Toronto: A trip to the Harbourfront Centre

The good folks at Expedia.ca asked me to share an experience from my recent trip to Toronto, which is a good thing because, though I love my hometown, I never seem to write about it!

One of the cool things about living abroad is that there is always something new to discover when you go back to your “home” home. I was in born and raised in “The Six” (Toronto, for those of your unfamiliar with Canadian recording artist Drake and the catchy ditty where he first coined the nickname), and always marvel at the amazingness of the city every time I return.  Now that I’m an adult who has lived on three continents in some of the world’s top cities, I feel as though I can truly appreciate what a multicultural, multi-faceted place Toronto is. A foodie’s paradise, ethnographer’s dream, and reveler’s nirvana, the selection of places to eat, things to do, and places to party in Toronto is extensive.

It’s also a bit intimidating, to be honest. If I’m lucky, I visit my home and native land once or twice a year, though when I lived in Asia a whole 18 months went by before my feet touched Canadian soil. Toronto is a constantly evolving metropolis, with new neighbourhood hot spots and events cropping up all the time: this makes keeping my finger on the pulse of what’s going on (especially from afar) a little bit difficult. As such, I’m doubly grateful that one of my favourite things to do in Toronto remains relatively unchanged by time and commercial real estate development: strolling along the harbourfront.  Canada’s largest and most populous city resides on the banks of Lake Ontario, which is gifted with a long lakeshore strip offering boardwalks, parks, and bike paths ripe for exploring. One of the best known fixtures along the lake is the Harbourfront Centre, a grand entertainment complex that is a one-stop-shop for live music, food, and art.  Things are particularly hopping on the weekends, so on me and Liebling’s recent visit to Toronto over Labour Day weekend we decided to drive down and have a look.

We weren’t disappointed.  Not only was there a food festival happening at the centre, but the weather was fantastic.  You know those perfect days where you just love life? This was totally one of them.   I mean, really now. The skies were cerulean.  It was hot, but there was just the right amount of sea breeze.  I was strolling in the sun hand-in-hand with my main squeeze, the tantalizing smell of food wafted through the air, and the picturesque tableau was framed by sailboats and the CN Tower. Could it get any better? Surprisingly, yes.

Hungry belly, meet food, food, meet hungry belly. The Hot and Spicy Food Festival was on at the Harbourfront Centre that weekend and featured a range of flavourful international cuisines. However, crazy for a taste of Asia, we had our sights set on Thai. Procuring a massive styrofoam container of chili chicken, seafood pad thai, and sauteed bok choy (only $9!), we made our way to the grassy eating area to chow down in the sun.

There was live music at one of the complex’s bandshells, but so consumed were we by hunger and the lovely weather that we opted to enjoy our food and each other’s company.  Once done, we walked down to the marina, where my seafaring husband gawked at the gaggle of yachts docked there. Then, of course, I couldn’t resist taking a few more pictures of Toronto’s most salient landmark, the CN Tower. She’s just so photogenic!

Soon, the sun began to set and it was time for us to go from whence we came, back to my mother’s house in Mississauga. But not before taking a selfie to commemorate all the good vibes produced from a stellar visit to one of my favourite places in my hometown.

And a random silly picture of me trying on a hat.

All jokes aside, sometimes, it’s the simple things in life that keep you grounded. Though my address, area code, and even country of residence may change, my nationality and the place where I grew up will always remain the same. I love Canada, with its wide open spaces, and I love Toronto, with its clean air and commitment to multiculturalism. Home is where the heart is, and while bits of my heart are scattered around the world at this point, I’ve left the biggest chunk in Toronto.

What’s your favourite thing to do or place to visit in your hometown?