Attractions and Entertainment in Toronto, Canada

Toronto, the capital city of Canada’s Ontario province, is famous for a lot more than just its fancy nicknames and bustling economy. This culturally diverse and vibrant city offers a wide variety of things to do, from visiting iconic landmarks to seeing a show.

Getting around town is easy thanks to the subway and bus systems (plus streetcars). A Presto Pass, which operates like an Oyster card, will help you save money on your visit.

Downtown

Toronto is a lively city that offers an abundance of attractions and entertainment options. From its towering skyscrapers and eclectic neighborhoods to its big-name music festivals and cutting-edge art, Toronto has something for everyone. This bustling metropolis also boasts some of Canada’s best dining and shopping. This makes Downtown Toronto a great base for sightseeing in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area).

A trip to downtown Toronto is sure to thrill any traveler. The city center is home to iconic attractions like the CN Tower and St. Lawrence Market, as well as upscale shopping districts like Bloor Street and the Eaton Centre. The ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) is the place to go for natural history lovers, and the edgy design of the Merchandise Mart draws shoppers from around the world.

Visitors can also take in a musical performance at the Royal Conservatory of Music or attend an art exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario. The latter is one of the best museums in North America for modern art and includes renowned works by Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet.

Other must-sees in the downtown area include Casa Loma, a gothic castle that overlooks the city, and the ice skating rink at Nathan Phillips Square. The CN Tower is another must-see and the city’s biggest attraction, offering stunning views from a rotating restaurant and observation deck.

For the budget traveler, many of these attractions are within walking distance. Alternatively, Toronto’s transit system is top-notch, and it’s easy to get around using subways, buses and streetcars. Locals use a tap card called Presto to ride transit, and it’s worth considering purchasing a day pass or weekly pass to save on transportation costs.

Tourists consider renting a car one of the best ways to enjoy all that Canada has to offer. Renting an economy class car in Ottawa will cost about 21 euros per day, in Vancouver - about 23 euros per day.

Harbourfront

Harbourfront is a year-round entertainment complex that draws whole families to its live music and dance performances, food festivals and art exhibitions. Located on Toronto’s picturesque lakefront, this cultural and recreational centre is run by a non-profit organization. The 10-acre (4-hectare) waterfront complex hosts more than 4,000 events a year in and around multipurpose venues such as parks, theatres and a pretty ice-skating rink.

The major buildings at the heart of the complex, Queen’s Quay Terminal and York Quay Centre, house art galleries, theaters, museums, specialty shops and restaurants. The outdoor areas feature a park, ice-cream parlour, the famous Toronto Music Garden and the WestJet outdoor performance stage. A sheltered boardwalk extends along the waterfront, connecting the two buildings to various lakeside lookout points for stunning views of Toronto’s iconic CN Tower and the rest of the cityscape.

During its heyday in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Toronto’s harbor was a busy commercial district. But as shipping patterns changed and the waterfront became obsolete for industrial use, governments began planning a new vision of the area as a cultural destination.

The area that is now Harbourfront began to take shape in the 1970s and really accelerated with the opening of Ontario Place and Ontario’s Harbourfront Centre. The Centre is one of the most popular cultural and recreational attractions in the country, attracting more than 17 million repeat visitors annually. Its programs include the World Stage contemporary performance series, NextSteps national dance program, International Festival of Authors, summer festival weekends and a wide range of concerts, art exhibitions and children’s activities. It’s also the site of a number of educational initiatives such as the acclaimed Craft & Design Studio and open studios where the public can watch artists-in-residence at work.

Entertainment District

The city’s Entertainment District buzzes by day as businessmen and power players ply their trade from towering office buildings, but at night the energy shifts and this vibrant neighbourhood takes on a different personality. Music lovers can dance to DJ beats at clubs like This is London and Century Room, while the discerning palate can enjoy a meal at restaurants like Le Select Bistro and Susur Lee. Families will love to explore the underwater tunnels of Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada or head up the CN Tower, where they can experience spectacular skyline views.

