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Grand Prix Toronto Travel Guide

Grand Prix Toronto Travel Guide 2016!


Welcome to Toronto AKA T-Dot, T.O. or even “The Six”! For the second year in a row the GP circuit is coming north of the border.I’m here to tell you about a few things you’ll need/want to know once you arrive!

Event Location​ 

Let’s start with the most important destination. The GP this year is going to be held at the Enercare Centre, which is a convention building located inside Exhibition Place. The address is 100 Princes’ Blvd #1, Toronto, ON, M6k 3C3. Exhibition place is a huge 200 acre district located along the Toronto shoreline. Once you’re nearby you’ll easily spot all the road signs directing you to Exhibition Place.


Transportation from airports:

Billy Bishop Airport: if you fly Porter, you arrive at the Toronto Islands airport, Billy Bishop. the venue is a short a 15 minute walk from there. You can also get there via the public transit system, the TTC. If the buses and subways don’t suit your fancy there is always the option to call a cab or utilize Uber.

Pearson International: Pearson is the main airport for Toronto and where most people will be arriving from. The fastest and easiest way to get from the airport to the venue is to use our straightforward transit system:

  1. Take the UP Express train from the airport to Union Station. The UP express costs $12 one way and will take you directly to Union Station in about 25 minutes.
  2. From Union station take the 509 Streetcar which will take you directly to Exhibition Place.
  3. Get off the streetcar at Strachan Avenue.

If you are traveling via cab it will cost you approximately $50 – $70. Tell them you are heading to Exhibition Place and you might be able to find a deal. Depending on the hotel you are in, you might be able to find some cheap hotel shuttles from the airport as Exhibition place is a well known convention location.

Transportation within the city:
The easiest way to travel within the city is via the TTC. There are multiple streetcar right outside Exhibition place. For $3.25 you can get anywhere in Toronto using a combination of streetcars, buses, and subways. For $11, you can get a day pass (Saturday or Sunday), which lets you go use it as much as you want for 2 adults all day. If you plan on exploring the city we suggest a day pass.

Lodging/Hotels:
There are plenty of hotels near Exhibition place. All of the hotel details can be found on the GP Toronto website as well:

1) Radisson Hotel Admiral Toronto-Harbour front (20 minutes away via streetcar)
249 Queen’s Quay West
Toronto, ON
M5J 2N5

Rates (includes Internet access) [April 29 – May 1]
Single/Double occupancy: $175*
Triple occupancy: $195*
Quadruple occupancy: $215*
*Plus applicable taxes*
Call the hotel directly (416-203-3333 or 1-800-333-3333) by March 27, 2016. Make sure to identify yourself as part of the Face to Face Games group and to use the promotional code: F2FACE.

Online Booking (click on MORE SEARCH OPTIONS to enter code)

2) The Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto (25 minutes away via streetcar)
1 Harbour Square
Toronto, ON
M5J 1A6

Rates (includes Internet access) [April 28 – May 1]
Single/Double occupancy: $179*
Triple occupancy: $199*
Quadruple occupancy: $219*
*plus applicable taxes*

Call the hotel (1-888-627-8559) by 5:00 p.m. EST on March 29, 2016. Make sure to identify yourself as part of the Face to Face Games group and to use promotional code: F229AA.

Online Booking

3) DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown (much further away, would not recommend unless you are driving)
108 Chestnut Street
Toronto, ON
M5G 1R3
Rates (includes Internet access) [April 29 – May 2]
Single/Double occupancy: $139*
Triple occupancy: $169*
Quadruple occupancy: $199*
*plus applicable taxes*

Call the hotel 416-599-0555 or 1-800-668-6600 by March 29, 2016. Make sure to use the reference group code: MTG. You can get a room here: Online Booking.

4.) Not into hotels? How about a comfy flat for the weekend? Check out Air BnB for a unique way to stay in the city.

5.) Need a #Value stay? Check out a hostel! The best local hostel in the neighborhood is the Canadiana. Its only about a 15 minute walk from the GP venue as is open the Canadian residents as well as people from outside Canada. Quad dorm rooms can be under $30 after taxes per night if booked online and in advance.


Stuff Worth Doing:

Medieval Times
Do you want to watch guys riding horses stab each other with sticks while having dinner? Check out medieval Times dinner and show which is about a km away from Exhibition Place. The dinner and show package is on twice a day on the weekends.

CN Tower
If you’re willing to do a little bit of travelling, you can get to perhaps the most famous Toronto landmark, the CN Tower. Sure, it’s JUST a giant tower in the heart of Toronto, but if you like watching tiny cars and tiny people from 1800ft in the air, it’s perfect!

Ripley’s Aquarium

Sharks! Massive toothy predators circling above you as you walk through their aquarium. Ripley’s offers a one of a kind way to experience the exhibits. Visitors wander through tunnels that cut through the shark tank giving you an up close view of the action.

Steam Whistle Brewery
I hear people like beer, and in the same area as the CN Tower lies the Steam Whistle Brewery. One of the most popular tourist areas, you can sign up for a tour of the brewery. I can tell you one thing, they give free samples.

Hockey Hall of Fame
You can’t talk about Canada without mentioning the Holy Grail of Hockey. About 30 minutes away from Exhibition Place lies the Hockey Hall of Fame. Want to check out the Stanley Cup? It should still be there.

FOOD

Food Trucks –
There will be food trucks at the venue all weekend. Look forward to our food report coming online to Mana Deprived soon! We guarantee the food trucks will be Chef Anthony Cameron approved.

When you’re not at the GP we suggest you check out the city for some scrumptious grub!

Liberty Village
Exhibition Place is located very close to Liberty Village, one of Toronto’s oldest settlements. Inside this historic area exists many restaurants. I would recommend checking out School for some delicious french toast!

All in all there are too many restaurants to individually name, so you can check them out here and take your pick.

The Distillery District
A lovely historical district full of rustic brick buildings. Here you’ll find a grouping of delicious restaurants including the Mill Street Brew Pub; a perfect gathering spot for a post GP celebratory steak and beer.

Along the Waterfront
Want to enjoy a view of the lake with your craft beer? Check out the Amsterdam Brew House!


Linking up with local players!

Want to check out the local Magic scene? Of course we recommend that you visit us at Face to Face Games Toronto, but there are plenty of game stores to see. Joining the Southern Ontario Magic Society group on facebook is the quickest way to link up with the local player base.

For all the specific nerdy experiences we recommend:

A&C Games:​­ Vintage video games, pay for play video games, cards, and more.

Castle: Board game cafe.

Face to Face Games Toronto​­​­: Cards, free play board games, extremely attractive,
professional, articulate, and humble staff. Also a cafe! (Disclaimer: this document may have
been edited by judges who work at Face to Face Games Toronto)

401 Games​:­ Cards, huge board game selection, and large play space.

The Hairy Tarantula​­: Comics, board games, Manga, cards, and cats. The cats are for petting and not for sale.

Meeplemart​­: Board games, cards, and minis.

One Million Comix​­: Comics, swag, collectibles, and cards.

Snakes and Lattes​­: Board game cafe, very popular.

Snakes and Lagers​­: Board game… bar! BEER!

The Silver Snail​­: Swanky comics, collectibles, and coffee.

Conclusion

We know you’re going to enjoy your stay in Toronto! Tweet us at @F2FToronto and tell us about your GP experience.

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