I had another great tour of a section of Toronto, this one on foot, courtesy of Marnie.
Highlights included: World's Biggest Bookstore, Sam the Record Man (sadly, seen all over the news lately, as the recent fatal shooting was across the street), the 1874 stone church hidden behind the Eaton Centre and the other old buildings hiding with it, a section of Queen Street West, Campbell House (from the outside only, I'll return one day when it's open) and Queen's Park (we just missed a tour, I'll get back there, too).
It was cold and blindingly sunny, and we walked a lot, and I had a great day. Plus, I now have a favourite building in Toronto! (Although I still maintain there's not much to choose from.) I love the Old City Hall building. (More photos with details here.)
We were only able to peek inside, but the interior looked fantastic, and I'm going to find out if there's a tour. Hopefully it's easier to see than the interior of New York City's recently renovated Tweed Courthouse Building. Mayor Bloomberg has made sure that's just about impossible to arrange.
Marnie and I did walk around inside Toronto's current City Hall, where there's a lot of public art. Did you know you can see the history of Toronto in embroidery?
Another Toronto factoid: the good folks at Time Out Toronto tell me that Campbell House, one of Toronto's oldest buildings, was saved from demolition by being moved from its original location in 1973. Here's a picture of it being moved, and more photos here.
According to Allan, we are due for a music- and book-buying spree. I don't necessarily agree, but I can only hold out for so long. Now I'm glad I waited, because I definitely want to go to World's Biggest Bookstore and Sam's. I like the stripped-down, bargain-basement feel of World's Biggest, and the funky, personal character of Sam's.
6 comments:
Oops, something I forgot to mention! Marnie also introduced me to another bit of Canadiana: she gave me some Nanaimo bars her cousin made for Christmas!
I have only heard of Nanaimo bars from another cultural ambassador, Corner Gas. I'm saving these for tea on a day Allan's not working. They look amazing.
Um, to clarify for your concerned readers, they were actually made just a few days ago, as a late Christmas present. I did not foist weeks-old stale bars onto Laura.
Foist?
(Put those in the fridge if you're not indulging for a while.)
LOL, thanks for clarifying. I did put them in the fridge. I'm sure they'll be gone soon.
Mm, Nanimo bars. Do they even get stale, with all that sugar?
And nostalgia. I used to live within walking distance of that bit of Yonge Street. Definitely I want to make a trip to Sam's myself.
I used to stop in, as part of my work, at old city hall. Oh, way back children, around 1980. I was only ever there around 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning, so I remember it as a big, empty, echoing place, with big, institutional corridors. It was mainly a courthouse then. Is it still?
the 1874 stone church hidden behind the Eaton Centre
My father has sung there. It's a great old place.
I love the Old City Hall building.
I told you the story about Lennox and how he stole the design from the Allegheny County Court House, right?
BTW, Lennox is also the guy who designed Casa Loma.
We were only able to peek inside, but the interior looked fantastic, and I'm going to find out if there's a tour.
My mother's given tours of it.
Another Toronto factoid: the good folks at Time Out Toronto tell me that Campbell House, one of Toronto's oldest buildings, was saved from demolition by being moved from its original location in 1973. Here's a picture of it being moved, and more photos here.
My mother got to see it being moved. She might even be in the background of those photos.
According to Allan, we are due for a music- and book-buying spree.
We just did our post-Xmas DVD spree. Eight or nine DVDs, including Simpsons Season 7 and Buffy Season 1, for a grand total of $0.84 after gift cards and coupons. :)
Now I'm glad I waited, because I definitely want to go to World's Biggest Bookstore and Sam's.
If you enjoy science fiction, you'll have to visit Baka Books on Queen; and if you like mystery, there's The Sleuth of Baker Street on Bayview. And don't forget the art & architecture books in Mirvish Village! :)
I like the stripped-down, bargain-basement feel of World's Biggest, and the funky, personal character of Sam's.
If you have a Chapters or Indigo member card, you can use them for discounts at WBB as well -- it's owned by Indigo.
yes I was going to say there are no tours of the Old City Hall as it is still a functioning courthouse, anyone can go in and wander around there is even a coffee bar, snack bar on the lower level...it is still exactly that, big long high ceilings, echoing corridors...worth a walk through...nanaimo bars are great, originated in Nanaimo B.C....true but useless trivia...
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