I'm convinced I've been wearing blinders. I've opened my eyes now, have sat down to rest a little more, and... colour me impressed. Despite being known a concrete landscape, we have quite a few cool parks,…More »

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 15. The Horseshoe Tavern

368 Queen St W
Toronto, ON M5V 2A2
(416) 598-4753

Categories: Music Venues, Dive Bars

Neighbourhoods: Entertainment District, Queen Street West, Downtown Core

3.0 star rating
  11/21/2008

I have a lot of history with this place, but I've never heard myself say, "Oh, my gad, X band is playing at the Horseshoe. I MUST go."

Instead, the Horseshoe is one of those back-up destinations, a place I go when I have nothing better planned.…More »

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 16. High Park

1873 Bloor St W
Toronto, ON M6P 3K7

Categories: Parks, Zoos, Playgrounds

Neighbourhood: High Park

3.0 star rating
  12/25/2008

People compare our High Park to NYC's Central Park, but this one really isn't a spot worth spending a return subway fare to see. It's fantastic as a local neighbourhood park, with the benefit of summertime cultural advantages, like the Scream in High…More »

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 17. Liberty Village

80 Lynn Williams Street
Toronto, ON M6K 3R6
(416) 537-0047

Neighbourhood: Liberty Village

3.0 star rating
  12/24/2008 First to Review

Liberty Village feels like a gated community with a few more perks and urban cred. In place of the crazy cult-eyes of a typical gated comm resident, you get the caffeine-jolted pupils of the television/film production employee, a breed unto…More »

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 18. Yonge-Dundas Square

40 Dundas St W
Toronto, ON M5G 2C2
(416) 979-9960

Categories: Local Flavour, Landmarks & Historical Buildings

Neighbourhood: Downtown Core

3.0 star rating
  12/4/2008

Though I miss the dancing man handing out flyers in front of the old World's Biggest Jeans Store, I don't mind the space that's replaced it and him -- Yonge-Dundas Square.

It's opened up the intersection, for sure, and promotes community gathering, a…More »

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 19. HTO Park

339 Queens Quay W
Toronto, ON M5V

Category: Parks

Neighbourhood: Harbourfront

3.0 star rating
  12/22/2008 First to Review

If it wasn't for city planning politics, Toronto's Harbourfront would be a pretty rad place to hang.

Unfortunately, with a lot of fingers in the planning pie, it takes ages for things to happen, and the portion of Queens Quay west of the Harbourfront…More »

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 20. Allan Gardens

19 Horticultural Ave
Toronto, ON M5A 4K2
(416) 392-7288

Category: Parks

2.0 star rating
  12/8/2008

The ongoing joke about Allan Gardens was how many needles you had to pull out of your shoes after crossing the park. How melodramatic.

Sure, it's not located in the best part of the city, but it's nowhere near as frightening as some urban parks in…More »

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 21. PawsWay

245 Queens Quay
Toronto, ON M5J
(416) 360-7297

Categories: Museums, Pet Services

Neighbourhood: Harbourfront

2.0 star rating
  12/1/2008 First to Review

Frankly, I'm not sure if this place will survive without continued sponsor support. I know indoor pet-friendly places are necessary in the city, but this community centre/museum/play area feels like an excessively overfunded venture, especially when…More »

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 22. Moss Park

Queen St W and Sherbourne St
Toronto, ON M5A

Category: Parks

Neighbourhood: Corktown

1.0 star rating
  12/9/2008 First to Review

I used to work in this sketchy area, walking back home every night for two years in the scary darkness, no less. I'm surprised I lasted for so long.

Needless to say, I have some pretty special memories of men following me and begging for free…More »

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"I hot like potato! Pass me on!"

Former Scout

Review votes:
816 Useful, 650 Funny, and 467 Cool

Location

Toronto, ON

Yelping Since

May 2008

Find Me In

the cheap seats, raising my hands in the air

My Hometown

Toronto, ON

My Blog Or Website

http://ardenstreet.tum...

When I'm Not Yelping...

I blink and breathe as much as I can.

Why You Should Read My Reviews

If you don't, I will sic Chopper on you. Chopper, sic balls!

My Second Favourite Website

http://www.flickr.com

My First Concert

Like every girl my age, I salivated in the audience for New Kids on the Block.

My Favourite Movie

This is Spinal Tap, Stand by Me, Annie Hall

Don't Tell Anyone Else But...

I stole the cookie from the cookie jar.

Most Recent Discovery

Sliced bread.

Current Crush

Glasses. Preserved egg congee. Fabric Softener Balls.