Eaton Centre:
220 Yonge St.
416/598-2322. or 416/598-8700
Get off at either Queen or Dundas subway stations.
Weekdays 10-9, Sat. 9:30-7, Sun. noon-7.
Number of stores 285 and growing; Number of food outlets: more than 50 17-theater Eaton Centre Cineplex, west of the Dundas Street entrance. Safe, well-lighted parking garages with spaces for some 1,800 cars attached to Eaton Centre. Galleria Level 1 contains two food courts; popularly priced s; photo, electronics, and record stores; and much "convenience" merchandise. Level 2 is directed to the middle-income shopper Level 3, has the highest elevation, , and prices. A branch of Eaton's, now operated by the Sears chain, remains in the Centre despite the closing of all Eaton stores throughout Canada in 1999. At the southern end of Level 3 is a skywalk that connects the Centre to the seven floors of The Bay (formerly Simpsons) department store, across Queen Street.
Edwards Gardens:
The beautiful 35-acre Edwards Gardens flow into one of the city's most visited ravines. Paths wind along floral displays and rock gardens. Start out at the entrance (southwest corner of Leslie Street and Lawrence Avenue East) and head south through Wilket Creek Park and the Don River valley. Pass beneath the Don Valley Parkway and continue along Massey Creek. After hours of walking, you'll be at at the southern tip of Taylor Creek Park on Victoria Park Avenue, just north of the Danforth. From here, catch a subway. Entrance at southwest corner of Leslie St. and Lawrence Ave. E.
Harbourfront Centre:
416/973-4600
Stretching from just west of York Street to Spadina Avenue, this culture-and-recreation center is one of the highlights of a visit to Toronto. Harbourfront Centre, a streamlined version of the original concept, draws over 3 million visitors to the 10-acre site each year. There's the eight-story Queen's Quay Terminal, with specialty shops and eateries; art exhibits at the Power Plant; theater and readings at the York Quay Center; nautical exhibits at The Pier museum, antiques at the Harborfront Antiques Market, and seasonal events.
New City Hall:
100 Queen St. W
416/392-9111; TDD 416/392-7354.
Weekdays 8:30-4:30.
The underground garage holds 2,400 cars
Toronto's newest city hall was the outgrowth of a 1958 international competition won by a Finnish architect. A mural within the main entrance, Metropolis, was constructed by sculptor David Partridge from 100,000 common nails. In front of the building is Nathan Phillips Square, a gathering place. Annual events at New City Hall include the Spring Flower Show in late March; the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition early each July; and the yearly Cavalcade of Lights from late November through Christmas, when 100,000 sparkling lights are illuminated across both city halls.
Old City Hall:
60 Queen St. W
416/327-5675
Weekdays 8:30-4:45.
In marked contrast to the New City Hall structure across Bay Street, this earlier city hall was created in 1899. Its gargoyles above the front steps were apparently the architect's way of poking fun at certain turn-of-the-20th-century politicians; he also carved his name under the eaves on all four faces of the building. Considered one of North America's most impressive municipal halls in its day (note the huge stained-glass window as you enter) it is still in operation as the home of the provincial courts, the county offices, and the marriage bureau.
Queen's Park:
Queen's Park Circle, between College St. and Bloor St. W.
Many visitors consider this to be the heart and soul of Toronto. Surrounding the large oval-shape patch of land are medical facilities to the south, the University of Toronto to the west and east, and the Royal Ontario Museum to the north. To most Torontonians, Queen's Park is synonymous with politics, as the Ontario Legislative Building sits in the middle of this urban oasis.
Royal Bank Building and Plaza:
Northwest corner of Bay and Front Sts.
The exterior of this 1976 building, designed by Torontonian Boris Zerafa, is coated with 2,500 ounces of gold. The surface creates reflections of sky, clouds, and other buildings.. Enter the 120-ft-high banking hall and admire the lovely hanging sculpture by Jesús Raphaél Soto. The building is stunning at sunset.
Royal Ontario Museum:
100 Queen's Park,
416/542-1492.
free Fri. after 4:30 and Sat.-Thurs. 1 hr before closing.
At other times, admission is charged.
Mon.-Sat. 10-6, Fri. 10-9:30, Sun. 11-6.
Canada's largest museum has amassed more than 6 million items. What makes the ROM unique is that science, art, and archaeology exhibits are all under one roof. The museum has marvelous Asian items, including 200 works of fine art and objects from Korea. There are also exhibits on science and biodiversity, and an extensive dinosaur collection. Other exhibits include Canadiana, Chinese and Roman art and artifacts, musical instruments, ancient Egypt, and a Bat Cave with 4,000 freeze-dried and artificial bats.
