Saturday, 30 July 2011

Ontario Place Toronto, Canada

A popular Ontario tourist attraction in the summer months is Ontario Place, located on three man-made islands on Lake Ontario. When weather is hot, Torontonians make their way to Ontario Place Toronto for waterslides, movies, shows, and amusement park rides. This Ontario attraction has a vast variety of recreational activities for all ages. The best bet is to buy a ‘Play All Day’ pass that gives you access to the Soak City water park, all of the park rides, and a seat in the Ontario Place Cinesphere. The Cinesphere has a curved screen six-stories high that shows specially made IMAX movies year round.

Ontario Place Toronto has been around since 1971, but despite its age has always had a futuristic, ‘space age’ look to it. The five pods (theaters and exhibits) and huge geodesic dome (the Ontario Place Cinesphere) seem suspended in the air when viewed from across the water. Ontario Place has gone through some major renovations since its 1971 opening, each time adding more fun and entertainment options. Originally this huge Ontario tourist attraction was built to showcase the Province of Ontario and to beef up the then underdeveloped waterfront area. Initially, Ontario Place Toronto covered 96 acres, 51 of those being landfill.

Recent additions to the park are aimed at smaller children, giving them a place to run free without worry. The H2O Generation Station is the largest outdoor soft play climbing structure in the country. Kids can run, slide, climb and crawl through a variety of activity centers. There are tunnels, slides, towers, hurdles and more for kids to run through that are both soft and safe. The Atom Blaster is a huge foam-ball playground--- the only of its kind in Canada. Foam balls are spilling out of canons, fountains, baskets—you name it—all to the great delight of the kids.

Though most of the Ontario Place features are only open from mid-May until Labor Day, the Cinesphere says open all year. While you can watch the standard Hollywood films there if you please, the real attraction are the many unique IMAX and educational films that the Ontario Place Cinesphere shows. From dolphins to Mt. Everest, the Cinesphere shows are fun and educational for families, as well as school class trips.

Also located on the Ontario Place grounds is the Molson Amphitheatre. This theater can hold up to 16,000 spectators--- 9,000 in the covered reserved seating area and 7,000 on the surrounding grass. The rest of the Ontario Place attractions are not included with concert tickets, but even so, the amphitheater has some great shows worth attending.

Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Canada

The Royal Ontario Museum is one of the premiere attractions in downtown Toronto. It is located at the corner of Avenue Road and Bloor Street near Queen’s Park and the University of Toronto. ROM Toronto is the largest natural history and world culture museum in Canada and the fifth largest museum in all of North America. The museum receives well over 1 million visitors every year for very good reason. There are over 6 million items and artifacts housed within the museum and over 40 individual galleries.

Among the wide variety of subject matter covered in the permanent exhibitions, the ROM Toronto is noted for its impressive collection of dinosaurs, Canadian historical artifacts, African art, and European artifacts, to name just a few. If you are scheduling a trip to Toronto, a visit to the Royal Ontario is well worth the time and modest admission fee. There are also Royal Ontario Museum discounts available for groups of ten or more and for school field trips.

The Royal Ontario Museum first opened in April of 1912. It has since undergone a series of expansions and renovations, the most recent being in 2009. One of the notable additions has been The Crystal, an impressive outdoor architectural wonder that resembles a giant crystal surrounding one of the museum’s entrances. The post modern design inspired much debate in the city of Toronto, as the addition was seen as some as being an unwelcome addition to the Neo-Romanesque design scheme of most of the rest of the building. In its entire history to date, the ROM has undergone four major expansions.

ROM Toronto is divided into a number of different galleries. The Natural History galleries run the gamut from dinosaurs to bat caves to lizards and snakes. The Keenan Family Gallery of Hands-On Biodiversity allows guests to get interactive with the exhibits by working with animals in a variety of ways. The Temerty Galleries of the Age of Dinosaurs is one of the most engaging exhibits in the museum, featuring a number of complete dinosaur skeletons and other interesting artifacts and remains.

The World Culture Galleries are also a huge appeal of the Royal Ontario Museum. The Chinese Galleries feature an unbelievable array of temple art, wall paintings, and wooden sculptures that represent millennia of Asian culture. The Gallery of Africa and the Gallery of Korea are not to be missed and the CIBC Discovery Gallery allows guests to take part in interactive exhibits including digging for fossils and many other such exciting activities. If you are planning a trip to Toronto and have an interest in exploring the museums in new cities you visit, this one should top your list. Look into Royal Ontario Museum discounts if you will be traveling with a large group or with your family.

The Royal Ontario Museum is opened from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. from Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Information on Royal Ontario Museum discounts, parking, and special events can be found online. It is easy to access the ROM Toronto using the Toronto public transport system.

Gardiner Museum in Toronto, Canada

The Gardiner Museum is a popular attraction in Toronto, Canada and the only museum in the country dedicated expressly to ceramic art. The museum was opened in 1984 and the building itself remains one of the best examples of modernist architecture in the whole city. The vast collection of over 3,000 individual works of ceramic art began with a generous personal donation of artifacts from George and Helen Gardiner, and was designed by an architect named Keith Wagland. Since first being constructed, the Gardiner Museum has undergone over $20 million in renovations, and is a fantastic place to spend a morning or afternoon exploring the world’s ceramic treasures.

The Gardiner Museum exhibitions include the best of this genre from the Ancient Americas, Asia, Europe, and there is a Contemporary Collection, and always rotating exhibits to complement the permanent displays. Gardiner Museum Toronto admission is free for kids 12 and under and a modest fee for adults. School field trips are hugely popular at the Gardiner and groups of ten people or more can receive discounted admission and special options for guided tours.

The Gardiner Museum exhibitions celebrate and preserve one of the world’s oldest art forms: ceramics. The techniques involved with firing clay to make pottery date back thousands of years. Various cultures that refined these techniques relied heavily on the practical value of the items and the artistic side of the process began to take shape along the way, especially in the Far East. Gardiner Museum Toronto admission takes you into a world where you can see how cultures that span the globe weaved the practice of making ceramics into not only their daily lives in a functional sense, but also their artistic lives. The Gardiner Museum exhibition display just how important a role ceramics played in the development of civil society across the continents.

There are a lot of things to do at this popular attraction in Toronto. It is located right across the street from the Royal Ontario Museum on Queen’s Park. This is a popular area of Toronto where you will also find plenty of suitable accommodations, a range of wonderful restaurants, and all kinds of shopping and other forms of entertainment. The museum scene is just one of the engaging aspects of cultural life in the city of Toronto. There is also a restaurant and gift shop on the premises for those who want to buy lunch, a postcard, a replica of a favorite piece of pottery you saw, how-to books for home clay firing, and much more. The Gardiner Museum also hold a wide variety of functions from workshops on how to make poetry, to film screenings and lectures on related subjects.

Gardiner Museum Toronto admission is available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. There are also free, guided tours every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday at 2 p.m. If you are planning a trip to Toronto, making a visit to the Gardiner Museum is well worth the time.

Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada

Bata Shoe Museum exhibits are some of the most unique in all of Toronto, a city where there are many amazing museums to choose from. But then, the Bata is not your typical museum to begin with. As you might guess from its namesake, the Bata Shoe Museum collects and exhibits footwear. The museum also functions to preserve and research footwear and the historical and cultural implications of various styles from around the world. There is a modest fee to get it, so if you want to take advantage of Bata Shoe Museum Toronto free admission, the best thing to do is become a member. After paying a totally reasonable one-time fee (which will pay for itself after only a couple visits to the museum), you can enjoy a wide variety of educational workshops and social events hosted by the museum throughout the year.

The history of the museum dates back to the 1970s when Mr. Thomas Bata and his wife Sonja Bata of the Bata Shoe Company began collecting traditional and indigenous footwear from the various places they visited on business and recreation. There are three revolving exhibits and one permanent exhibit at the Bata Shoe Museum. The Bata was founded in 1979 and moved to its current location at 327 Bloor Street West in downtown Toronto. The Bata Shoe Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day of the week except Thursday when the museum is open until 8 p.m.

If you are taking your Toronto vacation with your family and exploring some of the city’s cool attractions, you’ll want to know that Bata Shoe Museum Toronto free admission is always applicable for the kids. Although the exhibits are engaging and well worth a careful survey, you can make a trip to the Bata a short morning or afternoon affair. In other words, you don’t have to commit the whole day to visiting the museum to really enjoy yourself. Allow at least two or three hours to take it all in.

Bata Shoe Museum hours allow primarily for daytime visits, except when events are held in the evenings. One of the main benefits of membership at the Bata is that you can take part in the range of talks, workshops, and lectures that are regularly held. Many of these events are discounted if not free for members of the museum. A common misconception about this niche gallery is that it is just a building full of different kinds of shoes. Upon visiting, you will find out that the exploration of the various kinds of footwear from around the world is a jumping off point for a greater discussion of the cultural implications that the period shoes represent. There are shoes on display that date back millennia and representative styles from nearly every corner of the earth.

In a city where museums like the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario predominate, the Bata Shoe Museum is a fun diversion and a visually stimulating experience to say the least. Even though there is no Bata Shoe Museum Toronto free admission, you will enjoy it enough to justify the minimal entrance fee.

Museums in Toronto, Canada

Toronto museums are some of the most alluring attractions in the largest city in Canada. In a metropolitan area as large and varied as this one, there are quite obviously lots of fun activities and attractions to choose from. If you are one of the people who enjoys exploring the best of a city’s museum scene, you are sure to find Toronto an exciting and alluring destination. There are a wide variety of Toronto Ontario museums, but there are indeed a select few that rise above the rest, both in terms of popularity and fame. Some of the best museums in Toronto include the Ontario Science Center, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the University of Toronto Art Centre.

The Ontario Science Center is located about seven miles from downtown Toronto near the banks of the Don River. It was established in 1969, and since then has gathered an impressive collection of items for permanent display. The museum’s exhibits run the gamut in terms of science and nature and feature a variety of awesome interactive displays in each wing of the building. There are spaces dedicated to human anatomy and biology, astronomical science, geology, the science behind music, and so much more. Some of the highlights include the aquatic play facility and the massive telescope. This is certainly one of the best museums in Toronto for the science lovers among us.

