High Park in blossom season: go early, skip the car

Before you book an apartment or room in Toronto, look for the City registration number on the listing, written as STR followed by digits. Short-term rentals of under 28 nights are only allowed in a host's principal residence, and unregistered listings can be reported to the City. Skip any listing without the number…

Gladstone House at 1214 Queen Street West opened in 1889 and is still a working hotel, with an art program that places local artists' work throughout the building. It suits travelers who want an art-filled stay in West Queen West rather than a downtown chain. Its restaurant hosts live music, and the Queen streetcar…

Each May, Toronto opens roughly 150 buildings of architectural, historic and cultural interest to the public for free, many of them normally closed or ticketed. Check the building list on the city website when it is published, pick two or three in the same part of town and arrive when doors open, because most sites…

Twice a year the City of Toronto runs Winterlicious, in late January and early February, and Summerlicious, in July. Participating restaurants offer three-course set menus at a fixed price per person. Drinks, tax and tip are extra, and each restaurant picks its own price tier, so compare menus before booking. Lunch is…

The Rex Hotel Jazz and Blues Bar, on Queen Street West just west of University Avenue, has live music every day. Most shows are pay what you can, with a contribution passed around, but the later evening set is ticketed. It takes no reservations, so arrive early to get a seat. Food and drinks are welcome but not…

The Horseshoe Tavern at 370 Queen Street West has been a live-music room since 1947, and its back bar still books touring and emerging bands. The front bar is open daily, so you can have a drink before the show. Check the venue calendar and buy tickets early, since popular nights sell out. Over the decades it has…

The Distillery District is a pedestrian-only block of 19th-century industrial buildings from the Gooderham and Worts distillery, now home to artist studios, galleries, cafes and small shops. Several studios sell original work directly, so it works well for gifts that are not souvenirs. Visit on a weekday morning for…

Evergreen Brick Works hosts what it calls Toronto's largest year-round farmers market every Saturday, with Ontario farmers and small producers. A free shuttle runs from Broadview subway station, with more trips on Saturdays, and the site sits inside the Don Valley ravine system. Eat something there, buy local produce…