Romantic Ideas in Toronto

Singles and couple alike can find romantic moments in any of these fine Toronto features.

Toronto's theatre scene crackles with excitement this fall as Broadway's popular Tony-award-winning musical Chicago sizzles on stage at the Canon Theatre (formerly the Pantages Theatre) from Sept. 23 to Oct. 19, while acclaimed English actor Peter Postlethwaite stars in the North American premiere of Scaramouche Jones at the evercharming Winter Garden Theatre, Oct. 16 to Dec. 7. Following the wildly successfully Broadway production, Mel Brooks' hilarious musical The Producers makes its Canadian premiere at the Canon Theatre on Nov. 21 for an indefinite run. Call TicketKing (416-872-1212, 1-800-461-3333, www.mirvish.com) for further details.

On a warm autumn evening, Toronto's Harbourfront bustles with yachts, island ferries, art and live theatre. Visit the Power Plant Gallery (231 Queen's Quay W., 416-973-4949, www.thepowerplant.org) for the best in contemporary art or catch a performance by Toronto's great classical theatre company Soulpepper (www.soulpepper.ca), which revives its 1999 hit The Play's the Thing at the Premiere Dance Theatre (207 Queen's Quay W., 416-973-4000) to Sept. 27.

Probably the world's finest dramatic tenor, Canada's own Ben Heppner performs on Nov. 27 at Roy Thomson Hall (60 Simcoe St., 416-872-4255, www.roythomson.com). The Canadian Opera Company's hot ticket this fall is Puccini's Tosca running from Sept. 26 to Oct. 11 at the Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts (1 Front St. E., 416-363-8231, 1-800-250-4653, www.coc.ca).

September brings out the stars as the city celebrates the 28th annual Toronto International Film Festival[Symbol Not Transcribed] [registered symbol] from Sept. 4-13 (416-968-FILM, www.bell.ca/filmfest). Be the first to see this season's major new releases as well as exotic fare from 70 countries. The Globetrotter Pass features six tickets to films from around the world selected by Festival programmers. The on-screen action takes place at 20 movie theatres across downtown Toronto, with much celebrity-spotting activity in the chic shopping neighbourhood of Bloor-Yorkville.

Be sure to check out Toronto's newest old neighbourhood. The Distillery District east of Parliament at Mill St. is one of the best-preserved collections of Victorian industrial architecture in North America. Today, the 13-acre complex of early 19th-century distillery, cooperage, malting and storage buildings is being revived into a lively neighborhood of cafes, galleries, restaurants and smart shops.

Sip a locally-brewed organic lager on the outdoor patio while taking in the fascinating surroundings. As restoration continues during the week, plan to visit on Saturday or Sunday afternoon when the place is bustling with visitors. Not to be missed are the Sandra Ainsley Gallery for exceptional glass art and Corkin/Shopland Gallery for historic and contemporary photography. Balzac's freshly roasted coffee beans have made the cafe hugely popular. The Martini Club sells 17 varieties of giant stuffed olives.

Want to see the skyline in style? The Helicopter Company (416-203-3280, www.helitours.ca) takes off from the Toronto Island airport's executive terminal for a jet helicopter tour 2,000 feet above the city. With more than 200 wedding proposals made in the air each year, the sunset departure is a real deal closer. Or create your own customized getaway--perhaps a picnic in a private forest, golf and dinner at Taboo (see page 12), a fall colour flight through the Elora Gorge, or a trip to the Bridgestone Racing Academy for an afternoon training session in Formula 2000 race cars.

While under renovation, the Royal Ontario Museum (100 Queen's Park, 416-586-5549, www.rom.on.ca) lures visitors with blockbuster shows like Art Deco 1910-1939, Sept. 20 to Jan. 4. The Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas St. W., 416-979-6648, www.ago.net) will exhibit 73 bronzes by Degas including the famed Little Dancer, Oct. 11 to Jan. 4.

Toronto's chic new boutique hotel Le Germain (30 Mercer St., 416-345-9500, 1-866-345-9501, www.germaintoronto.com) is an island of tranquility conveniently located in the bustling theatre district. Treat yourself to an executive suite with wet bar, fireplace and terrace. It's only a stroll to renowned restaurants such as Susur (601 King St. W., 416-603-2205), Avalon (270 Adelaide St. W., 416-979-9918) and Canoe atop the TD Centre (66 Wellington St. W., 54th floor, 416-364-0054).

For complete information on what's happening in Toronto this fall, visit www.torontotourism.com.

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