Last Saturday for the 2nd year in a row I attended PoutineFest (aka Smoke-A-Palooza) at Dundas…read moreSquare. I first started attending Events at the Square in 2008, when I came with a social Group for the opening night of Luminato, an annual Event in Toronto. I attended opening night for the same Event the following two years, and all 3 featured great live entertainment (including Randy Bachman and Sass Jordan) which was very enjoyable to watch and listen to. Some other Events I've attended there were a flash mob Event in 2011 and the launch of a new beer in 2013. The Square has hosted a quite wide variety of Events over the years since it opened; obviously the location couldn't be better as it's so centrally located Downtown with a subway station literally underneath.

I went here after dinner around 8:53pm on a Tuesday and it was so lively! I also visited this place…read moreduring the day too and it seems like it's a popular place. There's also a lot of businesses around this area too. This area is always so lively, but it seemed even more lively when I went there at night! I'm not really sure if it was lively because there was probably an event happening at night that day (they were putting up fences) OR because it's always lively at night. Anyways, when I went here during both day and night, there was always a lot of people. To me, it looked like what I think would be a mini Times Square, but the Canadian version of it. Another cool thing about this place is how they have water that randomly shoots out from the ground where the holes are at. Ok enough about how cool I think this place is, I also think it seems more dangerous at night. Reason why is because I saw a random group street fight break out that day, so I ended up leaving/ran away to avoid that area. I'd still recommend this place! Even though a random fight happened when I went there at night, it's still a fun place. I ended up finding other cool businesses nearby when I left the main part of the square. I was only at the square for 10 minutes before things happened, but I also visited this place during the daytime on a Saturday around 12:18pm and it was still just as lively.

I visited in 2025 with family during Doors Open TO. We parked in a parking lot near/under the…read morecurrent City Hall. We were there in the morning. A lot of people were already in line to go in but I think there might be a lot more people. The tour was pretty much a self guided tour. The architecture and interior design are stunning and gorgeous. It is nice to see what a courtroom looks like outside of jury duty. There are volunteers who will help you if you have any questions. They have a survey/feedback to get ideas for improvements and what to do with Old City Hall since it's sitting mostly empty. A Slight Ceveat: It is an older building that accessed mainly by stairs so it's pretty limited accessibility.

I was not able to go inside because it was the weekend, nonetheless, I was satisfied just standing…read morein awe gazing at the architecture. I am fascinated by big buildings of all kind and this gothic palace-like structure did not disappoint the eye. Not fully aware of its historical background, I can imagine how long it's been capturing the attention of passersby. It stopped me in my tracks, literally. There's something about it that speaks strength and solid foundation. The way that it's immovable as it occupies its own space. The pointed columns and the clock tower - i love it!!! Old City Hall - "old" in this case will always contain elements of 'new' because it gets better with age!

Great landmark to take photo of,Built in 1892 and designed by David Roberts Jr., it is recognizable…read morefor its distinctive wedge shape, which lends it the name "flatiron". Also the St. Lawrence market is less than 5 min away, I recommend to check that one as well!

Gooderham Building is also known as the Flatiron Building. It does look like a flatiron. No it is…read morenot as famous as the Flatiron Building in NYC. The building is called the Flatiron building is due to its shape. Yes it is a triangular / iron like shape. The building is not tall and is only 5 stories high. This is a landmark of Toronto. The building was built in 1892. Behind the building is Berczy Park. It is very interesting that there is a 3D mural behind the Gooderham Building.

This was a well respire in the middle of a bustling, modern city. They really should charge for…read morethis. I am amazed by how much is delivered for free. The entrance is a multi-media shock and awe experience that immerses one into the feel and chaos of the American invasion in 1813. It is interesting viewing and learning from the perspective of an American raised in a city steeped in the American Revolution. The War of 1812 was taught to us to as this inconvenience hiccup between our Founding Fathers and the Civil War. And yet over here in Toronto, it was a critical moment in the birth of Canada as we know it. We had the benefit of a slow day, so our tour guide onsite took time to provide so much context of what we are seeing. There was opportunity to try on even the replica clothing of the soldiers in the barracks and get a better sense of what it felt like to have been stationed there in the quotidien grind between battles and the like. A weicome encore were the tasty "daily cakes" in the "modern" kitchen of the officers' quarters. All in all, a welcome time.

I visited this historic site in 2018, after visits the Bentway. I know there is already a post of…read morethe Garrison common but there are no post on the actual exhibit Gallery featured inside thats free to access for all patrons. The museum has some featured interactive art, reason why I visited, and I beautiful feature of the British times and the aboriginal story within our region; just an education opportunity. There are lovely artifacts and you can navigate floor to floor, the place is stroller and wheel chair accessible and there are plenty of washroom access and sitting area making this location age accessible. My favourite feature is the War of 1812 and the Battle for York with the memories to see I just feel like I am transported to the text book stories I experience in elementary school history class. If you like movies, there is an Orientation Theatre that places on rotation with submersive audio visual experience. If you havent visited this place, please do, especially when you warm up from the Bentway during the winter. As well with the emergence of pay-for-entertainment during the pandemic, I thought to share a very free experience.

