Toronto

Ontario

Canada

North America

Toronto is an exciting city. The multicultural population means the region is packed with unique cultural attractions for tourists to enjoy.

Not only is Toronto one of the most culturally diverse and vibrant places on the planet, but it's also one of the most beautiful. Canada's largest city frequently lands at the top of the world's best cities list. Forty million people make their way here each year to shop, dine, visit its art galleries, and take in the magnificent skyline. Throughout the city, visitors will find an endless number of places to explore and sites to see.
<h2>1. Edgewalk at the CN Tower</h2>
The glass floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, and glass elevators of Toronto's CN Tower make it one of the most spectacular marvels of engineering on the globe. It towers over Toronto, providing mind-blowing 100-mile views of Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls, and Toronto Islands. In a mere 58 seconds, rocket up to the top floor aboard a glass-front elevator to find the EdgeWalk, a 20-minute walk around the main pod's fenceless, windowless perimeter. It's the ultimate thrill.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CY87WXhLfdy/" alt="woman at Edgewalk at the CN Tower" caption="allison.m.arry" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/allison.m.arry/" /]


<h2>2. Spend the day at Kensington Market</h2>
If you prefer seeing the unique and unpolished side of a city, head to Kensington Market, a diverse neighborhood with a vibrant but laid-back vibe, just north of downtown Toronto. The colorfully painted residences and shops create the perfect backdrop for exploring this eccentric but fun and entertaining locale. Street musicians, tightrope walkers, and bongo drum circles entertain the crowds outside of the neighborhood's vintage shops, artist studios, and patio cafes, alongside fishmonger and outdoor fruit stands.

[caption id="attachment_51637" align="alignnone" width="1000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-51637" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/shutterstock_450748270.jpg" alt="Shop on Kensington Avenue at Kensington Market, in Toronto, Ontario" width="1000" height="667" /> Jon Bilous / Shutterstock[/caption]


<h2>3. Play at the Hockey Hall of Fame</h2>
To celebrate its national sport, it's no surprise that Toronto is home to the Hockey Hall of Fame, a magnificent museum that pays homage to all-things hockey. The visually stunning collections and multimedia exhibits will undoubtedly spark the hockey lover inside of you. Shoot pucks at video-projected National Hockey League goalies, duck virtual pucks via a 3D film, and see the world's most extensive collection of hockey artifacts dating back to the game's origins.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUsoDADL5xJ/" alt="man playing hockey in virtual screen at Hockey Hall of Fame" caption="attractionsweek" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/attractionsweek/" /]


<h2>4. Stroll Edwards Gardens</h2>
It was once an estate garden in the district of North York. Today, Edwards Gardens is located near the Toronto Botanical Garden, located on a rock-lined ravine north of downtown Toronto. It features a collection of themed gardens, including wildflowers and manicured rose and perennial gardens. The gardens are stunningly peaceful and beautiful and open from dusk till dawn, making it a popular site for leisurely walks along its paved pathways.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVb4cErNksi/" alt="Edwards Gardens" caption="grapefruit.tree" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/grapefruit.tree/" /]


<h2>5. Queen Street West Art Crawl</h2>
Nestled among trendy retailers, pop-up shops, and indie boutiques, you'll find a small treasure trove of outdoor art in one of the coolest stretches in the downtown area. Start at Queen Street West and Spadina Avenue, then head west. You'll come upon six spots along the way, including the technicolor Graffiti Alley, the Raptors Mural, and the Artscape building, a location providing workspaces for local artists. Your last stop is the Craft Ontario Shop, where you'll find some amazing Inuit and Indigenous art to take home.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/By4HP-nHddt/" alt="Raptors Mural in Toronto" caption="comewithmetocanada" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/comewithmetocanada/" /]


<h2>6. Take in historical architecture</h2>
Travelers fascinated by the stories behind a city's buildings won't be disappointed when they see the eclectic combination of architectural styles in Toronto. There's lots to explore from 19th century Georgian to 21st postmodern architectural styles. To see some of the city's lesser-known yet most interesting neighborhoods and historical structures, join one of the Royal Ontario Museum's one-to-two hour guided tours.

