Victoria Day is on Monday, May 19th this year and many of you will be heading for the hills, or the Muskokas to open your cottages on this unofficial start to the summer. The rest of us less fortunate will be looking for something to do. The golf courses are open and in full swing, if you excuse the pun. However, if you were planning to do some shopping, think again. Victoria Day is one of the Retail Council of Canada’s designated retail holidays and as such stores will be closed except for those in and around the Eaton Centre which is an officially designated tourist site. Other stores that are legally allowed to remain open regardless of their location are book or magazine stores under 2,400 square feet with a maximum of 3 employees, pharmacies under 7,500 square feet, flower shops, and gas stations.

Take advantage of the holiday to play tourist in your own city. Visit:

• Historic Fort York – considered to be the birthplace of modern Toronto: It’s a great venue for the whole family offering guided tours, musket, drill, and music demonstrations. It is conveniently located at 100 Garrison Road (off Fleet Street, east of Strachan Avenue, west of Bathurst Street) and easily accessible with the TTC – take the 511 Streetcar. For more information call 416-338-3888 or follow the link www.toronto.ca

• Celebrate Victoria Day the way that Queen Victoria herself would have with a very special afternoon tea at Montgomery’s Inn located at 4709 Dundas Street West. Tea will be served from 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM and is incredibly affordable - Adults $3.77, Seniors/Students $1.89, Children 94 cents, plus GST.

• Fireworks at Ontario Place will take place on Sunday, May 18th and on Monday, May 19th. Spend the day and take in the new large format film at Cinesphere®, Dinosaurs, Giants of Patagonia, and Soak City®, Toronto’s biggest outdoor water park.

• The CN Tower will have a fabulous light show in honour of Queen Victoria. The evening of May 19th the tower will be lit up in the royal colours of purple and gold.

What will you be doing on this Victoria Day weekend?