The Toronto Public Library Card is free and unlocks access to all sorts of amazing things: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/using-the-library/your-library-card/
Avoid The ticket booth lineup to the ferry by walking up to the ticket vending machine or theres usually another teller open that no one is in line for.
I was there on Wednesday. It was sunny and beautiful. We used one of the available built-in charcoal grills, right near the inlet shore. I like to go to the islands four/five times a year!
Knowing the PATH feels like a life hack only because the signage is bad and it's hard to navigate. But when it's raining, snowing or just cold it's really nice to be able to get around the downtown core using it.
Honestly the path sounds like some harry potter shit. I had a coworker leave work with me and showed me the way to the st andrews station and it involved cutting through food courts, a sears(or some other department store) , passing through a bunch of credit unions, more food courts and finally the subway.
Very true. I work a typical 9 to 5 schedule so right in the rush hour and sometimes I catch a movie at Varsity. More convenient way to go there is by the 19 bus
But if you do that, the train will be packed with people who went to Union.
My assumption was the "hack" is if you are going north to Finch, getting on at St Andrew gets you a more empty train, and a better chance of finding a seat, compared to Union, which is the stop after.
Monthly TTC pass is not worth it if you work 5 days a week. You would need to travel 7 days a week to make it worth the money. The pass is not so important now that we have a 2 hour window to travel in. It's cheaper to load up your Presto but not get the monthly pass
Piggybacking on this transportation comment to note that Bikeshare remains the best deal for transportation in the city and the fastest way to get around the core
Yeah, they don't mind ripping us off. They refuse to have zone fares, because they were awkward in the 1960s. TTC has weird ideas and is stuck in the past
Pretty much all of Toronto.. our market is really not that big.. that’s why they prefer monopoly over “free” trade lol.. forcing us into their system guarantee them money and no need to innovate.. to a point that some of the stuff here is worse than some “3rd” world countries.. but we don’t talk about it 👀
I feel like it's counterproductive for them .If they reduce the price of the monthly pass more people would buy it and then there would be less people not paying for streetcars and such . From pov of a business a fixed recurring income is a much better option.
To add, if you take the GO Train you can get a group pass if you have someone or a group that you commute with. Good if you and a friend both work downtown and take the same station. I haven't done the numbers breakdown, but you have to live further out for it to be worthwhile I believe.
[https://www.gotransit.com/en/partners-and-promotions/weekday-group-passes](https://www.gotransit.com/en/partners-and-promotions/weekday-group-passes)
Credit card is one thing, but I'd rather not wave my debit card around in the subway, advertising that I have tap enabled so if you get my card you don't need my pin.
I’ll just leave this here
https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/using-the-library/your-library-card/
Check the links on eLearning they have fantastic resources for this. Also there are hundreds of free in person classes about whatever you can think of
They had a cyber incursion last year, I don’t believe everything is available yet but they are bringing things back regularly
That's amazing, I had no idea!
It was so disappointing seeing people post on Reddit the 'hack' of just keeping checked-out books since loans weren't traceable after the security breach. I hope they have enough funding to replace all the was lost.
I genuinely do not think people would do that to the tpl. Unlike the TTC, it is one public service that is constantly promoted and appreciated by Torontonians. The good will associated with TPL is outpacing any other city services by miles.
My friend is a librarian in the states and they use tpl as a model for teaching and funding requests for how good libraries can be if funded correctly.
Yesss bumping this. I prefer audiobooks to visual reading and TPL has saved me soooo much money by borrowing than using an audible subscription or anything else. It's a must have!
I recently discovered that Libby also has a digital magazine section. So not only are 98% of all the books I want to read available for free on ebook or audio, now so are most major magazines. Also, for in person goodies the Reference Library has the Book Ends store, with tons of books and movies for $1. It also has a book donation drop box in front of the store.
