For anyone who has never traveled to Toronto, the buzzing city is Canada’s best kept secret, with an endless offering of activities to satisfy the tastes of even the most discerning visitor. Sports fans will appreciate taking in a Maple Leafs, Blue Jays or Raptors game while connoisseurs of culture have an endless array of museums, galleries, restaurants, historic landmarks and music venues to choose from. Nature lovers can take delight in the numerous public spaces and parks such as the Allan Gardens, Guild Park and Gardens or the Harbourfront Square on the waterfront. Scarborough Bluffs, a nine-mile stretch of cliffs alongside Lake Ontario, is less than a 30-minute drive from downtown Toronto yet worlds away in terms of its unique scenery.
STAY
Situated in posh Yorkville, home to several 5-star hotels and resorts, a stay at the iconic Four Seasons Hotel Toronto is a must. The Four Seasons is surrounded by luxury designer boutiques, fine dining, world-renowned museums and fine art galleries. The chicly-appointed guest rooms are set in neutral tones with a modern decor that give guests a sense of calm and well-being. In addition to 4 categories of guest rooms, the Four Season offers 7 options for suites: The Corner One-Bedroom or Two-Bedroom Suite with king beds and a sofa bed; the Premier or Deluxe One-Bedroom Suite that ranges from 670 square feet to 725 square feet; the stunning Bellair Suite located on the 19th floor with a dining area and full-service kitchen; the Yorkville Suite that offers a city-apartment feel; and the opulently decorated Royal and Presidential Suites that showcase breathtaking views of the Toronto skyline with every amenity possible at your disposal.
PLAY
With more than 50 ballet and dance companies, six opera companies, two symphony orchestras and numerous theaters, Toronto’s theatre and performance art scene is on fire. The Canadian Opera Company, housed in the stunning Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in North America. The 2023-2024 Season sees performances of Fidelio, La Bohème, Don Giovanni and Don Pasquale to name a few.
If thrills are more your idea of fun, a visit to Toronto’s famed CN Tower is a must. Gracing Toronto’s epic skyline, the CN Tower attracts more than two million international visitors a year and was the world’s tallest tower until 2009 when it was surpassed by China’s Canton Tower. The tower has several observation decks, a revolving restaurant, and an entertainment complex. EdgeWalk allows daring visitors to dangle 116 stories above Toronto with nothing but a harness securing you. The overhead rail system allows you to walk around the tower’s main pod while taking in all the scenic beauty of the city below.
History buffs will enjoy a guided Go Tours Canada Segway tour of the Distillery District, a historically protected village of charming, restored Victorian Industrial buildings situated amidst brick-lined streets that are pedestrian-only. Just a few minutes walk from downtown Toronto, the historic area was once home to the largest distillery in the British Empire. It is now full of galleries, unique boutiques and cafes, eclectic restaurants and live theaters that are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
Museum-goers have a plethora of options to choose from such as the Aga Khan Museum dedicated to Islamic, Iranian and Muslim art, the Bata Shoe Museum for lovers of footwear and its history, and the Royal Ontario Museum which is Canada’s largest and most comprehensive museum featuring art, world culture and natural history from around the globe. Those traveling with children might want to check out the interactive Hockey Hall of Fame or the Gardiner Museum that explores clay and ceramic traditions with hands-on experiences. The Legoland Discovery Center and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada will certainly entertain kids of all ages.
DINE
Toronto’s dining scene is on fire. A cultural melting-pot that is Canada’s most populous city, it is no wonder that Toronto is home to some of the finest and most diverse restaurants in North America. Foodies need look no further than the the Four Season’s Cafè Boulud when it comes to French haute-cuisine. Chef Daniel Boulud’s French brasserie serves impeccable food that is created in the classic French tradition but with a contemporary spin. Pair one of the 350 wine labels with the tasting menu with mouth-watering dishes such as Octopus with red Thai curry sauce or Foie Gras with rhubarb and strawberry. Envisioned by London-based designer Martin Brudnizki, the vintage-inspired dining room is elegant and inviting. The room is highlighted by a comfortable lounge and wraparound banquettes in rich, green and camel tones.
