EDITOR: We’ve re-opened this challenge in spring of 2020 so that you can tell us about the parts of the cities or towns that you love and miss during the coronavirus outbreak. Let us know about where you work and live.
I want your hometown recommendations. Here are some of mine from Toronto - with a fancy Google view to help. And, like most everything in Toronto, all of these recommendations are better in the spring and summer!
The Google view below shows Toronto’s downtown core, from south to north, with Lake Ontario at the bottom. We skew a bit to the core’s west side because I want to highlight the locations of the green and yellow arrows. You can click on the map below to enlarge its size.
Yellow arrow: It’s largely out of frame here, but the arrow points to Billy Bishop Airport - which Torontonians sometimes refer to as Toronto Island Airport. Many people book their flights to Lester B. Pearson International Airport (located near Prophix’s office in Mississauga) without realizing they have another option. Of course, Porter Airlines (the main airline that operates from Billy Bishop) only flies to 15 destinations. But maybe you’re lucky and live near Montreal, Boston, Washington, Newark, or Chicago! Disclaimer: Porter Airlines is a Prophix customer. Fly Porter!
Green arrow: Toronto is one of North America’s greenest cities. We don’t have an equivalent to Central Park in Toronto because our city features hundreds of parks, even if you don’t see many of them on this map. Trinity Bellwoods is the largest downtown park. Located in the city’s west end, Trinity Bellwoods is bordered by Queen Street West to the south and Dundas Street to the north. That means there are lots of nice shops and things to do on the main streets near Trinity Bellwoods. It’s a great place for a stroll, a picnic, or a children’s birthday party. You might get splashed when you walk past the water park, though.
Blue arrow: With collection of more than 90,000 works of art, The Art Gallery of Ontario or AGO ranks among the most distinguished art museums in North America. The gallery also features a highly-rated restaurant (AGO Bistro) and an Italian Espresso Bar. The AGO is located five blocks east of Kensington Market, a walkable bohemian neighborhood that draws artists and tourists to its indie shops, vintage boutiques, and arts spaces. I also recommend that you check out Kensington!
Pink arrow: Union Station is the southernmost station in Toronto’s subway system. Union also serves as a major hub for buses and offers a direct train to Pearson International Airport in Mississauga. This station always seems to be under construction (come on already with the delayed developments, Toronto!), but this station is essential for reaching major destination. Union also connects via the underground PATH to over 20 miles worth of shopping, services, and entertainment.
Red arrow: Rogers Centre is the home ballpark of the Toronto Blue Jays. The team has a loyal fanbase, but aside from 2015 and 2016, the team has been mediocre. Nonetheless, our beloved team generally puts up a spirited fight against the dreaded Yankees and Red Sox. Rogers Centre features the world’s first (but not last) retractable stadium roof. When the roof is open, fans at the ballpark have an awesome view of the CN Tower next door.
Dotted red arrow: Across the street from the ballpark on its south side is The Rec Room. Prophix’s Continuous Success Package customers came here with us during the Prophix Conference in 2018. It’s an awesome spot to grab some food, watch a game, or play a wide array of futuristic or throwback arcade games. Fun!
Orange arrow: If you have kids who need distracting - or you just like watching sharks swim distractedly in circles in an indoor setting - then Ripley’s Aquarium is the place for you. The Aquarium is located right next to CN Tower and a one-minute walk from Rogers Centre.
Purple arrow: Nestled between two condos in this photo, this arrow points to Scotiabank Arena, the home of the Maple Leafs (NHL) and Raptors (NBA). Fans crowd outside here to watch thrilling (but often disappointing) playoff games. The stadium is just south of Union Station, just east of Ripley’s Aquarium, Rogers Centre, and The Rec Room, and it’s just north of fun bars and restaurants along Toronto’s waterfront.
Now let us know what you think of Toronto + tell us about some of the highlights in your hometown. I’ll even send you some bonus points if you add in a map like this!
My hometown is St. Joseph, Michigan–right on the shore of Lake Michigan! St. Joe is 30 minutes north of the Indiana state line and 90 minutes east of Chicago. The beach is always a great place to visit. There is also several good places to eat from pizza at Silver Beach Pizza to burgers at The Buck, where they have several beers on tap and to sample, and dessert at the Kilwin’s. There is also a water fountain and carousel near the beach area. Although I don’t live there anymore, I’m still close enough to visit and enjoy walks out on the pier or walking down Main Street to see all the shops, like the Third Coast Surf Shop or Forever books.
Here’s a shot of the beach with the pier in the background. Great vacation spot!!
There are lots of things to do around Erie, PA during the summer and spring months. The picture I have focuses mostly on the downtown region, however there are numerous wineries to explore if you travel east towards Harborcreek and North East.
