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Toronto Tourism Ideas

There is something for everyone to enjoy in Toronto, both indoors and out!

Landmarks

CN Tower

Classified in 1995 as one of the Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers, the CN Tower offers a wide range of attractions and a great restaurant. If you’re brave, try standing on the glass floor with a view 342 m (1,122 feet) straight down. If you’re even braver, try EdgeWalk, “the world’s highest full circle, hands-free walk on a 1.5m (5 feet) wide ledge,” which encircles the top of the Tower’s main pod, 356 m (116 storeys) above the ground.

Toronto City Hall

Built in the 1960s, this is one of Toronto’s most well-known landmarks. A unique complex, made up of a short, round building surrounded by two tall, semi-circular buildings, City Hall still feels as modern and current today as it did when it was built.

Rogers Centre

Harsh winters in Canada can make viewing sports outdoors rather uncomfortable. To solve this problem, the Rogers Centre (then called the SkyDome) was built in 1989 with a retractable domed roof. Ever since, it’s been as distinctive a part of the Toronto skyline as the CN Tower, and has been host to many sporting events and concerts.

Edward James Lennox Buildings

Known as the “Builder of Toronto,” architect Edward J. Lennox (1854–1933) designed over 70 buildings in Toronto, including a few of its most notable landmarks:

Nature & Recreation

Toronto Parks

“Toronto has more than 1,600 public parks and 600 km of trails. The parks system covers 8,000 hectares, or roughly 13% of the city’s land area. It includes about 40% of Toronto’s natural areas, many of which lie within the ravine system and along the Lake Ontario shoreline. City parks also feature beaches, playgrounds, sports fields, gardens, conservatories, ice rinks, special events and much more for you to enjoy.”

Festivals and Events

Luminato Festival

June 19 to 28. Every June, artists take over the streets, theatres, and galleries of Toronto in a vibrant celebration of creativity.

Harbourfront Centre

Year-round waterfront centre with art galleries, outdoor exhibits and performances, festivals and family programming.

NXNE: North by Northeast Music and Film Festival

June 17–21. A five day festival of music, film, art, and comedy.

Redpath Waterfront Festival

June 19–21. Toronto’s kick-off to summer, this festival provides “on-land and on-water programming for people of all ages and interests, with the goal of promoting Toronto locally and internationally as a premiere waterfront destination.”

Pride Toronto

June 19–28. With an estimated attendance of more than one million people. Pride Festival is one of the biggest festivals of its kind in the world. “These ten days of queer celebration will turn streets into parades, parks into parties and strangers into friends. Come out and meet the people from around the world expected to gather downtown and in neighbourhoods right across the city.”

TD Toronto Jazz Festival

June 18 to 27. One of North America’s Premiere jazz festivals, this annual festival features “more than 350 performances with over 1,500 musicians performing at approximately 40 locations around Toronto.”

Digital Dreams Festival

June 27 and 28. Canada’s largest electronic dance music festival.

Family and Kids

Bringing your family along for the trip? There are lots of fun places for adults and kids to do in Toronto! Here are some suggestions:

Check out Toronto4Kids for more great ideas.

Group Tours

Toronto Urban Adventures

Toronto Urban Adventures is offering 20% off their tours for conference attendees and their friends and family.

  • "Beer Makes History Better"—a walking tour of Old Town Toronto viewing history through beer goggles. Learn how beer makes life better for all of us while visiting great pubs to try some local craft.
  • "Kensington Market & Chinatown"—a walk filled with bold graffiti, funky shops, and fascinating history. Learn how this area maintains its identity despite rapid growth and encroaching gentrification.
  • "When Pigs Fry"—a food tour covering pork production, pig trivia, and plenty of bacon and pork to eat in four different locations. Learn about trends in the meat industry and just how tasty pork can be.

Book online at www.toronto​urban​adventures.com with promo code EAC2015.

City Sightseeing Toronto

  • Toronto Double-Decker City Tour (hop on, hop off bus tour)
  • Niagara Falls Day Tour
  • Toronto-Niagara Falls Combo Tour
  • Toronto Harbour and Island Cruise

Gray Line of Toronto

Cabbagetown Walking Tours

Distillery District Walking and Segway Tours