Posted by: Vineet Bansal
9 fun things to do
in Toronto
While
it’s not the capital the city of Toronto, Ontario, is the largest and the most
populous city in Canada. From adventure to nature and history – Toronto has a
lot to offer visitors of all types. Now I will walk you through all the
must-sees and top things to do in Toronto as well to help you get the most out
of your experience.
There
are so many things to love about Toronto. To start, the city is surrounded by
Lake Ontario, one of the largest lakes in Canada, but my favorite part is
probably the cultural diversity. Toronto is a center for immigrants coming to
Canada, making it an incredibly multicultural city and super easy for tourists
like us to blend in and become fully immersed in the culture.
ENJOY PANORAMIC
VIEWS FROM THE CN TOWER
You
simply cannot go to Toronto without seeing the most iconic landmark of the
city the CN Tower. The tower is 553.3
meters (1,815 feet) high and adds a unique look to the skyline of Toronto. When
it was built in 1975 it claimed the status of the tallest free-standing
structure in the world and held the top spot for 32 years until it lost the title
to the Burj Khalifa in 2007.
Apart from just looking at the beautiful building, there is plenty to do inside the CN Tower and many different observation decks and levels to choose from. From the main observation level, you can enjoy a complete 360 degrees of incredible views of the city and even look at the street below through sections of glass floor. Dine at the revolving restaurant featuring the world’s highest wine cellar, or ascend a further 33 stories to the Skypod to feel the tower moving in the wind.
EDGE WALK AT CN
TOWER
One of
the most adventurous activities in this ‘things to do in Toronto’ list is the
Edge Walk at the CN Tower. This is something definitely not for the faint-hearted.
The
Edge Walk is a 1.5 m (5-foot) wide ledge on the outside of the observation pod.
Connected only by a harness, you will walk the ledge which circles the CN
tower, 356 m (1168 feet) above the ground. If you want even more of a thrill,
you are even allowed to lean back towards the ground pushing your limits by
facing the height straight on. Apart
from the adventure – Edge Walk also gives you great panoramic views of the
city. The Ontario Lake can be seen clearly at a distance from the Edge Walk
just across the concrete jungle of downtown Toronto.
TAKE THE KIDS TO
RIPLEY AQUARIUM CANADA
The
largest indoor aquarium in Canada, Ripley Aquarium is a huge 12,542 m squared
(135,000 square feet) in size and is home to many different species of marine
animals including jellyfish, manta rays, green turtles, tropical fishes, and
colorful artificial corals.
VISIT THE LARGEST
MUSEUM IN CANADA, THE ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM
With
more than 30 different galleries and 6 million objects, it is the largest
museum in Canada and displays everything from Chinese architecture to Roman
artifacts, Dinosaur Bones, Egyptian archeological findings to biodiversity
exhibitions. For the book lovers, there is even an in-house library too. With
many different exhibitions happening throughout the year, it’s always worth
checking what’s on during your visit.
EXPLORE CASA LOMA
You
may recognize Casa Loma from many Hollywood movies like X-men, Scott Pilgrim
vs. the World, and Chicago. Built in 1911 by Sir Henry Pellatt, The Casa Loma
palace is a luxurious property with 98 rooms spread over 6,010 square meters
(64,700 square feet). Visiting Casa Loma today will take you back in time,
stepping away from the urban architecture and modern fast-paced life of
Toronto. A visit of Casa Loma includes access to many suites in the castle, the
garden, the stables, and many verandas and long passages in the castle.
VISIT THE HOCKEY
HALL OF FAME
At the
Hockey Hall of Fame, you will find the world’s largest collection of hockey
memorabilia including the Stanley Cup on display. But don’t worry if you miss
it, there are two huge theatres and interactive displays to keep visitors
entertained and informed about the history of hockey in Canada.
EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH
ST. LAWRENCE MARKET
If you need any more reasons to add St. Lawrence Market to your list of things to do in Toronto I can tell you that it is the largest market in Toronto and home to 120 food vendors selling everything from seafood, dairy, baked food, and fresh produce. Since the market is so big, it’s helpful to know where to start. St Lawrence Market is divided into two sections. The South Market is where you will find all sorts of food items being sold whereas on Saturday afternoons the North Market.
EXPLORE THE HISTORIC
DISTILLERY DISTRICT
This
historic district has buildings dating back to the Victorian era, cobblestoned
alleys lined with cute cafes and restaurants. You can easily spend half a day just
wandering around and exploring the Distillery District. Although the name may
be synonymous with alcohol, this district is actually a creative center for the
artists of Toronto. The many independent galleries here often host self-funded
art workshops, music, and painting sessions, so it really is a great place to
get a sense of the Toronto art. Simply walk around and pop into the studios, or
join a guided walking tour of the area to get the most out of your experience.
VISIT THE ART
GALLERY OF ONTARIO
Art
lovers are in for a treat because here you can observe Canadian, European, and
African art along with some pieces by renowned photographers. Throughout the
year the gallery hosts many different exhibitions, workshops, and events so
even if you have visited before, the Art Gallery of Ontario is sure to have
something exciting in store for you.