Much better than it has a right to be, but a few technical problems keep it from being up to snuff…read morewith other meeting halls in the area. There's no doubt that everyone in Port Credit knows about Clarke Hall - it's the default site for most community meetings, many events and open houses and (as of this writing) the home of the P.C. BIA, along with a number of other smaller businesses. As a historical site, it's a perfectly beautiful building, but I find myself wishing they would do some work on it to bring it up to modern standards. The hall itself is big enough to hold a good 300-400 people (but don't tell the fire department), and it does come stocked with an associated kitchen and a massive area for coat checks. As of late, I've been here for a comedy festival, a tribute event for our local councillor (shout-out to Kris U, who also made it down for this) and a BIA open house, and I've found the experience to be consistently good each time. That said, there's more that needs to be done in the place. The washrooms definitely look like they were built at least 70 years ago, and there's a strong cold draft in the place that it can't seem to shake. As mentioned by others, parking is a nightmare, and with the closure of the Esso next door (to eventually be redeveloped as part of the Texaco Lands/Inspiration P.C. project), there are very few spots to park beyond standard curbside places. One thing you might also not know is that (contrary to beief), there is a wheelchair access elevator, but the process for actually using it (and getting a City official to operate it) is so obtuse that it might not as well exist. This is a solid, spacious hall that works extremely well for most types of events, but they really need to modernize it in some way or form. Well worth a look, though, if you want to hold an event.

My opinion differs slightly from both of the other yelpers who've previously reviewed Clarke…read moreMemorial Hall in Port Credit. From the outside it's a gorgeous old building, rich in history - in fact here is a brief historical excerpt taken from the City of Mississauga's website: "Erected by Mary Louise Clarke in 1922 as a memorial to her husband, Alfred Russel Clarke. He had died of pneumonia contracted as a result of the sinking in 1915 of the Lusitania, on which he was a passenger. The Hall was donated to the United Church and used as a Sunday School. During the Depression it was handed over to the Village of Port Credit and used as a Community Hall. It was the site of the Port Credit Municipal Offices from 1941 to 1974. It is now used for meetings, auctions, etc. and as a theatre. The Hall is built in Spanish Colonial Revival style. Designated under the terms of the Ontario Heritage Act." While the exterior is historical, the interior is as Allison described, a large space that could be used for basically anything and everything - the perfect multifunction space. Whether it be physical fitness, a town hall meeting, a comedy festival, dinner, dance, etc. The high ceilings, convenient access to street, the multiple bathrooms and basement facilities make this THE perfect spot for most events. Loses a point in my books for parking as others have said, there is a lot around back shared with the fire department but it's tiny and hard to access. For parking (if you don't mind the walk) park at the Library (it's free) and walk the 2.5 blocks over to Clarke!

I enjoy unexpected finds. My friend and I were hanging out at Lakeview Park Beach for the first…read moretime. We were walking around and found Oshawa Museum. It's seamlessly integrated with the park, steps away from the beach. During the pandemic, the museum is closed. I'd love to come back and check out the museum itself. The roof over to the main entrance has a low clearance. I barely got in there without slouching. I'd guess that it's a six-foot clearance. If you're tall, take note or you'll bang your head on it easily. Although you can't go inside the museum, we did an outdoor, self-guided tour. It can be done. We had a great time figuring things out and learning together. There were plenty of signs and historical plaque to help us out. The Wilson family was Oshawa's first pioneers back in 1790. Captain Benjamin Wilson headed over to Oshawa with his family from Vermont. There is a blue spruce tree planted in their honour. We then came across Guy House. Named after James Odgers Guy, he immigrated with his parents from England to Canada. His parents owned a farm and ultimately bred ayrshires (cattle). James married and raised seven children, and settled at what we now know as Guy House. He built a coal dealership in Oshawa, and grain elevators in Brooklin and Myrtle. He also held a bunch of community positions. There's also Henry House. Named after Thomas Henry, he moved from Ireland to Canada with his wife and seven children back in 1811. They purchased a farm that is now Lakeview Park. He remarried after his first wife died of consumption. Thomas became an ordained minister. He build a stone house, which is still in Lakeview Park. There's a cool shed that makes up Oshawa Museum. Oshawa is known for its manufacturing history. The museum is nicely maintained. We spent some time admiring the sundial and buggy in Henry House's backyard. Pretty flowers were blooming everywhere. There was not a single dandelion is sight. Impressive! We had a great time exploring, reading, and learning. It was nice to do all of it on a warm summer evening. I hope to return and go into the houses when the museum reopens. (262)

