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Concerts in Toronto this October honour the spirit of the spookiest month with enough goth, metal and shock rock to fill several graveyards, but there’s also a pleasant dose of pop to cut through all the heaviness.
Get your freak on with Marilyn Manson, Gwar, Guns n Roses, Goblin and Twiztid (hey, Juggalos are relevant now), or opt for lighter fare from Halsey, Kid Cudi, Future Islands and Alt-J. If you’re already missing fest season, get your fix with annual punk celebration Not Dead Yet, the Music Gallery’s X Avant XII and Next Music from Tokyo.
Events you might want to check out:Harry Styles (October 4 @ Massey Hall)Prominent survivor of the modern boy-band era, Styles has transitioned to mature songwriter-type with his eponymous debut. The first tour comes to little ol' Massey, but rest assured there’s a bigger ACC gig planned for 2018.
Zola Jesus (October 6 @ The Garrison)Nika Roza Danilova went through some tough personal experiences after releasing her last album, but those emotions have been funnelled into the stunning Okovi, arguably her best work to date. Catch her in Longboat Hall's brick-walled intimacy.
Azealia Banks (October 8 @ The Opera House)Tough to root for her at this point, but if you can look past all the headline-grabbing foolishness, Banks’s house fusion and searing rhymes are worth remembering. It certainly won’t be boring when she swings by this month.
The Pack A.D. (October 12 @ Horseshoe Tavern)The loud Vancouver duo seems set to inch closer to power-pop greatness with the tease of their upcoming new LP Dollhouse, and will hit the ‘Shoe the day before its release.
Wolf Parade (October 13 @ The Phoenix Concert Theatre)Despite the six-year break, Wolf Parade have been warmly welcomed back to the Canadian Indie Darling Club and are ready to move past 2005 nostalgia with Cry Cry Cry, out next week. NYC’s 90s-inspired Charly Bliss opens.
Paramore (October 13 @ Massey Hall)A guilty pleasure of many rock purists (admit it jerks, they’re hooky as hell and Hayley’s voice continuously rules, come at me) will showcase their more recent embrace of synths, with Best Coast tagging along.
D.O.A (October 14 @ Horseshoe tavern)Horseshoe Tavern is celebrating its 70 years with a string of high-profile alumni revisiting the stage. After Billy Bragg’s three-night sellout, legendary punks DOA are next to honour the historic venue.
Kesha (October 16 @ REBEL)Despite ongoing legal turmoil, the glittery pop weirdo just scored a major victory with her first new album in roughly five years, embraced by critics as much as by fans. Hear what the real Kesha sounds like at Rebel.
Foxmoulder (October 20 @ D-Beastro)Few know them outside local punk circles, but this band has long been a pillar in Toronto hardcore, proudly wearing the “screamo” tag and wrecking ears most of this decade. They’re breaking up, so say goodbye and support a great DIY space.
The War On Drugs (October 21 @ Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall)Feels like yesterday we watched these dudes climb to prominence amidst a barrage of baffling Mark Kozelek insults. Now they’re on a major label - the same label who signed the “Cash me Outside” girl for whatever reason, so good sign?
Chelsea Wolfe (October 21 @ The Opera House)Converge’s Kurt Ballou produced the new Hiss Spun, Wolfe's latest effort to plumb the depths of bleakness to beautiful effect, so expect her to be at peak bone-shaking heaviness at the Opera House (close to Halloween, fittingly).
Tori Amos (October 30 @ Massey Hall)The illustrious piano-plinking songstress has just released her 15th studio LP and will bring her stirring compositions for a one-night stand at Massey.
Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile (October 31 @ Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall)These solo stars from opposite ends of the planet combined their distinctively dry songwriting powers for a collab album, and have assembled an all-star indie band featuring members of Sleater-Kinney, Warpaint and others to tour with them.
Katy Perry Witness World Tour (October 31 @ ACC)Katy Perry brings her enormous Witness World Tour to Toronto for the first of back to back nights at the ACC. If you like big budget theatrics, multiple outfit changes, and general pomp, this is the ticket.
If you’re looking for a chance to see some gorgeous fall colours, it pays to seek out the most scenic trails in Ontario. This trek through Algonquin's stunning wilderness might be one of the best places to absorb autumn's splendour.
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The magnificent Spruce Bog Boardwalk Trail is located just off the Highway 60 corridor, which is famous for its brilliant displays of fall colours. The 1.5 kilometre routes snakes through some of the most beautiful terrain in the park.
A post shared by Steven (@skateburderr) on Aug 30, 2016 at 11:52am PDT
While the changing leaves are obviously a huge attraction each autumn, visitors can also admire the small, sheltered ponds, and spruce bogs for which the trail is named.
A post shared by Sara Bistretzan (@boardandbean) on Sep 10, 2017 at 7:32am PDT
One of the best parts of the boardwalk trail is its length. Under two kilometres, it can be completed by even the most amateur of hikers. It's also wheelchair accessible for the entire length.
A post shared by Julia Nichols (@julianicholsphoto) on Sep 10, 2017 at 7:34pm PDT
The luckiest of visitors may even catch a glimpse of some local non-migratory birds while hiking, like the Boreal Chickadee, Spruce Grouse, Blue Jay, and woodpeckers.
With Algonquin's fall colours already reaching their peak, a jaunt up to this great spot is sure to offer some of the most epic views in the park, especially in the sections where the trail departs from the heavy pines that surround it and you get wider vistas of the majestic wilderness.
And, while you're in Algonquin, why not drop by this other stunning trail? The Fire Tower Trail is about half the length, and has a fantastic wooden lookout. This route features a series of self-guides tours that explore the history of fire towers in the park.
Barack Obama superfans in Toronto are over the moon today as America's 44th President walks our streets, sees our tower, and breathes the same air that you, or I, or anyone else downtown right now could probably also breathe!
@BarackObama my 8 yr old son instructed me to get a photo with Obama to prove to his friends I attended... this may be closest I get to one pic.twitter.com/0xoURypuSP
— Donna Walrond (@MsDonnaW) September 29, 2017
The former U.S. president was in town today for a lunchtime speech, hosted by the Ottawa-based think tank Canada 2020, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Front Street.
