Canada’s a big country. And our reputation? Huge. You could travel the nation in search of quintessentially Canadian experiences to sample, savour and shop… or you could find them in the Greater Toronto Area. Because—surprise!—we’ve got it all, from eh to zed.
Indigenous Art
Examples of indigenous art can be found in many locations around the city and some of the finest are at Gallery Indigena, a gallery devoted to the sculpture, ceramic, drawings, prints and wall hangings of artists from Inuit and Iroquois, Anishinabek, North Pacific Coast, Cree and Iroquois First Nations.
See the Stars
Rub shoulders with Brendan Fraser, Jim Carrey and Shania Twain. OK, maybe not shoulders. But you can touch their stars on Canada’s Walk of Fame.
Canada’s Game
Kiss the Stanley Cup, score a goal during a sim game or find your own way to celebrate Canada’s unofficial national sport at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Visit a Polar Bear
Canada is home to 60 percent of the world’s population of more than 20,000 polar bears. But you needn’t travel to the Far North to spot one: just head to the Toronto Zoo.
Taste Liquid Gold
Canada produces 80 percent of the world’s maple syrup. Our tastiest global commodity can be purchased at any local supermarket and at souvenir shops around the city.
Iconic Canadian Art
Behold the landscapes that made Canada’s Group of Seven famous as they shook up the early 1900s art world at the Art Gallery of Ontario and McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
Poutine
Dig into the gooey, cheesy, gravyliciousness of poutine, our national junk food. Thanks to its millennial resurgence, poutineries can be found all over town.
Go for a Paddle
Explore the waterfront like a true voyageur with Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak Centre. Rent a canoe or kayak, or sign on for a guided paddling tour.
The Original Department Store
The Hudson’s Bay department store chain predates Canadian Confederation and is woven into the country’s national fabric. It is the place for Canadian Olympic gear (such as the famous Team Canada red mittens) and the company’s legendary multi-stripe point blanket.
Historic Toronto
Tour the birthplace of modern Toronto at Fort York National Historic Site, a key outpost during the War of 1812. A new visitor’s centre was unveiled in 2014, providing context to the military significance of the garrison, an 1813 battleground.
Autumn Leaves
Feast your eyes on our postcard-perfect fall foliage. Stroll, run or rent a bike to take in the explosive yellow, orange and red tree canopy along the Moore Park Ravine and the Don Valley ravine system, or in Cabbagetown’s quiet and pensive Toronto Necropolis cemetery.
Rare Wine
Splurge on a bottle of decadent icewine. Buy it at provincial liquor stores or spend the day exploring the Niagara wine region and stock up there.
