Toronto, off the beaten path

I am visiting Toronto for 5-7 days. I am searching for off-the beaten path, not-to miss opportunities. Please share your favourite T/O spots according to the following interest criteria. Thanks.


-memorable/dramatic scenery & landscape photography. Where do I find the best (viewpoints, panoramas, skylines, sunsets, etc..)?
-fall foliage (natural wonders), the outdoors, hikes/hilltops/lookouts, and amazing views...
-lovely/charming streets, magnificent architecture
-non-typical, interesting, and unique experiences (full of original character), and local only to the area. The best authentic local experiences/most unforgettable travel experiences.
-specialty/unique local cuisine
-& the best free things to do

If you're looking for views of the city skyline, you'll have to take a ferry to the Toronto Islands. Make sure that you buy a ticket to one end of the chain (ie. Ward's Island) and walk to the other end (where you can catch another ferry on the return), as the walk is very pleasant and covers a number of different landscapes from urban to wilderness.

For fall colours:

1. Marie Curtis Park (foot of Etobicoke Creek, with memorial to Hurricane Hazel Victims); take the TTC Islington 110 A/B bus to the last stop, and walk west to the park. If you ignore the tended, goose-poop covered lawns and head to the waterfront, you'll discover natural areas with hiking trails that are well-worth exploring.

2. High Park is always lovely and worth a trip to explore its many natural areas.

3. The Boardwalk at Woodbine beach (east end of Toronto) is lovely in the fall; you may get views of the downtown core. Not off-the-beaten-path, but wonderful.

1. Take the Queen 501 streetcar for its entire length. It's the longest streetcar route in the city, and it covers an amazing diversity of neighbourhoods. Though the entire trip takes about 1 1/2 hours, it's well worth the time.

2. Walk the Annex. It's the neighbourhood to the west and north of the University of Toronto's St. George campus. (That's a simplification of the area, but Toronto residents will forgive that). This is probably the best place to see Toronto's Arts and Crafts residential housing.

3. The "old" gay ghetto (Church St. from Bloor south to Dundas) is vibrant, lively, and friendly, and has many points of interest on route;

4. Visit the Toronto sculpture garden on King east of Yonge. It's a very small park now surrounded by highrises, but typically contains two or three interesting exhibits; not many people frequented this when I lived in the city.

Too many to list; pick any stretch of Dundas, College, or Bloor in the old City of Toronto and walk on it for awhile, and you'll see what I mean. Toronto's main attraction is its diversity, not internal cohesion.

kensignton market on a weekend morning/afternoon.
it is not exactly "off the beaten path", but also not an area that attracts mainstream tourists...

Book taken by another traveller.

I'm not sure if it's considered off the beaten path anymore, but the Distillery District fits the bill for lovely/charming. It's a beautiful old area with nice galleries, good dining, cafes etc. There are no major chains, so everything there is definitely unique. It can be accessed via the 504 King streetcar.

http://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/frameset.html

Go to St Lawrence Market for a peameal bacon sandwich and to California Sandwiches in Little Italy for a veal sandwich.

Agree with the suggestion about Toronto island, even at night for some nice skyline views. Consider walking out on the Leslie Spit (renting a bike would be wiser) for an interesting bird habitat and similar views as the island.

Toronto off the beaten path/not to miss is a bit of an oxymoron. I grew up in Toronto and there is nothing out of the ordinary in Toronto. Very bland. It may have changed in the past 10 years. Do however check out all the things the other posters suggested -- please provide a report. Maybe it is time for a visit home ....

I find Montreal and Quebec City much more exciting.

Perhaps you should get out more often in your former hometown before you slag it off. The OP was asking about Toronto not your opinions on Montreal or Quebec City.

Try a day in the Niagara region. The falls and wine tours are great fun.