2008 IEEE International Symposium on Information Theory

July 6th to 11th, 2008
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Social Programs and Attractions

Things to do while not attending ISIT 2008

Welcome to Toronto! While you are here, we hope that you will enjoy much of what our city offers: tourist attractions, theatre and musical entertainment, plenty of shopping, beautiful parks and walking trails, a cornucopia of dining experiences, and a celebrated multicultural diversity that does not exist anywhere else in the world.

From the Sheraton Centre many attractions are within walking distance. Immediately to the north, across the street, is Osgoode Hall, Nathan Phillips Square and City Hall. Just to the west a few blocks is Queen Street West, an eclectic area offering boutique-style shopping and many unique restaurants. Just to the east a couple of blocks, you will see Old City Hall (with the clock tower), The Eaton Centre, and The Bay (more shopping opportunities). Other destinations are a short bus, subway or streetcar ride away. Taxis are also an option. For more adventurous excursions, the Go Train (commuter rail) and other municipal transit systems, tour buses, as well as car rentals can get you where you want to go.

How to get around:

Public Transportation:

In Toronto you can easily access most city and suburb destinations using public transportation. For locations further away from the downtown core (symposium location) or in nearby cities, renting a car might be a good idea. If you are planning to see the city in the busy downtown core use:

You can also explore the city with:

Guided Bus tours:
Toronto Hop On Hop Off City Tour: These hop-on hop-off tours are a great way to see a lot of the city fairly quickly (get the lay of the land) and they allow you to spend more time where you want and less time where you don’t.

Walking:
There many sites to be seen within a short walk of anywhere downtown Toronto. Try some of the walking tours that Frommers.com suggests, or try:

The Path:
This is Toronto’s underground city and pedestrian highway, which stretches and loops around for miles, connecting office towers, shopping malls, restaurants, and hotels. This is particularly useful in the dead cold of winter or in the sweltering hot humid days of summer, when it is not so pleasant above-ground. Be careful, though; once you’re in the labyrinth there’s no telling when (or where) you might re-emerge. Best to take the GPS, or leave a trail of crumbs, or emergency contact information with your hotel concierge. If you’re lucky, you’ll reach your destination “in weatherproof comfort”, and you will have passed the screening test that qualifies you to enter the hedge maze on Centre Island.

Great areas for outdoor walks include: Waterfront Trail, Toronto Parks (including Don Valley, Allan Gardens, Toronto Music Garden at Harbourfront, and High Park.

Main Attractions:

Toronto Islands have a bit of everything, with the best view of the city. Check the park, waterfront beach, Centreville amusement park, restaurants, the great outdoors, picnic areas, bike rentals, pedal boats, petting zoo, village and cottages, a hedge maze, and a ferry ride to get there. This offers something for any age of visitor.

The Beach in the east end offers a park, waterfront, boardwalk, beach volleyball, playgrounds, Kew Gardens, shopping, and restaurants. There recently was a voluntary plebiscite held in Toronto to determine if The Beaches should be called The Beaches or The Beach. The winning vote was for The Beach, so for the next 25 years, you will hear the area referred to as either name.

Museums, Galleries, etc.: The City of Toronto’s homepage provides an on-line museum and history of the city, with links to many museums and points of interest in our town. Here are listed just a few of what is available: Royal Ontario Museum, Hockey Hall of Fame, Black Creek Pioneer Village, Fort York, Ontario Science Centre, Casa Loma, Toronto Police Museum and Discovery Centre, Toronto Aerospace Museum, Textile Museum of Canada, George R. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art, CBC Museum, The Market Gallery, McMichael Canadian Art Collection (Kleinburg). Oh, yes, we have a shoe museum and a TV museum, too. (Unfortunately, one of our best attractions, The Art Gallery of Ontario is currently under renovation, expected to reopen only in Fall 2008.)

Tourist sites: Also check out CN Tower, Rogers Centre (formerly Skydome), Toronto City Hall & Nathan Phillips Square, the Theatre District (King St West), the ACC, Queen s Park (Provincial Parliament), The Distillery District, The Steam Whistle Brew House, Union Station, Universities (Toronto, Ryerson, George Brown, York) and Colleges (Humber, Seneca), Riverdale Farm, Chum-City Building A.K.A. MuchMusic World Headquarters, Summerhill LCBO (old North Toronto Station) near Rosedale (via subway), St. Lawrence Market area, Necropolis Cemetery.

