3D Toronto Sign
A tour of Canada's largest city can begin with a selfie beside the three-dimensional Toronto sign. Standing 3 metres high and 22 metres long, this impressive attraction with colourful illumination is located in Nathan Phillips Square.
Address: 100 Queen St W, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2N2
Aga Khan Museum
This museum opened in 2014. It is the first museum of Islamic art and culture in North America. Around 1000 exhibits are displayed here, spanning the period from the eighth to the twenty-first century and demonstrating the enduring strength of tradition in contemporary art. The museum's purpose is to showcase the contribution of Muslim civilizations to the world's heritage, as well as to encourage dialogue and foster tolerance and mutual understanding among people. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum hosts changing exhibitions, musical and dance performances, theatrical productions, lectures, seminars and film screenings. The Aga Khan Museum enjoys international recognition and maintains close ties with the Louvre, the Hermitage and the Museum of Islamic Art.
Address: 77 Wynford Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1K1
Allan Gardens
This huge botanical garden is housed in six greenhouses and covers an area of 1500 square metres. At the centre of the park is the Palm House conservatory, which contains rare tropical plants from around the world. Walking through the greenhouses, visitors can explore the flora of most countries, as well as see a waterwheel and a waterfall. In addition to its peaceful atmosphere, this botanical garden has another pleasant advantage: admission is free.
Address: 160 Gerrard St E, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 2E5
Art Gallery of Ontario
This art gallery is one of the largest in all of North America. It was founded in 1900. The museum houses more than 120000 exhibits, including Canadian art, European paintings and sculptures by Henry Moore. In addition to exhibition spaces, the museum also has an office and studio for a resident artist, a dining room, event spaces, a gift shop, a library and archives, a theatre and lecture hall, a research centre and a workshop.
Address: 317 Dundas St W, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 1G4
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
This is the largest Hindu temple in Canada, built in 2007. It consists of two separate buildings: one is a mandir, while the other is a haveli containing a large Sabha hall, several religious bookshops, a small prayer room, the Heritage Museum, a fountain and a gymnasium. It is the only mandir in Canada built using Hindu traditions. Visitors note that after visiting this temple, they feel as though they have been to India.
Address: 61 Claireville Dr, Etobicoke, Ontario, M9W 5Z7
Bata Shoe Museum
This shoe museum, with more than 13000 exhibits, is one of the best-known museums of its kind. The Bata Museum displays footwear from different centuries and every corner of the world. The museum has existed since 1979 and is notable for its breadth: it presents footwear from a wide range of cultures—from Asia, the Americas, Africa and, of course, Europe. A separate, very large exhibition is devoted to the footwear of Indigenous peoples of the Americas. It also displays shoes worn by such famous figures as Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Elton John and even Queen Victoria.
Address: 327 Bloor Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1W7
Berczy Park
This small park in the heart of Toronto is interesting because of its triangular shape. It opened in 1980 on the site of a parking lot. After renovations in 2015, the park gained a two-tiered fountain with 27 sculptures of dogs and cats, as well as new landscaping.
Address: 35 Wellington St E, Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1C6
This living-history museum allows visitors to feel as though they are in an 1867 village: 40 historic buildings stand outdoors, similar to those found in the villages of Canada's first settlers, and museum staff dress as people did in the mid-nineteenth century. Black Creek Pioneer Village demonstrates the daily life, crafts and main occupations of the first Canadians. There is also a real watermill, a blacksmith's shop and even animal pens, which young visitors are sure to enjoy.
Address: 1000 Murray Ross Pkwy, North York, Ontario, M3J 2P3
Canada’s Wonderland
This world-famous amusement park in Canada is ideal for a family holiday. However, to get there, you have to leave Toronto and spend about half an hour on the road. Locals call it “Canada's Disneyland,” and it is easy to see why: its enormous grounds contain around 140 rides, 60 of which are suitable for true thrill-seekers. For the youngest visitors, the park has a colourful children's area with numerous playgrounds and rides. Everyone can find entertainment to suit their taste here.
Address: 1 Canada's Wonderland Drive, Vaughan, Ontario, L6A 1S6
Casa Loma
This Gothic Revival castle is popular with photographers and newlyweds because it looks completely like something from a fairy tale. Every year, more than 650000 visitors come to Casa Loma and its surrounding gardens. In 2014, a modern theatre and a venue for seasonal outdoor events were added to the grounds, and the castle itself was equipped with air conditioning. More than 250 private events, weddings and other functions are held here each year. Performances are periodically staged on the estate. There is also a restaurant and a gift shop. If this place looks familiar, do not be surprised—it has been featured in films more than once.
