Toronto: Canada's Megacity
from WorldWeb.com Travel Guide

It's been called everything from “Hogtown” to “Hollywood North” to “Toronto the Good”, and with one of North America's liveliest nightlifes, a concentration of world class attractions and a large multicultural population with the flavour to match, the only thing Toronto cannot be called is mediocre.

From its humble beginnings to its rapid growth into the “Megacity”, Toronto has worked hard to capture the international spotlight and is a city that has an abundance of things for everyone. In addition to its many world class attractions—the CN Tower, Art Gallery of Ontario, the Rogers Centre (SkyDome)...—the city pulses with culture and is home to one of the most diverse populations in the world. So with all this and more, Toronto the Good is quickly becoming Toronto the Great, and is a great place to visit.

HISTORY AND CULTURE

Ironically, what is now Canada's largest city was never permanently settled before the arrival of the Europeans. Several small groups of Aboriginal tribes frequented the area, most likely attracted by its complex series of interconnected water routes, but settlement was limited to only a few months at a time and, therefore, became known as a meeting place for trade and negotiations among tribes. It became so well known for this function, in fact, that the name Toronto is actually derived from the Huron word toran-ten, which translates to 'meeting place'.

The first documented European to map the area was French explorer Etienne Brule, who arrived around 1608 as part of an expedition led by Samuel de Champlain. But it wasn't until 142 years later, when the French established the Fort Rouille trading post on the site of today's exhibition grounds, that an attempt at settlement was made. This proved to be a short-lived effort, as Fort Rouille was abandoned nine years later in 1759.

	Modern Day Toronto Skyline

The land remained sparsely occupied until the American Revolution (1775-1783), which spurred on an influx of settlement in much of Upper (southern) Canada. In addition to the United Empire Loyalists who crossed into Canada to escape the emerging new America, free of colony control, the British encouraged settlement along the border by offering land compensation in an attempt to protect it from future U.S. attacks.

In the aftermath of the American Revolution, it became clear that the area close to the border needed further settlement. In order to further develop southern Ontario, the British Government needed to first purchase large sections of land along Lake Ontario. One of the most significant land purchases took place on Sept. 23, 1787, when John Collins along with Sir John Johnson met with the principle Chiefs of the Mississauga Tribe and negotiated the Toronto Purchase, a treaty that transferred a whopping 101,200 hectares (250,000 acres) of land into British hands. Because of bad record keeping on the part of the British, the treaty had to be resigned in 1805. No written account exists of the 1787 trade terms, but the 1805 treaty saw the exchange of only 10-shillings—roughly the three-month salary of a housemaid in London, equivalent to about $35 in today's currency. Needless to say, controversy still remains as to whether the Mississaugas have been fairly compensated for this land.

Toronto's official birthday is on July 30, 1793, thanks to the efforts and persistence of John Simcoe, a British commander in the Loyalist Regime who was also credited with changing its name from Toronto to York, after a Duke bearing the same name. The original York stretched from Queen Street (originally Lot Street) in the south, to Bloor Street in the north. The building blocks for Toronto were laid, but it was still much less developed than other cities in southern Ontario, namely the capital city of Niagara. So when Simcoe, who became the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, made York the capital city, government officials were anything but pleased to relocate from the cozy Niagara region to the 'uncivilized' York.

Propaganda, aimed at attracting settlers close to the border, led to the establishment of farmland in the areas surrounding York and by 1812, York had a parliament, inns, hotels, a jail and many houses. It seemed the town was beginning to take shape and the population slowly began to rise. In 1834, Toronto's first mayor, William Lyon Mackenzie fought and won the battle to return York to its original name of Toronto, to the delight of many.

