Toronto Travel Express Guide
Toronto Travel Express
Toronto is the largest city in Canada (by population), and is also the capital of the province of Quebec, though it is also incorrectly known by some as the capital of Canada. There are over 80 ethnic communities living in Toronto, making it one of the most diverse cities in the world, and this diversity can be seen clearly as one explores the city's various neighborhoods.
Toronto also has its own unique history, it grew out along the shoreline of Lake Ontario as a little Anglo settlement, an edge of civilization outpost where the drinking of alcohol was prohibited on Sundays, as well as socializing.
Now it is a major tourist attraction, bringing in millions of people every year.
Top ten things to do and see in Toronto
This mall of 250 stores is well-suited to the budget-conscious or free-spending shopper. Located in the heart of Toronto it has bright and airy open spaces and tasteful interior design, making time spent in here pleasant and non-confining.
It is the most popular tourist destination in Toronto after the CN Tower, and is not only a place frequented by humans, an architectural oddity at the mall is the mobile flight stop for migrating geese.
2. The CN Tower
At 1,815 feet the CN tower is the tallest free standing structure in the world. Located in downtown Toronto, the view from up here is mind-blowing, with a large observation deck and a restaurant on the top floor. There are glass elevators to add to the experience.
3. Casa Loma
For history or architecture buffs, Casa Loma is an interesting visit. It was built in the early 1900s by wealthy Toronto businessman Sir Henry Pellatt and represents his architectural dream. Casa Loma is similar to Hearst Castle in Calfornia for this reason.
In the case of Casa Loma, however, Pellat's dream unravelled and the building played a significant part in his downfall. It stands today proudly overlooking the city and was one of the on-location shooting venues for the 2002 movie Chicago.
The Royal Ontario Museum or ROM, has more than 40 galleries of art, archaeology and natural science. There are also interactive exhibits which keep the children interested while adults explore features such as the world-class Chinese art collection.
Centre Island (also known as Toronto Island) is the main land mass in a number of little islands that together form North America's largest car-free community in an urban area. It is a wonderful place to come to escape the noise and rush of the city, and is a perfect place to spend the day with the family or a date. There is also an amusement park here, picnic spots, open lawns, a yacht club and beaches, as well as restuarants. Toronto Island can only be reached by ferry, but it is a short ten minute trip.
The Distillery District is an interesting place to come for a bit of out-of-the-ordinary fun. This district is dedicated to promoting the arts and culture and is therefore, appropriately built among the beautifully maintained and restored architectural heritage of the city.
7. Yorkville
Yorkville is a great place to spot a few high-profile celebrities during the International Film Festival, and at any other time of the year it is a delightful little area, tucked away in a corner of Toronto like JK Rowling's Diagon Alley. It is a time-capsule of Victorian architecture with restaurants and pubs on jujst about every corner, though built to blend well with the surroundings. Here you can also finds boutiques and art galleries housing some of the world's finest artists.
This is a definite attraction for any hockey fan, but even those without an interest in hockey will be able to appreciate the authenticity of the Hockey Hall of Fame, which features a number of attractions that put visitors in the heat of some of hockey's most famous moment. For example, visitors can use one of the Broadcast Pods to call the action in definitve games, and afterwards you can visit an replica of a NHL dressing room and trophy room.
9. Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
The AGO is the tenth largest art museum in North America, it contains over 40,000 works, making it an invalueable testiment to Canadian heritage in terms of art, as well as the macro-social changes represented within the works. Some of the oldest pieces are as ancient as 100AD.
10. Chinatown
China Towns are to be foung in almost every major city in North America, but Toronto has the second largest. It is an ideal place for a spot of bargaining and window-shopping, with exotic oddities, trinkets, jewellery, clothes and items for the home. No China Town is complete without authentic food and Toronto's China Town has hundreds of restaurants to choose from.
