Toronto. TO. The big smoke. Whatever you want to call it, it is the city that has it all. It is lively, vibrant, culturally diverse, and has something for everyone.
Toronto is easily accessible from anywhere in the world, with Pearson Airport, Canada's busiest (in 2014 38.6 million passengers traveled through), being the main entry point. Pearson isn't the only entry point though, with Union station being a rail and bus entry point, along with the much smaller airport of Billy Bishop, located downtown.
Sporting events, concerts, fine dining, museums, a large zoo, comedy clubs, an aquarium, and shopping are just a few of the things you can find in Toronto to keep you busy. This is a city that no matter how many times I visit (which is a LOT) I can always find something new to do. below is my list of my top 5 things to do while visiting the city.
Toronto is easily accessible from anywhere in the world, with Pearson Airport, Canada's busiest (in 2014 38.6 million passengers traveled through), being the main entry point. Pearson isn't the only entry point though, with Union station being a rail and bus entry point, along with the much smaller airport of Billy Bishop, located downtown.
Sporting events, concerts, fine dining, museums, a large zoo, comedy clubs, an aquarium, and shopping are just a few of the things you can find in Toronto to keep you busy. This is a city that no matter how many times I visit (which is a LOT) I can always find something new to do. below is my list of my top 5 things to do while visiting the city.
Number 1
The CN Tower. Yes, it is a tourist trap and I am quite certain none of the people who live in Toronto actually go up, but if it is your first time in the city, it really is a "must do". I've lost count of how many times I've traveled to Toronto, and still I find myself taking the trip up every time, despite my fear of heights.
Built in 1976 and standing at 1,815 ft, 5 inches, it was once the world's tallest tower (from 1976-2010). Standing beneath it you realize just how tall it is, but standing on the glass floor really puts things into perspective. If you really want a thrill, sign up for the Edgewalk, because hanging over the edge strapped into a harness is the most exhilarating way to see the city. My husband and I did this during the first summer it was open, and it is an experience neither of us will forget.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city, 360 The Restaurant at the CN Tower, is located inside and has an impressive wine menu, along with fantastic food. I usually celebrate my birthday here, and they never fail to exceed expectations. Anyone looking for a place to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, etc. should consider making a reservation here, for one of the best meals, and the best view in the city.
The CN Tower. Yes, it is a tourist trap and I am quite certain none of the people who live in Toronto actually go up, but if it is your first time in the city, it really is a "must do". I've lost count of how many times I've traveled to Toronto, and still I find myself taking the trip up every time, despite my fear of heights.
Built in 1976 and standing at 1,815 ft, 5 inches, it was once the world's tallest tower (from 1976-2010). Standing beneath it you realize just how tall it is, but standing on the glass floor really puts things into perspective. If you really want a thrill, sign up for the Edgewalk, because hanging over the edge strapped into a harness is the most exhilarating way to see the city. My husband and I did this during the first summer it was open, and it is an experience neither of us will forget.
One of my favorite restaurants in the city, 360 The Restaurant at the CN Tower, is located inside and has an impressive wine menu, along with fantastic food. I usually celebrate my birthday here, and they never fail to exceed expectations. Anyone looking for a place to celebrate an anniversary, birthday, etc. should consider making a reservation here, for one of the best meals, and the best view in the city.
Number 2
Less touristy than the tower, is Kensington Market. Located downtown between Spadina and Bathurst is where you will find Toronto's most diverse neighbourhood. The area is full of shops, markets with fresh produce, cheese shops, authentic Caribbean food, bakeries, and everything in between. Also, if you're into it, Kensington market is home to one of Canada's few cannabis cafes.
I like to grab a bubble tea from one of the area's tea shops and stroll through the streets admiring the items in the shops and observing the people who frequent the area. If you are looking for something that isn't geared towards tourists, and get a little shopping done for unique items while you're at it, make sure you check it out. It is easily accessible by foot, street car, taxi, or bus.
Less touristy than the tower, is Kensington Market. Located downtown between Spadina and Bathurst is where you will find Toronto's most diverse neighbourhood. The area is full of shops, markets with fresh produce, cheese shops, authentic Caribbean food, bakeries, and everything in between. Also, if you're into it, Kensington market is home to one of Canada's few cannabis cafes.
I like to grab a bubble tea from one of the area's tea shops and stroll through the streets admiring the items in the shops and observing the people who frequent the area. If you are looking for something that isn't geared towards tourists, and get a little shopping done for unique items while you're at it, make sure you check it out. It is easily accessible by foot, street car, taxi, or bus.
Number 3
Sporting events. No matter what time of year you are visiting Toronto, you will be able to attend one. The Maple Leafs, Blue Jays, Raptors, Argonauts, Marlies, and Rock are just a few of the teams you will find playing locally. Even if you don't necessarily enjoy sports (but I mean, who doesn't!?) it is worth it to go to a game. Get your tickets ahead of time and not from the people selling them on the street outside of the game as you will pay much more than face value for your tickets.
There really is nothing quite like the atmosphere at a live sporting event, so grab some (overpriced) popcorn and a drink, and enjoy the game!
Sporting events. No matter what time of year you are visiting Toronto, you will be able to attend one. The Maple Leafs, Blue Jays, Raptors, Argonauts, Marlies, and Rock are just a few of the teams you will find playing locally. Even if you don't necessarily enjoy sports (but I mean, who doesn't!?) it is worth it to go to a game. Get your tickets ahead of time and not from the people selling them on the street outside of the game as you will pay much more than face value for your tickets.
There really is nothing quite like the atmosphere at a live sporting event, so grab some (overpriced) popcorn and a drink, and enjoy the game!
