Toronto in February: One King West, a Day Trip to Wine Country, and the Shameful Tiki Room cover art

Toronto in February: One King West, a Day Trip to Wine Country, and the Shameful Tiki Room

Toronto in February: One King West, a Day Trip to Wine Country, and the Shameful Tiki Room

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 A long weekend escape to Toronto that somehow included a cheese-wheel pasta moment, a winter-friendly “walk indoors” downtown route, a surprise winery day trip, and (of course) a tiki bar stop. Some of the links below are affiliate links and as such, we earn a small commission from purchases that allow us to continue telling you our stories without costing you anything extra. In this episode Ashleigh and Christopher recap their February getaway to Toronto, including where they stayed, what they ate, the best sights for a cold-weather trip, and a side quest to Niagara-on-the-Lake for wine tasting—plus a final stop for iconic Windsor-style pizza on the way home. Highlights & trip recap Where we stayed One King West Hotel & Residence (near the line between the Financial District and Old Town) Why we loved it: great amenities (breakfast/coffee, bar/restaurant, fitness center, spa) and an ideal, walkable location Getting there Originally planned to take the train, but price jumped—driving ended up being the better deal Having a car also made the day trip possible Best meal of the weekend Sal’s Pasta & Chops (Little Italy) The showstopper: tableside pasta tossed in a Parmesan wheel (yes, a literal cheese “mixing bowl”) Also: fried artichokes—and lots of extra cheese on top Tourist day: downtown classics CN Tower Go early for lighter crowds We paid extra for the higher observation deck Fun fact: the tower’s origin story is tied to broadcasting/antenna needs as Toronto’s buildings got taller Ripley’s Aquarium Busy on the holiday weekend (so many kids!) The moving walkway exhibit made it much easier to see sharks, stingrays, turtles, and big fish even when crowded Market lunch St. Lawrence Market for sandwiches + pastéis de nata Note to future travelers: we learned the hard way it’s not open on Monday (plan accordingly) Valentine’s dinner curveball A reservation got canceled without explanation, so we pivoted to The Carbon Bar Barbecue Place with multi-course menu options Day trip: Niagara-on-the-Lake A chance to finally explore one of Canada’s most famous wine areas Wineries we visited: Tawse (Burgundy-focused, standout tasting—so good we brought bottles home) Ravine (beautiful property, tasting room + restaurant, great for a longer lunch-style stop) Lunch: The Olde Angel Inn (historic vibes + a little ghost lore) Strolling the town: coffee, shops, and lots of “we need to come back” energy Tiki stop Shameful Tiki Room Lounge seating, strong drinks, and a mystery bowl that comes with a gong moment Food is more snacky—good to know before you go Last morning: Hockey Hall of Fame A must for hockey fans (and surprisingly exciting even if you’re just nostalgic for the Red Wings era) Seeing the Stanley Cup + classic jerseys, gear, and trophies Great exhibits, including women in hockey, plus interactive stations (shooting pucks, etc.) Final food mission: Windsor pizza We crossed to Windsor specifically to try it What makes it “Windsor-style”: distinctive shredded cheese, pepperoni cut into strips, and the classic canned mushroom vibe Pro tip: if you’re heading back across the border right after, consider ordering smaller than you think Bonus travel tip Windsor can be shockingly affordable for hotels compared to Detroit—worth considering if you have a passport and don’t mind the border logistics.
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