Ontario Travel Guide

The University of Toronto (U of T) is among Canada's oldest and largest research universities. Its St. George campus is famed for Victorian Gothic architecture and is a designated heritage conservation district. Quadrangles, spires and sandstone halls create a rich academic and historical atmosphere; the brutalist Robarts Library and Trinity College's courtyards are photo favourites. It is an ideal starting point to explore Toronto's humanities and built heritage.

The CN Tower is the symbol of Toronto's skyline; when completed in 1976 it was the world's tallest free-standing structure at 553 m. Its observation deck, the thrilling Glass Floor and the record-setting EdgeWalk let visitors take in Lake Ontario and the metropolis from dizzying heights. The revolving 360 Restaurant is a classic dine-with-a-view. At night the tower's lights shift with the season, making it Toronto's most photogenic landmark—an essential first stop in the city.

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is located beside Queen's Park in Toronto. Founded in 1914, it is Canada's largest museum and a world-class comprehensive museum. Its collections span world cultures and natural history, including dinosaur fossils, minerals and gems, Chinese temple art, ancient Egyptian artifacts, Canadian Indigenous cultures and biodiversity, among other permanent exhibits. The 2007 "Crystal" extension designed by architect Daniel Libeskind has become an iconic Toronto building, making it a core destination for cultural and scientific tourism in the city.

Designed by Finnish architect Viljo Revell and opened in 1965, Toronto City Hall is famed for its two curved towers cradling a central council chamber in an 'eye' shape — a masterpiece of modernist architecture and a symbol of the city. The front Nathan Phillips Square has the iconic 'TORONTO' sign and a winter skating rink, the heart of civic gatherings, festivals and photos.

The David Dunlap Observatory is located in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and was built in 1935 with funding from the wealthy Dunlap family. It once housed the largest telescope in Canada at that time and long stood at the forefront of Canadian astronomical research. It is now managed by the City of Richmond Hill and used for public education and science outreach activities.

Parliament Hill rises above the Ottawa River as the emblem of Canadian federal power: three Gothic Revival buildings clustered around the Peace Tower, their green copper roofs gleaming. Free guided tours climb the tower for river panoramas, and summer evenings bring the Sound and Light Show. The daily Changing of the Guard on the front lawn echoes British tradition. As the heart of national ceremony and democracy, it suits history and architecture lovers alike.