Growing Up in Toronto: Nostalgia Trippin'

Let me take you back to Toronto in the 90s, a time that was truly magical for kids like me. The city was full of with energy, and we had some amazing shows and local spots that made childhood awesome. Toronto is still great today, but sometimes it's nice to just take a big old sip of nostalgia and enjoy things for what they were too.

The Hits

Every kid born in the 80s in Toronto will share the memories from 1992 and 1993 when the Toronto Blue Jays won the World Series.

I remember the excitement in the air; everyone was talking about it. My friends and I would collect cards and act out the games. We felt so proud of our city, and those victories were a huge deal for us.

In 1995, something huge happened in Toronto: the Raptors joined the NBA. This was a big deal for everyone in the city, bringing a fresh excitement to Toronto's sports scene, especially for the african american community. We got to see more athletes and heros who looked like us playing games we loved in the city we lived in.

Suddenly, basketball was everywhere. You could see hoops going up in parks and driveways as everyone wanted to play like the Raptors. Their cool dinosaur logo and bright colors caught everyone's attention.

Saturday Mornings

Saturday mornings were special because of the awesome TV shows. "ReBoot" was one of the coolest because it was all about adventures inside a computer and it was the first show to be completely computer-animated.

Then there was "Street Sharks," a show about four brothers who turned into sharks. We used to pretend our bikes were their motorbikes and race around.

After all those TV shows, we couldn't forget about Much Music. It was the coolest music channel, kind of like Canada's own version of MTV. The VJs became Canadian icons for our entire generation.

They also threw one of the biggest music parties in town—the Much Music Video Awards (MMVAs). These awards were shot right outside their downtown studio, and it was like having a huge block party in the middle of Toronto.

Hanging Out

Ontario Place used to be the spot. It wasn’t just an amusement park; it was a place where you could see giant Cinesphere movies or splash around in the waterpark. I had some of my best birthday parties there, and it felt like our own little world of adventure right in the city.

The Eaton Centre, a massive mall that was like a wonderland for us. We'd spend hours just hanging out, not spending money, just living before our phones stole all of our attention. It was the go-to place for hanging out, especially during the winter when it was too cold to do much outside.

Honest Ed's was a famous store in Toronto known for its bright, flashy signs and crazy layout. It was like a treasure hunt every time you went there because it was full of cool, cheap stuff. The outside of the store lit up with tons of lights, making it hard to miss. Shopping there wasn't just about buying things; it was a real adventure.

Looking back at Toronto in the 90s teaches us a lot about how fun and lively our city has always been. It was a time when community really meant something. Whether cheering for the Blue Jays, hanging out at Ontario Place, or watching the MMVAs downtown, everyone felt connected. This sense of community is something we can still cherish and build on today.

The 90s also showed us the importance of getting out and about in the city, enjoying what's around. It's a good reminder to put down our phones sometimes and enjoy real-life experiences, just like we used to. Toronto is still full of fun, just like in the 90s, and there's always something new to discover.