One of life's greatest pleasures surely must be losing yourself in a good book, and even more so when you're traveling. I particularly love finishing a story on the road and then exchanging for a new one with someone I meet along the way. There are plenty of options for book shopping in Toronto, such as the standard big-box Chapters/Indigo, or the many charming second-hand book stores (there are a handful on College St just west of Bathurst St). However, my first stop is always BMV, a bookstore in Toronto's Annex neighbourhood.
BMV has a huge selection of, well, everything: classics, modern literature, non-fiction, coffee table books, comics, cookbooks, you name it (though they often don't carry the brand-new bestsellers, but that doesn't bother me). Even better than the vast selection are the prices; I rarely spend more than $ 5 - $ 8 on a paperback that otherwise retails for $ 20 or more. You won't leave BMV Books empty-handed.
BMV also has locations at 10 Edward Street (near Yonge and Dundas Square), 2289 Yonge Street (uptown, at Yonge and Eglinton) and on Queen West, at 244 Queen St W. The store on Queen St also has lots of neat Canada- and Toronto-inspired souvenirs.
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"Allan Gardens Conservatory", strangely advertised as a major Toronto landmark, remains a well-kept secret. Have a picnic in 100s of flowers and old trees!
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Throughout the experience, you’ll visit several different rooms, each with its own focus on threats to our precious planet, such as electronic waste.
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A couple of great finds I’ve gotten from this store are Braiding Sweetgrass, my favourite book of all time and The Intersectional Environmentalist...
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From beautiful jewelry to handmade or vintage home decor, amazing artwork, and candles scented with classic Canadian smells, it’s a gift-givers heaven!
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Each visit to The Latest Scoop is a like a little treasure hunt, with regularly updated inventory to keep up with the latest trends.
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Somewhat tucked away in the Annex neighbourhood of Toronto, this sweet shop welcomes you with a selection of locally made baked goods you can take to-go.
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There is so much to see in this stunning space, and they have such a wide selection, you could spend hours inside and still not see it all!
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Their guiding principles are rooted in the slow fashion movement of quality over quantity, meaning sustainably and ethically produced pieces!
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I’ve bought plenty here from a beautiful, sustainably-made beach towel to a gorgeous gold-dipped necklace - both were gifts for myself!
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"Broadview Espresso" in Toronto makes cappuccino just the way I like it -- almost scalding hot! I love sitting at the patio in the wooden seats...
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"Toronto Reference Library" is Canada's largest reference library & a must-stop on any downtown tour, with plenty of exciting cultural secrets to discover.
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145 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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