Canada's 'world within a city' Toronto

The most heavily populated city in Canada, Toronto is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city; the country's financial, commercial and cultural centre with a rich multi-cultural heritage of more than 80 ethnic groups, speaking more than 100 languages. It has a lively stock exchange, soaring futuristic architecture, museums, art galleries, performing arts companies, fine restaurants, large shopping complexes, a waterfront and hundreds of parks.

The city is situated on the north shore of Lake Ontario, and sports distinctive neighbourhoods as well as the longest street in the world, Yonge Street, as its main north-south artery. Toronto's main landmark is the CN Tower, which is the world's tallest free-standing structure with glass-fronted elevators that rise 1,815ft (553m) to indoor and outdoor observation decks. The city also boasts the 'Skydome', which is a multi-purpose entertainment complex with a retractable roof, billed as the world's greatest entertainment centre.

In the 17th century Toronto was a small French colony; then came the American Revolution which encouraged scores of British loyalist families to flee north. Many settled beside the lake establishing a town known as York, which slowly grew in importance as an administrative and manufacturing centre. In 1834 the name was changed to Toronto, an Indian word meaning 'meeting place'. The new name proved worthy when about a century later the city's English character began to be buried beneath the conglomeration of cultures brought in by a massive tide of immigrants from all corners of the world. Old English pubs and Victorian and Edwardian architecture survive among the skyscrapers, but Toronto is today a lively and cosmopolitan city and Canada's commercial capital.

It does get pretty cold over the winter months of November to March so if you are averse to chilly weather plan your visit over the mid-year period. Toronto just might be the destination that has it all - reason enough to visit and enjoy what has been described as Canada's 'world within a city.'

Toronto Attractions

You can save money on many of Toronto's attractions by buying a Toronto CityPass, which has discounted tickets to places like the Ontario Science Centre, the CN Tower, and the Toronto Zoo. The CityPass is available online or at various museums and attractions in the city. You can also get more out of various site around Toronto by looking for signs that have a green ear logo and phone number underneath, which are part of the Murmur Toronto programme. Dialling the number will let you listen to a recording with interesting facts about whatever site you're currently looking at.

Distillery Historic District The brick-paved streets of the pedestrianised village have been designated a National Heritage Site, containing the finest collection of Victorian era industrial architecture in North America. The historic Distillery District, spread across 13 acres (5 hectares) in downtown Toronto, is a development dedicated entirely to arts, culture and entertainment with its plethora of art galleries, restaurants, bars and live music venues. Founded in 1832, the Gooderham and Worts Distillery became the largest distillery in the British Empire until it ceased operations in 1990 after 153 years of production, and was opened in 2003 as the pedestrian-only village it is today. It is also a popular film location and its numerous festivals and special events attract thousands of people every month. Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art Formerly the Art Gallery of North York, the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art opened its doors in 1999 keen to display modern Canadian art that addresses current Canadian narratives. Situated in trendy downtown Toronto, Mocca boasts a collection of 400 artworks by 140 different Canadian artists, despite its small size. With most works created since 1985, Mocca offers great insight into contemporary Canadian society. A country once renowned for its loose immigration laws, Canada is home to a mix of cultures, which makes for a stimulating art world. Look out for group exhibitions with international artists and the annual Mocca Award in Contemporary Art.

