Toronto HotelsI just recently traveled to Toronto for the first time and I fell in love with the city. I was amazed to later find out that Toronto is the 5 th largest city in the world, because it was so easy to get around at and it was so well laid out and so clean. Toronto is a city rich in history; yet, it is also a city that never grows old. Canada’s most cosmopolitan city is the cultural heart of south central Ontario and of English-speaking Canada. One of the greatest benefits of living in or visiting Toronto is its location. From the United States, it is just a 90-minute drive along the Queen Elizabeth Way. Weather-wise, the location is ideal. Toronto is situated on beautiful Lake Ontario. A walk along the waterfront leads to beaches, marinas, boating facilities, parkland, bike trails, and tennis courts. The lake’s influence keeps the winters in Toronto from being severe. Toronto’s 2.4 million residents welcome 22 million visitors each year. Families are honored guests with many hotels providing special services for guests with children, including separate child-sized registration desks, separate recreation areas and pools just for families and playrooms and games for families with children. There is even an entire museum designed just for children. The Toronto Zoo, Paramount Canada’s Wonderland Amusement Park, Children’s Village, and Wild Water Kingdom are popular family attractions. The heart of the city is adorned with millions of plants and trees. It is also filled with galleries, museums, restaurants, music halls, theaters and sports facilities. Toronto is the economic capital of Canada, with all major banks and most corporations headquartered there as well as a Stock Exchange. The city has been called the Hollywood of the North because of the number of movies and television shows that are filmed within it. The retail sector is enormous, with major shopping centers, both in malls and in every neighborhood. Recreation is never hard to find in Toronto. There are miles of paths for hiking and bicycle riding, easy access to golf, tennis and swimming in summer and to skiing and ice skating in winter. There are over 2,000 public parks and gardens as well as secluded woodland nature reserves to explore. Toronto is a favorite convention city and gathering place. Toronto’s streets are safe, the air is clean, and the water is safe to drink. The city is strikingly cosmopolitan and vital in every aspect. In recent years, the United Nations named Toronto as the most ethnically diverse city in the world. Its residents have come to Canada from 170 different countries and speak more than 100 different languages and dialects. Within Toronto, the visitor will pass through neighborhoods that are Italian Asian, Greek, Portuguese, Jewish, Polish, West Indian and Pakistani. Toronto has welcomed its immigrants and the vitality with which they have infused the culture, religion, customs and cuisine of the city. The Toronto Eaton Centre is more than just a shopping centre. It is an architectural model for shopping malls around the country. Built in 1979, and given a new facade in 1999, it is the third largest mall in Canada and is recognized as one of the city's most popular attractions. The 3 million square foot building with its over 300 stores and services extends along the west side of Yonge Street all the way from Queen Street to Dundas Street (with subway stops directly entering and exiting it at each end). The Eaton Centre, and in fact the whole metropolitan area, are easily accessible by public transportation. The city’s PATH system connects miles of downtown buildings by a unique underground walkway lined with attractive shops and restaurants. Toronto is the capital of the performing arts in Ontario. The Canadian Opera, the Mendelssohn Choir, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the National Ballet of Canada, and the Canadian Stage Company are all based in Toronto. The theater scene rivals that of London and New York. While in the city, be sure to spend some time at Harbourfront Centre, the recreational and cultural expanse of shoreline that stretches from York Street west to Bathurst. Boutiques, theaters, restaurants, an antique market, art gallery, and playgrounds are permanent features. From the harbor, tour boats and private charters take tours of the harbor and Toronto Islands. Toronto Islands are only a 15 minute ferry ride from the foot of Bay Street, yet a world away from the bustle of city life. No cars are allowed in this island paradise. The islands are perfect for a picnic, a walk or bicycle ride, or a swim at the beach. There is a farm to visit, rides, playgrounds, tennis, and boat rentals. A free trolley provides island transport. Just outside Toronto is the region of Peel with its many picturesque spots for a day trip. The Caledon Hills are a pleasant destination for antique shopping, country auctions, or just admiring the scenery. Toronto is the fifth largest city in the world, yet one of the most pleasant and welcoming and most easily accessible to visitors. There is something in Toronto for every interest and every budget. Few visit only once. It is a city to return to again and again. Come and see for yourself! Things to DoBlack Creek Pioneer Village: 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy. Downsview at Steeles Ave. and Jane St. 416/736-1733 May-June weekdays 9:30am-4:30pm, weekends and holidays 10am-5pm; July-Sept daily 10am-5pm; Oct-Dec weekdays 9:30am-4pm, weekends and holidays 10am-4:30pm Closed Jan-Apr, Dec 25 Subway: Finch, then bus no. 60 to Jane St. Admission Charged. free for children 4 and under. Parking fee Life here moves at the gentle pace of rural Ontario as it was 100 years ago. You can watch the authentically dressed villagers going about their chores, spinning, sewing, rail splitting, sheep shearing, and threshing. Enjoy the villagers' cooking, wander through the cozily furnished homesteads, visit the working mill, shop at the general store, or rumble past the farm animals in a horse-drawn wagon. The beautifully landscaped village has more than 30 restored buildings to explore. Special events take place throughout the year, from a great Easter egg hunt to Christmas by lamplight.
