Toronto, the capital of the province of Ontario, is a major Canadian city along Lake Ontario’s northwestern shore. It's a dynamic metropolis with a core of soaring skyscrapers, all dwarfed by the iconic, free-standing CN Tower. Toronto also has many green spaces, from the orderly oval of Queen’s Park to 400-acre High Park and its trails, sports facilities and zoo.
Facts About Toronto's Must-See Attractions
Here’s what you probably didn’t know about Toronto’s most iconic attractions and neighbourhoods.
Ever been in the presence of a Martian meteorite or taken a walk through a blockbuster movie set? In Toronto, you can. There’s probably a thing or two you didn’t know about our city’s popular landmarks and neighbourhoods, each with an interesting story to tell.
1. The CN Tower weathers all storms
Towering over the city at 1,815 ft, the CN Tower is Toronto’s landmark attraction and is famous for offering unparalleled views of the city.
The Tower’s build is more than equipped to handle it, with electrons easily flowing through and causing zero damage-just incredibly cool photos. Who knows, next time you visit, maybe lightning will strike.
2. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada houses 12 sharks
Among the 16,000 marine animals at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada live 12 impressive sharks. That’s right, 12. You must be thinking, what do they eat? Surprisingly, the Aquarium only feeds them three times per week due to their naturally slow metabolisms.
The building is also made with special shielding to protect the sharks from disturbances via the electrical systems. When the sharks are happy, everyone’s happy. Buy tickets for Ripley’s Aquarium online and see their magnificence in person.
3. The Royal Ontario Museum displays Martian meteorites
Is there life on Mars? Who knows! What we do know is that there are meteorites at the ROM, three of which are Martian.
Meteorites (or space rocks) are surprisingly common, with over 100 having landed on Earth to date, some even originating from the moon. Buy ROM tickets online and find the meteorites at the Earth’s Treasures department during your next visit or browse the ROM’s online database.
4. The Art Gallery of Ontario owns one of Toronto’s most popular pieces
Before Yayoi Kusama’s Let’s Survive Forever enchanted the city, one of the AGO’s most popular acquisitions was Henry Moore’s Large Two Forms. In fact, it’s considered one of Toronto’s most photographed works of art.
The avant-garde, corporeal structure is the largest of Henry Moore’s sculptures displayed at the museum. Find it at the AGO’s rear, in Grange Park.
5. The Toronto Islands have the oldest lighthouse on the Great Lakes
If you love history, then this 200-year-old monument is for you. And if you’re in search of ghosts for Halloween, here’s a good place to start.
The Gibraltar Point Beach Lighthouse is one of Toronto’s oldest buildings dating back to 1809, and is also supposedly haunted by its first keeper, John Paul Radelmüller. As the story goes, he disappeared under mysterious circumstances and still guards the lighthouse to this day.
6. The Distillery Historic District has a reputation for ghost sightings
Speaking of ghosts, they seem to have a pattern of haunting Toronto’s oldest locations. The Distillery District is a pedestrian-only neighbourhood known for once housing the largest distillery in Canada (Gooderham & Worts), and with buildings dating back to the 1830s, ghost sightings have been reported by locals and tourists alike.
7. St. Lawrence Market was Toronto’s first public market
Originally called Market Square, St. Lawrence Market’s inception was due to an increase in York’s (Toronto’s) population. Settlers decided it was time to open a proper market to feed their growing city.
It immediately became the city centre where locals would convene and hold social celebrations. Nearly 200 years later, St. Lawrence Market thrives as a culinary hub where foodies gather for local and artisanal eats. And as far as we know, no ghost sightings yet.
8. The Hockey Hall of Fame has an interactive model rink
Looking to brush up on your hockey skills? Face up against Carey Price and Frederik Anderson to practice your slapshots at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
9. Casa Loma moonlights as a blockbuster movie set
Casa Loma is primarily known for being North America’s only castle. Built in 1914, its beautiful Gothic revival design, immaculate flower gardens and overall opulence can’t be found anywhere else.
10. The Toronto Zoo began with a single deer
It’s hard to imagine that the largest zoo in Canada and the third largest in the world, with over 5,000 animals, started with one deer.
Source: www.destinationtoronto.com/things-to-do/attractions/must-see-attractions/
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