This marks Obama's second visit to Canada since leaving the White House – and only the second time that he's come to Toronto ever. The first time was in 2010, during that unforgettably rowdy G20 summit.
"Unlike the *other* guy I believe in reason and logic and facts" Obama in the flesh 😭😭😭 thank you @CanadianPM for the opportunity! pic.twitter.com/vJViZPV20Q
— Mustafa (@MustafaThePoet) September 29, 2017
As expected, thousands of people attended the event, including politicians from all levels of government and many local school groups.
About 50 students with Pathways to Education, which helps low-income communities, get to see Obama speak today and they're "very excited" pic.twitter.com/OGtwEuhcjY
— NEWSTALK1010 (@NEWSTALK1010) September 29, 2017
Some attendees travelled from outside the city to hear the former U.S. President speak, shelling out hundreds of dollars for "cheap seats" in the convention centre.
Scene from cheap ($244) seats at Obama TO 90 min before he arrives. Tight security. Nothing bigger than piece of paper allowed in. pic.twitter.com/Rtqk8yPItx
— Anne Kingston (@anne_kingston) September 29, 2017
Lots of people simply hung around outside hoping to catch a glimpse of Obama after the $10,000-per-table lunch ended. Some students reportedly even skipped school (or study time) to do so.
#Obama’s message of hope and civic responsibility still resonates with youth. pic.twitter.com/rHxKMd2NRl
— Phil Soper (@PhilSoper) September 29, 2017
Others tweeted woefully about how much they wished they were at the event, just steps away in some cases.
Barack Obama is in the building next to me right now and I'm fangirling from all the way here. Hillary last night. Barack today. #Shook
— Sheba Siddiqui (@ShebaSid) September 29, 2017
For those who were unable to see this particular U.S. president speak, fear not – Bill Clinton will be speaking on Tuesday at The Royal York Hotel, just a few days after his wife Hillary was in town for her book tour.
Toronto is crawling with American politicians right now, it seems – and we're loving it.
It’s been a grim week in Toronto real estate news, and it keeps getting grimmer.
The Royal Bank has just released a report that puts housing affordability in Toronto at the lowest point in its history. Meanwhile, the rate for Canada overall has worsened for the eighth straight quarter.
The RBC Housing Affordability Report measures what percentage of pre-tax median household income it would take to sustain the average home, including mortgages, property taxes, utilities, and other factors.
Despite the staggering 75.4 percent for Toronto, it wasn’t the worst offender. Vancouver held onto first place at a whopping 80.7 percent, leaving Toronto in second. The national average sits at 46.7 percent, the worst rate since 1990.
Outside of Vancouver and Toronto, two cities notorious for their incredibly high costs for a home, the country was mostly stable. The Prairies, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada saw very few noticeable changes.
The news comes despite the Province of Ontario’s attempts to control prices with the Fair Housing Plan. The new policy is meant to slow the rising rate of living costs in areas like Toronto, but is still too fresh to see long term changes.
According to the report, rising interest rates will also continue to weigh down on Canadians looking to buy a home.
So if you’re looking to buy a home soon, be prepared to spend 75.4 percent of your income. If that sounds like too much, you’re always free to wait until the housing bubble bursts.
Weather in Toronto is all over the place this week. We started with record breaking, swelteringly hot days. Then it cooled down real fast. But today things got downright bizarre.
Bouncing #hail balls #toronto pic.twitter.com/M2fDdu6Pju
— Annette Juckes (@annjuck) September 29, 2017
There was a sudden hail storm today in various parts of the city, including Scarborough, the Beaches, and near Yonge Street in midtown.
Social media has blown up as a result of the sudden storm.
Weather watches called for thunderstorms earlier today, but there was no sighting of possible hail.
Toronto weather is so confusing ... one day it's 30 degrees and the next day it's this .... holy hail!!!! pic.twitter.com/sHafafkaNj
— Kate Drummond (@KateDrummond_) September 29, 2017
What extreme weather event will Toronto be treated to next? After this crazy week, we’re all guessing.
The once-popular College Street Bar was shut down earlier this year amidst a sexual assault investigation that left its owners embroiled in controversy – and it looks like that business is gone for good.
Fortunately for local music fans, the venue itself will get another lease on life when it opens under new ownership this November as "Mrs. Robinson."
Coo-Coo-Ca-Choo!
Created by the same team behind The Addisons Residence and The Good Son, Mrs. Robinson will be a cocktail bar "with a strong focus on live music."
The Little Italy establishment will also serve food, we're told, but it won't bill itself as a restaurant.
"The focus is on great cocktails at affordable prices and it'll provide Toronto with a much needed new music space," according to a PR rep for the bar.
We don't have an exact opening date at this time, but a launch party is scheduled for November.
Nuit Blanche in Toronto isn't just about the official exhibits. A number of groups are also creating so-called renegade exhibits that are not endorsed by the event's programmers. You might not even realize they're happening until you're in the middle of a light show, a forest rave, or a top secret mermaid security camera show.
Events you might want to check out:
Lake Shore Drive is home to some of the nicest properties in Toronto. While many look unremarkable when viewed from the street, it's their phenomenal lakefront backyards that make these houses so special.
This recently sold home at 231 Lake Shore Drive in South Etobicoke was advertised as a Mediterranean Villa, which sounds wholly inappropriate when you consider the interior, but far more accurate in terms of its lovely garden and waterfront views.
The decor is dated here, to be sure, but the location is spectacular for anyone who's dreamed of having a cottage-house hybrid. Updates can always be made inside, but the view is already a thing of beauty. There just aren't that many lakefront homes in big cities like Toronto.
The Essentials
Address: 231 Lake Shore Dr.
Type: Detached house
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3
Lot size: 50 x 151 feet
Hit the market at: 1,988,000
Sold for: $1,910,000
Why it sold for what it did
Location and size. Place this house on the north side of the street, and you can peel off a ton of money from the list price.
Was it worth it?
