Toronto is a vibrant and diverse city that offers a unique blend of cultures, cuisines, and attractions. As the largest city in Canada, it is a hub for arts, culture, and business, and has something to offer for everyone.

The city is home to numerous museums, art galleries, and theaters, including the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Canadian Opera Company. Toronto is also known for its sports teams, including the Toronto Raptors, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Toronto Blue Jays.

One of the things that makes Toronto stand out is its multiculturalism. With a large immigrant population, the city is home to a wide range of cultural communities, and you can find everything.

This diversity is reflected in the city’s food scene, which offers an array of international cuisines, from Indian to Ethiopian to Korean. With its lively neighborhoods, stunning parks, and bustling city center, Toronto is a city that is always on the move and a great destination for travelers looking to explore Canada’s cultural capital.

My top recommendations to do while in Toronto can be narrowed down to:

Having breakfast or brunch at ‘Old School Restaurant’

The restaurant is known for its casual and local atmosphere.  Its brunch menu includes classic dishes such as eggs Benedict and French toast, as well as more unique options like shakshuka and house-cured salmon gravlax. Old School also offers vegan and gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions.

If you are in Toronto and want to start your morning in the best way possible, definitely make a reservation for Old School and secure a tasty breakfast. If you are not up for that, I’d still recommend going on an evening for dinner. They have a free stand-up comedy night every other Thursday. Make sure you go on the right Thursday!  

Personal favorite: Finger Lickin Chicken & Waffles and a Biscoff Milkshake.

Visiting the Niagara Falls

Let’s all agree that regardless of the number of tourists and how overrated people who have already visited say it is, checking out Niagara Falls at least once in your lifetime is a must.

It’s always a good idea to research different tour options and read reviews before booking to ensure you are getting the best value for your money. You have these possibilities to visit:

By Car: Approximately 130 kilometers and should take about 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic or on how many stops you make. You can rent a car, take a taxi or hire a private driver.

By Bus: Several bus companies go daily. The most popular is the Niagara Falls Tourism WEGO bus, which is a hop-on hop-off bus that stops at various tourist attractions in the city. Other bus companies that offer service from Toronto to Niagara Falls include Greyhound and Megabus.

By Train: The GO Transit train service operates between Toronto and Niagara Falls. This service runs on weekends and holidays from June to September. Passengers can take the train from Toronto Union Station to the Niagara Falls VIA Rail station, and then take a shuttle bus or taxi to the falls.

By Helicopter: Helicopter tours of Niagara Falls can average between $80-$300 CAD per child-adult for a 15-20 minute ride over the falls. This type of tour is more expensive but offers a unique and unforgettable view of the falls.

The CN Tower

The CN Tower is a 553-meter-tall observation tower that dominates the city’s skyline and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Canada. You can take a high-speed elevator to the top of the tower, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and Lake Ontario from the observation deck.

The tower is not only a major tourist attraction but also serves as a communications and broadcasting hub for the city. It has been designated as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World and is an important symbol of Toronto’s identity and global significance.

It was completed in 1976 by the Canadian National Railway as a communications tower, and at the time it was the tallest free-standing structure in the world. It held this title for 34 years until it was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in 2010. It was also  the world’s tallest tower until Canton Tower was built

The cost of entry to the CN Tower varies depending on the type of ticket you purchase and whether you want to access the observation deck, the restaurant, or the EdgeWalk experience. I recommend you check their site for updated prices.

Now, some cool facts I learned about Toronto:

1. Toronto is the most populous city in Canada and the fourth-largest city in North America, with a population of approximately 6.3 million people.

2. The name “Toronto” comes from the Mohawk word “tkaronto,” which means “where there are trees standing in the water.”

3. The city is known for its diverse population, with over half of its residents being born outside of Canada.

4. Toronto is home to the CN Tower, which was once the tallest freestanding structure in the world at 553 meters.

5. Toronto is often referred to as the “Hollywood of the North” due to its large and thriving film industry.

6. The Toronto Islands, located just off the downtown area, are a chain of 15 islands connected by bridges and accessible by ferry.

7. The city has a robust arts and culture scene, with numerous museums, galleries, and festivals throughout the year.

8. Toronto is home to the Hockey Hall of Fame, which celebrates the history and culture of ice hockey.

9. The Toronto Zoo is one of the largest in the world, with over 5,000 animals representing around 500 species.

10. The city is also known for its extensive park system, with over 100 parks covering a total of over 8,000 hectares.