Toronto, Ontario is the most populous city in Canada and the provincial capital of Ontario. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. With over 2.5 million residents, it is the fifth most populous municipality in North America. Toronto is at the heart of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), and is part of a densely populated region in Southern Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe, which is home to 8.1 million residents and has approximately 25% of Canada's population.
As Canada's economic capital, Toronto is considered a global city and is one of the top financial centres in the world. Toronto's leading economic sectors include finance, business services, telecommunications, aerospace, transportation, media, arts, film, television production, publishing, software production, medical research, education, tourism and sports industries. The Toronto Stock Exchange, the world's seventh largest, is headquartered in the city, along with a majority of Canada's corporations.
Diversity of race, religion and lifestyle help define and set Toronto apart from other world cities. Toronto is home to virtually all of the world's culture groups and is the city where more than 100 languages and dialects are spoken.
The Toronto Islands are located in Lake Ontario just offshore the Toronto's City Centre, providing shelter for the Toronto Harbour. The islands are a popular recreational destination, connected to the mainland by several ferry services. They are also home to a small residential community and to the Toronto City Centre Airport.
Only service vehicles can be seen travelling the islands as they comprise the largest urban "car-free" community in North America.
Centreville, a children's amusement park built in 1967 is a popular destination on Centre Island. The park includes a miniature railway and ?Far Enough Farm? open daily in the summer. Bikes can be brought over on the ferry and quadracycles, canoes and bikes can be rented on the island as well.
There are several swimming beaches on the islands, including Centre Island, Gilbraltar Point, Hanlan's Point and Ward Island Beaches.
Recreational boating has been popular on the islands for over a century. The islands host several yacht clubs including Harbour City, Island, Queen City and Royal Canadian Yacht clubs. Also on the island is a public marina (Toronto Island Marina) and several smaller clubs. Boaters also enjoy a day or overnight visit tied up on the mooring wall on Hanlan's Point.
Queen's Quay Terminal, located on Toronto's Harbourfront, is an award-winning shopping centre, featuring over 30 specialty shops, and restaurants. Built in 1926, the award-winning architecture features soaring ceilings, wide open spaces, and natural sunlight. It's a leisurely shopping experience where you can browse everything from home accessories and toys to fashion and jewelery, as well as unique galleries.
A major tourist attraction, especially during the warmer months, Harbourfront is also the site of the ferry terminal which provides transportation services to the Toronto Islands, and Harbourfront Centre for the Arts, which includes three performance venues. Several luxury cruise lines leave from Queen's Quay to tour the waterfront and Toronto Islands. Festivals take place every weekend during the summer, showcasing open-air markets and cafes.
The CN Tower is the world's tallest building as well as Canada's most recognizable icon. At a height of 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches), the tower is the centre of tourism in Toronto.
With a chance to see the breathtaking view of downtown Toronto, the CN tower attracts approximately 2 million visitors each year. Things to do in the tower include walking on glass floor, eating over 1000ft above ground at the revolving 360 Restaurant, watching a movie about the construction of the CN tower and of course enjoying the view.
The CN Tower was built by the Canadian National Railway and was opened to the public on June 26, 1976
Ontario Place is known world-wide as a cultural, leisure and entertainment parkland located in Toronto, Ontario's waterfront. The complex extends throughout three man-made islands along the Lake Ontario waterfront.
Ontario Place opened in May 1971 and featured a five pod pavilion complex, The Forum, pedal boats, a marina, restaurants and the world's first permanent IMAX theatre, the Cinesphere.
Ontario Place is Toronto's summer fun hot spot. Just across the street from the CNE, Ontario Place is the perfect place to unwind.
Ontario Place is also the perfect place to watch Toronto's best fireworks show - the Festival of Fire.
The IMAX Cinesphere at Ontario Place has the largest screen in the Greater Toronto Area. The IMAX Cinesphere pumps out 24,000 watts of digital sound and is the place you will want to watch IMAX films and the latest Hollywood releases.
Ontario Place is also the home of the Atlantis Pavilion, a spectacular venue flaunting incredible views of Toronto, a nightclub, restaurants, a roof-top patio and special events.
Hosting some of the most spectacular events in Toronto at the popular Molson Amphitheatre, Ontario Place is a popular destination for music lovers and concert goers.
