Being one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities, Toronto is home to over 80 different ethnic communities, the world's third largest English-speaking theater district, four major sports teams and many historical sites. Situated along the northern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is Canada's hub for culture, business and arts.

History

Before being annexed in 1998, Toronto was actually made up of six separate cities. Today, the city is divided into several smaller neighborhoods but is fairly easy to navigate through highways and various forms of public transportation, including a commuter rail, a subway system and several bus lines. Those flying into the city often go through Toronto Pearson International Airport, the busiest airport in Canada.

Things to See and Do

Though Toronto is filled with cultural attractions, there are a few that stand out as some of the top tourist sites, both in the city and in Canada. Sports fans flock to the Hockey Hall of Fame, where interactive exhibits allow visitors to learn about one of the country’s most popular past times. A familiar part of the city skyline, the CN tower is 1,815 feet tall and the tallest free standing structure in the world. Located downtown, the tower has a glass elevator and a glass floored outdoor observation deck that offers a spectacular view of the city.

You can’t visit the Toronto without stopping at the Eaton Centre, a vibrant shopping mall with over 250 stores. Offering four levels of shopping and dining opportunities, the Eaton Centre is architecturally renowned and is home to Flight Stop, a famous Canadian geese mobile designed by artist Michael Snow. History and architecture buffs will enjoy Casa Loma, a historic castle built on a hill by wealthy businessmen in the early 1900s.

Both the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario offer stunning collections of works of art that date all the way back to 100 AD while several smaller galleries located throughout the city offer some more modern  pieces. Located about 10 minutes away from downtown Toronto, Centre Island is a great recreational area and the largest urban car-free community in North America. Here, visitors can relax at a beach, visit the amusement park or enjoy a bite in one of several outdoor eateries.

Dining and Nightlife

The city comes alive after dark when pubs, restaurants, bars, theaters and casinos open their doors for a fun-filled night of entertainment. No matter what you’re craving, you’ll find a range of culturally diverse restaurants scattered throughout the city as well as a number of pubs, bars and lounges where locals and tourists combine. Cabarets and dinner theaters are also popular in Toronto, where you can enjoy a meal and a performance at the same time.

Culture and Entertainment

From comedy and drama to action and opera, there’s always a performance happening in the theater district, where tourists will discover an overwhelming number of shows playing each night. The Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Center is the last double-decker theater in the world and is a National Historic Site while the Al Green Theatre is one of the city’s newest venues for film, theater and music. The Canadian Stage Company offers renowned performances throughout the year and, if you visit in the summer, you can enjoy the city’s largest theater festival, the Fringe of Toronto.

Hotels

At the end of the day there are hundreds of hotels scattered throughout the city that range in price to accommodate budgets both large and small. Typically, hotels in Toronto tend to be very metropolitan and contemporary, presenting clean lines and luxurious amenities. However, you can find some smaller hotels and more quaint accommodations in some of the neighborhoods on the outer skirts of the city.

Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder to find top accommodation and cheap hotels in Toronto.

(Photo:Fotolia/Rohit Seth)

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