Ontario’s capital city of Toronto is without a doubt one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. With over 140 languages represented and over half of residents of foreign origin, it’s not hard to see why Toronto’s multicultural heritage offers an almost equally diverse group of attractions, activities, restaurants and of course, reasons to visit. From an emerging food scene to the more iconic Royal Ontario Museum, here are ten reasons LuxeGetaways hopes to see you in Toronto!
1. Take in a game…
With the Raptors basketball team, the Rock lacrosse team, the Argonauts football team, the Blue Jays baseball team, the Toronto FC soccer team and the Maple Leafs hockey team, there’s always a game to see. Whether you choose an event at the Air Canada Center, BMO Field or Rogers Centre, be sure to sport your Toronto team’s colors and root for the home team.
2. Bring the kids…
Tourism Toronto has recently launched Yo-Toronto.com, a brand new interactive website for kids. On the site, kids can click on any of the animated Toronto landmarks to learn more, play games and impress parents with their Toronto knowledge. With printable scavenger hunts to get kids looking away from their phones and looking around the city and informational videos aimed to get kids excited about exploring Toronto, parents can sit back and let the kids do the tour-guiding. On the main Toronto website, parents can also browse family-friendly activities and lodging to make their vacation a memorable one for kids of all ages.
3. Engage your culture-loving side…
Visit either of Toronto’s two art and history museums for a unique look into their new, noteworthy exhibits. At the Art Gallery of Ontario, visitors have the opportunity to see the gallery’s mainstays as well as the beautiful landscapes of The Idea of North: The Paintings of Lawren Harris exhibition (until September 18, 2016). Visitors may also want to stop by the Royal Ontario Museum (the largest museum in Canada) which currently has two rotational exhibits worth checking out: A Third Gender: Beautiful Youths in Japanese Prints which explores the sexuality of Japan’s Edo period (until November 27, 2016) and Tattoos: Ritual. Identity. Obsession. from musée du quai Branly in Paris that details 5000 years of tattooing (until September 5, 2016).
4. For the love of beer…
Toronto Beer Week, scheduled for September 16-24 of 2016, provides beer lovers the chance to taste from over 30 breweries and at over 60 venues around the city. Offering over 100 events including beer dinners, cask beer tastings, brewing demonstrations, etc., Toronto’s Beer Week invites you to explore the breweries, bars and restaurants of Toronto while enjoying great beer and learning a little more about it in the process.
5. Embrace your quirky love of shoes…
Toronto’s one-of-a-kind Bata Shoe Museum offers a unique journey through over 4,500 years of shoes. Including everything from ancient Egyptian sandals to a collection of 20th-century celebrity shoes, you’ll never be able to look at shoes the same way. And with their new temporary exhibit, Standing Tall: The Curious History of Men in Heels (until October 2017), Bata Shoe Museum is certainly an experience you won’t want to miss.
6. Baby animals, say no more…
The Toronto Zoo already has an impressive habitat of 500 species (with 5000 animals in all), but with the addition of a new collection of cubs and calves, it really is a hard attraction to miss. From the Indian Rhino born in February of this year and the polar bear cub born in November of 2015 to the four white lion cubs born in September of 2015 and the giant panda cub twins born in October of 2015, adults and kids alike will enjoy watching these tiny, spunky animals romp around their mothers and play around with each other.
7. Taste the wines of Niagara…
Just 90-minutes from the heart of Toronto, the charming town of Niagra-on-the-Lake offers fantastic shopping, restaurants and over 20 wineries. Start your day trip off with a quick walk around town before touring one or more of the areas wineries. You can schedule a tour, join an already existing one or chart your own path through the sprawling vineyards. But whichever option you choose, be sure to make time for dinner at your winery of choice for an amazing meal and the perfect wine pairing.
8. Live life on the edge…
Toronto’s iconic CN Tower offers views of the entire city from a whopping 1,465ft or 447 m above the ground. With multiple experiences to choose from, including the SkyPod, the LookOut, the Glass Floor and even a 360 degree rotating restaurant, visitors can experience Toronto in all its glory from as high up as they choose to go. And for those looking for the ultimate adrenaline rush, the CN Tower also offers the chance to brave the heights and conquer the EdgeWalk, a harnessed, hands-free ledgewalk around the top of the structure.
9. Go under the sea…
Opened just three years ago, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada features North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel, 100 interactive opportunities, three touch exhibits and two dive shows daily. For those tired of “sleeping under the stars,” the aquarium opens its doors for a “sleep with the shark” experience. Bring your sleeping bag and sense of adventure as you curl up underwater to watch for “shooting sharks.”
10. Roll out the red carpet…
From September 8-18, the Toronto International Film Festival is without a doubt the place to be. The week and a half long event features world premieres, galas, appearances by your favorite actors and actresses and, of course, a red carpet experience. With 49 special presentations, 18 gala presentations and a wide variety of genres from independent documentaries to soon-to-be Hollywood blockbusters, there’s something for every type of film fan.
Whether you’re in it for the diverse culture, foodie paradise or the sightseeing, its easy to see why Toronto’s sprawling urban landscape should be your next destination. And with an endless activities suited to individuals, couples and families, your next vacation to Toronto guarantees memories to last a lifetime.
