At the end of the 20th century, Toronto became one of the most popular tourist cities in Canada. It will pleasantly surprise you with beautiful landscapes, fun entertainment, diverse cultural life and places for a secluded and amusing recreation. You will never be bored here. Every tourist will surely find a suitable activity to find out more about the city and have a fascinating time. Learn more at itoronto.
Visit an island
The most popular summer recreation spots in Toronto are the islands. They appeared in 1858 because of the strong storm tidal waves of the Don River that separated the peninsula from the mainland. Since then, this area has become the main port of the city.
In the 1980s, the city authorities decided to renovate it and move the city centre closer to Lake Ontario. As a result, the Harbourfront neighbourhood and Toronto Island Park appeared on this site. There are many different recreation areas and interesting activities for local residents and tourists. For example, you can sail on a yacht, visit several beaches and attractions. A children’s train has been running here since 1967. In addition, a residential area was built on the island. It features a school, a church, a fire department and residential buildings. That is why this place is a perfect choice for tourists who decide to visit Toronto.
Visit a film festival and take pictures with celebrities
Toronto always impresses tourists with something new and unusual. For example, it has held a film festival every year since 1976. In 1995, the event received international status and was recognized as one of the most prestigious in the world. It takes place in September on Labour Day in Canada. Preparing for it, the city installs several dozen screens to show film premieres.
The international film festival lasts several days in a row. Anyone can attend this Toronto event to see their favourite actors and directors as well as take pictures with them. Since the end of the 20th century, film stars from Hollywood, Ontario and other cities have come here every year. The main goal of the film festival is the development of the film industry and the presentation of the best new movies.
Take a walk in the Toronto Music Garden and other city parks
Toronto is famous not only for its skyscrapers but also for a large number of green recreational areas. The most unusual and unique among them is the Toronto Music Garden, which is a very popular tourist spot. According to historical data, it appeared in the city by accident. In the late 1990s, a film about the world-famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach was planned to be shot on this territory. It was created by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, other musicians and landscape designer Julie Moir. In the process, they decided to build the Music Garden too. Later, it was equipped at the expense of the Toronto city budget Toronto.
The main feature of the Toronto Music Garden is its original design. There is a walkway in the form of a treble clef, grass steps and a garden rock, which serves as a stage for musicians. There is also a pier with yachts nearby. Here, you can take a walk, have a picnic, take a photo against the background of the city infrastructure and listen to music in the open air.
In addition to the Music Garden, Toronto invites tourists to visit other national parks, such as Toronto Island Park, Rouge National Urban Park, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Withrow Park, Kew Gardens and others. Also, there is High Park, which is located in the very centre of the city. It is interesting for children and adults, as here you can see hundreds of plant species and recreation areas (carousels, playgrounds and sports fields). Visitors to this park can also walk along forest trails and visit the local zoo. It has been open to visitors since 1900. There you can see representatives of wildlife from different parts of the world, including bison, deer, turtles and hummingbirds.
Another popular spot is Scarborough Bluffs Park. For the first time, Toronto residents found out about this area in 1793 and created a town there. Near the rocks, after which the park was named, people often met and walked in natural surroundings. In 1940, local residents built houses and hiking trails there. The surrounding area was developed as a park. There is not only a lot of vegetation but also 65 m high cliffs, a beach and walking paths. It occupies most of Toronto’s waterfront coast.
Admire the views and infrastructure of the city from above
Toronto is famous for hundreds of beautiful skyscrapers, amazing nature on the islands, expensive shops, huge stadiums and many more. At the end of the 19th century, the city gradually began to acquire a European appearance. Instead of low and modest-looking buildings, Canadians created more modern ones in various architectural styles. Then they were replaced by skyscrapers. The largest number of them is located in the very centre of the city. Here, you can also have a walk, take a tour of local attractions, enjoy the scenery of Toronto at dawn or sunset and admire the local active rhythm of life.
Since 1900, several hundred skyscrapers of various shapes, sizes and unique designs have appeared here. Tourists often like to take pictures in front of them. You can also enter some skyscrapers and climb to observation decks.
Another popular location is the CN Tower. It is one of the tallest buildings in the world, which was built in 1975. Its height is 553.3 m. In addition, you can climb to the top of the City Hall building. Since 1899, it has housed offices and an observation deck overlooking the city centre.
Take a Water Taxi, ferry or yacht in Toronto
If you want to see the city from another perspective and visit different places, you can go on a cruise by the Water Taxi. This service first appeared in Toronto at the beginning of the 21st century. Since then, it is one of the most popular modes of transport in the city, which is adored by children and adults. The Water Taxi starts driving on land, then dives into the water and continues moving. You can also see Toronto by ferry or yacht. Since the city is washed by Lake Ontario, there are wharves, which were built in the 1800s and 1900s, and watercraft.
Later in 2008, Toronto residents created the downtown Waterfront for boating, walking and recreation by the water. $4 million was spent on its construction. Thanks to the innovative solutions of local architects, it was possible to create an original waterfront design in the shape of a sea wave. Since then, this place has been loved by locals and tourists. They ride along the boardwalk on bicycles, rollerblades, go diving and enjoy water cruises around Toronto.
Get to know the local culture
Toronto impresses with a great variety of theatres, museums, architectural monuments and local traditions. It is a multicultural city, so you can often hear different languages and styles of music everywhere. In addition to native residents, there are also emigrants from other countries. They first came here in 1845, when large-scale construction of infrastructure facilities began in the city. Soon, several ethnic groups from Europe and America moved to Toronto and stayed here for good. Thanks to them, different cultures began to develop in one big city and create new neighbourhoods, such as Chinatown, Little Italy and others.