Ontario Place boasts a spectacular marina of 300 slips just minutes from downtown Toronto and the excitement of Ontario Place park grounds. Surrounded by Ontario Place's immaculately landscaped islands, simply dock your boat and visit one of the wide range of restaurants and licensed patios.
Ontario Place offers 96 acres of family fun and entertainment and kids of all ages will enjoy 30 exciting rides and attractions such as: Soak City water park, Bumper Boats, Free Fall, The F/X Adventure Theatre featuring Ecozone, Mini Golf the Wilderness Adventure Ride, the new Wild World of Weather attraction and much more.
The Canadian National Exhibition
The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is an 18-day fair taking place every August concluding on Labour Day. Throughout the course of its 130 year history, the CNE has grown to be the largest annual fair in Canada and the fourth largest in North America attracting approximately 1.3 million visitors each year.
During its run, The CNE (also locally referred to as “The Ex) features two midways with more than 50 rides and 80 games which also present a variety of foods unique to the fair.
Each year the CNE also hosts the Canadian International Air Show, a 3-day highlight of the fair.
Toronto Air Show
The Canadian International Air Show has been happening in Toronto since 1949 and takes place on the closing weekend of the Canadian National Exhibition ( CNE ) over the labor day weekend (Saturday to Monday). The show usually runs from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
Planes fly over Ontario Place and the CNE Grounds and are visible from several different points along the lakeshore.
A unique and fun way to see the show is on one of Toronto Waterfront’s Cruise Lines, such as the Jubilee Queen or the Island Princess.
Opened in 1969, the Ontario Science Centre has fascinated more than 40 million visitors with the wonders of science and technology. Favorites include the hair-raising electric ball, the wall of bubbles and the simulated Rain Forest.
Hundreds of exhibits include the Communication, Sport and Human Body exhibits as well as the Living Earth Area. The “KidSpark is a learn-through-play area that is specifically designed for kids eight and under.
The OMNIMAX Theatre has a screen 4,500 times bigger than an average TV screen delivering 13,000 watts of sound from 44 speakers, your senses will be overwhelmed by the biggest, most involving film experience ever.
The Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is Canada's premier Zoo, known for its interactive education and conservation activities. As a unique wildlife experience, we inspire people to live in ways that promote the well being of the natural world.
The Toronto Zoo is set in the beautiful Rouge Valley. The Main Entrance is located on Meadowvale Road, Scarborough, north of Highway 401 and is one of the largest zoos in the world (710 acres).
The Zoo has over 5,000 animals representing over 500 species and over 10 km (six miles) of walking trails.
Explore Zellers Discovery Zone, featuring the Kids Zoo, a dynamic, interactive children's wildlife experience, Splash Island, an exciting two-acre water play area and the Waterside Theatre, home of exciting family entertainment. Visit the award winning African Savanna, Great Barrier Reef, the award-winning Gorilla Rainforest, and the Eurasia outdoor exhibits.
Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is located at the corner of Toronto’s Bloor and Avenue Rd and is Canada's largest museum of world culture and natural history.
The ROM is the fifth largest museum in North America, containing more than six million items and over 40 galleries. It has notable collections of dinosaurs, Near Eastern and African art, East Asian art, European history, and Canadian history. It has also hosted many travelling exhibits.
The Beaches (or “The Beach”)
The Beaches (or “The Beach”) is a well enjoyed neighbourhood and a popular tourist destination located in Toronto’s East end. Known worldwide for the Boardwalk (3km long) and of course it’s sandy Lake Ontario shoreline, it is also a great all season spot for a cup of coffee, a great dining experience, some fun shopping – or just a nice stroll!
Explore Kew Beach Gardens, Ashridges Bay & Marina and Glen Manor Park. A short walk from The Beach will find out on Queen St. where you can enjoy an abundance of restaurants and meeting places for everyone.
This community is situated between Victoria Park and Coxwell Avenues, and it is south of Kingston Road.
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is located on the eastern edge of Toronto’s downtown in the Chinatown district. With over 480,000 sq ft of space the AGO is one of the largest museums in North America.
Its collection includes more than 68,000 works spanning the 1st century to the present-day. It includes an extensive collection of Canadian Art, which depicts the development of Canada's heritage from pre-confederation to the present. Indeed, works by Canadian artists make up more than half of the AGO's collection.
In addition to these, the AGO also has one of the most significant collections of African art in North America, as well as a contemporary art collection illustrating the evolution of modern artistic movements in Canada, the United States, and Europe.
