Introduction
Exceptional dining, vibrant neighbourhoods and a theatre scene that’s frequently compared to both New York and London. You’ll find it all, and more, in Canada’s biggest city, Toronto. Lose yourself exploring the vast array of museums, sky-piercing downtown and eclectic quarters, packed full of buzzy bars and world-leading restaurants. At the forefront of it all is the waterfront, bursting with artisan markets and lakeside patios, the scenic backdrop for many of the city’s best attractions including the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum, recently named among the top 10 museums in the world. When you add in the boundless green spaces this city boasts, from the cherry blossoms of High Park to the bike routes of Toronto Island, it's hard to believe that this isn't the country's capital.
National icons
The multicultural buzz of Toronto is wonderfully showcased in its downtown, where the Art Gallery of Ontario lies towering alongside the futuristic apexes of the Royal Ontario Museum, Canada's biggest natural history museum. Witness the stark contrast between the heritage architecture and skyscraper buildings along Bay Street that lie casually alongside one another, and explore the national icon that is the CN Tower, where, following an exhilarating 58-second ride to the top, glorious views await.
Natural world
Toronto's waterfront is one of the world's longest urban harbourfronts, where markets heave with offerings of local food and crafts, fantastically fresh seafood abounds in lakeside eateries, and sprawling cobbled and sandy beaches are hidden around every corner. A boat trip to the quaint Toronto Islands takes you away from the buzz of the city, before a game of Canada's beloved national ice hockey, showcased at the vast Rogers Centre, entices you back. Of course, this wouldn't be a Canadian city without a spectacular natural world just beyond its busiest streets, and Toronto complies accordingly, if you know where to look. Head to the Humber Bay Arch Bridge for spectacular city views, or picnic in Trinity Bellwoods, a verdant park tucked away from Toronto's inner city bustle.
