Although Toronto is not the capital city of Canada, it is certainly the most well-known one. Despite Canada’s size, many people outside of the country have only ever heard of Toronto. This is because Toronto, Ontario, is a great place to live and visit.
Toronto has everything you could possibly look for in a travel destination. The beautiful Lake Ontario along the coast offers nature-lovers a reprieve from the city. Cultural neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little Italy, and Koreatown are great destinations for foodies. If that isn’t enough, there are plenty of tourist attractions like the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, The Royal Ontario Museum, and much more!
Let’s take a look at 16 pictures to help inspire you even further to visit this beautiful city.
CN Tower
Built in 1976, the CN Tower used to hold the record for the world’s tallest free-standing structure, but in 2007, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai took over that record. Nonetheless, the CN Tower is still an iconic building and is a major landmark in Toronto.
Visitors to the CN Tower can walk up to the top or take the quicker route via elevator. At the top, there’s plenty to do. Start at the sky terrace level and step onto the solid glass floor if you can stomach it. If you’re feeling hungry, visit the 360 Restaurant, which revolves slowly, giving you a stunning view of the entire city.
If the glass floor wasn’t wild enough for you, you could walk outside the CN Tower with the Edgewalk experience. The Edgewalk is the world’s highest full circle hands-free walk as it is 116 stories above ground. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it is an amazing experience!
Rogers Centre
Once you’ve had your fill of the CN Tower, head back down and pop over to the Rogers Centre to catch a Blue Jays game! If they aren’t playing, check to see if there are any other events on. If not, the Rogers Centre structure is still cool to see from the outside as it has a fully retractable roof, perfect for enjoying baseball games on sunny days.
Nathan Phillips Square
In the heart of the city is a beautiful outdoor space called Nathan Phillips Square. It houses the iconic Toronto sign and a giant fountain that visitors can sit around on a warm summer day. Many of Toronto’s major celebrations occur in Nathan Phillips Square, such as the Cavalcade of Lights, Remembrance Day events, and even concerts!
During Christmastime, the city decorates Nathan Phillips Square with beautiful lights and a giant Christmas tree, making it the perfect destination for families. If you want to enjoy an even more spectacular light show during Christmas, venturing outside of Toronto to Oakville to see the Jackson Lights is a great idea!
Another great activity in the winter at Nathan Phillips Square is skating! The fountain in front of the iconic Toronto sign featured in the photos above freezes over for visitors to skate on. Skating is free, and rentals are available by the hour. For a unique skating experience, visit the Bentway Skate Trail. It is a skating trail underneath the busy Gardiner Expressway, an experience unique to Toronto!
Yonge-Dundas Square
Another popular square in Toronto is Yonge-Dundas Square, often referred to as the Times Square of Canada. Yonge-Dundas Square is at the intersection of Yonge Street and Dundas Street in the heart of Downtown Toronto. It is much smaller than Times Square but holds a similar charm with its lit-up billboards and bustling atmosphere.
Around Yonge-Dundas Square, you can find a giant shopping mall called the Toronto Eaton Centre, where you can find almost any store you can think of. The Ed Mirvish Theatre is also nearby if you want to catch a Broadway show one day!
There is also plenty to eat around Yonge-Dundas Square, so come hungry! If the weather permits, hit one of the rooftop bars around the square.
Toronto Islands
Although Toronto is a city, there are still great places to connect to nature, namely the Toronto Islands. The Toronto Islands are made up of 15 islands on Lake Ontario that you can easily access by ferry from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. You get a great view of the city’s skyline from the islands, as seen in the images above.
On the islands, visitors can enjoy cycling, kayaking, disc golf, picnics, barbecues, and even beaches! Just beware if you are going with family, the beach on the west shore is a clothing-optional one.
Centre Island also houses a fun amusement park called Centreville. It’s decently sized with over 30 rides and attractions, perfect for families with children.
Downtown Toronto
As Toronto is the biggest city in Canada, there is plenty to see. You can easily explore the city with a hop-on hop-off bus tour or just walk around! Downtown Toronto is easily accessible by foot, and you are less likely to miss anything that way!
Check out some of the city’s historical building like the Gooderham building pictured above on your walk. It is a five-story building that is known for its unique wedge-like shape.
A bit further out but totally worth the visit is Casa Loma, North America’s only castle! Casa Loma has been around since 1914 and is still just as beautiful today. Visitors can take a tour through most of the rooms in the castle and sit in the beautiful garden. Casa Loma is also used as the backdrop to many television shows like Reign and Shadowhunters, as well as popular movies like X-men, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and The Pacifier.
Wherever you go in the city, there’s something to see. If you’re tired of walking, jump on a streetcar, bus, or subway to get you where you need to go safely. These 16 pictures are only a taste of what you could see if you visit Toronto, so don’t hesitate to book your trip!