Nathan Phillips Square is one of Toronto's best-known public spaces and an easy stop while…read moreexploring downtown. We walked into a lively plaza that's home to the iconic TORONTO sign, surrounded by the curved towers of City Hall, and regularly hosts festivals, concerts, seasonal events, and community gatherings throughout the year. Whether visiting during the day or at night, there is usually something happening that keeps the square active and engaging. The TORONTO sign is the main attraction and one of the city's most recognizable photo spots. We spent some time taking photos and watching people interact with the installation, and in the evening, the illuminated letters and surrounding lights made it even more impressive. The architecture of City Hall creates a great backdrop, and the modern, sweeping lines of the building contrast nicely with the open plaza. During the winter, the reflecting pool transforms into a skating rink that becomes one of the busiest outdoor skating spots in the city. In the warmer months, the open plaza is often filled with food vendors, cultural festivals, and live entertainment, and the energy of the space shifts depending on the season and the event taking place. The square is centrally located within walking distance of many of Toronto's major attractions, making it easy to include in a day of sightseeing. Since events are held here throughout the year, checking the schedule before visiting is worth doing, because you may end up experiencing a festival or performance during your trip. It can get crowded during weekends and special events, but the open layout still makes it easy to walk around and take in the surroundings without feeling trapped by the crowds. Nathan Phillips Square is one of those places that is worth visiting even if you are only spending a short time in Toronto. Between the famous sign, seasonal activities, and constant lineup of events, it is a landmark that gives you a good sense of the city's atmosphere, offering a space that feels both civic and welcoming, and a snapshot of Toronto's energy that changes with the season and the time of day.

This is a pretty cool city center!…read more I stayed at the Sheraton near the large TORONTO sign. It gets crowded with street vendors and people during the day. I remember staying out late and grabbing a hotdog at 2am.

I have visited the CN Tower a few times (from school and random trips in general). I went to the…read moreindoor observation deck with the regular tickets. The CN Tower is one of the most commonly visited touristy buildings in Toronto. I would expect to be in line for some time. After learning about the proposed option (3 columns with observation decks in the middle), this was the better option. Also, it was cool to see the city, Toronto Island and surrounding areas from an elevated observation deck.

This is a worthwhile tourist destination. The regular ticket gets you up in the tower, where there…read moreare two levels to look out at the 360 view. They have additional paid options to go up higher, or tether yourself outdoors if you are the daring type. While I enjoyed the visit to the top, the snack bars gave me what I would call the worst hot dog of my life. I honestly didn't even finish it. It was discolored, undercooked, and tasteless. Ack! They have a huge gift shop to visit after. I wouldn't recommend ordering from their snack bars at the top, but otherwise, this was a good visit. It's walking distance from the Union Station subway stop.

This historical marker is attached to the wall of the Eaton Centre shopping plaza. There's been…read moreretail here for years and it's great that even in the face of the modernization and installation of this massive shopping mall, the memories of what existed before are here. The marker reads: "Department stores revolutionized shopping in the late nineteenth century by offering selection, low prices and money-back guarantees. In 1895, Robert Simpson commissioned architect Edmund Burke to design his new department store at the southwest corner of Yonge and Queen Streets. It was the first building in Canada with a load-bearing metal frame and a façade clearly patterned on this internal structure. By 1969, Simpson's department store had been enlarged six times and occupied two city blocks between Yonge, Queen, Bay and Richmond Streets. Canada's oldest corporation and largest department store retailer, Hudson's Bay Company, acquired the building in 1978. A Bay store since 1991, it remains one of Canada's great shopping landmarks." Wikimedia has a picture of the building as it existed in 1908: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Simpsons_Department_Store_circa_1908.jpg [Review 10976 overall, 748 of 2019.]

Visited Osgoode Hall while exploring downtown Toronto. The…read morehistoric building is impressive, and the architecture is beautiful. It's easy to walk around and take in the details, with plenty of spots for photos. The guided areas are informative, though some parts are crowded during peak hours. The surrounding courtyard is peaceful and perfect for a short break. Staff are helpful and polite when approached for information. Overall, a must-visit for history and architecture enthusiasts, with a calm, relaxed atmosphere.

Stepping into Black Creek Pioneer Village feels like a warm hug from the past It's one of my…read moreabsolute favorite escapes from the city's hustle and bustle. As an educator, I'm always enchanted by how they bring history to life - the historic gardens are meticulously kept, and the artisans in the workshops are so passionate about their heritage crafts. I spent my last visit sitting near the old mill with my sketchbook, enjoying the peace and the smell of fresh woodsmoke. It's such a grounding experience, whether you're here for a quiet stroll or a family day trip. If you appreciate the simpler things in life and want to see a different side of Ontario's history, please visit! It's a true neighborhood treasure

My first time in Toronto was pretty memorable! The city felt lively and diverse, with so much going…read moreon everywhere you look. I loved walking around downtown, which has me a mix of modern skyscrapers and historic buildings. The food scene was amazing! with lots of great spots to try from all over the world. It's basically their version of NYC. I also enjoyed visiting the CN Tower and getting an incredible view of the city!

I come here for a family member...and that really is the only reason,…read more It is a great foody town but... Weather sucks Dog poop everywhere Tired and worn down. Everything is expensive and that is with the US to CAD exchange rate too

Last Saturday for the 2nd year in a row I attended PoutineFest (aka Smoke-A-Palooza) at Dundas…read moreSquare. I first started attending Events at the Square in 2008, when I came with a social Group for the opening night of Luminato, an annual Event in Toronto. I attended opening night for the same Event the following two years, and all 3 featured great live entertainment (including Randy Bachman and Sass Jordan) which was very enjoyable to watch and listen to. Some other Events I've attended there were a flash mob Event in 2011 and the launch of a new beer in 2013. The Square has hosted a quite wide variety of Events over the years since it opened; obviously the location couldn't be better as it's so centrally located Downtown with a subway station literally underneath.

