Best Shopping in Toronto

History of Toronto  

The area was settled as Fort Rouillé in 1750 by French traders and later established as the town of York in in 1793. It was finally incorporated as the city on March 6, 1834. In 1998, six municipalities were annexed into a single one named the City of Toronto.  

People, Language and Culture

The residents of Toronto speak English and French widely. Almost half of the city’s population was born outside of Canada which makes it one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world. The city serves as the hub of media and entertainment market in Canada.

Famous food in Toronto  

There are a wide variety of cuisines which one can relish on when in Toronto. You can have amazing Chinese and Vietnamese cuisines at the six Chinatowns here in Toronto, Greek cuisine in Danforth, Korean cuisine in Koreatown, Italian cuisine in Little Italy and Corso Italia and Indian cuisine in Little India.  

Honeymoon in Toronto   

A scenic walk around the sunset along the shores of Lake Ontario will make your romantic vacation more special in Canada. Catching panoramic views of the city from the top of CN Tower, outdoor activities at Rouge Park, planning a trip to Niagara Falls, and taking a stroll in Toronto Botanical Gardens are popular things to do in Toronto on a honeymoon.

Major Festivals in Toronto

The Toronto International Film Festival is a world-famous annual event screening films from all over the world. Toronto's Caribana or Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival is organized from mid-July to early August during the summer season. Pride Week, Santa Claus Parade around Christmas, and Toronto International Boat Show are also major events in the city.

Shopping in Toronto

The shopping scene in Toronto is big and wide. Saint Lawrence Market, Kensington Market, and China Town Market are the veteran places, meant to shop for anything under the sky. Yorkville on Bloor Avenue is a shopping destination of different flavor amidst the concrete jungle. It is a quaint Victorian building housing a dozen boutiques and indoor cafes. Queen Street has the similar vibe, but more chic-hip and bohemian in style. If one wants their no-nonsense retail shopping with the frills of malls and vintage buildings, Kensington Market and Chinatown is the place to go for clothes, jewelry, décor items, and trinkets along with exotic Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese food. Vaughn Mills, Dufferin Mall, Brookfield Place, and Toronto Eaton Centre are the good malls here.

Climb the CN Tower

The CN Tower is the iconic landmark of Toronto as well as entire Canada. From the outside, it is the queen of Toronto’s studded skyline, rising above every other building into the sky. Together with the needle-like spire, the building stands at the height of 1815 feet – the third highest tower in the world. Inside, one can take the elevators straight up at height 1136 feet where the Sky pod is located. From here, you can have a spectacular view of the entire city through ceiling-to-floor glass windows. The outer ledge of the tower has an extreme adventure opportunity called The Edge Walk, where you will be harnessed with a leash in the channel above your head, and can walk around the rim at that height. The experience is one of the most spine-chilling attractions of Toronto tourism.

Here are some more attractions to include in your Toronto holiday.

1. Ripley’s Aquarium

Located at the base of CN Tower is the famous Ripley’s Aquarium. This is the country’s largest indoor aquarium and collection of marine animals. You can find sharks, stingrays, lobsters, jellyfish and all other sorts of colorful fish possible to imagine. This is a must-visit place if the underwater world fascinates you.

2. Royal Ontario Museum

Royal Ontario Museum or ROM, in short, is Canada’s largest museum of culture and history. The premier museum has numerous galleries featuring objects of science, geology, history, and archaeology. From mummies of ancient Egypt to dinosaur fossils to interactive, hands-on sessions, this place is quite a delight.

3. Toronto Island and Centreville

On your trip to Toronto, it is mandatory to make boating, canoeing, kayaking or cruising trip to the Toronto Islands. There are public ferries to avail as well. There are lovely beaches, idyllic picnic spots, and the Centreville Theme Park, along with an excellent view of the Toronto skyline dominated by the CN Tower.

4. The Distillery District

The Distillery District of Toronto is a National Historic Site. Cobblestones pave the road, and Victorian buildings line up on both sides of the city’s first distillery ever. The spirits made by this district once contributed to the lion’s share of Ontario’s economy. Now it is a lovely neighborhood to stroll through, art galleries and boutiques to explore and vintage cafes to dine in.

5. Toronto Zoo

Toronto travel is incomplete without seeing the cute pandas, fluffy polar bears and angry gorillas in the Toronto Zoo. Home to over 5000 animals, this zoo is among the best Toronto tours to make with family and kids. From the African Savannah enclosure to the Giant Panda visit, this zoo rewards with the best animal experience in the city.

Toronto vacation can be planned during the spring or autumn to experience the best of the city, and also to get lower prices in flight tickets and hotel bookings. Summertime is fully packed and loaded with tourists, mainly from the US.