Over the past few years, Toronto has consecutively been named as one of the top livable cities in the world and I am proud to call it my city. Though it is not as beautiful as Vancouver, not as culturally rich as Montreal, this busy Canadian city has a beauty and vibe of its own.
Must do
The CN Tower is my number one must-do if you visit Toronto and rightly so. From the top of this iconic building, you get a bird’s eye view of downtown Toronto. The intimidating skyscrapers of King’s street look like mere lego-blocks from up here. The glass floor makes your heart race as truly get a sense of how high up you are as you gingerly set foot on the glass surface. For the truly brave, the CN tower opens up new venues for adventure. You can edge walk on the outside rim of the CN Tower supported by a harness. Whatever level of adventure you opt for, make sure you choose a clear day to visit.
What do you like best about your city?
The best thing about Toronto is the multicultural nature of the city. It is a city made of immigrants and its cultural diversity is clear from its neighbourhoods. You have many neighbourhoods that speak of the cultural identity of the area such as China town, Greek town, Little Italy, Korea Town, Little India, Little Portugal and so on.
Best Walk
Toronto has a well-developed network of hiking and biking trails spread throughout the city. If you find a “Discovery Walks” sign posted, it means that there is a beautiful trail waiting to be discovered by you. One of the best walks in Toronto is the boardwalk in the Beaches neighbourhood of East Toronto. This 3.5 Km walk covers three beaches – the Balmy beach, the Kew beach and the Woodbine beach. Along with fantastic views of Lake Ontario, you get to enjoy the great atmosphere of these beaches. If you looking for a quiet walk, stick to the Balmy and Kew beaches. If you are looking for a livelier atmosphere, head along to the Woodbine beach down to the Ashbridge’s Bay Park.
Best Restaurants
I must admit I have a preference for Indian cuisine above others as it reminds me of my ethnic roots. Many Indian restaurants are located in Little India on Gerrard Street East. The best one’s on this street are Udupi Palace (purely vegetarian cuisine), Hakka Wow (Indo-Chinese cuisines) and Karma’s Kitchen (Nepalese cuisine). If you visit Karma’s Kitchen don’t forget to taste their house special – Momo sizzler. It’s to die for.
Best Music/Festival
Come summer, Toronto is abuzz with festivals and block parties. One of the best festivals that I attend without fail is the “Taste Of Danforth”. The Taste of Danforth is one of the biggest food festivals in Toronto and attended by over a million people every year. Along with tasty Greek favorites like Souvlaki, Feta Fries and Gyros, the Taste of Danforth hosts Thai, Indian, Cuban among other cuisines too.
Best Nightlife
If you are looking for an amazing night in Toronto, head on over to the Fashion district near Spadina Avenue. You will find about five nightclubs in close proximity to each other. Two on Adelaide street West are Liar Liar and Uniun Night Club. Two more on King Street West are Lost and Found and EFS nightclub. The fifth on, Wildflower, is on Wellington street.
Best Day Trip Out of the City
Toronto is close to a world-famous attraction – Niagara Falls. However, it is not necessarily the best day trip out of the city. Due to its popularity, it is often crowded which makes it less enjoyable. A better alternative, in my opinion, is one of the lakes in the Muskoka or the Algonquin Provincial Park region. Many of these lakes are within two to three hours’ drive from Toronto. Enjoy watersports, hiking, canoeing or some fishing at these natural escapes.
Something that not many tourists would know about
An often-overlooked attraction in Toronto is Scarborough Bluffs. You won’t find it mentioned in any of the tourist brochures or itineraries. These bluffs look like mini versions of the White cliffs of Dover found in the UK. The Bluffs park is popular among the locals in East Toronto during the summer where they come to have a picnic, barbecue, swim and enjoy the sandy beach.
About the Author:
Pari is a reluctant academic who quit her job to travel the world full-time. Be a part of her adventures through her travel blog or Instagram .