Post some pictures of your city! II - Page 561

Docere · #**11201** Posted **May 26, 2026, 11:14 PM**

[deleted]

shappy · #**11202** Posted **May 27, 2026, 12:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by someone123

Sometimes when an area gets too high-end it becomes overrun with chain stores and gets less interesting. This has happened to parts of Queen W. I used to like going to Active Surplus for example but it's long gone now and the place is surrounded by chain clothing stores. It's just how it goes with larger cities. And a lot of famous areas in particular whether you're on Oxford St, along the Champs-Élysées, or in Ginza have a lot of overlap. Robson or Alberni are mini versions with some overlap in Vancouver. I wonder if we are going to see more and more of this standardization that makes travel a bit less interesting.

Queen W is very similar to Spring Garden Rd in Halifax which has become more like a shopping mall, while the mom and pop shops have migrated out to Agricola, Gottingen, Portland St, etc. Quinpool Rd and Dutch Village Rd have more ethnic places. Quinpool Rd almost looks like it could be Toronto in parts.

I was referring more to Queen west of Bathurst (WQW is the BIA moniker). Yes, the area east of Spadina is dominated by mall type stores which has been a while now in the making. I think west of Bathurst is more stuff like what zoomer was alluding to.

Nite · #**11203** Posted **May 27, 2026, 4:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Docere

That's an interesting observation. I would say that the urban "vibe" is more consistent going west. Everything pretty much flows into each other. Queen West flows right into Parkdale at the Gladstone, and Parkdale smoothly flows into the lengthy north-south Roncesvalles strip. Along the way it passes the Ossington strip which flows into Dundas/Little Portugal. Along College and Dundas, Chinatown-Kensington flows seamlessly to Little Italy and then Little Portugal, and north of College you flow seamlessly into the Annex strip.

The east has more "gaps." You have a few hubs of activity like the Danforth-Greektown strip and parts of Riverdale. But the Beaches for example is kind of a stand-alone enclave. There are relatively dead zones that are pretty much absent in the west.

This video does a good job explaining why queen street east is a dead zone

• Video Link

Docere · #**11204** Posted **May 27, 2026, 6:20 AM**

^ I was thinking more of the area east of the Don, rather than the "skid row." Think more Gerrard and Pape or Danforth and Greenwood rather than Queen and Sherbourne. These are solidly middle class, reasonably pleasant areas. But the "vibe" is definitely less than what you'll find in the west end.

zoomer · #**11205** Posted **May 27, 2026, 7:14 AM**

/\ Yes, this was exactly the area I was referring to. Great video, thanks for sharing.

And one other area I still need to explore is East Chinatown, East Danforth and Riverdale.

Ok, now onto Day 3. Best weather day of the trip - warm but not smoking hot. Headed down Bloor a couple blocks and went to L'Espresso Bar Mercurio for a giardino sandwich and a mocha. Machine prompt starts at 18%, then 22%, etc. Total for price is around $32. I've been here in previous years, like the location, brightness and good selection and quality but the service is meh. Seems like a lot to tip as it's not restaurant service and you bring your own dirty dishes back.. hey that's life I guess. Elsewhere better bargains were found at a little over $20 for a sandwich and mocha. The giardino was massive, too many veggies stuffed in there and a lot of olive oil to be honest, felt like I needed a shower after eating it, lol.

Next continued to Bathurst and eventually up to Casa Loma.

Vesta Lunch - Dupont Street, Toronto - May 17, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

A lot of infrastructure type stuff in this area, like the Toronto Transit Commission Hillcrest Complex but this area has a good vibe, and great neighbourhoods to the north and south - I like it.

Bathurst St Underpass by Dupont - May 17, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Unfortunately no good shots of Casa Loma itself, the morning light was too harsh and the building too large to do it justice with the lens I had. Also it was very hazy that day so the view to downtown was muddled, so I tried a black and white treatment for a couple shots.

