a lot of people come to uoft – at least in part – for the “vibrant city” and the “nightlife.” of course, when you finally get to university, you feel so tired and run down most of the time that you rarely ever step off campus. who has time to explore riverdale or dundas valley when you’ve got back-to-back classes and a killer commute?
besides, exploring is scary. aska knows. i know you all quake in your boots at the thought of crossing Bloor to the North or College to the South.
NOT TO FEAR: there are plenty of cool and interesting places practically on campus for you to explore. you won’t even need a metropass.
1. the ROM
kind of obvious. the massive shard hanging over bloor and avenue is hard to miss, but i know so many people who go through their whole undergrad without going there once. it’s free on tuesday for students, it has a pretty good cafeteria, and there are DINOSAURS. there’s really no reason not to go.
2. the gardiner museum
the gardiner museum is a little cement block that sits across from the ROM on University. as well as being a rocking pottery museum (with?clay classes!), there is a beautiful restaurant called the Gardiner Bistro on the top floor. if it’s warm outside, you can even sit on the balcony overlooking University.
the Gardiner is free every tuesday for students (just remember your T-Card, you mangoes).
3. Lillian H. Smith library
the Lillian H. Smith library is a Toronto public?library at College and Huron. the number one selling feature about this library?is that it’s absolutely beautiful. if you’re ever in the Southwestern part of campus and all the uoft libraries are full, why not drop in here?
4. einstein’s
einstein’s cafe and pub is a uoft staple. if you’re anyone who’s anyone, make sure you stop on by at least once.
5. the rooftop at the park hyatt
and for a complete change of pace, why not try the Roof Lounge at the Hyatt? the Park Hyatt is only a stone’s throw from ?Victoria College, at Bloor and Avenue.
this place is a bit fancy and, granted, i’ve only got 0.85$ in my wallet right now, but if you ever manage to scrounge up a coupla twenties, it’s worth it to go here at least once. and eat outside, if you can. great view.
6. 7 west cafe
7 west is a little bit more down to earth. with 3 floors and a cozy atmosphere complete with brick walls and faux stained glass windows, this cafe?is a nice but relaxed place to enjoy a meal. AND for all you night-owls: it’s open 24/7. 3AM spaghetti: bring it on.
7. foxes den
for people spending time around East campus, the foxes den is a super convenient dinner location. a comfort pub through and through, this is the place to go and be merry after writing a test you just know you bombed.
8. harvest noon
Harvest Noon is a cafe and coop on Spadina Crescent. it’s volunteer-run and super convenient for graduate students, whose home base – the Graduate Students’ Union – is right next door.
apart from some amazing food, the really notable thing about this eatery is that it’s?a really good place. sustainable, vegan and socially aware, it’s a better place than most to put your money. if you can support them, you’ll be doing a good thing.
now go outside and get to know your city, you CHUMPS.
aska