As a citizen and frequent visitor to Canada, our neighbors to the great white north, many a day trip has been spent in Toronto, Ontario’s largest city. The sheer quantity and quality of great shopping destinations, restaurants, and activities make Toronto a great destination for tourists and locals alike. A recent trip to Toronto for live music’s sake inspired me to write about some of the city’s most interesting attractions.
1—Kensington Market. Home of all things eclectic and bohemian, Kensington Market is the place to go for high-quality vintage, record stores, quirky coffee shops, and unique restaurants that embody the diverse cultures of Toronto. The streets are lined with vibrant murals and the shops and homes in the area are all painted in unusual colors. There are 15+ stores dedicated to vintage clothing, accessories, and furniture!
2—CN Tower. The Toronto equivalent of the Empire State Building, the CN Tower is a skyline staple and one of Toronto’s biggest tourist attractions. It was the world’s tallest tower until 2010 when it was surpassed by a tower in Dubai. You can do an Edgewalk around the circumference of the roof or also eat in a restaurant at the top of the tower with a 360-degree view of Toronto.
3—Queen Street. Everything you could dream of is basically on this street! There is a wide variety of retailers, from large chain stores to small independent boutiques. My personal favorites include Aritzia, Fred Perry, and a Dr. Martens boutique! Queen Street is always bustling but never too crowded and excels in quaint cafes, perfect for a quiet break from shopping.
4—Toronto Zoo. The Toronto Zoo is a huge tourist attraction. It is the largest zoo in Canada and one of the largest in the world. It also holds the most diverse group of animals in any zoo. Be sure to bring good walking shoes because the zoo covers 710 acres of land.
5—Air Canada Centre. This is the reason this article is being written in the first place; I had the pleasure of seeing the UK band Gorillaz here! Not only can you catch some of the world’s biggest musical acts here, but you can also attend a Toronto Maple Leafs hockey game or watch the Toronto Raptors play basketball. On a budget or not in the mood for a huge arena show? Toronto offers many other smaller music venues like the Danforth Music Hall, Mod Club, and Lee’s Palace. The options are truly endless.
Do you know about any of Toronto’s hidden treasures? Think you have a good addition to this list? Let us know in the comments!
