Attractions in Toronto & its Vicinity
As the second largest country in the world with a land mass that covers five time zones, Canada offers plenty of destinations for travelers. In addition to exceptional natural beauty, wide open spaces, mountains and waterways, Canada has cosmopolitan cities and a rich, interesting French heritage. For more info visit: http://www.toronto.ca/attractions/attraction_highlights.htm
Some attractions our students frequently visit are as follows (about.com):
CN Tower
301 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2T6 (416) 868-6937, URL: Â www.cntower.ca
At 1,815 feet the CN Tower has lost its title as the tallest free standing structure in the world, but still attracts millions of tourists looking for a bird’s eye view of Toronto and the surrounding areas. A glass elevator whisks you to the 1,122 foot high indoor/outdoor observation deck where a portion of the floor is transparent. Instead of buying your admission ticket, you could also make a reservation at the tower’s top-floor restaurant to get the view.
Â
ROM – Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario, M1B 5K7, Tel: (416) 586-8000, URL: www.rom.on.ca
Even if you don’t step inside the ROM , it’s worth checking out the bizarre, jagged glass exterior that tends to either delight or offend.
With more than 40 galleries of art, archaeology and natural science, the ROM offers up a world of interest and fun. The diverse ROM galleries feature one of the world’s finest collections of artefacts from China, a more than six-storey tall totem pole and much more. A discovery gallery at the ROM and other interactive exhibits mean everyone’s senses get a workout and kids stay interested.
Rogers Centre (Skydome)
1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto, (416) 341-2770, URL: www.rogerscentre.com/about/tours.jsp
Rogers Centre, formerly known as SkyDome, is one of the most dynamic and versatile entertainment centres in the world. No other venue has the diversity of events that Rogers Centre hosts on an annual basis across over 200 event days. Since its spectacular opening on June 3, 1989, Rogers Centre has achieved the highest honours in the stadium entertainment industry and is a leader in corporate environmental responsibility
Art Gallery of Ontario
Musée des beaux-arts de l’Ontario
317 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5T 1G4, URL: http://www.ago.net/home
The AGO houses an impressive collection of more than 40,000 works, making it the 10th largest art museum in North America. The AGO is a superb document of Canadian art heritage but also features masterworks from around the world, spanning 100 AD to the present and housed in a stunning Frank Gehry building.
Toronto Eaton Centre
220 Yonge St, Toronto, Ontario – (416) 260-7777, www.torontoeatoncentre.com/EN/Pages/default.aspx
The Eaton Centre is a bright and airy shopping mall in the heart of Toronto’s downtown that houses more than 250 stores. The stores will appeal to the budget conscious and spendthrifts alike.
Along with the CN Tower, the Eaton Centre is the most popular tourist attraction in Toronto.
China Town
Queen Street West to College Street, Bay Street to Spadina Avenue
Toronto has the second largest Chinatown in North America. People will find bargains on exotic trinkets, jewellery, clothing and household items. Plus, of course, where there’s a bustling Chinatown, there’s delicious food, and Toronto’s Chinatown is no exception. There are dozens, maybe hundreds, of restaurants serving not just authentic Chinese, but also Vietnamese and other Asian fare.
Ontario Science Centre
770 Don Mills Road at Eglinton Avenue East, URL: www.ontariosciencecentre.ca
Our mission at the Ontario Science Centre is “To delight, inform and challenge visitors through engaging and thought-provoking experiences in science and technology.” To turn the mission into reality, we’ve completed a $47.5 million transformation of the Science Centre – Agents of Change – was completed in 2007.
In June 2008, the Science Centre hosted the 5th Science Centre World Congress in Toronto. This was first time the event was held in North America. The Congress is a gathering of science centre leaders from around the world who meet every three years to discuss shared challenges and the role of science centres in increasing public engagement with science.
General Admission to Canada’s leading science center including the Weston Family Innovation Centre for teens and young-adults, and KidSpark for the little ones.
Casa Loma
1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, ON M5R 1X8, Tel: (416) 923-1171, URL: www.casaloma.org/
For history or architecture buffs, Casa Loma is an interesting visit. Built by wealthy Toronto businessman Sir Henry Pellatt in the early 1900s, Casa Loma, similar to Hearst Castle in Calfornia, represents one man’s architectural dream. In the case of Casa Loma, however, Pellat’s dream went awry and contributed to his downfall.
Canadian National Exhibition (CNE)
210 Princes’ Boulevard, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3, Tel: (416) 393-6300
Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), also known as The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day Monday. With an attendance of approximately 1.3 million visitors each season, it is Canada’s largest fair and the fifth largest in North America. Established in 1879, the CNE’s roots are in agriculture, which still plays a key role in the fair today.
Centre Island
Escape the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto to lakeside charm. Centre Island is one of a series of small islands that comprise the largest urban car-free community in North America (some service vehicles are permitted). Centre Island, also called Toronto Island, offers a place for recreation and relaxation and features an amusement park, recreation areas, beaches, a yacht club, and restaurants.
Centre Island comprises 600 acres of parkland not far off the shore of downtown Toronto. Just a few minutes away by ferry, Centre Island is home to Centreville Amusement Park, Franklin Children’s Garden – inspired by the children’s storybook – loads of green space, bicycle paths, eateries and more.
Centre Island is alternately known as Toronto Island and actually is a number of islands, which are home to more than 250 residences and the Toronto Island Airport.