[caption id="attachment_51641" align="alignnone" width="2018"]<img class="size-full wp-image-51641" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/GettyImages-626723278.jpg" alt="Building in downtown Toronto - Ontario, Canada" width="2018" height="1485" /> diegograndi / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Check out the footwear at Bata Shoe Museum</h2>
As a home to a collection of 13,000 pairs of shoes, the Bata Shoe Museum is a must-see for every shoe lover. Whether you're inspired by vintage shoes, like a pair of women's Parisian-made shoes from 1875, or you're into footwear worn by the world's most famous performers, like Elton John and Justin Timberlake, you won't be disappointed.

[caption id="attachment_51649" align="alignnone" width="1000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-51649" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/shutterstock_1375975352.jpg" alt="Bata Shoe Museum" width="1000" height="667" /> EQRoy / Shutterstock[/caption]


<h2>8. Get classical at Toronto Music Garden</h2>
Add the Toronto Music Garden to your itinerary if you love classical music and the outdoors. The garden, designed in collaboration with famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma, fronts the city's inner harbor. It was inspired by Bach's Suite No. 1 for Unaccompanied Cello, with each of the six movements coinciding with and replicating a section of the garden. The park is one of the most inspired outdoor spaces in the city.

[caption id="attachment_51642" align="alignnone" width="1000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-51642" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/shutterstock_421860385.jpg" alt="Trees and gardens along a walkway at the Toronto Music Garden" width="1000" height="667" /> Jon Bilous / Shutterstock[/caption]


<h2>9. Hang out in the castle at Casa Loma</h2>
You've probably seen this remarkable cliffside structure in films like <em>X-Men</em> and <em>Chicago; you</em> just didn't know it was Casa Loma. The 500,000 square foot Edwardian castle, built in 1914, has never been the home for royalty, yet it is one of Toronto's most treasured landmarks. While there is an admission fee, the architecture and decor are dazzling, and the castle also houses a classic car collection and a "Dark Side of Toronto" photo exhibit that adds to its mysterious allure. Dine at one of the upscale, onsite restaurants, such as the BlueBlood Steakhouse, amid works by Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali.

[caption id="attachment_51643" align="alignnone" width="2130"]<img class="size-full wp-image-51643" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/GettyImages-165944770.jpg" alt="Casa Loma, Toronto" width="2130" height="1408" /> DebraLee Wiseberg / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Indulge your foodie side</h2>
With more than 8000 restaurants across Toronto, the city has become a world-class foodie destination. Each neighborhood has its distinct version of cultural cuisine, including crossover dishes that you wouldn't expect. Discover a range of Asian delicacies in one of the city's six Chinatowns. Find excellent Greek food in Danforth and in Little Italy; in addition to scrumptious Italian favorites, you can dine on everything from Spanish tapas to Asian fusion dishes. Head to Little Portugal for a variety of modern comfort foods and creative cocktails.

[caption id="attachment_51644" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-51644" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/GettyImages-1064202012.jpg" alt="Close up of light brunch food arrangement" width="2121" height="1414" /> FOTOGRAFIA INC. / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>11. Explore the Distillery District</h2>
This was once the largest distillery in the British Empire. Today, the Distillery District is a conglomeration of locally-owned coffee shops, galleries, restaurants, art studios, boutiques, and performance spaces. You'll find no corporate ownership or franchises here. The red-brick Victorian warehouses and cobblestone walkways add to the neighborhood's distinctive historical aura.

[caption id="attachment_51648" align="alignnone" width="1000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-51648" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/shutterstock_1153519207.jpg" alt="The Distillery District" width="1000" height="667" /> Gilberto Mesquita / Shutterstock[/caption]


<h2>12. Experience Toronto's nightlife</h2>
Travelers who are into the after-dark experiences of a city won't be disappointed with what they find in Toronto. The young population here has thrown its support into making the city a center for all things entertainment, from live music venues to hardcore rock and dance clubs and even secret bars. The biggest complaint about Toronto's party scene is that it's hard to choose between the vast number of great options. Check out popular areas like The Annex and Ossington Avenue for a special night out.