Another excellent dining choice is Yorkville’s Alobar. The location is easy to miss, as it’s tucked away in a discrete pathway in a swanky part of Yorkville. Though Alobar describes itself as a cocktail bar, it is actually a full-fledged restaurant serving à la carte items. Earning a Michelin Star is no small feat, and Alobar did just that in 2022. We fell in love with the succulent Braised Short Rib and the melt-in-your-mouth Dover Sole. The Confit Duck Pappardelle with black kale and garlic-chili oil was also a big hit.
World-renowned Michelin-starred Executive Chef Akira Back has graced Toronto with his innovative restaurant and karaoke bar DASHA which serves modern Chinese cuisine with American influences. Popular items are the Charred Shishito Peppers with tofu vinaigrette, Pork Belly Boa with jiangbang sauce, the Millionaire Fried Rice with lobster, truffle and gold and the limited specialty Peking Duck with a whole Ontario duck specifically bred for the dish.
INDULGE
For those seeking a dose of luxury during a visit to Toronto, there are countless ways to appease this desire. Head over to Holt Renfrew’s flagship location at 50 Bloor Street in Yorkville to find designer brands like Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino and Louis Vuitton. Lovers of French fashion won’t be disappointed by the two-story Chanel boutique that is housed in a charming 1930’s building with an interior designed by famed architect Peter Marino or the gallery-like design and offerings of the nearby Hermès boutique.
All of that shopping is sure to stir up an appetite. Indulge in an opulent tea at D-Bar at the Four Seasons. The traditionally British tea has a soupçon of French flair in the form of pastry sous chef Kevin Levionnois’s petits fours that are impregnated with tropical flavors like mango, coconut, and guava. If you prefer your tea with a little kick to it, Perrier-Jouët and Moët & Chandon are available by the glass. The menu changes seasonally and is offered Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm.
If you are a wellness and beauty junkie, make an appointment for a body or facial treatment with The Spa at the Four Seasons or Toronto based Radford studio. The Spa at Four Seasons Toronto is an urban oasis that spans more than 30,000 square feet with 16 treatment rooms, a hair and nail bar, steam room, and an indoor pool and whirlpool. The elegant spa’s floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of Yorkville from the 9th floor of the property in a calm and nurturing environment. In addition to traditional but elevated spa services like body treatments, facials, and hair and nail services, The Spa has a Wellness and Bio Bar that provides spa guests with Hypnosis, Mom To-Be Treatments, Psychic Readings, Cancer Care Touch Therapy, LPG Endermologie and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The facials are second-to-none, with the 3-IN-1 Super Facial With Collagen Mask being a guest favorite as it exfoliates and oxygenates the skin improving texture tone and appearance.
Radford specializes in makeup, hair styling, cutting, coloring, extensions, medical facial treatments, eyebrows and lashes and organic spray tanning. Victoria Radford, makeup artist to celebrities, aesthetician and founder of Radford, has over 15 years of expertise in beauty and holistic medicine and aims to have her clients looking and feeling their best.
Day Trip To Niagara Falls
Only a 90-minute drive from Toronto, Niagara Falls is an easy addition to any visit to Ontario. The Falls on the Niagara River’s western shore overlooks the Horseshoe Falls, the cascades’ most expansive section. Get up close and personal with the Falls in the form of a helicopter tour or enjoy a 20 minute boat tour that offers stunning views of the Niagara Gorge, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and the famous Canadian Horseshoe Falls. There are numerous attractions and rides to chose from and there is even a safari presented by Safari Niagara which is a 150-ace, privately owned and operated Nature Park home to more than 1000 animals that are native and exotic mammals, reptiles and birds.
Plan your trip to Toronto now and let Destination Toronto be your guide to researching all there is to see and do during your stay.
