DK Travel : Toronto : Places of interest

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Casa Loma

Styled like a medieval castle, this grand mansion is a monument to the singular tastes and vision of Sir Henry Pellatt, a prominent financier who in 1911 commissioned renowned architect E. J. Lennox to build him a home. This immense architectural undertaking was on a scale never before seen in a private Canadian residence, with plans for 98 rooms, 12 baths, 5,000 electric lights, and an elevator. Its $3.5 million cost helped bankrupt Sir Henry less than 10 years after he and his wife moved in, but its opulence remains evident in the extravagant, restored rooms and furnishings (see Casa Loma).
Centre Island

A highlight of this Toronto island is Centreville, a bustling amusement park. Some 30 old-fashioned rides include “swan” paddle boats, an 1898 carousel, and pony rides (see Centreville Amusement Park).
Château des Charmes

This family vineyard boasts over five generations of wine-growing experience, with ancestral roots in Frances’s Alsace region. A tasting bar, shop, and splendid rose garden.
Chinatown

With the largest ethnic Chinese population of any North American city, it’s not surprising that Toronto has several Chinatowns, though none other as old as this one, settled in the early 1900s. Originally farther east on Dundas Street, the hub is now Spadina Avenue, where scores of shops and restaurants – including many Vietnamese ones – rub shoulders. The area is even more frenetic during Chinese New Year celebrations, usually in February (see Chinatown).
Chinatown

A steady flow of new Chinese immigrants keeps Toronto’s main Chinatown one of the most vibrant in North America. Hundreds of authentic restaurants cater to all tastes and budgets, and there are countless shops selling Oriental wares. In recent years, Spadina Avenue has expanded to include many Vietnamese shops and restaurants (see Chinatown).
Church Street

The hub of Toronto’s Gay and Lesbian Village, Church Street from Carleton Street to north of Wellesley Street, is vibrant day and night. Bars and restaurants cater to an out crowd, and specialty shops, such as those selling body wear, abound. The general vibe is pink and proud and it’s no wonder that the popular TV show Queer as Folk , made in Toronto, is often filmed on location at Church Street. Pick up a copy of the free bi-weekly newspaper Xtra! , available at most shops on the street, for listings of everything the village has to offer.
City Hall

When first opened in 1965, the result of an international design competition won by Finnish architect Viljo Revell, this building was highly controversial. The two curving towers caused an uproar and possibly even led to the then mayor losing an election. The building has since become a prized landmark of the city, and the central plaza, Nathan Phillips Square, an animated symbol of civic life – a place for political demonstrations, winter ice skating, a summer farmers’ market, outdoor concerts, and celebrations. Inside are murals and other fabulous artworks (see City Hall).
CN Tower

Soaring 1,815 ft (553 m) above downtown Toronto, this is the defining icon of the city’s skyline and the world’s tallest free-standing structure. On the mezzanine level, check out the exhibit on the tower’s construction before “bungee jumping” from the top at an interactive daredevil display. Then let a glass-fronted elevator zip you, in less than a minute, to one of four lookout levels. The extra fee for the highest lookout, Sky Pod, ensures fewer crowds. The revolving restaurant, 360, offers fine food in serene surroundings (see CN Tower & Its Views).
Colborne Lodge

This 1837 house was the residence of land surveyor John Howard and his wife, Jemima. Howard deeded the estate to the city, thereby forming the basis for High Park. Located at the south end of the park, the Regency-style house, with its gorgeous circular verandah, has been fully restored and includes many of the Howards’ original belongings, including John Howard’s original watercolors of early Toronto scenes. Costumed guides lead tours. Don’t miss the garden, planted with kitchen herbs and flowers. Seasonal celebrations, such as the Harvest Festival and the lamplit processions at Christmastime, are particularly popular.
Collingwood

This city takes full advantage of Niagara Escarpment scenery. Nearby Blue Mountain, a high point of the escarpment before it dips to lake level at Collingwood, is Ontario’s best ski hill. At Scenic Caves Nature Adventures, walk Ontario’s longest suspension footbridge, set high in the treetops, or explore the limestone and ice caves.