For two weeks in July, more than 50,000 people will flock to Toronto for the 2012 Fringe Festival, during which actors, comedians and a myriad of performing artists will take to stages throughout the city. Travelers who cross Canada by train between July 4 and 15 should head to downtown Toronto, check out which shows still have tickets and follow these guidelines for making the most out of the Fringe Fest:

Grab a program and get going

Coordinators for this year's festival have made it easy for visitors to stay informed about the latest shows and impromptu performances happening across Toronto. With a daily-updated website and live Twitter feed, travelers on Canadian railroad trips can rest assured they won't miss anything during the two-week extravaganza.

Mingle with the performers

The Fringe Club bar and restaurant is the hub for all artists and wannabes who want to chat between performances. Open to the public, this pop-up joint features soapboxes where slam poets, ukulele players and Shakespearean monologists give spontaneous speeches to hundreds of people enjoying a crisp beer and small bites. This hot spot is also a great place to exchange ideas about contemporary performing arts productions and get a feel for which shows will be a must-watch during the fest.

Wander freely

Because there are so many shows happening at once during the Fringe Festival, sometimes it's easier to just walk around and stop by a performance that looks interesting. True to the improvisational nature of a number of the acting troupes slated for the fest, visitors can also practice their quick thinking by randomly buying a ticket and making the most of their time in Toronto.