Toronto

Toronto is the quintessential weekend city break and gateway to Ontario’s lakes and parks.

Toronto is dynamic, cosmopolitan, stimulating and the cultural and financial heart of Canada. Toronto is a multicultural city, which is reflected in the many colourful neighbourhoods and small local shops as well as world-class arts, exhibits, museums, professional sports teams, tremendous shopping and fine cuisine.

Activities abound too, many of which take place on the islands just minutes away by boat from Toronto harbour or in areas frequented by the locals such as the Bluffs and the beaches. The downtown core of Toronto is a good size: big enough to keep you entertained for a weekend break and yet not overwhelming.

Why should I visit Toronto?

With many flights from all over the UK, and just 6 hours away, Toronto is a key gateway to Canada and is a must-visit, with so much to do. Climb the CN Tower – and brave the EdgeWalk if you dare – visit the Royal Ontario Museum (known locally as the ROM), take a cruise over to the island, or visit the beaches close to downtown.

Have drinks or dinner in the distillery district, shop in the Eaton Centre or Yorkville or take in a game – the Raptors are a hot ticket after recent success in basketball, or watch the Maple Leafs if it is hockey season, or visit the fabulous Rogers Centre stadium to watch the Blue Jays play baseball.

Things to do in Toronto

Build your own Toronto experience with the freedom of a hop-on-hop-off city tour aboard a double decker bus. Let the friendly and knowledgeable tour guides educate you on the fun facts and history of Toronto as they take you through the city with stops at/near all major hotels in the downtown area. The ticket also includes a free boat tour (available seasonally) of the Toronto Harbour and Islands.

One of the largest free-standing buildings in the world, at 1815.39 feet high, the CN Tower dominates the Toronto skyline and offers sweeping views of the city. The glass faced elevators, now with glass floor panels, will whisk you to the LookOut Observation level in a mere 58 seconds. Dare to walk the Glass Floor, sample the exquisite cuisine at 360 Restaurant the revolving restaurant or relax in Horizon’s Restaurant. The views of Toronto, Lake Ontario and the distant U.S. are unforgettable. The general admission ticket provides elevation to the LookOut and Glass Floor levels along with access to base attractions.

The EdgeWalk is the World’s Highest External Walk on a building, a full circle hands-free walk on a 5-foot wide ledge encircling the top of the Tower’s main pod. This 1.5 hour visit includes a keepsake video and photo and gives free admission to the tower itself.

Open 365 days a year, Canada’s largest indoor aquarium features one of the world’s most extensive jelly fish exhibits, an interactive stingray, bamboo shark and scarlet cleaner shrimp, touch pools and daily live dive shows. From the heart-pounding experience of Dangerous Lagoon with moving glide-path sidewalk to the hypnotic dance of Pacific sea nettle jellyfish illuminated in an array of breathtaking colours from within the world’s largest kreisel tank at Planet Jellies.

The Stingray Experience is a once-in-a-lifetime experience; the 2-hour adventure includes Admission to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada on the day of the experience, a behind-the-scenes tour, an in-water experience in Ray Bay, a souvenir backpack and towel, and photos of the experience on a souvenir USB flash drive. After the Stingray Experience, guests will have free time to walk through the aquarium at leisure.

Cruise the Toronto harbour aboard one of seven magnificent ships, watch the sunset and experience the sights and sounds of the city’s waterfront and breathtaking skyline. Enjoy a memorable evening with a 3-hour cruise through Toronto’s spectacular harbourfront, a delicious buffet-style dinner and music to dance the night away under the stars.

Toronto was fabulous. The Chelsea is a good hotel, good location and great value, but somewhat impersonal, but then it is huge!

C Mclaren - Travelled May 2016