After the technological progress of the 20th century, Toronto was recognised as one of the most beautiful and comfortable cities for living in Canada. Nature and infrastructure, peaceful solitude and amusing entertainment, innovation and historical traces are harmoniously combined here. This city stands out among others and leaves an unforgettable impression on tourists. Learn more about what it can offer and why you should visit it at itoronto.
It is a multicultural city
According to historical data, half of Toronto’s population was born outside of Canada. In the 17th century, it was inhabited by Indian tribes. Since 1845, Europeans have begun to come here, fleeing famine, wars and poor living conditions. At that time, Toronto was just beginning to develop at a rapid pace and gradually turning into a metropolis. Since then, many emigrants have decided to stay here forever.
At the beginning of the 21st century, about 200 different ethnic groups, which spoke 180 languages, lived in the city. Such neighbourhoods as Chinatown, Little India, Cape Town and others, have appeared in Toronto due to a large number of people of different nationalities. Each of them has its unique architecture, traditions, cuisine and centuries-old history. That’s why it will be interesting to take a walk and visit various attractions for every tourist. Thus, you can learn more about Toronto and see its beauty and diversity.
A castle in the very centre of the city
Toronto is not only a city of skyscrapers. Walking along its central streets, you can come across something amazing, the Neo-Gothic Casa Loma castle. It was built in 1914 at the initiative of Canadian millionaire Henry Pellatt, who dreamed of living in a castle since childhood. After his death, the castle was renovated twice. In 1937, it became a popular Toronto landmark and filming location. The castle is huge and features a unique design, owing to which it attracts the attention of local residents and tourists even from afar.
It consists of 90 rooms, corridors and underground passages. Here, you can feel the luxurious atmosphere of past centuries. There are many vintage and expensive objects around, such as paintings, goldware, crystal chandeliers and lamps. In addition to bedrooms, baths and rooms, this castle houses a picture gallery, a music room and a library. The castle is surrounded by a garden with walking paths and a fountain. This place offers a gorgeous landscape and is an ideal place for photo shoots and open-air recreation.
Ice skating is the main kind of entertainment in the city
Toronto is famous for its numerous ice rinks. The city started to set them up on the eve of the winter holidays in the 90s. The most popular among them is located in Nathan Phillips Square. Locals and tourists have been skating here every winter since 1965. The main decoration of the rink is an arch. As the evening approaches, it lights up with bright glows, creating a magical atmosphere around.
The city also has a rich hockey history, as hockey is Canada’s official winter sport. The Hockey Hall of Fame, a local landmark, was built in its honour. It occupies a huge area of 5,000 square metres and is divided into 15 halls. This place will be interesting for every tourist. The hall presents a huge collection of cups, artefacts, team gear and memorable photos. Here, you can feel the vibes of this exciting sport and get acquainted with the history of the development of Toronto hockey clubs and their achievements.
Toronto’s lakeshore stretches for 43 km
You can admire the beauty of Toronto from both land and water. This city is located on the northern shore of Lake Ontario. The city offers tourists local beaches, islands and waterfronts. You can visit them, walking along the long lakeshore. It is a popular summer vacation spot by the water. Walking along Toronto’s shore, you can see amazing landscapes of urban infrastructure, local yacht clubs, the island town, rocks and wildlife, as well as take a ride on a watercraft and sunbathe on the beaches.
Lake Ontario is one of the largest in the world. The first houses were built next to it for the first time in 1797. At first, local residents didn’t bathe in the water because it was contaminated with waste. In the 19th century, the city installed pipes and collectors there, which purified water and delivered it to residential districts of the city. In addition, locals started to recreate near the water too.
Later, Toronto’s shore became more modern and European-looking. It acquired walking paths, bridges and ferries. Tourists prefer this place to walk by the water, spend time in nature and admire the metropolis from afar.
The Toronto Zoo is the largest one in Canada
The world of wild animals is diverse and unique. Tourists and residents of Toronto visit the local zoo to learn more about it and get an unforgettable experience of recreation in natural surroundings. It belongs to the municipal government of the city.
The zoo was opened on August 15, 1974. Its founders were John Cameron Egan and Hugh A. Crothers. In 1988, they named the site the Toronto Zoo. Also, on their initiative, the zoo was divided into seven geographical regions, including Indo-Malaya, Africa, America, Canada, Australia, Eurasia and Tundra. More than 5,000 animals have lived there since then.
The paths that lead to the various pavilions are 10 km long. Therefore, local residents and tourists prefer to ride through the zoo on a train, which consists of four wagons. It is called the Zoomobile. An amazing world of nature with hundreds of different species of birds, animals and fish opens up for visitors during the ride.
There is one of the largest underground malls in the world
There are many shopping malls in this huge metropolis, but none of them compare to the Path. This is an architectural wonder that was added to the list of records of the Guinness Book. The mall has 28 km of underground tunnels and passages, which connect business centres, sports complexes, landmarks and hotels.
The project of the mall was created in the 70s of the 20th century and then its implementation started. According to the decision of city planner Matthew Lawson, the territory of the mall was expanded in the 1960s to connect all the malls and solve the problem of an excessive number of enterprises on the city streets.
The construction of the Path was finally completed a decade later in 1987. An interesting feature of this mall is that you can reach different parts of the city without even going outside and just walking through its tunnels. Indicative signs will lead the tourist out to the city terminal, the Hockey Hall of Fame, hotels and many other places.
Toronto is a city with a rich history and culture
The historical past and cultural life are Toronto’s hallmarks. Since 1950, thousands of people have come here to get acquainted with local traditions, festivals, cuisine, ancient and modern architecture and to visit new amazing places.
Here, you can feel the atmosphere of the Middle Ages and modernity. The first museums, theatres and cinemas appeared in Toronto in the 19th century and became its cultural heritage. Tourists are also invited to visit the first districts in the city (Scarborough, East End and York) to experience the preserved atmosphere of past centuries.