Centre Island visitors catch a ferry at the foot of Bay St. at the Toronto Ferry Docks, a 5 – 10 minute walk away from Union Station.
Centre Island is a 10 minute ferry ride away from downtown Toronto. For more info visit: www.centreisland.ca/ –
Centreville Amusement Park
Toronto Island, Toronto, ON M5J 2G2, Tel: (416) 203-0405, URL: www.centreisland.ca
The Centreville Amusement Park is a children’s amusement park located on the Toronto Islands, offshore of the city of Toronto in the Canadian province of Ontario. The park was built in 1967 with a 1900 turn-of-the-century theme, and includes a miniature railway and the Far Enough Farm.
Hockey Hall of Fame
30 Yonge Street, Toronto, ON M5E 1X8, Tel: (416) 360-7735, URL: www.hhof.com/
The Hockey Hall of Fame is an outstanding facility, full of nteractive exhibits that put kids or adults in the heat of NHL action. The Broadcast Pods let you call the action of some of the most famous hockey games, including the 1972 Canada / Russia series: “Henderson shoots, he scores.” Also featured is a replica NHL dressing room (minus the smell), a trophy room, and of course a gift shop.
Ontario Place
955 Lake Shore Boulevard West, Toronto, ON, Tel: (416) 314-9900, URL: www.ontarioplace.com
Ontario Place is an internationally-acclaimed cultural, leisure and entertainment parkland located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The complex extends throughout three man-made islands along the Lake Ontario waterfront.
Ontario Place opened in May 1971 and featured a five pod pavilion complex, The Forum, pedal boats, a marina, restaurants and the world’s first permanent IMAX® theatre, Cinesphere.
Toronto Zoo
361 Old Finch Ave, Scarborough, ON M1B 5K7, (416) 392-5900, URL: www.torontozoo.com
The Toronto Zoo is set in the beautiful Rouge Valley. The Main Entrance is located on Meadowvale Road, Toronto, north of Highway 401 (Exit #389 eastbound and westbound). The Zoo is accessible by car and public transit. The Zoo has over 5,000 animals representing over 500 species. There are over 10 km (six miles) of walking trails. With 287 hectares (710 acres), the Toronto Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world.
The Distillery District
55 Mill Street, Toronto, ON, Tel: (416) 364-1177, URL: www.thedistillerydistrict.com
The Distillery Historic District is a great place to spend a few hours if you’re in downtown Toronto and want to get away from the usual downtown stuff: there’s not a Starbucks or McDonalds in sight. This pedestrian-only village is set amidst fabulous heritage architecture and is devoted to promoting arts and culture. The area also features a wellness centre, plenty of cafés, restaurants and pubs.
Canada’s Wonderland
9580 JANE ST, Vaughan, Ontario, L6A 1S6, URL: www.canadaswonderland.com
Located in Toronto, Canada’s Wonderland is Canada’s premier amusement park and features over 200 attractions, more than 65 thrilling rides, North America’s greatest variety of roller coasters, and Splash Works, a 20-acre water park.
Canada’s Wonderland is committed to providing a safe, comfortable and fun-filled experience for all our guests.
Wild Water Kingdom
7855 Finch Ave West, Brampton, L6T 0B2, (905) 794-0565, URL: www.wildwaterkingdom.com
A short drive out of the downtown core, Wild Water Kingdom is Canada’s largest water park. This summer hot spot lies on over 100 acres of park land and features dozens of wet and slippery attractions. The park also has two mini-golf courses and batting cages for the land lovers.
African Lion Safari
1386 Cooper Road, Sheffield L0R, URL: http://www.lionsafari.com
African Lion Safari is a Canadian owned family business created in the name of conservation. Our manner of exhibiting animals is completely different from the traditional approach; that is, the visitor is caged in the car, and the animals roam in 2 to 20 hectare (5 to 50 acre) reserves.
Medieval Times
10 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON M6K 3C3, (866) 731-9313, URL: http://www.medievaltimes.com
Welcome to the 11th century! Just beyond the great doors of our Hall of Arms waits the celebration arena, the heart of each of Medieval Times’ nine castles. From high above King Philippe and his daughter-in-law, Princess Leonore, preside over a four-course feast. Below, privileged royal guests are transported to faraway lands including a romantic snowy rendezvous in the woods and an authentic medieval tournament for the Battle of Champions ® — with the help of Hollywood-caliber special effects, of course.
The Niagara Falls
5400 Robinson St, Ontario, Canada L2G 2A6, URL: www.niagarafalls.com
The Niagara Falls are the most powerful waterfalls in North America.[1]. These voluminous waterfalls are situated on the Niagara River, straddling the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of New York. The falls are 17 miles (27 km) north-northwest of Buffalo, New York and 75 miles (121 km) south-southeast of Toronto, Ontario, between the twin cities of Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York.
1000 Islands Skydeck
Hill Island, Lansdowne, Ontario, K0E 1L0, Tel: 613-659-2335
The 1000 Islands Skydeck is a unique tourist attraction, the only one of it’s kind in the 1000 Islands. The Skydeck will show you the best of what the area has to offer. Groups tours welcome.
Running continuously, the elevator takes only 40 seconds to reach the first (glass enclosed) of three observation decks and provide visitors with a spectacular photographic opportunity as they enjoy the panoramic view of the 1000 Islands and St Lawrence River stretched out 130 metres or 400′ below.