Good afternoon — Doors Open Toronto is back next month with 160+ places you can’t normally get into, cherry blossoms are lining up for peak bloom, and food trucks are officially heading into city parks this summer.

Meanwhile, Toronto handed out over 140,000 red-light tickets last year, Exhibition Place is being reimagined into a year-round destination, and a long-awaited memorial is still slowly moving forward years later.

Plus: One of the city’s most popular pizzerias is expanding.

Let’s get into it.

THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories

🚪 Doors Open Toronto Returns: Doors Open Toronto is back May 23–24, offering free access to more than 160 buildings and spaces across the city. The popular event lets visitors explore normally closed sites, including landmarks, museums, and cultural venues. Here’s the list of sites and buildings.

🌸 Cherry Blossoms Nearing Peak Bloom: Cherry blossoms are expected to reach peak bloom around late April into early May, with early blossoms starting sooner due to warm weather. The exact timing will depend on upcoming temperatures and conditions. Our top picks are Queen’s Park and High Park.

🚦 Top Red-Light Ticket Hotspots: Toronto issued over 140,000 red-light camera tickets in 2025, with the worst intersection at Kennedy Road and the Hwy. 401 off-ramp seeing more than 5,500 violations. The program brought in at least $45.7 million, highlighting ongoing safety concerns across the city.

📍 Van Attack Memorial Years Away: Plans for a permanent memorial at Olive Square Park for the 2018 Yonge Street van attack victims are progressing slowly, with officials citing “new momentum” despite limited visible change. Eight years later, the project remains in early development stages as planning and groundwork continue.

🥐 Food Trucks Coming To Parks: Toronto City Council has approved a pilot program allowing food trucks and carts in select parks this summer. The initiative aims to expand food options and improve park experiences through a more coordinated city-wide approach.

⛔️ Jet Ski Restrictions: Toronto Port Authority is expanding motorized watercraft exclusion zones at beaches like Hanlan’s Point, Woodbine, and Humber Bay Shores. The move aims to improve safety as concerns grow over jet skis and boats near swimmers and paddlers.

🏗️ Exhibition Place Transformation: Exhibition Place is moving forward with a vision to become a year-round destination, featuring new public spaces, improved connectivity, and expanded event capacity. The plan aims to transform the site into a more vibrant, accessible hub for residents and visitors.

MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW

💰 Pothole Damage Claims: City of Toronto paid out over $500,000 in 2025 to drivers whose vehicles were damaged by potholes, with more than 2,200 claims filed. Most claims are denied, but residents can apply for compensation within 10 days of an incident.

🍕 Badiali Opening In The Annex: Pizzeria Badiali is opening a second location in the Annex on Markham Street this May, expanding beyond its popular Dovercourt shop. The new spot will offer the same menu plus a special “Granny-style” pizza and more space for dine-in customers.

💵 Resale Tickets Pulled After New Law: Ticketmaster has delisted resale tickets in Ontario to comply with a new law capping prices at face value. The change aims to curb scalping but raises concerns about availability and potential impacts on the resale market.

LOST TORONTO:
The Mail Building (Demolished)

The Mail Building (later Mail and Empire Building), designed by Richard A. Waite in the 1870s at the northwest corner of King and Bay Streets, was a prominent 4-storey structure with a 5-storey spire that served as home to The Toronto Mail newspaper.

Known for its commanding presence, it survived an 1884 fire before its 1939 demolition to make way for a Bank of Montreal building, with its site now part of First Canadian Place.

THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP

Editor’s Pick! Spring Sake Tasting - Spring Sake Tasting is a guided evening focused on exploring the depth and craftsmanship of Japanese sake. Hosted at Kiyomi, this intimate, seated experience walks guests through five carefully selected sakes, each paired with curated bites designed to highlight their unique flavour profiles.
May 1 | 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Kiyomi, 76 Gerrard St E

Toronto Zoo, Spring Wildlife Festival - Toronto Zoo’s Spring Wildlife Festival returns with a full day of family-friendly programming focused on conservation, education, and seasonal wildlife activity. Held at the Canadian Wetlands habitat, the event offers a chance to connect with leading conservation organizations from across Ontario and Canada. The event also features interactive activities, giveaways, and opportunities to explore the wetlands during one of the most active times of year.
May 2 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Toronto Zoo, 2000 Meadowvale Rd

Toronto Coin Expo, Canada's Coin Show - Toronto Coin Expo returns as one of Canada’s top events for collectors, offering a marketplace to buy, sell, and appraise coins, banknotes, tokens, medals, and precious metals. Held at the Toronto Reference Library, the show brings together dealers, experts, and enthusiasts from across the country, with rare and unique items available throughout the weekend.
May 1 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
May 2 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St

2026 Spring Market Wychwood Barn - Spring Market 2026 brings a one-day shopping experience to Wychwood Barns just in time for Mother’s Day. Curated by Sweetpea & Rose, the event features a lineup of local makers, artisans, and small businesses offering handcrafted goods across florals, jewellery, fashion, home décor, and artisanal treats.
May 3 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie St

Must-Do Toronto Food Tour 2026 - Must-Do Toronto Food Tour combines sightseeing and food into a single 2.5-hour guided experience through the downtown core. Designed to showcase both the city’s landmarks and its diverse food scene, the tour moves between major sights while stopping for tastings at a mix of local favourites, ethnic eateries, and lesser-known spots.
Various dates and times available, see link

Spirits of the Distillery District Ghost Tour - Spirits of the Distillery District Ghost Tour offers a guided evening walk through one of Toronto’s most historic and reportedly haunted neighbourhoods. Set along the cobblestone streets of the Distillery District, the lantern-lit tour explores stories of tragedy, mystery, and paranormal encounters tied to the area’s industrial past.
Ongoing (see link for dates)
Location: Distillery District, 55 Mill St

RECOS: Things you will love for around $50

🐈 Pets: Remove fur like a pro
🌧️ Rain: Stay dry, more rain coming
🔅 Light: Protect your eyes
🎲 Games: This backyard game is awesome
🌃 Toronto: One of the coolest books on our history
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

Did Toronto build the wrong subway? We review three subway proposals that Toronto never built and could have radically changed the subway system we have today.

Here is the link: Click here to watch

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