Upon first entry it was a bit underwhelming, but the more I explored the more interesting it became and there was a lot of cool stuff in there. Almost like multiple little museums in one, from military history, to the historical period rooms (love that stuff), to the underground tunnel which takes you to the boiler room (amazingly cool in a tunnel) a bit of a car musuem and wax museum for actors who've appeared in movies filmed there. Have to say you could easily spend 3 hours there if you take your time, bring a lunch and sit in the front gardens as the cafeteria is underground and not great. Was one of the highlights of the trip. I've been up to it the previous two years, this years finally went in.

Casa Loma Interiors - Toronto - May 17, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Casa Loma Wax Figures - Toronto - May 17, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Casa Loma - May 17, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

View from Casa Loma - May 17, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

View from Casa Loma - May 17, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Back down Avenue Rd to chill at hotel

Avenue Rd - Yorkville - May 17, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Walked from Bloor to Queen St W through the Queens Park area:

Ontario Police Memorial Park - Toronto - May 17, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

The Sound Post - 93 Grenville St - Toronto - May 17, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Mizzica - Queen St W - Toronto - May 17, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Steve's Music Store - Queen Street W - Toronto - May 17, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Dinner at a Korean restaurant, Comma:

Dinner at Comma - Queen St W - May 17, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Then the long walk back to Bloor and Yonge area. 22 km for the day.

Docere · #**11206** Posted **May 27, 2026, 3:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by shappy

In Toronto, the east end is newer, less densely populated than the west end - including retail density. It has a slower pace, closer to nature generally speaking, etc. Last time I was in Vancouver, I went out with local friends to a restaurant on W 4th (forget where exactly), but it really reminded me of the Beaches with Kitsilano to the north. I remember the vibe was very similar.

The Beaches is Toronto's West Point Grey/Kits.

(More "lively" than Point Grey, but not as young/renter-heavy as Kitsilano).

Docere · #**11207** Posted **May 28, 2026, 1:05 AM**

Zoomer if you want to go west you might find Little Portugal interesting (photos forthcoming). There's still a vibrant Portuguese community (as evident by travel agencies, bakeries etc.) in the area even though it's becoming more mixed and gentrified. Also it's among the best places to eat in the city.
In Little Italy and Greektown it's really more of a "legacy" presence (mostly restaurants, street signage and squares). Another good area to explore is Kensington Market if you haven't gone there. If you want to see "nature in the city" I'd check out High Park, the Island or the Rosedale ravines/Belt Line trail.

Rico Rommheim · #**11208** Posted **May 28, 2026, 6:32 PM**

Some views from my trip on the REM

DSC01231 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01225 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01224 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01218 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01216 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01215 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01212 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01211 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

Cluster of towers on the north end of Nun's island.

DSC01210 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

Broad view of the Nun's island skyline in the background

Exo from REM by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01203 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01202 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01199 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01198 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01197 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01196 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01195 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01194 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC01192 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

Last month from downtown

DSC00913 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC00911 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

DSC00915 by Foofoo MacShoe, on Flickr

ScreamingViking · #**11209** Posted **May 29, 2026, 6:29 AM**

Great photos. I've been to Casa Loma once about 25 years ago, and had personal fun making "ghost" sounds in the tunnel to the stables (got — from my ex, but she was also laughing so whatever).

Oh and Vin Diesel in wax looks weird. I've never been a fan, except maybe the role he played in Saving Private Ryan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoomer

Casa Loma Wax Figures - Toronto - May 17, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

ScreamingViking · #**11210** Posted **May 29, 2026, 6:33 AM**

More please.

IMO, while there are lots of nice examples from across Canada, no city looks as good from rail as Montreal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico Rommheim

Some views from my trip on the REM

Last month from downtown

zoomer · #**11211** Posted **May 30, 2026, 2:09 AM**

Yah, looks like Diesel's face is melting under the lights, lol. I'll post the last set of Toronto pics in one go later this weekend, not as many for the final days but still a good selection including some areas Docere mentioned above.

