Question for those that live in or have visited Toronto

[El Generico]

Hello Gents,

I'm considering a trip to Toronto in June. This would be my first trip and I was wondering if Toronto is a "walking" city much like New York City is. When visiting NYC I manage just fine with public transit and I imagine that Toronto would be similar. I live in Dallas and you can't get much of anywhere without a car. Your input is much appreciated.

 

[EvilGobi]

I've visited a few times and never really found the need for a car, they have a fair amount of Public Transportation that makes getting around ok. I would say that it also depends on whereabouts you were heading, as I dont know how easy it would be to get to the suburbs without a car (I imagine some of the locals could let you know about that)

Any particular places you are planning to go?

 

[sdekuyper]

The answer is a yes and no. Toronto is a big city, but downtown is made up of a bunch of small "village'-type areas. Once in an area, you can easily walk around and public transportation can get you between them fairly easily, but if you start going further out, you really need a car.

 

[El Generico]

I'm wanting to visit to catch a Blue Jays game, check out the local craft breweries, and just explore in general. I've already seen that I can take a bus for the side trip to Niagara Falls.

 

[T.Orso]

I live in Toronto and have little use for a car, even with two small children. We walk, take streetcar/bus/subway, or bike to where we want to go. I am twenty minutes to work by bike, and closer than that to pretty much everything else, though hauling children slows things quite a bit.

Downtown is walkable and quite congested for car traffic, especially now with the large number of construction projects underway. Bike is faster than a car easily for most of the day, and walking not far behind. For what you want to do, you will do well walking, or taking the odd streetcar or subway,or bixi for that matter. Assuming you are staying somewhere reasonably central.

Hope you have a great time here! I do love this city.

 

[Kwiebe]

My mom has lived in Toronto for close to a decade and I go visit every year for a few weeks. Never found a need for a car, and if I was in a real pinch I just catch a cab. Typically street car or train is good enough to get around, and as mentioned above, once you're in an area it is very easy to walk around. One of my favorite things about Toronto is that it seems as though there is one of everything almost everywhere... meaning no matter where you are you can find a good restaurant, grocery store, LCBO (liquor store) etc. Really makes it easy to live that village inside a city lifestyle.

You'll love the city, hope the trip is great!

 

[shaveitoff]

As a Torontonian I hope you have a great visit. You won't need a car and there are lots of great neighbourhoods to walk around. When you see the Jays you will be close to the Steam Whistle brewery. Make sure to drop in. Also check out the Mill Street brew pub in the Distillery district. Make sure you go up the CN Tower on a sunny day. It is right beside Rogers Center where the Jays play. Also check out Harbourfront. You can take the ferry out to Toronto Island and get a little peace and quiet if you need it, plus a great view of the city. Between walking and public transit it is very easy to get to any place you want to visit. Please make sure to post your impressions of the city when you get back. We do live up to the polite Canadian stereotype, so if you get lost or need directions most people are happy to help you out.

 

[EvilGobi]

+1 on the Steam Whistle "Roundhouse". The tour is awesome, and it's my favorite beer ever.