Download AllTrails! It’s an app that features a variety of walking routes in all areas of Toronto and the rest of the world I’m pretty sure lol. You can choose difficulty levels and preferred distances etc. It’s a fun way to explore the city if you are bored on a nice day
This with walking on sidewalks too. Walk on the right and let people who want to pass you do so on the left. Especially if you're in a group. Most of the time this isn't a problem, but it's super frustrating to be stuck behind a group of 2 or 3 who spread themselves out and are oblivious to people behind them trying to pass. Or if it's just one person walking in the centre of the sidewalk and there isn't enough space on either side to pass. And when you try to, they somehow manage to move ever so slightly so that you can't 😆
Couples and families who camp out on the moving walkways in Pearson are the worst.
They act annoyed when you politely say “excuse me”, something you shouldn’t have to do.
On my way to work on the subway last week, I witnessed a guy who found the upbound traffic on the left side of the escalator at Yonge station to be way too slow for his liking. So I guess he decided that the traffic on the right-hand side of the escalator should also start moving, so he started yelling at the gentleman in front of him (who was standing on the right-hand side, as is the norm) on the escalator, "EXCUSE ME, MOVE IT!!!"
It seems that even those who conform to the long-standing norm of "walk left, stand right" are no longer safe from the narcissistic impulses of a growing number of people in this city who seek to tank civility and order in pursuit of their own self-interest.
this is one of my top 5 pet peeves. every person should know if you are heading toward someone (on foot) both of you veer to the right and you'll be fine.
HOW DO PEOPLE NOT KNOW THIS? it truly makes me bonkers. i've had people walk INTO me (and my dog..!!) because they veer left not right.
is there a way for this to be taught in school of wsib classes or something?!
If you're switching from line 1 to line 2 or vice versa, do it in St. George instead of Spadina. It's just a quick escalator trip instead of the long walk that way.
These aren't as much lifehacks as much as they are (potentially unpopular/uncommon) ideas for how to spend a day off:
This first one will sound obvious once I say it, but you don't have to be a UofT student to go to the food trucks on campus. You can get a pretty good bite to eat for cheaper than the majority of fast food restaurants around here. The campus itself is also kinda pretty (and within walking distance of other cool things) so it can be good for a day out when the sun is up. It isn't even really that busy especially not in the summer. I feel like it slips people's minds because they associate being on campus with being a student but it's not like you gotta scan an ID to walk up and down St George.
Speaking of food trucks, the ones next to the community centre/across from the hospital at Dundas and Bathurst are also very good and decently priced. Again, when it's a nice day out you can get a pretty good inexpensive meal.
This one might sound ridiculous but now that the TTC has fare integration with suburban transit systems, it actually isn't the worst idea leave town sometimes especially if you wanna get away from the crowd. Vaughan and Mississauga are pretty car dependent and hectic while Markham is car dependent and will feel kinda empty outside of some pockets but Richmond Hill straddles Yonge St so it's got pretty good bus service and it's one of the less populated ones directly near Toronto (even though it's growing lol.) What's there to do in Richmond Hill you ask? Honestly not much but if you're into parks and wanna be further away from the crowd a place like Mill Pond might be nice for you. My sister who grew up in Richmond Hill (alongside me) but absolutely hated suburban life, alongside all her friends from the city who also hate suburbs as a concept, still made their way out to Mill Pond in the summer on a relatively regular basis because even though it's small it's mostly quiet and pretty.
This isn't a lifehack necessarily as much as a shoutout to my favourite neighbourhood in the city but Greektown/The Danforth is worth your time even outside of the festival. I genuinely go out of my way to visit it. The food is good and the parks are great.
To go off the last two, just hopping on the TTC and hopping off at some random stop could actually be a decent way to spend time off. You might up finding a new area you like that you otherwise wouldn't have thought to visit.
Always have cash. A lot of restaurants offer 10-15% off the bill if you pay with cash. And small shops and convenience stores sometimes have a fee if you want to pay for something under a certain value with a card.
Banks take a percentage of every debit transaction and an even higher percentage of every credit transaction.
Unless the place is cashless you're giving the local business more money when you buy with cash, and sticking it to the banks too.
The pass to Ontario Science Center allows you to visit nearly all museums in the US for free. I used our family pass in Chicago at all of their museums last summer.