Interesting pics Rico - I'll save this question for the holiday thread when I'm closer to heading to Montreal, but I'm curious if the REM line has stops an inquisitive tourist would want to get off on to explore around. I found walking and the subway covered what I wanted to see last time.

As far as seeing cities from rail line I do love the coming into (or leaving) the Science World stop in Vancouver - pretty spectacular.

Tone · #**11212** Posted **May 30, 2026, 2:39 PM**

Rimouski (Saint-Germain Ouest) start of May

FrAnKs · #**11213** Posted **May 30, 2026, 3:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tone

Rimouski (Saint-Germain Ouest) start of May

J’ai toujours aimé Rimouski. Elle n’a pas le plus beau centre-ville (Je préfère celui de Rivière-du-Loup) mais la ville possède plusieurs belles qualités que j’apprécie.

shappy · #**11214** Posted **May 30, 2026, 5:14 PM**

nice pics, zoomer. I have never been inside Casa Loma. Did the tunnels lead to the stables? I remember reading that. The stables are quite striking from the exterior. And there is also the Spadina museum close by which I have never been to as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

IMO, while there are lots of nice examples from across Canada, no city looks as good from rail as Montreal.

That would be a cool idea for a thread. Photos of your city from rail.

TorontoDrew · #**11215** Posted **May 30, 2026, 6:13 PM**

I'm curious where from Rail Montreal looks the best? I've only come in from the west on VIA.

niwell · #**11216** Posted **May 30, 2026, 6:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by shappy

nice pics, zoomer. I have never been inside Casa Loma. Did the tunnels lead to the stables? I remember reading that. The stables are quite striking from the exterior. And there is also the Spadina museum close by which I have never been to as well.

Yes they lead to the stables and carriage house. I've actually only been to Casa Loma once for the halloween haunted house, which is a surprisingly cool experience and part of it is in the tunnels. Very immersive.

Docere · #**11217** Posted **May 31, 2026, 6:38 PM**

Little Portugal last night:

zoomer · #**11218** Posted **May 31, 2026, 11:33 PM**

Tone! Rimouski! Sweet!

Following up on Docere - I need to get more night time shots next time, but the days were filled with much walking. The final Toronto Days..

Although I was staying across from the Royal Ontario Museum, I didn't spend a lot of time in Yorkville (the high end section north of Bloor). It's nice, but missing something and the some of the new builds have killed portions of the street vibe.

Yorkville - 122 Cumberland St - May 18, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Village of Yorkville Park - May 18, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Sorry, can't enough - you're never too young for Yonge. You know I'm not even a big fan of One Bloor West - up close it's nothing special and it has a dated 1970's look. Maybe the glass and the material/finishing feels underwhelming. BUT it makes a fantastic terminus of sorts in photo shots and it really pops with that pattern. So in a weird way I love taking pics of it, but really my favourite part is the Yonge low rise retail in contrast. The most photogenic street in Canada, like shooting fish in a barrel. And it took me several days to realize that a lot of the signs are small circle shaped.. interesting. I think the other reason the street and Toronto stands out for me is because billboards aren't permitted in Victoria. It works in Toronto though, a nice colourful cluttered look. And the stop signs are insanely neon yellow, came across an article where they talked about wanting to tone them down, but I love how they pop. Also love the two shades of green used for the city parking signs, and bright blue street signs. No playing it safe with conservative colours, these are the most gorgeous shades of each colour possible and when I look back at all my Toronto pics they just explode in colour compared to any other city. Through in the brick tones, glass tones, and the colour of the roads/sidewalks often has a light tan look instead of grey. Maybe for Yonge it's partly because there are no green shades from trees being caste, but the light here is also brighter and more reflective with all the glass which helps make the streets and pics pop.