The Royal Ontario Museum is one of the most popular and best-known attractions among all of the Toronto museums. It is the largest natural history and world culture museum in Canada and the fifth largest of all museums on the North American continent. The encyclopedic collection of works at this most renowned of all the Toronto Ontario museums features over 6 million items in some 40 separate galleries. If you are planning a visit to the city and are generally interested in museums and the arts, this is one of the Toronto museums that you should be sure not to miss.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the Hockey Hall of Fame is located here. Toronto, without much surprise, is the destination for avid hockey lovers from around the world. Take time out to visit this treasure trove of hockey memorabilia and celebrate the history of the game in North America.

The Art Gallery of Ontario, commonly referred to simply as the AGO, is an art museum on Dundas Street West in the eastern part of downtown Toronto. There are an approximate 70,000 works, making it one of the most popular Toronto Ontario museums that display art. Although it is known for its vast collection of Canadian artists, the AGO also features well-known international artists including the likes of Degas, Rodin, Rubens, Warhol, Picasso, and many more. The AGO is one of the Toronto museums that is popular for its collection of internationally celebrated artists.

The University of Toronto Art Centre is another of the best museums in Toronto for seeing art. The museum was founded in 1996 and works closely with the University of Toronto in putting on excellent exhibits and holding functions at the various galleries on campus.The Textile Museum of Canada is also definitely worth a drop-by. It houses many historically significant fabrics and celebrates the diversity of cloth and textiles from around the world.

Many of the best Toronto Ontario museums offer free admission. Call ahead to see about any special requirements you may need or want, including translation services, guided tours, and hours of operation.

Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto, Canada

Molson Amphitheatre shows are some of the biggest and best throughout the year in the city of Toronto. It is a partially enclosed amphitheatre on Lake Shore Boulevard West located at Ontario Place. Ontario Place is situated right on the lakefront just south of Exhibition Place and includes the Molson Amphitheatre, the Cinesphere IMAX Theatre, and among other attractions, a number of man-made islands that feature park and recreation facilities and a whole range of activities for residents and visitors of the city.

A wide variety of Molson Amphitheatre concerts are held every year and other major shows take place on the surrounding islands. As an example, Toronto Centre Island, the largest of the three main islands off of the Toronto Harbourfront, hosted the Virgin Music Festival in 2009, drawing an estimated 60,000 fans. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars, cafes, and hotels near Molson Amphitheatre, so if you have plans to attend a show, rest assured that everything you need is well within walking distance.

The ease of access to the Molson Amphitheatre makes it even more attractive as one of the most popular music venues in the city. A number of underground stations provide public transportation right to the grounds of Ontario Place, and the venue itself is right in the mix of the downtown core. If you are only spending a couple of days in Toronto because you are making the trip specifically for a show, you can take advantage of all of the attractions in the area before the show, including popular districts such as Little Italy, Greektown, and Kensington Market.

Staying at one of the many hotels near Molson Amphitheatre allows you to spend as much time taking in the downtown scene as possible. Toronto is a vibrant metropolis of some 3 million people, and the Greater Toronto Area is home to millions more. As such, there are tons of things to do and places to see and visit in the city. Reasonably priced hotels such as the Travelodge Toronto Downtown West and the Renaissance West make for perfect places to stay nearby many of the most alluring attractions. Huge concerts and music festivals are also a regular part of the annual events schedule in the provincial capital of Ontario and the biggest city in all of Canada.

Some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry have put on Molson Amphitheatre concerts. Bryan Adams was the first performer to play at the Molson Amphitheatre in May of 1995, and since then a wide variety of high profile acts have donned the stage including the Dave Matthews Band, Jack Johnson, Iron Maiden, and many more. Molson Amphitheatre concerts comfortably seat over 16,000 people and there is plenty of room for parking. There are a number of VIP seats but some of the best views and best times are had from the lawn area of the inner amphitheatre. If you are planning to take a trip to Toronto, you should consider looking at the schedule of concerts at the Molson Amphitheatre. The venue regularly spotlights the biggest bands to play the arena circuit in Canada. If it is a big show you are planning to see, be sure to look into hotels near Molson Amphitheatre as far in advance as possible to ensure availability and decent rates.

Little Italy Toronto, Canada

Little Italy Toronto is a popular district near the downtown core and other districts including Kensington Market (to the east) and Trinity-Bellwoods (to the south). Although the neighborhood is known for its plethora of Italian and Italian-Canadian owned restaurants and businesses, it is also home to representatives of many other cultures. In recent years, the neighborhood has experienced some renovations and gentrification that have led to new influxes of money from young professionals who are moving to the area to take advantage of the relatively cheap prices of the early 1900s, Edwardian homes that line the side streets of the neighborhood. There are tons of Little Italy Toronto restaurants and shops as well as a nice selection of trendy cafes and bars, along with a few night clubs for those seeking good nightlife in this area.

There are a lot of things to do in Little Italy Toronto, from leisurely walking down the street and checking out the various vendors selling everything from wine and cheese, to clothing and jewelry, to simply people watching from the comfort of one of the cool cafes while you sip on a perfectly crafted espresso. Although the exact borders of Little Italy Toronto are somewhat indistinct, the entire are centers around the attractions and activities along College Street. The intersection of College and Grace Streets and the surrounding areas is where you will find some of the finest Little Italy Toronto restaurants. Besides the large Italian-Canadian population in the neighborhood, there is also quite a good number of Latin American and Portuguese residents, adding even more flavor to the international mix that inevitably makes its way into the neighborhood’s restaurants and specialty food stores.

An absolute must in terms of things to do in Little Italy Toronto, is taking plenty of time to explore as many of the specialty food shops as possible. You will find freshly made pasta, a number of uniquely Italian specialties cooked and prepared fresh everyday, a variety of cheese shops, and several of the city’s best bakeries. If you love eating and shopping, then Little Italy Toronto is going to be a place that you definitely enjoy.

Little Italy is considered one of the coolest neighborhoods in the city by many of its residents and many others who visit the city of Toronto as a guest. It is a warm and welcoming environment where you will find, especially in the warmer months, old Italian women sitting on their Edwardian porches, talking among each other and occasionally waving to the passers-by. You are able to enjoy an excellent dinner while also being in a completely unpretentious environment.

In the summer it is a lot of fun to just stroll the streets and take in the vibe of the neighborhood, complete with the music coming from the area bars, the street performers and vendors, and the late-night cafes and clubs. There are a lot of things to do in Little Italy Toronto beside just eating and drinking. The shopping scene is awesome, and the cafes are also not to be missed. It is true, however, that Little Italy Toronto restaurants are some of the best around and certainly the best places to get Italian food in the city of Toronto.

Fishingi n Lake Ontario, Toronto

Lake Ontario Toronto fishing offers you the chance to cast a line, relax, and enjoy the scenery of one of the Great Lakes. While Toronto may best be known for its theaters, genial citizens, and the Hockey Hall of Fame, anglers know another angle of this scenic city. Lake Ontario is one the best places in the entire province for fishing. Cold-water species including rainbow trout, coho salmon, and the occasional Atlantic salmon have all appeared on the lines of urban fishermen. The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources keeps the urban waterways stocked with more than 1 million fish every year, with the majority of the effort concentrated on the big lake and the surrounding watershed.

If you'd like to add Lake Ontario Toronto fishing to your Great Lakes vacations, you have several options. You could hop aboard one of the ferries to travel to the Toronto Islands make reservations for one of fishing charters in Lake Ontario Canada with a customized departure point. The islands, just a short ride away from downtown, are open for fishing as long as the snow is not causing an impediment. Most of the year, the fish population is on the move, with plentiful schools of perch, carp, bluegills, and sunfish ready to bite. On the whole, anglers can expect to find any of fifteen different species of hearty fish as they're enjoying some lake fishing.

Any number of fishing charters in Lake Ontario Canada can take you to the best spots in the Toronto area for angling. The local captains, experts on Great Lakes fishing, know these waters better than anyone else, including where the fish like to congregate. The charters can include all the equipment you need, and other benefits such as lunch and customized departure times.

Fishing charters in Lake Ontario Canada are especially popular during the height of summer when one of the premiere fishing events happens off the shores on Toronto. The Great Ontario Salmon Derby, held every July and August, offers some amazing prizes, even a brand new truck for the heaviest salmon. The other big event happens in March when the Toronto Sportsmen's Show happens at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Lake Ontario, Toronto

Lake Ontario is the easternmost and smallest of the five Great Lakes in North America. It is bordered by both Canada and the United States. Lake Ontario means many different things to many different people depending upon where they live in relation to the water. For some, Lake Ontario fishing is the greatest appeal of this picturesque Great Lake. For others, like those who live in metropolitan cities that border the waterfront like Toronto, the lakefront provides a destination for all kinds of tourist attractions and activities. Lake Ontario near Toronto is one of the most alluring stretches of coastline along this body of water.

Although Lake Ontario is the smallest of the Great Lakes in terms of surface area, it actually exceeds Lake Erie in volume. Lake Ontario is the fourteenth largest lake in the entire world. It is approximately 195 miles long and 53 miles wide, with some 715 miles of shoreline. While the average depth of the lake is around 285 feet, the maximum depth exceeds 800 feet. The main inlet for Lake Ontario is the Niagara River, via Lake Erie, and the main outlet is the Saint Lawrence River.

No discussion of this Great Lake would be complete without highlighting the premiere Lake Ontario fishing. People flock by the thousands, in the spring and summer, to Lake Ontario, with dreams of the next trophy catch in mind. Chartered boats are an extremely popular option for families and groups of people who like to have someone take them out so they can just enjoy the day and the Lake Ontario fishing. When you charter a boat, you will have captain, and oftentimes a first mate, so you won’t have to worry about rigging lines, setting a course, or trying to figure out where the primetime fishing spots are. You can even tell the captain what kind of fish you are interested in catching and many more times than not, they will be able to take you out to where that particular kind of fish has been recently hitting.

