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Downtown Toronto in Ontario
As the capital city of Ontario, Toronto is a vibrant metropolis made up of a diverse population, soaring skyscrapers, and green spaces. Toronto is a must-visit holiday destination, offering so much to see and do, as well as acting as a starting point for exploring more of Eastern Canada. To help you become better acquainted with Toronto, this guide highlights what the city is famous for. So read on and get inspiration for enjoying this exciting Canadian destination.
Landmarks and attractions
The Edgewalk at the CN Tower, Photo credit: KEVIN ARNOLD, Copyright Destination Ontario
If flights to Toronto tempt you, chances are you’ve got your eye on some of Toronto’s world-famous landmarks and attractions.
The CN Tower is one of the most famous buildings in the world, instantly recognisable as part of Toronto’s soaring skyline. You can travel to the top and enjoy majestic views over the city, sit down for a tasty meal, or enjoy an exhilarating walk along the building’s edge – 116 stories high.
Other famous Toronto attractions include the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Toronto Islands, and the Royal Ontario Museum – one of the largest museums in North America.
Canadian Kasia, from the travel blog Kasia Writes, has spent time at the Royal Ontario Museum and shares her love of this famous Toronto attraction: “It’s no secret that I love museums and visit them when I travel. Luckily, I also have a great one right here at home. Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum, known as the ROM, is spectacular. Most recently, I went there with my five-year-old niece Avery.
“Visitors can spend hours exploring special exhibitions and the many permanent collections. These include the dinosaurs, South Asian art and culture, ancient Egyptian treasures, gems and minerals, wildlife, and so much more.”
Famous landmarks in Toronto
– CN Tower
– Royal Ontario Museum
– Hockey Hall of Fame
– Casa Loma
– St. Lawrence Market
Sports
Scotiabank Arena, Copyright Destination Toronto
Toronto is famous for its sports, with the city being home to some hugely successful professional teams. 2019 NBA Champions, the Toronto Raptors, are based in the city, playing their home games at the Scotiabank Arena.
Toronto is also known for being the only Canadian city with a pro basketball and baseball team, as the Toronto Blu Jays also play their games here. The Blu Jays play at the famous Roger’s Centre, and when it comes to ice hockey, the Toronto Maple Leafs share the Scotiabank Arena with the city’s basketball team.
So, if you fancy taking in some sport during your Canada holiday and absorbing some of the local culture, you are spoiled for choice in Toronto.
Multiculturalism
Toronto Caribbean Carnival, Copyright Destination Toronto
Toronto is one of the world’s most multicultural cities. Being a massive hub for both business and entertainment, the city attracts people from across the planet.
Over 6 million people are living in the Greater Toronto area and only half speak English as their native language. In addition, about half the population identify as Asian, with a significant portion of those people being Chinese. As a result, Toronto’s Chinatown is a fantastic place to visit to experience this important part of Toronto’s culture.
There is also a significant Caribbean population, a fact that is celebrated during the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, with one million people attending each summer.
This contributes greatly to Toronto’s atmosphere and culture, helping to provide a fascinating visitor experience.
Food
Rooftop dining at Lavelle on King West, Copyright Destination Toronto
Toronto’s food scene is booming, with the mix of cultures contributing to a wonderful culinary mix. There are over 7,500 restaurants in Toronto, making it a foodie’s paradise, providing plenty of options across its 140+ neighbourhoods.
St Lawrence Market is a famous food spot in Toronto and should definitely be on your to-do list. Faith, from the travel blog, XYUandBeyond, shares this insight into what to expect: “I love St Lawrence Market in Toronto, Canada, it is a bustling modern-day market that is now the best place for a foodie to hang out in. The Market contains food vendors that sell incredible Montreal-style bagels, fresh Canadian cheese, beans, grains and pulses – pretty much anything a foodie could want for that perfect recipe. Oh, and the food vendors will keep you fed for hours.”
While Tim Hortons and poutine are certainly two staples of the Canadian culinary scene, Toronto has far more to offer, from family-friendly restaurants to fine dining establishments. Check out a few famous foods and restaurants below.
Famous food in Toronto
– Peameal Bacon Sandwich
– Khao soi
– Sushi pizza
– Caesar cocktail
– Butter tarts
– Smoked meat sandwich
– Gran fritto misto
Famous restaurants in Toronto
– Canoe
– Baro
– DaiLo
Entertainment
Toronto International Film Festival, Copyright Destination Toronto
Toronto has almost become a second Hollywood in recent years, with the city being a massive hub for film and TV production and other entertainment mediums like music and theatre.
Toronto is also famous for a number of celebrities, with the rapper Drake perhaps being the most notable example of homegrown talent.
One of the greatest ways to sample Toronto’s entertainment pedigree is by visiting the world-famous Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), a place that showcases some of the world’s best movies each year.
Stephen, a film data researcher from Stephen Follows, has shared his thoughts and analysis of The Toronto International Film Festival, praising the line-up of movies regularly on offer: “TIFF has a well-earned reputation for quality movies, and movies at TIFF go on to earn more Golden Globe and Oscar nominations than movies at any other festival. Therefore, even if you’re primarily going to do business, you need to carve out some time to see some movies.”
What is Toronto known for?
– Landmarks and attractions
– Sports
– Multiculturalism
– Food
– Entertainment
As you can see, Toronto is famous for a wide variety of things, from iconic landmarks to its delicious food and successful sports teams. The city is also the gateway to Niagara Falls, which can easily be visited with a car hire from Toronto.
If you want to experience Toronto for yourself, get in touch with our Canada experts; we would love to help create your own amazing holiday.
For more tips, guides, and advice, make sure to visit our blog.
