Toronto Travel

Overview
Facing-off against New York State, Toronto walks the line between American cultural osmosis and staunch northern independence. Toronto is a clean, safe, cosmopolitan city with a wonderful network of parks, recreational, and cultural facilities. Toronto is the home of four professional sports teams and the third largest English-speaking theatre district in the world, behind New York and London. One of the world's most ethnically diverse cities, it is home to more than 80 ethnic communities from Africa, Asia, and Europe. Toronto is also the business centre of Canada. Here are just some of the many Web sites that contain information about our city.

Climate
Toronto's climate is moderate and it has a humid continental climate, with warm, humid summers and cold winters. The city experiences four distinct seasons, with considerable variance in day to day temperature, particularly during the colder weather season. January freezes over, with maximum temperatures never topping zeros. The wind-chill factor - lashings from Lake Ontario - can make things feel a whole lot colder. North-south downtown streets become frigid wind tunnels, sending people scurrying like rats into the underground PATH network. In July temperatures can hit the mid-80s for weeks at a time, claustrophobic humidity sapping the very life from your bones.

Getting there
Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, farther south than Minnesota and much of Michigan, Toronto is one of the most accessible cities in North America by road, air, rail and water. We are only a one hour drive away for about five million Canadians, and within a 90-minute flight for 60 per cent of the U.S. population.

Shopping

Toronto Eaton Centre: The fourth-largest mall in all of Canada, Toronto Eaton Centre has over 1.7 million square feet of stores and gorgeous skylights that make shopping inside the center almost as pleasant as spending the day outside--or perhaps even more so, when the weather gets chilly. Be sure to take a look at renowned Canadian artist Michael Snow's Canadian geese sculpture, Flight Stop, while you're there.

There are almost 300 stores at the Eaton Centre, including Sears, The Bay, Canadian Tire, Coast Mountain Sports, and Indigo Books and Music. The Eaton Centre is a popular stop for tourists, so expect crowds, but thanks to the five floors of the mall, you'll have plenty of room to move around. Prices are similar to most malls, ranging from bargain deals to more pricey items.

St. Lawrence Market: Head to Old Town Toronto near downtown at Jarvis Street and Front Street. A more relaxed atmosphere than the mall in a beautiful historical location makes shopping at St. Lawrence Market the perfect alternative for those who prefer boutiques, fresh goods and antiques. The South Market, which is indoors, is open Tuesdays through Saturdays and has food, crafts and antiques for sale. The North Market is open on weekends. Shoppers looking for fresh food should come on Saturdays, and antiquers should visit on Sundays, when over 80 antique vendors join the fray. Prices range from affordable to expensive, but do expect to spend a bit more than at most stores to support individuals and small businesses.

Chinatown

If you're looking for shopping in Toronto, you won't want to miss your chance to visit the one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. Asian dining and shopping are the highlights of the area, which is located near downtown Toronto. You can also find great deals on clothing. Prices are fairly cheap, unless you want to take home one of the larger pieces of Chinese and Asian-style sculptures or furnishings.