My wife has developed a real travel bug lately! This year we have been to Italy to Lake Garda, then we have 10 nights in Las Vegas booked. Next year she is putting the pressure on for a trip to the Caribbean. Personally, I have my sights set on Canada and I am already looking at Toronto holidays in particular.
Toronto is somewhere I have always wanted to visit, just because of how much it has to offer. It is Canada’s biggest city after all. So, this post will be everything I have learnt to benefit first time visitors to Toronto. Then perhaps my wife will come on board with the idea of this being our next trip.
Top attractions
Hockey Hall of Fame
Don’t forget to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame. This is Canada’s national sport after all and they really have made an impressive exhibition to honour it. Admission is $25 for adults, so very affordable. Especially as the average visit lasts 2 hours, but you can stay the whole day if you like. If you think of some of the attractions in places such as Las Vegas they can cost double that and are over in minutes! So, it’s a lot of entertainment for your money.
There are different challenges you can take part in so it’s very interactive too. There is the Goodyear Shoot Out which looks fun, and you get to use a real stick and puck to experience it. Your score is based on velocity, reaction time and speed! So, you can see how you compare with your family and friends. You can even have a try at hockey broadcasting. They have a mock up studio that looks the part.
CN Tower
If you want to take in the sights of Toronto, then a trip up the CN Tower is a must! It is the world’s tallest freestanding tower and for over 30 years it was the world’s tallest freestanding building. The American Society of Civil Engineers consider it a “Wonder of the Modern World”. So, a trip to Toronto wouldn’t be complete without visiting this attraction.
If you are feeling brave you can book an edge walk. Apparently, it’s not for the faint of heart and looking at pictures I can see why! Priced between $199 to $225 it will certainly will be a memorable experience. Personally, I would be more interested in dining in the 360 restaurant. Especially as you can skip the line to the viewing platform which is also included in your fixed menu price. Reviews sound quite promising too.
Casa Loma
You will enjoy the winding staircases, elaborate rooms and hidden passages in this castle that has been used in many Hollywood movies. Canada does not really have castles like we do in Europe, so you might consider this more of a mansion. However, it is a beautiful building, well worth visiting. With 650,000 visitors a year it obviously has plenty of appeal to tourists. Entrance is $40 for an adult, and you can expect to spend at least two hours here.
Toronto Island Park
Catch the short ferry ride over to the Toronto Island Park. It currently costs $9.11 per adult on a roundtrip. Here you can do some bird watching, as parts of the island are considered environmentally significant areas. If bird watching isn’t for you, then you can try boating, swimming, cycling, kayaking or roller skating. If you like outdoor pursuits a visit here is a must when in Toronto.
Free Things To Do
You don’t have to always be spending in Toronto there are free things to enjoy such as a walk around the harbour or a public garden visit like Edwards Gardens for a long walk and a picnic. Or why not browse St Lawrence Market stalls. There are about 120 different vendors so plenty to see, smell and sample. You might even be tempted by the gourmet bread! Just remember they are closed on Mondays so plan your visit accordingly.
Royal Ontario Museum usually costs to enter. It has 13 million artworks, cultural objects and natural history specimens so its a great place for children to learn about the world. However, at the moment they have a special Third Tuesday Nights Free promotion. So, on those particular Tuesday evenings between 4:30pm to 8:30pm you can enjoy the museum for free! Saving $26 for each adult! As a side note Royal Ontario Museum is closed on Mondays. Mondays seem to be a popular day for attractions to close in Toronto.
More Obscure Things To Do
How about checking out the book vending machine over at The Monkey’s Paw, its potluck what you get as its totally random old book! But that makes it all the more appealing. Plus, it only costs $5. So the experience won’t break the bank!
Or you could go to the Bata Shoe Museum and admire the 12,000 different shoes and learn all about the history of shoes and how they have changed over the years. It is the world’s biggest collection of shoes, so definitely something you are unlikely to have experienced before. Admission is $14 per adult. But it’s worth noting that entrance is free on Sundays. So that’s another one to add to the free things to do list!
Best Time To Visit
September is often recommended as an ideal time to visit Toronto; you can enjoy relatively pleasant weather. Plus, you can also start to appreciate the colours of fall. It’s not as busy either so its easier to navigate around the city and enjoy the attractions. As its not as busy its also not as expensive!
Events
Toronto has many events throughout the year but some of the most popular are the Christmas market and the Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana festival). At the carnival you will enjoy seeing the colourful costumes, listening to the lively music and dancing. Although its advisable to arrive earlier to snag a good spot to view the free event. It is next scheduled for August 1st – Monday, August 5th, 2024. So that might be something to consider when booking your holiday.