Toronto Tourism Guide

If you are looking to visit the city of Toronto in the near future, be sure to check out this Toronto tourism guide for tips and ideas on things to do. Toronto has much to offer in terms of attractions, entertainment and outdoor activities. Street markets, fine dining, zoos and museums are all available for exploration and enjoyment in one of Canada’s greatest cities.

1. Toronto Island Park This tiny grouping of islands just outside of the city on Lake Ontario is one of Toronto’s more popular attractions. Accessible only by water or air, there are ferries that you can take from the Mainland Ferry Terminal to one of the three main island docks: Ward’s Island, Centre Island and Hanlan’s Point. This waterfront picnic park offers a multitude of outdoor activities, including boat and bike rentals, tennis courts, beaches, volleyball and disc golf. There are a number of restaurants and cafes to choose from should you get hungry. Points of interest include Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse on the Great Lakes and Centerville, a 600 acre amusement park offering over 30 rides and attractions.
2. Metro Toronto Zoo If you are looking to enjoy the afternoon in a relaxed atmosphere, the Metro Toronto Zoo may be just what you are looking for. With exhibits of over 5,000 animals, restaurants, cafes, rides and gift shops, the zoo is one of Toronto’s premier attractions. Some exhibits worth checking out are the ten-acre Tundra Trek, a habitat featuring polar bears and arctic wolves, the Great Barrier Reef and the Gorilla Rainforest. Admission to the zoo is $23 and $10 for parking.
3. Hockey Hall of Fame Located on the corner of Yonge and Front Street West, the Hockey Hall of Fame features exhibits of some of the game’s greatest players, teams and moments. There are a number of hockey artifacts on display, as well as statues, a replica of an NHL dressing room, games and multimedia stations and the Stanley Cup. You can also pick up a gift or your favorite team’s memorabilia in the newly expanded gift store. The Hall of Fame is open year round and costs $15 for admission.
4. 180 Panorama Restaurant and Lounge Located atop the 51st floor of the Manulife Centre on Bloor Street W, 180 Panorama is one of Toronto’s premier dining locations. Enjoy a menu offering mouthwatering appetizers like sesame crusted rare ahi tuna salad, mini crab cakes and grilled Hawaiian chicken pizza or exquisite main dishes, such as black tiger tandoori shrimp and butternut squash ravioli. The prices on the menu are reasonable, but it is the view from the restaurant that is priceless. The dining area offers breathtaking views of both Toronto’s uptown and downtown. The Panorama also has two of the highest outdoor patios in the city.
5. Chinatown / Yonge Street / Kensington Market Alive with hustle and bustle, these three distinctly different neighborhoods all have one thing in common. They each offer a multitude of restaurants, outdoor cafes, pubs, shops and fresh food markets. Chinatown is located on Spadina Avenue, just south of College Street. Here, you can find authentic Chinese food, medicinal herbs, fresh fruits and vegetables, and bargain shopping. Yonge Street is kind of a mix between Times Square and Greenwich Village in New York. Here, upscale department stores mingle with restaurants, outdoor cafes and theaters. Yonge Street runs just east of University of Toronto. Kensington is an outdoor market just north of Chinatown where you can find fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices.