Toronto

Restaurants

Toronto's restaurant scene is extremely diverse and diners can expect a bevy of culinary adventures. As a starting point, travellers should remember that certain cuisines cluster in distinct areas.

College Street, better known as Little Italy, is naturally home to the city's best Italian restaurants and trattoria. Danforth serves up Greek food, while authentic Chinese establishments are abundant in Chinatown. Visitors should also check out King Street West for excellent Indian, Japanese and sushi eateries.

Otherwise, Lai Wah Heen, Bangkok Garden, 360 and Canoe are among the titans of Toronto's restaurant scene and definitely worth visiting. Tips of 15 to 20 percent are expected for good service.

Nightlife

From swanky clubs to cosy bars, the nightlife in Toronto has something for everyone. Visitors can expect an action-packed cosmopolitan vibe in this big and energetic city. Little Italy has a number of trattorias that double as bars, while Greektown has its own flair and party atmosphere. Broadly speaking, bars and pubs close around 2am, while dance clubs stay open till dawn. Late-night buses pick up afterhours commuters when the subway shuts down.

Clubs come and go fairly quickly in Toronto, so visitors should check out local nightlife guides for the hottest spots. The legal drinking age in Ontario is 19 and is strictly enforced at most venues. Dress codes tend to be relaxed, but many will refuse entry for people wearing jeans or trainers.

Toronto is undoubtedly Canada's shopping capital, offering top international labels and enterprising local brands. Its most famous mall is the Eaton Centre, which brims with brand stores, restaurants and entertainment all under one roof.

But visitors are far better off seeking out local stores that are unique to the city. Lovers of haute couture should try Canadian labels such as Ross Mayer and Linda Lundstrom. St Lawrence Market has an amazing array of local arts and crafts, and excellent food. Kensington Market is the place to go for vintage clothing and other eccentric paraphernalia, while the Heritage Antique Market has an amazing selection of retro items.

Queen West, which has the best that young and trendy Toronto has to offer, is an essential stroll for serious shoppers. Bathurst Street has small, independent art galleries, where discerning buyers can pick up a souvenir or two, while Yorkville, along Bloor Street, is the city's most exclusive retail district and is home to boutiques and jewellers from Milan, Paris and London.

For travellers on the hunt for mementos, the obvious choices are some good Toronto maple syrup or gifts emblazoned with Mounties or maple leafs. Alternative choices would be Native American art, dream catchers or moccasins.

Sightseeing

Toronto guarantees something for every kind of sightseer, boasting striking natural scenery, charming neighbourhoods and even one of the world's tallest buildings. It has a range of fantastic museums, including the Royal Ontario Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Canadian Air and Space Museum, the Ontario Science Centre and the Hockey Hall of Fame. There are also numerous art galleries, such as the OCAD Professional Gallery, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art.

Visitors can go for a stroll in the city's many distinct neighbourhoods, such as Toronto's huge Chinatown, which is home to the city's 350,000 Chinese-Canadian residents. There's also Little Italy, the lively Art and Design District, and Leslieville, with its antique and vintage shops. The funky Queen West has boutiques, art galleries and restaurants, while the harbour and Toronto Islands are perfect places to relax without having to travel far from the city.

Travellers can save money on many of Toronto's attractions by buying a Toronto CityPass online. It provides discounted tickets to places such as the Ontario Science Centre, the CN Tower and the Toronto Zoo.

Kids Attractions

Toronto has loads of places for kids to play and even learn new things, ensuring they'll be stimulated for days on end.

Canada's Wonderland is the country's premier theme park, with families relishing the mix of rides and entertainment. Travellers looking for kid-friendly ways to enjoy the outdoors should head out to High Park and Centre Island's Centreville Amusement Park.

Parents can add a touch of learning to family holidays in Toronto by visiting the Toronto Zoo, the Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park or the Ontario Science Centre. Children might also have fun when climbing the CN Tower, with views from one of the tallest buildings in the world sure to be a thrilling experience.

Attractions

Casa Loma

Casa Loma is the only full-sized castle in North America. Formerly the home of Canadian financier, Sir Henry Pellatt, the massive structure is a wonderland of secret passageways and elaborately decorated rooms. Pallet used his immense personal fortune to build the chateau, though financial troubles meant he could not sustain it. Today, the City of Toronto owns the castle and welcomes a daily influx of guests. Visitors enjoy touring the authentically furnished rooms and splendid gardens, and drinking in the stunning views of Toronto from one of the castle's towers.

CN Tower

Standing 1,815ft (553m) high, Toronto's CN Tower was the world's tallest building until 2007. Today, it remains a renowned architectural masterpiece and is arguably Canada's most iconic landmark. One of the tower's top attractions is the award-winning revolving 360 Restaurant, which offers guests breathtaking panoramic views of the city, as well as delectable dishes created with the finest Canadian ingredients. Another drawcard is EdgeWalk. At 1,168ft (356m) above ground, it is the world's highest hands-free external walk and a must for thrill seekers.

Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum treats visitors to displays of art, culture and nature from around the globe and across the ages. It ranks as one of North America's premier cultural institutions, and is Canada's largest and most comprehensive museum. Its 40 galleries and exhibition spaces house 13 million artworks, cultural objects and natural history specimens, including dinosaurs, galleries of Chinese art, a bat cave, a gem and gold room, exhibits on Ancient Egypt and Nubia, and the Samuel European Galleries. Visitors will not be disappointed.

Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the world and has a big focus on conservation, with more than six miles (10km) of walking trails spread over 700 acres. More 5,000 animals and over 450 species call it home. Visitors will enjoy touring the zoo's seven geographic regions and encountering animals that are native to them. Favourites include hippos, lemurs, otters, gorillas, bears, Giant Pandas, snow leopards, lions, penguins and cheetahs. Award-winning exhibits await the entire family, as do many seasonal activities. The zoo's interactive wildlife experience is especially popular with kids.

