The city of Toronto is attracting more and more tourists every year. This metropolis immediately impresses with its scale and incredible atmosphere. As a result, tourists often don’t know where to go first or what to see. After all, sometimes people only visit Toronto for a few days, even though this city truly deserves a longer stay. Today, we’ll talk about some of the popular spots in this metropolis. Read more about this on the toronto-future.com.
Toronto’s Iconic Landmark
If you ask locals about Toronto’s symbols, most will mention the CN Tower. It’s a 553-metre-high television and communications tower that dominates the Toronto skyline. The CN Tower is the tallest freestanding structure in the Western Hemisphere and a popular symbol of Canada.
The history of this tower dates back to the 1970s. It was built over three years, from 1973 to 1976. It’s worth noting that for 31 years, the CN Tower was considered the tallest freestanding structure in the world. In 2007, the tower relinquished its title to the Burj Khalifa skyscraper.
Primarily, the structure was built to improve telecommunications signals, as downtown Toronto’s skyscrapers were causing interference. The reinforced concrete base weighs 130,000 tonnes. In terms of safety, the tower can withstand earthquakes up to 8.5 on the Richter scale and winds of 420 kilometres per hour.
For tourists, there’s an observation deck at 447 metres offering a panoramic view stretching 160 kilometres. Incidentally, on a clear day, you can even see Niagara Falls from this vantage point. There’s also the thrilling EdgeWalk attraction on an outdoor ledge, complete with a safety harness system. And you can also visit the revolving restaurant.
A Neo-Gothic Castle in the Heart of Toronto
If you’re looking to visit historical sites, we recommend a trip to Casa Loma, a castle right in the heart of Toronto. The structure was built between 1911 and 1914. Interestingly, the idea to build a castle in the city belonged to Sir Henry Pellatt, a millionaire who controlled about 25% of the Canadian economy in the early 20th century. It was the wealthy financier’s dream, which he brought to life.
The castle’s architect was E.J. Lennox. He was the one who designed the 98-room mansion, which included a conservatory with steam heating, a two-storey pipe organ, and underground tunnels leading to the stables. The total cost of the building was $3.5 million.
In 1924, the castle’s owner went bankrupt. Casa Loma was subsequently converted into a hotel and a nightclub. Later, the building was repurposed as a museum. Today, Casa Loma serves as a cultural hub, hosting tours, weddings, and even film shoots.
One of North America’s Largest Aquariums
Toronto is often visited by tourists with children, so it’s essential to find attractions that will capture the interest of the little ones. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is sure to delight both adults and children alike. After all, it’s one of the largest aquariums in North America. It welcomes a million visitors annually.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada opened in 2013 and immediately became popular among locals and tourists. Here, you can explore Canadian waters, featuring ecosystems from the Great Lakes and the Atlantic, with species like pike, sturgeon, and rare turtles. The aquarium also boasts an Indo-Pacific coral reef, a mesmerizing jellyfish gallery, and the Dangerous Lagoon. Speaking of which, the Dangerous Lagoon exhibit features a 97-metre underwater tunnel with a moving walkway, where sharks, rays, and sawfish glide overhead.
Visitors give the aquarium rave reviews. They particularly love the tunnel’s glass panels, which create a fully immersive experience, and modern technology allows for viewing creatures from as close as 5 centimetres. By the way, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is located near the CN Tower, so you can easily combine these two attractions in your itinerary.
Of course, these aren’t all the popular spots in Toronto. This vibrant city boasts many more unique tourist destinations.