Toronto Islands A chain of small Lake Ontario islands just offshore from the city, the Toronto Islands were created from a series of continually moving sandbars connected to the mainland by a frail peninsula, which finally disintegrated after a major storm in 1858. Only a short ferry ride from the mainland, the Toronto Islands provide a peaceful green refuge from the hubbub of the city and afford attractive panoramic views of downtown Toronto. Hire a bike or relax on the beach, take the kids for a day at Centreville Amusement Park or have a languid picnic in one of the many designated leafy areas. l Gardiner Museum of Ceramics Housed in an attractive building across from the Royal Ontario Museum, the Gardiner Museum of Ceramics is one of the city's finest examples of modernist architecture. Giving visitors a glimpse into a universal art form that has spanned centuries, the Gardiner Museum exhibits over 3,000 historical and contemporary ceramic pieces. With earthenware of all different shapes and sizes from the ancient Americas, China, Japan, the Italian Renaissance and more, a tour through the museum will shape visitors' understanding of the development of the ceramic process. On Friday evenings visitors can try their hand at sculpting and wheel throwing in the open clay studio or attend free films and seminars. Kensington Market A National Historic Site, Kensington Market embodies Toronto's multicultural society. Founded in the early twentieth century by eastern European Jewish immigrants and Italians, the area was renowned for its open-air market, evocative of those found in Europe. Home to immigrants from the Caribbean, China, East Africa and Vietnam War veterans, Kensington Market is an infusion of world cultures, all of whom have left an imprint in the music, shops and restaurants of the area. A hybrid of cheap eclectic clothing retailers, fresh produce stores, cheese merchants, fishmongers, cafés and general bric-a-brac stores, the Kensington Market area offers a rambunctious downtown atmosphere. The most prominent streets are Augusta Avenue and Kensington Avenue. Hockey Hall of Fame Any avid hockey fan must make a turn at Toronto's Hockey Hall of Fame, an ode to hockey's greatest players and most prized teams. A shrine to Canada's national sport, visitors can learn about the history of the game through memorabilia from every era, hockey artefacts from around the world, interactive exhibits and images of great moments in hockey history. Marvel at Terry Sawchuck's goalie gear, Newsy Lalonde's skates and the stick used by Max Bentley. The Stanley Cup never fails to delight visitors and most fun is had trying a hand at shooting or goalkeeping in the interactive displays. You won't be disappointed. Toronto Kids Attractions Boasting a multitude of attractions and activities, kids on holiday in Toronto will be kept busy for days on end. With great outdoor and indoor opportunities, Toronto is a family holiday paradise with wonderful activities and sights lurking round every corner. Casa Loma Canada’s own castle, Casa Loma, is today owned by the City of Toronto and draws plenty of interest standing in medieval splendour on its hilltop site. The castle was formerly the home of Canadian financier, Sir Henry Pellatt, who engaged the noted architect E J Lennox to help him realise a life-long dream of building a castle. Construction started in 1911 and it took 300 men nearly three years to complete the impressive Casa Loma. Inside visitors can see the magnificent decorated suites, secret passages, and 800ft (244m) long tunnel, while outside it is possible to stroll through the beautiful five-acre estate gardens. Self-guided audio tours are available and the castle is open every day.     CN Tower Standing 1,815ft (553m) high, Toronoto's landmark CN Tower is the world's tallest building, a celebrated icon, an important telecommunications hub and the centre of tourism in Toronto. About two million people visit the tower each year to take in the panoramic view and enjoy all its attractions. The tower was built in 1976 by the company Canadian National, who undertook the project simply to prove the strength of Canadian industry and solve the city's communication problems. Since then tourist attractions and facilities have been added, and the revitalised tower opened to the public in 1998, proving a hit with locals and visitors alike. The tower has four look out levels. At the first at 1,122ft (342m) is an outdoor observation deck with a spectacular glass floor; somewhat higher at the next level is an indoor observation deck and the Horizon's café, offering light meals high in the sky; at the 1,150ft (351m) level is a revolving restaurant, which rotates once every 72 minutes, allowing a stunning view of the city below while dining on the award-winning fare; finally comes the top level, at a dizzying 1,465ft (447m), known as the Sky Pod. At the top of the CN Tower visitors stand on the world's highest public observation deck. The tower is situated in the heart of Toronto's entertainment district, on the north shore of Lake Ontario. Royal Ontario Museum The pride of this large and varied museum is the golden mosaic ceiling inside the main entrance to the building in Queen's Park, Toronto. The ceiling is adorned with patterns and symbols representing cultures from around the world throughout the ages, and is made from cut squares of imported Venetian glass. The museum consists of three buildings housing 200,000 square feet (18,581 sq m) of galleries and exhibitions. The more than 40 galleries showcase art, archaeology and science exhibits. Among the most popular are dinosaurs, galleries of Chinese Art, a bat cave, a gem and gold room, exhibits about Ancient Egypt and Nubia, and the Samuel European Galleries. Toronto Zoo The Toronto Zoo covers 710 acres (287 hectares) and is divided into 'zoogeographic' regions. It features four major tropical indoor pavilions and several smaller indoor viewing areas, plus numerous outdoor exhibits with more than six miles (ten km) of walking trails. The zoo houses more than 5,000 animals representing more than 450 species; it draws more than 1,2 million visitors each year. It is located north of Highway 401 and is easily accessible by public transport. Harbourfront Centre With an idyllic setting right beside the lake, the Harbourfront Centre is the spiritual heart of the city where locals gather on weekends for some gallery hopping, shopping, biking and concerts. Used as an industrial docklands for decades the abandoned warehouses and disintegrating factories have been transformed into a treasured recreational and cultural public space. Stroll along the waterside promenade, indulge in theatrical performances and browse craft boutiques or head to Queen's Quay Centre for some superb shopping. Year round events at this urban playground include film, dance, theatre, music, children's events and marine events Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People The largest theatre for young audiences in Canada, the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People is also a drama school, creating theatre for the youth, by the youth. The productions put on here aim to have a lasting emotional and educational impact on the youth of today. Children will love watching performances here. African Lion Safari Children of all ages will love the African Lion Safari where they can take a drive through the game reserve, cruise on the 'African Queen' boat, watch bird and animal performances, experience an 'elephant round up', pet some baby goats, or even enjoy the Misumu Bay Wet Play area. Ontario Place A fantastic day out for the kids and the family, Ontario Place offers hours of action packed entertainment and some exhilarating rides that kids of all ages will enjoy. Attractions at Ontario Place include the 0 Generation Station, the Atom Blaster, First Flight, Free Fall and Super Slide, to name a few. Paramount Canada's Wonderland Boasting over 200 attractions and more than 65 exhilarating rides, Splash Works and a huge variety of roller coasters, Paramount Canada's Wonderland is Canada's favourite theme park. Kids will enjoy the fastest and biggest roller coaster, the Behemoth as well as carousels, train rides and Canada's only flying roller coaster, the Time Warp. This park is a must for a great day out with the family. High Park High Park is Toronto's largest park and features sporting, cultural and educational facilities, gardens, playgrounds and a zoo. A great place for a stroll or a family picnic, High Park also features two children's playground, a communal swimming pool which is manned by lifeguards, and plenty of open space to tire the little ones out. Toronto Day Trips Niagara Falls Straddling the Canadian-United States border and sited between the province of Ontario and the US state of New York, the awesome Niagara Falls attracts about 12 million tourists a year. It makes a spectacular day's outing from Toronto. The Niagara River has been flowing for about 12,000 years but the eroded escarpment over which the falls flow today is much older, having been formed during the ice age. The river plunges over a cliff of dolostone and shale to make it the second largest waterfall on earth, after the Victoria Falls in southern Africa. Apart from appreciating the mighty torrent of the falls itself, perhaps from a spray-filled boat tour, there is plenty more to see and do on the Niagara peninsula, including indulging in some wine-tasting at one of the local wineries; visiting the exotic butterfly conservatory, marvelling at the floral clock in the Niagara Parks Greenhouse; visiting the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum, or playing a round of golf on one of the 34 courses that dot the peninsula. Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park Just 45 minutes east of Toronto on Highway 115, Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park is one of Ontario's most popular tourist attractions. The Park is home to a diverse collection of mammals, such as wolves, skunks, lemurs and chimpanzees - though it is the collection of big cats that truly makes Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park special. When it opened in 1983, the purpose of the Park was primarily recreational; however, in latter days, Jungle Cat World has taken on a more pronounced environmental education role. Housing rare and endangered cats - such as snow leopards and Siberian tigers - the park runs a variety of fun, kid-friendly programs, designed to further the ends of wildlife conservancy, by educating visitors about the dire need to protect the lives and habitats of the magnificent animals on display. Be sure not to miss the Park's Feeding Tour, which occurs at 1.30pm daily. Toronto Events Contact Taking photography far beyond the realms of the snapshot, Contact is the annual photographic event in the Americas, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and exhibitors, highlighting the enduring significance of photography in modern life. About 140 different exhibitions make up Contact, sited in various locations throughout the city. Canada Dry Festival of Fire Easily the most spectacular event during the summer in Toronto is the annual fireworks extravaganza that lights up the sky over the city's waterfront, watched by an estimated two million people. The show is set to music and the fireworks are set off from barges in Lake Ontario.    Toronto Fringe Theatre Festival Over 47,000 people were drawn to the 2006 festival and the Toronto's Fringe Festival continues to be one of North America's leading theatre experiences. Throughout the city thousands of artists perform a variety of comedy, cabaret, music, poetry, drama and the classics to their adoring crowds. Toronto Taste Toronto Taste is a celebration of savoury cuisine, fine wines and stunning waterfront scenery. The annual fundraising event brings together 70 top chefs and 30 of Ontario's premium vintners and beverage companies to provide an evening of gourmet food and drink. Toronto Taste is the single largest fundraising event supporting Second Harvest, a registered charity collecting perishable food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributes it to community organizations that feed hungry people in Toronto. Toronto Jazz Festival No self-respecting Canadian city can be without its annual jazz festival, and Toronto offers one of the best in north America. Each year the festival attracts about 2,000 international and local musicians, along with thousands of fans and jazz fundis. Toronto International Film Festival Toronto's famous film festival is the largest film festival open to the general public. Unlike Sundance and Cannes which see a number of independent features and world cinema, the Toronto International Film Festival has the glamour of Hollywood coated all over it, and is considered by many filmmakers and studio bosses to be a successful launching platform to begin the crazy award season that eventually climaxes with the Academy Awards in March. Cavalcade of Lights Toronto's festive season officially kicks off at the end of November each year with the brilliant illumination of Nathan Phillips Square with more than 100,000 lights, spectacular fireworks and a massive Christmas tree, heralding a month of merry-making and fun events in the city centre. Events include 'Designs in Ice' exhibition, outdoor concerts, street theatre and skating parties.  Restaurants in Toronto Toronto is home to Canada's most exciting restaurant scene, with over 5,000 eateries and a multitude of different cuisines reflecting the vibrant ethnic make-up of this city, Canada's largest. Great news for diners is that there is a high proportion of good quality, great value restaurants - especially those offering ethnic food. There are fewer top-end restaurants, but enduring favourites like Truffles and North 44 are on a par with the best on the continent. Certain cuisines cluster in distinct areas: College Street, better known as Little Italy, is home to the city's best Italian restaurants and trattoria. For Greek food head to the Danforth area, while authentic Chinese joints are abundant in Chinatown. For a diverse selection of ethnic cuisine, check out King Street West, home to excellent Indian, Japanese and sushi restaurants, not to mention vibrant bars and nightclubs. In general, Toronto offers good value dining. Tip 15-20% for good service. City law requires all