Tourist Guide to Must Visit Places in Toronto
Toronto, the largest city in Canada and the capital of the province of Ontario, is an exciting destination for tourists. Every neighborhood has something special to offer, and the vast Lake Ontario is picturesque and full of things to do.
When you've had your fill of Toronto's top-notch museums, landmarks, cultural attractions, lakeside beaches, ethnic neighbourhoods, and other hotspots, there are lots of day trips to take advantage of as well as the opportunity to See a Toronto Maple Leafs game.
There are lots of activities in Toronto to keep you busy, whether you want to stroll through an art gallery, revel in the Distillery District, explore Lawrence Market, be amazed at City Hall, or simply find the numerous intriguing stores. Outside of Downtown Toronto, there is also a tonne to see.
Toronto is a sizable, expansive metropolis. While travelling about Toronto is made simple by public transportation, picking what to include on your agenda might be difficult. It could start to feel like work to organise your trip!
Do not worry - To compile the most comprehensive list of Toronto attractions for you, we have done extensive research on the city. Along with the more well-known and well-liked Toronto vacation options, there are a few insider secrets and undiscovered treasures too!
Visiting Canada is simpler than ever since Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced the simplified and streamlined process of obtaining electronic travel authorisation or Online Canada Visa. Online Canada Visa is an travel permit or electronic travel authorization to enter and visit Canada for a period of less than 6 months for tourism or business. International tourists must have a Canada eTA to be able to enter Canada and explore this beautiful country. Foreign citizens can apply for an Online Canada Visa Application in a matter of minutes. Online Canada Visa Application process is automated, simple, and completely online.
CN Tower
The CN Tower was initially designed to broadcast signals for the Canadian National Railway company, and it was formerly regarded as one of the modern world's wonders. Today, the CN Tower is recognised as Canada's greatest architectural achievement and a top spot for entertainment and eating.
What to Do?
Elevators take guests to one of two observation levels in under 58 seconds. A brand-new feature called EdgeWalk allows adventure-seeking tourists to walk across five-foot-wide (1.5-meter) external ledge 1,168 feet (356 metres) above the ground. It makes sense that seeing the CN Tower is one of the most popular activities in Toronto.
What to See?
Look down from the renowned Glass Floor, which has a 1,122-foot (342-meter) straight-down vista. You can get even more breathtaking views from LookOut by going up one floor. For the greatest views, climb to SkyPod (an additional 33 storeys high). You can see all the way to Niagara Falls on a clear day.
Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo offers a variety of activities and sights, including a newly renovated and expanded polar bear habitat, a new exhibit featuring endangered African penguins, and more than 6 miles (10 km) of walking trails.
What to Do?
Visit Nassir, the park's youngest gorilla, who is just one of the numerous infants born as a result of the Zoo's successful breeding programme for endangered species. Visit Kids Zoo with the kids so they can get up up and personal with creatures like goats, alpacas, bunnies, and more. Daily Meet the Keeper presentations and feedings are also held at several locations across the Toronto Zoo.
What to See?
Visit the brand-new Great Barrier Reef exhibit to see moon jellies, seahorses, and a diverse range of fish that are indigenous to Australasia's barrier reefs. Visit one of Canada's largest indoor giraffe exhibits to see the giraffes. The Toronto Zoo has more than 5,000 species, so there is a lot to see.
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If you wish to see Canada at its most magical, there is no better time to visit than the fall. During the fall, Canada’s landscape bursts forth with a beautiful bounty of colors due to the abundance of maple, pine, cedar, and oak trees making it the perfect time to experience Canada’s iconic, mesmerizing feats of nature. Learn more at Best Places to Witness Fall Colors in Canada.
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
16,000 creatures, 100 interactive exhibits, and three touch exhibits with sharks, stingrays, and horseshoe crabs can be found at Ripley's Aquarium of Canada. The longest underwater viewing tunnel in North America is in the Aquarium.
What to Do?
Travel through the underwater tunnel in Dangerous Lagoon on a moving walkway. Five different jellyfish species can be seen in a colourful show at Planet Jellies. You'll think you're in another galaxy!