This is a neat and hip little hangout spot located in central downtown Toronto. There is metered…read morestreet parking within a reasonable walking distance, but the easiest parking location is the commercial garage located right under the square. That is what I did. The Square also has a few bus stops as well, if you wish to take public transit. It is named after Nathan Philipps, mayor of Toronto from 1955 to 1962 and dates back to 1965. There have been many modifications and upgrades since then. The Square is a decent size, spanning 12 acres and is located in the shadow of Toronto's city Hall. It is a symbol of peace and remembrance. The Square features the world-famous LED multi-color changing Toronto sign. It is definitely worth checking out. The sign serves as the backdrop to the Square's water features that is a reflecting pool in the warmer months and a full-fledged skating rink in the winter. I visited in the winter, so the skating rink was in full effect. In addition to the sign, the Square has a peace garden, which was created as a memorial to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, a stage and several pieces of public art that include the Three Way Piece No.2: Archer The Square offers skate rentals, but a lot of people had their own. It is Canada. The Square also has a snack bar and usually has a food truck or two about on high traffic days. You will find a few cement benches to sit on while you are here and stairwells throughout the park that lead down to the underground parking garage. This spot is used to host some of the city's special events including the Cavalcade of Lights, New Year's Celebrations, Remembrance Day Celebrations, concerts, festivals and rallies. The Square is a popular spot among locals and tourist alike. The place was packed when I was there with skaters and visitors, but it was New years Eve. They did shot the skating off at 10PM that night. I really enjoyed hanging out at the Square. There is not a lot to do, outside of ice skating, but there is so much to see. Be sure to get a picture in front of the Toronto sign while you are there. It was a bit busy, but nothing too unbearable. The line for the skate rental was ridiculous, but I stayed away from it. Anyway, this is a must see while you are in Toronto and I highly recommend checking it out.

Nathan Phillips Square is one of Toronto's best-known public spaces and an easy stop while…read moreexploring downtown. We walked into a lively plaza that's home to the iconic TORONTO sign, surrounded by the curved towers of City Hall, and regularly hosts festivals, concerts, seasonal events, and community gatherings throughout the year. Whether visiting during the day or at night, there is usually something happening that keeps the square active and engaging. The TORONTO sign is the main attraction and one of the city's most recognizable photo spots. We spent some time taking photos and watching people interact with the installation, and in the evening, the illuminated letters and surrounding lights made it even more impressive. The architecture of City Hall creates a great backdrop, and the modern, sweeping lines of the building contrast nicely with the open plaza. During the winter, the reflecting pool transforms into a skating rink that becomes one of the busiest outdoor skating spots in the city. In the warmer months, the open plaza is often filled with food vendors, cultural festivals, and live entertainment, and the energy of the space shifts depending on the season and the event taking place. The square is centrally located within walking distance of many of Toronto's major attractions, making it easy to include in a day of sightseeing. Since events are held here throughout the year, checking the schedule before visiting is worth doing, because you may end up experiencing a festival or performance during your trip. It can get crowded during weekends and special events, but the open layout still makes it easy to walk around and take in the surroundings without feeling trapped by the crowds. Nathan Phillips Square is one of those places that is worth visiting even if you are only spending a short time in Toronto. Between the famous sign, seasonal activities, and constant lineup of events, it is a landmark that gives you a good sense of the city's atmosphere, offering a space that feels both civic and welcoming, and a snapshot of Toronto's energy that changes with the season and the time of day.

Last Saturday, I dropped by the Malton sign to check it out. It was a bonus visit to see the Avro…read moreCanada Monument and the Malton Cenotaph next to it. I enjoy visiting museums. When there are aircraft, it makes me happy. The Avro Monument is a replica of a full-sized Avro aircraft next door to Paul Coffey Arena. It was so unexpected and such a delightful find. This all-weather aircraft was designed for the Canadian Military in Malton. Malton has a rich history in aircraft, which includes building the Avro Arrow back in the 1950's. It is perfectly fitting why a monument was established here. The replica aircraft is stunning to look at. Back in 1978, there was a CF-100 Mk 5 Canuck Aircraft here. It was restored in 2017, which is what you see here now. Both plaques from 1978 and 2017 are just under the aircraft on a concrete beam. I learned so much reading them. I enjoy being a tourist and learning about a cool part of history that was previously vague in my mind. You can park either at Paul Coffey Arena or Light Korean Presbyterian Church. I did the latter, as it's closer to get to this monument. It was a great find. Free and enlightening. I recommend dropping by to soak up some cool Canadian history. (356)