GTA Sights & Attractions
• A WorldWeb.com Travel Guide for Greater Toronto Area, Ontario.
A patchwork of people, Toronto's population is half comprised of those who were born elsewhere creating a culturally rich mosaic that is reflected in its diverse, creative and world-class attractions, from the Mediterranean neighbourhood Greek Town to the elevated artifacts of the Royal Ontario Museum. Along with a profusion of skyscrapers and innovative buildings characteristic of any self-respecting metropolis, the CN Tower provides the perfect vantage point to see the city sprawl toward what is known as the Greater Toronto Area. Encompassing more than a dozen cities and towns, the area stands in contrast to Toronto's cramped quarters, characterized by vast farmlands and forests affording it attractions that include grand gardens, mammoth amusement parks and idyllic vineyards. There are attractions as far as the eye can see.
TORONTO
Arts & Culture
Toronto's diverse population contributes to a rich culture as expressed through hundreds of galleries and theatres. The third largest theatre centre in the world after London and New York City, Toronto boasts some 75 productions a month. Some venues are themselves attractions, like the historic Royal Alexandra, which is the oldest continuously operating theatre in North America and is visually show stopping with marble, gilded plaster and walnut wood accents. The Distillery District—a pedestrian-only cultural, arts and entertainment village—is a site to see as the largest preserved collection of Victorian industrial architecture in North America, which today houses galleries, restaurants, artist studios and shops.
A range of galleries, from commercial outlets to art museums, displays local and international talent. The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is an internationally renowned gallery with more than 79,000 works in its collection, which—spanning from 100 AD to the present—includes masterpieces from the Group of Seven, Carr, Monet, Cezanne, van Gogh, Picasso and many modern and contemporary artists as well. The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canada's largest museum and also houses an impressive collection that reflects not only Toronto's history but natural history and world cultures through more than six million objects.
Towers, Structures & Sport Complexes
Toronto's culture is celebrated through some 4,000 events each year at the Harbourfront Centre situated on 4 ha (10 acres) of waterfront and attracting over 12 million visitors annually. Just steps away is the impossible-to-miss CN Tower standing a sky-scraping 553.3 m (1,815 ft) making it the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere and an iconic part of the city's skyline. Along with a rotating restaurant and amusement rides, the highlight is the view from the top and the perfectly-safe-but-terrifying glass floor.
Among the city's architectural marvels is the Rogers Centre, formerly known as the SkyDome, famous for its retractable roof that can fit a 31-storey office building when it's closed. Perhaps most important, it is home to two professional sport teams, the Toronto Blue Jays (MLB) and the Toronto Argonauts (CFL).
Sports cannot be spoken of here without mention of the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL). They find their home at the Air Canada Centre where the Toronto Raptors (NBA) are also based. Hockey is as much a part of Toronto's identity as its art and culture, so be sure to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Recreation & Special Attractions
In contrast to Toronto's modern landscape, Fort York is worth visiting to see how the city began in 1793, with restored buildings to explore today. Or visit Canada's castle, Casa Loma, with secret passages, a tunnel and gardens.
For children of all ages, must-see attractions include the Toronto Zoo, Centreville Amusement Park, Ontario Place and the Ontario Science Centre.
GREATER TORONTO AREA (GTA)
Nature & Culture Collide
What Toronto lacks in terms of rural space is made up for by the immediate surrounding area with acres of rolling farmland and rugged, forested landscapes. The GTA is flanked by water, hugging Lake Ontario to its south, and bordered by Lake Simcoe in the north and Kawartha lakes to the east. The Niagara Escarpment is just west of the area. And in between, amidst diverse industry and urban neighbourhoods, is plenty of preserved space. Just 10 minutes north of Toronto, the Kortright Centre for Conservation offers 325 ha (803 acres) of protected woodlands with environmental education programs throughout the year.
Located within Markham's limits is Rouge Park. Its 47 sq km (18 sq mi) encompass a sandy beach, camping sites and hiking trails. While many animals make their home here today—from coyotes to deer—human history dates back 10,000 years. Its past can be explored at nearby Markham Museum. Area culture, perhaps influenced by the beauty of the Rouge River, is further expressed at the Varley Art Gallery named after one of the members of the Group of Seven. West of Markham in Kleinburg is one of Canada's largest collections of paintings by the Group of Seven at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. South of Toronto is the Art Gallery of Hamilton with over 8,000 pieces making it Ontario's third largest public gallery. Or visit the Peel Heritage Complex in Brampton, which showcases international and local exhibitions and includes restored historical buildings, namely a courthouse and a jail.
History Comes to Life
It may be difficult to imagine, but the hustle and bustle of Toronto began with a simpler way of life. Pioneers started settling the land in the 1790s, creating self-sufficient villages with houses, a blacksmith shop, tavern, church and a school. This history is recreated at many original, restored buildings throughout the GTA. The Black Creek Pioneer Village in Vaughn is a living history museum allowing visitors to step back into the pioneer days. In contrast, the Parkwood Estate in Oshawa reflects the opulence of the 1920s at Canada's last remaining grand estate. The mansion encompasses 55 rooms with original furnishings as well as an expansive garden.
Cultivated Landscapes
The GTA's already lush and fertile landscape is cultivated into something extraordinary at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Canada's largest botanical garden and the world's largest collection of lilacs.
It may be surprising that in such a densely populated area there is space for farmland, but out of 7,125 sq km (2,751 sq mi), nearly 40 per cent is utilized as farmland. Floriculture, vegetable and fruit crops are largely cultivated here in addition to a viable wine industry. Tours are available at Magnotta, Ocala and Vinoteca wineries.
The ultimate of cultivated landscapes comes in the form of golf courses and there are dozens of them in the GTA. But for the real fanatic, a visit to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in Oakville is a must.
