By Apollo P Toronto and the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) is a diverse region where we are bombarded with different cultures. Toronto is known for its multiculturalism and how well all these cultures all interact with each other. People don’t need to buy a $3,000 plane ticket to visit different countries to gain a world scope on different cultures when all of those cultures are in your backyard. There are many places that you can go to embrace cultures without putting a dent in your wallet. Here are VIBE’s top ten budget friendly places where you can experience different worlds under $30 within the GTA. 1. Limehouse Conservation Area Location: Halton Hills Price: A donation is recommended or you can purchase a membership Recommended Activities: Photography, Bird watching, Picnics While you do need to drive a bit out of the city to get to the Limehouse conservation area, it’s filled with natural beauty and is located along the Niagara escarpment. It is also a cultural heritage site. If roughing it through the terrain is your thing, this place is for you. There is the Bruce Trail that takes you through the rocky escarpment landscape (so pack your hiking boots). Old structural relics of the 1800’s can still be seen today. @creditvalleyconservation 2. Meadowvale Conservation Area Location: Mississauga Price: A donation is recommended or you can purchase a membership Recommended Activities: Hiking, Photography, Bird watching, Picnics If you liked the idea of the Limehouse conservation area, then you are going to enjoy this one as well. The Meadowvale conservation is located in Mississauga so you don’t have to travel as far (and you can save on gas). The Glassford Trail will take you along and through the floodplains. While you are walking through the trail you can enjoy the scenery and experience the natural beauty that this place has to offer. If you look closely along sections of the trail, you may see remnants of early settlement with mill and farm ruins still visible. Who knew that a cultural heritage site would be right in your backyard, literally! @creditvalleyconservation 3. Kensington Market Location: Downtown Toronto Price: $8-25 Recommended Activities: Thrift Shopping, Boutique Shopping, Specialty Shopping, Eating, Afternoon Walks, Photography If you are a person who likes diverse areas, then you have come to the right place. Kensington market is one of Toronto’s most diverse neighbourhoods. The area is filled with a mix of food stores, shops and markets. It is also home to many restaurants covering a wide variety of styles and ethnicities. Here, there are more than 170 places to choose from to eat. You can eat anything from completely vegan dim sum (King’s Café) to Mexican eats (Seven Lives). Surprisingly, the area itself is considered a national historic site of Canada, so if you decide not to eat, you can stroll around the city to soak in all the historical landmarks and embrace the different cultures. @kensingtonmarketto 4. Studio Building (Toronto) Location: 25 Severn Street Price: Free Recommended Activities: Studio Shoots, Photography, Tour The Studio Building is a modernist three-story brick building with an industrial look which was constructed in 1914 as an artists’ studio. Located at 25 Severn Street in downtown Toronto at the edge of the Rosedale ravine, its studio spaces have been used by many Canadian artists; among them were members of the Group of Seven. The official recognition refers to the building on its lot. It is the earliest purpose-built artist studio in Canada representing the visions of a young generation of Canadian artists who would have a professional venue and gathering place to develop their distinctly Canadian art. Visit their website for more info. 5. St. Lawrence Market Location: 93 Front St, Toronto, ON Price:$5-$30 Recommended Activities: Organic Produce and Deli, Local Shops, Antique Market (on weekends), Tours, Photography, Eating St. Lawrence Market (also referred to as St. Lawrence Hall) is a meeting hall in Toronto located at the corner of King Street East and Jarvis Street. It was initially created to be Toronto's public meeting hall but today it is used as a public venue for concerts, events and exhibitions. Its main feature was a thousand-seat amphitheater. For decades the hall was the Centre of Toronto's social life before larger venues took over much of the business. It was here that prominent politicians such as John A. Macdonald, George Brown and the Fathers of Confederation, addressed the people of Toronto. It was also known as the venue to be for musicians and other performers who came to the city. Today, the lower levels are integrated into the market and are now home to stores and businesses. @stlawrencemarket 6. Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada Location: Mississauga Price: Free Monday – Friday (appointment only), Sun 11am – 5pm Recommended Activities: Cultural Education, Curated Exhibitions, Art and Speaker Series, Touring, Photography The Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada is dedicated to advancing and promoting knowledge, understanding, and preservation of the cultural and religious life of the Sikh people. This Museum seeks to explore the richness and complexities of Sikh spirituality and identity and commemorate and honour Sikh history. @sikhheritagemuseum 7. Lithuanian Museum-Archives of Canada Location: Mississauga Price: Free Open to visitors during exhibition hours only. Staff is available from Tuesday to Thursday between 10am – 4pm. You can also call to make an appointment. Recommended Activities: Exhibitions, Cultural Education, Cultural Archives, Touring, Photography The Lithuanian Museum is a special place because visitors will be entered into a long history of the Lithuanian people. This museum is dedicated to collecting and preserving materials related to the lives, history, and culture of Lithuanians. Walk through this museum and be immersed in Lithuanian culture and heritage. Visit their website for more info. 8. Black Creek Pioneer Village Location: 1000 Murray Ross Parkway, North York Price: $12-$15 Recommended Activities: Petting Zoo, Gardens, Tour, Photography, Eating, Historical Learning Black Creek Pioneer Village offers you a fascinating journey into the past – into the way people lived before cars, digital technology and the dominance of urban culture that separated them from the land. Black Creek is a working village, typical of those established in south-central Ontario between the 1790s and the 1860s. Learn how to churn butter (by hand!), spin wool, or make a broom! @blackcreekpioneervillage 9. Chinatown Location: Dundas St and Spadina Ave Price: Most places are Under $30 Recommended Activities : Market Shopping, Fresh Produce, Canadian Souvenirs, Cheap knick knacks, Walking, Eating, Photography Chinatown is a neighbourhood in Downtown, Toronto that holds a significant amount of ethnically Asian residences. Chinatown was first established back in the 1800’s when Chinese immigrants made their way to Toronto. From the first settlement to now, Chinatown has grown tremendously and expanded into a culturally rich neighbourhood. There are numerous amounts of establishments that offer unique cuisines and shops. The moment you reach Chinatown you will be bombarded with culture and aroma of delicious food. @torontochinatown 10. Little Italy Location: Ossington St & Dundas St
Price: $5 -$28 Recommended restaurant: La Forchetta Ristorante Recommended Activities: Italian cuisine, Specialty Deli and Markets, Eating, Photography This neighbourhood is known for its Italian Canadian restaurants and businesses. The district is centered on a restaurant/bar/shopping strip along College Street close to Ossington St and Dundas St. In my opinion, Italian food is some of the most filling in the world. They provide big portions and a variety of meals. La Forchetta Ristorante is the ideal Italian cuisine with a good atmosphere that brings the entire Italian culture full circle. @tolittleitaly If you are looking to diversify your knowledge of what this great country has to offer, then these places are a great start for you. Within the GTA, visiting this places are a good, inexpensive way to go to different worlds without leaving your own city. These budget-friendly places will spare your wallet from high cost and fill your mind with new experience. Don't forget to have fun! |
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