Toronto is the capital of Ontario, a province in Canada. With plenty of man-made and natural attractions, it is one of the most popular Canadian cities frequented by tourists all year round. So, if you are planning to visit this extremely vibrant metropolis anytime soon, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we have rounded up the 16 of the best things to do in Toronto.
CN Tower
Toronto is the city of skyscrapers, the defining landmark of which is the magnificent CN Tower. It is a freestanding structure with a hard-to-ignore facade. It rises 535-meter high and is visible from almost every corner of the city. The tower was constructed between 1972 and 1976 and is one of the tallest buildings in the world.
The biggest attraction of CN Tower is obviously the Sky Pod, which is its highest viewing area. It allows you to enjoy panoramic views of the city from a height of 447 meters.
Toronto Zoo
Toronto Zoo is spread on a very large area. It has around 5,000 animals, representing the natural habitats of many different regions around the world. Some of the most noteworthy wildlife species at Toronto Zoo include lions, tigers, pygmy hippos, penguins, orangutans, and giraffes among many other animals.
There are many other fun activities that you can enjoy upon your visit to Toronto, such as the Tundra Trek, which features polar bears; the Gorilla Rainforest; and the Great Barrier Reef. The Discovery Zone is also another very famous part of this place, suitable to be visited during the warmer months.
Ripley’s Aquarium
Located near the base of the iconic CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium is the newest and probably the most delightful addition to the list of tourist attractions in Toronto. It is a well-designed facility with an incredible concept. The place has all kinds of marine life on display, which is why it is counted among the best things to do in Toronto.
It’s the only palace in the city where you can experience a moving sidewalk in a breathtakingly beautiful underground water tunnel. Giving a chance to take this much closer look at marine life, Ripley’s Aquarium is surely an experience of a lifetime for people of different age groups.
Royal Ontario Museum
Visiting the Royal Ontario Museum is one of the best things to do in Toronto with families, It is often stylized and abbreviated as the ROM. With a breathtaking facade, it has now become one of the most premier museums in Canada. ROM enjoys an international reputation and is popular among people from all over the world. The museum exhibits a great collection based on items and pieces of art and history representing the natural history and cultural heritage from many different periods, which different regions around the world have experienced. It is also a popular venue in Canada to host global exhibitions every now and then.
Casa Loma
With an extraordinary antique design and gigantic structure, Casa Loma is one of the most incredible places to see in Toronto. The extraordinary building reminds us of medieval castles that are usually found in European countries. The magnificent structure of Casa Loma was originally designed and built in 1914. It was the residence of Sir Henry Pellatt, who used to be a multi-millionaire in Canada back then.
Casa Loma has around 100 rooms. Imagine living in a place with three dozen bathrooms, It is not a residence anymore but a museum. With its elegant architecture and planning, the place is a great choice for history buffs and people who want to take a look back in time.
Ontario Science Center
If you are looking for a family-oriented attraction that is also a perfect place for kids, then you should definitely add Ontario Science Center to your travel bucket list. It has many interesting exhibits to provide information as well as entertainment to people of different age groups, especially children.
It is one of the handful places in Toronto that provides an opportunity to visitors to take a closer look and explore the latest developments in many different fields, such as technology, telecommunications, physics, optics, biology, space travel and meteorology, and much more, With the help of advanced technology, they are all exhibited in an immersive and imaginative way.
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is among the most beautiful waterfalls in the world. It is the second-largest waterfall in the world, after Victoria Falls, which is located in southern Africa. Some of the greatest freshwater supplies empty into the Niagara River, which feeds Niagara Falls. The river then cascades over this world-famous natural attraction.
One of the biggest highlights of Niagra Falls is the immense volume and speed of water flowing over it. There are many waterfalls taller than Niagra Falls, but the only thing that adds to the charm of this natural attraction is its beauty and the large quantity of water cascading over it. The day trip from Toronto to Niagra Falls is surely worth your time.
Toronto Islands
There are many exciting things to do on Toronto Islands. For example, you would never miss out on the experience of those lovely walks on the islands by the seaside. And how about satisfying your inner travel junkie by taking part in many different watersports and beach activities like rowing, sailing, and other outdoor fun things to do.
Summer is actually the best time to visit Toronto Island, when the sun is high and the weather is pleasant, it is how you can make the most of all those outdoor events and activities. The favorable weather conditions on the island also let you enjoy the awe-inspiring views of the skyline of the city of Toronto. The Centreville Amusement Park is one of the biggest attractions on the Toronto Islands, which features plenty of fun activities for children. You can reach Toronto Islands from the main city by using a ferry service.
