Top 10 best things to do in Toronto
Obviously, everyone has heard of Toronto, and we all have a good reason to. It is the most populated city in Canada, with over 2,731,500 inhabitants and is an international centre of business, finance, arts, and culture. Not the Capital of Canada, but sometimes mistaken for it, by having such a powerful reputation. Toronto, located in Ontario, is built for tourism and has very worthy attractions to prove it.
If you’re visiting the glorious city anytime soon, make sure you make the most of it by checking out these top 10 places and attractions in Toronto.
#10 Guild Park and Gardens
Greek theatres and temple sculptures may sound like things you’d find in Europe, yet they can be found right here in Toronto. A magical paradise of astonishing architecture and statuary hides hidden away from the city’s concrete skyscrapers and bustle. The park, which was once home to an artist community, is known for its collection of antiquities preserved from the demolition of buildings throughout the city. Guild Park and Gardens, on the Scarborough Bluffs, contains an outdoor Greek stage and a 19th-century log cabin that is one of Toronto’s oldest. The Guild Inn, a historic inn and estate palace, is the park’s most prominent structure.
Address: 201 Guildwood Pkwy, Scarborough, ON
#9 Casa Loma
Explore the grounds of Case Loma, (Spanish for “Hill House”) a Gothic Revival style mansion and garden in midtown Toronto.
Casa Loma has been a favourite filming site for movies and television in Toronto because of its unique architectural character. Casa Loma is also a popular wedding site, and it may be booked when the museum shuts to the public in the evenings. It was a living memorial to its architect, surpassing any private residence in North America. It is still one of the few real castles in North America today.
Developers Kertland and Rolf sold property to investor Henry Pellatt in 1903. The architect E. J. Lennox was commissioned by Pellatt to develop Casa Loma, and construction began in 1911.
The mansion cost $3.5 million to build and took 299 people three years to complete. Construction was interrupted when World War I broke out. It was Canada’s largest private mansion, with 98 rooms and 64,700 square feet. An elevator, an oven large enough to fry an ox, two vertical passages for pipe organs, a central vacuum, and two secret passages in Pellatt’s office were among the notable features.
Address: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, ON
#8 The Distillery District
The Distillery District’s twisting passageways and cobblestone streets date from the early 1800s. But it’s still relevant today, and it’s a popular place to spend an afternoon. It has been a historic location dedicated to arts, cultures, and entertainment since it reopened its doors in 2003.
On your next journey around the Distillery District, you might even come across some massive colourful sculptures. The Distillery District, once home to the British Empire’s largest distillery, reopened as a leading destination for art, cuisine, culture, entertainment, and shopping.
The Distillery District’s origin begins in 1831, when James Worts and his brother-in-law, William Gooderham, arrived in Canada and established a grain mill with their families. The Distillery District was given fresh life in the 1990s when it became a major filming location — it was Canada’s number one film location and the second outside of Hollywood, with over 1700 films shot there. The Distillery, which was purchased by Cityscape Holdings in 2001, underwent a massive restoration project to turn the district into a car-free neighbourhood. It finally opened in May 2003 and is today one of Canada’s most popular tourist destinations as well as a distinct neighbourhood that is an integral part of Toronto.
Address: The Distillery Historic District, 55 Mill St, Toronto
#7 Edwards Gardens
Edwards Gardens is a botanical garden in Toronto, located on the southwest corner of Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East. The Toronto Botanical Garden, a private not-for-profit institution formerly known as the Civic Garden Centre, is also located there. In 1944, Rupert Edwards purchased the estate and created the garden, which is mostly in the style of the previous century. It features an astounding grass, garden-like vegetation, and views of a steep valley with a big rock garden, wildflowers, and rhododendrons.
Address: 755 Lawrence Ave E, North York
#6 3D Toronto Sign
The Toronto Sign is an illuminated three-dimensional sign located in the Nathan Phillips Square. The sign has become iconic in the city, and certainly popular on Instagram with its bright colors and urban aesthetic. During the summer, tourists can walk-up to it; but in the winter it has become a skating rink that is easily accessible and free. Skating is a great way to get out and enjoy the crisp winter air.