Design Exchange: 234 Bay St. 416/363-6121 Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun noon-5pm. Subway: King Admission Charged. free for children 13 and under. Located in the old Stock Exchange Building, this has become Toronto's design center. It showcases professionals' work, but the main purpose of the institution is to nurture designers of all types: graphic, industrial, interior, landscape, and urban. It also serves as a clearinghouse and resource center for the design community. Small free exhibitions on the first floor are open daily, while those in the upstairs Exhibition Hall are usually on view for 3 to 6 months and require admission. There is also a good bookstore and a café.
Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art: Toronto Centre formerly the Ford Centre for the Performing Arts 5040 Yonge St., North York 416/395-0067 Tues-Sun noon-5pm Subway: North York Centre Free admission This fairly new gallery is charged with collecting and exhibiting the best Canadian art created since 1985. Currently, the collection includes works by Stephen Andrews, Genevieve Cadieux, Ivan Eyre, Betty Goodwin, Micah Lexier, Arnaud Maggs, and Roland Poulin. Special shows approximately six times a year.
The Bata Shoe Museum: 327 Bloor St. W. at St. George St. 416/979-7799 Tues-Wed and Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Thurs 10am-8pm, Sun noon-5pm Subway: St. George Admission Charged. Free to all first Tues of the month. The museum houses the Bata family's 10,000 item collection. The building, designed by Raymond Moriyama, is spectacular. The main gallery, "All About Shoes," traces the history of footwear. It begins with a plaster cast of some of the earliest known human footprints discovered in Africa by anthropologist Mary Leakey , which date to 4 million B.C., then takes the visitor through the fads and s of every era. A smaller gallery houses changing exhibits.
The Museum for Textiles: 55 Centre Ave. 416/599-5321 416/599-5515 for taped information Tues and Thurs-Fri 11am-5pm, Wed 11am-8pm, Sat-Sun noon-5pm Subway: St. Patrick Admission Charged. This fascinating museum is internationally recognized for its collection of more than 8,000 historic and ethnographic textiles and related artifacts.
The Pier: Toronto's Waterfront Museum: 245 Queens Quay W. 416/338-PIER Open daily 10am-4pm from early Mar to June 30, daily 10am-6pm from July 1 through Labor Day, and daily 10am-4pm from day after Labor Day through Oct 31Tues-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun noon-5pm Closed Nov to early March Subway: Union, then LRT to York Quay Admission Charged This is one of the city's newer museums. It explores the history of nautical travel. Many exhibits are strictly hands-on, so it is popular with children. You can explore a shipwreck, guide a vessel through a series of canals, or watch special exhibits about the ancient art of shipbuilding. Waterfront tours.
Casa Loma: 1 Austin Terrace 416/923-1171 Daily 9:30am-5pm last entry at 4pm Closed Jan 1, Dec 25 Subway: Dupont, then walk 2 blocks north Admission Charged. Self-guided tour by cassette. free for children 3 and under. This authentic castle-residence is complete with Elizabethan-style chimneys, Rhineland turrets, secret passageways, and an 800-foot underground tunnel. Sir Henry Pellatt, who built the castle between 1911 and 1914 at a cost of $3.5 million plus $1.5 million for furnishings , had a lifelong fascination with castles. He studied medieval palaces and gathered materials and furnishings from around the world, bringing marble, glass, and paneling from Europe, teak from Asia, and oak and walnut from North America. He imported Scottish stonemasons to build the massive walls that surround the 6-acre site. It's a fascinating place to explore. Wander through the majestic Great Hall, with its 60-foot-high hammer-beam ceiling; the Oak Room, where three artisans took 3 years to the paneling; and the Conservatory, with its elegant bronze doors, stained-glass dome, and pink-and-green marble. The castle has battlements and a tower; Peacock Alley, designed after Windsor Castle; Sir Henry's suite, containing a shower with an 18-inch-diameter shower head; and a 1,700-bottle wine cellar. The 800-foot tunnel connects with the stables, where horses resided surrounded by Spanish tile and mahogany.
