How to Afford Pride Week in Toronto, Canada
Kimber Chin writes romance novels based in the business world. She also loves supporting Pride every year. Specifically, Pride Week in Toronto. Here are her money-saving tips if you’re planning on going this year. These are her words’¦
I love to travel and I stretch the travel budget with road trips. To get more for the money, I time these road trips with special events, Chicago with the Taste, New York for New Year’s, New Orleans with Mardi Gras.
When to come to Toronto? Pride Week.
Pride Week in Toronto, from June 20th to June 29th, is one of the largest Prides in the world and, during this multicultural celebration, you truly believe you are visiting the world. The freebie highlights are the two parades, the Dyke March on the 28th and the Pride Parade on the 29th. Entire streets are closed down.
(Please note that there WILL be nudity. Not planned but it happens every single year so I don’t expect 2008 to be any different.).
Four Ways To Save Money
1. Volunteer
Going alone? Don’t know anyone? Then consider volunteering. The organizers are always looking for volunteers, especially during the busy parade weekend, and it is relatively easy to arrange by phone or email. You’ll meet other volunteers, have an excuse to talk to everyone attending, and very likely gain entrance to some of the coveted parties (maybe even the ultra expensive Grecian themed gala).
2. No Car Rental Necessary
If you’re flying into the city, consider forgoing the car rental. Parking downtown (where all the party action is) is a nightmare and can be pricey. The TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) links the entire city (including the airport) with buses, subway, and streetcars. They offer per ride, day, and week passes for individuals and families. When riding, take a transfer. It is a slip of paper allowing you to hop from bus to bus during one continuous trip. This is very helpful if you get lost (remember that the CN Tower, the tallest structure in Toronto, is always to your south, hugging the lake).
3. Keep The Change
Although most restaurants and stores will take U.S. dollars and credit cards, it is good to trade some cash into the local currency. Keep an eye on your change as Canada has already discarded the one dollar bill. That gold colored coin with a bird on it (a Loonie) is worth $1. The silver and gold coin with a polar bear (a Twoonie) is worth $2.
4. Breakfast At Tim’s
Want a true taste of Canada? Leave the pricey hotel breakfast to the unknowing and head over to your closest Tim Horton’s for a coffee and a donut (the donuts are cakier than a Krispy Kreme). But keep in mind that this is the working man’s donut shop. There are no cappuccinos or lattes. Just a simple coffee that Canadians line up for.
As with any travel, remember that Canada is not the United States, no matter how similar the two countries look. Keep your sense of adventure and your sense of fun and you’ll have an unforgettable Pride Week.
More about Kimber Chin
Kimber Chin writes romance novels based in the business world. She also blogs at NoLimitsLadies.com. That was NOT her wearing the pink hair and the sparklies at Pride Week Toronto 2007, she swears.
Tim Horton’s is great but I’d like to also encourage visitors to try uniquely Toronto establishments. For example, the St. Lawrence Market is full of great food vendors like Carosel Bakery which is known for its peameal bacon sandwiches. In every neighbourhood, you’ll be able to find a breakfast, lunch and dinner to suit your budget. Just ask locals (like me) where they go.
Hi Nina, I tagged you for the Lemonade meme. Link is in my name.
I’ve been to Toronto perhaps a dozen times and there’s always something new to discover. Tim Horton’s must be experienced at least once if you’ve never been there. But I agree with Unspending that you should also try out all the more local places. I’m vaguely recalling this fun little place we did lunch once which may have involved a purple hippo…
Unspending and Mrs Micah: Great suggestions. There was another guest post not too long ago about shopping locally at independent businesses vs. the bigger chains.
Heather: I’ll take a look but I’m notoriously bad with the tag games. Please don’t take it personally if I don’t get around to participating.
Totally agree Unspending (and especially about St. Lawrence Market). I could do an entire post just on great Toronto eats (for example: Toronto has some of the best Chinese outside of Asia, plus our buffets are in a league of their own).
The reason I mentioned Tims is because it is inexpensive, fast (because Pride Week is SO busy) and is about as Canadian as it gets.