6 Things To Do When You’re In Toronto

Toronto is a beautiful city packed with diverse groups of people, places to see, unique experiences to be had, and of course, Drake.  These are the top six things you should do during any season, the next time you’re in Toronto!

1. Get Poutine– When was the last time you sat silently at a dinner table full of people who were engaged in conversation? The meal in front of you had your undivided attention, and with each bite you had to restrain yourself from overtly wiggling and dancing with happiness? This was me and poutine last year. It was one of the last things I did during my two week stay in Canada, but it definitely was one of the most memorable because… a girl needs to EAT!  A classic Quebecois dish, poutine is made of French fries, covered in brown gravy and topped with cheese curds. Many restaurants provide additional toppings such as bacon, chicken, steak, pulled pork, onions, jalapeños, olives, peppers, etc. Although the restaurant I first had poutine is located in Windsor, Ontario, about a four hour drive from Toronto (reviews and info here, in case you’re feeling adventurous) there are countless places throughout the city that will lead you to poutine paradise. You’re welcome!
2. Visit Niagara Falls– Standing as America’s old national parks (half is located in Niagara Falls, New York while the other lies in Niagara Falls, Ontario,) the Niagara Falls are an amazing display of nature that you do not want to miss! The Falls, which pours out 3,160 tons of water every second and is capable of producing more than 4 million kilowatts of electricity, sees more than 13 million visitors every year. Aside from snapping pictures and taking in the beauty of the falls, the area is teeming with great restaurants, luxury hotels with amazing architectural structure, and other Niagara tours and attractions for people of all ages to enjoy in any season. Time waits for no one…book your trip TODAY!
3. Tour the CN Tower– I’m no diehard Drake enthusiast, but I have to say that seeing the Canada National Tower (the building on his “Views” album cover) was cool as I’d knew nothing of it before the album release. The CN Tower, which was built in 1976, is a staggering 1,815 feet tall and it is one of Toronto’s most treasured landmarks. It broadcasts more than 30 Toronto television and FM Radio signals and provides paging and cell signals as well. Where’s the fun in that, you ask? Take a trip to the Tour Center and you’ll find all your answers there. From visiting the 360 Restaurant at the VERY top of the tower that wines and dines you as you take in the entire city, to traversing the 256 sq. ft. floor that is made up of 2.5 inch glass panels, complete with a view of everything going on 1,122 ft. below you, the possibilities are ENDLESS!
4. Check out the Royal Ontario Museum- This will be a great place for those who have visited their local museums ad nauseam and are looking for a scholastic trip of a lifetime in another country code. Called ROM for short, this museum is Canada’s largest natural history museum and is home to more than 6 million artifacts from dinosaurs to Ancient Egypt and countless other historic events If you need more convincing that this will be an experience of a lifetime, just take a look at the architecture of the museum itself. How can you not love that?
5. Sightsee in the Distillery District- Historic districts are always a lot of fun! In 1832, William Gooderham and James Wort founded this distillery of the same name, in Toronto. The largest in the British Empire at the time, the distillery produced masses of gallons of whiskey and other spirits. In 1990, all production stopped and in 2003 it became Toronto’s most prominent portal for arts, entertainment, and culture after being turned into an area strictly for people. The 13 acre district hosts 15 art galleries, multiple performing theaters, restaurants and cafes. Sounds like a fun day!
6. Drop $$$ On Queen Street West- For those who want to pick up some one-of-a-kind outfits and show them off when they arrive back in their home states (GUILTY…and unashamed!) Queen Street West is the place to be. Admittingly, while this shopping district still has similar shops to the United States, it also has many more that can only be found in Toronto. If you can’t find what you are looking for, this district, named the second “hippest” shopping neighborhoods by Vogue in 2014, has got you covered with numerous textile and fabric stores so you can create your own. You can’t you beat that! To help you get a better idea of what to expect, check out some store reviews here!