Best of Toronto
from WorldWeb.com Travel Guide

Toronto's Skyline at Night1

Toronto's diversity is apparent around every corner. This thriving metropolis of 2.5 million residents (8.1 million in the Greater Toronto Area) offers every flavour of the world, high-end and bargain bin shopping, renowned attractions, skyscrapers and fancy restaurants tucked in the basement of century old buildings.

To the newcomer Toronto can be a gargantuan maze of congested highways and overcrowded streets, however, with a little guidance those buzzing streets can be easily navigated and the best Toronto has to offer can readily be found. The best parts of this mega-city reflect its unique past, appreciate its colourful present and promise to attract people for years to come. The following are a few of Toronto's top notch attractions, restaurants, districts, opportunities, ideas and hideouts.

BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE

Situated on Queen Street West, the Horseshoe Tavern is a hallowed stepping stone for wanna-make-it rockers. Fondly referred to as “The Shoe” by those in the know, this renowned bar opened in 1947 and quickly became an important part of the Canadian music scene. The building, circa 1861, originally housed a blacksmith shop before it became a coveted stage for dewy-eyed, hopeful Canadian musicians.

From reggae to country to rock, this bar has featured a variety of local and international acts, including the Police, Willie Nelson and the Ramones. The Horseshoe Tavern frequently spotlights new Canadian groups and has been considered a launching pad for Canadian artists such as Blue Rodeo, Ryan Adams, the Tragically Hip and Stompin' Tom Connors.

To this day this revered sanctuary of rock offers an enticing mix of big name bands and local favourites. Operating seven days a week, the Shoe attracts the masses with CD release parties, new artist spotlights and rock'n'roll shows.

Dramatic Clay Cliffs of the Scarborough Bluffs2

BEST PLACE FOR A LITTLE SCENERY AND A SMOOCH

A natural wonder, the Scarborough Bluffs stretch across the shore of Lake Ontario for 14 km (8.7 mi) creating a breathtaking background for a spine-tingling kiss (or two). This escarpment was formed after the last ice age by the erosion of clay soil. An escape from the concrete jungle of the inner-city, these cliffs run from Victoria Park Avenue in the West to the opening of Highland Creek in the East and rise 65 m (213 ft) above the water. Named by Elizabeth Simcoe, wife of Upper Canada's first lieutenant governor, the Bluffs take their title from Scarborough, England.

A romantic spot offering reprieve from the busy city, this area has walking and bicycling paths, picnic tables and Bluffer's Park. Accessible by Brimley Road, this park was built off of the cliff side and features a beach and boat launch for recreational boaters and sailors. With breathtaking lookout points away from the hustle and bustle, the Bluffs are Toronto's best spot for a scenic smooch.

BEST RESURGENCE

Laying claim to the most extensive collection of Victorian-era industrial architecture in North America, Toronto's historic Distillery District is abuzz with artists, actors, and shoppers.

Built in 1832, this district was home to the Gooderham and Worts distillery, which was providing millions of gallons of whisky to the world by the 1860s. Downsizing over the years, this Gothic-style distillery officially ceased operations in the area in 1990.

Following the closure, Cityscape Holdings bought the somewhat-abandoned district and redeveloped it into a hip and burgeoning cultural centre that is now flooded with artisans and intellects. Re-opened in 2003, this national historic site is home to art galleries, theatre companies, artists' studios, restaurants, cafes and one-of-a-kind boutiques. The popular micro-brewery Mill Street Brewery calls the district home, as does the Young Centre for Performing Arts. From restaurants like Tappo Wine Bar to retail stores like Akroyd Furniture or Fluid Living, this area is as chic as they come. Marrying history and artistic culture, the Distillery District is one of Toronto's most notable assets.

	The Revived Gladstone Hotel3

BEST HOTEL/KARAOKE BAR

Built in 1889, the Gladstone Hotel is a Romanesque-Revival style building that started out as a hostelry for train travellers and those attending the Canadian National Exhibition. Experiencing its ups and downs over the years, the Gladstone Hotel underwent a major overhaul in 2000. These renovations elevated the hotel's status from an accommodation option to a cultural hot-spot. To add diversity to the hotel's décor, 37 of the 59 rooms were individually redesigned by local artists. Many of the building's common spaces were revamped and are now used for artistic and social events, such as Salon Voltaire – a bi-weekly lecture series for intellectual minds.

