Encompassing Canada’s largest concentration of skyscrapers, Downtown Toronto is a buzzing district in the Ontario capital. It’s home to some of the city’s most famous attractions and engaging museums, including the Hockey Hall of Fame. In Downtown Toronto, you’ll find upscale shopping areas, globally inspired restaurants and legendary nightlife.
Things to do in Downtown
Dominating Downtown Toronto’s skyline is the CN Tower, a 553-metre-high communications tower that was completed in 1976. It was the world’s tallest freestanding structure for more than 30 years and offers panoramic views across the city from its observation decks. You can harness up for a hands-free experience on the EdgeWalk or dine with a view at the 360 Restaurant.
Foodies can visit the St. Lawrence Market, which incorporates the 1845-built Toronto City Hall into its design. Its stalls sell everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to meats and cheeses, as well as ready-to-eat sandwiches and hot drinks. Changing exhibitions related to Toronto’s history are presented in the Market Gallery, while a cooking school occupies the Market Kitchen.
Downtown Toronto is also home to one of North America’s largest museums, the Royal Ontario Museum, which houses exhibits dedicated to natural history, art and world cultures. It occupies an Italianate-Neo-Romanesque building with a deconstructivist crystalline structure created by the Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind. In addition to dinosaurs, meteorites and minerals, the museum boasts the world’s largest collection of fossils from the Burgess Shale.
Getting around Downtown
Downtown Toronto is an hour’s drive from Toronto Pearson International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Long-distance trains connect to Union Station while buses, trams and subway services travel throughout the Downtown area. Many of Downtown Toronto’s attractions can easily be accessed on foot.