Toronto

Toronto downtown is made up of several neighborhoods each with their own unique flavor. The center of the city is also the center of Toronto's financial district. When the office buildings empty for the evening, downtown comes alive with a vital night life, ranging from theaters and great restaurants to intimate supper clubs with live jazz.

Toronto's harbor is the recreational heart of the city. In that district many events take place throughout the year. Toronto's largest indoor Antique mall is also located there. Ferries to the Toronto Islands leave frequently from the harbor. There are also large marinas for mooring boats.

The liveliest part of Toronto is Chinatown. It is home to the second largest Asian community in North America and is focused on Spadina Avenue and along Dundas Street West. In Chinatown you will find countless shops and restaurants that offer Chinese, Vietnamese and Thai products and food. The narrow streets of nearby Kensington market are an eclectic mix of traditional European style bakers fish mongers and vintage clothing stores.

The area around Saint Lawrence market offers a good idea of the way Toronto used to be. Beginning at the convergence of Wellington and Front Street, just east of the downtown core, it opens out into a wide Avenue reminiscent of European cites. The area retains much of its original architecture and there are many fine bistros cafés and bars. The market itself is Toronto's largest indoor market.

The greatest feature in Toronto are the city's parks, where you can absorb the peace, quiet and natural beauty of the outdoors without leaving the city.

Bloor Street West and Yorkville offer some of the best upscale fashion shopping experiences in Toronto. In Yorkville, a chic enclave just north of Bloor Street, you will find many fine restaurants and boutiques, as well as several Galleries. Toronto has a lively nightlife. The areas around College Street and Little Italy offer some of Toronto's most trendy places. There are also countless trattorias, coffeehouses, restaurants and bars in the area.

Just east of the city center are The Beaches, a popular area for biking, walking and swimming.

There are numerous hotels and restaurants in Toronto. The city is a good place to stay if you want to visit the nearby Niagara Falls. Toronto is on the western shore of Lake Ontario, some 370 km southwest of Ottawa.