[instagram-image url="https://www.instagram.com/p/CByoznSpfeO/" alt="night club in Toronto" caption="nesttoronto" captionUrl="https://www.instagram.com/nesttoronto/" /]


<h2>13. Get cultural at Royal Ontario Museum</h2>
Every great city needs an amazing museum, and Toronto has one of the best. With six million artifacts and specimens, the Royal Ontario Museum is Canada's largest. Explore the First Peoples Art and Culture exhibit, which celebrates the cultural heritage and artwork of Canada's Indigenous people. Don't miss the Bat Cave, a realistic recreation of the St. Clair Bat Cave in Jamaica housing a collection of more than 20 different bat specimens.

[caption id="attachment_51650" align="alignnone" width="1000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-51650" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/shutterstock_673595569.jpg" alt="Royal Ontario Museum" width="1000" height="667" /> JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock[/caption]


<h2>14. Visit Scarborough Bluffs</h2>
The nearly ten miles of bluffs along Lake Ontario feature eleven parks, trails, beaches, gardens, and recreational facilities. Swim at Bluffer's Park, or follow the trails at East Point Park, Scarborough Heights, or Sylvan Park to the lakefront. Scarborough Bluffs is the result of sedimentary deposits that occurred more than 12,000 years ago. Today, it's a gathering place for people of all ages for picnicking and other outdoor activities.

[caption id="attachment_51646" align="alignnone" width="1000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-51646" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/shutterstock_1315030877.jpg" alt="Toronto, Scenic Scarborough Bluffs facing Ontario lake shore" width="1000" height="667" /> Joseph Oropel / Shutterstock[/caption]


<h2>15. Ferry over to Toronto Islands</h2>
Just a short — but choppy —13-minute ferry ride from downtown Toronto, you'll land at Toronto Islands, a chain of small islands in Lake Ontario and the largest car-free neighborhood in North America. The islands are attached, with Central Island being the most popular stop for visitors. Locals say that Ward's Island, with its scenic boardwalk, quaint cottages, and picturesque views, is the much prettier option. Hop on a bicycle for a leisurely ride around the islands for a gorgeous view of Toronto's skyline and local landmarks.

[caption id="attachment_51647" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-51647" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/09/GettyImages-1189739081.jpg" alt="Ferryboat Arriving at Centre Island" width="2121" height="1414" /> R.M. Nunes / Getty Images[/caption]

Don't Miss These Top Things to Do in Toronto

If you live in Toronto, you already know you're lucky living in such a fantastic city. What you might not know is how many cool things there are to do within a couple of hours of it. In a province as full of nature, with breathtaking views around every corner, go explore!