Toronto's growth began to stagnate following the Great Fire of 1904 that ripped through 5 hectares (12 acres) in the inner city and destroyed over 125 buildings. Further devastation would befall Toronto's growth with the First World War, followed by the Great Depression. The city's population climb wouldn't really recover until the Second World War, when well over half-a-million people (mainly from Europe) fled to the city to escape the war, most of whom never returned to their native land. Toronto probably didn't know it at the time, but this was also significant in shaping its identity—today it is one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world. Greek Town, Portugal Village, Little Italy and Chinatown are just a few of the communities that are a tribute to these early refugees.

The completion of the St. Lawrence Seaway in the late 1950s spurred on yet another population spurt. This series of canals allowed ships access to the Great Lakes via the Atlantic Ocean. With shipping now opened up, Toronto attracted more businesses and factories, which began to snake their way along sections of Lake Ontario.

By the mid-1950s, in the midst of rapid growth came the need to provide more centralized services, resulting in the amalgamation of 13 surrounding suburbs into the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto. Over 10 years later, these suburbs would be further condensed into six: Etobicoke, East York, North York, York, Toronto and Scarborough. Toronto's final push into the title of Canada's largest city, which had belonged to Montreal, Quebec up until then, is mainly attributed to the insurgence of Quebec's separatist movement, which began in the early 1960s and lead to the election of the Parti Québécois in the mid '70s. As a result of the strict French laws imposed by this government, many English-speaking Quebecers moved to Toronto.

External factors certainly played a large part in the development of Toronto's Megacity status, but the city's rise to the top was not merely coincidental. The city worked hard to become Canada's biggest city and international starling, resulting in numerous world class structures and attractions. The construction boom that started in the '60s and lasted well into the '80s saw the inception of such attractions as the CN Tower “world's largest tower”, the Rogers Centre (SkyDome) “world's greatest entertainment centre”, and the Underground PATH “world's longest underground shopping complex”, and placed the city on the map, giving it international notoriety.

Toronto's Former Suburbs
And the growth didn't stop there. In 1998, the former cities and boroughs of Scarborough, Etobicoke, North York, East York, York and Toronto amalgamated to create the City of Toronto, much to the dismay of many citizens. Although the bill was defeated in a referendum, the Ontario Government, headed by former premier Mike Harris, went ahead with the amalgamation. Many Torontarians still refer to these former suburbs by name, some in defiance and others in the name of tradition. To avoid confusion, visitors may find it helpful to familiarize themselves with these areas and their boundaries.

TRANSPORTATION

Canada's biggest city is also its most connected and easily accessed. Lester B. Pearson International Airport is one of the busiest in North America, greeting, connecting and departing over 25 million passengers a year. Because of its high traffic, the airport is also easily navigable, but it is large, so visitors should leave plenty of time to 'get lost' when it comes time to depart.

The Pearson, as known by locals, is actually located in Mississauga, which is separated from Toronto’s western border (formerly Etobicoke) by a welcome sign. To access the city centre from here, there are several choices. Canada's largest airport is also the most serviced, which means renting a car from Pearson should be no problem, perhaps a little more expensive than anywhere else, but rarely a problem.

	Toronto's Union Station

With a wide selection of car rental agencies available, the only real choice is whether to rent a car at all. Typical of any large city, traffic congestion and aggressive drivers are a consideration when making transportation plans, as is high parking costs, especially in the inner city. Car rentals are most convenient for those who want to explore Toronto's outskirt communities (although this is not a requirement either, because transit services some of these areas too).

Toronto’s Transit Commission (TTC) operates buses, trains, streetcars and a subway system, and is extremely user friendly, making it a preferred method of travel for many people, Torontonians included. Subway routes and GO Train stations are clearly marked on most maps of the city and transit maps are also available at most major convenience stores and gas stations. The subway travels within the city limits, while the GO Transit, consisting of buses and trains covers an 8,000 km² (3090 mi²) area extending from downtown Toronto to Hamilton and Guelph in the west; Orangeville, Barrie, and Beaverton to the north; and Port Perry, Oshawa, and Newcastle in the east.

