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Things To Do In Toronto
Toronto is a city in Canada that is known to be the largest as well as the most visited city in the country. A multicultural city, Toronto is dubbed as the NYC of Canada. People from all over the world and representing all kinds of cultures exist in Toronto. It is also the capital of the province of Ontario. There are many things to do and see in Toronto all year round for the average tourist and this article will help you explore most if not all of them.
There are many museums, art galleries, and cultural hotspots such as the Distillery District and downtown Toronto in the city of Toronto. Find shopping areas, prominent sites, and more while you tour the city. This article will help you locate some of the coolest things you can do while in Toronto. Keep reading below to find out how to make your Toronto vacation worth it.
The Toronto Skyline
One of the seven modern wonders of the world is the CN tower, being the tallest building on the continent of North America. The entire skyline of Toronto is extremely beautiful and we certainly recommend that you take an air ride to fully appreciate the beauty of the skyline.
You can also climb aboard the 447-meter SkyPod, a landmark offering some of the most gorgeous views of the skyline from above. If you are not fainthearted, then you may try the skywalk, which is a handsfree ledge that towers the city. The CN tower itself hosts the highest glass floor paneled elevator in the world at 342 meters from above.
Kensington Market
The Kensington Market is a really great place where you can find all the best stuff in Toronto. From art stores to vintage shops and tattoo parlors, Kensington Market has so much more to offer. Enjoy cuisine from around the world and wash it all down with some great drinks.
Nearby Kensington Market are Dundas Street West and Chinatown where you can go and like every other Chinatown, you can find some great food and more. You can find the best and most affordable accommodation at Kensington Market and make it the place you are going to stay in as you visit Toronto.
Annex
The nearby University of Toronto makes Annex the place of accommodation for many university students. Find discount stores, cafes and coffee shops and also the famous Lee Palace and spend some time at the Royal Ontario museum.
One of the largest museums in the continent, you can see a number of multicultural exhibits in the Royal Ontario Museum. You can also catch a feature film at the Hot Doc’s Cinema.
Live Organic Food Bar
This great restaurant at Dupont Street is known to be a really great location and is well known among both tourists and locals. They serve delicious organic food and can be especially great if you are hung over after a night a partying hard. Try their Kimchi Pancakes and their organic gluten free burrito.
Graffiti Alley
This lane in Toronto is the artists’ hub and features street art stretching over two blocks. This location is really picturesque and if you are into clicking pictures and posting them on Instagram, then a trip to Graffiti Alley is certainly a thing that you must try.
The landmark is pretty famous so you are bound to find the one thing that is hard to come by in Toronto: crowds. An early visit might be the solution to beat the crowds.
CN Tower
The 553 meter CN Tower is one of the most famous locations in the world. It is one of the tallest buildings in the world and a major landmark for Toronto. Located in the entertainment district, tourists make it a point to visit the CN Tower and experience the thrill of the glass elevator.
What’s more, you can choose to hang handsfree from the circumference of the roof of the tower. The Edge urban adventure experience is one the most expensive thing to do in Toronto but perhaps the thrill of this might appeal to you enough to be brave enough to do it.
Toronto Light Festival
In the distillery district, every year during the months of January to March, the city plays host to the Toronto Light Festival that features huge installations, lights and sometimes even fire.
During this time the temperature of Toronto are around a minus 20 degrees and this festival is an effort to get residents out of their homes.
Nuit Blanche
There is stuff happening in Toronto all year round and Nuit Blanche is an example of that. During October, the first Saturday night engages the residents of Toronto into going outside by having art installations all over the city. On this night, museums remain open until late hours and you can find public art anytime during the night.
The city is known for the finesse by which they plan and organize events and Nuit Blanche is a testament to this skill. Find crowds corroborating the event’s success and find exhibitions on films, DJs, and even social commentary.
Lovel Lock Sign
Just like the city of Paris, Toronto has a sign for lovers to come at and celebrate the spirit of their long lasting love by weaving a lock on the sign. This is a picture worthy location standing apart from some of Toronto’s most picturesque landmarks.
Gristmill Lane
The Gristmill Lane is home to the Red Heart sculpture which is yet another place for lovers to come and celebrate their love. Find a mistletoe hanging from the heart which remains there all year round and not just during Christmas.
The Distillery District
The most well known fact about the Distillery District is that it is home to red bricked Victorian era buildings and features many shops selling clothes, beer and trinkets such as candles. Find restaurants and cafes and also a weekly food market on Sunday.
This place can be a really great tourist attraction and visiting Distillery District is certainly going to be a great addition to your trip to Toronto.
