Don't be afraid to open your eyes at the top of the sky-scraping CN Tower for 360-degree views across Toronto. Back on the ground, take in the wildlife of Lake Ontario while strolling along the boardwalk in The Beach. Go shopping along Yonge Street, the world's longest, or just sit in a cafe on Bloor Street and people-watch in Canada's most multicultural enclave.
Toronto's grid pattern of streets make it an easy city to get to know on foot. It's worth making use of the TTC - Toronto's fast and environmentally friendly transport system. You'll have no trouble finding your way from the Downtown city centre, up Spadina into Chinatown and Kensington Market. Head west to Little Italy, or north-east to the University of Toronto campus. Laze on the lawns of Hart House with a good book. Cosmopolitan Greek Town on the Danforth is a vibrant area full of boutiques, markets, restaurants and bars. Or just follow your nose around the newly renovated Distillery District, where once-industrial Victorian buildings are now filled with galleries, shops and cafes.
If it's your first time in Toronto, walk around the edge of the CN Tower 356 metres above ground at the breathtaking EdgeWalk attraction. Watch a musical in the Entertainment District or enjoy gourmet delicacies at a King West eatery, from French to sushi or Mexican. Then spend the rest of your night at a club playing anything from dance music to rock or hip-hop - Toronto's nightlife scene has endless options. Niagara Falls is a short drive away, but the Toronto Islands are even closer for picnics, bike rides and lakeside walks.
Check out thousands of Canadian and European paintings at the Art Gallery of Ontario, reopened in a new building designed by architect Frank Gehry. It's located at the crossroads of Queen Street's shopping strip and Chinatown. Rent a bike and ride along the lake westward to High Park, which stretches across a massive chunk of the city and boasts ponds, hiking tracks, sports facilities and a zoo. If you're feeling adventurous head out to Pacific Mall, a Chinese shopping centre in Markham, offering a plethora of interesting products imported from around the world.
One of North America's busiest airports and Canada's biggest, Toronto Pearson International flies around 32 million passengers a year from two terminals. A taxi to downtown Toronto, 25km southeast, takes just half an hour.
