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<\/p>\nThere\u2019s a lot for backpackers to love about Toronto – the friendly people, banging nightlife, world-class coffee, and the fact that chips, cheese and gravy is a national institution (hello poutine). Toronto is home to Kensington Market and Queen West \u2013 two neighbourhoods consistently ranked \u2018hippest neighbourhoods in the world\u2019 for their walkability and brilliant galleries, bars, shops and offerings that have foodies everywhere rubbing their bellies in wonder. But beyond all of the usual tourist highlights, there are a lot of totally unique things to do in Toronto, and today we\u2019re counting down 15 of the best.<\/p>\n
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\ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@thirdworldhippy<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Forget mastering origami, or how to play the stock market. Read up on some more unusual hobbies at Toronto\u2019s coolest book shop. At Monkey\u2019s Paw<\/a>, the books are separated into four categories: the beautiful, the macabre, the absurd and the arcane. If you\u2019ve always wanted to be able to determine female personality traits based on boob shape, you\u2019re in luck. The store\u2019s crowning glory is its book vending machine, which churns out literary classics in exchange for a $3 token.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@myrivignypau<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n After the city\u2019s Neighbourhood Watch signs were repeatedly defaced by vandals (clearly the team were slacking off!), artist Andrew Lamb replaced the signs with 100 new ones depicting pop culture characters from the 80s and 90s, far more likely to prove helpful in the case of an emergency\u2026or alien invasion. Keep your eyes peeled for the likes of Mulder and Scully, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the Care Bears.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@carlos-pacheco<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n If you (like most of the world) are a Harry Potter fanatic, don your invisibility cape and head straight to The Lockhart<\/a> while you\u2019re in Toronto. Forget cheesy memorabilia, this is a classy joint, tastefully decorated with items that merely nod to the books. It will take a true Gryffindor to identify all of the magical items in this bar. Their menu of \u2018potions and elixirs\u2019, include such treats as the Befuddlement Brew, The Dementor\u2019s Kiss, and The Marauder, which is served in a flaming cauldron. They\u2019ve also got a fantastic brunch menu – a meal I wasn\u2019t aware they served at Hogwarts.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@jelissuhh<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve had a bad week – or you\u2019re completely fine, but just quite fancy smashing some stuff – head to The Rage Room<\/a> for 45 minutes of pure, unadulterated fun with a sledgehammer (or a crowbar, baseball bat or hammer!) Don that protective gear, pump up your tunes of choice and get smashing. Guests can select what they demolish \u2013 glasses, plates, vases. You can even take long-overdue revenge on a printer for always running out of ink so quickly. Make as much mess as you possibly can, because you don\u2019t have to clean up.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@vytruongg<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve spent hours watching YouTube videos of people doing parkour, your visit to Toronto is your chance to give it a bash without risking a head injury. The Monkey Vault<\/a> is \u2018an alternative gym that specialises in movement\u2019, which means it\u2019s essentially a giant playground. Try out parkour, free running and gymnastics as you fling yourself in, on and around their foam pits and obstacle fields. It\u2019s a friendly, unintimidating space, and a seriously good full-body workout.<\/p>\n How do you fancy sitting upon a porcelain throne as you drink from mini-toilets and dine upon such delights as the \u2018doo-doo waffle\u2019 (which actually looks pretty good) at Toronto\u2019s Poop Caf\u00e9? They serve exclusively Asian desserts, which resemble – you guessed it \u2013 poop! The saving grace is that almost everything is made of chocolate. Given its Instagram shock-factor, the Poop Caf\u00e9 is a wildly popular spot, so you will need to schedule an appointment via their Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@_samxntha<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Without a doubt one of the coolest things to do in Toronto is dangle off the side of a 116-storey building. Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019m told it\u2019s safe. Toronto\u2019s CN Tower Edgewalk Experience<\/a> is a must for all your daredevils who manage not to dissolve into a puddle the minute you reach a great height. Get suited up, attached to some seriously legitimate pulleys, and have a little wander around the 1.5m wide, totally see-through walkway that circles the building. The views are undeniably spectacular, as is the opportunity to hang off backwards and forwards at your guide\u2019s instruction.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@campoloca<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Always worried about getting food stuck in your teeth? Fear embarrassment no more at O.Noir<\/a>, a restaurant offering a unique perspective on dining. Diners eat in total darkness and are served by the restaurant\u2019s staff who are all visually-impaired. It\u2019s a chance to experience what your food really tastes like when you\u2019re forced to rely on senses other than sight. Prepare to have your taste-buds tantalised. You can opt to choose your food before you enter, or live a little and go for the surprise options.