restaurants, bars and pubs to be smoke-free, so don't even think about lighting up. Bellini's Ristorante $$$$$ | Italian With dark wood, white linen tablecloths and soft ambient lighting, Bellini's Restorante serves delicious hearty Italian fare and is popular with locals and celebrities. Try the carpaccio of beef tenderloin with arugula salad, shaved Parmesan cheese and white truffle oil, or the delicate Truffle risotto with Arborio rice, woodland mushrooms, Fontina fondue and white truffle oil. Open daily for dinner. Open for lunch for tables of 25 or more. Reservations recommended. Address: 101 Yorkville Ave; Telephone: 416 929 9111 Bistro 990 $$$$$ | French Known as a Hollywood celebrity hot spot, diners can rub elbows with the stars while delighting in French country favourites such as traditional chicken liver pâté, half roast chicken with garlic mashed potatoes or Steak Frites in a shallot or Roquefort sauce. There are excellent value fixed-price menus available and an outstanding wine list. Reservations required. Closed Sunday. No lunch Saturday. Address: 990 Bay Street (Downtown); E-mail: bistro990@home.com; Telephone: (416) 921 9990 Lai Wah Heen $$$$$ | Chinese The huge menu features the finest traditional and modern Cantonese dishes within the sophisticated setting of the Metropolitan Hotel. The menu offers a large variety of shark's fin and abalone dishes, as well as some of the best dim sum in the city, and delicious meat and noodle dishes. Service is attentive and food elegantly served. Daily lunch and dinner. Address: Metropolitan Hotel, 108 Chestnut Street (Downtown); E-mail: lwh@metropolitan.com;Telephone: (416) 977 9899 Senses $$$$$ | Modern Eclectic Senses is a combination of bakery, gourmet food retail outlet and fine dining restaurant that makes dining here an experience for the senses. The upstairs restaurant is delicately stylish and tastefully furnished with luxurious seating, excellent service and superb cuisine. The displays of smoked salmon and caviar in the emporium below prepare the taste buds for starters such as the goat’s cheese empanada, or main dishes like the leek cannelloni stuffed with ground lamb, spinach and feta. Dinner Wednesday to Sunday; bar and bistro open daily. Address: 318 Wellington Street West; E-mail: restaurant@senses.ca; Telephone: (416) 935 0400 North 44 $$$$$ | Modern Eclectic Named after Toronto’s latitude, North 44 has been one of the city’s most genteel eating places for many years and is an experience in pampering. The artistic interior bathes diners in a warm glow, the food is superb and the service flawless. The seasonal menu is influenced by Mediterranean, American and Asian flavours and might include pepper and sesame crusted tuna, lamb shank or stuffed quail, as well as a few exciting pastas and pizzas. Desserts such as the lemon meringue mille-feuille are the best in town. Reservations essential. Closed Sunday. Dinner only. Address: 2537 Yonge Street (Uptown); E-mail: north.44@rogers.com; Telephone: (416) 487 4897 Vanipha Lanna $$$$$ | Oriental Vanipha Lanna is different from other Thai eateries in that it specialises in Lao-Thai cuisine from Thailand’s northwestern Lanna region, and the flavours are permeated by the strong and spicy influences of Lao cooking. This colourful, vibrant restaurant attracts the crowds again and again with specialities like the grilled chicken and garlic in a lime-chilli sauce or the bamboo steamer of chicken and seafood dumplings. Reservations recommended. Closed Sunday. Address: 471 Eglington Avenue West (Uptown); E-mail: info@vanipha.ca; Telephone: (416) 484 0895 Truffles $$$$$ | French Truffles continues to earn international acclaim and top awards on the culinary and service front, and dining here is a luxurious treat for gastronomes seeking indulgence. The soaring ceilings and well-spaced tables create an ambience of sophisticated lightness, and the quintessence of modern French cuisine is brought to the table with a light and fresh, aromatic style of cooking. Truffles’ signature dish is the spaghettini with a light truffle sauce. Reservations required. Closed Sunday. Dinner only. Address: Four Seasons Hotel, 21 Avenue Road, Yorkville (Downtown); Telephone: (416) 964 0411 The Boiler House $$$$$ | International Situated in a lofty industrial space in the trendy Distillery District, The Boiler House restaurant is renowned for being one of the best live jazz and blues venues in Toronto. Indulge in a fine evening meal from Thursday through to Saturday complimented with toe tapping beats. Soak up the chic urban atmosphere, with 22 foot wine racks, intimate private rooms and hand crafted heavy timber tables. Serving up contemporary Canadian cuisine in a warm, chic environment, the Boiler House restaurant is a good bet for a satisfying Toronto evening out. Address: 55 Mill