Spending a day out on the lake on a chartered boat is an excellent time. You can also get some rays and enjoy the water sports and activities at beaches around Ontario like Outlet Beach, Sandbanks Beach, and Dunes. Lake Ontario near Toronto allows tourists and residents the option of chartering a boat from the popular Harbourfront district in the downtown area. Depending upon what services you are interested in, you can request food and beverages, and even charter a romantic sunset cruise for two complete with a white linen dinner and champagne. When you are at Lake Ontario near Toronto you have many option for how to enjoy this gorgeous lake. The best time to enjoy Lake Ontario is during spring and summer as declining temperatures and the lake effect make conditions increasingly difficult as the colder months approach. Depending on the severity of the winter, up to 95 percent (and sometimes more) of the lake will have an ice cover.

Kensington Market in Toronto, Canada

Kensington Market is one of the oldest and best-known districts in the city of Toronto. Like so many of the neighborhoods and districts in the provincial capital of Ontario, Kensington Market in Toronto is comprised of a multi-cultural population from the likes of the Caribbean, China, the U.S., Somalia, to name just a few. Although the neighborhood was established primarily by Jewish settlers who lived in the “Ward” (a poor neighborhood roughly in the same area), over the years, it became a more diverse place for immigrants of all stripes as the largely Jewish population began moving to more affluent northern suburbs. The result is a wide selection of Kensington Market restaurants, shops, and markets that serve traditional favorites from virtually every corner of the globe.

Kensington Market is undergoing a gentrification process that is virtually inevitable when traditional neighborhoods become tourist attractions and the envy of artist types who tend to move in for the low rents and cost of living. The gentrifying has already begun as the Kensington area has seen several corporate and brand name stores move into the neighborhood, something that would have been nearly impossible just a few short years ago. This is not necessarily an inherently bad situation, as long as the development that takes place within the neighborhood does not spoil the authentic Kensington Market attractions and the genuine feel of the district that has made it unique among other areas of Toronto for so long.

The streets of the popular district of Kensington Market in Toronto are filled with an exhaustive collection of vendors and street markets that sell everything from fresh produce to a wide selection of meat and fish. You will find specialty shops that sell cheese, wine, and many stores that sell uniquely ethnic food goods. Many of the shops along the street in Kensington Market have extensions built on to the front of the building where the goods are oftentimes placed on display for people walking by to easily view and buy. One of the most alluring parts of spending the day in this historic district in Toronto is simply walking around and taking in the many Kensington Market attractions, whether it be the restaurants and arty, cool cafes, or the independent bookstores and used clothing shops.

In 2006, Kensington Market in Toronto was named a National Historic Site, and for good reason. There are literally hundreds of Kensington Market restaurants and shops, and the vibe in the neighborhood is distinctly multi-cultural, and distinctly Toronto. You will have no problem finding a cool café, a place to have an amazing bite to eat, or plenty of awesome shopping destinations. Once you have decided on which of the Kensington Market restaurants you are going to enjoy (and be prepared, there are a lot to choose from) you can set out on the rest of your journey to explore the very best of the neighborhood. The vintage clothing shops and independent music and bookstores are some of the best in the city. For an exciting day of shopping and eating in one of Toronto’s most historic districts, be sure to check out Kensington Market.

Toronto Hockey Hall of Fame, Canada

The Toronto Hockey Hall of Fame is a playground of hockey delight for those who love the sport. Ice hockey fanatics will find everything here from interactive games to NHL (National Hockey League) memorabilia. Even if you aren’t a hard-core ice hockey fan, you’ll have fun getting to know this Canadian-loved sport at the Hockey Hall of Fame Toronto.

The original NHL Hockey Hall of Fame opened on August 26th, 1961 on the Exhibition Place grounds. Bobby Hewitson was the first Curator of the Hall of fame, followed by Maurice “Lefty” Reid, after Hewitson retired. The combined vision of these two men to collect, document, and preserve everything to do with hockey was what inspired the Hall of Fame in the beginning, and continues to drive Hall of Fame Curators today.

In 1992 the Toronto Hockey Hall of Fame was relocated to a former Bank of Montreal location in downtown Toronto. Under the leadership of former NHL referee Ian “Scotty” Morrison, the Hockey Hall of Fame Toronto grew in popularity and reputation. The game of hockey at the same time was finding new audiences around the world, creating more interest in what the Hall of Fame was offering. Today the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame is an extremely popular attraction for Toronto visitors.

So what can you do and see at the Toronto Hockey Hall of Fame? Ice Hockey memorabilia and artifacts are what the Hall of Fame is famous for. You can see the original Stanley Cup donated by Lord Stanley in 1893, walk through a replica of the Montreal Canadians’ locker room, and see Newsy Lalonde’s ice skates or Max Bentley’s hockey stick. There are also lots of fun interactive displays and games to try out. You can practice your shooting skills by shooting at targets, or see what it feel like to be a goalie by putting on goalie gear and trying handle the sponge pucks being pummeled your way.

The newly opened Collector’s Corner is one of the latest additions to the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame. This “corner” is actually 400 square feet of all things hockey from cards, coins, food, tickets, stamps, figurines, and more. If you are a hockey collector, you will appreciate this huge collection, just don’t feel too bad when you see all of the items that you once owned but have long-since discarded!

Another new addition to the Hockey Hall of Fame Toronto was unveiled on March 11, 2006. This new 6,000 square foot area called the “NHL ZONE” exhibits NHL legends, retro NHL, NHL milestones and Stanley Cup Dynasties. NHL ZONE cost around $20 million CAN to construct.

Toronto Harbourfront, Canada

Toronto Harbourfront is a vibrant district located downtown on the northern shore of Lake Ontario. The Harbourfront runs along Queen’s Quay from Bathurst Street to Yonge Street. In 1972, Canada’s Prime Minister announced that the project to develop the waterfront area that is now the Harbourfront as a cultural center and district for arts, entertainment, and recreation. There are now hundreds of restaurants, bars, clubs, and cafes, a wide selection of Toronto Harbourfront hotels, and over 4,000 Harbourfront Toronto events are scheduled each and every year.

Before the Toronto Harbourfront was improved, the area was filled with abandoned buildings was not the most desirable plot for developing, except for the perfect placement of the coastline. Toronto’s Harbour is obviously very important in terms of the transportation of goods coming in and out of Toronto. The eastern side of the Toronto Harbour is primarily utilized for commercial purposes, while the majority of the Toronto Harbourfront events occur on the western side where the Harbourfront district now thrives.

There are a wide variety of things to do at the Harbourfront, from shopping and dining, to seeing shows and checking out some of the unique art galleries, studios, and museums. Visit the CN Tower for a breathtaking look at the cityscape before heading down to the Toronto Harbourfront for a cruise to one of the three main islands. One of the most popular things to do at the Harbourfront is to take cruises to the islands. Toronto Centre Island is the biggest of the three main islands and features acres of parkland and recreational activities, including water sports, volleyball, fishing, boating, and much more. It’s super cheap and only takes ten minutes to get to Toronto Centre Island from the Harbourfront. Many times, concerts are held at Toronto Centre Island like the Virgin Music Festival in 2009 that featured such bands as Oasis, Paul Weller, and the Stereophonics.

Along with a number of luxurious Toronto Harbourfront hotels, restaurants, cafes, and bars also abound in this exciting district downtown. All kinds of fine cuisine can be found in this area, from amazing Italian, French, and Greek restaurants to the best of the city’s Thai, Chinese, and other Asian traditions. Since Toronto is a multi-cultural center, the restaurants and other establishments in the Harbourfront area are representative of the international flavor of the city. It is one of the best places for shopping as well. From high-end, designer boutiques to specialty shops and street vendors selling unique arts, crafts, and other goods, you are absolutely sure to find something that strikes your fancy.

Visiting the local galleries and museums is another of the best things to do at the Harbourfront. The Powerplant is a popular, contemporary art gallery, and you can watch artisans blow glass and perform other interesting crafts in person at the Craft Studio. Some of the most well-liked Harbourfront Toronto events include the Harbourfront Reading Series and the International Festival of Authors. It is one of the best areas in the entire city, so you may want to consider staying at one of the Toronto Harbourfront hotels. There are so many things to do at the Harbourfront, that you’ll be in better position to be right down in the middle of all the action.

Greektown Toronto, Canada

Greektown Toronto is a popular district east of downtown that is home to one of the largest concentrations of Greek people in the city. There are approximately 200,000 people of Greek descent in Toronto, the largest population outside of Greece itself, and the Greektown district on Danforth Avenue is the focal point of this population. There are a wide variety of Greek restaurants and specialty stores and there are always fun and exciting Greektown Toronto events on the calendar.

Whether it is shopping, eating, drinking, or dancing, you will always be able to find things to do in Greektown Toronto. It is one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan neighborhoods in a city that has plenty of great areas. It has one of the highest concentrations of restaurants per mile in the world and specialty shops that sell everything from jewelry and clothing, to bridal wear and birthday cakes. Greektown Toronto is a regular destination for residents of the city who visit the district for the wide variety of authentic Greek restaurants, as well as the cafes, bars, and clubs. There is a lot of action beyond the restaurants, as good as they are, and many Greektown Toronto events are held at the clubs and various markets. The biggest event of all, however, is the Taste of Danforth annual Greek Festival. It is one of the most popular Greek festivals in the world and is a hugely popular event in the city of Toronto.

The Taste of Danforth was first celebrated in 1994 and was attended by a modest 5,000 people. Over the years as awareness of the event has grown and the number of things to do in Greektown Toronto has increased, the festival has exploded in popularity. The Taste of Danforth is now attended by over 1 million visitors each and every year. People from all over the world come to take part in this two and a half day event where Greek food, dance, drink, and entertainment are all just a part of the fun times.