<\/p>\n Forget laser tag, forget paintball \u2013 one of the most unique things to do in Toronto is to channel Katniss Everdeen and play high-speed archery tag at Archers Arena<\/a>. Nerf gun wars<\/a> are also an option, which quite frankly, sound superb. In fact, Toronto offers many an opportunity to throw something deadly at a target. Knives<\/a>, daggers, or why not go full Canadian lumberjack and try your hand at axe throwing<\/a>?<\/p>\n Toronto\u2019s film industry is booming, and one place where you can get a little insight into the volume of events and exciting screenings is at Hot Docs Cinema<\/a> \u2013 a spot that specialises in international and Canadian documentaries. The building itself is gorgeous and has been a cinema since 1913. Hot Docs\u2019 roster of events is impressive, and includes interesting film series\u2019, film festivals featuring Q&As with directors, and podcast festivals.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@britt.mumford<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Sure, it may sound like a euphemism for something more raunchy, but I assure you, hugging is all that happens at these cuddle parties<\/a> \u2013 one of the most unique things to do in Toronto. The friendly and inclusive events are organised by \u2018cuddle party facilitators\u2019, and rather than being seedy, they are actually a valuable lesson in affection, boundaries and non-sexual human touch. It\u2019s a great place to meet interesting locals, and to practice the art of asking for what you want, and saying \u2018no\u2019 to what you don\u2019t.<\/p>\n If you think you\u2019ve played football in all of its iterations, think again sunshine! One of the most unusual things to do in Toronto is to have a glow-in-the-dark kick around. And it\u2019s not just the balls that glow at Soccer Glow Kingdom<\/a> \u2013 so do the pitch, the players\u2019 bibs and the whites of your eyes!<\/p>\n While Toronto is unlikely to be the first beachside location that springs to mind, the sandy shores alongside Lake Ontario are idyllic on a summer\u2019s day. Head for a dip and a picnic at popular spots like Sugar Beach, Cherry Beach and Bluffers Beach\u2026or if you fancy getting your kit off, head to Hanlan\u2019s Point \u2013 Toronto\u2019s nudist beach.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@sgiampa<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n For a mind-bending experience and great snaps for your Instagram, head to Toronto\u2019s Museum of Illusions<\/a>. See your own head served up on a platter, play a game of cards with yourself at the museum\u2019s Clone Table, go to infinity and beyond in their Infinity Room, and give your short mate the opportunity to be taller than you for once with their chair illusion.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcf7\u00a0@faaizimranakbar<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n One of the most unique things to do in Toronto for cinephiles is attend the illegal movie house, The Cineforum<\/a>, run by ex-film lecturer Reg Hartt. Prior to starting this illegal enterprise, Reg used to lecture in churches and bars around the city. Now, he keeps things under his own roof. Screenings are advertised on black and white flyers pasted onto telephone poles around the city. Most films shown are old classics and if you get a silent movie, you may be treated to one of Reg\u2019s original soundtracks, made especially. Throughout the screening, Reg will chip in with cinematic insight. It\u2019s a truly unique, truly Torontonian evening.<\/p>\n Amy Baker is the author of\u00a0Miss-Adventures: A Tale of Ignoring Life Advice While Backpacking Around South America<\/a>, and founder of\u00a0The Riff Raff,<\/a>\u00a0a writers\u2019 community that supports aspiring writers and champions debut authors. You can follow Amy on Twitter\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n \ud83c\udf1f\u00a0The best hostels in Toronto for every type of traveller<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n \ud83c\udf1f\u00a0The ultimate guide to backpacking Canada<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n1. Browse Toronto\u2019s weirdest book shop <\/strong><\/h2>\n
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2. Seek out Toronto\u2019s fun Neighbourhood Watch signs<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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3. Drink amongst wizards<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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4. Work out some of your rage<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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5. Partake in some parkour<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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6. Chow down at the <\/strong>Poop Caf\u00e9<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n
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7. Hang off a skyscraper<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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8. Dine in the dark<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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9. Learn how to handle a weapon<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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10. Catch a documentary<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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11. Attend a Cuddle Party <\/strong><\/h2>\n
12. Have a<\/strong> glow-in-the-dark kick around<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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13. Hit the (nudey) beach<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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14. Museum of illusions<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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15. Attend The Cineforum<\/strong><\/h2>\n
For help finding your perfect hostel in Toronto, download the Hostelworld app and get ready to meet the world!<\/h3>\n
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