Address: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1X8
CF Toronto Eaton Centre
This enormous shopping centre covers an area equivalent to several city blocks. Extending across several floors, it attracts shoppers from all over Canada with its unimaginable number of boutiques, after which visitors can relax in one of the cafés. Be sure to notice the bird sculptures inside the shopping centre.
Address: 220 Yonge St, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2H1
Chinatown
Founded in 1878, Chinatown is one of Toronto's oldest and most dynamic neighbourhoods. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in an authentic Asian atmosphere, stroll through lively street markets, visit an authentic little shop, and have lunch at a Chinese, Vietnamese or Japanese café beneath a neon sign. A guided food tour is also possible: Peking duck and the famous House of Gourmet soup are sure to suit your taste.
Address: Spadina and Dundas (From Queen to College and east and west of Spadina), Toronto, Ontario, M5T 2E9
City Hall
The city hall building stands in Nathan Phillips Square. The building's unusual architectural appearance is worth noting: two futuristic skyscrapers are joined by a structure resembling a flying saucer. These buildings are different heights—20 and 27 storeys—and appear to be concave. They seem to embrace the round city hall, the third building in the complex. From above, this architectural ensemble resembles an open eye, which is why city hall has acquired the unofficial nickname “the eye of government.”
Address: 100 Queen St W, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2N2
CN Tower
This world-famous attraction can be called Toronto's calling card. The CN Tower is visible from almost anywhere in the city; it is the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere and one of the tallest towers in the world. The observation deck floor is made of thick transparent tempered glass. Although it looks dangerous, there is no need to be afraid—the ultra-strong glass can withstand a weight of several tonnes. From the top, there is an excellent view of Bobby Rosenfeld Park beside the tower, while an astronomical observatory at a height of 447 m is closer to the stars than any other observatory in the world. After visiting the observation deck, you can catch your breath and have lunch at the revolving 360 restaurant.
Address: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3L9
Colborne Lodge
This historic house museum is located in a house dating from 1836. It was built on his estate by John Howard, an architect and engineer who lived in Toronto in the nineteenth century. The house later became a museum, and the land beside it became High Park. Colborne Lodge preserves nineteenth-century furniture and décor, paintings, as well as John Howard's own drawings and inventions. The museum offers tours, workshops and other public events, such as New Year's, Easter and Thanksgiving celebrations.
Address: 11 Colborne Lodge Dr, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2N2
Distillery District
This charming historic district of the city is a pedestrian zone. Nearby are the buildings of former breweries and distilleries, which now house cafés, shops and art galleries. The Distillery District is a historic and cultural space where the bohemian crowd has firmly established itself.
Address: 55 Mill St, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3C4
Edwards Gardens
This park is located near the Toronto Botanical Garden and will undoubtedly appeal to nature lovers. It features numerous perennials, various rose varieties, wildflowers and rhododendron thickets, as well as an arboretum, various gardens showcasing the flora of different countries and even a picturesque stream. Do not be surprised if you encounter squirrels or chipmunks in the park—they are regular visitors here. Overall, visitors describe the park as “cozy and large,” so put on comfortable shoes and set off for a picnic.
Address: 755 Lawrence Ave E, North York, Ontario, M3C 1P2
Fort York
This French trading post was built at the end of the eighteenth century. Today, it is a military museum. The fort consists of several structures: an officers' quarters, a barracks, a vegetable garden and a wartime museum. At the museum, visitors can also try on historical costumes, see examples of nineteenth-century weapons and even visit a wine cellar.
Address: 250 Fort York Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3K9
Gardiner Museum
As you cross the threshold of this museum, you feel as though you are at a dinner party in medieval Europe, and this is no coincidence, since the Gardiner Museum is devoted exclusively to the art of ceramics. George and Helen Gardiner founded the museum in 1984, and it now houses almost 3000 clay artefacts. A visit to this three-storey museum can be rounded off with lunch in its cosy restaurant and the purchase of souvenirs from the local shop.
Address: 111 Queens Park, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2C7
Graffiti Alley
Not far from Chinatown, you can see a relatively young city attraction: about a kilometre of graffiti of varying sizes and levels of skill. Literally everything is painted here: walls, the ground and even rubbish bins. Without a doubt, Graffiti Alley can be called an open-air museum of street art. In addition, there are relatively few people here on weekdays, and if you wish, you can take bright and stylish photos for social media.
Address: Graffiti Alley, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2W1
Harbourfront Centre
The cultural centre first opened its doors to visitors on January 1, 1991. It currently contains exhibition halls, galleries, theatres, museums, a skating rink, cinemas, restaurants, cafés, theatre schools, art studios, bistros and even apartments. More than 4000 events are held at Harbourfront Centre every year. The programme of events can be viewed on the website.