Number 4
Ripley's Aquarium. Another "touristy" choice. Although it has a fairly high entrance fee ( they have to pay for the 5.7 million litres of water somehow), it is well worth the price you pay for what is inside. Give yourself an hour or more to get through the aquarium, as you will want to take your time seeing everything inside, which actually adds up to 16,000 aquatic animals.
Parents, take note: to exit to aquarium, you must go through the gift shop.. you've been warned. I didn't bring my child and still ended up purchasing things I didn't need, because I'm a sucker for a gift shop.
Ripley's Aquarium. Another "touristy" choice. Although it has a fairly high entrance fee ( they have to pay for the 5.7 million litres of water somehow), it is well worth the price you pay for what is inside. Give yourself an hour or more to get through the aquarium, as you will want to take your time seeing everything inside, which actually adds up to 16,000 aquatic animals.
Parents, take note: to exit to aquarium, you must go through the gift shop.. you've been warned. I didn't bring my child and still ended up purchasing things I didn't need, because I'm a sucker for a gift shop.
Number 5
Steam Whistle Brewery. If you ask my husband for his top 5, this would come in at number 1 without him even having to take the time to think about it. We seem to come here each time we are in Toronto and each tour we take we still learn something new. The brewery itself is located in John St roundhouse, near the base of the CN Tower. The roundhouse functioned as a Canadian Pacific rail steam locomotive repair facility many years ago before it was turned into a brewery, and the staff at Steam Whistle love talking about the history of the building, and how the beer came to be. It's an interesting and informative tour, with guides who really know their stuff. The tour includes beer samples along the way, as in, enough samples to feel good by the time you leave.
Steam Whistle Brewery. If you ask my husband for his top 5, this would come in at number 1 without him even having to take the time to think about it. We seem to come here each time we are in Toronto and each tour we take we still learn something new. The brewery itself is located in John St roundhouse, near the base of the CN Tower. The roundhouse functioned as a Canadian Pacific rail steam locomotive repair facility many years ago before it was turned into a brewery, and the staff at Steam Whistle love talking about the history of the building, and how the beer came to be. It's an interesting and informative tour, with guides who really know their stuff. The tour includes beer samples along the way, as in, enough samples to feel good by the time you leave.
Of course, these 5 things barely scratch the surface of what Toronto offers its guests. Being in such a central location, you can easily squeeze in a day trip to the Niagara region, where you will find wineries, outlet shopping, and of course, the famous Niagara Falls. There are so many things to see in that region, it will get its own blog post at a later date.
Also worth mentioning: Royal Ontario Museum, Canadian National Exhibition (in August only), Yonge St, the distillery district, Mariposa boat tours (summer months), Toronto zoo, the well known Eaton Centre, Drake's annual OVO fest held in the summer, Yuk Yuk's, Dundas Square, hockey hall of fame, art galley of Ontario, Casa Loma.. and the list goes on.
If you're looking for hotels, I have a few favorites I am happy to suggest. The Fairmont Royal York, right across from Union station is my top choice, for their level of service, location, and overall experience, followed closely by Renaissance Downtown Toronto, located inside the skydome..er..Rogers Centre, where you can get rooms that face the field, or you can sit in their restaurant and watch the action from there. The service here is top notch and out of all the hotels I have stayed in, their front desk staff are the best. Another option we frequently pick is the Eaton Chelsea, not far from the Eaton Centre and located close to the Subway for easy transportation around the city.
This is my favorite city in Canada and for good reason. You never know what you will see in Toronto, from celebrity sightings, to movies being filmed, because the amount of movies filmed here is huge, take a look at this link to get the idea of just how many there are. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_shot_in_Toronto. Add that to all the festivals and events that take place in the city, and it really makes this a stand out destination in Canada.
If you haven't yet been to Toronto, what are you waiting for?
Of course, these 5 things barely scratch the surface of what Toronto offers its guests. Being in such a central location, you can easily squeeze in a day trip to the Niagara region, where you will find wineries, outlet shopping, and of course, the famous Niagara Falls. There are so many things to see in that region, it will get its own blog post at a later date.
Also worth mentioning: Royal Ontario Museum, Canadian National Exhibition (in August only), Yonge St, the distillery district, Mariposa boat tours (summer months), Toronto zoo, the well known Eaton Centre, Drake's annual OVO fest held in the summer, Yuk Yuk's, Dundas Square, hockey hall of fame, art galley of Ontario, Casa Loma.. and the list goes on.
If you're looking for hotels, I have a few favorites I am happy to suggest. The Fairmont Royal York, right across from Union station is my top choice, for their level of service, location, and overall experience, followed closely by Renaissance Downtown Toronto, located inside the skydome..er..Rogers Centre, where you can get rooms that face the field, or you can sit in their restaurant and watch the action from there. The service here is top notch and out of all the hotels I have stayed in, their front desk staff are the best. Another option we frequently pick is the Eaton Chelsea, not far from the Eaton Centre and located close to the Subway for easy transportation around the city.
This is my favorite city in Canada and for good reason. You never know what you will see in Toronto, from celebrity sightings, to movies being filmed, because the amount of movies filmed here is huge, take a look at this link to get the idea of just how many there are. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_films_shot_in_Toronto. Add that to all the festivals and events that take place in the city, and it really makes this a stand out destination in Canada.
If you haven't yet been to Toronto, what are you waiting for?
Our group at the Edgewalk experience (we're the ones on the left)
Flamingos at the Toronto Zoo
Fairmont Royal York lobby
Appetizer at the 360 restaurant in the CN Tower