Address: 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON
#5 The Scarborough Bluffs
The Scarborough Bluffs are located along the coast of Lake Ontario. From the Eastern Beaches of Toronto in the west to East Point Park in the east, the bluffs reach for about 15 kilometres along the waterfront. The Scarborough Bluffs are a notable geological feature formed around 12,000 years ago by the deposition of sedimentary layers. Natural forces such as wind and water erosion from Lake Ontario shaped them.
The bluffs are quite hazardous. However, it appears that some people require continuous reminders to be cautious around them. With a beach, park, and marina nearby, the enormous escarpment is a popular destination, especially at this time of year.
You’re probably going to want to try going at the waterfront beach and try the top-hill view. The simplest directions I could give you for the top-hill view are to configure your GPS to drive you to 61 Sylvan Avenue. Park on the street and stroll through Sylvan Park to the bluffs’ top for a view of the beach below. Due to erosion, there are some spots that are off limits, so pay attention and follow the instructions.
If you want to see the actual Bluffs beaches from the bottom, go to Buffers Park at 1 Brimley Rd. At the fork in the road, turn right into the parking lot. Parking is free on weekdays until 5pm.
Address: 1 Brimley Rd S, Scarborough, ON
#4 Yonge & Dundas Square
Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square was once a tiny little dead-end street called Wilton Ave. before a whole bunch of buildings were demolished and the thriving square we know now was built. Canada’s busiest intersection is just a few billboards away from becoming a copy of New York City’s Times Square.
Almost 130,000 people cross through the square every day. New displays are added as well as innovative businesses and cafes. The growing amount of pedestrians have triggered the “yongeTOmorrow” project which will be aimed to turn the street into a car-free zone. With the estimated cost of $47.1 million with construction finished by 2027, this site will become even more accessible for tourists.
Address: 1 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON
#3 Toronto Island Park
There is no better way to soak up the sun than to escape the city congestion and smog, and take a mini-vacation to the Toronto Islands. Whether you are paddling around lake Ontario, biking, heading to the beach, enjoying the views of the skyline or participating in the amusement park; the island is full of wonder.
The island community is the largest urban car-free community in North America, although some service vehicles are permitted. Access to the Islands is by ferry or by water taxis.
The Toronto Islands are a chain of 15 small islands in Lake Ontario. The largest, outermost island, called Centre Island, is crescent-shaped and forms the shoreline. From what you can see, the view is spectacular and is worthy of a postcard.
Address: 17 Lakeshore Ave, Toronto, ON
#2 Ripley’s Aquarium
If you’re off school or are taking a well deserved mini-vacation during march break and are looking for a cool attraction, Ripley’s Aquarium always has something for you. So if you’ve wanted to get up close an personal with a variety of fish, sharks, and turtles, now is your chance. The aquarium holds more than 16,000 exotic sea and freshwater specimens from more than 450 species.
Address: 288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON
For more information, you can go to: https://www.ripleyaquariums.com/canada/
#1 CN Tower
The CN tower is Toronto’s most notorious as well as tallest attraction. With it being the 9th tallest structure in the world, with 1,815.3 ft in height; the tower is located right in the downtown area. Take the glass-floored elevator up to the Lookout level for amazing views of the city with newly renovated floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows. If you’d like to do something where you can sit-down, visit the award-winning rotating 360 Restaurant at the very top.
The tower was built for tourism and has enough entertainment and gift shops to keep you busy.
For adventure seekers, you can take an outdoor walk around the circumference of the roof! If you consider yourself an adrenaline junkie and you haven’t already heard of this exhilarating experience, or you’ve overlooked it—this might be the time to think about it.
Address: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON
For more information, you can go to: https://www.cntower.ca/en-ca/home.html
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To learn more about the best places to visit in Canada, click here.
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