Yonge St - Toronto - May 18, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Yonge at Irwin - Toronto - May 18, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Just a few buildings in to the left on Irwin street I finally came across an excellent coffee and banh mi place, all in one! Highly recommend Caphelia Coffee.

It was actually too hot that afternoon to do a lot of walking so into the museum which I had also visited last year.

Royal Ontario Museum - May 18, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Walked down Bloor later in the afternoon:

Toronto Bloor St W - Koreatown - May 18, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Bloor St W - Toronto, May 18, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

The next day I took the subway down Bloor to explore the High Park area, including Roncesvalles, the park then Queen St E, a sandwich detour.. then Ossington, through Trinity Bellwood Park (and excellent community park, busy and great neighbourhood) eventually to Bathurst and back up to Bloor. Not sure why (sun direction and tired legs) but I didn't get as many pics as one would think.

Shevchenko Museum - Toronto - May 19, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Roncesvalles Ave - Toronto - May 19, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

White Corner Variety - Roncesvalles Av - May 19, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

High Park - Toronto - May 19, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Queen's Mini Mart - Toronto - May 19, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Fab's Donuts - Toronto - May 19, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Canadian Caribbean - 1598 Queen St W - May 19, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Best Convenience - Toronto - May 19, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

1294 Queen St W - Toronto - May 19, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

As recommend here! The entire road was under construction right up to the shop door practically so I walked past it by a block before realizing. Definitely a solid sandwich, a guaranteed go to if you're in the area.

Tutto Panino - Toronto - May 19, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

and yah, I think Tutto is out of order in terms of my walk.

Great neighborhoods here, even had a couple people say hi to me as in the Beaches area, Roncesvalles is nice. I'd have to say my favourite neighbourhoods would be what I explored this day, plus the Annex and Cabbagetown.

Speaking of which.. the next day:

St. James Cemetery - Toronto - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Chapel of St. James-the-Less - built 1857-61 - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Jamestown Milk - Parliament St - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

502 Parliament St - supportive housing - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Lennie's Whole Foods Cabbagetown - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

One of my favourite corners in the city:

Cabbagetown - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Cabbagetown - Toronto - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Chew Chew Grill - Toronto - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Paroisse du Sacré-Cœur - Toronto - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

I didn't realize the Gardens were free, although small it was cool and nice and humid and warm (what? I thought I didn't like that, lol) which was great because there was a cold wind that day, needed to warm up.

Allan Gardens Conservatory in Toronto - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Allow me a bit of creative fun:

Palm House at the Allan Gardens Conservatory in Toronto - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Prime Condos - 319 Jarvis Street, Toronto - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Allan Gardens Conservatory Toronto - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Yonge St - Toronto - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on
Flickr

One of my fav pics from the trip:

Yonge St - Toronto - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Fran's Restaurant - Toronto - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

8 Elm on Yonge under construction - May 20, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Last day - you'll be relieved to be free of my TO pics!

You'll never guess the street..

Yonge St - CAA Theatre - Toronto - May 21, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

CBC Reporter on Front St - May 21, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Where to next? Back to the Acadian roots?

Front at Spadina - Toronto - May 21, 2026 by JohnnyJayEh, on Flickr

Well, besides a few Vancouver hops Montreal is the most likely. Thanks for your patience, hope the Toronto folks enjoyed Zoomer's View of your world.

Docere · #**11219** Posted **Jun 1, 2026, 12:05 AM**

Fantastic. These are great photos zoomer.

Have some Kensington-Chinatown pics that I will be posting shortly. Today was Pedestrian Sunday so the Market was packed.

Tone · #**11220** Posted **Jun 1, 2026, 12:14 PM**

Glad you like it zoomer!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrAnKs

J’ai toujours aimé Rimouski. Elle n’a pas le plus beau centre-ville (Je préfère celui de Rivière-du-Loup) mais la ville possède plusieurs belles qualités que j’apprécie.

Pas qu'elle est méchante mais j'échangerais bien la Saint-Germain contre la Lafontaine (en gardant le reste).