Considering that it basically sold for asking, the buyer and seller were aligned on the value of the house. It had originally been listed at $2.2 million in August before a price reduction led to it getting snapped up in September.
Cheap designer clothing in Toronto is everywhere - provided you know where or when to look. Toronto's consignment stores are a huge trove of designer scores - the time served by that 3.1 Phillip Lim dress in someone else's closet can translate to major savings for you.
Here are my picks for the top stores for cheap designer clothing in Toronto.
VSP Consignment
A relative veteran on Dundas West, VSP stocks smashing secondhand goods with a careful eye. For discerning bargain hunters, that means pieces from the likes of Céline, Balmain, Hérmes and Prada marked down as far as 80%.
Fashionably Yours
This Queen West consignment store is a favourite spot for those looking to ditch – and replace – their designer duds. You can find luxury bags from the likes of Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, YSL, Givenchy and lesser-known celeb cult favourites like Les Petit Jouer.
Tom's Place
This Kensington Market suit retailer, open since 1958, is famous for its excellently-priced designer men's wear selection and unparalleled level of customer service. On-site tailors can help you find (and fit into) brand name business apparel, formal wear and accessories here.
Marshalls
I once found a Proenza Schouler PS1 bag at the John and Queen Street location of this chain for less than half price. It's also a hotspot for discount denim. You can also score designer jeans from the likes of Hudson, J Brand, Citizens of Humanity and Paige, quite inexpensively.
Common Sort
With locations in Leslieville, Parkdale and The Annex, this cool consignment shop sells designer duds for dudes and ladies alike. You can buy high-end labels, like Miu Miu and Escada at stunning prices here, and they'll purchase your old (mint-condition) threads too.
Winners
Sure, it's home to plenty of no-name sweaters and juniors-sized jeans, but the discounted "Runway at Winners" pieces step up the thrill of the hunt. Designer pieces seem to hang around longest at the College Park, Bloor and Queen and Portland locations.
Kind Exchange
You may need a little luck and patience to get to the designer gold at this chain of Toronto consignment stores, but the steals are worth it. You can also sell off your old clothes at one of KE's four shops across the city in exchange for cash or store credit.
Off The Cuff Designer Menswear
Specializing in slick, eclectic designer threads, this Broadview Ave. consignment store is for men, by men, and one of the best places in Toronto for fashion-forward dudes on a budget. You can find everything from Armani suits to racks on racks of unique ties here.
Haute Classics
Near Yonge and St. Clair, Haute Classics focuses on barely-worn designer pieces - from the last three years or newer. That means one of the largest stashes of gently-used designer bags in the city, with Balenciaga, Vuitton and Miu Miu among the offerings.
HazelLily
This boutique near Yonge and Lawrence is a designer-driven fashion head's budget conscious dream. With a mix of obscure vintage, popular contemporary brants like Marc Jacobs, and pure classics such as Chanel, the collection is finely curated by owner Vanessa Stein. 
The longer you live in Toronto, the easier it becomes to have an actual life in Toronto. From expertly navigating the TTC to knowing where all the free fun can be found, there are tons of little tricks that'll save you time, money and so many headaches.
Here are 25 hacks to make life easier in Toronto.
1. It's pronounced "Churrono" not "Tor-on-to": the quicker you lose the proper pronunciation, the quicker people will think you're a local.
2. Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card. A Toronto Public Library card not only gets you access to in-house resources, you can also use it to download e-books and digital albums. You can even use it to get free access to the Zoo!
3. There's an easy trick If you get disoriented coming out of a subway station. Generally downhill is south, uphill is north. Left of the CN tower is east, right is west. You'll never get lost again.
4. Download Transit for iPhones or Transit Now for Android to plan TTC routes. Never wait in the rain at a bus or streetcar stop for 13 minutes again.
5. Use The Path when it’s cold outside. You can travel between six subway stations, 20 parking garages, and more than 50 downtown office buildings without ever feeling the sting of winter on your face.
6. Can’t find a place to pee? Hit up a hotel. The Royal York, the Hyatt on King, The Drake Hotel and many other swanky spots have great bathrooms you can use for free, without hassle, at any time, day or night.
7. At the end of the month people put their old furniture out on the street because they're moving. You can furnish an entire apartment this way.
8. Buy a cheap bike and an expensive lock if you want a reliable form of transportation in the downtown core. Bike Share Toronto memberships are also a great investment. Either way, cycling is cheaper, faster and a heck of a lot more fun than driving in this city.
9. You can book a Toronto Greeter for free. Whether you're new in town or you've been here your whole life, you can use a Toronto greeter to fill you in on your neighbourhood and answer any questions you have.
10. Avoid strangers with clip boards who compliment your hair and ask if you “have a second to chat.” They want money, and it’ll take you a lot longer than one second to get away from them. See also: Fake monks.
11. Spadina Road and Spadina Avenue are NOT the same thing. Same goes for Kennedy Road and Kennedy Avenue and Danforth Road and Danforth Avenue.
12. Layer up. Because Toronto is located on a lake and weather conditions can change in a snap if you’re travelling between neighbourhoods. An umbrella in your backpack is never a bad idea.
13. When getting on a streetcar at a busy intersection, walk one block in the opposite direction that you're travelling and get on without the crowded changeover.
14. There are free shuttles to Vaughan Mills, Toronto Outlets, Ikea and the Brick Works. Don't try picking up a Malm dresser on rollerblades. This is better. Trust me.
15. If you're in a complete rush on the TTC, you can transfer at Spadina Station. It's typically considered a rookie mistake, but it is definitely faster if you jog the tunnel connecting the stations.
16. Avoid these tourist traps.
17. Linger around Yonge & Dundas Square and you can get free stuff almost everyday.
18. When looking for a specific address remember even numbers are on north and west sides and odd numbers are on south and east sides of the street.
19. Plan your late night drinking around events with extended last calls. TIFF, Nuit Blanche, NXNE, Canadian Music Week, Pride and Fashion Week all have extended 4 a.m. last call permits extended as part of their programming.
20. You don't have to pay for on street parking until 1 p.m. on Sundays. You can leave a car overnight on most main street between 9 p.m. Saturday until 1 p.m. on Sunday for free.
21. Use laneways to bypass crowds of tourists on busy days downtown. Many of the city’s alleys are covered in wicked street art, providing us with both endless shortcuts and nice Instagram snaps.
22. You can get free stuff on your birthday. Just go to these spots and made sure to bring ID.
23. Loblaws and No Frills are owned by the same company. You can buy a lot of the same things they have at Loblaws at No Frills for cheaper. This is especially true for canned and dry goods, produce and household essentials.
24. At yoga studios your first class is almost always free. Same goes for your first workout at the city's gyms.
25. Don't sit in the empty seat on a busy streetcar if others are people are standing. There's a reason that seat is empty, and while it may not be readily apparent, you'll wanna trust your fellow transit-goers here.
Steak is big in Toronto, even if the city might embrace the moniker Hogtown. While the old guard steakhouses specialize in splurge-worthy cuts, you'll find some more modestly priced options all over the city at French bistros and other casual restaurants.
Here are my picks for where to get a great steak in Toronto by neighbourhood.
Annex
Head to Le Paradis if you're looking for a great steak at a reasonable price. The Bavette aux Echalotes ($21) is a flank grilled with a shallot demi glace. It comes with frites.
Church & Wellesley
Carmen's is an historic Toronto steakhouse that is the place for prime cuts (try the 14oz Canadian ribeye for $52) and an abundance of classic sides including asparagus with hollandaise, mashed potatoes, and truffle fries.
Danforth
Allen's isn't just a great destination for burgers. Among their dinner specials you'll find their 10z striploin steak cooked on their charcoal grill and served with gorgonzola butter.
Distillery District
Cluny is a massive French bistro where steak frites is a staple on the menu. Served with lemon garlic aioli and fresh cut frites, the menu offers affordable options like an 8oz hanger steak for $25, and a 10oz striploin for $36.
Steaks are slathered in a garlicky chimichurri at Branca. Photo by Morris Lum.
Dundas West
The main attraction at the Argentinian grillhouse Branca is the selection of meats from the grill. The skirt steak ($24) is an 8oz inside cut, seasoned and char-grilled. If you're looking for something more substantial there's always the 48oz tomahawk ($140).
Eglinton West
House of Chan is a Chinese restaurant where the rib-eye (48.50/12oz.) and porterhouse ($68.50/24oz.) take pride of place over the chow mein.
Etobicoke
Classic steak frites ($32.50) is what you'll find on the menu at the French bistro Merlot. It's a New York striploin with maître d’hôtel butter and fries.
Financial District
Hy's Streakhouse is where Bay Street traders and big spenders go to blow big bucks on fat cow. Pair the steak and lobster ($71.75) with some delectable sides.
Harbourfront
Near the waterfront, Harbour Sixty Steakhouse is a premiere destination for surf and turf along with top shelf steaks including a double porterhouse ($160) and marbled Japanese Kobe ribeye (MP). Suggested add-ons include king crab, Atlantic lobster or jumbo prawns.
Jacobs & Co is one of Toronto's top steakhouses. Photo by Jesse Milns.
King West
Expect to splash out when dining at Jacobs & Co., the distinguished steakhouse that attracts hockey players, celebs and suits. Top cuts of meat (MP) aged in-house are the main draw, while the Caesar salad is among the best in the city. There's also a dozen or so classic sides.
Leslieville
If you like your steak on the leaner side, The Tulip is for you. The 12oz sirloin ($23.95) is juicy, filling and will satisfy all of your meat filled cravings.
Ossington
Boehmer is your destination on Ossington for a great steak frites. Their Grilled Bavette Steak ($27) is served atop house cut fries and lathered in a chipotle green onion jus.
Queen West
If you go to Jules Bistro and don't order their cote de boeuf ($64), you're seriously missing out. The platter for two consists of a 24-ounce Angus ribeye, fries, salad and ratatouille.
Riverside
Aft sous vides a 12oz flank steak for its steak frites ($22) which means you're guaranteed to get a perfect rosy centre and seared exterior. The dish is served with crispy frites and a tangy red chimichurri.
Roncesvalles Village
The Ace has been featured on popular television shows like Diners Drive Ins and Dives and that's thanks to their eclectic menu. A real standout is their steak frites ($24) served with red wine jus.
Carens Rosedale knows there's no such thing as too much better on your steak. Photo by Hector Vasquez.
Rosedale
The steak frites ($36) at Carens Rosedale is a must order. Here it comes in the form of a sizable, seared 10oz striploin with a thick disc of herb butter on it, all over top a bed of hand-cut fries accompanied by aioli.
Scarborough
Smith Bros. Steakhouse Tavern specializes in 28-day, wet aged steaks and local craft beers. The steakhouse prides itself as being an affordable option, serving up 7oz. sirloins for $24 and 10 oz. New York striploin for $32.
St. Clair West
BlueBlood can be found inside Casa Loma. The space boasts a stunning interior along with a hefty menu of steaks including a centre cut filet ($65/8oz.), a bone-in ribeye ($100/16oz.) and even cuts of wagyu.
Thornhill
The Octagon has been a landmark for premium steaks for years. The menu boasts top cuts including a 8oz filet mignon ($53.95), a 16oz ribeye ($58.95), and a 24oz porterhouse ($69.95).
A steak with all the fixins is the way to go at Barberian's Steakhouse. Photo by Hector Vasquez.
Yonge & Dundas
Barberian's Steakhouse isn't just one of Toronto's last surviving old guard steakhouses, it's a right of passage. Go for the centre cut top sirloin ($42.50/9oz) but don't miss out on the classic starters including Caesar salad, escargot, and jumbo shrimp cocktails.
Yonge & Lawrence
Miller Tavern has its very own steak lover's menu. On it you'll find everything from a Kanas City steak ($32/8oz.) topped with sauteed mushrooms to a 14oz New York ($46) strip inspired by Frank Sinatra.
