Toronto, Canada

Published by Gemma – Ontario

Toronto is Canada’s largest city located on the shores of Lake Ontario. Toronto is one of the worlds most diverse cities with nearly 50% of its population born outside of Canada.

Toronto has four distinct season which is quite helpful when you are packing for your visit. Toronto is one of Canada’s warmer cities in the winter, but don’t be fooled they can still be severe. While the summers are warm and humid.

Dundas Square

 

When I first visited Dundas Square I thought that it felt Vaguely familiar and it should have as  the urbanscape was designed off the same layout as Timesquare, During our time in Toronto I would refer to it as “Mini Time Square”.  The square is flanked by huge lit up advertising billboards and is on a slight incline to give the area a “theatrical” presence.

The centerpiece of the square how ever is the water fountain installation which is made up of 600 water jets and run 24 hours a day from around mid April until the end of October.

“Underground City” 

During the winter months you can head to downtown Toronto to PATH which is an underground pedestrian walkway linking 27 kms (16 miles) of shopping and entertainment.

CN Tower

       

The CN Tower is the signature of the Toronto Skyline and lights up like a beacon in the Toronto night sky. From its completion in 1976 until 2007 the CN Tower was the worlds tallest free standing structure.

If you want unrestricted views of Toronto look no further then the CN Tower. This Tourist attraction offers 360 degree birdseye view of the city.

To get to these magnificent views you’ll be taken up in one of the six glass elevators which will take less then a minute to get you to the observation deck. If you aren’t afraid of heights step out onto the toughened glass floor and look at the streets of Toronto below your feet.

   

If you start to feel hungry while you are taking in the views  ascend a few more  floors in the elevator to the award winning rotating restaurant and watch the views of Toronto go by as you enjoy your food.

For the more adventurous souls you can opted to go on the EdgeWalk, This is definitely not one for the faint hearted as you are 116 storys high above the ground. Attached to a harness system while you walk around the outside of the main pod. The EdgeWalk is the worlds highest full circle hands-free walk.

Hockey Hall of Fame

Hockey is said to be the first love of Canadians, So it should be no surprise that they have approximately 60 square feet dedicated to Celebrating the history of their beloved sport.

The HHOF is home to the iconic Stanley Cup and personally I think its the best looking trophy in all of sports.

In The Esso Great Hall you will find glassed cabinets honoring all the members that have been inducted in to the Hall of Fame.

You will also find all the major NHL trophies but most importantly you’ll find the most coveted trophy of them all the Stanley Cup. Here you will also have the chance to have a photo with the cup.

The HHOF is very family orientated and has catered to the younger hockey lover with their interactive zones.

Visitors get the chance to step into the shoes of the players, In the NHLPA be a player zone you can go one-on-one with a digital Goal Tender and take part in a shoot out or suit up as a Goal Tender and face some digital super stars shooting weighted sponge pucks at you.

Maybe you want to flex your hockey knowledge then head over to the Game Time Trivia section or try your hand at being a broadcaster and step behind the microphone a call a selection of historic games.

Old Town

Take a walk around the cobbled stone streets whilst being surrounded by historical buildings that date back to the 19th century the very beginnings of Toronto’s History.

In Old town you will find the Distillery District, The Flatiron Building, St Lawrence Markets, Front Street and King Street.

The Distillery District

Gooderham and Worts Whiskey Distillery was closed in 1990 and converted into the Distillery District. In 2003 the district was reopened to the public and is a pedestrian only Area, The district is home to many boutiques, cafes and award winning restaurants. The area is also listed as a National Historical Site of Canada.

Gooderham Building

Gooderham Building or better know as the flatiron building is a historic landmark in Toronto and can be found in the St Lawrence neighbourhood. The completion date for the building was 1892.

King Street

The King street district can be found between Church Street to Parliament Street, This is where you should venture to if you are looking for home decor and designer stores filled with furnishings for your home.

Westin Harbour Castle

If you want a hotel room with a view look no further then the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel. The hotel is located by Lake Ontario, and guests are spoiled with either beautiful scenic views of the lake or incredible views of the city. If you are lucky you might even get the iconic CN tower as your very own night light and watch it change colour from your hotel bed. 

 

After his recent trip to Toronto I asked my good friend Robert (@mr_rdb) if he had any tips to share, and here are a couple of them:

Matt and Robert – Lake Ontario

China Town

Chinatown is extensive, covering about 20 city blocks. Head there for amazing, delicious (and cheap) food plus gift shopping. Chinatown in Toronto doesn’t feel like a kitschy representation of China,  rather a bustling,  busy place where lots of Chinese people live and shop.  Consequently, it feels more alive than Chinatown in other cities I have visited.

The Village

Toronto’s gay village is also really extensive. Head to Church and Wellesley to find lots of bars, clubs and restaurants catering for the community. One refreshing thing about “The Village”,  as locals call it,  is that it is out and proud and very well groomed.  It’s clear that Toronto’s civic administration know that The Village is an asset to their city and not something to be hidden away.

Lake Ontario Water  Front

Lake Ontario has cycle paths all along the waterfront (although the local automated bike hire system didn’t seem to be able to cope with foreign credit cards, so you may be better off finding a bike hire place if you want to explore on two wheels).  Worth grabbing lunch or dinner in one of the waterfront pubs or restaurants with a view across to Algonquin Island, Ward’s Island,  or Toronto Island Park. There are ferries available from Queen’s Quay to take you over to one of the islands if that floats your boat.  Apparently,  there is a “clothing optional” beach on one of the islands for those who are so inclined!!!!

Thank you Robert!

So if you are planning a trip to the Great White North make sure Toronto is on your agenda, you will find a little bit of everything on offer and you will undoubtedly find ways to be entertained.