15 best places to visit in Toronto, Canada
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and one of the most diverse places in the world (over 140 languages are spoken here). From bustling Chinatown to quiet suburban parks, peaceful islands to top-flight restaurants, Toronto has it all. We’ve put together a list of our favorite things to do here—read on for 15 great experiences you can have in Toronto.
St. Lawrence Market
St. Lawrence Market is a historical building in downtown Toronto that houses a farmer’s market, a variety of bars and restaurants and an area where you can buy fresh produce. It’s one of the oldest public markets in North America, dating back to 1803! As such, it has a lot of charm and character with its brick walls and wooden stalls selling fresh fruit and veggies. There are also lots of stalls selling prepared foods such as deli meats or cheeses if you want something quick to eat while you browse the market. You can also take cooking classes at St Lawrence Market! If you want something more substantial than just browsing through the stalls then head over to La Palma Cantina for some delicious Mexican food – they serve breakfast all day long too! They have tacos made with either chicken or fish along with nachos topped off with queso cheese sauce served on corn tortillas chips instead; these items make great snacks when visiting this part of town as well as being delicious!
Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art
The Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art is a museum of ceramics, located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Situated on the south west side of Yonge-Dundas Square at the base of the CN Tower in downtown Toronto, it houses one of Canada’s most important collections of ceramic art from around the world and provides visitors with an opportunity to see works from all periods and cultures. The museum was opened in 1976 after being founded by John Sewell Gardiner.
The museum has been designed by Lettuce Studio Architects (a joint venture between Peter O’ Toole & Associates Limited and Langdon Morris).
Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is the largest zoo in Canada and home to over 5,000 animals and 700 different species. It’s also open 365 days a year (yes, even on Christmas Day) for your enjoyment. It’s been ranked as one of the top 10 zoos in North America since 1998 by TripAdvisor users.
In addition to its animal exhibits, which include walk-through natural habitats like A Polar Bear Portrait (where visitors can get up close with polar bears), there are also several rides and activities like The African Safari Ride or the Kids Zone Playground where kids can let off steam after being dragged around by their parents all day looking at monkeys or whatever else they’re interested in seeing at the moment.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
The Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is a public aquarium located in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is owned and operated by Ripley Entertainment Inc., which also owns the Canadian division of the US-based company. The aquarium’s architectural design and layout is similar to that of other Ripley’s facilities located around the world.
The aquarium houses more than 16000 animals representing more than 500 species and serves as home to some endangered species such as white alligator snapping turtle (Macroclemmys guttata), Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) or anaconda (Eunectes murinus).
CN Tower
It held the record for the tallest freestanding structure in the world for 32 years until 2007.
Built in 1975, it stands 553 metres (1,815 feet) tall and contains broadcast equipment used to transmit Canadian radio and television signals as well as reception antennas; however, its most iconic feature is its over-the-top restaurant that rotates 360 degrees every hour.
It’s also one of Toronto’s most-visited tourist attractions with more than 1 million visitors per year. If you want to visit this historical landmark, make sure you go early enough so that you can get some great shots of this well-known cityscape while there’s still light out!
Rogers Centre
The Rogers Centre is home to the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team and the Argonauts football team, as well as hosting major concerts and other events. The stadium was built for $600 million by architects Rod Robbie, Michael Allen and Ralph Sazio. The Rogers Centre has a retractable roof that can open or close in approximately 20 minutes, allowing games to be played regardless of weather conditions. Aside from its baseball diamond (which includes a dirt infield), it also contains 72 luxury suites including one that holds up to 200 people! If you want to see some amazing views of downtown Toronto while enjoying an evening at this sports mecca then check out our ticket options below!
Casa Loma
Casa Loma is a Gothic Revival style castle built in 1911 by Sir Henry Pellatt, a Toronto financier. It is located at the top of Casa Loma Boulevard overlooking the city and was purchased in 2005 by the City of Toronto for $10.5 million CAD. Today, it is managed by Parks, Forestry & Recreation and operates as one of Toronto’s most popular tourist attractions.
Casa Loma offers daily guided tours of its interior rooms, battlements and gardens as well as self-guided audio tours that can be accessed via mobile device or web browser (reservation required). The grounds are also home to an award winning restaurant known for its fine dining experience (reservation required). There is also a gift shop on site where you can purchase souvenirs from your visit such as t-shirts and mugs featuring designs inspired by the property
High Park and Grenadier Pond
High Park is a large park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It spans 161 hectares of land with a diverse natural heritage. The park is located in the neighbourhood of High Park-Swansea in the former city of Etobicoke and was once part of the Town of York before it became part of Metropolitan Toronto.
High Park has many unique features including Grenadier Pond and an historic art collection featuring over 300 sculptures by artist Henry Moore who called it his favorite work site during his lifetime.