In addition to being one of the city's hottest hotels, the Gladstone also boasts the best karaoke in Toronto. The hotel's Melody Bar, with its saloon feel and 1930s bar, is a local hangout that attracts an eclectic mix of patrons from punks to hipsters to business folks and beyond. From Thursday through Saturday, the Melody Bar features karaoke, which draws big-name celebrities, regulars and superstars eager to belt out a tune in one of Toronto's finest establishments.

BEST ART DESTINATION

Established in 1900 as the Art Gallery of Toronto, this gallery is known today as the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) and has grown to be one of the largest galleries in North America. Its sheer size isn't the only thing that's impressive; the AGO has an astounding lineup of artists ranging from Monet to the Group of Seven to Andy Warhol and beyond. The Henry Moore Scuplture Centre has the most extensive collection of sculptures by its namesake artist. Furthermore, the AGO doesn't neglect its roots; over half of the gallery's collection is the work of Canadian artists.

Additionally, the AGO offers a unique historical attraction known as the Grange House. This Georgian manor was built in 1817 and is the fourth oldest structure still standing in Toronto. This national historic site became the property of AGO in 1910.

The AGO also features a library, cafe, restaurant, print and drawing centre, and photography resource centre. In 2004, the AGO called upon famed architect Frank Ghery to create plans for a massive renovation.

	Toronto's Distillery District 4

BEST PLACE TO SHOP AND CELEBRITY SPOT

Oozing with old style Victorian charm and modern day fabulousness, the Yorkville-Bloor area features swanky shopping, fine dining and an opportunity for upscale people-watching.

Founded in 1830 by Joseph Bloor, who subsequently had Bloor Street named after him, this affluent area offers a multitude of five star hotels such as the neo-Gothic Windsor Arms Hotel. This posh hotel was built in 1927 and established itself as a part of Toronto's art scene when it hosted the first Toronto International Film Festival. Over the years this hotel has catered to guests such as Audrey Hepburn and Tina Turner.

Fine dining is never hard to find in this prestigious neighbourhood. Along the strip there are myriad choices, including the sophisticated menu from French-Californian Sassafraz or the fusion of international flavours from Pangaea.

For those passionate about Prada or obsessed with celebrity spotting, Yorkville may seem like Toronto's Garden of Eden. Louis Vuitton, Escada, Hermes, Gucci, Prada and Maserati are among the bigwig businesses that operate along the main drag. The area's swankiest mall, Hazelton Lanes, sits along Avenue Road and has been known to attract many famous faces. Hazelton Lane features stores, such as Oscar de la Renta, Manolo Blahnik and Versace.

BEST BIODIVERSITY

Conceived in 1958, the Toronto Botanical Gardens span across 1.6 ha (4 acres) of land and sit next to the city-operated Edward Gardens. Visitors can tour the 12 botanical gardens, visit the library, learn about the environmentally-friendly architecture of the buildings, join a club or simply stroll and enjoy the biodiversity. The gardens' Centre for Horticulture, which was renovated in 2005, was redesigned with energy and efficiency in mind; the glass structure has a sloping green roof, which helps reduce heating and cooling costs. With activities and clubs for kids and adults alike, this green haven is a definite must for both locals and visitors.

Colourful Fruit Vendor in Kensington Market5

For those with a green thumb there are also the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington, Ontario. Built in the 1930s as a make-work project, this property features over 121 ha (300 acres) of gardens and 971 ha (2,400 acres) of land along the western edge of Lake Ontario. Canada's largest botanical gardens, the Royal Botanical Gardens nurture the growth of the most extensive remaining population of Canada's most endangered tree - the Red Mulberry.

BEST MARKET

Declared a national historic site in 2006, Kensington is one of Toronto's oldest neighbourhoods and home to the colourful Kensington Market. Situated downtown Toronto, this area was established in the early 20th century by European Jewish and Italian immigrants. An open-air European-style market quickly sprung up and grew into the district's most notable feature. These narrow streets are a multicultural maze crowded with vendors, shoppers, pedestrians, cyclists and neighbourhood residents. Kensington Market offers an astounding selection of meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables from every corner of the world. Additionally, some of Toronto's best vintage and used clothing shops, such as Courage My Love, can be found in Kensington Market.

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF:

1. Toronto Skyline; Toronto, ON, CAN
2. Scarborough Bluffs; Toronto, ON, CAN
3. Gladstone Hotel; Toronto, ON, CAN
4. Distillery District; Toronto, ON, CAN
5. Kensington Market; Toronto, ON, CAN