The heart of Toronto is adorned with
millions of plants and trees. It is also filled
with galleries, museums, restaurants, music halls,
theatres and sports facilities. Toronto is the
economic capital of Canada, with all major banks and
most corporations headquartered there as well as a
Stock Exchange. Toronto has been called the
Hollywood of the North because of the number of
movies and television shows that are filmed within
it. The retail sector is enormous, with major
shopping centers, both in malls and in every
neighbourhood.
Families are honoured guests
with many Toronto hotels providing special services for
guests with children, including separate child-sized
registration desks, separate recreation areas and
pools just for families and playrooms and games for
families with children. There is even an entire
museum designed just for children. The Toronto Zoo,
Paramount Canada’s Wonderland Amusement Park,
Children’s Village, and Wild Water Kingdom are
popular family Toronto attractions.
Toronto is a favourite convention city
and gathering place. Toronto’s streets are safe,
the air is clean, and the water is safe to drink.
The city is strikingly cosmopolitan and vital in
every aspect. In recent years, the United Nations
named Toronto as the most ethnically diverse city in
the world. Its residents have come to Canada from
170 different countries and speak more than 100
different languages and dialects. Within Toronto,
the visitor will pass through neighbourhoods that are
Italian Asian, Greek, Portuguese, Jewish, Polish,
West Indian and Pakistani. Toronto has welcomed its
immigrants and the vitality with which they have
infused the culture, religion, customs and cuisine
of the city.
The Toronto Eaton Centre is more than
just a shopping centre. It is an architectural model
for shopping malls around the country. Built in
1979, and given a new facade in 1999, it is the
third largest mall in Canada and is recognized as
one of the city's most popular attractions. The 3
million square foot building with its over 300
stores and services extends along the west side of
Yonge Street all the way from Queen Street to
Dundas Street (with subway stops directly entering
and exiting it at each end). The Toronto Eaton Centre, and
in fact the whole metropolitan area, are easily
accessible by public transportation. The city’s
PATH system connects miles of downtown buildings by
a unique underground walkway lined with attractive
shops and restaurants.
Toronto is the capital of the
performing arts in Ontario. The Canadian Opera, the
Mendelssohn Choir, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra,
the National Ballet of Canada, and the Canadian
Stage Company are all based in Toronto. The Toronto theatre
scene rivals that of London and New York.
While in the city, be sure to spend
some time at Harbourfront Centre, the recreational
and cultural expanse of shoreline that stretches
from York Street west to Bathurst. Boutiques,
theatres, restaurants, an antique market, art
gallery, and playgrounds are permanent features.
From the harbor, tour boats and private charters
take tours of the harbor and Toronto Islands.
Toronto Islands are only a 15 minute
ferry ride from the foot of Bay Street, yet a world
away from the bustle of Toronto city life. No cars are
allowed in this island paradise. The islands are
perfect for a picnic, a walk or bicycle ride, or a
swim at the beach. There is a farm to visit, rides,
playgrounds, tennis, and boat rentals. A free
trolley provides island transport.
