Toronto on a budget: See more for less

Markets: From the Harbourfront, walk north to Front Street and east along Front to the St. Lawrence Market, comprised of three historic buildings that made up Toronto's first City Hall. Today it houses an antique market and food market, named among the world's top 25 markets by Food & Wine magazine. Grab Canadian bacon on a bun at Carousel Bakery for CA$3 ($2.45); a potato latke for CA$1.25 ($1) at European Delight; or organic, fresh fare at one of the several shops.

Kensington Market, the hip, activists-inhabited neighborhood adjacent to Chinatown, is funky, with organic, fair-trade coffee shops, vegetarian fare, and frequent environmental or social justice protests or activities to boot. Its history of poor immigrant families who set up shop here has left a legacy of budget-friendly, ethnic-inspired fare that tempts your tastebuds.

Try a one-of-a-kind chicken and kimchee empanada, CA$3.75 ($3) at El Gordo Fine Foods; a pork or chicken tamale with mole or green salsa, wrapped in banana leaves, for CA$2 ($1.60) at Perola Supermarket; a Montreal smoked meat sandwich, CA$3.49 ($2.83); a 6-ounce all-beef Texas burger, CA$2.29 ($1.85) at European Quality Meat and Sausages; or a mini-roti to go, CA$3 ($2.43) at Shai's Cafe. The market's boutiques and vintage shops also offer great, unique grabs if you're willing to sift through the racks.

No food-on-a-budget mission can exclude Chinatown. Grab a Vietnamese sub for CA$1.50 ($1.20) at Banh Mi Nguyen Huong, 322 Spadina; a full meal for CA$8 ($6.50) at Buddha's Vegetarian Foods, 666 Dundas St. West; or nosh on steamed buns stuffed with pork for CA$5 ($4) at Chinese Traditional Buns, 536 Dundas St. West.

A district with charm: Many of Toronto's coolest neighborhoods are recently gentrified, once- industrial districts. The Distillery is one such neighborhood. Formerly known as the Gooderham and Worts distillery, producing whiskey and spirits and housing flour mills, the area was one of Toronto's historical manufacturing centers. Today, the preserved Victorian industrial architecture and cobblestone streets have a European feel, further enhanced by art galleries, one-of-a-kind boutiques and myriad arts and culture festivals, from wine tastings to artisan and fashion events.

Arts: Last year, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) reopened after years of renovations to reveal a massive and obtrusive crystal addition. The dramatic aluminum and glass-clad addition juts and soars from the original Italianate Neo-Romanesque building. The family-friendly museum specializes in world culture and natural history. Check out the dinosaurs, Chinese temple art, the current diamonds exhibition and more. Admission is free Wednesdays, 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., and half-price, CA$11 ($8.95) on Fridays, 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.

Deal of the Day Newfoundland and Labrador Explore World Heritage sites, glimpse into the life of the Vikings, more, from $1,635.

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) opened its doors this month after a major renovation designed by star-chitect Frank Gehry, who grew up in the neighborhood. Its new billowing glass facade wraps the building and beckons passers-by to explore both the architecture and the art. Free admission Wednesdays, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

Long Yonge Street: Once noted in Guinness World Records as the longest street in the world, Yonge Street is Toronto's major arterial thoroughfare, but it actually stretches 1,178 miles from the lakeshore here beyond the city to the Minnesota border. Wander from the heart of the Toronto's mini-"Times Square" at Yonge and Dundas up to the shopping district at Yonge and Bloor. In the winter, check out nearby Yorkville, which transforms into a winter wonderland; click on "holiday magic" here.

Festivals: The city has free events, concerts and festivals almost every weekend, especially in summer. More details at http://www.nowtoronto.com/ or http://www.eyeweekly.com/.

Lodging: Stay in the clean and safe Hi Toronto Youth Hostel, 76 Church St., in downtown Toronto for as little as CA$26 ($21) a night. The hostel also offers discount tickets to shows, sporting events and more.

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