Mount Pleasant Cemetery: 1643 Yonge St. or 375 Mount Pleasant Rd., north of St. Clair Ave. 416/485-9129 Daily 8am-dusk Subway: St. Clair Free admission Home to one of the finest tree collections in North America, this cemetery is also the final resting place of many fascinating people. Of particular note are Glenn Gould, the celebrated classical pianist; Dr. Frederick Banting and Dr. Charles Best, the University of Toronto researchers who discovered insulin in 1922; golfer George Knudson; the Massey and Eaton families, whose mausoleums are impressive architectural monuments; Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King; Canada's great war hero, Lieutenant Colonel William Barker; and Jim Cormier, one of Canada's top writers and editors.
Necropolis: 200 Winchester St. at Sumach St. 416/923-7911 Daily 8am-dusk Subway: Parliament Free admission This is one of the city's oldest cemeteries, dating to 1850. Many of the remains were originally buried in Potters Field, where Yorkville stands today. Before strolling through the cemetery, pick up a History Tour at the office. You'll find the graves of William Lyon Mackenzie, leader of the 1837 rebellion, as well as those of his followers, Samuel Lount and Peter Matthews, who were hanged for their part in the rebellion. Anderson Abbot, the first Canadian-born black surgeon; Joseph Tyrrell, who discovered dinosaurs in Alberta; world-champion oarsman Ned Hanlan; and many more notable Torontonians can be found in the 15-acre cemetery. The Gothic Revival chapel was designed by Henry Langley, who is also buried here.
Art Gallery Of Ontario: 317 Dundas St. W 416/979-6648. donation. Tues. and Thurs.-Fri. 11-6, Wed. 11-8:30, weekends 10-5:30. The AGO (as it's known) is among North America's top 10 art museums. It has the largest public collection of Henry Moore sculpture in the world, major works by Canadian artists, and works by Rembrandt, Hals, Van Dyck, Hogarth, Reynolds, Chardin, Renoir, Degas, Rodin, Matisse, Picasso, de Kooning, Rothko, Oldenburg, and others. Drop by the Anne Tannenbaum Gallery School on Sunday and explore painting, printmaking, and sculpting, or visit The Grange, an adjoining Georgian-style house built in 1817-18.
Beth Tzedec Museum: 1700 Bathurst St., 2 blocks south of Eglinton Ave. 416/781-3514 ext. 32. Free. Mon., Wed., Thurs. 11-1, 2-5, Sun. 11-2, and by appointment. Tours can be arranged. Set in a Conservative synagogue of the same name, the museum houses one of the largest collections of Jewish artifacts in Canada. In addition to displays of ritual objects relating to Jewish celebrations and ceremonies, the museum mounts original exhibitions that provide a geographic, cultural, and historic view of Jewish life. Highlights of the collection include a treasury of illuminated marriage contracts and a unique circumcision chair from Berlin, dated 1766.
CN Tower: Peak visiting hours are 11-4. 301 Front St. W 416/868-6937; 416/362-5411. Observation levels: fee charged.;concourse attractions and Sky Pod additional cost. Sun.-Thurs. 8 AM-10 PM, Fri.-Sat. 8 AM-11 PM; hrs for attractions vary so call ahead. The tallest freestanding structure in the world, at 1,815 ft and 5 inches high Visit if the weather is clear. There are multiple observation decks -- with glass floors, a revolving restaurant, and the world's highest public observation gallery. All levels offer spectacular panoramic views. On clear days you can see the mist rising from Niagara Falls to the south.
