by Andre Sanchez

Toronto has a great deal to offer the visitor, whether on vacation or just passing through. It is a bustling city full of attractions for adults and children, ranging from some very interesting museums to zoos and amusement parks.  It is also a great base for visiting Niagara Falls which is about 80 miles away, or less than two hours drive. 

The CN Tower is what everybody connects Toronto with, but that is just one of the many attractions this city has to offer the tourist.  The view from the top of the tower is fantastic, and you can even see the Niagara Falls.  The tower itself is a complex that the kids will love, and has an observation lounge and revolving restaurant. 

Another must for the children is the Paramount Canada’s Wonderland, a massive theme park with over 50 rides and a water park with a massive outdoor wave pool.  There is also the Centerville Amusement Park covering a total of 600 acres, jam packed full with attractions suitable for both children and adults. 

Situated on Lake Ontario, Toronto’s Waterfront has a lot to offer the tourist, including the Harbourfront Center and Ontario Place.  The Center is famed for its art galleries, craft shops and theatres, and is a very popular area of Toronto.  Ontario Place is a leisure and entertainment complex constructed on three artificial islands with a children’s village, an amphitheatre, a raft ride any many other attractions.  Its Cinesphere is a curved screen, six stories high, that can show both normal and the massive IMAX movies.  Contrary to what many believe, Toronto is more than just a big city but has a vast range of entertainment facilities, both indoor and out.

If you prefer the historical to the entertaining, then Toronto has a number of interesting museums.  Fort York is a restored British fort that was built by the British in 1793 when Toronto was called York, and rebuilt after being destroyed by the Americans in the War of 1812.  It contains restored buildings of the era and many artefacts of military life in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. 

The Royal Ontario Museum is the largest museum in Canada, with literally millions of exhibits of all kinds, but if you are seeking something different, the Bata Shoe Museum contains a 4,000 year history of footwear.  There is also a children’s museum, the Children’s Own, and a number of sports museums, among them the Hockey Hall of Fame dedicated to Canada’s ice hockey stars.  The Science Center contains scientific exhibits and live demonstrations of topics such as sports, the environment, space and information technology.

If you prefer shopping, Yonge Street is famous the world over and the Eaton Center offers over 300 shops and restaurants that provide you with almost anything you could possibly want, including a number of cinemas, all contained within a glass roofed multi-level complex that is one of the major attractions in Toronto. 

Each of the five Chinatowns offers a large selection of eateries and bargain shopping, and the St. Lawrence Market is among the worlds best food markets.  You will have no problems finding accommodation since Toronto boasts more hotels than any other Canadian city, and they also boast what is close to the world’s highest occupancy rates. 

If you like zoos, the Toronto Zoo is the largest in Canada, with several thousand animals shown in their natural environment including many native species.  Most species are divided into geographical areas and it also includes a 30+ acre exhibit in the form of a safari through a representation of Eastern Africa.

Niagara Falls is a must for every visitor to Toronto.  You can either arrange few days in Niagara Falls itself, or take one of the many trips on offer.  Transport provided ranges from privately chauffeured limousines to bus trips for the day.  You can take a day trip that stops at Niagara Falls for a trip on the Maid of the Mist, sailing under the falls themselves, lunch and then a visit to  the famous Whirlpool and other tourist attractions in the area.   All in all it is a great day out.

Whatever it is you want from your visit or vacation, then you should be able to find it in Toronto.  It is an easy place to be entertained in and has a vibrant night life offering a variety of night clubs, cabarets and shows.  Whether you are looking for history, sport, science or simply to be entertained, you will not be disappointed with what this marvellous city has to offer.

Visiting Toronto was originally published at http://www.globallifenow.com