Casa Loma
Casa Loma can't be missed, even if you tried. Perched atop a hill in the north end, Casa Loma draws thousands of visitors each year who look up and proclaim, "It's a castle in the middle of the city!"
Casa Loma was built by Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt to fulfill his childhood wish for a castle. His dream took three years and $3.5 million to complete.
It may appear anachronistic now, but it hasn't lost its majestic charm. Its secret passageways, breathtaking towers, sweeping staircase, 800-foot tunnel, stables and 5-acre gardens continue to excite all ages.
After World War One, Sir Pellatt lost his fortune and was forced to auction off his prized possessions, including Casa Loma in order to pay off his debts. For years the stately house sat unoccupied while the city tried to decide whether to tear it down, or turn it into a museum, high school, art gallery or veteran's home. Finally in 1937, the Kiwanis Club of West Toronto suggested turning Casa Loma into a tourist attraction. Today, Casa Loma is owned by the City of Toronto and is still operated by the Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma. It is one of Toronto's top attractions.
Pellatt Newsreel: The Story of a Lifetime is a twenty-two minute docudrama, will run daily in the recently restored Billiard/Smoking Room. Special events at the castle throughout the year include the annual Renaissance Festival on Canada Day Weekend, performances by the Toronto Theatre Organ Society and monthly Sunday Royal Brunches April through October.
Address: 1 Austin Terrace; Telephone: (416) 923 1171; E-mail:
info@casaloma.org; Website:
www.casaloma.org; Transport: From Dupont station walk to Spadina Ave and Davenport Rd and climb the Baldwin Steps to the castle; Opening time: Daily 9.30am to 5pm; Admission: C$12 (adults), C$6.75 (children); other concessions available
CN Tower
A Wonder of the Modern World, CN Tower is Canada's most celebrated architectural triumph offering Toronto's most spectacular views - day or night! This Toronto must-see attraction is a world-class entertainment and dining destination. Visit the Look Out Level at 1,136 ft/346 m or test your nerve on the Glass Floor at 1,122 ft/342 m above the ground! Choose between The Height of Excellence film or the Himalazon motion theatre ride. Enjoy casual dining in Horizons Café or award-winning dining in 360 Restaurant.
Address: 301 Front Street West; Telephone: (416) 868 6937; Website:
www.cntower.ca; Transport: Union Station; Opening time: 10am to 10pm daily in season. Phone for other seasonal hours; Admission: Rates vary from C$18.99 to C$31.99 depending on the ticket type
Royal Ontario Museum
Generations of children and adults have trooped through the museum since it opened in 1914. With six million objects in its collections and 40 galleries of art, archeology and natural science, the ROM offers a whole world to explore. Four giant carved totem poles rise in the centre of the stairwells; the largest is 24.5 metres (80 ft. 6 in.) tall. The Hands-on Biodiversity gallery offers families a fun interactive experience about the interdependence of people, animals and plants.
In June of 2007 the ROM unveiled the dramatic new expansion, the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. Made up of interlocking prismatic forms the bright, modern addition to the museum expansion was one of the most challenging construction projects in North America, but the results are a sight to be seen.
The Michael Lee-Chin Crystal's six permanent collection galleries feature many objects never before displayed, along with some old favourites. They include dinosaurs and mammals, the cultures of South and Central Asia, Africa, the American continents, the Asia-Pacific region (including Oceania) along with textiles and costumes from around the world.
To commemorate the late Elizabeth Samuel, Liza's Garden is a contemporary secret garden of greenness and sustainability, installed on the south portion of the Philosopher’s Walk wing. Created by PLANT Architect Inc, the 10, 000 square foot area offers a dynamic haven of greenery. Aside from aesthetic appeal, the garden is a practical landscape that reduces the heat island effect and provides shelter for birds and other small creatures. The garden can be viewed from c5 Restaurant Lounge, located at the pinnacle of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal.
Address: 100 Queen's Park; Telephone: (416) 586 5549; Website:
www.rom.on.ca; Transport: Museum subway station or Avenue bus 5 from Eglington station; Opening time: Monday to Sunday 10am to 6pm, late opening until 9.30pm on Friday; Admission: Monday to Friday: C$15 (adults), C$10 (children). Weekends: C$20 (adults), C$10 (children). Free on Fridays from 4.30pm to 9.30pm
Toronto Zoo
This is where kids and adults become one and the same. Located in the forested region of northeast Toronto, the Toronto Zoo is home to more than 5,000 animals, plus exhibits, daily keeper talks and year-round special events and promotions.
Experience amazing wildlife from all over the world within 710 acres in the beautiful Rouge Valley. Explore areas such as the award-winning African Savanna, the largest indoor Gorilla rainforest exhibit, the Zellers Discovery Zone, featuring the Kids Zoo, a dynamic, interactive children's wildlife experience, Splash Island, an exciting two acre water play area and the Waterside Theatre, home to the Animal Shows. New for 2009, the Great Barrier Reef Exhibit is a must-see, as well as Sharks at StingRay Bay: A Touching Experience where vistors can touch and interact with these creatures. No need for snow shoes at the new, 10-acre Tundra Trek, where visitors get a taste of the far north with polar bears, reindeer, snowy owls and other Arctic animals.
Address: Meadowvale Road, Scarborough; Telephone: (416) 392 5900; E-mail:
torontozoo@zoo.metrotor.on.ca; Website:
www.torontozoo.com; Transport: Rouge Hill GO Train station; 86A Scarborough bus route or 85 Sheppard East bus route; Opening time: Daily 9.30am to 4.30pm (January to 11 March, 11 October to December); 9am to 6pm (12 March to 21 May, 7 September to 11 October); 9am to 7.30pm (22 May to 6 September); Admission: C$19 (adults), C$11 (children); other concessions available
Distillery Historic District
During the 1800's the Gooderham and Worts Distillery was a huge manufacturing district in the city of Toronto and the largest distillery in the British Empire. Today the Distillery district is not only Toronto's only heritage district; it is also Canada's largest centre for arts and culture.
Founded in 1832 by brothers-in-law William Gooderham and James Worts, the Gooderham and Worts Distillery produced millions of gallons of distilled whiskey and spirits in the 1800's. After the Great War prohibition set in and business began to slow. In 1990 after over a century and a half of continuous production the distillery ceased operations.
In 2001 the area was bought by Cityscape Holdings Inc. and in 2003 was unveiled as a pedestrian-only village entirely dedicated to arts, culture and entertainment. Set on 13 acres in downtown Toronto, The Distillery is the largest and best preserved collection of Victorian Industrial architecture in North America. Aside from tours of the distillery and segway the area boasts about 15 art galleries, and several performing arts theatres. Along with arts it also offers a sophisticated shopping district with interesting boutiques for every kind of shopper as well as a variety of restaurants and cafes.
Throughout the year, the Distillery hosts celebrations and special events such as the Distillery Jazz Festival, Partigras, Roots Music Festival, Antique Festival, Art exhibitions and much more.
During the nineties the empty distillery buildings became the number one film location in Canada and continue to be used for that purpose. Past productions include Chicago, X-Men, Cinderella Man, Against The Ropes and The Hurricane .
Address: Mill Street; Telephone: (416) 364 1177; E-mail:
jb@thedistillerydistrict.com; Website:
www.thedistillerydistrict.com; Opening time: Monday to Wednesday 11am to 7pm, Thursday and Friday 11am to 9pm, Saturday 10am to 9pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm. Hours of restaurants, cafes and shops may vary