For those who need help navigating their way through the transit system, Union Station, located on Front Street between Bay and York streets in downtown is a central transportation hub and offers an information service. Opened by the Prince of Wales in 1927, Union Station showcases impressive architecture and because of which, is a designated National Historic Site of Canada. Since Toronto's active nightlife is just one of its many accolades, the TTC offers the Blue Night Network (BNN), a late night service running from 1:30 to 5 a.m. on all major transit routes. Transit stops are marked with a reflective blue band and service runs every 30 minutes or less.

CLIMATE

Given its position along the shores on Lake Ontario (part of the Great Lakes system), the story of Toronto's climate is written by its humidity. During the summer months, this means that warm and sunny days are made warmer by the dense air. For those not accustomed to a humid climate, it can be quite an adjustment. From June through August, temperatures soar into the high 20s °C (82 °F) and, at times, low 30s °C (88 °F), which feels even hotter depending on how high the humidity is. Before heading out for the day, guests should pay attention to the humidex. The humidex is a weather index that calculates how hot the temperature feels given the actual temperature and the relative humidity in the air. The humidex is a good way for visitors from dryer climates to gage the weather in terms that are more understandable. The best way to defend against the heat is by keeping plenty of water at hand, wearing a hat and slathering on a good coat of sunscreen.

The city's position to the Great Lakes also relieves Toronto from the severely cold weather that can often plague the rest of the country during the winter, but that's not to say that it doesn't ever get cold. Contributing to the hotter temperatures during the summer, Toronto's humidity also factors in the winter. Temperatures in January seem amiable at only - 6 °C (21 °F), but can be deceiving because of the humid air, which can cause bone-chilling winds at times. The good news is that this is the exception rather than the rule and winter is well contained to the months of late November through to the end of February.

Spring and fall generally offer the best conditions for a visit because the weather is pleasant and the rush of summer vacationers can almost be completely avoided.

Toronto's CN Tower

FEATURED ATTRACTIONS

It's nearly impossible to outline all of the best attractions in a city that has an endless number of things to see and do. Even those who live in Toronto are hard-pressed to take in everything this metropolitan city has to offer. From thousands of restaurants, a myriad of festivals, numerous museums, an endless number of art galleries and some of the best shopping of any Canadian city, it isn't hard to see why visiting them all would take the work of a magician.

CN Tower
A beacon in Toronto's skyline, the CN Tower is often the first thing visitors see as they descend into the city and the last glimpse of the Toronto skyline when heading home. The tower was constructed by Canadian National, primarily a railroad company, in 1976 to combat the city's problem of weak communication signals. The idea was to build the tallest communication tower in the world. In fact, at that time, the plans did not include making the tower a tourist destination—an idea that surfaced in the late stages of the design process. At 553 m (1,815 ft), the CN Tower is claimed to be the world's tallest freestanding structure. Although the trip to the observatory is quick, the line-ups to get there are not. The average wait is at least 20 minutes to an hour for the first observation point; that wait is usually tripled to ascend to the highest observation point, SkyPod, also the world’s highest public observation deck at 447 m (1,465 ft). To pass the time, there are plenty of things to see along the way including a 14-minute documentary on the tower. Once visitors finally reach their destination, patience reaps its reward with an outstanding view of the city and lake. On a clear day, visitors have been known to see clear across Lake Ontario into New York. Either one of the best, or worst features, depending on the visitor’s take on heights, is the towers 24 m² (256 ft²) glass floor located on the first observation deck. The glass floor offers a heart-skipping 342-metre (1,136-foot) straight-down view of Toronto’s entertainment district. No need to worry though, the glass can withstand the weight of 14 large hippos or a gaggle of jumping children—a more likely contender.

