TOPHAT's Saturday at Doors Open Toronto 2025 #DOT2025

We will begin today's adventure underground at The Kite Research Institute within UHN's CEAL.
Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the vast underground facility, which is home to five simulation laboratories: DriverLab, WinterLab, StreetLab, RampLab and StairLab.
Location 75 on the map

https://kite-uhn.com/

Then we will cross University Avenue, along Elm Street to The Arts and Letters Club. Founding members include the Group of Seven painters and other great names such as Robertson Davies, Vincent Massey, Marshall McLuhan, Eden Smith, Edmund Wyly Grier, Ernest MacMillan, Mavor Moore and many more.

Location 128 on the map.

https://www.artsandlettersclub.ca/

Just across the street is the Thornton-Smith building.
Guests are invited to bring a camera to photograph historic architecture and period furniture, which will transport them back to life in the early 1900s.

Then we will walk to St. George Greek Orthodox Church.

I went last year and loved this synagogue conversion to church.
Each tour consists of a presentation about the history of the building and its unique exterior and interior features, including monumental iconography, and will be followed by a Q & A.
Please respect the no photos at this location 121.

http://www.stgeorgestoronto.org

Time for some refreshment and a bite at The Imperial Pub

https://imperialpub.com/

Then we will resume our walk South, crossing at Victoria Street lights back to Bond Street. On our way to our next stop, we will pass by Mackenzie House, where Toronto's First Mayor lived and printed his newspaper.
https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/museums/mackenzie-house/

Metropolitan United Church.
Have a playful time finding the many mice carved into the fabric of the church, and the hidden details in the stained-glass windows. Hear North America's first carillon bells and the country's largest pipe organ, and enjoy a recital from Met's 90-year-old Silver Band with 30 instrumentalists.

https://www.metunited.org/

Heading South, we may visit Terroni Adelaide, though it's a small space. Location 129
Head downstairs to the Cantina wine cellar and pass by the original courthouse holding cells, now used to store wine.
The second floor houses the grand Sala da Pranzo and Bar delle Carceri, named after the prison cells located in the basement from the old courthouse setting.
Il Covo degli Artisti, the third-floor space, is truly a hidden gem. This very spot is where the famous Canadian landscape painters The Group of Seven ate and drank in 1909 when the Arts and Letters Club rented out the space to meet and entertain.

https://www.terroni.com/locations/terroni-adelaide

Then, I will take you to two of my hidden gems, Courthouse Square, with it's floral display

https://www.csparch.com/project/court-house-square-park/

and Toronto Sculpture Garden

https://www.toronto.ca/explore-enjoy/history-art-culture/public-art/public-art-monuments-collection/comp-sculpture-garden/

I don't know about you, but after this loooong walk, I am ready for patio time at The Corner Place.
https://www.thecornerplace.ca/index.html

Not part of my walk, though you can check out.

St. Lawrence Market location 124
Market Gallery location 82
St. James Cathedral location 123