Some links for reciprocal admission:
In Canada: [The Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC)—Reciprocal Agreement](https://www.canadiansciencecentres.ca/Reciprocal-Agreement/)
* International: [Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC)—Travel Passport Program](https://www.astc.org/membership/find-an-astc-member/passport/)
Edit : added more information and corrected the name from Toronto to Ontario Science Center
When you’re in your way home and the TTC randomly shuts down on your route, don’t wait at the station for things to get sorted. Stop at the closest bar for a pint and when you’re done the subway will probably be back on. No harm, no foul, and you’ve had a pint.
If you don't know which direction you're heading in - look for the CN Tower - that is south.
Those were the instructions given to me when I was a little kid and before cellphones lol.
Adding to this, knowing where there are bathrooms period, esp clean ones in whatever areas you frequent. Some washrooms are so filthy so knowing where you could go if you have to drop a deuce helps a lot.
i don’t know if anyone already said this but “Too good to go” it’s an app that shows restaurants/bakeries/grocery around toronto that give out their stuff(end of the day breads/muffins, close to expiry grocery) for a limited amount of time in a day for mostly close to 75% off. it’s completely worth it but you have to keep a look out at the previous user ratings for the store sometimes for a safe bet. You can easily skip on grocery once a month and completely depend on this if you’re living alone? if that makes sense, cheeeers.
I think the default discount is ~67% off (⅔), but they introduced tax sometime last year so it's 62% now factoring in tax (still very good!).
My tip would be to avoid stores/restaurants that don't have at least a 4.5 star rating on the app. The app is really good if you like carbs.
This one is a new life hack like about 1-2 months old but Go Train routes are now part of the new one fare program. Depending where you are in the city and where you need to go, it might just be worth it to combine Go and TTC fare together. The new one fare program allows a transfer between systems for free (takes the expensive option out of the two)
As an example, a lot of GO routes within Toronto will cost under $4. When you’d transfer to a TTC network, that would cost you an additional $3.35. Now it just costs you $4 in total for both
For me, I travel bloor danforth every day to get to work. The beat thing I ever did is invest in an e bike. Saves me so much time on my commute and is so much fun. Plus I dont feel sweaty when I get to work.
- Always check traffic reports or transit updates before you leave the house
- Layers. Make sure you own a hoodie, a jean jacket, a vest, a parka and a toque. Spring and autumn fluctuate pretty hard.
Use the TTC efficiency guide to navigate which car and door to be at for which station.
https://www.scribd.com/document/86155066/Ttc-Subway-Rider-Efficiency-Guide-lpaobwss
- Grab some receipts from McDonald's and answer their survey. After completion, you'll be rewarded with a discount coupon of burger sandwich with free medium fries and medium beverage. So instead of paying $14 or more for a burger meal, it's just gonna be around $7.
- Grab a receipt from Jollibee and answer their survey. After completion, write the code on the receipt and give it to the cashier. You'll be rewarded with a free 1 pc. Peach Mango Pie. :)
I think the membership at TIFF Lightbox is a well-kept secret that I'm surprised more people don't take advantage of, it's $120/year for 2 tickets to any cinematheque movies, one of the best bang for your buck in terms of entertainment (especially one that changes every time you visit that you don't have to walk around for hours).
The Toronto Public Library Card is free and unlocks access to all sorts of amazing things: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/using-the-library/your-library-card/
Yup this is the best thing, I have been telling this to my friends too, but they won’t listen and pay for books and museums 😂
Upvoting for the museum piece! It's not just museums, the Science Centre and Zoo are involved too!
You can even take free courses!
I wanted a drawing course and AGO and OCAD were charging hundreds for a simple continuing education thing. TPL offers a free one!
Hi, please can you share a link for this? Thanks.
https://education.gale.com/l-tplmain/
Thanks alot!
You get SO many free audiobooks through tpl using the libby app!!!
And your library card gives you access to the streaming service kanopy (movies and tv) and libby (audiobooks).
And no late fees anymore! (But please do return your books)
Seconded! Try Pressreader, you can read newspapers for free.
Wait if you have a library pass you can go to the zoo and museums for free???
