In the past, our Hidden Toronto experts took you to visit ghosts of our city’s past, storied mansions and churches struggling to survive condos.
Our exhaustive excavation of Hidden Toronto continues during the pandemic. You can’t go out and see these sights during lockdown – some are in businesses that have been forced to close – so we’re bringing them to you virtually.
In the video above, NOW’s Lucas Giovannetti plays tour guide, directing us to Toronto’s can’t miss sights; some that are hidden in plain sight. Bookmark them for when it’s safe to leave your again.
Dawn Redwood at Edwards Gardens, 755 Lawrence East
A Tolkien-esque tree species estimated to be 50 million years old is nestled away in Edward Gardens. Find it.
Third Church of Christ, Scientist, 70 High Park
A 20-storey condo swallowing a cathedral could spell the future for heritage buildings in our city.
Guild Park & Gardens, 201 Guildwood
The Scarborough park (where Drake shot the Headlines video) is a trip through architectural purgatory: remnants from historic buildings now decorate the greenery alongside the lake.
The White Elephant at 77 Yarmouth
This life-sized sculpture was created by Matt Donovan as part of his OCAD University thesis project. The sturdy beast is still collecting snow in the Christie Pits area.
Acorn-worshippers at Joel Weeks Park, 10 Thompson
Indigenous sculptor Mary Anne Barkhouse’s pedestal is easy to miss. But once you spot the squirrels squatting on granite as they worship a monolithic acorn, you’ll never forget it.
The Biblio-Mat at The Monkey’s Paw, 1067 Bloor West
Bookmark this one for when lockdown is over. Nestled in the back of The Monkey’s Paw bookstore is a vending machine that dropps the most random reads into your hands.
The Disco Restroom atOtto’s Berlin Doner, 256 Augusta
Push the red button. Enjoy the most fun poop in Toronto.
John Fluevog Shoes, 668 Queen West
Good old-fashioned, hand-crafted shoe appreciation is always better in a gravity-defying backroom.
