VIEWS FROM THE 6 | TORONTO, CANADA

Toronto is one of Canada’s best-known cities, loved for its arts, culture, and its spectacular outdoor sights. It was further put on the map by several artists who are from this beloved city, including rapper Drake. Although travel is difficult due to the ongoing pandemic, enjoy this story and keep it in mind when travel opens up again!

By SELENE RIVERA

One of the first things you’ll want to do in Toronto is visit the CN Tower, one of the city’s most famous landmarks. It was featured on the cover of Drake’s album Views in 2016. Towering above the downtown, this Canadian icon can be seen from almost anywhere in the city. You can either appreciate the building from the ground or take a trip up to one of the observation areas or restaurants for fabulous views of the city and Lake Ontario. cntower.ca

Next, make sure to catch up on some magnificent art at Art Gallery of Ontario. Established in 1900, this wonderful art gallery has more than 90,000 items in its encyclopedic collection, which spans the last 2,000 years. Of particular note are its collections of Canadian and Indigenous art, though it also has notable works by European masters like Rembrandt, Auguste Rodin, and Pablo Picasso. ago.ca

You can also check out a different type of museum at Royal Ontario Museum, which covers not only art but also natural history and culture. It features collections from all over the globe and is one of Toronto’s most recognizable buildings. rom.on.ca

If you want to experience some entertainment in the city look no further than the Entertainment District. Often compared to New York’s Broadway, the district is where you can see major theater productions, the latest shows and musicals, concerts, and other performing arts. You’ll also find plenty of dining options and places for socializing, as well as hotels. If you’re looking for a bite to eat you’ll want to check out one of the area’s best-known restaurants, Kōst. It’s located on the 44th floor of the Bisha hotel where you can catch views of the aforementioned CN Tower. Inspired by the Baja Peninsula, Kōst offers an escape to the California coastline, with al fresco dining and an infinity pool. Featuring seasonal menus with modern cuisine and refreshing cocktails, the eatery serves up breakfast, lunch, midday snacks, and dinner! kosttoronto.com

A similar lively area in Toronto that’s a must-visit is Kensington Market. Here you can get a true taste of Toronto’s multiculturalism with fresh food stores, used clothing shops, discount surplus stores, and hip cafés. Popular tourist spots in the area also include the landmark Number 8 Fire Station and the lovely Bellevue Square Park.

To shop until you drop zoom over to Yonge-Dunda Square which could be compared to a smaller version of Times Square in NYC. The square has flashy billboards and advertisements, subway stations, wide crosswalks, and plenty of restaurants and stores to flock to. Nearby you’ll find CF Toronto Eaton Centre, a huge shopping mall with 250+ retailers, restaurants, and services. cfshops.com

Two things you might not expect to find in Toronto are islands and castles, but on the contrary they are actually two well-known tourist destinations that you must experience! The castle, Casa Loma, is a Gothic Revival Castle that is one of the most unique examples of architecture in the city. The castle was built in 1914 by wealthy financier Sir Henry Pellatt, where he lived with his wife for many years. It took three years and $3.5 million to build, but as Pellatt kept expanding the property, he fell further and further into debt and eventually had to abandon the property. The castle once functioned as a hotel in the late 1920’s but failed to take off, causing the City of Toronto to purchase it and operate it as a tourist attraction, which is still how it’s preserved today. casaloma.ca

There are 13 islands in Lake Ontario that are spread out across 820 acres. They go by the name the Toronto Islands and the most popular, Centre Island, features a massive park with picnic areas, a beach, magnificent gardens, and even an amusement park called Centreville. At Centreville there’s plenty to enjoy with bumper cars, rollercoasters, log flumes, Ferris wheels, and more. centreisland.ca

Now that you’ve walked a good portion of the city, take a break from the urban landscape by indulging in some nature and beauty. High Park, located in downtown Toronto, is the perfect spot to get a breath of fresh air and relax a bit. It’s the largest recreational and natural park in the downtown area and features cultural facilities, sporting facilities, educational facilities, playgrounds, hiking trails, and gardens. It even has a zoo, an outdoor public wading pool, an ice rink, a restaurant, and in the summer, Shakespearean plays are hosted here. highparktoronto.com

For another great park that’s not embedded in the city, take a trek to Rouge National Urban Park. This park is home to one of the region’s largest marshes, as well as beautiful beaches, the city’s only campground, and tons of scenic hiking trails. The park offers guided walks, children’s programs, fishing, watersports, bird watching, and other activities. pc.gc.ca

What’s a trip to Canada without seeing the great Niagara Falls? While it’s true that you can view this beauty from within the United States in New York, the other side of Niagara Falls is something you’ll want to see. It’s quite the boast, offering a different perspective to visitors who have only seen the American side of it. It’s about a 90-minute drive out of Toronto, requiring you to drive around Lake Ontario, but it’s well worth it! To soak in the full experience, you can view the falls multiple ways: Enter the splash zone on a Hornblower cruise or zoom up the Skylon Tower on a yellow bug escalator for an aerial vista. You can also plunge 150 feet through the tunnels of the “Journey Behind the Falls” attraction to feel the thunder of the roaring waters up close! niagarafallstourism.com

One more exciting natural sight you’ll want to check out is Bluffer’s Park and Beach. Located in Scarborough, it’s about a 40-minute drive from the city center, and it’s a little paradise! You can relax by the beach, hike up to one of the lookouts, or sit down for a picnic, all next to sparkly blue water and gorgeous cliffs! It’s considered the most beautiful beach in Toronto, so when visiting during the summer months, make sure to pack a swimsuit and towel! toronto.ca

Toronto definitely has much more to explore, warranting several trips back and more notes to be added to your Canada bucket list. But for now, you were able to explore beaches, national parks, malls, numerous cultural-filled neighborhoods, landmarks, and more. Now you can see why Drake and so many other proud Canadians are happy to rep Toronto (or T-Dot) with vigor!