Greater Toronto
Toronto possesses the best features of the world in one clean, safe, friendly place.
Performing Arts
Toronto is the undisputed entertainment capital of Canada. A theatre scene rivaled only by London and New York in large part due to the wealth of lavish Broadway-style musicals, homegrown productions, traveling road shows and classical concerts are being staged at any given time. Discover for yourself the quality of productions and talent in Toronto - it’s nothing short of world-class.
Museums & Galleries
Home to internationally-renowned, nationally-cherished and virtually unknown treasures alike, Toronto’s arts scene is unique in the world. Discover what makes Toronto artful. Tour famous institutions, browse through intimate galleries and explore the city’s most creative neighbourhoods.
Sports & Recreation
Whether organized sports is your game or you prefer something a little more untamed, there’s sure to be something in this fun-loving city that appeals to your sense of adventure. From the civilized experience of being pampered at a day spa, to something as down-to-earth as spending the day at the Toronto Zoo, there are hundreds of ways to add a little excitement to your visit.
Tours
Toronto is very user-friendly, but it’s also quite large - with an array of neighbourhoods and districts spread from one end of the city to the other. For those who don’t have the time or the inclination to strike out on their own to explore all the riches the city has to offer, there are a number of interesting tours and sightseeing assistance available to help make sure you don’t overlook the gems.
Shopping
Imagine a retail experience that includes everything from upscale boutiques to an underground city featuring 1,200 shops in more than 10kms (6mi) of subterranean concourses. Boutiques. Malls. Markets. Galleries. Department stores. Outlets. Shops. It’s all right here in Toronto. And just 32 kms (20mi) north of the city is Vaughan Mills - where great shopping combines manufacturer’s outlets, brand-name retailers and engaging entertainment in a dynamic environment including theme restaurants, live entertainment and interactive retailers redefining the shopping experience.
Attractions
From the world’s tallest building to one of the seven wonders of the world, Toronto’s remarkable attractions will take your breath away.
CN Tower
This is the World’s tallest tower. Standing at a height of 553.33m (1815 ft, 5 inches), there’s no question as to why the CN Tower is Toronto’s most famous landmark! Your excitement will rise as the glassfronted elevators ascend to show you the city’s skyline. At 346m (1136 ft) is the Sky Pod. Hopefully it’s a clear day because you’ll be able to see for 160km (100mi)! For the brave, the glass floor allows you to see down, way down, to street level. And, at over 1000 feet in the sky is the award winning fine dining restaurant 360. 360’s revolving floor displays the city’s view. The Space Deck is the world’s highest public observation deck at a height of 447m (1465 ft).
Minimum Time Required: 1 hour
Rogers Centre
Visit the home of the Toronto Blue Jays! This multipurpose entertainment complex and sports stadium seats 53,000. Opened in 1989, the former SkyDome is home to the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team and the Toronto Argonauts football team. Amazing features are the enormous video scoreboard and the World’s first fully retractable roof. The roof spans over 8 acres of turf and only takes 20 minutes to cover it! Rock concerts, exhibitions, motorshows, and more are held here.
Hockey Hall of Fame
This is home to the Stanley Cup and contains the world’s largest collection of hockey memorabilia. The “NHL ZONE” comprises 6,000 square feet of new exhibits. Other highlights include NHL Retro (franchise histories, including now defunct teams like the Kansas City Scouts), NHL Today (showcasing the stars of today’s NHL), NHL Milestones (exploring NHL records including Gretzky’s all-time goal scoring and Sawchuk’s 103 shutouts), and Stanley Cup Dynasties. The Hockey Hall of Fame is the essential destination for the total hockey experience.
Minimum Time Required: 2 hours
Toronto Zoo
This 710-acre site has more than 5,000 animals, and represents 459 wildlife species. The zoo does their best to place the animals within their own environments. Some popular exhibits are the African Savannah project, the Underwater Exhibits, and Edge of Night.
The Art Gallery of Ontario
This is the largest art gallery in Toronto, and, the 8th largest art museum in North America. Here, beautiful paintings by the Group of Seven are displayed, along with more than 24,000 foreign and domestic works. Inside the Henry Moore Sculpture Centre holds more than 800 pieces, making it the largest public collection of his works.
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum
Discover the connection between golf and everyday life, by visiting this terrific, interactive, presentation about the game of golf and Canada. Even a group of non-golfers will love it.
Minimum Time Required: 45 minutes
Elgin andWinter Garden Theatre
The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre is the last operating double-decker theatre in the world – with two completely separate and distinctive theatres. Owned an operated by the Ontario Heritage Trust, the theatre complex is a live performance venue with a variety of entertainment, including musicals, comedies, dramas, operas, dance, concerts and lectures. Enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful theatre complex or take in a performance.
Fort York
This is the birthplace of modern Toronto! Since 1793, Fort York has played an important role in Toronto’s history. In 1813, 1,700 Americans invaded Fort York naming it the Battle of York. At this National Historic Site, Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings remain. Visit in the summer when there is music and food!
Queen’s Quay Terminal
Enjoy a show at the Premiere Dance Theatre, have a meal at one of the restaurants. Find the perfect gift in fashion, jewellery, artwork and collectibles in one of the many unique shops. Enjoy a stroll along the waterfront just outside.
Ontario Place
As Toronto’s number-one destination for family fun, Ontario Place offers hours of entertainment, with over 30 rides and attractions, including the Wild World of Weather, that heat up the City’s waterfront from spring till fall.
This waterfront paradise has something for everyone to enjoy, including, Froster Soak City®, Toronto’s only downtown water park, Cinesphere, home to the world’s first permanent IMAX® theatre, and the Treehouse Live Stage, where toddlers can catch live performances from their favourite entertainers. With great cultural events including the Festival of Fire fireworks celebration, Scotiabank Caribana, and the many heritage days held throughout the season, Ontario Place has something for everyone.
Open weekends May & September; Daily from June-Aug. Call 416-314-9900 or 1-866-ONE-4-FUN (outside of GTA) for more information. Group discounts available through the Group Sales Department at 416-314-9933.
Royal Ontario Museum
Known as the ROM, this is Canada’s largest museum. With over 40 different galleries and 6 million objects and artifacts, the museum has tons to see and learn. One of the galleries is the worldrenown T. T. Tsui Galleries of Chinese Art. Here priceless porcelains, Buddhist sculptures from the 12th to 16th century, and more than 100 earthenware figures are contained. Don’t forget to stop into the Discovery Gallery. This is a miniature museum where you’re allowed to touch artifacts!
City Hall
One of Toronto’s popular landmarks, which overlooks Nathan Phillips Square, is City Hall. Here policies and by-laws are developed. The building is the result of a worldwide architectural competition and has awards to show for it! Its structure is made of glass and concrete towers and features Henry Moore’s sculpture The Archer.
Ontario Science Centre
Explore science and technology! Here, the child to the adult becomes engaged in a fascinating learning experience of interactive displays, quizzes, and games.
Ontario Legislature
Home to Ontario’s Legislative Assembly and built in 1886-1892 the structure of the building is heavy and decorated with faces that resemble gargoyles! Its domes and arches represent the Old French Architecture, and, inside, thick carpet decorates the foyer and fanciful carvings decorate the walls. Drop in when the legislature is in session to see and feel the history! Take a walk outside to Queen’s Park, which surrounds the building. Here, a statue of King Edward VII stands in full dress.
Casa Loma
Built between 1911 and 1914, Casa Loma is Toronto’s charming medieval castle. The Canadian financier, Henry Pellatt, built Casa Loma to fulfill his lifelong fascination of Castles. He surrounded himself with furnishings from around the world and imported Scottish stonemasons to build the massive walls of the castle. Its secret passageways and underground tunnel enhance the mystery of Casa Loma. The Great Hall is 18m (60ft) high with a hammer-beam ceiling, while the wine cellar holds 1,700 bottles! The grand terrace overlooks the gardens.
Harbourfront Centre
Since 1972, the Harbourfront Centre is one of Toronto’s artistic and cultural locations. The arts are explored and celebrated here by introducing and showcasing Canadian and international talent. Galleries include the Craft Studio, the Power Plant, the Premiere Dance Theatre, and the DuMaurier
Theatre Centre. Take a harbour tour to the Toronto Islands or visit the waterfront cafés, shops, and restaurants.
The Toronto Islands
Formerly a continuously moving sand bar the Toronto Islands were split into 14 islands in the mid- 1800s from a series of storms. Now paying homage to approximately 600 people, the islands have lots to offer in regards to attractions and entertainment. The busiest and most developed is Centre Island. Here Centreville Amusement Park has over 30 rides and attractions with over 14 food outlets. The park offers plenty of attractions from tiny shops, antique cars, pony rides, a firehouse, to an old fashioned carousel.
Historic Bovaird House
Built c.1840, Historic Bovaird House is an excellent Canadian example of a Georgian-type brick farmhouse. Restored entirely by the “Friends of Historic Bovaird House Volunteers Committee", the house displays hundreds of period artifacts, costumes, memorabilia, furnishings, pictures & paintings, toys and many, many more items of historical interest.
