Each year a small group of my friends and I like to look for a city in North America, to spend out labor day weekend, or the closest weekend that we can all get off! Last year we had a brilliant time in Toronto, it was my first time in Canada and I absolutely loved it, so did the rest of the group. I wanted then, to let you know about some of the super cool things that we did in Toronto, in an effort to inspire you to follow in our footsteps should you visit this cool city. And if you’re planning a tour of Toronto for a larger group (like your class, sports team, or church group), consider a private Toronto school bus rental. This way, you can let the driver worry about the traffic, and enjoy the sites yourself, just like we did.
CN Tower
The CN Tower is pretty hard to miss when you are in Toronto, especially given the fact that it is the 9th tallest structure in the world. Whilst you could enjoy the spectacle of this iconic tower from afar, the best way to see it is to jump in the elevator, and head up to the main pod of the tower, which sits at 350 meters. Within this observation deck you will not only be treated to outstanding views across Toronto, but you can dine here in the 360 restaurant, and for the brave amongst you, walk across the glass floor, perilously watching the drop below your feet.
Kensington Market
What I personally loved about Toronto was the wide diversity that you find throughout the city, which is exemplified by the cool and trendy Kensington Market. You’ll find the market in downtown and it reminded me very much of places like Camden in London or the Village in New York, a real melting pot of cultures with lots of street food, carnivals, and a general party atmosphere. If you are in a group this is a great place to convene and enjoy a late afternoon with some locals.
Royal Ontario Museum
This art, world culture and natural history museum makes for a great day out for any group looking to explore something new. The museum is the biggest in North America so be sure that you have made sufficient time in your schedule to see as much as you can. To put in perspective just how much there is to explore in this museum, it holds more than 6 million items in 40 galleries, far too much to see in just 1 day. I’ll be honest, I am not a huge museum buff, but I genuinely enjoyed the huge number of exhibitions here in Toronto.
St. Lawrence Market
Set in the Old Town district, St. Lawrence market is where you will find plenty of activities going on, from a weekly farmer’s market selling artisanal products, to the daily antique markets where you can discover all manner of treasures. I would definitely recommend trying to get here when the farmer’s market is on, to enjoy some local produce and perhaps buy some gifts to take back home!
Ontario Science Center
Whilst I may not be a huge fan of museums, science museums are always an exception for me, and the offering here in Ontario is pretty special. The museum has a really modern feel about it, with a huge IMAX dome, trendy layout and the way that it blends artistic and scientific exhibitions side by side. If you have a day spare during your time in Toronto, you simply must go and experience the huge array of exciting installations which you will find here in the Ontario Science Center.
These recommendations only scratch the surface of what you can do in Toronto and you can count on having a brilliant time in this very cool city.