Address: 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8
High Park
This enormous park is one of the city's key attractions. In addition to a pond and exceptionally beautiful natural surroundings, it has children's and sports grounds, a zoo, the Colborne Lodge historic museum, the Grenadier Café, an amphitheatre, monuments and several gardens. Notably, more than one-third of the park remains in an untouched natural state.
Address: 1873 Bloor St W, Toronto, Ontario, M6R 2Z3
Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey fans cannot pass by the Hockey Hall of Fame, not only because it is in Canada, the birthplace of this sport, but also because it contains exhibits documenting the glory of legendary teams and players from the American and European continents. The museum's pride is the Stanley Cup. The museum has 15 exhibition halls, each filled with hockey equipment, cups, awards, photographs and gear. Every exhibit is accompanied by a detailed description.
Address: 30 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5E 1X8
Kensington Market
This is not only the oldest and largest market in Toronto, but also a bohemian place where you can experience the character of different cultures. The market resembles a small town where Victorian-era houses, graffiti and cosy cafés intertwine. At reasonable prices, you can find everything your heart desires here: food, clothing, books, dishes—there is practically nothing you cannot find! While walking through the market, you may also hear live music, as street musicians often perform here.
Address: Kensington Market, Toronto, Ontario
Mackenzie House
The house museum of Toronto's first mayor and organizer of the Upper Canada Rebellion, William Lyon Mackenzie, was built in 1836. The three-storey building is designed in the Georgian style and is now a historical museum featuring the exhibition “Life in the City in the Victorian Era in the 1860s,” as well as William Mackenzie's personal belongings, letters, portraits and clothing. The museum's collection contains materials about life in rapidly developing Toronto from 1860 to 1890, including the history of the local African Canadians and Mary Ann Shadd.
Address: 82 Bond St, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1X2
Nathan Phillips Square
This is Toronto's central square, home to several attractions: city hall, the three-dimensional city sign and the Peace Garden. City events are held here, including New Year's celebrations, concerts and art exhibitions, a traditional farmers' market and a winter festival of lights, as well as various community events. In summer, the square has a fountain, while in winter an ice rink is installed.
Address: 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N1
Old City Hall
The old city hall building was constructed in 1899. In 1965, there were plans to demolish it and build skyscrapers on the site, but city residents strongly opposed this. Today, the former city hall houses the Ontario District Court. The clock tower deserves special attention: it is 103 m high, and you can climb it by ascending 280 steps. This beautiful, elegant city hall looks extremely unusual against the backdrop of modern architecture.
Address: 60 Queen St W, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2M3
Ontario Science Centre
The Ontario Science Centre was founded in 1969. Here, you can learn about scientists' discoveries in laser technology, telecommunications, optics, biology, atomic physics, meteorology and space exploration. At the museum, everyone can feel like a scientist: you can take part in experiments and even touch the exhibits. A planetarium, the Omnimax cinema and a lie-detector test—all this and much more can be found at the science centre!
Address: 770 Don Mills Rd., North York, Ontario, M3C 1T3
Queen's Park
This urban park opened in 1860 in the heart of Toronto. Today, it is known for being home to the Ontario Legislative Building. The park contains several monuments dedicated to prominent historical figures and events.
Address: 110 Wellesley St W, Toronto, Ontario M7A 1A2
Ripley's Aquarium
This aquarium in the city centre has welcomed visitors since 2013. Here, you can walk through the longest underwater tunnel in North America and see more than 450 diverse species of freshwater and marine life. The aquarium regularly hosts various shows for children and adults, as well as interactive programmes. A tour of Ripley's Aquarium takes an average of 3–4 hours.
Address: 288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3L9
Rogers Centre
One of Canada's largest stadiums opened in 1989. The structure may surprise visitors with an interesting architectural feature—a retractable roof, meaning guests are not affected by the weather. This is why the stadium operates for most of the year. It is worth noting that the venue attracts not only sports fans but also music lovers, as world-famous performers appear here.
Address: 1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 1J1
Roundhouse Park
Roundhouse Park was built in 1977. It contains the fan-shaped John Street locomotive roundhouse and the preserved Roundhouse locomotive. The Toronto Railway Museum, Steam Whistle Brewing and The Rec Room dining and entertainment complex are located here. The park also features a collection of trains, a miniature railway and the former Don station.
Address: 255 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3M9
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
This largest Canadian cultural and natural-history museum opened in 1914. ROM is the fifth-largest museum in North America. The museum houses more than 6000000 exhibits, including dinosaur collections and collections of art from the Middle East, Africa and East Asia, as well as European and Canadian history.
