Things to Do in Toronto, Ontario - Canada

Address:Toronto, Ontario

Toronto, with its striking modern skyline and cosmopolitan feel is an exciting destination for the entire family. Excellent public transportation, fine dining and plenty of child-friendly attractions make it a city for all ages. Toronto offers year round recreational activities from biking to skiing, snorkeling and shipwreck diving, and many of the city's multitude of historical sites, museums and botanical gardens have hands-on, interactive programs to spark children and young adult's interest in art, history and culture. Best of all, Toronto is only a 1.5 hour drive from beautiful Niagara Falls.

For a unique perspective on Toronto's downtown skyscrapers and urban geography take a helicopter tour. These ten-minute rides are thrilling, but not cheap! For a more affordable option, tour the city by land and water on a Hippo tour ride. The land/aquatic vehicle tours Toronto's streets, passing by historical sites, and converts to a floating bus to explore Toronto's harbor. Tours are about two to three hours long. If you enjoy traveling on the water, catch a short, scenic ferry ride to one of the Toronto Islands. Visitors who would rather stay on the ground can take an excellent walking tour of downtown Toronto (there are 2 and 5-hour options). Public transportation in Toronto is excellent. To save money, you can buy an unlimited-rides bus day pass or a weekly pass.

In warm months, visitors will enjoy Toronto's gardens and parks. High Park is the largest park in Toronto and a must-see for families with its sunken gardens, greenhouses and perennials. The Music Garden, on the harbor front, is a horticultural interpretation of Johann Sebastian Bach's Suites for Unaccompanied Cello. Different kinds of plants and vegetation have been used to represent each musical movement. Dufferin Grove Park has a playground with a garden and is located in a historic tree grove. The park occasionally has public puppet shows and other kinds of performing arts presentations.

Sports lovers already know that Toronto, with one of the original six teams in the NHL, is home to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Located in the heart of downtown, visiting the home of the Stanley Cup is fun and convenient. Here you can explore the largest collection of hockey memorabilia in the world, practice your shot against real-time goalies in an interactive game, view old hockey games in one of two large theaters, and practice your live play-by-play. Choose from a menu of classic hockey games, get behind the microphone and start calling the action.

Toronto's rich history is accessible in several historic areas and museums. Fort York has Canada's largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings, and is also the site of the famous Battle of York. As you walk through the fort, you will hear period music and take part musket demonstrations. At the restored Enoch Turner Schoolhouse and Historic Zion Schoolhouse, experience a typical school day in the 19th century. For a look back at Toronto during the pioneer times, head to the Black Creek Pioneer Village, a Victorian-era settlement with more than 30 restored buildings. You will meet artisans and period-costumed interpreters who reenact village lifestyle in a fun, engaging way.

Children wil be right at home in the Children's Own Museum. Through its physical design, exhibits and a variety of programs, the play center reflects the geography, culture and values of Toronto. While the kids learn through playing, adults can get in touch with their inner child.

Toronto is known for its international dining. Some of the city's best restaurants can be found downtown and in the Entertainment District. Indian restaurants are scattered throughout the city. Head to Chinatown for Asian and Chinese food and Dim Sum. Kosher and Israeli food abounds in the outskirts of Toronto on Bathurst Street and in the suburb of Thornhill. The city is full of trendy, happening bistros, cafes and in warm weather, a large selection of patio dining. It also offers plenty of kid-friendly restaurants, including the must-visit 360 Restaurant in the Canadian National Tower, with spectacular panorama views of the entire city.

Shopping in Toronto can be a fun but exhausting experience. Prada, Chanel, and Gucci compete with discount shops like Honest Ed's. Megastores dominate the landscape, but boutiques are everywhere. If you're a fashion aficionado you will love Canadian shopping, with labels like Mercy, Lida Baday, Ross Mayer, Misura by Joeffer Caoc, Crystal Siemens, Brian Bailey, Mimi Bizjak, Wolves, Linda Lundstrom, and Comrags.

Toronto also has a vibrant arts-and-crafts community, with many galleries, custom jewelers, and artisans. Some of the best buys are to be found on antiques and native and Inuit art. Artwork can be imported into the United States duty free.

Ready to get active after a rest from shopping? There are plenty of bike routes and bike-friendly roads in Toronto. Bicycling clubs offer a variety of outings, races, and cycling events. There is even a Pedaling History Bicycle Museum in the town of Orchard Park. Canoeing and kayaking are also popular in the Toronto area, but are best in the spring and summer. Feeling more adventurous than that? Go skydiving, hang-gliding or jump in a hot-air balloon for a beautiful, exhilarating ride. These activities are offered from April to October. Other fun activities near Toronto include scuba diving and shipwreck diving.

There are a number of companies offering cruises of Lake Ontario, the Toronto Harbor, and the Toronto islands. Enjoy dinner and entertainment cruises, sailboat tours, and tall-ship schooners.

Nighttime is a happening place in Toronto. Renowned for its diverse cultural venues, performing arts, professional theater district, happening nightclubs and live music entertainment, Toronto's entertainment scene is sure to impress. Nearly all of the best entertainment spots are in downtown Toronto's Entertainment District. The Entertainment District also features sporting facilities, nightclubs, attractions, and top-notch live theaters. The district is easily accessible by all forms of transportation.

Accommodations in Toronto are fairly expensive but you can find places to fit your budget.

Toronto is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, just west of New York State. Toronto is accessible by air via the Toronto City Centre Airport or the Lester B. Pearson International Airport.