Casa Loma, or “Hill House”, is a grand Gothic mansion built in the early 1900s. Located in downtown Toronto, “Canada’s Castle” and its gardens are open to visitors year-round. Self-guided audio tours are available where you can visit the property at your leisure. The tour can take up to two hours. There is also a 22 minute documentary on Sir Henry Pellatt and Casa Loma included with admission.
This former estate of Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt consists of 98 rooms, including many decorated suites, secret passages (my favourite part!), an 800-foot tunnel, towers, stables, and beautiful gardens.
It took about 300 men nearly three years to complete Casa Loma, and the cost was just over $3 million. Sir Henry enjoyed Casa Loma for just 10 years before financial loss forced him to move out. Today, the property is owned by the City of Toronto.

www.casaloma.org
1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, Canada
+1 416 923 1171
Google map: bit.ly/Okvey1

Go to Spadina subway station and take the Davenport 127 bus to Davenport & Spadina Avenue, climb the stone steps (about 110 of them) until you reach the top of the hill.

* Giulia is our Been there local for Toronto. You can see her profile here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/places/canada/toronto/index.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/GiuliaFalsetti

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The Beaches, known to locals as “The Beach” is a great neighbourhood to visit all year-round, but especially more so in the summer.
The boardwalk, stretching for hours, has some of the best views of Lake Ontario, with buskers and artists selling their goods on hot summer days. Located 15 minutes via streetcar east of the downtown core, the area’s main strip is Queen Street East, which has antique shops as well as specialty and one-of-a-kind boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and pubs. Visit Licks Burgers, www.lickshomeburgers.com, located at 1962 Queen Street East for a quick bite. A local institution for the over 30 years, I’ve been eating burgers and ice cream here for decades and am never disappointed.
The boardwalk goes through four different beaches, two of which are certified for cleanliness and swimming: Kew Beach and Woodbine Beach are always filled with sunbathers as soon as summer hits. I’ve taken many long walks on the trails, and on a few occasions, I’ve walked from the east end of the city to the west end, in about roughly four hours.
There are parks near the boardwalk as well, with trails, a playground, water park, boat launch and a marina.

From Queen or Osgoode subway station, take the Queen streetcar 501 east.
www.lickshomeburgers.com
1960 Queen Street East, M4L 1H8
Google map: bit.ly/Ly549l

* Giulia is our Been there local for Toronto. You can see her profile here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/places/canada/toronto/index.jsp and follow her tips here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/GiuliaFalsetti

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The Conservatory and park were established in the downtown core over 100 years ago. The Conservatory consists of six Victorian-style greenhouses containing flowers and plants from all over the world, ranging from seasonal to exotic tropical plants. In December, you can see over 40 different types of poinsettias; in spring, tulips, hyacinths, hydrangeas and Easter lilies; and in the summer, roses, and orchids, to name a few. The grounds are open every day of the year, from 10 AM until 5 PM.

www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca/tours/allangardens.htm
777 Lawrence Avenue East Toronto, Ontario M3C 1P2
+1 416 397 1340
Google map: bit.ly/klhR0r

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

A special type of haven from city life on the waterfront, inspired by Bach's music for cello and involving the great player Yo-Yo Ma in its design. It can be appreciated for its musical invention, or simply in terms of ingenious garden design, and it's free. Summer open-air concerts are a special treat.

At Queen's Quay West, not far from the main harbour front area;
www.toronto.ca/parks/music_index.htm

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Toronto Island is a must see and it is basically free, an oasis in the middle of the city. The island is a like a large peaceful park with beaches (there's a nude beach, gay beach as well as regular beaches), rollerblading, biking and walking paths, and even an amusement park and free petting zoo for children.

Ferries leave every 15 minutes from Bay St and Queens Quay at Harbourfront, just south of Union Station. There's plenty of parking too. www.toronto.ca/parks/island/index.htm

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This downtown area by the lake is a great place to visit in the summer. As well as a great place to walk by the side of Lake Ontario, you can catch the ferry across to the Toronto Islands, watch an open air performance for free, browse a craft fair and eat food from various ethic menus.

www.harbourfrontcentre.com/noflash/frontpage.php

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends