Is Toronto a happy city?

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Good afternoon — If you like your summers weird, wonderful, and a little lavender-scented — you’re in the right city. This week: explore Old City Hall’s secrets, drink wine with alpacas, downtown is still half-asleep, and this Toronto ice cream store made the world stage.

Plus, are Torontonians happy? A new poll has the answer.

Let’s get into it.

THE DIGEST: 7 Handpicked Stories

🗝️ Explore Old City Hall: Toronto’s iconic Old City Hall is back this summer with Friday pop-up events, civil weddings, and a peek into the city’s photo archives. Swing by 60 Queen St. W. to explore stories, sandstone, and stained glass — every Friday until the end of August. Click for the schedule

🐟 Dozens of Dead Fish: Topham Pond in Toronto’s west end has been cordoned off after a wave of dead fish and reports of sick wildlife alarmed locals. While residents suspect a chemical spill, the province says no evidence of one was found; officials now point to recent temperature swings as a possible natural cause.

🦙 Drink with Alpacas This Summer: Less than two hours from Toronto, you can now walk an alpaca, snack on charcuterie, and sip wine in the scenic Blue Mountains. Alpine Ridge Alpacas’ new experience pairs fluffy companions with vineyard views. It’s one of the summer’s most popular day trips.

🍦 Iconic Ice Cream Shop: Ed’s Real Scoop — a beloved Beaches-born ice cream shop — has landed on TasteAtlas’ list of the 100 Most Iconic Ice Creams in the world. The flavour that did it? Their classic Burnt Marshmallow — a tribute to summer campfires.

👣 Downtown Toronto Struggling: Despite return-to-office pushes from major employers, new data shows downtown Toronto foot traffic is still 43% below pre-pandemic levels. The city core remains far from its former buzz — and hybrid work may be here to stay.

🛏️ Toronto Hotels On Canada’s Top 10: Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards are out, and three Toronto hotels scored major bragging rights. The St. Regis, Four Seasons, and Ritz-Carlton Toronto all cracked the top 10 list of best hotels in Canada.

🪻 Smell the Lavender: Just 40 minutes from Toronto, Lavender Polo Farm — Ontario’s largest lavender field — is about to bloom into full swing. With over 100,000 plants spread across 155 acres, the East Gwillimbury gem kicks off its season July 10, offering lavender picking, farm tours, and even a corn maze.

MORE YOU NEED TO KNOW

👀 Drone Voyeurism: Police have charged a 32-year-old man with voyeurism after he allegedly flew a drone outside condo windows and recorded women without their consent. The incident happened downtown on March 1 near Beverley and Dundas.

📍 Toronto Scales Back Transit Lanes: City staff are recommending transit-priority lanes on Bathurst and Dufferin end at Bloor, not Eglinton. The move aims to prep for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Concerns over parking, traffic, and business impacts have reshaped the $8M plan.

😁 Are Torontonians Happy? Not really, says new Leger poll. Residents are feeling less than cheerful, with the city ranking near the bottom among Canada’s biggest urban centres for overall happiness. Mississauga had the highest happiness rating of the 10 largest cities, while Toronto was lowest.

LOST TORONTO:
General Post Office (Toronto Street)

Built in 1873, Toronto’s grand General Post Office stood as the iconic terminus of Toronto Street.

It served as the city’s main postal terminal until 1937, embodying institutional power and elegance, and earning praise for its “touch of Parisian grandeur” and “Classical enrichment” rivalling top European examples.

Despite its architectural significance, the Post Office was demolished in 1958 to make way for three modern office towers (now part of the State Street Financial Centre), sparking widespread regret among heritage advocates.

THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO: THE ‘INSIDER’ SCOOP

National Hot Dog Day - Celebrate National Hot Dog Day at Sportsnet Grill with two exclusive limited-edition creations, served alongside their classic ballpark favourites—all with a perfect view of the game-day action at Rogers Centre.
July 16 | 11:00 AM – 11:59 PM
Location: Sportsnet Grill, 1 Blue Jays Way

Editor’s Pick! Honda Indy - Get your adrenaline fix at the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto, a high-octane motorsports festival featuring thrilling races on a downtown street circuit, plus food trucks, interactive attractions, family fun, and support for local charities.
July 18–20 | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM daily
Location: Exhibition Place, 100 Princes’ Blvd

Roaring 20s Garden Party - Step back in time at the Roaring 20s Garden Party at Spadina Museum, where flapper fashion, live jazz, swing dance lessons, lawn games, and vintage vibes come together for a glamorous afternoon of Gatsby-style fun.
July 20, 2025 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Spadina Museum, 285 Spadina Rd

Toronto's BEST Vintage Car & Motorcycle Festival - Rev your engines for Toronto’s BEST Vintage Car & Motorcycle Festival, a high-energy day on Eglinton Ave W featuring classic cars, hot rods, motorcycles, live music, tasty eats, family fun, vintage shopping, and show-stopping contests—including Best in Show and the Glamour Pin-Up Contest. July 26 | 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: Eglinton Ave W (specific stretch TBA)

Firsts on Front Street - Celebrate the stories that shaped the city at the Firsts on Front Street Community Event, a family-friendly afternoon in St. Lawrence Market uncovering the people, places, and pivotal moments that helped Toronto grow into Canada’s largest and most diverse metropolis.
July 19 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: South end of Market Lane Park, 149 King St E

July Home Jays Games (schedule):
⚾️ Jays vs. Giants - July 18 - 20
⚾️ Jays vs. Yankees - July 21 - July 23

RECOS: Things you will love
 
🗺️ Maps: Decorate your home with T.O.
⚾️ Jays: We’re #1!
🔥 Summer: Backyard nights, upgraded!
⛓️ Tools: Most useful things I’ve bought
🍦 Yummy: More ice cream? Yes.
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK

4 STRANGE Old Toronto Pastimes… Number 1 is crazy.

Here is the link: Click here to watch

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