Published by Programme B
Toronto is the largest and most famous city in Canada, with a great number of tourists visiting every year. Toronto is often mentioned as the “New York City of Canada” due to its diversity and is one of the most multicultural cities in the world. It’s a bustling city that has a lot to offer from landmarks, museums, events, and restaurants. In this article, we will cover five different things you can do in one day while visiting Toronto.
View Toronto From Above
Start the day by going to the CN Tower, the tallest building in Toronto. At 553 meters, the structure provides massive views over the city and the surrounding areas. The tower boasts the highest glass floor elevator in the world. The lift carries its passengers up to a glass-floored viewing deck where you can enjoy the spectacular views from 342 meters above the ground. If that’s not enough, it’s possible to go even higher with the SkyPod, where passengers reach an elevation of 447 meters.
Visit the Kensington Market
Around lunchtime, it’s a good idea to head over to Kensington Market, where visitors will get a taste of the cultural diversity that Toronto has to offer. The location is a natural, historic site where a Jewish market one used to be. Today it is a Soho-Esque neighborhood for artists, writers, and, of course, food. Here you will find all kinds of market stalls, street food, fresh food stores, and cute cafés. After grabbing a bite in one or more places, there’s plenty of independent art galleries and rare book shops to visit. There are no mainstream brands present at the Kensington Market; instead, visitors will find independently owned shops and artisanal goods.
Go on a Shopping Spree
Being a metropolis, Toronto is filled with great shopping locations. Most people find that the best place to shop is the Toronto Eaton Centre. Shopping all comes down to budget and personal preferences. For people with a little more money to spend, the right place to visit is Yorkville, an upscale shopping area. Bayview Village is another spot offering a lot of high-end fashion boutiques. Chinatown is a sprawling area where shoppers can find knock-off designer clothes.
Time to Blow Off Some Steam
After all the touring and being around large crowds all day, it may be time to unwind at the end of the day. Toronto offers a great variety of nightlife activities. At the Casino Woodbine in Toronto, thousands of slots and all types of table games are being offered. The Woodbine is also home to a horse racing track. Unfortunately, at the present time, the casino is closed as part of the partial lockdown restrictions in the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic. During this challenging time and considering the limitations due to social distancing, whenever possible we recommend finding entertainment online. For gambling, there are plenty of local digital options.
Opera, Ballet, Orchestra, Theatre – You Name It
Toronto is home to one of the best entertainment districts on the continent. Depending on taste, if you’re in the mood for operas, ballets, symphonies, or the latest musicals, Toronto won’t disappoint. Visit the Canadian Opera Company, the National Ballet, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Roy Thomson Hall, or the Royal Alexandra Theatre. Tickets for venues can be bought online or by visiting the respective box office. Be aware that some shows are popular and sell out fast, be prepared, and book in advance. Again, during the pandemic most performing arts venues are closed due to the Coronavirus, however, the good news is that it is possible to watch performances online until the world is back to normal again.
Fine-dine on Bay Street
End the day with some great food at The Chase restaurant. This up-scale restaurant opened its doors in 2013 and immediately became a fine-dine hotspot. The restaurant is situated on the rooftop of the famous Dineen Building on Bay Street, with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, where diners enjoy magnificent views of the Toronto Financial District. The menu features seafood and meaty plates. Try a Nova Scotia lobster or a pan-roasted 8oz Ontario tenderloin. Make sure to leave some room for the peanut-butter Anglaise with homemade vanilla ice cream before heading back to the hotel.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels