Between the brunch, shopping, strolling and sight-seeing options, the area around the Anndore House is prime for mothers and daughters/sons to spend a day.
A bit of shopping. You probably already know about Yorkville and its boutiques. But the fashions there might not be exactly right for your mom’s closet. One place you can’t go wrong is Petra Karthaus in the Manulife Centre just two blocks away from the Anndore. Don’t let the construction scare you off. The centre is open for business and Petra’s racks are full of mom-friendly fashions from Europe. If you call ahead of time (416-922-5922), owners Dorothea and Clarke Merritt will arrange a private mother/daughter/son trunk show for you.
A stroll through the ROM. The Royal Ontario Museum is a great place to spend a few hours with your mom, especially if you’re bringing her grandkids too. She’ll love watching their eyes light up at the dinosaurs on the second floor.
A gay old time. Toronto’s Gay Village is just east of the hotel and the people-watching up and down Church Street is second to none. Grab a table for brunch at one of the strip’s many restos and take in the scene. Mother’s Day tends to bring the drag queens out in full force, so you and your mom can see what’s really trending in women’s fashions (the queens are always on point).
House gawking in the Annex. A few blocks west of the hotel is the University of Toronto student ghetto known as The Annex. It’ll be fairly quiet there now that school’s out, but the houses up and down the tree-lined streets are a sight to see. Many of them are over a century old and they’re absolutely gorgeous. You and your mom can grab a coffee on Bloor Street and talk about redecorating her place or yours.
Catch a flick. Maybe you just want to be near your mom and not have to talk too much? No problem. The newly renovated Varsity Cinema (also in the Manulife Centre) is the place to go. They’ll have the blockbusters if that’s your thing, but they’re known for showing more of the arthouse features too. Check the schedule and book your tickets online.
Enjoy the sun. If you’re lucky, Mother’s Day will be a gorgeous spring day worthy of a walk in the park. So strap on a pair of comfortable shoes and head over to Queen’s Park. Grab a latte on Bloor Street along the way and spend some QT with mom.
Whatever you choose to do during the day, treat your mom to a Mother’s Day dinner at Constantine in the Anndore House. She’ll love the menu, the ambiance and the proximity to your room after a busy afternoon out.