Overview

The city's mosaic of different nationalities has created a dynamic microcosm, making Toronto the cultural heart of English Canada. From Rosedale to Cabbagetown, from the Annex to Greektown, from the Beaches to Little Italy and the many different areas of Chinatown, Toronto's neighbourhoods are its main attractions. Each of these areas is an absolute delight to discover.

Attractions

Proximity to a major body of water is an important asset to most cities, and Toronto is no exception. Ferries transport passengers back and forth to the Toronto Islands Park. The dock is just behind the Harbour Castle Westin Hotel. The Toronto Islands are the ideal spot to relax, catch a little sun, go for a bike ride or in-line skate, take a stroll, or go for a swim.

Harbourfront Centre is one of Toronto's most exciting areas. Apart from the pretty little cafés and the numerous shops, a variety of shows and cultural events are also held here. The SkyDome is the pride of Toronto, and the first sports stadium in the world with a fully retractable roof.

No doubt the most easily recognizable building in Toronto, the CN Tower dominates the city from a height of 553.33 m (1,814 feet), making it the highest observation tower in the world. You can reach the observation deck in an elevator that lifts you off the ground floor at a speed of 6 m (20 feet) per second, equivalent to the takeoff of a jet aircraft.

Financial District

This area is the heart of Toronto, extending from Adelaide Street to the north to Front Street in the south, and between University Avenue to the west and Yonge Street to the east. Here majestic buildings adorned with cornices, porticos and other ornaments stand alongside towers of steel and glass. All are occupied by the headquarters of Canadian financial institutions.

Queen Street West

In 1965, the municipal administration of Toronto moved out of its Victorian city hall and into New City Hall. This modernist masterpiece quickly gained a certain notoriety and became as symbolic of Toronto as the CN Tower. Stretching out in front of New City Hall is Nathan Phillips Square, a vast public space with a large pool of water straddled by three arches, which is transformed into a skating rink in the winter.

Chinatown and Kensington

The intersection of Spadina and Dundas streets is the heart of Toronto's Chinatown. The best time to explore the fascinating tea shops, herbalists and Chinese grocers is on Sunday, when the sounds of Cantonese pop music, the mounds of fresh vegetables, the racks of roasted duck and the smell of ginseng tea transport you to another world. Sunday is when most Chinese families head out for brunch, though they call it dim sum, and there are no scrambled eggs or baked beans on the menu!

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is now laid out in a collection of buildings, which were successfully united in 1989 by architects Barton Myers and Associates. These quarters finally do justice to the splendid treasures they contain -- collections donated by wealthy Ontarians over the years.

Queen's Park

Situated in the centre of Queen's Park on University Avenue is the Ontario Provincial Parliament. It was designed in the neo-romanesque style by architect Richard A. Waite of Buffalo, who is also responsible for several other Canadian buildings.

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) preserves some six million treasures of art, archaeology and natural science. You'll marvel at the towering totem poles that flank the lobby. In the East Asian galleries, you'll find one of the museum's most precious gems, the Chinese Art and Antiquities Collection, that contains a Ming Tomb and the Bishop White Gallery. The walls of the later are covered with Buddhist and Daoist paintings. Finally don't miss the Ancient Egypt Gallery and the Nubia Gallery.

On the east side of Queen's Park Avenue, the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art features a striking collection of porcelain and pottery. Four galleries span history from the Pre-Columbian Mayas and Olmecs to European treasures of the past 500 years.

If you love to shop, Bloor and Yorkville Street contain chic and trendy boutiques -- a great place for a shopping spree.The Annex Casa Loma is an immense Scottish castle with 98 rooms that was built in 1914 for the eccentric colonel Sir Henry Mill Pellatt. His palatial residence includes a vast ballroom for 500 guests with a pipe organ, a library with 100,000 volumes and an underground cellar. Its towers offer great views of downtown Toronto.

North of Toronto

The Ontario Science Centre houses 650 different expositions. The centre is sure to be a big hit with kids of all ages, since it features many hands-on exhibits and experiments.

Going Out

For a long time, Toronto had a reputation of being somewhat boring. This is certainly no longer the case, as it is now one Canada's most culturally diverse and dynamic cities. In addition to its thriving cultural scene, there are plenty of bars, nightclubs and pubs -- enough to suit just about everyone's taste.

The flourishing of the city's theatre scene has also had an enormous impact on entertainment and nightlife in Toronto. Summertime brings festivals celebrating everything from jazz to Caribbean music.

Along lively strips such as Queen Street West, College Street in Little Italy and the Annex's Bloor Street, there is always something going on, and even just strolling along the sidewalks to soak up the atmosphere can be entertaining.

Clubland is squeezed into the area between University Avenue and Peter Street, Richmond Street West and Wellington. This is where most of the city's dance clubs are concentrated.

Where on earth

Situated on the shores of Lake Ontario, Toronto benefits from an exceptional location. The Aboriginals who inhabited this region for more than 10,000 years were well aware of the advantages of this site, which the Hurons called Toronto (meeting place): its excellent natural port and easy access to Lake Ontario and Lake Huron.