Visit High Park
If you are a nature lover and looking for a massive green space in Toronto with lush green views, then, High Park should be your go-to place. Its natural trails, hanging basket gardens, ponds, and streams among many other natural features will surely leave you in awe.
Your kids would also love visiting the High park because the place also hosts a zoological garden with many different animal species including bison; llamas; reindeer and wallabies to name a few. There are plenty of other things to do at this amazing urban open space in Toronto. The place has swimming and wading pools, picnic areas that are best suitable for families, playgrounds, and of course, a scenic train tour.
St. Lawrence Market
If you like to shop, eat and explore the culture of this Canadian city, then St. Lawrence Market is the perfect spot where you need to be. This age-old commercial district is based on a variety of shops and kiosks selling many different kinds of food products, flowers, and traditional items among other things. The market is centered around and named after St. Lawrence Hall, which was constructed in 1850. It is one of the oldest places to see in Toronto.
Major restoration work of the hall was done in 1967 and the building retains its original charm to date. Owing to the unique atmosphere in and around this historical landmark, it is often used as a venue for movies and television shootings.
Hockey Hall of Fame
Being one of the most vibrant Canadian cities, Toronto has a lot to offer to visitors. While exploring the city and its surrounding areas, you come across some of the most attractive natural landscapes and man-made landmarks. As a hockey fan, one of the best things to do in Toronto is to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame. It surely is among the most interesting places to visit in the city.
The place tributes to all the hockey stars and is your chance to learn more about the former players and their achievements. Not only this, the Hockey Hall of Fame is where you can take an up-close look at the Stanley Cup as well as the amazing collection of many significant memorabilia.
Kensington Market
Another great place that will give you all the good vibes about Toronto is Kensington Market. It is one of those commercial districts in the city that attracts tourists the most. It is where you are going to get that bohemian and multicultural feel. Upon visiting the place, when you take a look around, you’ll come across many different shops and kiosks selling colorful murals and street art.
They also have a variety of other items, such as Tibetan blankets, bags, purses, jewelry, and classic clothing items. If you are a cheese lover, you would also find some vendors selling cheese in Kensington the Market of Toronto. Don’t forget to explore the restaurants and coffee shops in the vicinity of this market if you want to make the most of your experience.
Fort York
Fort York is yet another very famous historical attraction in the city of Toronto. It spans 43 acres and has been regarded as the national historic site. Its unique location in the city center makes it quite popular among tourists. According to the historical records, Fort York is considered the foundation stone of modern Toronto.
This place has witnessed over 200 years of history and the changes the natural and urban landscape have gone through over all these years. The basic purpose behind the construction of Fort York was to strengthen the defense mechanism of the city’s boundaries and protect it from invasion during the 1812 war. It kept the entire urban area safe from external threats. The management of the place hosts many different types of exhibitions and organizes tours regarding the history of Fort York.
Art Gallery of Ontario
Visiting the renowned Art Gallery of Ontario is among the best things to do in Toronto with families. It is of the largest and most interesting museums in the entire North American continent. The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) exhibits over 95,000 items that include contributions of artists from over the world.
You can explore historic artifacts to modern art pieces upon your trip to this very interesting place. It also serves as the venue for many local as well as international art exhibition, which is visited by a large number of art lovers from different parts of the world. Since it is an art gallery, AGO has been housed in a very unique-looking building that further adds to the charm of this place.
Nathan Phillips Square
Nathan Phillips Square is one of the coolest urban attractions in Toronto. The defining landmark of this extremely incredible place is The Archer, which has s a bronze sculpture designed by Henry Moore. It is one of the most famous city halls in the country. The structure of this very iconic building was designed by Viljo Revell, a highly renowned Finnish architect of the time. It was completed in 1965. and built in 1965.
There is a lot that Nathan Phillips Square has to offer to visitors. Let’s talk about the man-made pond that is located right in front of the City Hall. During the winter season, the water in this pond freezes and it serves as a famous ice skating rink. The entire area is decorated during the holiday season every year.
Shop at Eaton center
If you follow fashion and want to explore some of the top brand outlets that the city has to offer, then you should definitely take a trip to the Eaton Centre. Shopping at this huge mall is one of the best things to do in Toronto. The place is ideally a part of the city’s central business district.
The ultramodern shipping complex has a dedicated subway station to facilitate the shoppers and visitors. Despite the fact that it already covers a very large area, the place is continuously being expanded because of the ever-increasing number of visitors to this state-of-the-art shopping facility. Department stores, boutiques, brand outlets, restaurants, and snack bars, it has everything for you if you’re looking for some shopping, fun, and entertainment.
These were some of the best things to do in Toronto. We hope by adding them to your travel bucket list, you are surely going to make the most of your visit to this pulsating Canadian city.