The Taste of Danforth is easily the most popular of all the things to do in Greektown Toronto. In fact, along with the Toronto Film Festival and Caribana Festival, it consistently ranks as one of the most well-liked events in the city. For two and a half days, countless vendors serve sumptuous Greek delights that range the entire gamut of Helenic delicacies. There are several stages where bands, orchestras, and plays are held. Traditional Greek dance performances are held on the Greek Stage and the Celebrity Stage features reproduction of such Broadway performances and cinematic classics as The Sound of Music and Jersey Boys.

There are also vendors selling unique and one-of-a-kind goods in the Greek tradition. Greektown Toronto is always a fun place to visit, but the excitement goes through the roof for the couple of days in August that the Danforth welcomes this awesome event. Of all the Greektown Toronto events, this is the one you want to be sure not to miss. If you are already planning a trip in the summer, you should consider waiting until August to experience Toronto favorites like the Taste of Danforth in August and the Toronto Film Festival at the beginning of September.

Eaton Centre Toronto, Canada

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Toronto is Eaton Centre Mall, a three-storey shopping centre. It is estimated that around 20 million people visit the Eaton Centre Toronto each year. The Toronto Eaton Centre cost over $250 million CAN to build and stretches from Dundas Street south to Queen Street. In total, the Eaton Centre Mall covers 557,418 sq. m (6,000,000 sq. ft). There are more than 285 stores and restaurants for exploration, including the large Sears department store that has replaced the original Eaton’s store.

Eaton Centre Toronto is located across from the Elgin Theatre and is named after Timothy Eaton, an immigrant from Northern Ireland, who opened his first store here in 1869. Timothy Eaton gained a huge reputation from his cash-only, fixed-price, money-back guarantee trading policy, eventually making him a very rich man and revolutionizing the Canadian market. Eaton department stores have since cropped up all over Canada, a uniquely Canadian chain. More recently the Eaton company was sold and is now run by Sears.

The Eaton Centre Toronto includes special touches that make it stand out from the average mall. The Galleria, an 866- foot arcade filled with plants, trees, fountains and benches makes a pleasant sitting area. Above are the 60 flying Canadian geese, a sculpture by Michael Snow. These birds are actually black-and-white photos mounted on fiberglass frames. Take the glass elevator up to the three stories for views over the entire mall. The designer of Eaton Centre Mall was Eb Zeidler, the same man who designed Ontario Place.

A side exit about two-thirds along the Eaton Centre on Queen Street leads directly to the Church of the Holy Trinity. This church is a nice side visit, made of yellow brick in 19th century style. The Church of the Holy Trinity, surrounded by skyscrapers, was the setting for Canadian-directed film Dead Ringers.

If you are coming to the Toronto Eaton Centre with a tour or bus group, be sure to stop by the Information Desk on Level 2 of the centre to pick up an Experience Card. These cards provide groups with discounts and coupons for most of the stores and restaurants. The Info. Desk also can provide good information about Toronto attractions, theatre and entertainment, as well as give you free maps and brochures of the city.

For the convenience of tour groups, Toronto Eaton Center has the added convenience of drop-off and pick-up at the front doors. The Albert’s Way entrance (on the corner of James Street and Albert Street) is designated for this purpose.

CN Tower Toronto, Canada

The Canadian National tower, better known as the CN tower, is the highest free-standing structure in the world. It is one of the best-known Toronto attractions, as a standout on the Toronto city skyline. As soon as you get a first glace of the city, the slim shape of the Toronto CN tower will catch your eye. Located at the southern end of the city, near the lake, the CN tower Toronto measures 533 meters high (after the antenna was added in 1975). Though the tower primarily functions for radio and television signals, it also has attractive features for visitors. At the top of the tower are a revolving CN tower restaurant and lookout platforms. Dining in the CN tower restaurant is expensive, but if you plan to eat there, you won’t have to pay the fee for riding up the elevator. You will have to pay, however, if you only plan to get a drink at the bar.

Taking the glass elevator up to the observation decks of the Toronto CN tower is an experience in itself, and once you reach the top you’ll have the best view in the city. One of the observation decks is enclosed, the other is open, and can get quite windy. The latter is not recommended for those who get dizzy easily. One of the observation decks has a glass floor, which makes the view all the more interesting. From these observation decks, it’s possible to see for about 160km on a clear day. You can check the weather and time display at the bottom of the tower before going up.

Above the observation decks is the Skypod, the world’s highest observation gallery. Views from here are fantastic, but not that different than the decks below. The Skypod costs $7 CAN extra to see, so you decide if the extra 100m up is worth the cost.

The CN tower history dates back to February 6, 1973 when the tower construction began by Canadian National Railway. CN Railway wanted to build a platform for radio and TV communication that would serve the Greater Toronto Area and exhibit Canadian industry’s strength. Work on the CN Tower Toronto went on 24 hours a day, 5 days a week for 40 months. It was completed on June 26, 1976 and opened to the public.

The CN tower Toronto is open daily from 9am-10pm January-April; 8am-11pm May-December. Cost is $16 for adults.

At the base of the Toronto CN tower is an attraction called the Tour of the Universe. For the price of entry you can walk through a simulated space port, see a laser show and experience what it’s like to fly through space. Tour of the Universe is open daily from 10am until 10pm.

Chinatown in Toronto, Canada

Chinatown Toronto is one of the largest such communities in North America. Toronto is home to the single largest population of Chinese in Canada so it is not difficult to imagine that there are actually more like five separate Chinatown’s in the city. The main one is located in downtown Toronto, stretching along Dundas Street West from Spadina Avenue to Nathan Phillips Square. There are many wonderful Chinatown Toronto restaurants, shops, and specialty stores, as well as a large number of street vendors and artisans, especially during the weekends. If you are planning a trip to the city and want to spend some time in this intersting area filled with sumptuous restaurants and interesting shops and markets, you should know that there are plenty of clean, comfortable, and nice Chinatown Toronto hotels as well.

Residents of Toronto will tell you that Chinatown is not only a popular destination for dining, but also for shopping. You can stroll up and down Spadina and check out all of the vendors selling everything from jewelry and clothing, to tea and candles. Many of the goods are authentic crafts from China and sell for cheap in Chinatown. If you want to find look-alike designer goods, this may be a good place to look as well.

The history of Chinatown dates back to the mid to late 1800s when a good number of Chinese men relocated to Toronto from Western Canada after helping construct the Canadian Pacific Railway. The Chinese Immigration Act of 1885 widely kept Chinese individuals from entering North America, but nonetheless, the immigration had already begun. Chinatown Toronto genuinely began to take shape when an individual named Sam Ching, who was the first Chinese person listed in the Toronto directory opened up his own hand laundry business in the area that now comprises the downtown Toronto Chinatown district. Sam Ching opened his business in 1878 and by the year 1910, the area had begun to develop into a fully functioning community of its own, complete with a wide variety of Chinatown Toronto restaurants, and other family-owned businesses.

The history of Chinatown in the city of Toronto has not always been pleasant, even as the city has seen multiple other Chinese communities sprout up over the years. The Great Depression was a major blow to the micro economy of the Chinatown Toronto, and the area was severely hit. Over 100 hand laundry businesses in the area were forced to shut their doors and it was a full decade until things began to recover to a semblance of what they were before the ravaging effects of the worst financial meltdown in the history of North America. After WWII, a major influx of skilled workers and a wide variety of craftspeople immigrated to Toronto and expanded the population of the, by then, bustling ethic enclave in the middle of the city.

Now when you visit this area you will find a vast selection of Chinatown Toronto restaurants serving everything from Szechwan and Hunan, to Mandarin and Cantonese. The area is easily accessible by cab or any number of underground railway routes. Many people who visit this part of Toronto enjoy the vendors and markets that come alive during the weekends. Come hungry because you will encounter limitless options for delicious Chinese and other Asian traditional favorites like Dim Sum, and so much more. The history of Chinatown in Toronto is a long and rich one. Now it is a busy district and ethnic enclave in the downtown area where you can enjoy hotels, food, shopping, entertainment, and sightseeing.

Centre for the Arts in Toronto, Canada

The Centre for the Arts is an apt description of the function this cultural center plays in the provincial capital of Ontario. Toronto is the largest city in Canada and one of the most culturally diverse metropolitan centers in North America with many cultural events and things to do. The facility was officially opened on October 17, 1993, and has since played host to a number of Broadway sensations (before they went to Broadway), a whole host of internationally renowned artists, and permanently, to two resident orchestras, the Toronto Philharmonic and the Orchestra Toronto. The Toronto Centre for the Arts events revolve around theatre, concerts, art exhibitions, opera, and a variety of public functions and private events.

Getting Toronto Centre for the Arts tickets is easy. You can order one of three ways: at the box office, online, or over the phone. If there is an upcoming performance that you know you are interested in seeing, however, it is always best to purchase your tickets as far in advance as possible. Popular performances of shows such as Fiddler on the Roof, High School Musical, and Ragtime have all sold out multiple times. Big performances are some of the most alluring attractions that are held at the Toronto Centre fro the Arts. The premieres of several Broadway sensations including Ragtime, Fosse, and Show Boat were all first performed as Toronto Centre for the Arts events.

When you purchase Toronto Centre for the Arts tickets, you will likely be attending a performance in one of three theatres. The Main Stage Theatre seats upwards of 1,800 people and is utilized for the biggest events and performances staged at the hall. The George Weston Recital Hall seats 1,000 and is often used for recitals, opera performances, and mid-sized concerts, oftentimes of contemporary jazz concerts. The Studio Theatre at the Toronto Centre for the Arts is an intimate setting that facilitates about 200 people and is ideal small play productions, cabarets, film screenings, and private functions.

Past Toronto Centre for the Arts events that are especially noteworthy include compelling performances by the likes of Art Garfunkel, Ravi Shankar, John Williams, Annie Lennox, Dave Brubek, Tito Puente, and Yo Yo Ma. The diverse range of events and performances staged at this complex reflect the cultural diversity that is evident in nearly every facet of life in the city of Toronto. On one night you might enjoy an intimate jazz concert, while on another an 80-piece orchestra with a full opera may be filling the acoustic space of the Main Stage Theatre, and still another might bring a night on the town to enjoy the city's nightlife.

