Toronto

The British bought these lands in the XVIII century. The colony of Upper Canada with the capital in Toronto was formed. Back then, Toronto was known as York. The city was developing and growing rapidly. At the beginning of the XIX century, it was invaded by the American forces that plundered it and burned down.

York was gradually reconstructed, and life got back on track. It was renamed into Toronto in 1834.

At the end of the XIX century, the city had a developed traffic infrastructure, a suburban railroad, and launched the first electric tram.

At the beginning of the XX century, immigrants began to come here on a massive scale. This factor triggered the intense industrial development of the region.

Nowadays, the city and its adjoining settlements form a large metropolitan area known as the Greater Toronto Area. The leading megalopolis of the world ranks the fourth position on the quality of life among 140 cities on the planet.

A diversity of cultures and architectural styles, the dynamics of the fast-growing city attract crowds of tourists who are looking for new impressions and entertainments.

If you love jazz, come to Toronto at the end of June. In this period, they have the International Toronto Jazz Festival. The most famous jazz performers delight the visitors who come to this event.

• Admire the grandeur of Casa Loma —a palace built at the beginning of the XX century. The mansion combines numerous architectural styles. It seems that it was moved to Toronto from Medieval Europe. It’s hard to check out all 98 rooms in the castle within one day. But you should definitely admire the exhibits at the museums located inside the mansion. The fabulous palace often becomes a location for many films and series.
• Fall in love with the marvelous view from the observation deck of the worldwide known CN Tower. It had been the tallest tower in the world for thirty years. After you have admired the megapolis from the bird’s-eye view, you can rest and dine in the largest and highest rotating restaurant.
• Spend the whole day in the Distillery District — the bohemian tourist destination in the city. The area appeared in the XIX century during the bloom of the distillery industry in the country. Nowadays, the former workshops and departments of distilling and brewing in the Victorian style host picture galleries, shops, and restaurants. The Distillery District is the favorite place for spending leisure for both locals and guests.
• Stroll down the longest street in the world, Yonge Street. The central street of the city is 1896 meters in length. It connects the banks of Lake Ontario and Lake Simcoe. Walk along the most lively arterial route in Toronto, dropping by its numerous shops and boutiques. If you are a fan of a loud nightlife, pay attention to the diversity of bars and nightclubs that attract crowds of travelers.
• Get impressed by the futuristic forms of one of the largest museums in North America — the Royal Ontario Museum. The extraordinary construction made of glass and metal resembles an enormous crystal with irregular facets. Inside, you can see the unique models of fossils, dinosaurs’ skeletons, minerals and meteorites, the Ancient Egypt sarcophagus, Medieval ceramic vases, pieces of art, artifacts, and many other fascinating exhibits.
• See the Old City Hall building of unusual shape. The construction was designed by an architect named Viljo Gabriel Revell and made his name famous all over the world. It consists of two towers of different height and a round building between them. Sit on a bench in front of the City Hall and enjoy the beauty of a fountain.
• Get acquainted with the history of the city on the territory of Fort York. The unassailable fortress of the XIX century remembers the battles between the Americans and the British. Here you can see one of the largest military collections in the world. During the Canadian national holidays, they throw military parades in the fort. To feel the taste of the bygone era, try the flavored pastry that is cooked following the ancient recipes of the officers’ cuisine.
• Rest in the favorite park of the citizens - High Park. The marvelous park zone attracts with its diversity of small lakes and hollows, blooming gardens, and picturesque paths.
• Devote the whole day to exploring one of the largest zoos in the world. It has over sixteen thousand animals! Many of them can be seen only in this zoological garden. The display of the prehistorical dinosaurs’ models attracts the attention of both adults and children. It’s quite a challenging task to see every corner of the park’s enormous territory. Using a zoomobile — a train with four cabins, — is a convenient solution.
• Drop by the St. Lawrence Market. It’s one of the largest markets in the country. It is located inside the XIX-century building and offers goods produced all over the province of Ontario. You can purchase the flavored pastry, home-made cheese, cooked meat products, and other farmers’ goods.
• Try local dishes. The combination of many nations and cultures reflects on the national cuisine of Toronto. However, among all the diversity, we would highlight various kinds of meat that take minimum thermal processing. Taste the BBQ, steaks, and pastes. Don’t forget to treat yourself to dishes with the gastronomical symbol of Canada — maple syrup. Order some bacon with maple syrup and eggs, or a dessert “The Beaver Tail”.