With a population of over 6 million, Toronto is the largest city in Canada. There is an endless supply of places to explore, sights to see, and attractions to experience. This is why many home buyers are attracted to the city whether they are coming from other parts of the country or making the move from abroad.
If you are moving to the GTA, here are 5 of the top attractions and experiences you will want to add to your Toronto bucket list once you’ve settled in or need a much-deserved break from unpacking.
CN Tower
At 1,815 feet in height, the CN Tower is one of the most distinctive features that define the Toronto skyline. One of the seven wonders of the modern world, it’s every bit as iconic as the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Space Needle in Seattle. While beholding the CN Tower from the outside is impressive, you owe yourself a visit to this architectural marvel. Hop an elevator to the revolving 360 Restaurant for a delicious meal, then walk across the 2.5-inch thick glass floor that is 113 stories above ground level. If you’re feeling more adventurous, go up 33 more stories to the Skypod for exquisite views of the city. Daily tours will help you hit even more attractions inside this breathtaking Toronto landmark.
Casa Loma
While The CN Tower represents grand modern architecture, Casa Loma is a nod to the architecture of the 18th-century past. As the only full-sized castle in North America, Casa Loma, meaning “Hill House” in Spanish, is steeped in history and loaded with everything you expect to find in an authentic Gothic castle. Over 100 rooms can be explored, including a full library, as well as secret passageways, an 800-foot tunnel to the stables and carriage house, and turrets that provide sweeping views of the city. It also features an exhibit of early 1900s cars and five acres of gardens, filled with such castle-worthy landscaping as flowers, sculptures, and fountains. A digital audio guide will help guide you as you tour this amazing historical landmark at your own pace.
Toronto Islands
While Toronto is a major metropolitan city, all you need to do is hop aboard a ferry for a ride into a different world. The Toronto Islands are located on Lake Ontario, a short 13-minute ferry ride from downtown Toronto. A group of 15 islands inter-connected by pathways and bridges, a walk from one end to the other is only about 5km. Kids and adults of all ages can find something to do or see on the Toronto Islands. There are beautiful swimming beaches, and nature paths, as well as bike, canoe, and kayak rentals. Large grassy parks for picnics, a theatre, amusement parks, a 200-year-old lighthouse, and a community of 600 people living year-round in 150-year-old cottages can also be found. Shops, cafes, and restaurants can be found as well. It’s also a great place to explore by foot or bike because cars and other vehicles are prohibited.
Hockey Hall of Fame
If there is one sport that defines the nation of Canada, it is hockey. Legendary hockey players continue to come from and train in this country that is proud of its successful athletic traditions intertwined in this fast-paced sport on the ice. Nowhere else in Canada is this displayed as dramatically as in Toronto’s Hockey Hall of Fame. The facility’s 65,000 square feet are filled to the brim with artifacts, mementos, and relics straight from the rink. On a tour of the Hockey Hall of Fame, you can learn about the 388 members who have been inducted to date, as well as see pieces of their gear including sticks, gloves, pucks, and nets from some of the most legendary games in the sport. You can challenge your shooting and goalie skills in cutting-edge games, pretend to be a hockey commentator, and hang out in a replica NHL dressing room where players prepare before each game. Perhaps best of all, the fabled Stanley Cup resides here, which you can not only see but can actually touch!
Toronto Zoo
Zoos hold an attraction for children and adults of all ages—after all, who doesn’t love to see a baby panda bear? The Toronto Zoo boasts over 5,000 animals from seven different regions around the world. In addition to the rare panda bears from China, you can see powerful gorillas climb and tussle, watch polar bears swim effortlessly underwater, or check out jellyfish and seahorses zip in and out of a simulated coral reef environment. A few of the other exotic and fascinating animals you’ll find at the Toronto Zoo are white rhinos, blue poison dart frogs, green tree pythons, Komodo dragons, arctic wolves, and the animal that is the symbol of Canada’s national parks, the beaver.
We hope that this list encourages you to get out there and experience all that Toronto has to offer as you make the move to the big city. If our team can assist you with your real estate transaction, we are always here to answer any questions you may have. We are a virtual law firm that services clients within Ontario. Send us an email at info@tblaw.ca today!