Yorkville
STK is one of Toronto's swankiest steakhouses and has an impressive menu of grilled meats. Steaks are available in sizes of small, medium, large and extra large - that's where you'll find their dry aged porterhouse. 
"Map is not to scale." Anyone who's every peered at the TTC's subway route map will be familiar with this disclaimer, one that leaves urban geography nerds curious to know what the actual distances between subways stations are.
William Davis has provided a useful to-scale version of the TTC map, which helps to clarify but not to solve the debate over the longest and shortest gaps between stations.
William Davis's to-scale TTC map.
It's not so difficult to sketch such a thing out using online distance calculators, though it is a challenge to peg exact numbers based on the architectural layout of stations underground. While entrances are typically located near main intersections, platform positioning varies significantly.
The shortest distance between two stops on the TTC, for instance, is between St. Andrew and Osgoode stations. Although the TTC map makes it look as though the trip between King and Queen would be equidistant, the platform at Queen is located north of the street after which it's named, while Osgoode dips south toward Richmond.
With the proviso that this isn't based on official TTC numbers, here's a guide to the longest and shortest distances between TTC stations.
Shortest
St. Andrew to Osgoode - approximately 300 metres
Bay to Yonge - approximately 350 metres
Other Line 1 stations south of Queen - approximately 400 metres
Other Line 1 stations south of Bloor - approximately 500 metres (with the exception of Queen's Park to Museum, which is approximately 750 metres)
Longest
Line 1 stations between Eglinton and Sheppard - these average just over 2 kilometres each
Wilson to Downsview - just over 2 kilometres
Yonge to Bayview - just over 2 kilometres
Victoria Park to Warden - approximately 2.4 kilometres
Warden to Kenneday - approximately 2.5 kilometres
St. Clair West to Eglinton West - approximately 2.7 kilometres
Cloverdale Mall seems to be one of those places that Toronto loves to hate (or hates to love, perhaps).
The large vacancies left in part by the failure of Target in Canada and and lack of attractive anchor stores tend to make Cloverdale an artifact of an era passed.
Having stood in its place for almost 60 years, the Etobicoke staple might finally be receiving a much-needed major makeover.
New plans show the vacant section of the mall will be redeveloped and expanded.
These design concepts include a food hall replacing the former Target, which has sat empty since the company’s Canadian demise in 2015. A freestanding Movati Athletics and separate retail section will also be built in the parking lot.
The food area will be a more modern, vendor-based food hall, similar to the ones that have been popping up at other malls across the city.
Early renders show the expansion. Photo via WZMH Architects/City of Toronto.
Saks Fifth Avenue, the former Waterworks building, and Assembly Chef’s Hall are all examples of this new trend. Cloverdale’s food hall appears to be based on a similar model that incorporated marketplace features rather than just fast food chains.
The new plans, from WZMH Architects, add more than 38,000 square metres of retail space to the mall, as well as an office component.
Early designs show a sleek concept. Silver fins stand vertical along the sides of the exterior, which is mainly brick, glass, and metal paneling.
This makeover may be just what’s needed to revitalize a longstanding old mall that still features a laid back shopping experience not seen at more popular destinations. 
Concerts in Toronto this October honour the spirit of the spookiest month with enough goth, metal and shock rock to fill several graveyards, but there’s also a pleasant dose of pop to cut through all the heaviness.
Get your freak on with Marilyn Manson, Gwar, Guns n Roses, Goblin and Twiztid (hey, Juggalos are relevant now), or opt for lighter fare from Halsey, Kid Cudi, Future Islands and Alt-J. If you’re already missing fest season, get your fix with annual punk celebration Not Dead Yet, the Music Gallery’s X Avant XII and Next Music from Tokyo.
Events you might want to check out:
Nuit Blanche 2017 in Toronto might once again lack the corporate backing its enjoyed in the past, but the curators have embraced this situation with programming that celebrates the revolutionary spirit and fierce independence that often accompanies artistic creation. This is the year that Nuit Blanche commemorates protest as an art form.
Here are my picks for must-see exhibits this September 30 at Nuit Blanche 2017.
Zone: Monument to the Century of Revolutions
The Village Print Shop
This interactive exhibit by the Justseeds Artists' Collective takes place in one of the many shipping containers stacked in Nathan Phillips Square. A makeshift silk screen studio will be used to create banners, t-shirts, and posters that can be pasted around the city or taken home as souvenirs.
Monument to (Im)mobilization
Tings Chak uses a 1:1 scale installation to represent a maximum security prison cell. The space explores audio, textual artifacts and physical space to incite oppression and immobilization.
Toronto Through Sound
LAL's sound installation highlights the unknown and disappearing histories of Toronto's neighbourhoods in a 10 minute soundscape. Neighbourhoods include Chinatown, Little Italy, Little Bangladesh and Kensington Market, to name just a few.
Zone: Taking to the Streets
Automobile
You'll hear this sound installation before you see it, as a series of cars pump out bass-heavy music on powerful interconnected sound systems orchestrated by Joe Namy under the Wellesley Street Bridge at Queens Park. Expect this one to be a popular stop over the course of the night.
Dream Variations
For an entirely different experience, head to U of T's Faculty of Music for Abbas Akhavan and Kristina Lee Podesva's invitation to take a bit of respite on cots laid out throughout the building. The pillows and coverings have been prepared by newcomer women in collaboration with the Toronto-based chapter of Mes Amis Canada / Darzee.
Won't Back Down
This all-night performance features artists, activists, and rotating live DJ sets at Queens Park atop a flatbed truck. Inspired by the March 26, 2016 Black Lives Matter events at Toronto Police Headquarters, this series of performances celebrates activism, community bonds, and reanimates lost histories.
Zone: Life on Neebahgeezis
Serpent People
Through the power of storytelling, Aanmitaagzi Company uses a series of sculptural installations, theatrical performances, and a 15-foot puppet to explore our relationship with consumption.
Laxa'ine' gigukwdzikasi' gigukwas Hayaliligase', The Many Large Houses of the Ghosts
Marianne Nicolson's ghost stories recall the supernatural spirit world. Her animated projection on the clock tower at Old City Hall exposes the haunting of institutional buildings as symbolic of Toronto's (and the nation's) history.