Once you have purchased your Toronto Centre for the Arts tickets, you will be all set. The complex is conveniently located equidistant from two major underground stations (Sheppard and North York Centre) and there is plenty of ground level and underground parking. There are also a wide range of restaurants, bars and clubs, hotels, and cafes all within walking distance of this popular destination in downtown Toronto. Be sure to check in with Destination360.com for the latest tickets for the best upcoming and current shows at the Toronto Centre for the Arts. Just search tickets and enter the name of the performance.

Casa Loma in Toronto, Canada

Casa Loma is an impressive mansion that was constructed in Toronto between 1911 and 1914. It is now one of the many Toronto museums and a popular attraction for both domestic and international tourists visiting the city. Construction of the Casa Loma Castle in Toronto was commissioned by Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, who recruited a talented Canadian architect named E.J. Lennox to carry out the work. The advent of WWI temporarily put a halt to the construction of the residence, which was ultimately completed in 1914.

Everything is impressive about this construct in Toronto, from the stunning Casa Loma Ballroom to the very grounds on which the house sits, making this one of the most unique things to do in Toronto. The five acres of perfectly manicured land is the setting for not just the mansion itself, but also a carriage house, stables, towers, and a number of gardens, fountains, and other outdoor landscaping. You can choose to take a tour of Casa Loma with a group or enjoy a self-guided, digital tour that is offered in any one of eight different languages, including German, Spanish, French, and Korean, just to name a few. It only costs $1 to get in to the impressive Casa Loma Castle in Toronto, making it more than worth the time and cost to see perhaps the most impressive one-time residence in all of Toronto. At the time it was constructed it only cost $3 million, a seemingly small amount considering the scope of the building project, but a monumental number for the day that reflects the complex layout and castle-like style of this huge mansion.

The Casa Loma Ballroom is just one of the many splendid features of the castle. At the turn of the century, it was almost unheard of for a private residence to have such features as an elevator and a large oven. Casa Loma features an 800-foot tunnel, three (unfinished) bowling alleys, two passages for pipe organs, a central vacuum system, several secret passages, and other such conventions that were just not seen anywhere else at the time. In this way, Casa Loma was certainly ahead of its time in terms of amenities and contemporary accommodations at the residence. Sir Henry Mill Pellatt had intended the Royal Family to stay in the elaborate guest quarters and even the servant’s lodging quarters are impressive when viewed in terms of the quality of construction of the day.

The Casa Loma Ballroom is a most distinguishing features, but the main floor also exhibits the Great Hall of the castle, Sir Henry’s study, the library, the billiards room, and other areas that you will not want to miss seeing, and that is just the first floor. As you move upward through Casa Loma Castle in Toronto the stairways to the various towers, Lady Henry’s dressing quarters, a gift shop, swimming pool, and the tunnel to the hunting lodge and stables. The intricate design and complex layout of the structure are attractions in and of themselves for people who appreciate architecture and design. If you want to have your big day in historic style, setting up a Casa Loma wedding is as easy as contacting the event planners affiliated with the castle. This popular attraction in Toronto is a must-see and is one of the single most impressive buildings in Ontario.

Caribana Festival in Toronto, Canada

Toronto Caribana Festival is a two-week event held between the middle of July and the beginning of August every year. While there are other world-renowned festivals in Toronto including the Toronto Jazz Festival and Toronto Film Festival, Caribana is one of the biggest and best in town.

The celebration that now draws an estimated 1.3 million people to the shores of Lake Ontario was originally brought to Canada by immigrants from the Caribbean. The Toronto Caribana Parade features music representative of countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados, and a number of other West Indian countries. The schedule of Caribana Festival events is always chocked full of exciting things to do for the entire two weeks. The city comes alive for this massive celebration and many of the local clubs and bars cater to the throngs of tourists that come to town specifically for the festival. It is a great time to be in the city as there is a general sense of excitement and a huge variety of exciting things to do and see.

If you are planning to travel to Toronto during the summer, there is so much you could potentially do that you will have your work cut out for you simply planning your itinerary. Events like the Toronto Film Festival dominate in late summer, but the event that is not to be missed in mid-summer is, without a doubt, the Toronto Caribana Festival.

The Toronto Caribana Festival is touted as the largest street festival in the entirety of North America and annually infuses some $300 million of tourist dollars into the local economy. The festival is primarily a celebration of music from the various cultures and countries represented in the Toronto Caribana Parade and other demonstrations and performances. Crowds gather in large outdoor concert venues and around smaller street performances of talented musicians performing steel pan, calypso, reggae, and various other, percussive styles of music. Some of the most popular Caribana Festival events are the drum lines and musical performances of the talented artists represented at the celebration. A huge part of the crowd represents people who are already familiar with this kind of music, while many other people are introduced to these styles for the very first time.

No good street festival would be complete without tons of amazing food and drinks. You will find a wide selection of food all over the festival including many varieties of dishes representative of the cultures of the Caribbean. Besides tons of great food, the local nightlife also steps up and offers something extra during the couple of weeks during which the festival is held. Many nightclubs offer packaged VIP deals where you pay a set amount once, and then are able to get into the club for a number of nights. Many people take advantage of these deals to save money on paying for cover fees every time they go out at night. Some of the best clubs offer these kinds of packages, so depending on where you are staying, look into who has the best deals if you are planning to work some nightlife into your celebration of events like the Toronto Caribana Parade. Do your planning in advance to be sure that you get to enjoy as many of the Caribana Festival events as possible.

Canadian National Exhibition, Toronto

Canadian National Exhibition events are some of the most popular and eagerly anticipated throughout the year in Toronto. It is over two weeks of fun and excitement between the middle part of August and Labor Day that draws thousands of people from all over Ontario and beyond. The CNE Toronto is one of the best organized and most popular events of its kind in North America. It is the largest fair in Canada and the fourth largest festival in North America. The Exhibition Place, the 197-acre plot on which the Canadian National Exhibition events are held, is located along Lake Ontario just a few miles west of the Central Business District in downtown Toronto. The annual event draws an approximate 1.3 million people each and every year.

The Canadian National Exhibition features a huge variety of amusement rides on the Midway and a Kiddie Midway designated specifically for the children. Although CNE is just as much about theater performances and concerts, agricultural exhibits and competitions, and food and other entertainment, the rides remain one of the most alluring aspects of the late-summer event. Get your Canadian National Exhibition photographs snapped atop one of the high velocity coasters on the Midway or gliding down one of the massive water slides as these make perfect souvenirs.

Be sure to bring your camera and comfortable shoes when you visit this hugely popular event in Toronto. During the two plus weeks of the festival, 197 acres of the Exhibition Place expands to 260 acres to include parking lots and other parkland. Comfy shoes are a must and tt is a memorable time indeed, so you will definitely want the camera and your camera case to take as many Canadian National Exhibition photographs as possible.

The list of attractions at the Canadian National Exhibition goes on and on, so it is somewhat difficult to narrow down the top ones. Some of the main attractions include the annual Canadian International Air Show, where guests are awed at the supersonic jets that cruise above head, performing tricks and maneuvers above head. The CNE Mardi Gras Parade is another popular attraction that wows crowds with huge floats and flashy bands and street performers and entertainers.

Much like the Toronto dining scene overall, the options for food and drinks at the CNE Toronto are varied. From the traditional greasy fair food favorites to exceptionally well-prepared dishes that range from international favorites from all over the world, you will be sure to find something that pleases you at this annual festival. The concerts and performances are also not to be missed. Notable international as well as regional bands take the various stages at the festival every year, drawing tens of thousands of fans. For the shopping fans in all of us, there are also a seemingly endless number of shops and marketplaces where you can find a wide range of arts and crafts.

The best thing to do if you want to really take in all of the attractions is to buy a multiple-day pass that grants you admission for more than just one day, which is too short to see and enjoy everything.

Wonderland Canada in Toronto

Paramount Canada’s Wonderland is the Disneyworld of the north, providing rides and entertainment for the whole family. Located in Vaughan, about 30km from downtown Toronto, Canada Wonderland is open every day from May through August and 2-4 days a week during September and October.

Paramount Canada Wonderland is the most popular amusement park in Canada and a huge tourist attraction in Toronto. Located just outside of Toronto, Ontario, this park frequently has the highest attendance of any seasonal park in North America. One reason for its popularity may have to do with the remarkable number of wild rides. The roller coasters and other rides will loop, spin, launch, suspend and fly you into amusement park bliss.

Canada Wonderland features over 200 attractions, 65 rides, Splash Works, a 20-acre water park with 16 slides, roller coasters, and great live shows. You can meet all of your favorite TV characters from Fred Flintstone to the Star Trek Klingons. But it’s the rides that bring in the crowds to this popular tourist attraction in Toronto. Perhaps you have the desire to see how it feels to be dropped 23 stories going 100km an hour? The Drop Zone can provide this experience. Or if you want to see how you’d fare on Canada’s only inverted jet coaster, take a ride on Top Gun. Other wild rides include Vortex, Canada’s first suspended roller coaster, The Bat, with a corkscrew design, Dragon Fire, which does two 360- degree loops. There are Wonder Mountain and Thunder Run and so many others it makes your head spin just trying to keep them straight.

For younger kids, the television characters are a big thrill at Wonderland Canada. You may see Sponge Bob Square Pants or Dora the Explorer wandering around the park. Fun rides starring these characters are more suitable for younger children. There are plenty of fantastic shows to watch as well, that the whole family will enjoy, from stunt shows to musicals.

Another reason that Wonderland Canada is such a popular tourist attraction in Toronto may have something to do with the fact that admission to the park includes the nearby Splash Works water park. This park features a wave pool, slides, a river to float on, and an interactive water play station.