Eaton Centre: 220 Yonge St. 416/598-2322. or 416/598-8700 Get off at either Queen or Dundas subway stations. Weekdays 10-9, Sat. 9:30-7, Sun. noon-7. Number of stores 285 and growing; Number of food outlets: more than 50 17-theater Eaton Centre Cineplex, west of the Dundas Street entrance. Safe, well-lighted parking garages with spaces for some 1,800 cars attached to Eaton Centre. Galleria Level 1 contains two food courts; popularly priced s; photo, electronics, and record stores; and much "convenience" merchandise. Level 2 is directed to the middle-income shopper Level 3, has the highest elevation, , and prices. A branch of Eaton's, now operated by the Sears chain, remains in the Centre despite the closing of all Eaton stores throughout Canada in 1999. At the southern end of Level 3 is a skywalk that connects the Centre to the seven floors of The Bay (formerly Simpsons) department store, across Queen Street.
Edwards Gardens: The beautiful 35-acre Edwards Gardens flow into one of the city's most visited ravines. Paths wind along floral displays and rock gardens. Start out at the entrance (southwest corner of Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East) and head south through Wilket Creek Park and the Don River valley. Pass beneath the Don Valley Parkway and continue along Massey Creek. After hours of walking, you'll be at at the southern tip of Taylor Creek Park on Victoria Park Avenue, just north of the Danforth. From here, catch a subway. Entrance at southwest corner of Leslie St. and Lawrence Ave. E.
Harbourfront Centre: 416/973-4600 Stretching from just west of York Street to Spadina Avenue, this culture-and-recreation center is one of the highlights of a visit to Toronto. Harbourfront Centre, a streamlined version of the original concept, draws over 3 million visitors to the 10-acre site each year. There's the eight-story Queen's Quay Terminal, with specialty shops and eateries; art exhibits at the Power Plant; theater and readings at the York Quay Center; nautical exhibits at The Pier museum, antiques at the Harborfront Antiques Market, and seasonal events.
New City Hall: 100 Queen St. W 416/392-9111; TDD 416/392-7354. Weekdays 8:30-4:30. The underground garage holds 2,400 cars Toronto's newest city hall was the outgrowth of a 1958 international competition won by a Finnish architect. A mural within the main entrance, Metropolis, was constructed by sculptor David Partridge from 100,000 common nails. In front of the building is Nathan Phillips Square, a gathering place. Annual events at New City Hall include the Spring Flower Show in late March; the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition early each July; and the yearly Cavalcade of Lights from late November through Christmas, when 100,000 sparkling lights are illuminated across both city halls.
Old City Hall: 60 Queen St. W 416/327-5675 Weekdays 8:30-4:45. In marked contrast to the New City Hall structure across Bay Street, this earlier city hall was created in 1899. Its gargoyles above the front steps were apparently the architect's way of poking fun at certain turn-of-the-20th-century politicians; he also carved his name under the eaves on all four faces of the building. Considered one of North America's most impressive municipal halls in its day (note the huge stained-glass window as you enter ) it is still in operation as the home of the provincial courts, the county offices, and the marriage bureau.
Queen's Park: Queen's Park Circle, between College St. and Bloor St. W. Many visitors consider this to be the heart and soul of Toronto. Surrounding the large oval-shape patch of land are medical facilities to the south, the University of Toronto to the west and east, and the Royal Ontario Museum to the north. To most Torontonians, Queen's Park is synonymous with politics, as the Ontario Legislative Building sits in the middle of this urban oasis.
Royal Bank Building And Plaza: Northwest corner of Bay and Front Sts. The exterior of this 1976 building, designed by Torontonian Boris Zerafa, is coated with 2,500 ounces of gold. The surface creates reflections of sky, clouds, and other buildings.. Enter the 120-ft-high banking hall and admire the lovely hanging sculpture by Jesús Raphaél Soto. The building is stunning at sunset.
Royal Ontario Museum: 100 Queen's Park, 416/542-1492. free Fri. after 4:30 and Sat.-Thurs. 1 hr before closing. At other times, admission is charged. Mon.-Sat. 10-6, Fri. 10-9:30, Sun. 11-6. Canada's largest museum has amassed more than 6 million items. What makes the ROM unique is that science, art, and archaeology exhibits are all under one roof. The museum has marvelous Asian items, including 200 works of fine art and objects from Korea. There are also exhibits on science and biodiversity, and an extensive dinosaur collection. Other exhibits include Canadiana, Chinese and Roman art and artifacts, musical instruments, ancient Egypt, and a Bat Cave with 4,000 freeze-dried and artificial bats. George R. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art: 111 Queen's Park 416/586-8080 Mon. and Wed.-Fri. 10-6 Tues. 10-8; Sat 10-5; Sun. 11-5 Admission charged. This one of a kind collection includes 17th century English Delftware, and 18th century yellow European porcelain. The pre-Colombian collection dates back to Olmec and Mayan times.