Zone: Calculating Upon the Unforeseen
Embassy
Exploring the peculiar cultural and geographic dynamics of the embassy as a home in another home, this makeshift structure built by Cedric Bomford and Verena Kaminiarz is meant to represent a perpetual state of becoming, where viewers must actively imagine its completion as a political and social project akin to our own political ideologies.
Forest
The AGO's Walker Court comes to life for Nuit Blanche with Will Kwan's interactive performance piece that involves the use of a "human microphone" through which participants will amplify a series of messages and stories related to the passage of time.
Special Projects
Truth
Brian Leitch aka KWEST, uses recycled clothing and textiles from H&M to create an artistic piece. The garments become a symbol of the ways in which people and things are rejected or thrown away. Expect a wild scene at Yonge-Dundas Square.
Major Institutions
EDIT: Prosperity for All
Quite possibly the most intriguing venue for Nuit Blanche this takes place in collaboration with the EDIT Festival at the old Unilever soap factory at East Harbour. You can explore the first floor of the old industrial site with an installation that imagines a future world.
Meeting - Place
Artscape Youngplace is turned into an immersive gallery for Nuit Blanche this year with a series of exhibits organized around the theme of communal experience. This could be a prime place to stop in the event that you need to warm up or dry off as it's all indoors.
Fly By Night
It's going to be party central at the Gladstone Hotel during Nuit Blanche, but even better, the second floor studios will play host to a series of installations and exhibits by Nicole Beno, Tori Fleming , Joel Ong, Elizabeth Milton, Whyishnave Suthagar, and Yifat Shaik.
Independent Projects
STARscape
Experience a world surrounded by endless stars! Stretching across an alleyway on Camden Street, F_RM lab digitally generates stars on an undulating canopy. Audiences are placed between two worlds: fantasy and the stark reality of a light polluted sky.
Warm Up To Me
This sound and visual installation provides personal narratives of residents from six Toronto neighbourhoods. Warm Up To Me Collective explores people's memories of place and how stories can connect each one of us both locally and globally.
Layered Cities
Want to create your own unique visual experience of life in the city? Immerse yourself in the layers of images in this new media installation by Anne Hanrahan, a maze-like configuration that shifts with each audience's movement through the space.
X,Y, and Zed
Eight boxes reveal the individual experiences of eight Glory Hole Gallery artists. Look through the holes to see the world from a different perspective.
Speculating in Futures
Visit the lawn of a century-old high school where you'll be surrounded by tarot cards, fortune-tellers, and popular activities like the Japanese gambling game "pachinko." This unique installation by visual arts students at UTS uses icons of "luck," "fortune," and "determination" as allegories of migration and settlement.
Special Events
Hendrick’s Gin Hot Air Balloon
For the best perspective on all the action taking place at Nuit Blanche this year, the Hendrick's Hot Air Balloon will be the place to be. Hovering at almost 45 feet above Nathan Phillips Square and covered in cucumber-themed art, this is will be a spectacle worthy of Nuit Blanche.
You'll have to apply for a chance to get on the balloon, which you can do on the website or you can try your luck during the night by going to Nathan Phillips Square where you have a chance to win a ride.
You can also apply for a chance to ride by visiting the following restaurants and bars: Alo, Civil Liberties, Pure Spirits Oyster House, Pinkerton's Snack Bar, Cluny, Cocktail Bar, DaiLo, Pretty Ugly, and Patois.
Photo contest
Nuit Blanche is huge photo opp, so why not tag your photos on Instagram for a chance to win prizes? The contest starts when Nuit Blanche does at 6:58 p.m. on Saturday September 30 and the deadline to submit is the end of day October 1.
All you have to do is tag your best shots with the #blogTOnbTO hashtag. Not on Instagram? You can also e-mail the photos to us at challenge [at] blogto [dotcom].
We'll then narrow the entries to ten finalists and put the winners to a vote from October 2 to October 8 after which the winners will be announced.
Prizes for the top three photos include:
1st place: $200 Henry's giftcard
2nd place: $100 Henry's giftcard
3rd place: $50 Henry's giftcard
Nuit Blanche 2017 takes over Toronto once again with scores of installations spread across the city between dusk and dawn. This year has a strong protest theme, so you can expect the streets to be as lively and animated as they've ever been for the event.
So far the weather is predicted to be clear and just a bit chilly through the overnight period (11C is forecast). Fingers crossed it stays that way, so we can roam the city in search of challenging art installations and impromptu celebrations of Toronto's creative spirit.
How it works
The big beast of an art night starts at 6:58 p.m. on September 30 (tonight!) and goes until sunrise. Note well, however, that many major displays start to fizzle out after 4:30 a.m.
Human traffic is generally at its peak between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. so heading out before or after this period typically means fewer lines. Beware of the witching hour around 3 a.m. when the city can feel a bit like a drunken orgy.
What to see
This year there are over 85 projects that have been created by 350 local and international artists. We rifled through the calendar and found the top exhibits to check out to help you manage your night and morning art tour. There are also several renegade events and exhibits worth hitting up over the course of the night.
For a wider picture of tonight's offerings, check out the official Nuit Blanche map, and if you're still lost, there are two information centres open for the duration of the proceedings to help point you in the right direction.
What to eat and drink
There are dozens of late night eats to satisfy your cravings at Nuit Blanche this year. If you need a sit-down moment of rest and pigging out, there's also the finest 24 hour restaurants to make sure you stay nourished and rested throughout your journey.
There are also a handful of bars staying open until 4 a.m. to make sure you don't go thirsty.
Getting around
New this year, the festival is shutting down Queen Street West, Bay Street, and Queen's Park Crescent to make sure people can walk from zone to zone without worrying about pesky cars.
The TTC isn't free on the big night, but its hours are extended with Line 1 and 2 trains running every 10-15 minutes from 1:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Sunday. Also, day/group passes will be accepted until 9 a.m. Sunday instead of the usual 5:30 a.m.