Rogers Centre (SkyDome)
Located at the foot of the CN Tower, Toronto's Rogers Centre (SkyDome) is spread out over 5.14 hectares (12.7 acres) of land. Major League Baseball's Toronto Blue Jays and Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts are the facility's home teams. There’s no need to be a sports fan to enjoy this attraction, the Rogers Centre is an architecture marvel and has plenty of great features that don't require knowing what a line of scrimmage is. Equipped with a fully-retractable roof, this massive building measuring 4.66 hectares (11.5 acres), has seven restaurants, a seating capacity of 65,673 and 88 washrooms for a total of 1,280 toilets—many of which are reserved for ladies. Guided tours are offered and, if scheduling permits, include a quick glimpse of the dressing rooms.

Hockey Hall of Fame
Anyone who knows anything about Canada is well aware with the country's fanatical obsession with the good 'ol game of hockey. A truly Canadian attraction, the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF), located in BCE Place, showcases this beloved Canuck sport and all its greats. The world's finest collection of hockey memorabilia and artifacts are displayed here, including a 3D Stanley Cup. The virtual gaming area makes dreams come true for many, as visitors have the opportunity to step between the pipes and face the puck-handling skills of such legends as Gretzky and Messier—minus the big paycheck and bruises. The full-scale replica of the Montreal Canadiens’ dressing room is a must-see for die-hard Hab fans, while the broadcast zone invites guests to try out their best Bob Cole (commentator) impersonation.

	Casa Loma in Toronto Photo by Mike Berezowski

Casa Loma
Casa Loma is an element of surprise in Toronto’s otherwise urban backdrop. At 90 m (300 ft) , this magnificent medieval-style castle, constructed between 1911 and 1914, is a distinguished structure in both sheer breadth and stature. It took over 300 men to build and cost a staggering $3.5 million. Looking as though it were plucked straight from the pages of a fairytale, this castle comes complete with secret passages, spiraling staircases and a 244-m (800-ft) tunnel, which connects the castle with its luxurious stables. From May through October, visitors are also permitted to lose themselves in the two-hectare (five-acre) garden surrounding the castle.

Ontario Place
Ontario Place was constructed as a showplace for the province and the nation. Its waterfront location is a great setting for the annual fireworks competition, the Festival of Fire, held here every June. Inside, visitors will find the six-storey Cinesphere IMAX Theatre and a 16,000-seat amphitheatre that plays hosts to many musical events. Rides, games and an assortment of activities add to its mass appeal.

Art Gallery of Ontario
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), located in Downtown Toronto has a permanent collection that consists of over 36,000 works spanning over 1,000 years, including the largest public collection of British sculptor Henry Moore. This is in addition to its busy travelling exhibition schedule. On the ground floor is an outstanding hands on play area for children and an art centre where families are encouraged to pick up a paint brush and create their own works of art.

Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum is home to one of the world's finest collections of Chinese art and archeology. The museum houses an astounding six million objects ranging in scope: an authentic replica of a bat cave, a dinosaur gallery, and a collection of Egyptian mummy cases and masks—all under one roof. The museum also holds the premier collection of early Canadian decorative art. A wing of the museum is dedicated to period room settings that depict life at earlier times in Canadian history.

CityTV
Located on Queen Street West, arguably one of the most happening streets in Toronto, the CityTV Building is home to a number of local broadcasting houses including MuchMusic, CityTV and Bravo. A hub of activity inside and out, the building regularly attracts screeching fans attempting to catch a glimpse of visiting celebrities. Speakers Corner is also located here and for a small fee, one can have their thoughts, complaints or general ramblings recorded for broadcast on a weekly TV show.

	Ontario Place

CBC Building and Museum
While the only crowds collecting outside the CBC building are people waiting for the bus, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation has its own tradition of on-air talent. Occupying 159,800 m² (1.72 million ft²), this 10-storey building is an impressive edifice in Toronto's downtown core. The CBC has been the resounding voice in Canadian programming since the early 1930s and produces a variety of television and radio shows throughout the country—the largest production house located in Toronto. Popular CBC programming has included: This Hour Has 22 Minutes, a comedic farce; Holiday Ranch, a celebrated sitcom in the 1950s and Hockey Night in Canada, popular for Coach's Corner, an outlet for the rantings of Don Cherry, hockey commentator and proud Canadian. To ensure the best quality programming, the building is constructed on over 3,000 synthetic rubber pads—isolating it from the vibrations of the bedrock below. Tours include a few studios and visitors can visit the small, but informative CBC Museum.