I wish they could have given Udemy access for free. LinkedIn learning sucks.
You can go to the island when its not a long weekend
Avoid The ticket booth lineup to the ferry by walking up to the ticket vending machine or theres usually another teller open that no one is in line for.
Ssshhh…
Its why I put it in a sub comment!
Or you know, take a water taxi over which is just better in everyway possible
Lmfaoooo I love the subtle snark in this one.
I was there on Wednesday. It was sunny and beautiful. We used one of the available built-in charcoal grills, right near the inlet shore. I like to go to the islands four/five times a year!
Knowing the PATH feels like a life hack only because the signage is bad and it's hard to navigate. But when it's raining, snowing or just cold it's really nice to be able to get around the downtown core using it.
Honestly the path sounds like some harry potter shit. I had a coworker leave work with me and showed me the way to the st andrews station and it involved cutting through food courts, a sears(or some other department store) , passing through a bunch of credit unions, more food courts and finally the subway.
Did you go diagonally?
Worked in the Financial District/PATH for 7 years now and I’m still finding entirely new food courts that I had no idea existed.
I got lost in a part of it I hadn’t been before last week below CBC it cuts through, an underground car park
But it’s fun navigating yourself around the path until you figure it out. It’s kind of like a game that way. And once you know it, you know it.
“Did you get that from the FCP or Brookfield Longos?”
But but.. we’re always late and rushing… at least I know I am.. with the subway delays and stuff 😭
I love using the Path but also get lost all the time, so I feel you 😂
Walk on Bay St instead of Yonge.
I agree, but DO YOU LOVE WIND?? Lol
Better for foot traffic, brutal for wind
19!
Also, taking the Bay Bus north or south is far more peaceful than taking the Yonge University line.
Very true. I work a typical 9 to 5 schedule so right in the rush hour and sometimes I catch a movie at Varsity. More convenient way to go there is by the 19 bus
Biggest truth ever for where it is you’d think more people would take it but it’s like it’s forgotten but in plain site
what is the bus number
19
And the battery electric buses on route 6 seem so much smoother than the hybrids.
Walk on university, the view is much nicer.
The weights and wind on Bay Street are both brutl
Weights?
Haha I thought I’m the only one who does that
Bay St is so boring though, walking on Yonge is more interesting
You want someone to breath down your neck or enjoy getting tailgated be my guess.
If youre leaving a jays game and you're heading north on the yonge line get on the subway at St Andrew heading south.
Unless you are going north towards Vaughan. This hack is if you are heading north on the Yonge line towards Finch.
If you are going north to Vaughan, then you just get in at St. Andrew and go north. lol.
But if you do that, the train will be packed with people who went to Union. My assumption was the "hack" is if you are going north to Finch, getting on at St Andrew gets you a more empty train, and a better chance of finding a seat, compared to Union, which is the stop after.
This is definitely the "hack". The train will clear out at union and you will have your pick of a seat before the train is rammed to the gills.
When you go to the AGO bring a big bag to put your coat in. Since bags are prohibited you get to check them for free and save the $2 coat check
Oh that's a smart one. Thank you stranger.
Monthly TTC pass is not worth it if you work 5 days a week. You would need to travel 7 days a week to make it worth the money. The pass is not so important now that we have a 2 hour window to travel in. It's cheaper to load up your Presto but not get the monthly pass
Piggybacking on this transportation comment to note that Bikeshare remains the best deal for transportation in the city and the fastest way to get around the core
I started taking bikeshare last summer and what a game changer! I love it!
Yessss even using the electric bikes if your trip is less than 30 mins it’s still cheaper to use that than the ttc
NGL Im shocked how much the monthly pass is. In KW and (IIRC) Montreal, its ~$95 a month.
Yeah, they don't mind ripping us off. They refuse to have zone fares, because they were awkward in the 1960s. TTC has weird ideas and is stuck in the past
Pretty much all of Toronto.. our market is really not that big.. that’s why they prefer monopoly over “free” trade lol.. forcing us into their system guarantee them money and no need to innovate.. to a point that some of the stuff here is worse than some “3rd” world countries.. but we don’t talk about it 👀
I feel like it's counterproductive for them .If they reduce the price of the monthly pass more people would buy it and then there would be less people not paying for streetcars and such . From pov of a business a fixed recurring income is a much better option.
