The multi-ethnic capital of Ontario
One of the most multicultural cities in the world with 140 neighbourhoods to explore, over 74 of which are vibrant business areas. Ontario, the great lake of shining waters, also gives its name to the large province of Ontario, the industrial heartland of Canada with spectacular natural resources. The province’s nerve centre is Toronto, one of the most global cities in the world with inhabitants from more than 200 different ethnic groups.
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Sharing a land and water border with the United States, Ontario attracts more than 10 million visitors each year. In Toronto towering skyscrapers cohabit with the historic buildings of York Old Town, a corner of the metropolis embedded in the past, where times stands still and the sleepy atmosphere makes it the ideal place for taking a stroll.
The CN Tower, one of the tallest free-standing structures in the world
The undisputable symbol of Toronto is the CN Tower, one of the tallest free-standing structures in the world. Its principal function is to transmit radio and television signals, but it also houses a restaurant, bar and two panoramic terraces with spectacular views over the lake and the city, which is all the more striking at night when illuminated by thousands of lights.
Alongside the tower stands the Skydome, known also as The Dome, the famous stadium with the world’s first retractable roof. The Distillery Historic District, a designated National Heritage Site with red-brick streets, contains the finest collection of Victorian age industrial architecture in North America, and is dedicated entirely to the arts, culture and entertainment.
Toronto offers plenty of attractions and these range from museums, including the Bata Shoe Museum or the Royal Ontario Museum, to the Toronto Zoo and shopping centres such as the Eaton Center.
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Toronto is made up of an old part, which is more interesting from a tourism point of view, and a modern and commercial part. It is one of the most multicultural cities in Canada, due to the arrival over the past two centuries of immigrants from all over the world, including large numbers of Italians and Chinese.
In a city as culturally varied as Toronto, there is a vast choice of restaurants and food shops with an exotic flavour. Something we must mention here are the hot dog carts, which are found everywhere and offer hot dogs of veal, pork or chicken, Polish or Italian sausage and vegetarian products.
The impressive spectacle of the Niagara Falls
After an hour and a half drive, the modern shapes of the city give way to the powerof nature. One of the most visited tourist sites in America, which eachyear attracts numerous visitors and honeymoon couples, the Niagara Falls provides an impressive spectacle. “I seemed to be lifted from the earth and to be looking into Heaven”. This is how Charles Dickens described these great falls, which were created 12,000 years ago by the flow of the waters of Lake Erie into Lake Ontario.
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The Canadian Falls (or Horseshoe Falls) are 53 metres high, the American Falls 51 metres, and they are divided by Goat Island, which is part of the territory of the State of New York. Observation points are found on the banks of the river on Goat Island and Rainbow Bridge, situated a short way down the valley from the falls. The most striking point is at Horseshoe Falls, so named for their characteristic horseshoe shape.
Boat trips can also be taken to see the falls from below, experience the mighty force of nature and hear the rumble of the water at close quarters. You are bound to be wonderstruck by the roar of the falls, the mystery of the rising mist and the sight of rainbows overhead.
Is possible to take an elevator down through bedrock to tunnels behind the falls, or explore the roar of the water on the new hornblower niagara cruises or even take in the view high-above at the skylon tower, in a gondola on Canada’s largest observation wheel, or via helicopter.
Canadian cuisine
The cuisine of Toronto is multicultural and in its districts there are different cuisines, such as Korean in Koreatown, Greek on The Danforth, Italian cuisine in Little Italy and Corso Italia, Indian in Little India or Chinese and Vietnamese in Chinatown.
But also other cuisines like Japanese, Portuguese, Hungarian or Caribbean. Toronto has many famous restaurants like the one at the top of the CN Tower that offers tasty dishes and beautiful views.
Text by Luca Lembi
Updated by Nicolò Villa
Avion Tourism Magazine
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Where to sleep in Toronto
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Toronto is a welcoming city and offers different possibilities for accommodation.
To find the ideal hotel and the best offers you can do a search for the stars but also for districts or landmarks.
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Monuments in Toronto
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CASA LOMA
Perched on top of a hill in the north of Toronto, Casa Loma attracts thousands of visitors a year. It was built by the Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt and with its secret passageways, breathtaking towers, flight of stairs, tunnels, stables and immense garden, has lost none of its majestic charm. It is one of the major attractions of Toronto and host private events.
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CANADIAN NATIONAL TOWER
Built between 1973 and 1976, this 553.3 metre tower was the highest in the world for 31 years. Constructed by the Canadian television company, CBC, it has various panoramic platforms for viewing the city and Lake Ontario from above. As well as admiring the view, you can eat in the highest revolving restaurant in the world.
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ROGERS CENTRE
Not far from the shores of Lake Ontario and at the foot of the mammoth CN Tower, the Rogers Centre is the largest stadium in the world with a retractable domed roof. In addition to baseball games, concerts, exhibitions and shows are held here.
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ST. LAWRENCE MARKET
One of the top 25 markets for the sale of food products, situated in the heart of the Old Town historic district. It has more than 120 speciality vendors and many stands offering hot food. The upper floor is home to the Market Gallery an exibition space for the city of Toronto’s cultural services.
Museums in Toronto
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ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM
With million items in its collections and galleries (archaeology and natural science), the Royal Ontario Museum offers an entire world to explore. The Michael Lee-Chin Crystal is made up of luminous interlocking prismatic structures. The hands-on Biodiversity Gallery offers a fun interactive experience on the interdependency of people, animals and plants. Liza’s Garden is a contemporary and sustainable secret garden. The ROM also includes the Gallery of Gems and Gold, while the Earth’s Treasures Gallery displays rare gems, crystals and precious stones, jewels and gold coins.
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BATA SHOE MUSEUM
The building is shaped like a large shoe box and inside visitors can discover everything about the world of shoes. It begins with footprints dating back one million years and ends with a look at all types of footwear.
The Museum has over a thousand shoes and related artefacts (from a collection of over 13,000) in architect Raymond Moriyama’s award-winning five-floor structure.
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THE POWER PLANT - CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY
The Power Plant is Canada’s leading public gallery devoted exclusively to the presentation of contemporary visual art, through ground-breaking exhibitions, award-winning publications, and public programs. The Power Plant is a key attraction of Harbourfront Centre, a cultural gathering place on the waterfront.
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ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO (AGO)
The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America, with a physical structure of 583,000 m2. Inside there are more than 95,000 works dating from 100 AD to the present day.
Enhancing the national artistic heritage is the largest collection of Inuit items in the
Excursions in Toronto
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NIAGARA FALLS
The Niagara Falls are an hour and a half away from Toronto and can be reached by car or with a group trip. Although not the largest falls in the world, they offer an unforgettable sight.
Horseshoe Falls is one of the world's most famous waterfalls, with heights of 53 meters and with an impressive water capacity that breaks down every second.
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TORONTO ISLANDS
Situated only 10 minutes by ferry from Yonge Street, the islands offer a panoramic view of the city skyline. Centre Island has kilometres of beach and a park where barbecue and picnics can be enjoyed. Boats can be hired and there are numerous cycle paths for rides on bikes. For children there is also a farm and an amusement park. Toronto Islands are made up of three major islands: Centre, Ward’s and Algonquin with paths, bridges and boardwalks that connect the islands. A quick walk or bike ride takes you to one of four beaches: Centre Island Beach, Gibraltar Point Beach, Hanlan’s Point Beach and Ward’s Island Beach.
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