The McMichael Canadian Art Collection
With over 120,000 visitors annually, The McMichael Canadian Art Collection offers its visitors a unique and truly Canadian experience. From the art within its walls to the surrounding landscape, the McMichael is the perfect gallery for an introduction to Canada’s art, its peoples, their cultures and their history.
Renowned for only collecting and exhibiting Canadian art, the McMichael collection consists of almost 6,000 artworks by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven & their contemporaries, as well as First Nations, Inuit and other artists who have contributed to Canada’s heritage.
Casa Loma
Casa Loma, an amazing castle in Toronto, takes you back in time to a period of European elegance and splendour. The former home of Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt, Canada's foremost castle is complete with decorated suites, secret passages, an 800-foot tunnel, towers, stables, and beautiful 5-acre estate gardens (open May through October). A self-guided digital audio tour in 8 languages (English, French, Japanese, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin and Korean) is available.
Enjoy strolling the gardens where the ever-changing colours of this brilliant floral mosaic allow visitors to enjoy the beauty of the Casa Loma Gardens all season long.
The Rogers Centre (formally known as the Skydome)
Open on June 3, 1989, the Rogers Centre, formerly known as SkyDome, is one of the most dynamic and versatile entertainment centres in the world. No other venue has the diversity of events that the Rogers Centre hosts on an annual basis across over 200 event days.
With a domed stadium and an open-air facility the Rogers Centre is able to accommodate a variety of events suited for an arena. Since opening to the public, over 2,000 events have been staged with more than 60 million people visiting the Rogers Centre - famous the world over for its fully retractable roof.
The Rogers Centre is the home of the Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Club and the Toronto Argonauts Football Team. From 2008 to 2012, the venue will also host a total of 8 Buffalo Bills NFL Football games.
The Docks (Polsen Pier)
Polson Pier is Toronto's premier destination for sports and entertainment. Located just minutes from the heart of downtown on an expansive 23 acre waterfront property, Polson Pier is visited by over 1 million residents and tourists annually, and features multiple indoor event and concert venues, a waterside restaurant, indoor and outdoor sporting facilities, the city's largest patio bar, and Toronto's only drive-in movie theatre. Polson Pier provides a variety of activities for the public, while catering to private and corporate events as well. Come down for some practice at or golf driving range, be it pro or mini-putt! Work on your tan by the pool or on the volleyball courts! Take in a lap or two around our go-kart track! Or check out the city skyline from greater heights on our rockclimbing wall! There's something for everyone down at Polson Pier.
Black Creek Pioneer Village
Black Creek Pioneer Village is more than a collection of buildings and artifacts. Here, you will become immersed in the lifestyles, customs, and surroundings of early residents who built the foundations for modern Toronto and Ontario. Spanning more than 30 acres of pristine country landscapes, the Village is a living history experience featuring heritage buildings originating in communities across south central Ontario that have been faithfully furnished with original furniture and artifacts. In the buildings, and surrounding gardens and farmyards you will find historical interpreters and trades people in authentic period dress who will demonstrate and explain for you how people lived, worked and played in mid 19th century rural Ontario.
Hockey Hall of Fame
Even non- hockey fans will want to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum, located at 30 Yonge Street in Old Toronto. This shrine to Canada’s favorite sport includes an exhibit of the original 1893 Stanley Cup! You’ll get to see goalie masks and hockey jerseys worn by some of the most talented hockey players in history, and see videos of historic games. The museum is housed in the former Bank of Montreal building, erected in 1885. Historic Fort York
The settlement of modern Toronto began in 1793 when Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe built a garrison on the present site of Fort York.
Today, Fort York is home to Canada's largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings. The Fort is open year round and offers a number of services, including tours, exhibits, period room settings and seasonal demonstrations. During the summer months, the site comes alive with the colour and the pageantry of the Fort York Guard. The Fort also provides a wide variety of education programs for groups of all ages.
The Air Canada Centre
The Air Canada Centre is the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team & the Toronto Raptors basketball franchise. Take the 1- hour guided tour that takes you on an adventure behind the scenes of North America's premier theatre of sports & entertainment. Visit the Executive and Platinum Suite level or take in the experience of the ESSO Maple Leafs Memories & Dreams where you will explore the history of the Leafs dating back to the Toronto Arenas and the St. Pat's as well as the history of Maple Leaf Gardens and the Air Canada Centre.