George R. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art:
111 Queen's Park
416/586-8080
Mon. and Wed.-Fri. 10-6 Tues. 10-8; Sat 10-5; Sun. 11-5
Admission charged.
This one of a kind collection includes 17th century English Delftware, and 18th century yellow European porcelain. The pre-Colombian collection dates back to Olmec and Mayan times.
Skydome:
Tour entrance: Front and John Sts., between Gates 1 and 2, northeast corner of SkyDome,
416/341-2770 for tours; 416/341-3663 for events and shows; 416/341-1000 for Blue Jays games.
Admission charged.
Tours daily; call ahead for times.
The home of baseball's Blue Jays was the world's first stadium with a fully retractable roof. One way to see the huge 52,000-seat stadium is to buy tickets for a Blue Jays game or one of the many other events that take place here. These may include cricket matches, Wrestlemania, monster truck races, family ice shows, rock concerts, or even the opera Aïda. You can also take a one-hour guided walking tour -- except when daytime events are scheduled.
Spadina:
285 Spadina Rd.
416/392-6910
Admission charged.
Jan.-Mar., weekends noon-5; Apr.-Decweekdays noon-4, weekends and holidays noon-5.
The 50-room house has been restored with period wallpaper, upholstery, and furniture, and crystal chandeliers burn softly with natural gas. This 1866 house is filled with arts and artifacts of the James Austin family, prominent in the natural gas, railroad, and banking businesses. Members of the family lived here from Victorian times until 1982, when it was turned over to public ownership.. Docents tend the magnificent gardens and the small orchard; they make jam in summer and bread in winter and give guided tours.
St. James Cathedral:
416/364-7865
Northeast corner of Church and King Sts
This Anglican church with Gothic spires has the tallest steeple in Canada. Its illuminated spire clock once guided ships into the harbor. A new peal of 12 bells was recently installed. There's a concert most Sundays, a half-hour before the 11 AM service.
Toronto Islands:
These tree-lined islands include 550 acres of parkland. The boardwalk from Centre to Ward's Island is 11/2 mi. long. No cars are permitted. Consider renting a bike (walk south from the Centre Island ferry docks to Avenue of the Islands) and work your way across the islands. 416/234-2345 in winter; 416/203-0405 in summer; 416/392-8195 for island information; 416/392-8193; 416/392-8186 for ferry information. Centre Island amusement park; Ward's and Hanlan's are places to picnic, sunbathe, and read under a tree. Ferries at foot of Bay St. and Queen's Quay, 416/234-2345 in winter; 416/203-0405 in summer; 416/392-8195 for island information; 416/392-8193; 416/392-8186 for ferry information.
Toronto Zoo:
Meadowvale Rd. north of Hwy. 401
30-min drive from downtown, or take Bus 86A from Kennedy subway station,
416/392-5900
Parking free Nov.-Feb.
Hours: Summer 9-7:30; winter 9:30-4:30.
This 710-acre zoo houses mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish in their natural habitats. There are also botanical exhibits, pony and camel rides, a walking safari, and a reproduction of "big-game" country with rare animals.
Hockey Hall of Fame:
30 Yonge St. BCE Place, Toronto
(416) 360-7765
The Hockey Hall of Fame houses artifacts and multimedia exhibits honoring the sport's legends.
Art Gallery of Ontario:
317 Dundas St. W. Location: between McCaul and Beverley sts.
416/977-0414
Tues and Thurs-Fri 11am-6pm, Wed 11am-8:30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5:30pm.
Grange House Tues-Sun noon-4pm, Wed noon-9pm Seasonal Info: Closed Jan 1, Dec 25 Subway: St. Patrick
Donation requested.
The exterior gives no hint of the light and openness inside this beautifully designed gallery. The space is dramatic, and the paintings imaginatively displayed. Throughout, audiovisual presentations and interactive computer presentations provide information on particular paintings or schools of painters. There is an extensive collection of Inuit art. The Henry Moore Sculpture Centre, with more than 800 pieces (original plasters, bronzes, maquettes, woodcuts, lithographs, etchings, and drawings), is the largest public collection of his works. The European collection ranges from the 14th century to the French impressionists and beyond. Behind the gallery, connected by an arcade, stands the Grange (1817), Toronto's oldest surviving brick house, which was the gallery's first permanent space. Entrance is free with admission to the art gallery.
