Every summer, I go back to Toronto, Canada to visit relatives and have family gatherings with my dad's side of the family. Usually we spend our vacation in the northern part of Toronto with its many Chinese restaurants and malls. This time, however, my sister and I spent the majority of our time in downtown Toronto, visiting about twenty touristy sites in only four days. Here are seven of my favorites:
1. Graffiti Alley
Located in the Fashion District of downtown Toronto, Graffiti Alley runs down several blocks, from Spadina Avenue to Portland Street. It is a common tourist attraction featuring vibrant and colorful street art painted by some local Torontonians as well as many European graffiti artists!
2. Casa Loma
Built in 1937, Casa Loma was one of the first houses to have technological installations like electrical power and telephones. Sir Henry Pellatt, a military officer, asked architect E.J. Lennox to construct a medieval-style castle that would look over the city of Toronto. Nowadays, the castle is open to the public for tours and has been a popular location for filming movies. A few episodes from Goosebumps and movies including The Mortal Instruments and X-Men were filmed here!
3. Nathan Phillips Square & City Hall
The Square includes a mix of medieval and modern architecture, maintaining Toronto's roots while also demonstrating its quick growth. It is open to the public, and during the wintertime, the city sets up an ice rink for skaters! The Old City Hall, now used for displaying art and history, and the New City Hall, the meeting place for the municipal government, make up two sides of the Square.
4. Queens Park
Queen's Park, established in 1893, has a number of gardens and footpaths surrounding the main building, the Ontario Legislative Building (displayed in the image above.) This building is inspired by Romanesque architecture and serves as the home for the current lieutenant governor, Elizabeth Dowdeswell.
5. Royal Ontario Museum
The Duke of Connaught opened the Royal Ontario Museum, commonly known as ROM, in March 1914. Within the first few years of opening, the ROM became so crowded that a new wing had to be built. In the photo above, I'm standing before one of the many intricate glass sculptures from the Chihuly Exhibit temporarily on display there.
6. Harbourfront Centre
Located next to the CN Tower, Harbourfront is a 10-acre site, holding a number of events for the public each year. The Centre hosts theatres, concerts, dance, and films - most of which are free!
7. Distillery District
The Distillery District was inspired by Victorian industrial architecture mixed with modern designs. When you enter this historic district, you "step back into an era of horse-drawn carts, windmills, and sailing ships," according to the Toronto Star. It features a relaxing atmosphere with tons of foods to try, artwork to enjoy, and creative people to meet!