They'll also be increasing their surface routes on Saturday night around major Nuit Blanche sites, so getting around will be busy, but made as easy as possible.
GO Trains are also offering several special homebound trains on October 1 to make sure everyone has a chance to get home safely. Check out their official site for schedules.
Photo contest
Nuit Blanche is huge photo opp, so why not tag your photos on Instagram for a chance to win prizes? The contest starts when Nuit Blanche does at 6:58 p.m. on Saturday September 30 and the deadline to submit is the end of day October 1.
All you have to do is tag your best shots with the #blogTOnbTO hashtag. Not on Instagram? You can also e-mail the photos to us at challenge@blogto.com.
The poll will open on blogTO.com October 2 and run until October 8 after which the winners will be announced.
Prizes for the top three photos include:
1st place: $200 Henry's giftcard
2nd place: $100 Henry's giftcard
3rd place: $50 Henry's giftcard
It's hard to believe how much Yorkdale Shopping Centre has changed since it opened in 1964. One of Toronto's first major suburban retail destinations and the biggest mall in Canada at the time, it was anchored by Eaton's and Simpson's department stores, a combination that was unprecedented at the time.
The mall's origins can be traced back to the Timothy Eaton Company, who first acquired a 99 acre site at Dufferin and the 401. When Simpson's bought adjacent land, the concept of the mall was born and work began to connect these two giants with other retail that would attract customers accustomed to shopping downtown.
In some sense, Yorkdale changed the shape of the city. While the rise of the suburban shopping centre was happening elsewhere in Toronto (and all across North America), none proved so successful as this one, which encouraged more developments of this kind in other parts of the suburbs.
Car culture was at its peak when Yorkdale took shape, and the mall's location is indebted to its proximity to both the 401 and Allen Rd. The latter was originally planned as the Spadina Expressway, a highway that would link the 401 with downtown Toronto.
While community activists successfully halted its southward extension, Yorkdale waited to open until the portion that exists today was complete. It made no sense to open until cars could access the mall with complete ease. The subway would come almost a decade and a half later.
They don't build shopping centres quite like this anymore. Upon opening, Yorkdale boasted a grocery store, a buffet restaurant, a two-screen movie theatre, and duelling department stores. It was a place where you could do all of your shopping. The lure of driving to the suburbs was that everything was in once place.
Since the 1990s, it's become progressively more upscale, now attracting high end fashion and jewellery brands like Tiffany's and Burberry.
Its current anchor tenants are Nordstrom and Holt Renfrew, the latter of which partially occupies the space where the old Dominion grocery store once was. It's a bigger, flashier space, but from the start is was designed to be the ultimate retail destination.
Behold, what Yorkdale Shopping Centre looked like when it was born.
No problems finding a parking spot back in Yorkdale's early days. Photo via the Toronto Archives.
That said, it was still a pretty hopping place as far as suburban destinations went. Photo courtesy of Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
Some sections of the mall still look remarkably similar to the original layout, even as the retailers have mostly changed. Photo via the Toronto Archives.
Outside the Simpson's Court Restaurant with car display and fountain. Photo via the Toronto Archives.
Rendering of the Vista Restaurant at Eaton's. Photo via Chuckman's Nostalgia.
Postcard for Yorkdale Shopping Centre in the in the early 1970s.
Some colour views of the Vista Restaurant and area surrounding Eaton's thanks to an early postcard.
How cool do those leaf-like outcrops from Vista Restaurant look? Photo courtesy of Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
Holt Renfrew had humble roots in the mall. Photo courtesy of Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
Back when Fairweather was a bid deal. Photo courtesy of Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
The original layout of the mall. It's undergone numerous additions since then. Photo courtesy of Yorkdale Shopping Centre.
The most Instagrammable cafes in Toronto will populate your feed with more than just latte art. These coffee hubs boast eye-pleasing design and perfectly tasteful decor, crafting the perfect ambiance to enjoy with your double shot of morning brew.
Here are my picks for the most Instagrammable cafes in Toronto.
Reunion Island
This cafe on Roncesvalles gets a lot of Instagram love for its flooring. If you want to boldly boast your affinity for caffeine on your profile, take a picture of your beverage looking down at the tiling - it spells out coffee in black and white.
A post shared by Krystle (@dineandfash) on Mar 23, 2017 at 5:05am PDT
Hailed Coffee
The floors at this Leslieville coffee shop are so beautiful that some individuals find the need to pop a squat and sip of their caffeinated beverage on the ground. This is just to secure that picturesque shot of course.
A post shared by Sam • 🍁☔️🍃🍩 (@sam.daytripper) on Sep 13, 2017 at 2:38pm PDT
Dineen Coffee
If you scroll through their tagged photos on Instagram, you'll notice that people are fond of snapping two things: the latte art and the beautifully laid out counter inside Commerce Court.
A post shared by G A B R I E L L A L E I T A O (@lilgabsss) on Sep 28, 2017 at 12:26pm PDT
Sorry Coffee
Located inside the Bloor Street Kit and Ace you'll find this adorable cafe. Like the store, the cafe keeps things minimal and trend-forward. Its colour palette is dominated by black and white, but has a few accents of copper that'll make it pop on your feed.
A post shared by Beti Sionna (@betisionna) on Sep 20, 2017 at 8:16pm PDT
Baddies
While the food at this Bloordale Village spot is beautiful enough, to get that real Instagram money shot you may have to focus on the decor. The minimalist design wouldn't be so noteworthy if it wasn't bathed in light thanks to the huge windows facing Lansdowne Ave.
A post shared by Michelle Arbus (@michellearbus) on Aug 4, 2017 at 8:16am PDT
Rooster Coffee
The Jarvis St. location of this Toronto coffee chain has a variety of different spots for you to capture that double tap worthy shot. From the hello goodbye tiles by the front door to little nooks with Jarvis St. signage, this coffee shop has it all.
A post shared by Vanessa Pandeirada (@vxaxp) on Sep 18, 2017 at 1:44pm PDT
Fika Cafe
The star of the show at this Kensington Market cafe is the book wall. Plastered with hundreds of open books, it makes for the perfect selfie backdrop. Even if you aren't a bookworm, a couple snaps here might trick your followers into thinking otherwise.