A new Wonderland Canada attraction for 2006 is the limited engagement of the Mission Impossible Stunt Spectacular. This exciting show features stunts from all of the Mission Impossible movies, taking place in a new Stunt Show Arena. Many of the high-action performances take place in and around the audience, so spectators can feel part of the action.

To get to Paramount Canada Wonderland, take the Rutherford Road exit on Highway 400. You can also catch the Wonderland Express GO bus from York dale or York Mills subway stations.

Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto, Canada

Black Creek Pioneer Village takes visitors back in time to the early to middle part of the 1800s in Ontario, Canada. The Pioneer Village in Toronto is often referred to as a living museum because of the way that the exhibits and various buildings and artifacts are brought to life by the interpreters and tradespeople in traditional dress who work on the premises. Before people began moving en masse to city centers toward the advent of the twentieth century, life in Ontario revolved around village communities much like the one that has been re-created at Black Creek.

When you visit this unique attraction in Toronto, you will get a genuine glimpse into the way of life before electricity or cars or any such technology had come into existence. The village is faithfully re-created down to the period furniture that fills the buildings. The attraction is not only popular for tourists in general, but also specifically for couples. Black Creek Pioneer Village weddings are popular and always among the regularly scheduled events at this attraction on the northern edge of Toronto.

Black Creek Pioneer Village exhibits over 40 historic buildings, constructed in the traditional style of Ontario in the 1860s. There is a general store, one-room school building, hotel, hydro-powered grist mill, a blacksmith shop, and a church. These are just some of the historical buildings that have been so well re-created at this popular destination. The Pioneer Village in Toronto is especially popular for groups of schoolchildren who are able to interact with the craftspeople and interpreters who are happy to field any questions about village life, and what it took to do to survive at the time. These excursions are awesome educational opportunities for grade school children who get to engage the subject matter in a most interactive way.

The buildings and attractions are just part of the overall experience at the Black Creek Pioneer Village, as the historical reenactments and demonstrations are very popular and informative for adults and kids alike. Step inside the life of the early nineteenth-century settler in south-central Ontario who made his living as a blacksmith. Demonstrations allow people to see how craftspeople such as the blacksmith, wood worker, and seamstress all subsisted and made livings for themselves. Communities at the time sprang up around groups of people who could, by virtue of their proximity to one another, essentially make life easier on themselves. A mill would show up, then residences, then a church, and so on. Schoolhouses would sprout up around centers of early commerce and industry like the early Ontario mills and rudimentary factories, and certainly the farms. The Pioneer Village in Toronto is an enchanting place that hearkens back to times past and a fun time for family getaways. Black Creek Pioneer Village weddings are just some of the activities that go on at this historical site.

Educational workshops and group tours are highlights as well. If you do, however, want to schedule Black Creek Village weddings, the staff is prepared to help with everything down to the guest list and color of the napkins.

Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto

The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the most popular attractions in the city of Toronto. With a wide variety of works by artists from all over the world, it also houses the single largest collection of Canadian art work in the world. AGO Toronto, as it is also called, is a large museum at 480,000 square feet, making it North America’s tenth largest art museum. The extensive collection of Canadian art spans the history of the country, and covers pre-Confederation Canada, European immigration to Canada, to the present day. This popular art gallery in Toronto is located in the Chinatown district at 317 Dundas Street West.

If you are contemplating a trip to the provincial capital of Ontario, a visit to AGO will be more than worth the time. You will want to set aside most to all of a full day at the very least if you want to take in even a survey of the some 68,000 works of art. From the moment you step into the striking building and see the impressive art gallery of Ontario wooden stairs, and other such distinguishing architectural features, you will know you are at a special place.

In many ways, the design and layout of the AGO Toronto are attractions in and of themselves and visitors frequently comment on its unique design, and the spiraling, wooden staircase. The newly designed Art Gallery of Toronto was spearheaded by a famous architect named Frank Gehry. Some of the notable design features include a new entrance that faces Walker Court and the Grange, a four-story south wing that is covered with glass and blue titanium, and the impressive glass façade of the Galleria Italia.

Admission is not inexpensive, but is comparable to other museums of its size and scope. It is also well worth the money, considering the wide range of artists on exhibit, from Andy Warhol to Paul Rubens, Van Gogh to Degas, Henry Moore to Auguste Rodin. You can get in for free on Wednesday evenings, but it is impossible to take in all that the gallery has to offer in this short period of time. The best thing to do is set aside a day to spend at the art gallery in Toronto. Besides enjoying the massive collection of art, not only from Canada, but also extensively from Africa, Europe, and other parts of North America, the gallery features a number of cool cafes and eateries where you can relax and enjoy a reprieve from touring the grounds.

Besides permanent exhibits by many artists, the Art Gallery of Ontario is also known for certain notable, individual works of art. These, to name just a select few, include Paul Rubens’s The Massacre of the Innocents, and Vetheuil in Summer by Claude Monet. AGO Toronto is one of the most popular museums in a city that is home to some of the world’s finest. The art gallery in Toronto is a fantastic place to spend a day. It is conveniently located near a huge variety of restaurants and bars, cafes and clubs and provides plenty of options for food and beverages on the premises.

Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada

The Air Canada Centre is located in downtown Toronto, and sports and music fans flock here for the best in live entertainment. Whether you’re looking to catch an action-packed hockey game or a concert by one of the latest pop groups, Air Canada Centre tickets are a great gift or splurge during a vacation. It’s easy to grab a seat for a Toronto Maple Leafs’ game with an arena that is so centrally located. The stadium is easily accessible by foot, public transit, or car, and there are many hotels near Air Canda Centre as well. The only question left isn’t whether to plan on attending a game or concert, but what to attend and where to choose your seats.

If you’re planning a trip to Toronto, you will want to book your Air Canada Centre tickets ahead of time. Hockey is extremely popular in the city, and the best tickets will sell out quickly for all games. Air Canada Centre seating gives all visitors a great view, and whether you’ve come to cheer on the Maple Leafs or catch a concert with world-class musical acts such as Bon Jovi, Madonna, or Bruce Springsteen, you won’t be disappointed. Looking for a more cultural event, or something for the family? Air Canada Centre also offers orchestral concerts and Cirque du Soleil shows.

If you’ve never been to a hockey game, the Maple Leafs Toronto hockey arena is a great place an introduction. First opened in 1999, the stadium offers great views and top-notch amenities. A variety of food and beverages are on offer at Air Canada Centre, whether you’re in the mood to grab something quickly or sit down to a meal. The Air Canada Club is an ideal place to relax before a game or concert—comfortable leather chairs and a wine cellar with more than 1,200 bottles guarantee a relaxed start to the evening. Rail seats also allow excellent views of games or concerts for fans who don’t want to leave the restaurant.

Other choices include the Platinum Club, known for its sophisticated cuisine and premium service, and the Hot Stove Club, first established in 1963 and considered a legendary location to grab a bite to eat before the game or a cognac after. Once you’re inside the venue, Air Canada Centre seating depends on the event. For basketball games and full-scale concerts there are 19,800 seats, for hockey games there are 18,800 seats, and for theater there are 5,200 seats. Club seats and executive suites place the finishing touches on the arena. If you want Air Canada Centre tickets for the suites, you should enquire well in advance of the event.

The Air Canada Centre is perfectly located for exploring other aspects of the city as well. Close to plenty of hotels in Toronto, the theater district, attractions such as the CN Tower, and a variety of restaurants, the arena's location ensures that any amenity you need will be close by. The 665,000-square-foot stadium is sure to be an exciting element of your vacation, whether you choose to attend a hockey, basketball, or lacrosse game. Air Canada Centre seating could offer you the chance to get up close and personal with your favorite musical acts or sports stars. After the game, head for one of the two bars in the stadium—including an in-house brewery—to discuss the game with friends or family. Excellent acoustics, a high-definition video scoreboard, and a variety of options for food and drink all make the Air Canada Centre an ideal location for a night out on the town in Toronto.

Yorkville Toronto,Canada

Yorkville Toronto experienced a defining transformation between the years when hippie culture hit hard in the sixties and the present day. From peace and love to trendy and upscale, Bloor-Yorkville Toronto history is still evident throughout the area's architecture, cobblestone courtyards, and winding back lanes. Today Yorkville offers an extensive fusion of affluent offerings. It is the ideal area to find upscale goods, enjoy dishes designed by top culinary masters, and a destination filled with luxury hotels. Though shopping takes first place among favored activities in Yorkville, walking tours are also a great way to explore the ins and outs of Toronto's most prestigious district.

Yorkville flourished as a hippie haven in the 1960s. Tree-lined avenues, meandering lanes, and charming historic homes became part of a colorful scene of artists, writers, and anti-war activists cultivating a bohemian attitude toward social and political reform. The movement gave way to the lucre of the 1970s and the hangouts and popular coffeehouses revolutionized into upscale boutiques, luxury hotels, and high-end Yorkville shopping galore. Today, the many things to do in Yorkville Toronto account for both the district’s modern success as a tourist attraction and its appeal to local residents. The charm of historic Yorkville occasionally shines through, offering a glimpse of the once-sleepy little town.

Yorkville shopping is iconic among the city’s elite. The streets of Hazelton, Scollard, Bloor, Cumberland, and Yorkville are laced with designer boutiques and intermingled with quaint reminders of Yorkville’s Victorian era. Hazelton Lanes shopping district is one of the more memorable retail areas constructed around a series of courtyards offering luxury goods and high fashion.

The historic firehall, revamped 1800s cottages, and interspersed design elements still reveal old Yorkville as it once was and offer a charming backdrop and an almost paradoxical setting in some areas throughout Bloor-Yorkville. These popular Yorkville shopping streets extend to Yonge Street offering a short and welcome distance to downtown Toronto attractions and an expanded shopping area that includes a large array of potential endeavors.

