By Soren Rivero
Ah, Toronto. One of the most exhilarating cities in all of Canada, and home to some of North America’s most unique destinations. Located in the vast region of Ontario, this city will surely surprise you with all there is to do and see!
You can experience the extravagant nightlife, participate in local events, and witness how culturally diverse this city has become. Here are the top 5 things to do in Toronto!
Casa Loma
Ever wanted to visit a castle in North America but find it hard to do outside of the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World? Well, you’re in luck!
One of the most famous castles that’s available almost all year round (except on some holidays) is Casa Loma in Toronto. Casa Loma (otherwise known as Hill House) is a gothic revival mansion featuring over 90 rooms, an underground passageway, and stables all situated across 5 acres of land.
Enhanced by the numerous ponds and luscious green gardens, this beauty surely belongs on your to-do list when visiting Toronto. Admission is pretty cheap with tickets only being $30 CAD for adults, plus discounts for young children and seniors.
As for what you can do here, the options are endless! The castle hosts multiple events throughout the year such as the Halloween-specific Legends of Horror exhibition all throughout October. You can also request for private events and tours, dine in at the castle, shop, and more.
Niagara Falls
If you’re from or have visited the U.S., chances are you’ve probably seen Niagara Falls. Located just above Buffalo, New York, this natural work of art is one of the world's most go-to attractions.
But if you ask a Niagara Falls connoisseur, they’d probably tell you that seeing this magnificent waterfall from Canada’s side is a much more captivating experience. This magnificent waterfall spans across the border of the U.S. and Canada, so you can see it from either side — but experiencing the full wonder is best done from Canada.
Niagara Falls is divided into three separate falls: American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Canadian Falls. The Canadian Falls (also known as Horseshoe Falls), is the biggest of the three and definitely the most interactive. One popular activity to do at the Niagara Falls from the Canada side is to take a boat tour. You can see more of the beautiful scenery from on board, just be warned: you’re going to get wet!
CN Tower
Toronto is known for being a big, bright metropolis full of opportunities, so simply strolling through the city’s center at night is one of the best things to do. You’ll have plenty to see, all while enjoying the radiant glow from dozens of neon lights across the city.
But something else that adds to the excitement is the vast amount of skyscrapers soaring above all across the city. Some of them you can visit, while others you can only take pictures of.
If you’re looking to visit one and take some memorable travel pictures, we highly recommend the CN Tower. It’s the tallest skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere that towers over 1,600ft high, and was even featured in Drake’s music video of What’s Next. You can take an adventure to the tip of the building anytime from 8:00AM-11:00PM, though it's best to visit at night. If you aren’t scared of heights, you can gaze upon Toronto's sea of colors from the comfort of the clouds.
Royal Ontario Museum
There are tons of museums in Toronto, one of the best being the Royal Ontario Museum. This is one of the most unique museums in North America, mostly due to its extravagant architecture and interesting history. Crafted in 1914 after a small amount of controversy, the Royal Ontario Museum has long been a pride for the city of Toronto.
This museum has been expanded multiple times over the last few decades to include much more. The best part about this museum (besides its insane beauty) is that it has all sorts of rich history to learn about.
You can look at dinosaur bones, learn about advancements in science, and gaze at the amazing pieces of art. Admission times run until 5:30pm and the place gets packed quickly, so be sure to plan your visit ahead of time!
Toronto Islands
This last recommendation is for the nature lovers out there who couldn’t get their fill from Niagara Falls, or those looking to get away from the city and enjoy a moment in nature.
Just off the coast of Toronto, there are about 15 small islands. You can take a very short (we’re talking three minutes) ferry ride over to one of these islands to get some of the best views of nature in Toronto. Additionally, there are activities available on the islands all year round that include cycling, food tours, and swimming.
There’s also the annual dragon boat regatta that calls forth many tourists and Toronto Islands natives alike!
