Toronto and New York City

Bretagnez

Bretagnez

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So I'm off to Toronto and New York in 2 weeks time, a week and a half in each City.

For New York, it's pretty obvious all the standard touristy things to shoot and suchlike, but are there any particular, perhaps less well known areas that are especially interesting to go visit?

I guess the question applies more to Toronto, I'm just looking for some ideas of places/areas/buildings etc to visit and shoot pr something a little different perhaps.
I know there are a couple of members that hail from that area, so any help would be much appreciated!

I'd be able to travel a bit, a trip to Niagara is bound to happen but if there's anywhere else around and about Toronto - anywhere in the wine region, other Canadian cities like Ottawa, Montreal etc - that would be worth a visit.

If anyone could give me a few tips and ideas that'd be great!

I'm interested in shooting pretty much everything, landscapes/architecture/urban scenes. So yes, anything goes!

Thanks :thumbs:
 
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You've already mentioned Niagara. But if you can stretch to a heli flight over the falls then the view is pretty spectacular.

Toronto I went to a few years ago and little springs to mind, except the tall tower with the viewing deck.

Montreal has a cathedral [the name of which I never did find out] which has a stunning interior. I'm sure anybody there would know it if you asked about it. There's also the old Olympic site, which in itself is nothing special but there's a public viewing platform which gives nice views of the area.

Quebec - a very picturesque old part of the city, containing the impressive and famous Chateau Frontenac hotel. There's also a nice waterfall a few miles out of town but again it was a few years ago and details are hazy. Locals would know it, or a search on Google satellite pictures.
 
Toronto - Port Credit in Mississauga, Heart Lake Conservation in Brampton off the 410 was very quiet when we were there.
There are a lot of shiny office blocks in the business district, some have nice fountains etc inside. There's an old market downtown too.

The beach area at Hamilton is interesting, it has pylons along it but there is a nice park area just north in Burlington, they have weddings there sometimes.

Not sure of anything in particular in the wine region but you drive through that area on the way to Niagara. Niagara town itself is like a clean version of Blackpool.

Nothing to do with photography but, the Coffee Time shops are good value for drinks and the muffins are huge.

Hope you enjoy your trip, kinda jealous, we're in the process to emigrate there.
 
For urban scenes you can't really go wrong by going downtown, I'd get a day pass for the TTC so you can get the subway back to the hotel after so much walking! If you're there between May 26th - 27th they have the Doors Open event, you can find out more info here. The event celebrates architecture in Toronto. Start downtown at Union Station. The CN Tower is west of the station, East of the station doesn't have the big skyscrapers but has some really interesting buildings and places to people watch.

Of course you have to visit the CN Tower, they have a new attraction which I think you'd get some great pics. I'm not sure if they allow cameras though! The EdgeWalk Behind the CN Tower and the Rogers Centre is Steam Whistle brewery, be sure to stop there and have a tour. I managed to get a free drink last time I was there! If you go back to Front Street (the street you got to the CN Tower from) and go west, you can go North up Spadina and go through China Town. Or go North up Bay Street you'll see Toronto City Hall and the old city hall, both nice buildings. The Toronto Islands are great for an actual cityscape as you'll be able to see all the buildings. Queens Quay is also a nice place, or if you want to people watch at the same time try Dundas Square.

As for the Niagara region, there is a butterfly centre very near to the falls. Niagara on the Lake is supposed to be a nice place, I haven't been there myself, but a lot of the wineries are there. Try the icewine!

If you're going further a field, Montreal and Quebec are good places to go. Lots of old buildings in Montreal and lots of important buildings in the Capital City. Just be sure to try Poutine! Oh and the cathedral is called: Notre-Dame Basilica (Montreal)

And if you get tired of the concrete jungle, there are plenty of national parks for landscape pics!

***Forgot to mention: Tim Hortons is the coffee place of Canadians, it is the first port of call when going back to the country. While I'm here I better mention that Alexander Keith's is better than Molson.
 
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AgentG said:
For urban scenes you can't really go wrong by going downtown, I'd get a day pass for the TTC so you can get the subway back to the hotel after so much walking! If you're there between May 26th - 27th they have the Doors Open event, you can find out more info here. The event celebrates architecture in Toronto. Start downtown at Union Station. The CN Tower is west of the station, East of the station doesn't have the big skyscrapers but has some really interesting buildings and places to people watch.

Of course you have to visit the CN Tower, they have a new attraction which I think you'd get some great pics. I'm not sure if they allow cameras though! The EdgeWalk Behind the CN Tower and the Rogers Centre is Steam Whistle brewery, be sure to stop there and have a tour. I managed to get a free drink last time I was there! If you go back to Front Street (the street you got to the CN Tower from) and go west, you can go North up Spadina and go through China Town. Or go North up Bay Street you'll see Toronto City Hall and the old city hall, both nice buildings. The Toronto Islands are great for an actual cityscape as you'll be able to see all the buildings. Queens Quay is also a nice place, or if you want to people watch at the same time try Dundas Square.

As for the Niagara region, there is a butterfly centre very near to the falls. Niagara on the Lake is supposed to be a nice place, I haven't been there myself, but a lot of the wineries are there. Try the icewine!

If you're going further a field, Montreal and Quebec are good places to go. Lots of old buildings in Montreal and lots of important buildings in the Capital City. Just be sure to try Poutine! Oh and the cathedral is called: Notre-Dame Basilica (Montreal)

And if you get tired of the concrete jungle, there are plenty of national parks for landscape pics!

***Forgot to mention: Tim Hortons is the coffee place of Canadians, it is the first port of call when going back to the country. While I'm here I better mention that Alexander Keith's is better than Molson.
Click to expand...

The doughnuts are also excellent!
 
Thanks so very much to all of you! A forum full of incredible knowledge and well travelled people!

I would certainly love to go on a heli ride, but will have to see how funds hold out until then.
I definitely want to get to Montreal and do all the touristy stuff and hopefully get out to the countryside too.

I've heard ALL about Tim Hortons, including a lengthy trip to their website from a number of Canadians I know here at University!

Thank you guys very much. A lot of information to work with and I'll get some pictures up on here as and when!
The EdgeWalk looks INSANE.

:D
 
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Try a visit to Thousand Islands, very beautiful, about halfway between Toronto and Montreal. Montreal is very photogenic, wasn't that keen on the locals however, not as friendly as Toronto! The cathedral in Montreal was probably Notre Dame in old Montreal.

Also heading north from Toronto, through Barrie on the 400, to cottage country around Georgian Bay is very picturesque.

Tim Hortons is great, we always get a large selection of Timbits to bring back home.
 
Hello.

In New York there is so much to do. I hve been a few times and the last copple of times I have purchased the New York City pass. Well worth the money. Gives to access to Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty Top of he rock, Circle line cruise. (and much more)

http://www.newyorkpass.com/?aid=12&gclid=CPno7pLkjrACFQwjfAodYXD3sA

When you are out there you can buy a metro card for a week and give you unlimited tube for the week. (I think it cost about 30ish dollars)

If you do get the New York City pass, I would either do the Empire State building in the day and the Top of the Rock at night or the other way around so you get the city in the day and night from a height. I guess you you will be there over the weekend, take a trip to central park on a Saturday (as long as the weather is good) you wll see families/people taking rides on bikes, playing base ball shows a more relaxed side to the city.

If you have the time it is worth doing the 3hr circle line tour. This is a river trip around the Island, you can get some really nice shots of the island and of Liberty

If you are old enough to remember big take a trip to FAO Schwarz they have the piano in there.

Regards

Ants
 
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