In addition to the open green space, there are several areas within High Park that offer more than just wide open spaces for leisurely strolls or sports activities such as golfing or tennis courts but also cultural venues like theatre productions at Theatre Passe Muraille or concerts at Coca-Cola Coliseum (formerly known as The Roundhouse).
Distillery Historic District
The Distillery Historic District is a must-see for anyone who loves history, art and architecture. This popular Toronto destination offers a unique blend of culture, entertainment and dining options in one place. It’s also one of Toronto’s most Instagrammable districts! You’ll find lots to do here—from strolling along cobblestone streets lined with century-old brick buildings to taking in a guided tour at the Gooderham & Worts Distillery Museum.
The district’s main street hosts festivals year-round including the Doors Open festival (May), Garden Party Festival (July), Corktown Jam Festival (August) and Winter Stroll Festival (December). And don’t forget about its annual Christmas Market that features local artisans selling everything from jewelry to home decor items while you enjoy some mulled wine!
Scarborough Bluffs
Scarborough Bluffs are a series of sand and clay bluffs along the shore of Lake Ontario in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Scarborough Bluffs are the easternmost extension of the Niagara Escarpment in the Greater Toronto Area.
The Bluffs begin at Kingston Road (Toronto) west of Highway 401, then run southwestward along Kingston Rd., past 401 and into Rouge Park at Kennedy Road. The cliffs continue westward for another 30 km until reaching Midland Avenue, just west of Port Union on Lake Simcoe; this section is known as “the Muddy”. They extend inland from Lake Ontario to include several hills and valleys including Highland Creek valley which forms an area called Scarborough Village surrounded by more than 500 hectares (5 km²) protected from development through parks or conservation areas that contain remnants from its early settlement days as well as being recognized for its significant natural heritage values including rare plant communities and endangered animal species that have been reintroduced such as piping plover seabirds nesting above ground where they were previously thought extinct until rediscovered in 1997 during construction work on land formerly owned by developer Norman Stowe.
Evergreen Brick Works
Evergreen Brick Works is a community environmental centre that offers a variety of programs and workshops to teach you about sustainable living. It’s an excellent place to visit with kids, who can get their hands dirty in the outdoor garden or play on the playground. They also have regular events at Evergreen Brick Works like yoga classes and concerts, so check their website for more information.
If you live near Toronto or are planning on visiting soon, we hope this list helped inspire your next trip!
Toronto Islands and Centre Island Park
The Toronto Islands are a fun place to visit, and the best thing about it is that there are so many different things to do. For example, you can rent bikes, paddle boats and kayaks. You can also rent a canoe or rowboat if you want to go out on the lake. Or maybe you’d prefer to rent a boat with an engine and take your family out on Lake Ontario?
If that sounds like too much work (or if it’s just too cold), there’s also an option for getting around without having to do anything at all: Ferries run regularly between Hanlan’s Point Beach Park on Ward’s Island and Centre Island Park in downtown Toronto.
Edwards Gardens and Toronto Botanical Garden
Edwards Gardens and Toronto Botanical Garden is a 25-acre park located in the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The gardens are located in the heart of the city, on the corner of Lawrence Avenue East and Avenue Road. It was founded by William T.H. Edwards who was an architect and landscape designer who designed this garden with his wife Anne Willson Edwards as well as their son Arthur. Arthur became famous for designing some of Toronto’s iconic buildings such as Old City Hall (1892) and St James Town (1948).
The Edwards family lived at their home next door to the garden until its closure in 1949 when it was donated to the city of Toronto by them so they could continue running it as a public park instead!
Harbourfront Centre
Harbourfront Centre is a cultural centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located on the south shore of Lake Ontario, just west of downtown.
Harbourfront Centre has been home to an ever-changing mix of arts and culture since it opened its doors in 1971 as Harbourfront Festival Theatre. The centre has undergone several transformations over the years; however, its mission remains clear: to provide people with opportunities to connect with each other through art and culture in order to build vibrant communities through diverse programs that celebrate the arts and cultures from around the world.
Kensington Market and Chinatown
Kensington Market is Toronto’s most eclectic neighbourhood. The area is home to the largest Chinese community in Canada, so it’s no surprise that Chinatown is one of the city’s most famous districts. With its vibrant culture and lively street life, this colourful corner of the city is a must-see for foodies and shoppers alike. It’s also home to some of Toronto’s best festivals and events, including the Taste of Little Italy festival held every summer!
In conclusion
Toronto is a beautiful, historic city that’s full of culture and history. You’ll find yourself surrounded by museums, parks, and so much more. While you may not be able to visit everything in one trip, there’s no shortage of amazing things to see and do. And there’s so much more to do in Toronto! Enjoy and have fun.