Niagara Falls

Straddling the Canadian-United States border between Ontario and New York, the awesome Niagara Falls attracts millions of tourists every year. The visit makes for a spectacular day trip from Toronto with plenty of action and activities on the Niagara Peninsula. Apart from marvelling at one of the tallest waterfalls in the world, perhaps from a spray-filled boat tour or from a magnificent perch along the cliffs, visitors can enjoy wine tasting, spectacular helicopter flips above the thundering falls, and even skydiving.

Distillery Historic District

The Distillery Historic District is a much-loved centre for arts, culture, food and entertainment in Toronto. Said to contain the finest collection of Victorian-era industrial architecture in North America, it is indeed a worthy national historic site, and certainly worth a visit.

The district had its beginnings in 1832 and eventually became the largest distillery in the British Empire. It assumed its current role as an arts and culture centre during the 1990s, doubling as one of Canada's most popular film locations. As of 2003, it has been a pedestrian-only village dedicated to the arts. Anyone visiting Toronto should explore the district's many art galleries, artisan boutiques and restaurants, and make sure they book tickets for one of the many festivals and special events held here.

Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada

The Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada (MOCA) aims to exhibit, research, collect and promote innovative art by Canadian and international artists whose works tackle the most relevant issues of our times. Formerly the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art, the institution has been praised for its incisive, artist-centric approach to its programmes, and its friendly visitor experience. The MOCA is very much a hub for creative exchange and is definitely worth a visit.

Toronto Islands

The Toronto Islands are only a short ferry ride from the mainland, and provide a peaceful green refuge from the hubbub of the city. Visitors can enjoy a world of tree-filled picnic spots, pedestrian streets, quaint old cottages and beachfront attractions. Paths, bridges and boardwalks connect Toronto Island's three major islands: Centre, Ward's and Algonquin. Short walks or bike rides separate visitors from four sandy beaches named Centre Island Beach, Gibraltar Point Beach, Hanlan's Point Beach and Ward's Island Beach. Centre Island is usually a hit with kids, who relish its huge picnic areas, bike paths and maze. It even has an amusement park, a petting zoo and picturesque swan boats for younger children.

Gardiner Museum of Ceramics

Housed in an award-winning piece of architecture, the Gardiner Museum of Ceramics showcases a craft that has existed for centuries. With earthenware of all different shapes and sizes from the ancient Americas, China, Japan, the Italian Renaissance and more, a tour through the museum will shape visitors' understanding of the ceramic process and its place in world history. The museum hosts classes for both kids and adults, and the accompanying Clay restaurant provides the finest of seasonal produce to complete a busy day browsing the museum.

Kensington Market

Kensington Market embodies Toronto's multicultural society. Since the 1960s, immigrants from Eastern Europe, China and the Caribbean have injected their customs into the market, creating an area that is a model of open-mindedness. Today, this national historic site remains one of Toronto's oldest, most diverse and liveliest neighbourhoods, containing an eclectic mix of cafes, restaurants, vintage stores, bars and speciality food shops where nobody is really foreign.

Harbourfront Centre

The Harbourfront Centre remains at the heart of what's current and creative in Toronto. The innovative non-profit cultural organisation has been around for more than 40 years, and specialises in creating events and activities that charm and entertain a diverse public. Locals gather at the centre's distinctive waterfront venues for some weekend gallery hopping, biking and concerts. Visitors also enjoy strolling along the promenade, indulging in theatrical performances and browsing craft boutiques, or they head to Queen's Quay Centre for some superb retail therapy. Year-round features at this urban playground include film, dance, theatre, music, kids shows and marine events.

Hockey Hall of Fame

Avid ice hockey fans should make a point of it to visit Toronto's Hockey Hall of Fame. Within this shrine to Canada's favourite pastime, visitors can learn about the history of the game through memorabilia from every era, hockey artefacts from around the world, themed exhibits, multimedia stations and images of great moments in hockey history. Iconic players' gear, skates and sticks are also on display. Visitors usually relish having hands-on access to the Stanley Cup, and trying out state-of-the-art games that challenge shooting and goalkeeping skills.

Canada's Wonderland

Boasting more than 200 attractions, including Splash Works and a huge variety of roller coasters, Canada's Wonderland is deservedly the country's favourite theme park. Its inviting array of rides includes carousels, train rides and the Time Warp ­â€' Canada's only flying roller coaster. The park also has lots of shopping and dining options. The sheer variety of rides and amusements here ensure that everyone will have a good time regardless of age, making it a must for the entire family.

High Park

Besides being Toronto's largest public park, High Park is also one of the city's most important natural areas. Visitors will encounter woodland, wetlands, a beautiful lakefront, prairie habitats and a preserved slice of the black-oak savanna ecosystem that once covered most of southern Ontario. It all makes for an idyllic setting in which to enjoy the park's playgrounds, zoo, dog park, hiking trails, greenhouses, picnic areas, eateries and sporting facilities. Parking is convenient and public-transport access is easy. All said, High Park makes for a fun family day out.

Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park

Jungle Cat World Wildlife Park is one of Ontario's most popular tourist attractions. Just 45 minutes east of Toronto, the park is home to a diverse collection of mammals, such as wolves, skunks, lemurs and chimpanzees. That said, its collection of big cats is what makes the park truly special. When it opened in 1985, the park's purpose was primarily recreational. These days, it has taken on a more pronounced environmental-education role. Its chief enterprises include housing rare and endangered cats, and running a variety of fun, kid-friendly programmes. The goal is to educate visitors about the dire need to protect snow leopards, Siberian tigers and the other magnificent animals that sanctuary here.