If you live in Toronto, you already know you're lucky living in such a fantastic city. What you might not know is how many cool things there are to do within a couple of hours of it. For the most part, city-dwellers don't tend to drive because they don't need to. In a province as full of nature, with breathtaking views around every corner, however, maybe they should. There's tons of beauty just waiting for you to see it, at all times of the year.
<h2>1. Haute Goat</h2>
If you love goats as much as you love puns, checking out this 200-acre farm might be ideal for you. This exciting and unique farm is home to all kinds of adorable goats. Residents include Nigerian dwarf goats, aka the cutest goats in the world that are the star attraction. There are also alpacas and Icelandic horses. All of these are just over an hour from downtown Toronto. Furthermore, if you pay a little more, you'll get to cuddle and hug the goats as much as you like. And you can buy organic goats cheese even comes up.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/157482133-1024x684.jpg" alt="157482133" width="1024" height="684" /><span class="image-caption">BanksPhotos / Getty Images</span>
<h2>2. Devil's Punchbowl</h2>
Canadians know Hamilton as the city of waterfalls. Stunning waterfalls are all over the Niagara Escarpment, and the Devil's Punchbowl is just one of them. A 37-meter high ribbon waterfall, it sits at the center of a bowl-like canyon. It came to be towards the end of the last Ice Age when melt-water rivers created the gorge. The Devil's Punchbowl is also a prime photo spot for your Instagram snaps.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/953474510-1024x683.jpg" alt="953474510" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">Dave McIntosh / Getty Images</span>
<h2>3. St. Jacob's Farmers Market</h2>
Just outside of Kitchener is Canada's largest year-round market. St. Jacob's Farmer's Market attracts hundreds of vendors and visitors from all over the province. With wares including farm-fresh foods, local crafts and more, St. Jacob's is the alternative to mall-style shopping. The apple fritters alone are worth driving 1.5 hours from Toronto.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/968855890-1024x683.jpg" alt="968855890" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">Povozniuk / Getty Images</span>
<h2>4. Scandinave Spa</h2>
The age-old Finnish tradition of relaxing in outdoor baths is alive and well. Pamper yourselves at a Scandinavian spa that sits in the middle of a serene natural forest. The spa is just minutes from downtown Collingwood. Bathing is also extremely affordable, and a fantastic way to see out the busy work week.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/533177465-1024x683.jpg" alt="533177465" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">Orchidpoet / Getty Images</span>
<h2>5. Rattlesnake Point</h2>
Wander hiking trails, camp under the stars, or try your hand at rock climbing at Rattlesnake Point. Rattlesnake Point is an eco-tourism area in Milton. Thousand-year-old cedars tower into the skies, and if you're lucky, you'll spot turkey vultures from Buffalo Crag lookout. The rock climbing and hiking is for both beginners and enthusiasts, with options for all skill levels.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/866418766-1024x686.jpg" alt="866418766" width="1024" height="686" /><span class="image-caption">FunkinsDesigns / Getty Images</span>
<h2>6. Cobourg Beach</h2>
Cobourg Beach is a mere hour-and-a-half away from downtown Toronto. Locals love it here, particularly during the weekends and holidays. However busy the beach gets, the vibes are always chill, and the gorgeous water stretches on for miles. The best months to make the short trip are during July and August, but it's nice at all times of the year. Stroll the boardwalk with your lover or have a picnic on one of the many picnic tables around the area. Cobourg is a genuinely amazing family day out.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/170456211-1024x683.jpg" alt="170456211" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">benedek / Getty Images</span>
<h2>7. Algonquin Provincial Park</h2>
The only way to explore the scenic Algonquin Provincial Park is by canoe or on foot, which makes it more tempting. Its vast interior of maple hills and hundreds of lakes and waterways make it amazing for hiking and camping. The park has eight campgrounds, all of which vary. Some of the campgrounds have cabins, where others have a much more au naturel approach to camping. Keen hikers also have a selection of 14 trails to hike. Other amazing things to do include visiting the Logging Museum and art center, trout fishing, or even moose-viewing.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/621242410-1024x683.jpg" alt="621242410" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">LeoPatrizi / Getty Images</span>
<h2>8. Canada's Wonderland</h2>
No selection of fun days out would be complete without a theme park, and Wonderland is just north of Toronto. Kids will love the old school funfair vibe that has over 200 attractions and 70 rides. This includes 16 rollercoasters, which no theme park is complete without. Wonderland also has a 20-acre water park, Splash Works, which has Canada's largest outdoor wave pool.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/505721131-1024x683.jpg" alt="505721131" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">bukharova / Getty Images</span>
<h2>9. Muskoka</h2>
You might know Muskoka as the Malibu of the North, thanks to the New York Times. They also weren't wrong. This picturesque town is home to the rich and famous, encompasses an area around the size of Rhode Island. Enjoy a beautiful afternoon of wandering the promenade, browsing the local shops, or dining as you watch the lake. If you'd rather be on the water than beside it, you can cruise onto the lake on a steamship. Similarly, if you're a keen land-dweller, there are plenty of beautiful trails on the outskirts of the town. Muskoka is beautiful, and even more so at night when the lights come on all around you and light up the lake.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/909373944-1024x683.jpg" alt="909373944" width="1024" height="683" /><span class="image-caption">Steven_Kriemadis / Getty Images</span>
<h2>10. Niagara Falls</h2>
Niagara is the most inevitable of day trips to take from Toronto. One of the ancient wonders of the world, locals often forget just how close these famed falls are to them. Nothing compares to seeing the water hurtling down when you take one of the Maid of the Mist boat tours. Not even lunch or dinner with the falls as a backdrop or Niagara's enthralling history. Of course, all three can and should be done in a day, and there's always a selection of bougie hotels to stay in overnight.

<img class="attachment-large size-large" src="https://thegetaway.mblycdn.com/uploads/tg/2018/08/636366788-1024x684.jpg" alt="636366788" width="1024" height="684" /><span class="image-caption">JANIFEST / Getty Images</span>

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