Frommer's Toronto 2004
Chapter One
The Best of Toronto
Chances are that even if you've never set foot in Toronto, you've seen the city a
hundred times over. Known for the past decade as "Hollywood North," Toronto
has stood in for international centers from European capitals to New York-but
rarely does it play itself. Self-deprecating Torontonians embody a paradox:
Proud of their city's architectural, cultural, and culinary charms, they are unsure
whether it's all up to international snuff.
After spending a single afternoon wandering around Toronto, you might
wonder why this is a question at all. The sprawling city boasts lush parks,
renowned architecture, and excellent galleries. There's no shortage of skyscrapers,
particularly in the downtown core. Still, many visitors marvel at the number
of Torontonians who live in houses on tree-lined boulevards that are a walk
or a bike ride away from work.
Out-of-towners can see the fun side of the place, but Torontonians aren't so
sure. They recall the stuffiness of the city's past. Often called "Toronto the
Good," it was a town where you could walk down any street in safety, but you
couldn't get a drink on Sunday.
Then a funny thing happened on the way thro ... read full excerpt from Frommer's Toronto 2004 ebook
