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1. Take the elevator to the top of the CN Tower
The image of the tall CN Tower is synonymous with Toronto. Unless you’re scared of heights, head here for incredible 360-degree views of the city. There’s also a revolving restaurant at the top where you can seek protection from the elements and keep your feet more firmly on the ground.
Address: 301 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5v 2T6Opening hours and entry: Open 9am – 10.30pm, entry is free
2. Sample the city’s best food and drink
There’s more than 120 stalls at the St Lawrence Market selling local produce, traditional farmers’ market fare and drinks. It’s not so popular with tourists yet, but we guarantee it will be. It’s already been open for more than 200 years but has a long and tasty future ahead of it.
Address: 93 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E 1C3Opening hours and entry: The food market is open on Saturdays 5am – 3pm, entry is free
3. Shop your heart out at the Eaton Centre
This is the mall to beat all malls in Toronto and is full of shops to suit every budget. It’s cleverly designed to keep you within your means; the cheaper stores are on the bottom floors and the higher up you go, the more expensive the goods.
Address: 220 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5B 2H1Opening hours: Mondays through Fridays 10am – 9.30pm, Saturdays 9.30am – 9.30pm, Sundays 10am – 7pm
4. Island hop in Toronto Bay
Across Lake Ontario from the city center are a few small islands, making up North America’s largest car-free residential zone. There are a number of small ferries that run from the Ontario harbor and take under 15 minutes. There’s also some pleasant boat cruises along the harbor that can take you around the islands while offering great views of Toronto.
Address: Most boats depart from Queens Quay W, ON M5J 2B8
5. Learn about the (unofficial) national sport at the Hockey Hall of Fame
Ice hockey is THE sport in Canada and a trip to Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame will help you understand why. It’s packed with trivia and exhibits and we defy you not to get a little bit caught up in the hysteria while you’re there. Lacrosse is actually still the country’s official national sport, but Ice Hockey comes first for most of its countrymen.
Address: 30 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5E 1X8Opening hours: Open weekdays 10am – 5.30pm, Saturdays 9.30am – 6.30pm, and Sundays 10.30am – 5pmEntry: $18CAD (Dh53) for adults, $12CAD (Dh35) for children
6. Take a day trip to Niagara Falls
One of the best Toronto day trips you can take is to the famous Niagara Falls, which is around 90 minutes from the city and connects Canada to the United States. There are lots of boats which tour around Bride Veil Falls on the American side of the rift, and the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side. A tip – wear a raincoat or buy a plastic poncho because you’re going to get wet! The town of Niagara isn’t particularly special in itself so don’t feel you have to hang around once you’ve seen the Falls.
Read more about Niagara Falls: Top 8 places to visit in Canada
7. Segway around the Distillery District
This was once the part of the city where wealthy Scotsmen made whisky, but it’s now a popular tourist attraction. There’s lots of tours around the area but a favorite of ours is the Segway tour, which takes you past a few sights that might be familiar – this part of Toronto has more than a passing resemblance to New York and has been used in quite a few movies.
Address: Tank House Lane, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4
8. Take the kids to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
This is another great all-weather attraction, and an especially great one if you’re traveling with kids. Travel through the Rainbow Reef to the Dangerous Lagoon, spotting rays, sharks and more on your journey. The Canadian waters exhibition is a particular highlight and teaches you all about the Great Lakes Marine life, which is one of the richest in the world.
Address: 288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9Opening hours: Daily 9am – 11pmEntry: Tickets cost $30CAD (Dh88) for adults, and $20CAD (Dh59) for children.
9. See some Toronto history
The Gothic-revival house was designed and built for the financier Sir Henry Mill Pellatt – who developed a love of architecture and fine art on his travels through Europe. On his return he built what is known as the romantic House on the Hill. It cost a huge $3,500,000 and took 300 men to build. Now you can walk through the five-acre estate and explore the stately rooms in Casa Loma.
Address: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, ON M5R 1X8Opening hours: Daily 9am – 5.30pmEntry: Entry costs $25CAD (Dh73) per adult
10. Embrace more national sports
If you enjoyed your visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame, take another visit to either The Rogers Centre or The Air Canada Centre, the two major Toronto sports stadiums. The former houses the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team, and the latter is home to the Toronto Rock lacrosse team, the Toronto Raptors basketball team, and the Toronto Maple Leafs Ice Hockey team. Check the season and try to catch a game at any of the team’s events, they’re great fun.
11. Discover the past, present and future at Royal Ontario Museum
If it’s a rainy day, consider spending it at the Royal Ontario Museum. It has collections ranging from ancient history to modern culture, and the largest collection of Chinese artifacts outside of China. There’s plenty to keep you busy for a full day.
Address: 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6Opening hours: Daily 10am – 5.30pm, and until 7.30pm on Saturdays and MondaysEntry: Tickets cost $20CAD (Dh59) for adults, and $14CAD (Dh41) for children
12. See some amazing art at the Art Gallery of Ontario
This is one of the country’s best galleries to see Canadian and European art, housed in a stunning – and outlandish – Frank Gehry design. It hosts fun family Sundays and Art & Dine Fridays, which are often good places to meet other out-of-towners. Check the exhibition calendar here.
Address: 317 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T 1G4Opening hours: Weekdays 10.30am – 5pm, open until 9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays. Weekends 10.30am – 5.30pm, closed on MondaysEntry: Tickets cost $19.50CAD (Dh57) for adults, and $11CAD (Dh32) for children
13. Step into the The Bata Shoe Museum
Even if you don’t think shoes are your thing, this museum is still worth a visit. It contains shoe collections from some of the world’s most famous celebrities, including Justin Bieber (a Canadian!), John Lennon, Marilyn Monroe and Roger Federer. Overall, the museum tells the story of centuries of history through shoes.
Address: 327 Bloor St. W. (at St. George St.), Toronto, Ontario M5S 1W7Opening hours: Mondays through Saturdays 10am – 5pm, Sundays 12pm – 5pmEntry: Tickets cost $14CAD (Dh41) for adults, and $5CAD (Dh15) for children
14. Relax at Kensington Market
This is a fab place to hang out in the summer. Meander through lanes with vintage stores, street-food vendors and pop-up shops. The neighborhood is car free on every last Saturday of the month, and the streets fill with performers, cyclists and pedestrians.
Address: Bounded by Dundas St., Spadina Ave., Baldwin St., and Augusta Ave., Toronto, OntarioOpening hours: 11am – 7pm
15. Eat out in Chinatown
Canada’s history of immigration has created some thriving Chinatowns, and the one in Toronto is one of the best. It’s at its best during Chinese New Year when you’ll see dragon dancers and performers, but you really don’t need an excuse to sample some of the best dim sum and peking duck in the country do you?
Address: Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 2H1
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*Published January 2018. Information correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change and/or availability.