Street; Telephone: (416) 203 2121 360 Revolving Restaurant $$$$$ | International Located in the world’s tallest free-standing structure, the restaurant at the top of the CN Tower has floor-to ceiling windows and revolves slowly so that every part of this breath-taking view can be fully appreciated while dining in style. The food is not as high-flying as the location, but the experience is certainly a memorable one. The highlight of the dessert list is the chocolate version of the CN Tower. Reservations essential. No winter lunches. Address: CN Tower, 301 Front Street West (Downtown); E-mail: info@cntower.ca; Telephone: (416) 362 5411 Bangkok Garden $$$$$ | Thai Established 25 years ago, the Bangkok Garden was one of the first Thai restaurants in Toronto with essential ingredients being delivered fresh from Bangkok to ensure authenticity. The lemon seafood soup is a great starter while the red beef curry, toasted cashew chicken, and Three Pagodas curry are all delicious. Open Monday to Friday for lunch and dinner. Saturdays dinner only, closed Sundays. Address: 18 Elm Street, Toronto; E-mail: info@bangkokgarden.ca; Telephone: 416 977 6748 Canoe $$$$$ | International This trendy eatery is a must for anyone looking to impress, whether it be a business dinner or a romantic evening out. The minimalist décor, imaginative and inventive menu, and flawless execution will leave diners coming back for more. Flagship dishes include the seared Bluefin Tuna with broccoli hash, kumquat caramel and dandelion as well as the bacon wrapped Monkfish with smoked ham hock, white cabbage and porcini. Open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday. Open Saturday and Sunday for private events. Address: 54th Floor, Toronto Dominion Bank Tower, 66 Wellington St.; Telephone: 416 364 0054 Nightlife Toronto has a very trendy nightlife offering bars, lounges, clubs and live music venues. The city's multicultural and cosmopolitan vibe extends into its nightlife, with a variety of entertainment options in various areas of the city. Toronto nightlife is buzzing on weekends, but the city is big and energetic enough that you'll find a party any night of the week if you know where to look. Provincial law requires venues to serve food as well as alcohol, so many pubs and bars in Toronto are as much restaurants as they are party spots. Little Italy has a number of trattorias that double as bars, while Greektown has its own ethnic flair and party atmosphere. Bars and pubs close around 2am. Dance clubs stay open till dawn, but with late-night buses picking up after-hours commuters when the subway shuts down. Clubs come and go fairly quickly in Toronto, so check out local nightlife guides like the free weekly 'Now' for the hottest spots. The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19, which is well below the 21 year old limit in the neighbouring USA, but is strictly enforced at most venues. Dress codes tend to be relaxed, but many will refuse entry for people wearing blue jeans or trainers. Shopping Welcome to Canada's shopping capital! Toronto's shopping experience is like no other, combining the best of international brands with incredible local talent. The most famous arcade is the Eaton Centre, which has everything under one roof including brand name stores, restaurants and various entertainment options. It's fun, but hardly an experience worth traveling all the way to Toronto to have. Vaughan Mills is another outlet option, but you are far better off seeking out some of the local stores that are unique to the city. If you like haute couture look out for Canadian labels such as Lida Baday, Ross Mayer, Crystal Siemens and Linda Lundstrom. St Lawrence Market has an amazing array of local arts and crafts, plus excellent food to keep up your energy levels. Kensington Market is the place to go for vintage clothing and other eccentric paraphernalia; and the Antique Heritage  Market has an amazing selection of vintage items if you can catch it while you're in town. Queen St West is an essential stroll for the serious shopper. You'll find the best that young and trendy Toronto has to offer. Past Bathurst St you'll come across small, independent art galleries where discerning buyers can pick up a souvenir that just may grow in value! Yorkville, along Bloor Street, is the most exclusive shopping district, home to the boutiques and jewellers originating in Milan, Paris and London. Hunting for souvenirs? Toronto does suggest some obvious choices like maple syrup, and gifts emblazoned with Mounties or maple leafs, while an alternate choice would be native American art, dream catchers or moccasins. Shops in Toronto tend to open at about 10am, and close at 6pm Monday to Wednesday, 8 or 9pm Thursday and Friday, and 6pm on Saturday. Nearly all stores will accept all major credit cards.