Circled in blue are some attractions which include Presque Isle Beach, Waldameer Park and Water World, Erie Zoo, the Millcreek Mall, and Presque Isle Downs & Casino.
For those traveling, highlighted in green is the Erie Airport, and highlight in red are the Courtyard Marriot and Sheraton Bayfront Hotel. There are a lot of hotels in Erie, but if looking for a great view these are the two to stay at.
The silver Xs are two local breweries called Lavery’s and Erie Ale Works that are our favorite and frequent stops. Also listed in Xs are a number of favorite food stops.
pink x- Sara’s Restaurant (American, causal dining by the beach)
maroon x- The Cork 1794 (fine dining)
teal x- Pineapple Eddies (causal southern/ Caribbean dining voted top 10 restaurants in Pittsburgh)
green x- 1201 kitchen (Mexican/ Japanese fine dining)
There’s a ton of other restaurants to check out that are not shown: Molly Brannigans (causal Irish dining), Room 33 (prohibition era cocktails and tapas), Skunk and Goat (American casual dining in North East), Noosa (American causal dining in North East right on the water) just to name a few more. Best time to dine at Noosa is around sunset the view is amazing.
Everett, WA is home to the world’s largest building (by volume). The green circle encompasses that Boeing plant, the Future of Flight (where you can start off on a Boeing plant tour), the Flying Heritage and Combat Armor Museum, the Museum of Flight Restoration Center, and Paine Field (where our new commercial airport just opened!). The red marker is Funko’s headquarters - you wouldn’t want to miss this store which is a destination unto itself, and you can create your own Pop Figure! Nearby is the Angel of the Winds arena where the Everett Silvertips hockey team plays. The blue circle is where Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, the Whidbey Island ferry, and Diamond Knot Brewery are located. Further down the Puget Sound Coast (follow the yellow arrow off the map) is where you should catch an Orca whale watching tour. And I accidentally cutoff Frost doughnuts, just below the white square.
When you arrive in Cornwall, ON - you drive straight down the 138 from the Airport in Ottawa, and keep going - right to Schnitzels. My son is one of the chef’s there part-time to pay for culinary school. They’ve got a beautiful wood oven, and make the best brisket pizza around.
The restaurant / bar is the hot-spot in town. Live music, great patio and delicious food. Catch up with friends during a tweet-up or go for a romantic dinner - it’s got it all.
Not my home town but where I live now. 3100 Shore Drive is work but very close by there is Shore Break Pizza which is amazing! Then Bubba’s Seafood and The Back Deck have great food and right on the water so you can sit outside and even bring your dog. We have a lot of great breweries too!!!
Not my hometown, but I did live in East London- top right corner of the map below- for four years. So here’s three East End highlights:
Bottom Left- few places to to eat out on a summer evening are more inviting than the Dicken’s in overlooking the St Katherine’s docks marina. Pub on the ground floor, grill on the second, pizza on the third, each with a huge balcony with a terrific view. Take your pick!
Top left: Anyone taking kids into London should not miss the huge slides at Victoria Park going into an enormous sand pit.
Right: Emirates cable car going from the O2 dome (pictured) to the Excel centre- currently NHS Nightingale hospital. Best wishes to all and stay well.
Those of you who were at the last conference in 2019 are somewhat familiar with my home town of Nashville. I love to go on hikes (red), eat some amazing tacos (green), and just hang out downtown to catch a show (orange). Another popular place where big stars will occasionally just pop in for a quick set is the Grand Ole Opry (Maroon)
My hometown is in the UK, just outside London. However I now live just outside London Ontario.
Usually by now the Intercounty Baseball league would be thinking about getting started, and our much loved London Majors would be warming up for their season.
I miss London, Ontario, @gabrielle.woodey! I went to Western. I haven’t been back in more than a decade now, but I’ll try to visit my friends there when all this is over.
I was born in Humboldt, Sask and spent several years there until moving to Richmond, KY. After that, I would spend the school year in Richmond and the summers in Humboldt so it’s a little split for me! Both are smaller towns, but I have such great memories! Richmond has a complex that has lots of different things to do like golf, soccer, water park, etc. Humboldt has a Uniplex where hockey is big there and there’s swimming, curling, etc.
You’re a secret Canadian, @rebecca.broaddus?!?!?! Why didn’t you mention this when we profiled you for the customer of the month in February? Do you ever visit Canada?
Hahaha! I tried to convince work that I should get to celebrate American and Canadian holidays off work…but they didn’t go for that! We do still come up, but usually only for a week at a time instead of all summer! This was me and my dad at the last Broncos game we went to for my birthday! Hometowns are definitely very special
I haven’t been back in more than a decade now, but I’ll try to visit my friends there when all this is over.
