Toronto Insider Tips

Maple syrup, ice hockey, Rocky Mountains, and snow. When talking about Canada, these quintessential things probably come to mind first. The beautiful cities of Canada tend to be overlooked. Let me show you what Toronto has to offer and why Hollywood loves to hang out here!

Toronto is regarded as one of the most multicultural cities in the world. In this metropolis by Lake Ontario, over 140 languages are spoken. You can imagine that there's always something happening in this city. Put on your shoes; it's time to explore Toronto.

Toronto is located in the province of Ontario and is the largest city in Canada.

Approximately 2.6 million people live in Toronto.

Use buses and streetcars to move around downtown; even the locals complain about traffic! There's also an underground pedestrian walkway, so getting from point A to B is quite easy.

Flights from Germany are not as expensive as you might expect; round-trip tickets can sometimes be found for under $400!

Still looking for a place to stay in Toronto? Check out my hotel search.

Yes, winter in Canada is cold-very cold! Therefore, I would recommend traveling for a city trip in spring or summer.

A visit to Toronto can be wonderfully incorporated into a road trip through Eastern Canada. I undertook such a road trip myself this year, and I highly recommend it!

First, I want to show you the CN Tower. And if you think that this tower is just another tall observation tower, I'm afraid to disappoint you. Like many other observation towers, you can visit an observation deck (with a glass floor) and a revolving restaurant, but the real highlight is the Edgewalk. The CN Tower is the only observation tower in the world where you can walk around the dome hands-free. That's right: hands-free! Before you start, you'll be given a windproof suit and hooked onto a rail system with climbing ropes. I guarantee you'll get the best view of Toronto from up there. On a clear day, you can even see up to 120 km away! This video shows brave tourists on the Edgewalk. Just watching it makes me dizzy!

Video: Banjoman27

Next, we're heading to the Steam Whistle Brewery, which is right next to the CN Tower. The brewery is located in a roundhouse, and during a short tour (about 30 minutes), you'll learn all about the history of this popular Canadian beer. And yes, there will be a beer tasting after the tour.

What would Canada be without hockey? It goes without saying that a visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame is a must. The hall was founded to honor the most significant hockey players. A museum dedicated to the history of the sport is also housed here. The pride of the Hockey Hall of Fame is the Stanley Cup, the most prestigious hockey trophy in the world.

Next, we pass by Toronto's Old City Hall. Until 1966, the building served as the seat of the city government. Today, the Old City Hall is used as a courthouse, so it can only be admired from the outside. The Neo-Romanesque architectural style provides a perfect backdrop for photos. Another impressive building in Toronto is the Flatiron Building on Wellington Street. You've probably seen such a building in New York. The house looks particularly beautiful in the late afternoon when the sun changes position, and the reddish-brown color of the facade looks simply magical in photos.

When hunger strikes, there's no better place than St. Lawrence Market. In the historic market halls, you'll find everything your heart (and stomach) desires. Starting from fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and sweets, you can also get typical Canadian snacks from food stalls. During the week, you'll find various artisans and artists showcasing their work. A weekly antique market takes place on Sundays. Want to wander around more? Great, then you should visit Kensington Market and Spadina Avenue. This little neighborhood is vibrant and colorful, with something new to discover at every street corner.

If you'd like to take a little break from the hustle and bustle of the big city, a trip to the Toronto Islands is worth it. With a ferry, you can quickly reach these small islands. Here you can relax in small cafes, unwind in the shade of the trees, or bike ride. Tip: You can take some of the best photos of Toronto's skyline here.

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is a modern history and natural history museum. If you love dinosaurs, this is the place for you. The entire museum is very interactive, making it a great place for family vacations. Right next to the ROM is the University of Toronto. It is one of the top twenty largest universities in the world and also one of the most beautiful-definitely not to be missed! With its Gothic Revival and Romanesque architectural styles, the building looks like it has sprung from a Harry Potter movie.

Another impressive building is Casa Loma. Once an impressive mansion, this castle is now popular as a tourist attraction and a favored filming location for movie producers. Do you remember me mentioning that Hollywood stars are always around in Toronto? The city is a popular filming location and is often used as a backdrop for scenes in New York or San Francisco. The reason is simple: The cost to shut down a street or intersection in Toronto is much cheaper than it would be at the original locations. So, the financial district in Canada is magically turned into Wall Street in New York. For the coming year alone, approximately 5,000 filming days have already been booked in and around Toronto. Just keep your eyes open; your chance to see a Hollywood celebrity is not so small.

Even though the Niagara Falls are not directly in Toronto, I highly recommend a day trip to this wonderful natural phenomenon. If you're already so close, you should take in all the experiences! You can either rent a car or take a coach bus to the border. As is often the case, I recommend renting a car, as it gives you the flexibility to design your trip more personally. You might discover some interesting stops on the way to the Niagara Falls! If you have enough time, you can also book an overnight stay at a hotel near the falls. At night, the waterfalls are illuminated-pure romance!

Wow, that was a long tour! I hope my Toronto tips and insider secrets have given you a good impression of the city. In my travel magazine, I have more tips for you to make your vacation in Canada unforgettable!