St Lawrence Market
The St Lawrence Market is home to over a hundred stores selling food and antiques. Find the best deals on antiques and also the best food ranging from shrimp to shortbread.
You can easily spend a lot of time at the market and there are many places nearby that you can visit making the St Lawrence Market a really great way to spend your day in Toronto.
Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands at Lake Ontario are known to be one of the best spots for any tourist visiting the city. Take a boat and reach the island within 15 minutes. There will be three spots namely the Ward’s Island, Centre Island and Hanlan’s Point. Ward Island is a really small town that has some of the most beautiful houses on sale.
The residents of Toronto Canada have come up with a really great idea to render the properties for sale. What they do is have a list of added names to 500 and if you move up to the 100 mark you get a fixed price on the house.
The Toronto islands feature really great ways to enjoy the city such as the great views of the Skyline and more. Enjoy a cafe and a pier on the center island which also has a farm, lighthouse, maze, and a beach.
Philosopher’s Walk
Nearby Annex, the Philosopher’s Walk is a green area that is great for walking around. You will be able to find some stalls nearby that serve coffee and some of the Poutine that Canada is known for. A great place to relax.
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is a museum that displays the Stanley Cup. Sports fans visiting the city must certainly come to this place and take away the experience of a lifetime.
The museum has a signature process known as the hockey hall of fame where players, coaches, and commentators are selected to be inducted in the hall of fame.
Madison Avenue Pub
Madison Avenue Pub is a building that is made up of three interconnected Victorian mansions and serves great drinks, food and games and basically offers a great place to hang. Come here to relax after a day of travelling.
Casa Loma
The Casa Loma is a Gothic Revival museum in the city that was constructed from 1911 to 1914 as a residential place and later was turned into a historic museum. Casa Loma has been made famous as it is a rather unique location and has been used by many TV shows and films as part of their set.
A great place to come and see the uniqueness that Toronto has to offer, Casa Loma is a place that you absolutely must visit while you are here.
High Park
The High Park is a wonderful place to relax and spend time while in the city. This park is the largest park in downtown Toronto and is a really great free location complete with facilities, playgrounds, and gardens.
Find the Colborne Lodge, Grenadier Pond and the High park zoo while you are here and make a fun day trip out of visiting these free attractions. You will also find that the park plays host to the Canadian Stage Company in the summer featuring Shakespearean plays.
The BATA Shoe Museum
The BATA shoe museum is one of the most well known spots in Toronto. Certainly a thing you must come and see. The BATA shoe museum tells the history of shoes ranging from over 4500 years ago.
Find the museum at 327 Bloor St W. and find a day well spent here. With a lot of exhibits on shoes to see and learn about the history of footwear, the museum can be a great choice for a day trip in the town.
History of Toronto
The town has had a rich history. There are many areas in the city that pay homage to the culture and history of the town and preserve some old landmarks and architectural places. The Distillery district has been designated as a National Historic Site of Canada.
Also, the old buildings of the area have been converted into shops and modern buildings while preserving elements of history such as its Victorian Era architecture. You will be able to find a lot of stuff in Toronto that lets you connect with its history.
Parties
Toronto is pretty famous for its party scene. There are many parties and events that happen all throughout the year some of the more famous ones of which are Toronto’s International Film Festival and Pride Week.
The Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival with the great parades and costumes isn’t something to miss. Another one of Toronto’s great festivals is the Taste of Danforth that takes place in Greek Town every August and celebrates Greek culture and cuisine.
Art Gallery of Ontario
Canada’s largest art gallery, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the best places to visit while you are here. The Henry Moore room is home to the largest sculpture collection in the world.
There are also many painting exhibits as well as art displays from around the world. There is a huge collection of photographs and drawings as well as exhibits on modern and contemporary art. While you are here, check out the European Paintings exhibit.
Theatres
Given how cultural and artsy the town of Toronto Canada is, you can find a load of the best theatres from around the world in the town. The entertainment district is a favorite haunt of tourists and locals alike, featuring some of the best in entertainment.
The Canadian Opera Company, the National Ballet of Canada, the Canadian Stage Company, and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra are a few of the many organizations dedicated to bringing you the best of the performative arts that Toronto has to offer.
Enjoy some delightful shows at the Four Seasons Center for the Performing Arts the Princess of Wales Theatre, and the Royal Alexandra Theatre.
Zoos and Aquariums
Toronto is a city that is just filled with crazy stuff to do. One of the best locations here is the numerous aquariums and zoos the city has to offer. The Toronto Zoo is one of the best zoos in North America. There are two sections of the zoo divided into indoors and outdoors with exhibits in both areas.
