Travel

How to Spend 48 Hours in Toronto

How to spend a cozy, late winter weekend in Canada’s largest city.

by : Truc Nguyen- Mar 2nd, 2023

Instagram: @smaku, @acehoteltoronto

You could easily spend a week exploring all the different neighbourhoods in downtown Toronto, browsing storefronts in Kensington Market and dining your way through the restaurants of Trinity-Bellwoods. But for your next quick getaway—or staycation—this winter, you’ll want to head to the bustling Fashion District, home to the first Ace Hotel in Canada and centrally located for everything from great hot pot to the city’s best sauna.

STAY

The stunning, Shim-Sutcliffe Architects-designed Ace Hotel Toronto opened last July, and has quickly become a place to see and be seen for Toronto’s style set and creatives. Centrally located in the city’s historic Fashion District, the Ace Toronto features original artworks primarily from Canadian artists and those with ties to the city, and welcoming, elegant common spaces that encourage one to linger, and dining and beverage menus overseen by renowned chef Patrick Kriss of Alo and Alobar.

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The newly built, 14-storey hotel features 123 modern, cozy rooms with city and park views, and a thoughtfully curated assortment of vintage and new, custom furniture. Other available room amenities include a minibar stocked with local treats, custom Tivoli sound system, turntable and records, and even a guitar—in case you’re in the mood to serenade your traveling companion.

EAT & DRINK

Whether or not you’re staying at the hotel, be sure to make a reservation at Alder, on the lower level of the Ace Toronto. Premium ingredients cooked on a wood-fired grill are at the heart of the Mediterranean-inspired restaurant’s menu, created by chef Patrick Kriss; highlights include the hamachi crudo with jalapeño vinaigrette, suckling pig with charred mustard greens, and baked clam with brown butter.

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Both The Lobby bar and Evangeline, on the Ace Toronto rooftop, are solid choices for drinks with friends—and great people watching. There are a handful of local beer options and an edited, global wine list, but it’s the cocktails that truly shine, incorporating distinctive ingredients ranging from sea buckthorn to fermented pineapple.

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There are a number of great Asian restaurants nearby, including Sunnys Chinese, R&D and Kiin, but they’re only open for dinner. For something fun and different at lunch, there’s the Chinatown location of Liuyishou, a popular chain of hot pot restaurants from Chongqing, China. It’s a very DIY, hands-on experience that’s perfect for when the weather is cold and dreary.

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SEE & DO

Each month at the Ace Toronto, there are ongoing cultural and community happenings like “Shorts In Conversation,” a film screening series, and Salon 51, a fun cinq à sept social hosted by writer Marlowe Granados. On the weekends, the hotel hosts a variety of free music events led by local DJs and artists at Evangeline, The Lobby and Interspace, the hotel’s underground venue. From audio-visual experiences curated by DJ Minzi Roberta to a weekly celebration of African electronic dance music from the Afrique Like Me Collective, there’s always something new and lively to discover.

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For an invigorating wellness experience, head to Othership on Adelaide Street West. The stylish bathhouse offers social gatherings and guided experiences, but guests can also schedule a “free flow” appointment to explore the 50-person red cedar sauna, ice baths, spa showers, and tea lounge on their own.

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Art and music lovers alike will want to visit the Art Gallery of Ontario before April 10 to catch the “Leonard Cohen: Everybody Knows” exhibition before it closes. On display are the Canadian icon’s musical instruments, notebooks, photographs, drawings and more, giving visitors a glimpse into Cohen’s creative process.

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SHOP

At Stackt, a large shipping container market just north of Fort York, you’ll find seasonal pop-ups, a small-batch brewery and an eclectic selection of independent shops. Pick up a coffee at Milky’s Cloud Room, and spend some time browsing the storefronts offering everything from hard-to-find and gourmet Asian pantry goods to made-in-Canada apparel to custom-painted sneakers.

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The Detox Market’s Toronto Flagship on Spadina Ave carries clean beauty faves like Tata Harper and Vintner’s Daughter, and you can peruse and test out a wide selection of products from indie Canadian lines like 19/99 Beauty, Sade Baron and Wildcraft as well. And if you’re in need of a quick pick-me-up, this March the store is offering relaxing mini facials highlighting local, natural skincare brands Schaf and Three Ships.