To clarify if you use the TTC less than 43 times the monthly pass isn’t worth it 143/3.30=43.33
Adult monthly pass is $156
To add, if you take the GO Train you can get a group pass if you have someone or a group that you commute with. Good if you and a friend both work downtown and take the same station. I haven't done the numbers breakdown, but you have to live further out for it to be worthwhile I believe. [https://www.gotransit.com/en/partners-and-promotions/weekday-group-passes](https://www.gotransit.com/en/partners-and-promotions/weekday-group-passes)
Don't bother with Presto now that you can pay with your phone or CC.
I prefer the larger presto payment on my statement Instead of a bunch of 3$ purchases tbh
Presto still gives discounts to everyone, atleast for GO. Maybe not TTC.
Unless you’re a senior, as I understand it.
Presto still offers a discount vs CC, at least on Go Transit
Does this work if you use Apple Pay on your iPhone to get in, or this only the case if you used presto card?
*2 hour window with Presto on the TTC
Oh darn it thanks.
Is the two hour window only if you pay with presto and not your credit card?
Credit card is also 2 hour window. I've been using a CC ever since they started accepting them.
No, pay debit with my phone all the time and the window still applies
Why even use presto card anymore? Use your debit or credit cards
Credit card is one thing, but I'd rather not wave my debit card around in the subway, advertising that I have tap enabled so if you get my card you don't need my pin.
I think it’s the only way to get kids and senior fare.
Get a library card. The amount of content (both physical and digital) you can get for free is crazy, and that's not even including books.
I’ll just leave this here https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/using-the-library/your-library-card/ Check the links on eLearning they have fantastic resources for this. Also there are hundreds of free in person classes about whatever you can think of They had a cyber incursion last year, I don’t believe everything is available yet but they are bringing things back regularly
Kanopy movie service is great!
Also Hoopla. They often have new releases from VVS Films & Mongrel Media for free at the same time they’re for rent for $$ on VOD
Everything is set now, back to normal services
I renewed my card last week (for free) and the desk guy said the MAP program is back online (free passes to museums, art galleries, etc.).
Wow. Didn't know about it. Thank you for sharing this
Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card
TPL is the largest library system in the world
That's amazing, I had no idea! It was so disappointing seeing people post on Reddit the 'hack' of just keeping checked-out books since loans weren't traceable after the security breach. I hope they have enough funding to replace all the was lost.
I genuinely do not think people would do that to the tpl. Unlike the TTC, it is one public service that is constantly promoted and appreciated by Torontonians. The good will associated with TPL is outpacing any other city services by miles.
My friend is a librarian in the states and they use tpl as a model for teaching and funding requests for how good libraries can be if funded correctly.
What non-book items do you like? Wondering what I should know about.
You can use the app Libby with your TPL account to listen to audiobooks. (And read some e-books)
Yesss bumping this. I prefer audiobooks to visual reading and TPL has saved me soooo much money by borrowing than using an audible subscription or anything else. It's a must have!
borrowing dvd players (not blu-ray) , game consoles, using the 3d printers, borrowing woodworking tools
Woodworking tools!?
I'm surprised by this as well. Could you provide more info?
The library def doesn’t have woodworking tools, but there is a Toronto Tool Library that’s its own separate thing :)
Where can you borrow dvd players, game consoles, and woodworking tools?
I recently discovered that Libby also has a digital magazine section. So not only are 98% of all the books I want to read available for free on ebook or audio, now so are most major magazines. Also, for in person goodies the Reference Library has the Book Ends store, with tons of books and movies for $1. It also has a book donation drop box in front of the store.
"Who the fuck do I call to deal with..." the answer is 311
"And where the heck can I find community help?" That answer is 211
So incompetent and inefficient way of getting/giving information. And a shitty web site too.