With over 5000 animals living in various well-planned exhibits, you can dedicate an afternoon to spend at the zoo. Make a fun trip out of visiting the Toronto Zoo. The zones of the zoo are divided into continents with each area featuring specific types of animals. Animals such as elephants, rhinos, hyenas, kangaroos, wallabies, lionfish, and kookaburras are a few of the many that live here.
Another great place to visit is the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. In Toronto, this aquarium is one of the three by Ripley’s Entertainment. The museum features a huge plethora of exotic marine life within its tanks. You can find both marine and freshwater animals in the aquarium from octopuses to jellyfishes.
There are nine galleries that feature specific types of marine animals grouped together. You can also sit in for the interactive dive show while you are here.
Shopping
Enjoy the great experience that is shopping in Toronto by having your shopping trip begin at the Toronto Eaton Center. This city landmark has been known to cater to shoppers ever since it began. Many people visiting Toronto and going on a shopping spree start here.
Then you have Yorkville which is one of the top upscale locations to shop in the city. For the best in wines, you should try the Bayview village. It is also known for its high-end boutiques. Another shopper’s paradise is the neighborhood of Chinatown and if you are looking for some trendy stuff, the place to go to is Queen Street West.
Why Visit Toronto?
There are many things about Toronto that would draw you in. The place is clearly one of the best cities on the planet to live or visit. The reasons for visiting Toronto are so many that we can make a sub article about them. Here it is:
The People of Toronto
The people of Toronto you’d find to be really great and friendly. The attitude of the locals is bound to be a factor in almost any place that you visit. The people of Toronto are friendly, warm, polite and in a nutshell, absolutely great.
The city’s well-meaning attitude towards tourists may be attributed to the fact that Toronto has a huge number of migrants. One of two people in Toronto were born outside the town.
The town is a diverse multicultural hotspot, with over 160 languages spoken. Also over half of the population belonging to a recognized minority group. Toronto is truly a melting pot of cultures and you will feel quite at home when you come here.
Sports
This city is a great place to be at for sports fans. The tickets to game are quite affordable and you can watch basketball games, ice hockey, and baseball. There are many pro teams representing the town and they play in almost all of the major leagues. From the Maple leafs to the Raptors and the Blue Jays, you will surely find whatever sport you are looking for in Toronto.
Food
Multicultural that it is, Toronto features the absolute best in food. You will be able to find all kinds of cuisines in the town from Indian to Greek and European. One of the best things to try out is Poutine, a dish that originated in the province of Quebec.
Parks
With a park on almost every corner, you can find beautiful and scenic spots to spend time in Toronto. One of the best things about the town is the multitude of green spaces that it has. The town looks really beautiful in the spring or in the summer with trees lining up the streets and corners.
Culture
A cultural hub, Toronto features the best in music, dance, and arts and culture. Find artists from all over the world here trying to make a name for themselves. Festivals continue to happen all throughout the year and you can attend the best in music, live shows and concerts while you are touring the city.
Movies
Toronto is the spot where many famous TV shows and movies have been filmed. The best thing about Toronto would be to be touring the city and finding a location that you recognize from a show you watched all those years ago.
Cleanliness
One of the cleanest cities ever, which is saying something as Toronto is a huge town. You’d love spending time in Toronto as you will find it to be the most well planned and great city you can ever find. There are few cities on Earth that are as clean as Toronto is.
Road Trips
One of the best things about Toronto is that while the city will offer you most of what you can think of, you will still be able to find something that you are looking for just a few hours’ drive from the city. Road trips from Toronto can be the most fun things and make it one of the best places to visit.
Tourism
Despite being one of the most visited cities in the area, Toronto can still seem a place that is rather empty. Maybe that is because the city is so big. The best thing is that you will not find crowds and can tour the city at your own leisure.
This was our list of some cool things you can do while in Toronto. Canada is a really great place and Toronto is an example of how great a city can be. From museums such as the Royal Ontario Museum and landmarks to festivals and concerts, you will be able to find what you are looking for while in Toronto.
The locals are welcoming and the city is great for tourists from all around the world. A day in Toronto is certainly not enough to take in all that the city has to offer. You should spend a week or so here to truly enjoy the ultimate Toronto experience.
That being said, the COVID 19 pandemic has certainly made travel difficult. However, if you are able to take care of yourself and follow all of the safety precautions and distancing norms, you should be fine. The city of Toronto is a great place to visit and you will certainly corroborate once you come back from your visit.
If you enjoyed this article please let us know your thoughts in the comments below. If you have visited Toronto and enjoyed it, please do share your experiences with us and your fellow readers. Good luck on your travels.
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