Underground PATH
Connecting over 1,200 underground shops and services, stretching over 27 km (17 mi) and covering a 12-block radius, Toronto's Underground Path is almost a city within itself. Included in its long list of shops and services are 20 parking garages, five subway stations, two major department stores and numerous restaurants. The PATH also provides access to six major hotels, a railway terminal, The Hockey Hall of Fame, Roy Thompson Hall, Air Canada Centre and City Hall, to name a few. What the PATH provides in commerical conveniences however, it lacks in navigability, so visitors will want to grab a map to ease their troubles in getting around.

ACTIVITES GREAT FOR THE KIDS

For many visitors, keeping the kids happy is the difference between a marvelous or miserable vacation. The good news is that there are plenty of kid-friendly options available in Toronto that are bound to keep the young and the young-at-heart happily placated. The Toronto Zoo, located in Toronto's east side (formerly Scarborough) is one of the countries largest and is therefore an all-day event.

For a mix of activities, the Toronto Islands are also an amiable option. Located a quick ten-minute ferry ride from Toronto's lakeshore, the Islands (Hanlan’s Point, Centre Island and Ward Island) deliver fun for everyone. Centre Island holds an amusement park, while the two others feature picnic areas, volleyball courts, wading pools, beaches, a Frisbee golf course and more.

Monkey in the Zoo

For the more adventurous type, Paramount Canada's Wonderland is only a quick drive, or GO Train ride directly north of Toronto in the city of Vaughan. This outdoor summer attraction is made hotter by the sheer number of bodies that pack the park in search for an adrenaline rush. Although lunch-raising rides are their specialty, Wonderland still has a mix of other activities, including water slides and stunt shows. Wonderland does a great job of providing fun for the whole family, but it is not cheap. Parking fees, as well as high food costs cause some families to get creative by packing a lunch and carpooling or busing.

FESTIVALS

Festivals are a large part of Toronto's culture and there is no shortage of them year round. Literally hundreds of festivals take place throughout the year, some indoors and some out. The Toronto Film Festival, the Downtown Jazz Festival, the Festival of Fire, the Gay Pride Week, Caribana, The Taste of the Danforth...and the list goes on, attract people from all over to partake in some world-class entertainment.

SHOPPING AND RESTAURANTS

Toronto gives the phrase 'shop till ya drop' a whole new meaning. Shops are spread throughout the city affording plenty of opportunities to break out the plastic and spend to the hearts content. The designer boutiques of Bloor Street West/Yorkville are not for the faint of wallet, while the knock-off shops off Church Street cater to those who have designer tastes without the designer budget. The hipster attitude of Queen Street West is most evident in the shops that line the street, which offer up-to-the-minute styles and off-the-wall boutiques. With entire districts dedicated to fashionites, shopping in Toronto is a cardio workout for some. If it's on a wish list, this city has it, or can get it.

The same can be said for the Toronto's restaurants, which number in the thousands. Some pretty high profile chefs can be found at the helm of some of Toronto's most reputable restaurants—attracting the upper crust of society. Given its multiculturalism, ethnic restaurants are also in high supply—as are restaurants catering to all kinds of budgets. Some of the most recognizable restaurant districts include College Street (between Bathurst and Shaw Street), containing Little Italy and a concentration of culinary venues. The restaurants lining Queen Street West range from the ultra chic to the ultra cheap, while the ones chock-a-block the corner of Young and Eglington cater to the young professionals that make up the majority of the daytime foot traffic here and usually command a higher price range. If variety is the spice of life, then Toronto is one hot tamale. From carb-counters to carnivores to critics—enough variety exists to adhere to most tastes.