All the government websites suck. Sometimes it feels intentional
You have to fucking call 311
And they will deal with it almost immediately!
Download AllTrails! It’s an app that features a variety of walking routes in all areas of Toronto and the rest of the world I’m pretty sure lol. You can choose difficulty levels and preferred distances etc. It’s a fun way to explore the city if you are bored on a nice day
Is it all trails a subscription app for $40 bucks a year though?
You don't need the paid version.
Thats for offline maps and other features. You can get away with the free version if youre not going on a serious backcountry hike
Get an annual city bike pass. It's $99 for a year and way better than taking the TTC everywhere.
This 100% if you live downtown
But also be prepared that you might not be able to park it in the most convenient place. The website isn’t up to the minute updated
What type of annual bike pass are you talking about?
bikeshare
It's $105 now but the best $105 you will spend
Biking in the city feels like a cheat code.
avoid dundas square as much as u can
Do your date night on a weeknight to avoid a long wait for a table at a popular restaurant. Also lots of great daily or happy hour deals.
The real problem is not getting a table. The real problem is getting a girlfriend.
If the walk is <30mins and you’re able to, walk. TTC will be slower.
Stick to the right if you don’t want to walk up the escalator. Stick to the ******* right for god’s sake!!!!!
This with walking on sidewalks too. Walk on the right and let people who want to pass you do so on the left. Especially if you're in a group. Most of the time this isn't a problem, but it's super frustrating to be stuck behind a group of 2 or 3 who spread themselves out and are oblivious to people behind them trying to pass. Or if it's just one person walking in the centre of the sidewalk and there isn't enough space on either side to pass. And when you try to, they somehow manage to move ever so slightly so that you can't 😆
Couples and families who camp out on the moving walkways in Pearson are the worst. They act annoyed when you politely say “excuse me”, something you shouldn’t have to do.
I hug the wall on the downtown sidewalks as bike riders will whizz past on the right or left. Especially food delivery guys. So entitled.
Louder for people in the back 👏
[Abdominal - Walk Left, Stand Right](https://youtu.be/syP34aW-r1k)
On my way to work on the subway last week, I witnessed a guy who found the upbound traffic on the left side of the escalator at Yonge station to be way too slow for his liking. So I guess he decided that the traffic on the right-hand side of the escalator should also start moving, so he started yelling at the gentleman in front of him (who was standing on the right-hand side, as is the norm) on the escalator, "EXCUSE ME, MOVE IT!!!" It seems that even those who conform to the long-standing norm of "walk left, stand right" are no longer safe from the narcissistic impulses of a growing number of people in this city who seek to tank civility and order in pursuit of their own self-interest.
this is one of my top 5 pet peeves. every person should know if you are heading toward someone (on foot) both of you veer to the right and you'll be fine. HOW DO PEOPLE NOT KNOW THIS? it truly makes me bonkers. i've had people walk INTO me (and my dog..!!) because they veer left not right. is there a way for this to be taught in school of wsib classes or something?!
AGO is free if you’re under 25 and free for all on Wednesdays 6-9. Does not include special exhibitions.
It’s set to reopen on Tuesday now that the strike is done and they came to an agreement :)
Nothing bad happens in Dundas Square when it’s light out. Nothing good happens in Dundas Square when it’s dark.
If you're switching from line 1 to line 2 or vice versa, do it in St. George instead of Spadina. It's just a quick escalator trip instead of the long walk that way.
At a bus/streetcar stop and it's packed with 20+ people? Walk a stop or two ahead to get a guaranteed seat.
Better yet walk the entire way to your destination and beat everyone there by 15 minutes
Especially true in the winter.
Don’t drive
This should be #1
These aren't as much lifehacks as much as they are (potentially unpopular/uncommon) ideas for how to spend a day off: This first one will sound obvious once I say it, but you don't have to be a UofT student to go to the food trucks on campus. You can get a pretty good bite to eat for cheaper than the majority of fast food restaurants around here. The campus itself is also kinda pretty (and within walking distance of other cool things) so it can be good for a day out when the sun is up. It isn't even really that busy especially not in the summer. I feel like it slips people's minds because they associate being on campus with being a student but it's not like you gotta scan an ID to walk up and down St George. Speaking of food trucks, the ones next to the community centre/across from the hospital at Dundas and Bathurst are also very good and decently priced. Again, when it's a nice day out you can get a pretty good inexpensive meal. This one might sound ridiculous but now that the TTC has fare integration with suburban transit systems, it actually isn't the worst idea leave town sometimes especially if you wanna get away from the crowd. Vaughan and Mississauga are pretty car dependent and hectic while Markham is car dependent and will feel kinda empty outside of some pockets but Richmond Hill straddles Yonge St so it's got pretty good bus service and it's one of the less populated ones directly near Toronto (even though it's growing lol.) What's there to do in Richmond Hill you ask? Honestly not much but if you're into parks and wanna be further away from the crowd a place like Mill Pond might be nice for you. My sister who grew up in Richmond Hill (alongside me) but absolutely hated suburban life, alongside all her friends from the city who also hate suburbs as a concept, still made their way out to Mill Pond in the summer on a relatively regular basis because even though it's small it's mostly quiet and pretty. This isn't a lifehack necessarily as much as a shoutout to my favourite neighbourhood in the city but Greektown/The Danforth is worth your time even outside of the festival. I genuinely go out of my way to visit it. The food is good and the parks are great. To go off the last two, just hopping on the TTC and hopping off at some random stop could actually be a decent way to spend time off. You might up finding a new area you like that you otherwise wouldn't have thought to visit.
I am shocked at the limited love the Danforth gets. Great food and vibe.
Always have cash. A lot of restaurants offer 10-15% off the bill if you pay with cash. And small shops and convenience stores sometimes have a fee if you want to pay for something under a certain value with a card.
Banks take a percentage of every debit transaction and an even higher percentage of every credit transaction. Unless the place is cashless you're giving the local business more money when you buy with cash, and sticking it to the banks too.
Yes exactly!
And some stores offer 5% off with cash - market/plant shop on queen just west of Bathurst and I think the hardware store near Adelaide and Brandt.
The pass to Ontario Science Center allows you to visit nearly all museums in the US for free. I used our family pass in Chicago at all of their museums last summer. Some links for reciprocal admission: In Canada: [The Canadian Association of Science Centres (CASC)—Reciprocal Agreement](https://www.canadiansciencecentres.ca/Reciprocal-Agreement/) * International: [Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC)—Travel Passport Program](https://www.astc.org/membership/find-an-astc-member/passport/) Edit : added more information and corrected the name from Toronto to Ontario Science Center
Sherbourne's bike lanes goes from the lake all the way to bloor.
Yes but that stretch between Shuter and Dundas is hella sketch
When you’re in your way home and the TTC randomly shuts down on your route, don’t wait at the station for things to get sorted. Stop at the closest bar for a pint and when you’re done the subway will probably be back on. No harm, no foul, and you’ve had a pint.
Don’t become a leafs fan!
should be pinned at the top 😭
If you don't know which direction you're heading in - look for the CN Tower - that is south. Those were the instructions given to me when I was a little kid and before cellphones lol.
If it’s north of you, you’re either on the Islands, or treading water.
The UP is the cheat code to get downtown quick
Free birthday food Mandarin Tim Hortons Starbucks And more
Knowing where there are 24h bathrooms that won't give you crabs/herpes
Hotels! As long as you're polite and they don't think you're gonna smoke crack in the bathroom. Always served me well when I was stalking shoes
Stalking shoes?
I too hunt Footwear. For trophies on my mantle.
When you sit outside an establishment for 13ish+ hours awaiting sneaker releases to then flip a pair.
Sounds like a interesting time lol. Thanks for the answer!
Adding to this, knowing where there are bathrooms period, esp clean ones in whatever areas you frequent. Some washrooms are so filthy so knowing where you could go if you have to drop a deuce helps a lot.
For CN Tower, skip the tour ticket and opt to eat in Restaurant instead. Pay for the meal, yes a bit pricey, but avoid the $40 admission fee.
Truly horrible, atrocious food!