Address: 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 2C6
Scotiabank Arena
Scotiabank Arena is not only a place of pilgrimage for hockey and basketball fans, but also the home arena of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors. The arena is the eleventh busiest in the world. The building covers 62 000 m². Scotiabank Arena opened in 1999 and has since welcomed more than 39 million fans to over 2600 events. World-famous stars such as Bon Jovi, Madonna and U2 have also performed here.
Address: 40 Bay St., Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2X2
Spadina Museum
This extremely romantic and beautiful place is an estate consisting of a historic mansion and the garden surrounding it. The home's architecture and furnishings reflect the spirit of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The estate became a museum in 1984; before that, it was privately owned. The garden around the mansion is considered one of Toronto's most beautiful Victorian gardens, so do not forget to bring a camera—the photos will truly be romantic.
Address: 285 Spadina Rd, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2V5
Toronto Botanical Garden
This botanical garden features many rare flowers and plants. Garden staff not only care for the plants but also organize various exhibitions, competitions and flower festivals. Admission to the park is free, and there is also a shop where you can buy drinks and snacks. This is a place for those who want to feel as though they are in nature without leaving the city.
Address: 777 Lawrence Ave E, North York, Ontario, M3C 1P2
Toronto Harbour
A favourite spot among visitors to the city, and for good reason: here, you can admire views of Lake Ontario and ships moored at the docks, creating a resort-like atmosphere. You can also see puffins, have a coffee and, after your walk, reach the CN Tower on foot.
Address: near to Bathurst to Leslie (at Harbourfront), Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2G8
Toronto Islands Park
These islands are located near Toronto's waterfront and can be reached by ferry. Visitors call this place paradise and note that everyone can find something to enjoy here, since there are beaches, parks, yacht clubs, cafés and even the Centreville amusement park for children. Outdoor yoga classes are also held here. While walking along the shore, you may come across several attractions: the 1808 Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, a grove of Japanese cherry trees on Centre Island and the boardwalk on Ward's Island.
Address: near to 9 Queens Quay West Bay Street, Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2H3
Toronto Music Garden
This garden consists of six areas, each dedicated to one of the dances in a Bach suite. Classical music concerts are regularly held outdoors in the garden. You can enjoy them while taking in views of Lake Ontario.
Address: 475 Queen's Quay West, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5V 2A9
Toronto Public Library
This is Canada's largest public library system and the second busiest in the world after the library in Hong Kong. In a pleasant and cosy atmosphere, you can find books from around the world, and there is truly plenty to read here—about 11,000,000 printed items. Online catalogues make it possible to quickly find almost any information of interest. At the library, you can also borrow a musical instrument completely free of charge (with a library card, however), and library members can visit some city museum exhibitions for free. Incidentally, you can come and study even without a library card.
Address: 789 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario , M4W 2G8 (largest branch)
Toronto Zoo
This largest zoo in Canada can boast that its animals live in almost natural habitats and comfortable enclosures. There is truly a great deal to see: more than five thousand animal species, or 16 thousand including fish and invertebrates. There are also genuinely rare species that are not often kept in captivity, such as koalas and white lions. Since the zoo is very large and difficult to explore on foot, a train with four carriages called the “zoombile” was created for visitors.
Address: 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto, Ontario, M1B 5K7
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is not only the oldest university in Canada but also the country's most prestigious. It was founded in 1827 as King's College, becoming the first institution of higher education in Upper Canada. If you wander among the campus buildings, you can feel like a wizard from Hogwarts—the Victorian architecture is so reminiscent of scenes from the Harry Potter films. It is especially exciting to know that important discoveries in genetics, immunology, chemistry, aerospace research and other sciences were made right here.
Address: 27 King's College Cir, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A1
Woodbine Park
Woodbine Park adjoins Toronto's largest beach, which is three kilometres long. It is a popular spot for picnics and beach recreation. The Beaches Jazz Festival and Canada Day celebrations, as well as other family events, are held in the park every year. There is also a skate park and the Woodbine Splash Pad, a dry fountain that operates all summer to children's delight.
Address: 1695 Queen St E, Toronto, Ontario, M4L 1G7
Yonge Dundas Square
This legendary place in the city is best visited in the evening, when all its lights come on and it resembles a well-known square in the United States. You can watch street performers, artists' exhibitions and other community events here. The enormous CF Toronto Eaton Centre and the CN Tower are nearby.
Address: 1 Dundas St E, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 2R8
Yonge Street
Yonge Street is known as the longest street in the world. It received this title in 1999—its length is 1896 kilometres. The street begins in the city centre, at the Lake Ontario waterfront, and, as if dividing the city in two, heads north towards Lake Simcoe. There, it turns west and ends at the US border. The subway runs along the street, while sidewalks, flower beds, cafés, shops, clubs and offices are located along it.
Address: Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario
