Attractions in Toronto

• Sky Dome

  1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto, Canada

  Built as the official home of the Toronto Blue Jays and the Toronto Argonauts, the Sky Dome was the world’s first multi-purpose stadium with a retractable roof. The roof which weighs 11,000 tons spans 674 feet across, is 31 stories high and covers an area of over eight acres. The interior of the dome contains three venues in one: the SkyTent Area seats between ten and twenty thousand people; the domed Skydome seats more than sixty thousand and is an all season venue and the Skydome Hotel is also located inside this remarkable structure. Tours operate daily and the cost is $9.50 per person.

• Casa Loma

  1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, Canada

  Sitting at the top of a hill in the north end of Toronto, Casa Loma is virtually impossible to miss. It’s appeal for many of its visitors lies in the fact that it’s a castle in the middle of a city, and in North America this is virtually unheard of. With secret passageways, sweeping staircases and medieval towers it really is an attraction which you should not miss if you are visiting the city. Attracting almost half a million tourists annually, it is a good idea to get there early in the morning where you can enjoy the building, and the five acres of gardens which surround it, at your own pace and in relative peace and quiet.

• CN Tower

  301 Front Street East, Toronto, Canada

  The CN Tower is the largest free-standing structure in the world. Once you make it inside you can check out the view form a variety of lookout points. On nice days, if you are feeling brave enough, you can even go outside. If you decide not to avail of this option, however, you can try the view through the glass floor which looks all the way to the ground. While inside you can also visit the SkyPod. Situated one hundred and forty five stories above the ground, this is the highest public observation tower in the world. Before you get inside you should know that you will feel the tower sway a little but apparently it is designed to do so. Yes, the view through the glass floor sounded really good didn’t it!

• Royal Ontario Museum

  100 Queens Park, Toronto, Canada

  Canada’s biggest museum, the Royal Ontario Museum houses a number of galleries, exhibitions as well as numerous tours, video presentations and lectures. Among the more popular displays is one of the world’s best collections of Chinese art; the Ancient Egypt Gallery which contains priceless Egyptian artifacts and the Inco Limited Gallery of Earth Sciences which has an interactive display of the forces that alter the earth as well as a large collection of gold samples and gemstones. The Dinosaurs Gallery with thirteen genuine dinosaur skeletons is also a big favourite among the three quarters of a million people that visit the museum every year. And finally, there is also an excellent permanent collection of art from Canada itself.

• Hockey Hall of Fame

  BCE Place, Toronto, Canada

  Even for those of you who don’t like hockey or aren’t sure whether you do or not, the Hockey Hall of Fame is one attraction which should be visited during your stay in Toronto. Located in one of the most historical buildings in the city, the hall is split into sixteen different areas the most popular of which is the Bell Great Hall. Originally located within a building which served as a bank right up until 1982, the hall is home to the vault where the original Stanley Cup is stored. As well as the cup, there are also hundreds of other objects and images connected with the game as well as numerous interactive attractions where you can test your skills at the game. This is a really fun attraction which will only take up about three hours of your day to see everything on display.

• The Bata Shoe Museum

  327 Bloor Street, Toronto, Canada

  The only shoe museum in North America, the Bata Shoe Museum houses over ten thousand objects from around the world. The shoes date from a period which spans over four and a half thousand years and include Chinese binding shoes, French chestnut crushing boots and ancient Egyptian sandals. As well as the shoes there are also numerous other shoe-influenced artifacts. And pieces from more modern times include Robert Redford’s cowboy boots from Out of Africa, John Lennon’s Beatle Boots and Elvis Presley’s blue patent loafers. While it may not suit everyone’s tastes, the museum is perfect for those of you who prefer something a little different.

• City Hall

  100 Queen Street, Toronto, Canada

  Toronto’s City Hall is the work of Finnish architect Vilio Revell. After the largest architectural competition ever held in which over five hundred architects vied for the honour of designing the structure, Revell triumphed and construction was finally completed in 1965. The building has received mixed criticism throughout the decades but while many had less than complimentary comments to make, it is worth going if only to form your own opinion. Most agree that it is best visited at night when it is lit up and at its most impressive. You will also see the reflecting pool in Nathan Philips Square which becomes a skating rink in winter and houses various events all year round.

• Canada's Wonderland

  Rutherford Road, Toronto, Canada

  For those of you who feel that you’re missing out on the theme parks south of the border, this is Ontario’s answer to Disneyland. Featuring over sixty rides, a twenty-acre water park and hundreds of shows, concerts and attractions throughout the season, Wonderland is a good place to visit to get away from it all. Bring plenty of energy and adrenalin with you, however, as some of the rides will really test you. Eleven huge rollercoasters, the infamous Drop Zone which will lift you twenty three stories high and then drop you at one hundred kilometres per hour and Super Soaker, a rather speedy ride through a tunnel with back to back one hundred and eighty degree turns will certainly any cravings you might have had to do something exciting with your day.

• Toronto Islands Park

  Centre Island, Toronto, Canada

  Now for something a little more relaxing than the above, Toronto Islands is the city’s must see natural park. With no cars whatsoever, you can bike or hike around at ease to see all the attractions the parkland has to offer. You can rent canoes or paddleboats at the Long Pond Lagoon, check out the amazing views of Toronto’s skyline or chill out in any of the numerous picnic areas. There are also several beaches but swimming is not recommended as the water is bitterly cold and is not the cleanest you will have ever seen either. Nevertheless, you will not run out of things to do and should definitely take a day out to visit the area. Also, try not to miss the last ferry in the evening as there is no accommodation on any of the islands.

• Art Gallery of Ontario

  317 Dundas Street, Toronto, Canada

  The eighth largest museum in North America, the Art Gallery of Ontario is home to over twenty-four thousand works of art which date from one thousand years ago, right up to the present day. Masterpieces by Rembrandt and Picasso as well as a number of sculptures by Henry Moore are among the permanent exhibitions on display at the gallery but there are also numerous temporary exhibitions which you should look into before travelling to the city. When visiting the permanent collections, the entrance fee is left entirely to your discretion but it is expected that you give a donation of at least $6. It is also worth noting that the gallery does not open on Monday.