Skydome: Tour entrance: Front and John Sts., between Gates 1 and 2, northeast corner of SkyDome, 416/341-2770 for tours; 416/341-3663 for events and shows; 416/341-1000 for Blue Jays games. Admission charged. Tours daily; call ahead for times. The home of baseball's Blue Jays was the world's first stadium with a fully retractable roof. One way to see the huge 52,000-seat stadium is to buy tickets for a Blue Jays game or one of the many other events that take place here. These may include cricket matches, Wrestlemania, monster truck races, family ice shows, rock concerts, or even the opera Aïda. You can also take a one-hour guided walking tour -- except when daytime events are scheduled.
Spadina: 285 Spadina Rd. 416/392-6910 Admission charged. Jan.-Mar., weekends noon-5; Apr.-Decweekdays noon-4, weekends and holidays noon-5. The 50-room house has been restored with period wallpaper, upholstery, and furniture, and crystal chandeliers burn softly with natural gas. This 1866 house is filled with arts and artifacts of the James Austin family, prominent in the natural gas, railroad, and banking businesses. Members of the family lived here from Victorian times until 1982, when it was turned over to public ownership.. Docents tend the magnificent gardens and the small orchard; they make jam in summer and bread in winter and give guided tours.
St. James Cathedral: 416/364-7865 Northeast corner of Church and King Sts This Anglican church with Gothic spires has the tallest steeple in Canada. Its illuminated spire clock once guided ships into the harbor. A new peal of 12 bells was recently installed. There's a concert most Sundays, a half-hour before the 11 AM service.
Toronto Islands: These tree-lined islands include 550 acres of parkland. The boardwalk from Centre to Ward's Island is 11/2 mi. long. No cars are permitted. Consider renting a bike (walk south from the Centre Island ferry docks to Avenue of the Islands) and work your way across the islands. 416/234-2345 in winter; 416/203-0405 in summer; 416/392-8195 for island information; 416/392-8193; 416/392-8186 for ferry information. Centre Island amusement park; Ward's and Hanlan's are places to picnic, sunbathe, and read under a tree. Ferries at foot of Bay St. and Queen's Quay, 416/234-2345 in winter; 416/203-0405 in summer; 416/392-8195 for island information; 416/392-8193; 416/392-8186 for ferry information.
Toronto Zoo: Meadowvale Rd. north of Hwy. 401 30-min drive from downtown, or take Bus 86A from Kennedy subway station, 416/392-5900 Parking free Nov.-Feb. Hours: Summer 9-7:30; winter 9:30-4:30. This 710-acre zoo houses mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish in their natural habitats. There are also botanical exhibits, pony and camel rides, a walking safari, and a reproduction of "big-game" country with rare animals.
Hockey Hall of Fame: 30 Yonge St. BCE Place, Toronto (416) 360-7765 The Hockey Hall of Fame houses artifacts and multimedia exhibits honoring the sport's legends.
Art Gallery of Ontario: 317 Dundas St. W. Location: between McCaul and Beverley sts. 416/977-0414 Tues and Thurs-Fri 11am-6pm, Wed 11am-8:30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5:30pm. Grange House Tues-Sun noon-4pm, Wed noon-9pm Seasonal Info: Closed Jan 1, Dec 25 Subway: St. Patrick Donation requested. The exterior gives no hint of the light and openness inside this beautifully designed gallery. The space is dramatic, and the paintings imaginatively displayed. Throughout, audiovisual presentations and interactive computer presentations provide information on particular paintings or schools of painters. There is an extensive collection of Inuit art. The Henry Moore Sculpture Centre, with more than 800 pieces (original plasters, bronzes, maquettes, woodcuts, lithographs, etchings, and drawings), is the largest public collection of his works. The European collection ranges from the 14th century to the French impressionists and beyond. Behind the gallery, connected by an arcade, stands the Grange (1817), Toronto's oldest surviving brick house, which was the gallery's first permanent space. Entrance is free with admission to the art gallery.
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