Toronto is the most multiculturally diverse city on the planet with more than 140 languages spoken. The city is home to a dynamic mix of tourist attractions, from museums and galleries to the world famous CN Tower, the vibrant Entertainment and historic Distillery Districts and, just off shore, Toronto Islands. The Toronto Zoo and the Ontario Science Centre offers numerous attractions to keep the kids entertained. Toronto is a blast: a vibrant, big-time city abuzz with activity.
TOP 8 PLACES TO VISIT
1.ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM
Known at the ROM, the museum is one of Canada’s premier museums and has an international reputation for excellence. Featuring an outstanding collection of major exhibition from around the world. A modern wing expansion featuring glass and sharp angles added on to a very traditional older building. The museum contains collections covering a great variety of periods from all over the world.
2.HOCKEY HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM
Just a block east of Union Station the museum is a goldmine of paraphernalia, with exhibits including such artifacts as the original Stanley Cup, Max Bentley's stick and Terry Sawchuk's goalie gear. You can also see the reproduction of the Montreal Canadian’s locker room and thePuck Wall, which displays more than 1,000 pucks that were each collected from different tournaments around the world.
3.CN TOWER
The 553-meter CN Tower is one of the city’s must see attractions – it can be seen from almost everywhere in the city. The tower was built between 1972 and 1976 and was once the tallest freestanding building in the world. From the highest viewing area, the Sky Pod, 447 meters above the city you can see the Niagara Falls and New York State. One floor below the LookOut is the Glass Floor and the Outdoor Sky Terrace. The Glass Floor offers a bird's eye view directly down over the city as visitors stand on a glass floor. For the more adventurous there is The Edge Walk, a hands-free walk on a 1.5-meter wide ledge around the outside edge of the main pod, at an elevation of 365 meters. Participants are attached to a safety harness and rope. Various restaurants is available in the tower with spectacular views.
4.CASA LOMA
The castle was built in the early 1900s by Sir Henry Pellatt who’s lifelong dream was to have a castle overlooking Toronto. As the only full-size castle in North Toronto it features everything one would need to feel like a king: towers, horse stables, secret passageways and a massive wine cellar. The immaculate garden is outfitted with fountains and sculptures, as well as wildflowers when the weather's right. A highlight is the 800-foot-long underground tunnel connecting the house to the stables.
5.ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO
Located on the west side of the city center, the modern looking building exhibits a series of temporary exhibits throughout the year. Highlights include the collections of Canadian, African and Oceanic, and European art. The museum also holds a particularly impressive collection of Canadian paintings.
6.ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE
The centre features interactive exhibits in the hundreds, with the goal to maximize learning opportunities for both children and adults. You can pilot a rocket chair, explore the city's public planetarium, bust moves on a dance floor that turn energy into light power, touch a tornado in the Living Earth experience, or perform an ultrasound to get an up-close look at the inside of a model womb. The museum often presents demonstrations on everything from electricity to papermaking. You can also visit the on-site IMAX theatres to watch a variety of educational movies.
7.DISTILLERY DISTRICT
This trendy entertainment and shopping district is in a restored historic area. Charming boutiques, galleries, artists' studios, and restaurants offers great shopping and entertainment. This is an interesting place to come during the day or evening.
8.FORT YORK
Established in 1793, it's the most historic site in Toronto, having protected the city from the end of the 18th century right up through the end of World War II. Toronto was established on this site as per the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada instructions to move the capital up from the border town of Niagara due to the war conflict. The soldiers' and officers' quarters, witness cannon firings, military drills and participate in flag raisings can be viewed by visitors.
OTHER PLACES TO SEE
- Toronto Islands
- High Park
- Eaton Center
- City Hall
- Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
- Entertainment District
- St. Lawrence Market
- Toronto Zoo
- Rogers Centre
- EdgeWalk at the CN Tower
- Lake Ontario
- Canada’s Wonderland
- Chinatown Toronto
- Centreville Amusement
- ParkBata Shoe Museum
- Black Creek Pioneer Village
- Gardiner Museum
- Spadina House
- Aga Khan Museum
- Textile Museum of Canada
- Mackenzie House
The best way to get around Toronto is by public transportation – subway, streetcar and bus. Other transport available is ferry, taxi, car or on foot.
The best times to visit Toronto are late April through May and September through October. Peak tourist season occurs during the summer months: the sidewalks come alive with pedestrian marketplaces, patio restaurants and numerous cultural events.