What to See?
See a Daily Dive Show to see divers interact with the audience and aquarium educators. This is a fantastic method to observe the creatures and discover more about their environments.
Canada's Wonderland
The largest theme park in Canada, Canada's Wonderland, has been operating since 1981. The sizable amusement park, which spans 330 acres (134 hectares), has lots to offer guests of all ages.
What To Do?
There is a large selection of rides, a water park with slides, pools, a lazy river, a wave pool, and cabanas where you can relax offers a way for guests to cool down in the warmer weather. All day long, fantastic shows may be seen, and there are numerous options for food and drink. Canada's Wonderland in Toronto promises to be a day full of excitement, and if you want the thrills and giggles to go longer, there is a resort right on the property. It's a well-liked destination for friends, couples, and families travelling to Toronto.
How To Proceed?
Ride the Mighty Canadian Minebuster, a long wooden coaster, brave Leviathan, one of the fastest and highest roller coasters in Canada, buckle up for Flight Deck, the nation's first inverted coaster, and ride. Feel the exhilaration on rides like the Drop Tower, Psyclone, Shockwave, and Riptide, as well as rollercoasters like Behemoth, Wilde Beast, The Bat, and Time Warp. The Ghoster Coaster, Swing Time, Pumpkin Patch, and Frequent Flyers are all kid-friendly rides.
Royal Ontario Museum
The largest natural history and world cultures museum in Canada has something for everyone, with exhibits and displays on dinosaurs, ancient Egypt, Canadian history, and more.
What to Do?
30 fossilised extinct mammal skeletons and 166 fossilised non-mammalian fossils from the Cenozoic Era will help you learn about Earth's biodiversity. Gordo the Brontosaurus, the biggest dinosaur on display in Canada, is also housed at ROM. If you dare, enter the Bat Cave to discover the truth about these spooky nighttime creatures.
What to See?
The Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, a 2007 addition made up of five interlocking prismatic structures housing eight new galleries, has elevated the museum to the list of "the world's most beautiful museums," according to Travel+Leisure magazine. Keep an eye out for what the ROM has going on when you're in town because they periodically introduce new and travelling exhibitions.
Graffiti Alley
Toronto's Graffiti Alley (formally known as Rush Lane) is tucked away from the hubbub of the Fashion District. The alley, which spans almost three blocks, is one of Toronto's most peculiar attractions. There are frequently new additions to the colourful walls down the tiny road, yet many of the eye-catching pieces have remained the same for some time. It resembles an imaginative, expressive open-air art gallery in several ways. Better yet, a visit won't set you back any money.
What to Do?
Remember to bring your camera! Graffiti Alley is filled with colourful and creative street art, so you'll want to take tonnes of images of it to add to your Instagram account. Poser, Spud, Uber5000, and Skam are just a few of the well-known local names in the street art movement that have left their marks on the tags.
Ontario Science Centre
When it initially opened in 1969, the Ontario Science Centre was maybe the first interactive science museum. More than 500 exhibits, live demonstrations, a public planetarium, and IMAX films in a dome theatre are now available at the Science Centre.
What to Do?
Visitors can interact through a wide range of practical activities, all of which are intended to inspire fresh perceptions and discoveries. Visit AstraZeneca Human Edge to find out more about what your body is capable of and to read about how athletes, fans of extreme sports, and survivalists have redefined what we once believed to be humanly possible.
What to See?
The highly popular KidSpark, a place created exclusively for young scientists, is open to those visiting with kids. KidSpark was finished in 2007 because of the museum's $47.5 million renovation. See a movie on a screen that is 4,500 times bigger than a typical TV screen at the IMAX Dome cinema. The average movie lasts an hour, giving you plenty of time to relax your legs.
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Although it may have originated in Germany, Oktoberfest is now widely associated with beer, lederhosen, and an excessive amount of bratwurst. Oktoberfest is a significant event in Canada. To commemorate the Bavarian celebration, both locals and travelers from Canada turn out to celebrate Oktoberfest in large numbers. Learn more at Travel Guide to Oktoberfest in Canada.
