The Duck

Toronto Downtown Bed and Breakfast

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Attractions Events by month Concerts & Major Theatre 48 Hours in Toronto Travellers' information Niagara Falls tours - exclusive to guests of TDBAB

Financial capital, cultural centre, ethnically diverse community

"Once a city of churches, it's now a place of neighbourhoods. Originally Anglo-Saxon, our new voices speak over 100 languages. The world has come here to live." - John Must, Toronto City Guide (Toronto: 2001)

Toronto is truly a world within a city. Exciting, vibrant and cosmopolitan, Toronto is home to more than 100 cultures, offering exciting festivals and events, friendly neighbourhoods, and a fantastic urban atmosphere! The United Nations has designated Toronto "the world's most ethnically diverse city" for the last five years.

Toronto is Canada's most populous city, with a population of 2.4 million. (Population of the Greater Toronto Area is 4.4 million.) One-quarter of Canada's population is located within 160 km (100 mi.) of the city; more than 50% of the population of the United States is within a one-hour flight. (The population of Canada is 30 million; the Province of Ontario, 11 million).

As the capital of Ontario, Toronto is the seat of government for Canada's most populous province, and in fact is the industrial and business centre for the country.

Toronto is the 3rd largest film and television production centre in North America, after New York and Los Angeles. The industry injects about $1 billion CDN (in direct and spinoff benefits) into the local economy, and employs about 20,000 people. And, believe it or not, Toronto has the highest ratio of golf courses per capita to any North Ameican desitination!

The Toronto Star's suggested "48 T.O. hours" experience.

As the pre-eminent entertainment centre in Canada, Toronto's cultural and entertainment industries are wide-ranging, sophisticated, and leading-edge. Most notably, Toronto is the third-largest live theatre centre in the English-speaking world, after London and New York, with a commercial theatre scene that averages 50 different productions a month. More than 7 million tickets to live arts productions are sold each year, which account for $130 million CDN in revenues. With three separate theatre districts and several spectacularly-restored historic theatres, the scene ranges from Broadway-type megamusicals to fringe theatre festivals. In addition, lovers of symphony, ballet, opera, and live music will find various possibilities. See our theatre site, Stage Door, for a list of productions during your visit.

Toronto features a downtown neighbourhood called the Entertainment District, which blends theatre, dining, and professional sports. Toronto is home to four professional sports teams - hockey, baseball, football, and basketball.

A range of galleries and exhibition spaces contributes to the city's diverse art scene. The Art Gallery of Ontario is Toronto's largest, home to more than 15,000 paintings, as well as an impressive collection of works by sculptor Henry Moore. The McMichael Canadian Art Collection in nearby Kleinburg highlights the works of the famed Group of Seven painters. There are scores of smaller galleries around the city, many of which focus on particular artists; a number of them specialize in native and Inuit art.

The city's museums are an eclectic group, and include (among others) the Royal Ontario Museum (Canada's largest; history, art and natural sciences, and recently designated as one of Ontario's top three tourist attractions); the George R. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Arts; the Design Exchange; the Bata Shoe Museum Collection; the Ontario Science centre; the Museum for Textiles; and the Hockey Hall of Fame.

A year-round roster of cultural and ethnic festivals round out Toronto's diverse entertainment scene. Some examples: major festivals devoted to film, jazz, dance, literature, fireworks, and Caribbean culture. The city's vibrant and diverse spirit comes alive at festivities celebrating Canada Day (July 1); Winterfest Carnival (every February); Gay & Lesbian Pride Week (June) in the Church Street Village; Yonge Street Festival (July), Caribana (August) and the Santa Claus Parade (November). Get the full schedule here.

Canada's cultural and entertainment capital sizzles with exciting things to see and do, year round. Zip to the top of the world's tallest building, or take a stroll along the world's longest street. Toronto is packed with enough unique attractions and fascinating museums to keep you occupied for weeks.

There's lots more here, with links and info on every major attraction and event