Day Excursions

(a car is necessary for these treks)

Ontario Place (ok, it is possible to get to this one fairly easily without a car), Canada’s Wonderland (Maple), Playdium (Mississauga), Wild Water Kingdom (Brampton), Metro Toronto Zoo (Scarborough), Royal Botanical Gardens (Hamilton/Burlington), Toronto Botanical Gardens in Edwards Gardens, Bronte Creek Provincial Park (Oakville), Oakville Galleries and Gairloch Gardens.

Out-of-Town Excursions

(it might seem like you’re driving for hours, definitely need an early start, and it’s a full day, but well worth the effort)

Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Picton, St Jacobs/Elora Gorge, Mountsberg Wildlife Centre & Crawford Lake, Wasaga Beach, Muskoka. An excursion to the Muskoka area or the Picton area would need more than one day (unless you really are an early bird with unlimited energy), but either would be a wonderful add-on at the end of the conference.

Cultural Areas

Greektown (the Danforth), Little Italy & Portugal Village, Chinatown, Gerrard India Bazaar, Eglinton btwn Spadina & Dufferin (lots of kosher) Forest Hill.

Shopping

Yorkville/Bloor St. West, Queen's Quay Terminal - Harbourfront, Queen St. West, Yorkdale Mall (via subway), Bloor West Village (via subway), The Eaton Centre, St. Lawrence Market, Sherway Gardens (in Etobicoke), Yonge Eglinton Centre.

Spas

The Old Mill Inn; The Elmwood; Stillwater Spa; Victoria Spa; Senses Spa & Massage Clinic (in the Sheraton Centre Hotel). These will need advance reservations.

Off the beaten path (car needed)

Scarborough Bluffs, The Leslie Street Spit (Tommy Thompson Park)

A short GO Train ride away: Port Credit in Mississauga; Oakville (on Lakeshore at Trafalgar, and/or Bronte village)

Architectural Interest

In addition to the sites already mentioned, there are many buildings of architectural interest in Toronto. Some are listed here: most Toronto libraries including the Toronto Reference Library, Church of the Holy Trinity, St. James Anglican Cathedral, Osgoode Hall, BCE Place, Royal Bank Plaza, Beardmore Building, and CIBC Building.

Restaurants

There are virtually more restaurants in Toronto than there are people (please excuse the hyperbole), with certainly something to appeal to any palate, from any cultural background (this is no exaggeration).

To get a good view of the city while you eat, try 360 The Restaurant at the top of the CN Tower, Toula Restaurant at the top of the Harbour Castle Westin or Panorama 51st floor in the Manulife Centre at Bay and Bloor (this gives you a panoramic view of Toronto – this restaurant/lounge/club is restricted to 19 years and above). A very fine (yes, that means expensive) restaurant with a surprising view of the city is Scaramouche, in the Forest Hill area of Toronto (nr Avenue Rd., 4 streets south of St. Clair Ave. West)

The following links will give you plenty of options for food in any area of town and also outside of town:

Entertainment

Live Jazz can be found at several very good restaurants in the area: Jazz FM 91.1 lists clubs that have live jazz in the area, as well as good food.

The Old Mill Inn also offers jazz Friday and Saturday nights in a beautiful setting (spa/hotel, restaurant).

Dinner Theatre/Comedy/Improv/Music:
There are many renowned theatre groups and performance venues in the Toronto area, including Soulpepper Theatre, Second City (Toronto), StageWest (Mississauga), Mysteriously Yours Mystery Dinner Theatre, Bad Dog Theatre Company; The Bathurst Street Theatre, The St. Lawrence Centre, the Glenn Gould Studio, and the Mirvish group of theatres to name just a few. Tickets usually need to be purchased well in advance for most events.

Nathan Phillips Square & Harbourfront
will often have free musical events happening, and in the summer, High Park is host to the Shakespeare play A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the evenings.