Yorkville shopping features names such as Fendi, Gucci, and Yves St Laurent and commands a large pocketbook. Couture houses, jewelry shops, shoe stores, and specialty apparel outlets abound. The nice thing about shopping in Yorkville is that it is accessible to all, even in upscale boutiques. Yorkville Toronto is also filled with anchor stores like The Gap, Banana Republic, H&M, and Club Monaco which combine to offers budget-friendly goods.

Walking tours of Yorkville emphasize the area’s village-like setting and offer respite in green-geared areas such as the Village of Yorkville Park which is a parking lot turned into a garden haven. Explore birch groves, pine forests, and wildflower meadows, all which together have won the park many internationally acclaimed design accolades and awards.

Though shopping is the favored pastime within Yorkville Toronto, there are plenty of other things to do. One of the top tourist attractions and things to do in Yorkville Toronto is found at the Royal Ontario Museum, or ROM. This impressive Toronto museum is often the talk of the town, with incredible exhibits and features to explore. Nearby, visitors will find the exciting Canadian National Exhibition or CNE, Casa Loma, and the Spadina Museum.

Several renowned Yorkville festivals and events offer more things to do in Yorkville Toronto during certain times of the year. The Toronto International Film Festival, kicking off annually in September, is the city’s champion event, and though it is a star-filled occasion, anyone can purchase tickets to a variety of film debuts and even rub elbows with some of the world’s most famous celebrities. The four-day Bloor-Yorkville Wine Festival in May is another choice event in picturesque Yorkville Toronto. Award-winning national and international wineries descend on Yorkville, teaming with the city’s best chefs for a wine and food extravaganza that includes seminars, tastings, food and wine events, dinners and galas.

Beaches in Toronto, Canada

Toronto Beaches contrast with the rhythm of the rest of the city with a casual, family-friendly vibe and a number of pleasant, white-sand beaches. Akin to many sunny destinations around Ontario, The Beaches area in Toronto offers visitors and locals plenty of amenities, scenic walking areas, and beautiful Lake Ontario. Situated south of Kingston Road and between Coxwell and Victoria Park Avenues, this lakeside Toronto community offers a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

The heart of the Toronto Beaches has flourished around Queen Street East, a popular shopping, dining, and nightlife venue. Queen Street East is a well-known retail destination with a more unique spin than city malls and retail outlets. Shop after shop offers a host of specialty goods along with an old-meets-new blend of Edwardian, Victorian-era, and modern houses. South of Queen there are plenty of parks to choose between. The Toronto Boardwalk is a focal point of The Beaches, winding alongside the lake and playing host to rollerbladers, cyclists, and those out for a walk.

The area puts on numerous Toronto Beaches events, most notably the Toronto International Jazz Festival, an annual event that draws thousands of people into the city of Toronto, flooding Toronto hotels, and streets, for several days. Woodbine Park, Queen Street East, and Kew Gardens in The Beaches area in Toronto each host an assembly of live bands, performances, and special events. Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival in March, Canada Day celebrations, the Annual Taste of Danforth, live opera, free film nights, and holiday parades create a colorful contrast of occasions.

In June, Toronto Beaches events include the free Waterfront Blues Festival entertaining crowds for three solid days. The festival features a crew of national and international performers, a huge array of cuisine, and plenty of family-friendly activities. The Beaches Arts and Crafts Sale at Kew Gardens is another of the popular Toronto Beaches events showcasing the strong talent of more than 150 area artists. Vendors offer handicrafts including pottery, wood, glass, jewelry, clothing, leather and more.

The Beaches area in Toronto brims with dining choices. Coffee houses, bistros, bars, cafes, diners, and delis come together forming a diverse amalgam of Canadian and international food. Caribbean, Thai, Italian, Southwest Spanish, Japanese, and Mediterranean food is all readily available. Hotels come in an equally appealing array of inns, bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, and internationally recognized Toronto hotels. The ideal location of hotels in the Beaches area of Toronto means quick access to downtown Toronto via a 30-minute streetcar ride to famous Yonge Street.

The sandy shores in The Beaches is a favorite part of visits, especially during Ontario's sometimes scorching hot summers. Woodbine Beach and Kew-Balmy Beach are two popular bathing areas in The Beaches and are only two of the eleven city beaches. The first North American community to be awarded the Blue Flag—a distinct accolade awarded to beach areas with high standards for waterfront management and water quality—seven of Toronto's eleven beaches now enjoy the award offering a clean and safe environment for beach activities. Even still, the majority of Beaches visitors don't swim in the lake, but instead enjoy boardwalk strolls, cold pints at nearby pubs, beach volleyball, and other lakeside activities.

Downtown Toronto, Canada

Downtown Toronto is home to many attractions covering a wide variety of themes, interests, and amenities. There is simply no other Toronto district that offers such a huge array of things to do to fit every budget. From points of interest covering Toronto’s history and culture to an eclectic choice in dining and a sublime realm of shopping opportunities, downtown Toronto attractions leave no one out of the loop. The many things to do in downtown Toronto make it an ideal location for Toronto hotels, which cater to tourists from around the world.

Downtown Toronto hosts the largest mix of events in the city, which makes it even more attractive to explore. Along Yonge Street, which carves right through downtown from east to west, is home to several key downtown Toronto attractions. There are scores of restaurants, bars, shops, theaters, clubs, pubs, and more. When spring hits, the city sheds months of snow and cold weather and comes alive with dozens of special events, festivals, and fairs. Concerts and choirs, neighborhood craft sales, film screenings, children’s events, and more dot a colorful and dynamic city events calender. The Hockey Hall of Fame and the Air Canada Centre offer even more things to do in downtown Toronto. The Air Canada Centre, home of the much-loved Toronto Maple Leafs, is a particular favorite among Torontonians and area residents, offering a continuum of occasions to enjoy.

The exciting Entertainment District, in the heart of downtown, provides an endless list of things to do in downtown Toronto. It’s home to two renowned theaters, the historic Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres and Massey Hall, venues hosting abounding concerts and shows. Leading plays and musicals are hosted by the Princess of Wales and the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Infrastructure has bloomed around this area, accommodating most needs of city-dwellers. The Entertainment District is also home to downtown Toronto attractions such as the Rogers Centre, the CN Tower, and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Toronto’s biggest economic influence stems from downtown Toronto though the area offers less of a cultural fix compared to other areas of the city. The lesser obvious cultural elements throughout the downtown area is made up by a bounty of attractions covering a broader range of interests. To understand the larger picture of Toronto, a visit to downtown is essential, and the majority of visitors do explore it thoroughly.

Architecture tours are one of the popular things to do in downtown Toronto. The combination of monolithic glass, steel, and concrete buildings, each revealing unique designs and special elements, is of major interest to architectural buffs and artists alike. The Art Gallery of Ontario, which saw a major renovation and redesign by famous Canadian architect Frank Gehry, is quite a memorable sight and one of the most unique downtown Toronto attractions. Nathan Phillips Square and Toronto City Hall offer another unique perspective on modernist design by Finnish architect Viljo Revell. Skating on the huge rink at Nathan Phillips Square is one of the top things to do in downtown Toronto during the winter months.

Shopping, dining, and ample Toronto hotels are available from easy-to-manage budget to mid-range to high end. Dundas Square, King Street West, and St Lawrence Market teem up with the Eaton Centre offering an incredibly diverse and one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Dining ranges from a flood of ethnic restaurants to fine dining, casual pubs, and upscale eateries. Chinatown, offering a cataclysm of dining options, is only a quick walk away. The many things to do in downtown Toronto combined with world-class amenities defined this well-developed city district and makes a visit a high-point for tourists.

Distillery District Toronto, Canada

Distillery District Toronto is an unparalleled area and one of the top attractions in Toronto. This Toronto historic district is laced with history stemming back to the late 1800s when James Worts reached Canada. Slowly, James established a solid reputation as a miller. Worts built the largest operating windmill in the province, one that became a city landmark and historic waterfront site, and one that guided boats along Lake Ontario for 25 years. The mill reached more than 65 feet in height, which back then was comparable to the impressiveness of Toronto’s modern landmark, the CN Tower. Together with his brother-in-law, the men established the most significant of all historic breweries in Toronto: Gooderham and Worts Distillery.

Always an important part of Toronto history, the windmill was replaced in 1853 by steam power and soon after deconstructed. The site of the mill, near the gray-stone distillery building on Trinity Street (which is lined with historic buildings), is still one of the top Distillery District attractions. The Old World area is now filled with a flux of dining establishments, galleries, shops, studios, and boutiques, and serves as a choice tourist area and premium entertainment district. Where the British Empire’s biggest distillery ever existed is an area permeated by modern attractions and amenities and laced with the best maintained Victorian Industrial Architecture on the continent.

With such an enchanting atmosphere to soak up, the Distillery District Toronto feels a little more refined than downtown proper or even Yorkville depending on exactly who’s doing the considering. The breadth of history spanning throughout the thirteen-acre area presents a side of very special side of Toronto that showcases more than 39 heritage buildings within ten Distillery District Toronto streets. It thrives as a hub for culture, arts, and entertainment and offers some of the best dining in the city.

Distillery District attractions beyond the main gates include the numerous art galleries situated inside beautiful, old red brick buildings from the distillery age. Distillery Lane is home to numerous things to do in Distillery District Toronto. One of the top tourist attractions, and a great way to learn about the district, is through walking tours. Tours are available on Segways or by foot, and include Segway instruction, a knowledgeable tour guide, and a 60-minute tour of the districts’ historic sights.

Festivals and events happen throughout the year and are some of the biggest Distillery District attractions. One of the best things to do in Distillery District Toronto come June is to attend the outdoor Wine and Spirits Festival. There is live music in various genres, amazing cuisine, unique shopping at hundreds of local vendors. The Wine and Spirit Festival also offers tastings inside the old Gooderham & Worts Distillery at the Fermenting Cellar. Other festivals offering a bounty of things to do in Distillery District Toronto include the City Roots Music Festival, Partigras, Distillery Jazz Festival, Nuit Blanche contemporary, all-night, art festival.