A few decades ago, the neighbourhood was a hive of nightclubs that filled early 20th century warehouse spaces. But as condos sprouted, the club scene moved out of the area and now the neighborhood offers a range of entertainment options for all ages. From musicals and symphony performances at the Princess of Wales Theatre to the Toronto International Film Festival at TIFF Bell Lightbox, the neighbourhood is home to all manner of entertainment options.

This neighbourhood also features a selection of popular eateries and bars. You can enjoy a quick pre-theatre bite at the trendy Brassaii or sit down for a classic French meal at Le Select Bistro. Then there are the countless pubs, which offer the perfect setting for a pint with friends. The Entertainment District is also a great place to spot celebrities, especially during the 10-day TIFF festival.

The area is a short walk from the Union Station, which provides access to trains and buses to all corners of the city. From there, you can easily reach destinations such as the Chinatown Market, which is a feast of cuisines and souvenirs.

Niagara on the Lake

Located on the edge of Niagara Peninsula, Niagara-on-the-Lake is often called “The Loveliest Town in Canada.” It’s a charming little town with beautiful heritage buildings and a world-class wine region. While Niagara Falls gets most of the attention, NOTL is well worth a visit!

The heart of this little town is a gorgeous historic district with lots of boutique shops and restaurants. The main street is lined with cute houses and the whole area has the feel of a Victorian era small town. For a taste of history, the Niagara on the Lake Museum is a must-see attraction and contains over 8000 artifacts. Also, be sure to catch a play at the Shaw Festival Theatre, which celebrates Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw.

Wine lovers can sample wines from several vineyards in the Niagara-on-the-Lake winery region. Visiting in the spring or fall is ideal since this is grape harvest time. If you’re interested in learning about the region’s wine-making process, consider booking a winery tour or tasting experience.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is very family-friendly. One of the best attractions for kids is Simcoe Park, which is located right behind the main street and courthouse in downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake. Here you will find a playground, plenty of green space, public washrooms, and tons of gorgeous flowers. This is a great spot for a picnic or just letting the kids run off some energy!

Another must-see is the historic Fort Niagara, which was built in 1812. The location of this fort is unique because it was actually on the American side of the border at that time. It was a very important military site during the War of 1812. It’s a fun place to explore and you can even take a haunted walking tour to learn more about its spooky past!

Zoo

Unlike some zoos where animals are housed in dark cages, the Toronto Zoo is committed to connecting people with wildlife and conservation science. Its 710 acres are home to 5,000 animals across seven geographic regions, including Indo-Malaya, Africa, the Americas, Australasia, Eurasia, Tundra Trek and the newly opened 10-acre Eurasia Wilds.

A visit to the zoo allows you to witness animal feedings and breeding activities throughout the day, as well as enjoy a variety of exhibits and attractions. It is a great place to see exotic animals like the zebra, giraffe and tiger in their natural habitats. Also, you will find native animals such as the cougar and the northern bald eagle in the Canadian Domain. There are other sizeable creatures such as the wood bison and wapiti (American moose) at the Canadian domain. The Australasia region has its fair share of wildlife as well, with the Komodo dragon, kookaburra and Matschie's tree kangaroo all on display.

The zoo is known for being the first in North America to group animals by their geographic region. This makes for an amazing experience as you walk through the different exhibits that have their own distinct animal species.

Some highlights include the Africa Savanna, where you can catch a glimpse of lions and cheetahs roaming freely. There is also the awe-inspiring Gorilla Rainforest, where you can get up close to western lowland gorillas. You will also be able to see the giraffes, zebras and tiger in their natural habitats at the Africa Pavilion. The zoo is also home to the rare snow leopards in the Eurasia region, along with the Barbary sheep and chamois (a relative of the goat). The zoo is very large, and visitors usually find themselves spending between four to six hours here when visiting. It is often recommended to split a trip to the zoo into two days, as it is a lot of walking.