Other Information Sources

At Torontowide.com you will see info on all types of cultural events and musical and theatrical entertainment, as well as some magnificent panoramic photos of sites around Toronto.

http://toronto.ourfaves.com/things

10 things to do in Toronto that cost absolutely nothing

Companion Events

Monday:Toronto Islands (outdoor activity – weather permitting)
Tuesday:Walking Tour of Cabbagetown
Wednesday:Shopping at the Eaton Centre or Queen St. West (a.m. only)
Thursday:Tour of Queen's Park and the University of Toronto
Friday:A visit to the Royal Ontario Museum and Bloor Street
OR
the Hockey Hall of Fame and The St. Lawrence Market area

Walking Tour: Cabbagetown

Start: Allan Gardens.

Finish: Sumach and Gerrard (for streetcar to College Station).

Time: 2 to 3 hours.

Best Time: Tuesdays from May through October, when the Farmer's Market is open in Riverdale Park West.

Worst Time: There is no worst time; all of the other attractions on this tour can be seen on weekdays and weekends.

Cabbagetown has experienced more of the vicissitudes of fate than any other neighborhood in Toronto. Built up in the 1840s by Irish immigrants fleeing the Great Famine, the name of the district comes from the cabbage plants they grew in their front yards. It has been both a wealthy enclave and a slum, but today, the residential streets have been gentrified, and the surrounding commercial streets are on an upswing.

Begin at:

1. Allan Gardens
This was Toronto's first civic park. For many years it ran to the seedy side, but since the University of Toronto took over the care of the greenhouses in 2004, it has become a charming place to visit again. The Children's Conservatory is well worth a look, but the crown jewel of the garden is the Edwardian Palm House.

At the corner of Carlton and Sherbourne, you'll see:

2. St. Luke's United Church
Known as Sherbourne Street Methodist when the first sermon was preached here in 1887, this is one of Toronto's most beautiful examples of religious architecture. From the outside, the imposing stonework and turrets make it look like a castle. Inside, the sanctuary has been completely refurbished in the past few years. The glorious stained-glass windows are the pièce de résistance (the church once had a wealthy congregation, and you'll see that the windows were all "dedicated" by businessmen trying to outdo one another).

On the north side of Carlton St. is:

3. St. Peter's Anglican Church
This parish was originally based in a cemetery chapel. In 1866, John Strachan, the Aberdeen-born Bishop of Toronto, opened this church. It's a pretty example of High Victorian Gothic, and later additions are in keeping with its original style.

Walk east along Carlton to:

4. Daniel et Daniel
This food shop at no. 248 Carlton St. is widely considered one of the best in Toronto. You'll find freshly baked pastries and equally tempting cheeses, pâtés, tarts, cakes, and other treats. My favorite thing is the selection of chocolates (sigh). Resistance is futile.

You're now at the intersection with:

5. Parliament Street
Parliament Street got its name because the first Upper Canada government buildings in "muddy little York" (as Toronto was then known) were built at its southern end in 1793. Today, it's the main commercial artery of Cabbagetown. This isn't exactly trendy (at press time, Starbucks had yet to set up an outpost on this stretch), but you can make some great finds. At no. 480 is a branch of Planet Aid, the secondhand-clothing store that raises money for projects in the developing world. Sharon's, at no. 503, is a small but glamorous boutique with clothing and accessories. Green's Antiques, at no. 529, is a true gem, with plenty of great chairs, ottomans, and sofas, many of which have been newly upholstered by the talented staff.

Take a Break--One reliable place to grab a bite is The Pear Tree (507 Parliament St., tel. 416/962-8190), which serves hearty salads like the Salmon Caesar or (my pick) the goat cheese and spinach. Another great spot is Jet Fuel (519 Parliament St., tel. 416/968-9982), a coffee shop that has become a local landmark (bike couriers love this place). Everything here is made with espresso, so be prepared for a caffeine hit.

Turn right at Winchester St. (at the corner, you'll pass the Laurentian Room), and walk east. At the NE corner of the intersection of Winchester and Metcalfe, you'll see:

6. Toronto Dance Theatre
The former St. Enoch's Presbyterian Church was built in 1891 in a Romanesque Revival style. Oddly, the red-brick exterior makes the building (almost) blend in with the rest of the neighborhood (quite a feat, given its size).

Continue east to:

7. 94 Winchester Avenue
This was once the home of magician Doug Henning. You can't go inside (it's someone else's home now), but a plaque at the front commemorates his life (1947-2000) and immortalizes him as "magician, teacher, politician." The first two are easy to get, but the last requires some explanation. In 1994, Henning stood for election to Parliament as a member of the Natural Law Party, an organization memorable mainly for its belief in levitation.

Continue walking east on Winchester. and turn south onto:

8. Sackville Street
This quiet street had some of the loveliest homes in Cabbagetown. While the architecture is an eclectic mix, you'll mostly see variations on Victorian and Queen Anne styles. Walk down to Sackville Place (the street will be only on your left side). Across from it is Pine Terrace, a series of Victorian red-brick town houses built in 1886.

Walk north back to Winchester, and follow it east to Sumach St., where you'll find:

9. Riverdale Park West
This is a lovely park that's a favorite with local families. While you stop to enjoy the scenery, you can learn more about Cabbagetown's history. Look for the large maps and plaques in the park's northwestern corner, and you can learn all about many of the fascinating people who once called the neighborhood theirs. (Hint: Doug Henning fit in very well.) Depending on when you visit, you may find a farmer's market operating in the park, too.

Across from the park, on the north side of Winchester, is the:

10. Necropolis
Walk under the Gothic-inspired porte cochere to enter Toronto's city of the dead. This is the prettiest cemetery you could hope to find, and if you stop at the office (on the right side as you step under the archway), you can pick up a free map that will guide you to the final resting places of some of Toronto's famous inhabitants. Check out the imposing stone Celtic cross that marks the grave of William Lyon Mackenzie, the leader of the Upper Canada rebellion who later became the mayor of Toronto (see the entry for Mackenzie House,, for more details).

When you finish here, exit through the porte cochere; on your right is the:

11. Necropolis Chapel
This small chapel is a stunning example of High Victorian Gothic style. Architect Henry Langley built it in 1872 (he's the same person who designed the eye-catching towers at St. James' Cathedral, and St. Michael's Cathedral). The chapel and the adjoining porte cochere are widely considered to be two of the finest pieces of Gothic Revival architecture in Canada. (Langley is buried in the Necropolis.)

Take a Break--You won't find many places to grab a snack within the residential heart of Cabbagetown. The exception is Park Snacks (no phone), a take-out-only spot at the southwest corner of Winchester and Sumach. In summer, you can buy drinks, ice cream, or sandwiches here. Riverdale Park West provides many benches well shaded by trees. Year-round, you can buy snacks at Riverdale Farm (below).

On the eastern edge of the park, you'll see the entrance to:

12. Riverdale Farm
I love this working farm in the heart of downtown Toronto. Its setting might seem incongruous, but it's a charming place to visit, particularly if you have children in tow. Even if you don't, you can appreciate the chicks, bunnies, cows, goats, and other animals.

When you leave the farm, turn to the left and follow its perimeter; this will give you a good view of:

13. The Don Valley
There's been a big movement to "Bring Back the Don" in Toronto, and the valley has been revitalized by it. The Don River is no longer a mighty force, but at least its valley is green. If you look to the north, you'll see the Bloor Street Viaduct (one of the best viewing points in the city).

Walk west along Spruce St. to Sumach; on the NW corner, you'll see:

14. Spruce Court
This was the first public-housing project in Canada. This utopian collection of two- and three-story cottages was built in 1913 by the appropriately named architect Eden Smith. All face either onto the street or one of the leafy private courtyards. Many, though not all, of the housing blocks were designed in English Cottage style, which was intended to evoke the bucolic splendor of country life. You can't see the interiors -- since 1980, these have been private family homes run by a co-op -- but from the street you can appreciate the half-timbered gables, the tall chimneys, and arched brick porches.

Walk south along Spruce St. to Gerrard St.; from here, you can catch any westbound streetcar, which will take you to College Station.