Casa Loma
You must not miss the romantic magnificence of this spectacular home, which is located on a bluff overlooking Toronto. The early 20th-century reconstruction of a mediaeval castle, which has 98 rooms and incorporates Norman, Gothic, and Romanesque components, was built by Canadian financier and businessman Sir Henry Pellatt.
What to Do?
Explore the grounds and take in the gardens, stables, and carriage house. The five-acre Estate Gardens, which surround Casa Loma, have formal perennial borders, fountains, and sculptures. Discover this contemporary castle's adorned suites, towers, and even the hidden corridors.
What to See?
Locate the 800-foot tunnel that leads to the stables beneath the Austin Terrace. Hollywood movie posters from movies that were filmed at Casa Loma may be found on the lower floor, and vintage cars can be found in the stables.
Niagara Falls
The three cascades that make up Niagara Falls were created 12,000 years ago by a glacier retreating. You should think about adding a trip to Niagara Falls, which are only 75 miles south-southeast of Toronto, while on your your trip to the city!
What to Do?
For a close-up view of the falls, board the renowned Maid of the Mist boat. Take the Cave of the Winds Tour to get a close-up view of the falls. Hold on to your hat since the falls from that near generate tropical storm-like conditions.
What to See?
Regardless of whether they are at Queen Victoria Park or flying high in a helicopter, most visitors get goosebumps merely by glancing at Horseshoe Falls, Bridal Veil, and American Falls. You have a variety of views to select from because there are numerous observation towers in the vicinity on both the Canadian and American banks of the Niagara River.
St. Lawrence Market
In April 2012, St. Lawrence Market was rated the best food market in the world by National Geographic. The Market consists of two structures - Weekly farmer's markets and antique fairs are held in the North Market, whereas there are restaurants and a range of food shopping options in the South Market.
What to Do?
The South Market, open Tuesday through Saturday, has more than 120 vendors selling fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses, and is arguably the most well-known. Events like cooking lessons and classes on how to sharpen your knife skills are routinely held at The Market.
What to See?
On weekends, farmers selling seasonal goods and antique dealers selling anything from classic to kitsch may be found at the North Market. There are sellers of various kinds inside the Market. You can always find something to look at at St. Lawrence Market, from local artisans who sell apparel and jewellery to meats and pastries.
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The mix of Montreal's history, landscape, and architectural marvels from the 20th century creates an endless list of sites to see. Montreal is the second-oldest city in Canada.. Learn more at Tourist Guide to Must Visit Places in Montreal.
Toronto Islands
A sandspit was cut off from the mainland by a storm in 1858, creating a peninsula and a group of islands that now offer a wide range of recreational opportunities for people of all ages.
What to Do?
After a brief ferry voyage, guests can take advantage of a contemporary amusement park, fishing, disc golf, or even a beach where there are no clothes required. The islands are perfect for picnics, canoeing, or kayaking around the canals and rivers dividing the several islands, as well as for riding bicycles.
What to See?
Rent a boat, a bike, or take a tram excursion to see the city from a local's perspective. See fantastic views of the Toronto Skyline from a close by location.
Distillery District
There is no such thing as "out with the old and in with the new" in Toronto's Distillery District. The Distillery District is one of Canada's top tourist destinations thanks to its seamless fusion of classic Victorian industrial architecture and a modern shopping experience.
What to Do?
You'll leave the Distillery District with something absolutely unique if you shop your way around. The Distillery District has both summer and winter markets year-round where exhibitors sell high-quality, handcrafted goods and fresh, local produce. While you're there, have some warm, thick Mayan hot chocolate from Soma Chocolate and explore the old buildings.
What to See?
Look at that 40-foot spider! It may sound frightening, but it's actually rather benign. The Spider is a steel sculpture that weighs thousands of pounds and won't be moved. Get near to the spider known as IT so you can take a picture of him; he won't bite!
