Planning a trip to Canada and looking for some of the best places to see in Toronto? Toronto is the capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada.
It is a dynamic city, especially from a tourism point of view. Some of the main Toronto landmarks to include are museums, science centre, art galleries, and amusement parks.
If you’re planning a trip to Toronto, here are some other posts to help you plan your perfect trip:
If you’re looking for even more fun activities and things to do in Toronto, be sure to check out some local tours!
Fun Places to See in Toronto
You can navigate the city center easily through the interwoven subway system, where most of the top travel attractions are either within walking distance from the previous one or linked through the subway.
In the summer, you can enjoy the beaches and water parks around the city. Highlights of some of the most ventured landmarks in Toronto are presented here.
CN Tower
Address: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto
553-meters CN Tower is visible everywhere in the city, hence difficult to be missed by any visitor and is one of the top attractions in Toronto. Touring the observation area and enjoying the restaurant from the Sky Pod, the highest viewing area, is a unique experience.
The CN Tower was built between 1972 and 1976 as the tallest freestanding building. The ‘Edge Walk’ is a great experience if you are adventurous. The 360 Restaurant is great for lunch or dinner with a view.
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Address: 100 Queens Park, Toronto
ROM is internationally famous for its natural history, art, and culture collections, representing different eras of human societies worldwide.
You can visit many galleries in the Royal Ontario Museum. These galleries include the Willner Madge Gallery, Teck Suite Galleries, Gallery of Chinese Architecture, Eaton Gallery of Rome, Galleries of Africa, and many more.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Address: 288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto
Located close to the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium houses a huge variety of marine life and remains one of the major attractions for visitors.
The underwater tunnel and its moving sidewalk are the most attractive feature of the aquarium. Jellyfish display and touch tanks with stingrays and small sharks is also a lifetime experience activity. You can also visit the aquarium’s filtration system to observe the Life Support System.
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
Address: 317 Dundas St W, Toronto
AGO houses over 95,000 artifacts worldwide, including Canadian Art and European masterpieces, and is one of the largest museums in North America.
The building itself is a unique mix of old and modern architecture located in the city center. Nearby Ontario College of Art and Design adds to the attraction of AGO.
Casa Loma
Address: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto
Casa Loma was constructed in 1914 for one of the richest multi-millionaire Canadians, Sir Henry Pellatt. The castle has a medieval outer appearance, houses nearly 100 rooms and more than 3 dozen bathrooms, though now used as a museum.
Major attractions in this castle-cum-museum include the decorated rooms, 800 feet long tunnel, secret routes, beautiful towers, stables, and a huge garden.
Toronto Zoo
Address: 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto
Toronto is also famous amongst children for the aquariums and zoos. However, the Toronto Zoo, located 40 miles from the city center, with a collection of over 5,000 animals, attracts families the most.
The zoo is categorized to represent different regions of the world. Gorilla Rainforest, Tundra Trek featuring polar bears, Great Barrier Reef, and the Discovery Zone of the zoo are amongst the most admired parts for families and kids.
St. Lawrence Market
Address: 93 Front St E, Toronto
St. Lawrence Market was constructed in the 1850s as a public meeting place and a venue for holding concerts. Presently it houses a variety of food vendors and other products. In addition, you can also stopover at the Market for a unique eating experience on the elevated outdoor patios.
The building maintains its old looks and has been used as a film and TV shooting venue. The grand staircase and the gas-lit chandelier add to the interior beauty of this building.
Nathan Philips Square
Address: 100 Queen St W, Toronto
Nathan Philips Square lies in the mid of the vibrant city of Toronto. It is the hub of annual events organized for fun and enjoyment, such as Cavalcade of Lights, New Year Celebrations, Remembrance Day, etc.
It is estimated that more than 1.5 million visitors reach the square every year. You can also visit The Peace Garden located in the western landscape area, the skating rink at the southwest corner, the theatre stage, and the sculpture court in the southwestern corner of the square.
