Celebrate the 40th right by fitting the party to the personality.
Toronto is a city ready to celebrate, a mecca of creativity, adventure and culture. With plenty of options, it's easy to find an excellent fit to commemorate that important milestone: the 40th birthday. The animal lover can commune with the animals at the Toronto Zoo. If a designation bash is desired but the schedule doesn't allow, look no farther than the beach to eat up that quaint resort feel. With a little planning and a pinch of imagination, you can plan that unforgettable birthday celebration. Ring in the best decade yet with personalization and originality. Does this Spark an idea?
For the Shoe Lover
The Bata Shoe Museum has four galleries. Wander about at your own pace or pre-register a group of 10 or more for a guided tour. If desiring something a bit more dramatic, rent the bright atrium with a four-story-high glass-art window. Here you can host a formal dinner or cocktail reception. With shoes spanning the globe and centuries, drama and footwear abound at The Bata Shoe Museum.
The Bata Shoe Museum
327 Bloor St. West
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M5S 1W7
416-979-7799
batashoemuseum.ca
For the Cutting-Edge
Creative types can indulge their senses at West Queen West, with cutting-edge designers, gorgeous galleries and restaurants good enough to appeal to genuine foodies. Rising and established artists are showcased, bringing groundbreaking art to a central location. Follow the culture, beauty and shopping with a stop at a top-notch restaurant that features international cuisines such as Czech, Persian, Turkish, Thai, Indian or Ethiopian. Keep the night going with nightlife bright enough to light up her new decade in a trend-setting bar such as The Drake Hotel and Bar_One. From an early afternoon to a very late evening, West Queen West has everything to ensure her day is one of grandeur and beauty.
West Queen West BIA
51 Wolseley St., Fourth Floor
Toronto, Ontario M5T 1A4
Canada
416-820-2727
westqueenwest.ca
For the Bibliophile
With 12 miles of bookshelves, World's Largest Bookstore will make any bibliophile's heart sing. Without comfortable seating or a proper restaurant, it just takes a little ingenuity to make this a night worth recording in a journal. Host a scavenger hunt, whichever way appeals most to the birthday boy. People can pull subjects, genres or titles from a bag, converging at a nearby coffee house to share the treasure, ensuring that their beloved bibliophile adds a new section to the home library. Instead of buying multiple book titles, have guests pull index cards with clues about various books the birthday boy desires. Not only does this outing provide an activity for the party goers, it's also an excellent gift-buying opportunity for those who want to purchase the perfect present.
World's Largest Bookstore
20 Edward St.
Toronto, Ontario M5G 1C9
Canada
416-977-7009
librarything.com/venue/4509/Chapters-Worlds-Biggest-Book-Store
For the Dancer
If all she wants to do is dance, spice up the night at the Lula Lounge with salsa and work off the caloric indulgence of birthday cake. Shake it up at the Lula Lounge. Saturday nights, there is a three-course meal, beginning salsa lessons and live performances by some of Toronto's most talented salsa bands for an affordable fixed fee. The birthday girl will receive a complimentary Lula mojito and a candle in her dessert. For rather large groups of 40 people or more, reserve the front lounge; it offers privacy for an intimate-gathering feel while overlooking the sizzling dance floor through the picture window. Known for their eclectic, friendly crowds, it's sure to raise her morale and her temperature.
Lula Lounge
1585 Dundas St. West
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
416-588-0307
lulalounge.ca
For the Outdoorsy
The Toronto Islands offer outdoor adventure just a ferry ride away. With no cars or distractions, it's time to relax, celebrate and enjoy. Pack a picnic and reserve a fire pit. Rent a bike and hit the paths. From camping, hiking, cycling and discovery walking, guests will be able to appreciate the glory of nature in summer. For sports enthusiasts, there is swimming, tennis, softball and volleyball, among other choices. If entertaining the young at heart, eat at The Carousel Cafe, followed by amusement park high jinks at the Centreville Amusement Park. Needing a caterer for a bash of 10,000? No problem. Centre Island Find Food Service Limited can handle food preparation for parties large and small. Keep in mind that the view of Toronto's skyline is breath-taking from The Paradise restaurant.
Tourism Toronto
P.O. Box 126
207 Queens Quay West
Toronto, Ontario M5J 1A7
Canada
416-203-2600
torontoisland.org
Tags: Ontario Canada, Toronto Ontario, Toronto Ontario Canada, Bata Shoe, Bata Shoe Museum