Rogers Centre
Sports participation in Canada extends far beyond hockey. The Rogers Centre, once known as the Sky Dome, is prominently situated in the heart of Toronto's downtown. For the full experience, attend a Blue Jays game during the baseball season.
What to Do?
By purchasing your apparel at the Jays Shop, you can ensure that your wings are decked up in the appropriate Blue Jay attire. Or, take a Rogers Center tour to experience the real Blue. Find out more about the history of the stadium and the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. You will get a behind-the-scenes peek at the stadium's operations and your favorite Blue Jays during this one-hour guided tour.
What to See?
You should check out if you're a member of the Blue Jay's audience. The Audience is a special collection of sculptures created by Canadian artist Michael Snow. The air of fervour that permeates every baseball game is captured by these animated folks. The statue's characters tell a different story depending on where you are; one woman takes a picture while another man mockingly points at a supporter of the opposite team. It might be wise to take one or two pictures of this amusing artwork.
Scotiabank Arena
Join Leafs Nation, where the Toronto Maple Leafs have unquestionably established themselves as one of the game's most recognisable franchises. The NBA Raptors, Toronto's sole NBA basketball franchise, compete against the Leafs.
What to Do?
To put on your game face, you must be in the Fan Zone. Fans can shoot NBA foul shots or even play air hockey in the interactive basketball and hockey games included in the Fan Zone. There are countless alternatives! You'll have enough time to dribble around if you arrive at the game early enough.
What to See?
While you may get up close and personal when watching games inside the Scotiabank Arena, Maple Leaf Square is a sizable public space where fans can congregate and See free of charge on a gigantic screen. Also, interesting to observe is the Raptors mascot. He may be as old as a dinosaur, but that's not how he acts!
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Vancouver is one of the few places on Earth where you can ski, surf, travel back in time more than 5,000 years, see a pod of orcas play, or take a stroll through the best urban park in the world all in the same day. Vancouver, British Columbia, is indisputably West Coast, nestled between wide lowlands, a lush temperate rain forest, and an uncompromising mountain range. Learn more at Tourist Guide to Must Visit Places in Vancouver.
High Park
High Park, a stunning and diverse park in Canada, offers a taste of rich nature. Visitors can enjoy a singular experience that only nature could offer on the 399 acres of property. Tennis, ponds, wildlife, and trails are just a few of the things you can do in High Park.
What to Do?
Glossy-eyed animals of many different kinds, including llamas, reindeer, emus, sheep, bison, and many more, can be seen at the High Park Zoo. The animals truly bring the park to life, providing both kids and adults with a heartwarming experience.
What to See?
If you can schedule your trip to Toronto for the spring, you shouldn't pass up the chance to see High Park's cherry blossoms in full bloom. The flowers are only there for a few weeks, but their lovely pink petals give the sky the appearance of cotton candy. Beautiful, gorgeous trails round the entire park and are overflowing with a variety of trees and plants. There is therefore enough of other beauty to be seen in High Park even if you miss the cherry blossoms.
Toronto Waterfront
A tourist to Canada is always astounded and amazed. Toronto, a pristine and green metropolis, is essentially a huge park with a city inside. Toronto's lifestyle includes scenic vistas from left to right, but the waterfront is where the city and nature come together to produce one of the longest waterfronts in the world. There is never a dull moment along the edge of Lake Ontario, which stretches from Rouge River to Etobicoke Creek and back.
What to Do?
There is more than plenty to do over the 46-kilometer stretch that can be explored. Take advantage of the warm weather by relaxing on the sandy Sugar Beach, paddling a canoe across Lake Ontario, or strolling along the meandering boardwalk or picturesque paths.
Your increased need for savoury cuisine at one of the many lakeside patios—excellent food with a terrific view—will result from all your moving about.
What to See?
The 15-kilometer-long, spectacular Scarborough Bluff offers visitors a cliff-side perspective of the landscape below. The trail is tranquil and quiet and offers a welcome diversion from the city boardwalk. See the plants and the Music Garden, which is Bach's "Suite No. 1 in G Major for unaccompanied cello," in the botanical world. The garden is a symphony unto itself (but also holds free summer concerts).