Recreation & Special Attractions
The amount of space allows for colossal attractions in the GTA, namely Canada's Wonderland with 200 attractions, 65 rides and an 8-ha (20-acre) water park. Canada's largest water park is located in Brampton at Wildwater Kingdom. Taking a walk on the real wild side in Bowmanville means visiting the Bowmanville Zoo, Canada's oldest private zoo established in 1919.
TORONTO
Arts & Culture
Toronto's diverse population contributes to a rich culture as expressed through hundreds of galleries and theatres. The third largest theatre centre in the world after London and New York City, Toronto boasts some 75 productions a month. Some venues are themselves attractions, like the historic Royal Alexandra, which is the oldest continuously operating theatre in North America and is visually show stopping with marble, gilded plaster and walnut wood accents. The Distillery District—a pedestrian-only cultural, arts and entertainment village—is a site to see as the largest preserved collection of Victorian industrial architecture in North America, which today houses galleries, restaurants, artist studios and shops.
A range of galleries, from commercial outlets to art museums, displays local and international talent. The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is an internationally renowned gallery with more than 79,000 works in its collection, which—spanning from 100 AD to the present—includes masterpieces from the Group of Seven, Carr, Monet, Cezanne, van Gogh, Picasso and many modern and contemporary artists as well. The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canada's largest museum and also houses an impressive collection that reflects not only Toronto's history but natural history and world cultures through more than six million objects.
Towers, Structures & Sport Complexes
Toronto's culture is celebrated through some 4,000 events each year at the Harbourfront Centre situated on 4 ha (10 acres) of waterfront and attracting over 12 million visitors annually. Just steps away is the impossible-to-miss CN Tower standing a sky-scraping 553.3 m (1,815 ft) making it the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere and an iconic part of the city's skyline. Along with a rotating restaurant and amusement rides, the highlight is the view from the top and the perfectly-safe-but-terrifying glass floor.
Among the city's architectural marvels is the Rogers Centre, formerly known as the SkyDome, famous for its retractable roof that can fit a 31-storey office building when it's closed. Perhaps most important, it is home to two professional sport teams, the Toronto Blue Jays (MLB) and the Toronto Argonauts (CFL).
Sports cannot be spoken of here without mention of the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL). They find their home at the Air Canada Centre where the Toronto Raptors (NBA) are also based. Hockey is as much a part of Toronto's identity as its art and culture, so be sure to visit the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Recreation & Special Attractions
In contrast to Toronto's modern landscape, Fort York is worth visiting to see how the city began in 1793, with restored buildings to explore today. Or visit Canada's castle, Casa Loma, with secret passages, a tunnel and gardens.
For children of all ages, must-see attractions include the Toronto Zoo, Centreville Amusement Park, Ontario Place and the Ontario Science Centre.
GREATER TORONTO AREA (GTA)
Nature & Culture Collide
What Toronto lacks in terms of rural space is made up for by the immediate surrounding area with acres of rolling farmland and rugged, forested landscapes. The GTA is flanked by water, hugging Lake Ontario to its south, and bordered by Lake Simcoe in the north and Kawartha lakes to the east. The Niagara Escarpment is just west of the area. And in between, amidst diverse industry and urban neighbourhoods, is plenty of preserved space. Just 10 minutes north of Toronto, the Kortright Centre for Conservation offers 325 ha (803 acres) of protected woodlands with environmental education programs throughout the year.
Located within Markham's limits is Rouge Park. Its 47 sq km (18 sq mi) encompass a sandy beach, camping sites and hiking trails. While many animals make their home here today—from coyotes to deer—human history dates back 10,000 years. Its past can be explored at nearby Markham Museum. Area culture, perhaps influenced by the beauty of the Rouge River, is further expressed at the Varley Art Gallery named after one of the members of the Group of Seven. West of Markham in Kleinburg is one of Canada's largest collections of paintings by the Group of Seven at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. South of Toronto is the Art Gallery of Hamilton with over 8,000 pieces making it Ontario's third largest public gallery. Or visit the Peel Heritage Complex in Brampton, which showcases international and local exhibitions and includes restored historical buildings, namely a courthouse and a jail.
History Comes to Life
It may be difficult to imagine, but the hustle and bustle of Toronto began with a simpler way of life. Pioneers started settling the land in the 1790s, creating self-sufficient villages with houses, a blacksmith shop, tavern, church and a school. This history is recreated at many original, restored buildings throughout the GTA. The Black Creek Pioneer Village in Vaughn is a living history museum allowing visitors to step back into the pioneer days. In contrast, the Parkwood Estate in Oshawa reflects the opulence of the 1920s at Canada's last remaining grand estate. The mansion encompasses 55 rooms with original furnishings as well as an expansive garden.
Cultivated Landscapes
The GTA's already lush and fertile landscape is cultivated into something extraordinary at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Canada's largest botanical garden and the world's largest collection of lilacs.
It may be surprising that in such a densely populated area there is space for farmland, but out of 7,125 sq km (2,751 sq mi), nearly 40 per cent is utilized as farmland. Floriculture, vegetable and fruit crops are largely cultivated here in addition to a viable wine industry. Tours are available at Magnotta, Ocala and Vinoteca wineries.
The ultimate of cultivated landscapes comes in the form of golf courses and there are dozens of them in the GTA. But for the real fanatic, a visit to the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in Oakville is a must.
Recreation & Special Attractions
The amount of space allows for colossal attractions in the GTA, namely Canada's Wonderland with 200 attractions, 65 rides and an 8-ha (20-acre) water park. Canada's largest water park is located in Brampton at Wildwater Kingdom. Taking a walk on the real wild side in Bowmanville means visiting the Bowmanville Zoo, Canada's oldest private zoo established in 1919.
