Things to do & Places to stay in Ontario

AUGUST 23, 2018

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Awesome Activities for Your Visit to Toronto

Ever wonder why Toronto is called the 6ix? It seems to be because Toronto rapper, Drake, named his album Views from the 6, referring to his hometown of Toronto (see his explanation: https://youtu.be/pjMLvHQJU40). Toronto has had many other names since a French priest first put it on the map in the 1600s with the name ‘lac de Taranteau’. Some of these include: Hogtown (due to the large meat packing industry), Toronto the Good (Toronto had a strict moral code in the 19th century), Muddy York (before streets were paved, rain turned dirt roads into mud), Hollywood North (film industry), T.O. or T-dot (short form of Toronto, Ontario), and The 416 (Toronto’s original telephone area code). Whatever you want to call it, it is a great city, with so much fun stuff to do!

Attractions

article1_aug232018.jpgToronto attractions are among the best in the world and in many cases, are the only of their kind in the world! Bata Shoe Museum has an international collection of 14,000 shoes, both old and new. See the Stanley Cup at the Hockey Hall of Fame (also has the world’s greatest collection of hockey artifacts). Peruse the 6 million objects in the ROM’s galleries. And the Ontario Science Centre offers hands-on experiences and engagement with science for all ages with very cool changing exhibits, speakers and IMAX theatre shows. Tall Ship Kajama lets you cruise Lake Ontario’s waters aboard a traditional 165-ft, 3-masted Schooner. The AGO has >90,000 works of art including some of Group of Seven’s signature works.

Parks & Beaches & Gardens

article2_aug232018.jpgOne cool thing about Toronto is that for a very cosmopolitan city, it has some pretty incredible parks, beaches and gardens, right in the city.  Toronto has several beaches – each a bit different. Check out a few and find your fave! Ontario also has one of the most extensive trail systems in the world and many are easily accessible from and within Toronto. Get out and hike or bike as many as you can! There are also many conservation areas to visit year round including Kortright Centre for Conservation and the rest of the Toronto Region Conservation Areas. There’s even a service called ParkBus, which connects people with nature by operating accessible bus services to National & Provincial Parks from major cities. And don’t forget about gardens. From Toronto’s Allan Gardens Victorian Greenhouses, to Edwards Gardens to Burlington’s Royal Botanical Gardens to Franklin Children’s Garden on Toronto Island, Toronto’s gardens are spectacular!

Festivals

rev_article3_aug232018.jpgThe GTA has festivals and events every week, year round, and sometimes lots of them! While you can find a huge range in our event listings and on our event calendar, we’ve highlighted a couple of them that are coming up soon. Tim Hortons Southside Shuffle Blues & Jazz Festival - Sept 7-9, 2018  is Mississauga’s musical Mardi Gras, & has a wide range of Canadian & US artists. Veg Food Fest - Sept 7-9, 2018 is the largest event of its kind in North America & has food you never thought could be vegan. The Word On The Street - Sept 23, is Canada’s largest book and magazine festival. Cabbagetown Festival is Sept 6-10 and festivities include: a Kids’ Zone, Riverdale Farm Fall Festival, live music, & even a free walking tour of historic Cabbagetown.

Animals

article4_aug232018.jpgGot a thing for furry, 4-legged or fishy things? Toronto has all kinds of animals to visit.  Toronto Zoo is Canada’s premier zoo with over 450 species & 5000 animals, and it is HUGE and awesome, but it isn’t the only place to see animals in the GTA. Jungle Cat World Zoological Park just E of Toronto, is a Wildlife Park with >60 species including Tigers, Wolves, Lemurs, and more.  Oshawa Zoo and Fun Farm has both exotic & domestic animals, as does Killman Zoo. Reptilia Zoo and Education Facility is Canada’s largest indoor reptile zoo with 400+ reptiles & amphibians and incredible live shows. Have you ever wanted to Fly a Bird of Prey? Learn how to do it by yourself and watch incredible flight demonstrations. And don’t forget about Ripleys Aquarium which has over 16,000 aquatic animals plus North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel.

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Featured Events

CNE

now til Sept 3, 2018
Exhibition Place, Toronto

featuredevent1_aug232018.jpgThe CNE is truly an experience. If you’ve never been, it’s a must-do and if you’ve already been, you know what we’re talking about and you’ll probably go again. Besides the fun rides, games, concerts, entertainers, working farm & skating show, there’s the renowned Air Show with aerial acrobatic &, of course, the famous Food Building with all kinds of crazy new concoctions. “Let’s go to the Ex”!

Chippewas of Rama First Nation Annual Pow Wow

Aug 25-26, 2018
Rama (Central Ontario)

featuredevent2_aug232018.jpgEveryone is welcome at this beautiful & entertaining First Nations festival. Watch Turtle Island’s world-class singers and powwow dancers compete in one of the biggest powwows in Ontario and learn about First Nations culture and history. In addition to the festivities, there are many food, arts, and craft vendors. Admission is $10/day or $15/weekend. Under 12 – free.

London Bluesfest

Aug 23-26, 2018
Harris Park, London (SW Ontario)

featuredevent3_aug232018.jpgThis music festival is a great weekend of outstanding blues and classic rock outdoor concerts in downtown London. The festival features world class headline acts including the Sheepdogs, Foghat, Colin James, Mark Farner’s American Band, Blue Oyster Cult and many more. Bring a chair and/or a blanket and settle in for some world-class entertainment.

Featured attraction: CN tower

featured_aug232018.jpgThis is one of those attractions that everyone should experience – even Torontonians! You don’t have to be a tourist to enjoy it. See spectacular views through panoramic Window Walls & the all-new (incredible) Glass Floor, step onto the Outdoor SkyTerrace at 1,122’ above the ground or – if you dare – hook yourself up with a harness & walk hands free on a 5’ wide ledge at the top of the Tower, 1168’ (116 storeys) above the ground (must reserve in advance)! You can also relax & enjoy gourmet dining atop the tower in the revolving restaurant.

 

ONLY IN ONTARIO

onlyinont_aug232018.jpgCJ’s Skatepark
Did you know that the world’s largest not-for-profit, air-conditioned, indoor skateboard park is right here in Ontario? Located in Mississauga, CJ’s Skatepark serves ALL kids in the community including at-risk youth and those with special needs. Their new, 55,000 sq ft facility is now open to the public for general fun, lessons, camps & more. No experience necessary, just a desire to ride a skateboard!

Print Edition

img19.jpgPick up your FREE copy of the NEW & updated edition of Summer Fun Guide at ONroute Centres & other locations around Ontario while supplies last or email info@summerfunguide.ca to have one mailed to you. View a digital version of the print edition online here: https://www.summerfunguide.ca/print-edition.html

 
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