Every visit to Toronto should begin with some people-watching in the gay village. Hot boys and hot girls fill Church Street with energy, passion and opportunity. Check out live theatre at Buddies in Bad Times or take a self-guided tour of Queer as Folk landmarks – Toronto masqueraded as Pittsburgh for the series. If you’re looking for something (or someone) a little different, explore the growing Queer West Village, where coffee houses and art galleries draw a diverse, mixed crowd.

Experience the fun and frivolity of Halloweek, seven days of costumed mayhem in the heart of Church-Wellesley Village this October. A wicked weeklong Halloween celebration, the streets overflow with candy – for the sweet tooth, and the eyes. Think costumed revellers dressed to shock, free-flowing cocktails, fashion, entertainment and countless cute trick-or-treaters.

Each year at the end of June, Toronto plays host to Pride Week. It’s ten days of queer celebration that turns streets into parades and parking lots into parties. Come out and meet some of the one million people that crowd the downtown for the festivities. If you can’t make it to Pride, there are literally hundreds of other cultural events throughout the year - including Inside Out, Canada's largest lesbian and gay film and video festival, the Toronto International Film Festival, Taste of the Danforth, Fringe Festival, Word on the Street, Folsom Fair North. And November means Mr. Leatherman is coming to town. Places to go. People to see.

Explore the many museums and galleries that the city has to offer. The Royal Ontario Museum is home to thousands of years of diverse culture, while the Bata Shoe Museum has a much more specific focus. After the museum, take in a ballet at the brand new Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Looking for a little camp? No visit to Toronto is complete without a visit to Honest Ed’s.