Toronto
Toronto City Overview
Toronto is Canada’s only Major League Baseball city ever since the Expos moved to Washington DC several years ago. A clean, scenic city, Toronto enjoys great summer weather with its location along the shores of Lake Ontario.
The city itself is easy to get around, as it’s laid out on a simple grid (more or less) with Yonge (pronounced “young”) Street bisecting east and west. Toronto is generally quite safe, although there are a few neighborhoods away from the city core that you probably don’t want to wander around in late at night. Fortunately, most of the attractions, restaurants, and night spots are in the city’s center.
The Neighborhood – Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre and the adjacent CN Tower are situated away from downtown Toronto on an area of commercial land bordering Lake Ontario. If one wanted to walk, it would be about 15 minutes from downtown Toronto, but it’s best to take public transportation or car. It’s not that the neighborhood is unsafe. It’s not, but one needs to cross several busy roads to get near the stadium and it’s easier to arrive in ways other than on foot.
As far as entertainment options, you’re best served to explore downtown Toronto.
The Ballpark
Now known as the Rogers Centre, this retractable dome facility has been home to the Blue Jays since June 1989. Millions of dollars in renovations have transformed and freshened the facility which sits practically adjacent to the famous CN Tower along the shores of Lake Ontario.
Perhaps the most famous or well known aspect of the Rogers Centre is the hotel that’s contained within the facility. The Renaissance Toronto Hotel has almost 350 rooms with 70 actually overlooking the field. Towering overhead is the Rogers Centre’s massive roof, which at its highest point is 282 feet above the field and can open or close in 20 minutes.
Ballpark Tours
Tours of Rogers Centre are available upon request, in advance. Cost is $13.25 and the tour takes about one hour.
Historic Baseball Sites
From the inception of the franchise in 1977 through the first part of the 1989 baseball season, the Blue Jays played at Exhibition Stadium, an open air lakefront facility located on the grounds of the Canadian National Exposition. The stadium was more famous for Canadian League football rather than baseball, with a huge open expanse beyond the makeshift right field fence.
The CNE grounds are still located a few short minutes west of downtown, nestled in between Lake Shore Drive West and Gardiner Expressway. A soccer stadium, BMO Field, now occupies most of the former footprint of Exhibition Stadium, which was demolished in 1999.
Blue Jays Tickets
With a seating capacity of almost 50,000, tickets for Blue Jays games at Rogers Centre are generally available. You can walk up and buy tickets at the box office on the day of games, if you can avoid the hordes of scalpers trying to sell you “bargains”.
Public Transportation
Toronto offers an excellent public transportation system and one can navigate quite nicely using it. However, if you want to explore, and it’s recommended that you do, you’ll need a car. The airport is about 30 miles outside of the city which is another good reason to rent a vehicle.
Restaurants, Taverns, and Great Beer Bars
Amsterdam Brewing: The very first microbrewery in Toronto, established in 1986 and still going strong. They’re now located across from historic Fort York and have a beer store adjacent to the brewery. Tours are offered; call for times and dates. 21 Bathurst St., Toronto. Phone: 416-504-1040.
C’est What? This funky brewpub not too far from Rogers Centre is located downstairs from street level. It’s a vegan friendly place but if you’re a meat eater, don’t worry, there are plenty of choices for you too. We found the beers to be full bodied, interesting, and very enjoyable. There’s kind of a hippie feel to the place, from the relaxed pace to the clientele to the background music. Stop in and blend in! 67 Front St., Toronto. Phone: 416-867-9499.
Granite Brewery and Restaurant: Be sure to pop in at this enjoyable Toronto brewpub, located just east of Yonge Street off Eglinton Avenue. We like the Summer Ale and the Irish Stout. For food, we’re partial to the calamari, the Stout Drunken Burger and the fish and chips. 245 Eglinton Ave. East, Toronto. Phone: 416-322-0723.
Mill Street Brew Pub: This gorgeous brewpub is housed in an old distillery in the Corktown neighborhood of Toronto off Front Street. It’s a popular place for happy hour, dinner, and late night sipping and munching. Try the Tank House Ale, among others. 55 Mill St., Toronto. Phone: 416-681-0338.
