Nearby coffee shops. Need a place that provides a quieter atmosphere for business meetings? These coffee shops are close enough you won’t be sweating to get to your next session.
- Tim Hortons: Traveling to the Great White North and not stopping at a Tim Hortons is a travesty. Luckily, there is a Tim Hortons right across the street from the Convention Centre.
- The Coffee Bar: Within a stone’s throw west of the MTCC, this café offers many veggie and gluten-free snacks for those with dietary restrictions. If you plan on meeting with such an individual, it’s your best option. Oh, and it was voted one of Toronto’s best coffee stops by Zagat. No big deal.
- Starbucks: You know it; you love it—ole reliable. Seattle’s most famous café has a location next to the Centre one block North on Wellington Street. You can even use your app and earn stars.
How about a lovely park? Maybe you’ve had enough coffee to last you all week and you’re looking for another cool, quiet place to meet. These parks are just a short walk away and boast beautiful views of the city.
- Roundhouse Park: Who would’ve known that WPC would take place right next to a 17-acre park in Downtown Toronto? Spoiler alert: it’s big. The park is home to the Toronto Railway Museum and a fully operational mini train and railroad. Steam Whistle Brewing is also in the park, in case you’re craving some ales with your rails.
- Simcoe Park: A great place to sit and chat while gazing upon some great works of art. The Worker’s Monument was created to honor lives lost due to work-related injuries or illness. Mountain, a gigantic aluminum sculpture, was erected to represent the first winter that newly appointed Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe and his family spent in Toronto (York, at the time—1793).
- Isabella Valancy Crawford Park: This park kisses the MTCC’s west side. The perfect spot for those notorious do-everything-in-five-minutes meetings. It’s small, simple, and crazy close, letting convenience win over stunning views or bonus attractions.
Want to get away from work while you’re in town? The 4th largest city in North America, Toronto has quite a bit to offer. For those who plan on taking a bit of time post-WPC to explore Canada’s biggest city, here are some places you may be interested in.
- Hockey Hall of Fame: The Hockey Hall of Fame has everything from the largest collection of hockey memorabilia to life-size, interactive displays of today’s greatest players—which you can go one-on-one against if you’re feeling saucy. Ever wanted a picture with the Stanley Cup? You can make that dream a reality! Admission is $18/person.
- Art Gallery of Ontario: At 480,000 square feet, the AGO is one of the biggest galleries in North America. Enjoy over 80,000 works in its vast collection, including a monstrous assortment of Canadian art and beautiful sculptures. Tickets are $19.50 per person, and the AGO is open from 10:30-5pm.
- Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada: One of three aquariums owned by Ripley Entertainment, this includes over 450 species of aquatic life. The aquarium is open from 9 am to 11 pm every day, and tickets are around $30 per person.