To see the top historic sights, such as the Pump House, the Cooperage, Case Goods Warehouse, the Cannery, and the Boiler House, a walking or Segway tour is the way to go. A random wander through the Distillery District can be a great way to find offbeat boutiques, eclectic cafes, and gourmet restaurants. The entire area is interspersed with colorful people and beautiful buildings, most used as film sets for some of the biggest blockbusters in the world. In the Distillery District, history seems to come alive and mingle with modern additions that so seamlessly blend with the backdrop of landmark buildings and noteworthy establishments.

Shopping in Toronto, Canada

Toronto shopping opportunities are diverse and exciting and abound throughout the city, from large department stores to private stores, street vendors to boutique shops. With an exceptionally multifarious population comes a high degree of unique retail options, from high-end clothing brands to handmade crafts, and cultural items. Toronto is well known for offering everything from luxurious and expensive clothing, housewares, and jewelry to cheap incidentals, basics, and novelties.

The best shopping in Toronto is not just in one place or district. How you shop and what you want to buy comes into play when choosing a particular Toronto shopping venue. The Eaton Center is perhaps the best known of all Toronto shopping malls and offers an incredible array of goods. Spacious, bright, and attractive, the Eaton Center sits in the heart of downtown Toronto, offering more than 250 Toronto stores and boutiques. It is the third largest shopping mall in the country and one of the largest city attractions. Toronto malls like the Eaton Center cater to large and small budgets alike, offering something for every visitor.

Some of the best shopping in Toronto is found at historic Kensington Market. Anyone looking for unique finds will love anti-mainstream Toronto shopping at Kensington Market. Independent designer stores, retro shops, funky vintage stores galore, cheap basics, designer furniture, and hip business wear are all available. Get away from crowded department stores and head into a retail world filled with excellent shopping options, as well as other things to do such as people watching from one of the many market cafes or street-side bars, or dining at one of Kensington’s top restaurants.

Once into Chinatown, visitors will experience one of the country’s largest populations of Chinese people and explore an ethnic neighborhood selling just about every good imaginable. From fresh fish to just-picked vegetables, everything is available. Tasty food, fresh market eats, clothing, jewelry, household goods, and specialty items are all available. Plenty of deals and bargains preside in Chinatown as do hundreds of excellent restaurants.

Designer digs to high-end furniture and thousands of other luxury goods are found throughout Toronto’s prestigious Bloor-Yorkville district. Hermes, Prada, and Gucci are anchors in this opulent neighborhood. Yorkville is home to everything upscale from lavish Yorkville hotels to affluent restaurants with world-renowned chefs at the helm to some of the highest-priced items in the city. Yorkville is only minutes from downtown Toronto, offering retail-savvy shoppers an extended Toronto shopping experience only a short distance away. During the Toronto International Film Festival, Yorkville experiences its busiest time so be prepared with advance hotel and dinner reservations.

St Lawrence Market is another city venue offering some of the best shopping in Toronto for Foodies and antique lovers alike. Near downtown Toronto, and centrally located in historic St Lawrence district, this market spans floor upon floor of specialty food and plays host to the famous Saturday Farmer’s Market. The second floor houses a gallery exhibiting a wealth of local artwork. Almost 100 antique vendors stretch across St Lawrence Market every Sunday, offering some of the most unique and well-preserved antiques in Toronto.

Queen Street carves right through Toronto, from east to west and from downtown to The Beaches. It accommodates bars, restaurants, Toronto malls, nightclubs, and cafes. Queen Street is a renowned destination for both Toronto shopping and some of the best city nightlife. Queen Street West offers more of the best shopping in Toronto, defined by hip boutiques, edgy clothing stores, and plenty of head shops and music outlets.

Nightlife in Toronto, Canada

Toronto nightlife thrives and nothing can stop it, not even harsh, Canadian winters. Toronto night clubs, bars, lounges, and live venues teem with music, live acts, vibrant patrons, and an endless barrage of drinks and food. Bars in Toronto range from English-style pubs to trendy lounges in Toronto hotels to lively haunts throughout the inner city. There are martini bars, wine bars, brew pubs, and famous music spots. Karaoke bars, comedy clubs, and romantic dining locales comprise even more Toronto nightlife. From dusk through dawn, bars and clubs in Toronto entertain, energize, and captivate with electrifying music, exciting live acts, and hip, chilled out scenes.

Partying the night away in Toronto is not by any means a stretch of the imagination, but many are just not in to that kind of entertainment. Toronto nightlife is not only geared toward vital twenty-somethings pounding back drink after drink and dancing into the early morning hours. Part of Toronto’s vitality lies in live performances presented by some of Canada’s top acts: the Canadian Opera Company, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, National Ballet of Canada, and the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.

Toronto’s theater district exhibits a world full of exciting stage acts, plays, and blockbusters. Performances such as Fiddler on the Roof, Jersey Boys, and Mamma Mia debut in the theater district year round, providing and exciting option for thousands of stage fans from around the world. An evening at the theater followed by drinks at one of the less rowdy, more refined bars in Toronto can make for a satisfying night out.

Perennial favorites on the Toronto nightlife scene include the best clubs in the city. Long-time Toronto hot spots showing no signs of slowing down include the Phoenix Concert Theater, The Rivoli, Koolhaus, and the Guvernment, where famous live acts play, drinks flow freely, and late-night dancing is the best. Other hot bars in Toronto include the Sky Yard at The Drake Hotel, the lounge at the Gladstone, and several other bars and lounges at trendy Toronto hotels.

The largest concentration of Toronto night clubs are in the downtown area, or the Entertainment District, and generally aren’t hopping until around 11 p.m. and close at 2 a.m. It’s custom to “pre-bar” at a residential address or nearby establishment before heading off to the real party. Late-night partiers are out of luck with subway options after the clubs close but the metro buses operate along Queen, College, and King throughout the night, making a quick exit fairly easy. Toronto night clubs and bars, known for their strict age requirement of 19 years, generally always ID patrons so be sure to have photo identification handy or you’ll be ousted.

Throughout the Distillery District, also named “Toronto’s hippest address,” there is always something to do, day or night. Distillery District nightlife is best known for myriad brew pubs serving up special ales, one-of-a-kind stouts, and plenty of refreshing lagers. It is such a beer-friendly locale, some might think that’s all there is to it. On the contrary, the Distillery District has plenty going on after sunset. Numerous theater groups, plenty of local festivals, and myriad special events at The Fermenting Cellar (inside the former 1800s Gooderham and Worts Distillery) make up for the lack of bars in the immediate area. This district is the place to go when looking for a less raucous, hipper Toronto nightlife scene and tops off the long list of well-balanced nightlife options throughout Toronto.

History of Toronto, Canada

The history of Toronto is brought to life through a number of excellent museums and attractions around the city. The many facts about Toronto surrounding its history are better understood through a wide variety of comprehensive workshops, exhibits, and special events hosted through such historic museums as Fort York National Historic Site, Historic Zion Schoolhouse, Spadina Museum: Historic House & Gardens, and York Museum.

The tale of Toronto begins with the First Nations people, or Aboriginals. There were once four distinct groups, who lived and farmed along the shoreline of Lake Ontario. Aboriginal bands were the very first threads of culture in Toronto. Akin to many settlements throughout North America, the initial lasting group of European settlers arrived in the city (then known simply as York) in the mid-1700s, establishing their own distinct communities in the area.

At this time in the history of Toronto, the area was becoming well populated as a capital fur-trading region, thriving for a series of water routes and trails (called the Toronto Passage) leading from west and north to the Gulf of Mexico. Fur traders from France were particularly drawn to the large bounty of fur and established long-standing status within Canada’s strong fur trading days.

Facts about Toronto closer to the peak of the 1800s include the purchase of a huge parcel of land by British immigrants, seeking shelter within the safe haven enjoyed by the make up of the Toronto Islands, a natural harbor with a sandy, meandering peninsula featuring thriving wetland marches and defended by historic Fort York.

Culture in Toronto began changing significantly and diversified after the city was inaugurated as the capital of Upper Canada, a newly established Canadian colony. The capital was moved from Niagara-on-the-Lake, a politically volatile area exasperated by the its position on the Niagara River, close to American Fort Niagara.

Within the history of Toronto in this new era, there grew a large and diverse population expanding exponentially during the nineteenth century. Toronto’s status as a freedom-bearing, socially responsible, economic power drew large numbers of immigrants. The war of 1812 resulted with attacks on York by Americans and the shakedown of Fort York. Rebuilt and fortified with fervor after the attacks, a second advance by Americans on York was easily defended in 1814, affirming York’s redefined strength and military acumen. One of the significant facts revolving around the city’s name happened not long after the advance, in the early part of the 1800s. York changed to Toronto to better distinguish it from other quickly-growing cities like New York and other York-titled associations.

The Great Irish Famine followed the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion, attracting thousands of Irish immigrants once again initiating change to the ever-changing culture in Toronto. Growth was rapid throughout the later nineteenth century as immigrants world-wide were enchanted by the appealing lifestyle and wide-ranging opportunities. Facts about Toronto today reveal it is second only to Miami, Florida in immigrant numbers reflecting an amazing cultural diversity seen all across the city.

Toronto’s population diversified even more to an astounding degree. Jews, Italians, Germans, and other eastern Europeans were slowly and steadily joined by Russians, Chinese, Poles, and Hungarians, and then followed by scores of refugees while British immigration remained steadfast. The massive influx was further solidified by numerous developing amenities. Streetcars and railways made travel easy, and once Union Station was built in downtown Toronto, inner-city transportation woes were left behind in the history of Toronto. Schooners and steamers traveled the shores of Lake Ontario and beyond, importing and exporting within a thriving economy.

Today Toronto’s cultural diversity is reflected in the vast network of lively ethnic neighborhoods. Cultural diversity is also demonstrated through dining in any area or Toronto where both visitors and locals are spoiled for choice. Several key landmarks, including the Rogers Center and the CN Tower, now define a skyline that has been called one of the most beautiful in the world. A lengthy list of attractions draw millions annually, beckoning an exploration of the modern-day metropolis.