Toronto has a lot to offer, from monuments to food tours to world-class shopping.
It can be hard to plan a trip to this cosmopolitan city if you only come for a few days. We can help.
If you are planning on visiting Canada's largest city, here are some things to see.
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One of the most visited places in Toronto is the CN Tower, which used to be the tallest building in the world. You can see the skyline of Toronto from the main observation deck, which is 1136 feet high. You can feel the tower swaying in the wind if you have a strong stomach and are able to ascend to the Sky Pod.
The views from the inside are great, but adventure seekers should look at the EdgeWalk. The edge of the tower is secured by a harness. There is a wheelchair accessible option for the Edge Walk.
One of the oldest neighborhoods in Toronto is Chinatown. Busy local markets and colorful neon signs make for plenty of visual stimulation, though you will want to explore the pan- Asian food vendors with your taste buds in mind. If you want to sample some of the dishes, be sure to bring a meal.
Go on a food tour to see Chinatown's full scope. An expert guide will take you to a number of favorite spots with smaller portions so you can try many things. The Chinatown + Kensington Market tour is recommended by us.
There are many professional sports teams in Toronto. If you know your travel dates in advance, you can get tickets to see the Raptors, Blue Jays, and Maple Leafs at home.
The historic St Lawrence Market is located in Toronto. Many locals still go to do their shopping there despite it being a top tourist attraction. Specialty food shops and local businesses can be found here.
The Market Gallery is located on the second floor of the South Market. Stop by to see what's happening in this landmark.
You can take a pass on the bars in Toronto. The neighborhood is known for its arts, entertainment, dining and more and is centered around an old whiskey distillery that is filled with people looking for all sorts of drinks. Mill Street Brewery has Canadian craft beer and El Catrin Destileria has a margaritas during the warm weather.
The Winter Village Christmas Market is located in the Distillery District.
The quirkier side of the city can be found in the market. Vintage shops, unique boutiques and various art spaces can be found in this scruffy neighborhood. The garden car, with its herbs, flowers, tomato plants and even a lawn growing out of a painted and permanently parked sedan, is a must see.
It is a good idea to come to eat at one of the many international restaurants at the market. The district is close to Chinatown which makes for a great food tour.
The Hockey Hall of Fame in the Financial District is one of the top places to visit in Canada. The Stanley Cup itself is part of the largest collection of hockey paraphernalia in the world. You can learn about the sport's history, try your hand at shooting against the world's best goalies, and watch vintage footage from the video vault.
There is a display of cherry blossoms in Toronto in the spring. There are a lot of sakura cherry trees at High Park.
The cherry-blossom season can take place between the end of April and early May depending on the weather. Call the cherry blossom hotline if you want to track the season.
A good party is what Toronto people love. The Toronto International Film Festival, as well as the Toronto Jazz Festival, Toronto Caribbean Carnival, and Canadian Music Week are all annual events.
If you time your trip to one of the festivals, make sure you plan and book well in advance.
Casa Loma has hosted a number of well known movie stars over the years. The building used to be the home of a financier and is now a tourist attraction. The interior of the X-Men school was filmed here.
Toronto has some of the best street art in the world. The street is covered in bright artwork from some of the city's best street artists.
The start of your street-art itinerary should include graffiti alley. There is a free self-guided tour put together by the city government and Driftscape.
One of the best things to do in Toronto is to go to Canada's Wonderland. Outside of the city, this amusement park has 17 roller coasters, a 20-acre water park, live shows and seasonal-themed events. You can get a famous funnel cake at the park.
Practically the size of an ocean, Lake Ontario provides for wonderful beach days, and you can see for yourself at one of the many beaches in and around Toronto. Whether you want to swim, sunbathe, have a picnic or pick up a game of volleyball, these public beaches are great places to join locals.
If you want to escape the city's buzz, head to one of Toronto's islands, which have four beaches.
There are displays of towering high heels, shoes made of human hair and other outrageous footwear in the museum. The Bata Shoe Museum has the largest collection of shoes in the world.
Modern Toronto is home to a large First Nations population. Key Canadian culture can be experienced through art, food and celebrations. The guide to Indigenous experiences in Toronto is a good place to start.
The article was published in June 2021.
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