Toronto City Hall
Address: 100 Queen St W, Toronto,
Also called ‘New City Hall,’ Toronto City Hall is the most prominent landmark of the city and the seat of the municipal government of Toronto. The bronze sculpture by Henry Moore dominating the Nathan Philips Square defines well the New City Hall of Toronto.
The main feature of the City Hall is the two arc-shaped skyscrapers, having 20 and 27 stories, respectively. It is awesome to be at the site and enjoy the beautiful nightlife at night. The artificial pond just in front of the square becomes a skating rink in winters, and you find very less space to skate due to the crowd.
Yonge-Dundas Square
Address: 1 Dundas St E, Toronto
Yonge Dundas is a public space that is lit and designed like New York’s Time Square. Scattered seating arrangements are made for the visitors to enjoy the dancing fountains, concerts, and different street festivals, and enjoy the colorful nightlife at the square.
The nightlife of Yonge Dundas attracts most travelers and locals, especially when neon signs come to life. It is easily accessible via Toronto’s subway system, and you can reach by your car and park it in the underground parking.
High Park
Address: 1873 Bloor St W, Toronto,
The 165-acre High Park is the best place to walk around for nature lovers. It has huge green spaces, hanging basket gardens, beautiful ponds, peaceful trails, and streams. Howards deeded it to the city in 1873 for free use by the residents and visitors.
You can also take a walk to the High Park Zoo, swim in the pools, have a family picnic in dedicated areas, and take a train tour. There is a bundle of other fun activities in the park but the “Shakespeare in High Park” is an open-air performance during July and August each year that must be witnessed.
Toronto Islands
If you love water and islands, get ready to take a ferry trip from Queen’s Quay Terminal, a kilometer offshore, to the Toronto Islands.
Besides enjoying a casual walk with a loved one or family, you can also enjoy water sports like rowing, sailing, and swimming. Take your kids to the Centerville Amusement Park for various rides to make their trip unforgettable.
Ontario Science Centre
Address: 770 Don Mills Rd., North York
10 kilometers northeast of the city center lies another great fun place for kids, ‘Ontario Science Museum.’ It was designed artistically by the famous architect Raymond Moriyama, and the work was finished in 1969.
The visitors are enlightened in a most absorbing way over the latest developments in space travel, meteorology, telecommunication, optics, biology, etc.
Bata Shoe Museum
Address: 327 Bloor Street West; Toronto
Bata Shoe Museum is situated near the University of Toronto Campus downtown. Like many other famous buildings, this 3,665 square meters building is also built by Raymond Moriyama.
There are four exhibition galleries inside the museum. Only one permanent exhibition is operational where only footwear used throughout human history and different cultures is displayed. Besides, a section of the museum also displays the development of shoe-making technology.
Edward Gardens
Address: 755 Lawrence Ave E, North York
For a unique experience, you must visit Edwards Gardens, a botanical garden located near Leslie Street on Wilket Creek.
A variety of river, forest, and woodland landscapes inside the garden attract visitors. The gardens are the perfect setting for engagement and wedding photos. The walking trails of the Edwards Gardens offer fun and learning throughout the year.
Hockey Hall of Fame
Address: 30 Yonge St, Toronto
Although the Hockey Hall of Fame is not on the list of every visitor to Toronto yet, it is a dream place for hockey enthusiasts. By visiting the Hall of Fame, you can know all about the history of hockey, the greatest players, the teams, and many memories.
Through interactive displays, you can also test your hockey skills inside the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Best Places to See in Toronto Conclusion
Above are some important and most visited places in the city; however, the city has more to offer. Some of the places and activities you can add to your list are mentioned below.
- Eaton Center mall in Central Business District
- Kensington Market
- Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
- Shopping in the Distillery District
- Aga Khan Museum
- A walk through the Graffiti Alley
- Rogers Centre
- Wine Bars in Toronto
Author: Saira