A post shared by . N A D I A . Saad | YYZ 🇨🇦 (@nadiajsaad) on Sep 2, 2017 at 8:44am PDT
Safehouse Coffee
This Dundas West cafe is another spot where quirky tiles rule their Instagram location tag. One scroll will reveal hundreds of shots of people drinking their morning brew with giant black letters on the floor spelling out hi.
A post shared by Tiffany Chin (@littleblackpearls) on Aug 17, 2017 at 2:55pm PDT
Odin
To get the perfect shot here you'll need to stand way back from the coffee bar. The beauty of this ultra-modern Corktown cafe is the wooden shelving that bleeds up onto the ceiling, so be sure to get it in your shot.
A post shared by Kellen (@oookellen) on Aug 14, 2017 at 11:40am PDT
Hopper Coffee
If you want to drink your morning cuppa with a giant can of Campbell's tomato soup this Little Italy cafe is your spot. The subtle but quirky art makes for the perfect coffee shot - don't forget to tag #coffeeTO. 
Toronto's subway stations have mostly simple and elegant names. Save for a small number of outliers, the formula is easy: take the name of the nearest major street and subtract the suffix "road," "street," or "avenue."
In case of a conflict, add "West." The convention started with the Yonge line in the 1950s and has since been continued on the Scarborough RT and even the St. Clair streetcar.
In contrast, London Underground stations are mostly named for the surrounding neighbourhood or part of the city, though there are a few streets, landmarks and pubs — Royal Oak, Elephant & Castle, Angel, Manor House, and Swiss Cottage — sprinkled in for good measure.
Toronto has some exceptions, too. Some of these will be obvious, while others probably make unfamiliar references to the average TTC rider.
Here's how Toronto's atypically named subway stations came to be.
Museum
The glut of stations in the Avenue and Bloor area required the TTC to get creative with its names. Museum station first appeared in 1959 on a provisional TTC document. At the time, Bay station was called Bellair (it was also briefly called Yorkville before the University line opened in 1963.) The Museum name, of course, refers to the nearby ROM.
You might be surprised at the origins of St. Andrew Station. Photo by Derek Flack.
St. Andrew
Faced with the problem of having two stations on the same street within a very short distance, the TTC opted to name the stations on University line after former city electoral wards. At the time of its abolition in 1901, St. Andrew's Ward was bound by King and Queen in the north/south and Yonge and Dufferin streets in the east/west.
The green colour at St. Patrick gives the station name a double reference. Photo by MrDanMofo.
St. Patrick
There was a time when the TTC seriously considered changing the name of St. Patrick to Art Gallery, in reference to the nearby AGO. The name in use today is a nod the former St. Patrick's Ward, a division of the city bound by Bloor, Bathurst, University, and Queen. The mint green platform tile is a reference to St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
Osgoode takes its name from one of Toronto's most stately buildings. Photo by Ben Roffelsen.
Osgoode
Osgoode station is named after Osgoode Hall, the historic law building on the northeast corner of Queen and University that was named for William Osgoode, a prominent early judge and lawyer. It's an interesting choice given the trend of naming stations for city wards: St. John's Ward covered the area where Osgoode Hall stands today.
Old Mill has a few things that make it unique. Photo by Chris Bateman.
Old Mill
The Old Mill Tea Garden opened on the site of a former Humber River sawmill on Aug. 4, 1914, the same day Canada entered the First World War. Over the last 100 years, the Tudor-style complex has expanded to include a hotel, spa, and namesake subway station. Opened in 1968, Old Mill Station is often considered one of the nicest in the system.
You could see how this might get confusing. Photo by Matthew.
Main Street
Main Street is the only station on the Toronto subway system to retain its suffix. The street was named when it was the principal thoroughfare of the town of East Toronto. The town itself is long gone, but relics like the name of Main Street remain. The TTC keeps the suffix to avoid giving the impression it's the city's principal station.
Free events in Toronto this week include a giant lightsaber battle, a free meal outside of a massive abandoned factory, and some of the world's best photos on display.Â
Events you might want to check out:
Toronto businesses that closed in September included everything from large international chains to local institutions that will always be remembered as a part of the city's history. A couple stood out for only managing to last a few months, and in one case, just a few days!
Here are the most notable Toronto businesses that closed in September.
Europe Bound
After more than two decades of selling outdoor gear and clothing, owner Joe Raftis decided to retire and close up his King West shop.
FedEx Office
Formerly known as FedEx Kinko's (and just Kinko's before that), this American chain of copy, print & shipping outlets closed up all of its Canadian stores, including the seven in Toronto, last month.
House of Lords
Too little too late? This iconic Yonge St. hair salon that had been around for 51 years and at one point had hosted famous clientele like Axl Rose and David Bowie, carried through with its decision to close at the end of the month.
Hungry Amoo
Quietly calling it quits after about a year in business, this snack bar on Ossington is now listed as a space for sale.
PawsWay
This huge facility with pet programming for cat- and dog-lovers, plus their furry friends, was run by pet-food brand Purina. It lasted for almost a decade on Queens Quay and closed on September 5.
Republic
Lasting only six months, this "hidden" cafe on Nelson St. in the Entertainment District may have proven a little too hard to find, as its owner posted a letter to patrons announcing its abrupt closure "due to the difficulty to draw daily flow of traffic."
Salvage Shop
Known as one of Toronto's most quirky antique shops, this store on Kingston Rd. in Scarborough was finally forced out for a condo showroom, after months of drama.
Stella
This dive-like bar in Bloordale that served affordable curries and had a decent patio in the summer closed to little fanfare.
Untold
Possibly the shortest-lived business in the history of Toronto businesses, this salad bar on Bayview Ave. in Leaside opened this month and closed this month, with nary an explanation. Untold indeed!
Za Pizzeria
Creative toppings like maple syrup and potato chips made this Annex pizzeria a popular spot, but it closed up shop last month, with plans to focus on catering.
