Toronto is the capital of Ontario, a popular province in Canada. Toronto lies on the northwestern side of Lake Ontario in Southern Ontario. With population of over 2.5 million, Toronto is ranked as the seventh among the most populous cities of North America.
Toronto is considered as the financial capital of Canada. It is in the forefront of any economical activities and also in the fields of engineering, business, education, tourism, medical, arts, film and media.
The University of Toronto is ranked among the top universities in the world. Toronto has a cosmopolitan and diverse population. UNESCO has recognized Toronto as most ethnically diverse city and also it is considered as among the most livable cities of the world.
Given its prominence in the country, Toronto has a lot to offer to its tourists and it has something for every tourist ranging from shopping destinations to dining areas to museums and more.
Toronto Vacation Ideas
Toronto has an astonishing variety of things to see and do throughout the year. The multi-cultural city has something for every tourist. There are a number of places of attraction in Toronto such as art galleries, museums, parks, zoo, shopping districts, cultural centers and more. You will be fascinated by historic sites such as Casa Loma and marvels of modern architecture such as Ontario Place and CN Tower.
You can reach Toronto Zoo by driving half an hour from downtown Toronto. It covers an area of 710 acres and the animals are grouped according to their original habitat. 5000 animals from six geographic areas are found in this zoo and it is a must visit place if you are on a vacation with your children as there are a number of activities that your children and the entire family can enjoy over here such as fun rides on camels, ponies and more
Visit the Royal Ontario Museum
Visit The Royal Ontario Museum in Canada
Royal Ontario Museum is the largest museum and research facility in Canada. Six million treasures of archaeology, art and natural science are preserved in the museum. The museum has intricate Venetian glass ceiling illustrating various cultures.
The museum has collections of dinosaur and bat bones, Chinese art and antiquities on display and a must visit place for people who love history and archeology.
Another museum that is a must visit is the Art Gallery of Ontario, which is a very large museum comprising 50 galleries and all western art, best traditions and media are represented here.
The Canadian Group of Seven and Impressionist paintings are its best collections. The Canadian Group of Seven was a group of 1920’s landscape painters who influenced Ontario painting to a great extent by using bright colors.
Fort York is another famous tourist attraction, which consists of seven acres of historical land that has Canada’s largest collection of original buildings as remains of the 1812 war, renovated and well maintained as a National historic site.
The African Lion Safari Park
The African Lion Safari Park Ontario
If you are visiting Toronto take some time to travel to the privately owned wild life park known as the African Lion Safari Park, was started in 1969 with forty lions, now boasts of over 1000 animals and is a great place to visit if you love animals and nature.
You can drive through the park in a safari and watch the animals in the wild from close quarters.
Along the route you can also visit and enjoy the Jungle Play ground, Misuminu Bay Wet Play area, demonstrations by animals, a cruise on lake and a train tour.
You can also avail the Safari Bus tour of the reserve for an extra fee. There are a number of places where you can stop to eat and purchase gifts for your loved ones.
CNTower
CNTower is a popular landmark in Toronto and has been recently nominated as one of the modern worlds Seven Wonders. It is 1815 feet and is the tallest tower in the world. It currently serves FM Radio stations and 16 Canadian TV. This towerfeatures a range of exhibits and attractions including observation decks with glass floor, digital animation program – a Thrill Zone, allowing virtual bungee jump for visitors, revolving restaurant, nightclub, laser tag game, 300-seat-café, simulator theatre and shops and this is a must visit tourist spot in Toronto.
Casa Loma
Casa Loma, another tourist spot features beautiful architecture of the 17th century including Rhenish turrets, Elizabethan chimneys, secret passageways and underground tunnels. Other features include a 10,000-volume library, marble swimming pool and 15 baths. You can also get a preview of the luxurious lives that horses too led during those times. Above the stalls of the horses their names were engraved in 18-carat gold.
Ontario Place
Ontario Place is an international cultural, entertainment, and leisure complex and spreads over three man-made islands (96 acres in area) near the Lake Ontario Waterfront. The complex which is beautifully landscaped offers picnic areas, lagoons, amphitheaters, IMAX theater, mini-golf, boutiques, pedal boats, playgrounds, pubs, restaurants and an amusement park. Each island is fully packed with entertainment options for thrill seekers. Visit this place with your family and have a lot of fun.
Wonderland
You can have lots of fun at Canada’s Wonderland. The park is of 100 acres area and offers lot adventures including roller coasters, Ferris wheels, a water park, picnic areas, thrill rides, entertainment shows, restaurants and playgrounds. Other attractions include open-air concerts, go-carts, interactive media games and mini-golf. During weekends the park is open in May, September and early October.
High Park
High Park is approximately 400 acres area and has numerous attractions. Its highlights include Hillside Gardens, historic Colborne Lodge, a petting zoo and a trackless train ride. Hillside Gardens which is beautifully landscaped has thousands of visitors to the park every year. You will also find tennis courts, pool, a petting zoo, a nature center, playground and an ice rink.
How to get to Toronto
Toronto can be easily accessed by road, rail, water and air. You can reach Toronto by car or bus by many of the major roads running parallel to Lake Ontario. There are National and regional bus services connecting the entire Greater Toronto area. Within Toronto you can travel by bus as buses connects all major tourist spots.
There is a good railway network connecting Toronto with other parts of Canada. Toronto is well connected by air too. The B. Pearson International Airport and Toronto City Centre Airport provide connectivity with the rest of Canada, United States and the rest of the world. Many Airlines such as Air Canada, Air Ontario operate from Toronto. Toronto has docking facilities for boats and is well accessible by water. Take a look on how to source the cheapest flights for your trip to Toronto.
Cost of a Toronto Vacation
Cost of travel to and within Toronto depends upon the mode of travel that you choose and the accommodation and the type of vacation you want to enjoy. Once you are in the Michigan area, the eastern part of USA, there are several economical ways to reach Toronto which is within a couple of hours drive.
Within Toronto, bus services are the ideal mode of travel as they are comfortable and cheap. You can also choose your places of stay depending upon your budget. Once you have chosen your travel agent, make sure you work out the cost details well in advance so that you can avail offers wherever possible.
Where to stay
For the budget traveler there are hostels, dormitories, campgrounds that are available at affordable prices. You can choose to stay on the outskirts of Toronto in hotels which offer cheaper rates than down town. Those looking for more comfort and luxury, you will find a number of luxury hotels and Bread and Breakfasts that are closer to city centers.
Our Recommendations
Spring sets in at March and lasts till June in Toronto and this is the right time to visit Toronto. The weather varies between -4 to 24 degrees centigrade. June to September is summer and the temperature may vary from 11 to 27 degrees. It is advisable to carry warm clothing. Winter starts in December. Usually January is the coldest and July the hottest.
You need not carry much cash in hand, as there are many ATMs offering 24 hour service. Many of the Toronto streets are visitor friendly, and you can walk to your destinations with the help of guides. Taxis are costly whereas buses are comfortable and cheap.
