|
Ontario Parliament Buildings an impressive display of history built in 1893 that dominated the end of University Avenue. The building has huge towers with arches, rose windows decorated with carvings and set beneath a series of high pitched roofs. The interior is of matching grandeur. Gilded classical columns frame the main staircase and enormous stained glass windows illuminate long and richly timbered galleries. The chamber is a lavish affair, with a wealth of fine wooden carvings. Located at Queens Park - Phone: 416-325-7500.
Royal Ontario Museum founded in 1912, holds a vast and extraordinarily wide-ranging collection draw from the fields of fine and applied art, the natural sciences and the archaeology. The museum is far too large to absorb in one visit, and merits several trips to appreciate its many skeletons from around the world and the fabulous Far East collection. The latter features the best display outside China of Imperial Chinese artifacts. The most popular in the gallery is Dinosaur Gallery with 13 dinosaur skeletons are set in simulation of the the Jurassic Age. Other exhibits include: Museum facade, Ming Tomb, Greek head of Zeus, Egyptian Mummy (large collection of mummies), Gallery Guide and Bat Cave. Located 100 Queen’s Park - Phone 416-586-8000.
Ontario Place is an excellent theme park, this waterfront complex on Lake Ontario is built on three artificial inlets. It provides family entertainment, with rides both tame and terrifying. Inside, the Children’s Village is equipped with playgrounds and swimming pools, long water slides and computer games and bumper boats, while Cinesphere is a huge dome housing a giant IMAX cinema. Located 955 Lakeshore Blvd. - Phone 416-314-9900
Art Gallery of Ontario is located at 317 Dundas Street West. The Gallery has an extensive collection of fine art and sculptures including Rembrandt, Picasso, Henry Moore and Giovanni del Biondo.
Eaton Centre - if Toronto has a specific core it would be outside the Eaton Centre shopping mall at the Yonge and Dundas intersection. The Eaton Centre boast that it sells anything available in the world.
Fort York was built by the British in 1793 to reinforce their control of Lake Ontario and to protect the city that is now Toronto. The historic military compound has been painstakingly restored, and its barracks, old power magazine, and officers quarters make for a pleasant visit.
Located Garrision Road - Phone 416-392-6907
Toronto Zoo can claim to have one of the worlds best zoos. The animals are grouped according to their natural habitats, both outside, amid the mixed forest and flatlands of the river valley, and inside with a series of large, climate controlled pavilions. Visitors can tour the zoo by choosing one of the carefully marked trails, or hop aboard the Zoombilie, a 30 minute ride with commentary, which give a n excellent overview. Be ready to spend the day! Located 361A Old Finch Ave. Scarborough - Phone 416-392-5900
The Toronto Islands located just off shore from the city are connected by footbridges, shelter Toronto’s harbour and provide some easy going recreation in a car free environment. It takes about half an hour to walk from one end to the islands to the other. In the east is Ward’s Island, a sleepy residential area with parkland and wilderness, Centre Island, home to the Centreville Amusement Park for children, is in the middle and to the west lies the isle of Hanlan’s Point with the Island best beach.
Ontario Science Centre is one of Toronto’s most popular sights attracting children in droves. They come for the center’s interactive displays and hands on exhibits exploring and investigating all manner of phenomena, which are divided into 12 categories. These include the Living Earth, Matter-Energy-Change, the information Highway, and the Human Body. Visitors can land on the moon and travel the end of the universe.
Located 770 Don Mills Road - Phone 416-696-3177.
Go Leafs Go!
|