Edwards Gardens
Edwards Gardens is actually a collection of gardens. Whether you're interested in large, gorgeous blossoms, homegrown herbs, native plants, or immaculately trimmed lawns, Edwards Gardens is a visual pleasure. Edwards Gardens is a must-visit destination because of its tranquil walks and breathtaking surroundings.
What to Do?
Take frequent breaks to rest on one of the numerous benches scattered throughout the garden as you cross the wooden arch bridges. The sound of the waterfall is peaceful and comforting to city ears. You should pack your camera for this trip since you'll take a tonne of amazing pictures that you'll want to display afterwards.
What to See?
A lot of lush green trees and foliage, as well as vibrant perennials, roses, rhododendrons, and wildflowers, surround the garden. Visitors looking for a place to sit and take in the views and sounds of nature frequently stop at the rockery in the valley of Edwards Gardens because it seamlessly blends with the water. Visit the teaching garden to take a tour and see the various plants and flowers that children may touch and learn about.
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Québec is a sizable province that comprises roughly one-sixth of Canada. Its varied landscapes range from remote Arctic tundra to ancient metropolis. The region is bordered by the American states of Vermont and New York in the south, the Arctic Circle virtually to the north, Hudson Bay to the west, and Hudson Bay to the south. Learn more at Tourist Guide to Must Visit Places in Québec Province.
Old City Hall
Old City Hall, which is more than a century old, was in danger of being demolished before a group of campaigners intervened and prevented it. Now that Old City Hall is a National Historic Site of Canada, anyone who wants to admire the spectacular architecture and learn a little bit about Toronto history can visit.
What to Do?
It would be wise to try to organise a tour in advance because the structure is still in use as a courthouse, and you'd want to view the stunning architecture both inside and out. A 300-foot clock tower rises above the building's facade, which also features brownstone and sandstone that give it a Romanesque Revival appearance.
How to Visit Old City Hall?
Old City Hall is one of Toronto's oldest still-standing structures and a masterpiece of architecture that has been preserved. Check to see if you can find the two bronze gargoyles that were restored from the original statues that once graced the structure. They are located atop the clock tower. In the triple-arch entrance, keep an eye out for the carved faces of city councillors from the 1890s.
Black Creek Pioneer Village
One of the top attractions in Toronto for history buffs is Black Creek Pioneer Village's outdoor heritage museum. The museum recreates 19th-century living and is a must-see in Toronto if you enjoy learning about past lifestyles.
What to See?
There are several historic buildings with period décor inside, allowing visitors to get a taste of rural life in bygone eras. To further bring the past to life, people dress in period attire, and there are numerous demonstrations, explanations, and activities.
What to Do?
Visit heritage structures to get a glimpse of the past. There is a tonne to keep you busy and interested in the Black Creek Pioneer Village, including Charles Irwin Weaver, Dickson's Hill School, and Rose Blacksmith Shop, as well as Snider Workshop, the Half Way House Inn, and the Dominion Carriage Works. Additionally, you can go to places like a church, a fire station, a doctor's residence, a cider mill, previous private residences, a cemetery, and barns. Visit the Herb Garden, Berry Garden, and Kitchen Garden to see plants used for food (and medicines) and stop by the lovely Market Garden to see things cultivated for commerce.
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Online Canada Visa, or Canada eTA, is a mandatory travel documents for citizens of visa-exempt countries. If you are a citizen of a Canada eTA eligible country, or if you are a legal resident of the United States, you will need eTA Canada Visa for layover or transit, or for tourism and sightseeing, or for business purposes, or for medical treatment. Learn more at Online Canada Visa Application Process.
Check your eligibility for Online Canada Visa and apply for eTA Canada Visa 3 days in advance of your flight. British citizens, Italian citizens, Spanish citizens, French citizens, Israeli citizens, South Korean citizens, Portuguese citizens, and Chilean citizens can apply online for eTA Canada Visa. Should you need any help or require any clarifications you should contact our helpdesk for support and guidance.