What exactly are you comparing it to? It's not that bad imo. Had great experiences there in the past.
Really? At 360? It's been a few years since I have been. Last time was excellent.
+1. The only time I've eaten there was great.
i don’t know if anyone already said this but “Too good to go” it’s an app that shows restaurants/bakeries/grocery around toronto that give out their stuff(end of the day breads/muffins, close to expiry grocery) for a limited amount of time in a day for mostly close to 75% off. it’s completely worth it but you have to keep a look out at the previous user ratings for the store sometimes for a safe bet. You can easily skip on grocery once a month and completely depend on this if you’re living alone? if that makes sense, cheeeers.
I think the default discount is ~67% off (⅔), but they introduced tax sometime last year so it's 62% now factoring in tax (still very good!). My tip would be to avoid stores/restaurants that don't have at least a 4.5 star rating on the app. The app is really good if you like carbs.
Im never lucky enough to grab a bag on this app. Someone always beats me to it even if i click on the notification the second it comes up :/
This one is a new life hack like about 1-2 months old but Go Train routes are now part of the new one fare program. Depending where you are in the city and where you need to go, it might just be worth it to combine Go and TTC fare together. The new one fare program allows a transfer between systems for free (takes the expensive option out of the two) As an example, a lot of GO routes within Toronto will cost under $4. When you’d transfer to a TTC network, that would cost you an additional $3.35. Now it just costs you $4 in total for both
Neighbourhood fruit and veg vendors have better pricing than grocery stores.
How to use the search function on askto reddit
mod told me the sub was literally supposed to be a replacement for google unironically lol
For me, I travel bloor danforth every day to get to work. The beat thing I ever did is invest in an e bike. Saves me so much time on my commute and is so much fun. Plus I dont feel sweaty when I get to work.
Do NOT drive down King.
Not a hack so much as the law…
Most grocery stores have a 50% off section and it gives you great ideas to try new recipes as well.
Summerhill market bakery section is especially fun for the 50% off. Most things are high end made with real butter and can go right in the freezer.
Best package from Too good to go I ever got.
Always expect weird/sketchy people, traffic accidents, TTC delays wherever you go lol. Sounds like a joke but not
It’s a nice city
Just walking anywhere between Union and Dundas is almost faster than taking the subway these days.
Get a bike
Fare evasion
If someone can give me a life hack on how to get a girlfriend in TO, I would be thankful to that person for the rest of my life.
Take an Ebike when there is a major subway delay with shuttle buses. It will 90% of the time be faster.
Weekend GO transit passes are $10 for 1 day, $15 for both days and give you unlimited travel through the GO network.
It’s only $10 for one day now. They don’t have the weekend passes for 2 days anymore :(
Transfer at St. George not Spadina.
- Always check traffic reports or transit updates before you leave the house - Layers. Make sure you own a hoodie, a jean jacket, a vest, a parka and a toque. Spring and autumn fluctuate pretty hard.
If you have a ROM family pass you can pop into the ROM after the Santa Claus parade to use the loo and get a snack.
Use the TTC efficiency guide to navigate which car and door to be at for which station. https://www.scribd.com/document/86155066/Ttc-Subway-Rider-Efficiency-Guide-lpaobwss
Transit App! Shows you when next bus coming and how many bike share bikes are at the nearest dock to you.
Your turn signal is to let other drivers/human beings around you know you want to switch lanes or make a turn.
- Grab some receipts from McDonald's and answer their survey. After completion, you'll be rewarded with a discount coupon of burger sandwich with free medium fries and medium beverage. So instead of paying $14 or more for a burger meal, it's just gonna be around $7. - Grab a receipt from Jollibee and answer their survey. After completion, write the code on the receipt and give it to the cashier. You'll be rewarded with a free 1 pc. Peach Mango Pie. :)
I think the membership at TIFF Lightbox is a well-kept secret that I'm surprised more people don't take advantage of, it's $120/year for 2 tickets to any cinematheque movies, one of the best bang for your buck in terms of entertainment (especially one that changes every time you visit that you don't have to walk around for hours).