I went here after dinner around 8:53pm on a Tuesday and it was so lively! I also visited this place…read moreduring the day too and it seems like it's a popular place. There's also a lot of businesses around this area too. This area is always so lively, but it seemed even more lively when I went there at night! I'm not really sure if it was lively because there was probably an event happening at night that day (they were putting up fences) OR because it's always lively at night. Anyways, when I went here during both day and night, there was always a lot of people. To me, it looked like what I think would be a mini Times Square, but the Canadian version of it. Another cool thing about this place is how they have water that randomly shoots out from the ground where the holes are at. Ok enough about how cool I think this place is, I also think it seems more dangerous at night. Reason why is because I saw a random group street fight break out that day, so I ended up leaving/ran away to avoid that area. I'd still recommend this place! Even though a random fight happened when I went there at night, it's still a fun place. I ended up finding other cool businesses nearby when I left the main part of the square. I was only at the square for 10 minutes before things happened, but I also visited this place during the daytime on a Saturday around 12:18pm and it was still just as lively.

This venue shows miniature versions of major cities in Canada. It opened on 2021-08-05. I've…read morevisited the venue 3 times. I'm amazed at the level of detail in the miniatures. It is a very large venue in the basement of The Tenor. When it opened, it showcased the Golden Horseshoe, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec City, The Maritimes, West Coast (Vancouver, Victoria, Capilano, Okanagan, Tofino), and Northwest Territories. Everything is built to scale. There are moving vehicles and other animations. Each location is also shown in a 24h cycle in 15 mins or so. More Canadian destinations continued to be added, taking 9-12 months to complete. The Little North exhibit is kept in a cooler temperature-controlled room, so that guests can see their breath as they exhale! In Nov 2024, Mini Media was introduced for advertisements embedded within the exhibits like scaled miniature billboards, transit shelters, and murals. There is a Littlization Station. There are 128 cameras that take a 360 degree picture simultaneously of a visitor. They then make two 1/87th scale replica 3D printed models, one of which you take home, and one to be placed in any location you choose! Entry prices increase as there are more attractions added. You can also buy a yearly membership. The venue is open 364 days a year! There are cheaper prices for children (4-12yo), students, and seniors (65+yo). In 2023 Little Canada was named Ontario's Choice Awards Attraction of the Year by Attractions Canada. They do honour the Access 2 card. There is free WiFi. The venue is wheelchair accessible. There are separate male/female washrooms. There is paid neighbourhood street parking and paid parking lots. Review 2026-147

Ah the details that go into this museum! LITTLE things! Little details!…read more You can even make a miniature of yourself to have put into the exhibits or take home and put in a diorama box. So cute

Walking around distillery district was so fun, and the weather was amazing to stroll around. We…read moreeven got to see a free live music performance, and the vibes were immaculate because everyone was gathered around at all the open air restaurants and bars that had TVs going for the soccer matches, so we stood around and watched the games and got to react with everyone in live time.

(Visited 09/02/2025 TU @ 8:30pm): Distillery may have been its history, but this open-air district…read morehas become more than that! After I imbibed at Old Flame Brewing Co., I explored The Distillery Historic District where it was located for a leisurely first evening in Toronto. Over 20 years ago, a small group of visionary developers looked at a derelict collection of Victorian Industrial buildings that had been pronounced a national historic site and imagined transforming it. They wanted to create a place that would excite and inspire the senses. Where people could experience new ideas, new foods, new designs and new ways of living and working. The vision was to combine the romance and relaxing atmosphere of European walking and patio districts with the hip, cool dynamic of an area like New York City's SoHo or Chelsea, where creative minds got together and you felt as if anything could happen. Their dream was to provide a place where artists, artisans, entrepreneurs and businesspeople could rub shoulders and inspire each other. So, they began plans to restore the 47 buildings known as the Gooderham & Worts Distillery. They went to great lengths in the restoration process to repurpose original materials and brilliantly blend them with today's modern materials and green technologies. One could only marvel at the authentic exterior restoration that was achieved. But it was when you stepped inside the buildings that you truly realized the magnitude of what was accomplished. What you found was a dramatic fusion of old and new. An inspired blend of Victorian Industrial architecture and stunning 21st century design and creativity. The result was an internationally acclaimed village of one-of-a-kind stores, shops, galleries, studios, restaurants, cafes, theatres and more. The Distillery Historic District opened in 2003 and today is widely regarded as Canada's premier arts, culture and entertainment destination. A place brimming with creativity and creative people, that could inspire dreams, and a place that could help them come true. Was history on my side to revisit this district that actually had a distillery shop onsite that I missed!? PURCHASE(S) (N/A): I spent some money at Old Flame Brewing Co. (read my review of that) but nowhere else, and certainly nothing directly with the facility itself. Of course, you had ample opportunity to spend your money with other businesses or onsite parking, or simply nothing at all as you just hung out. EXPERIENCE I lazily walked throughout the premises as I checked out the storefronts of mostly closed businesses for the night, people-watched, but mainly admired several art displays https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=1tmuPlZ1LXRKNJC6ViM-vw and enjoyed the nice cool evening weather. SERVICE Besides the employees who worked inside the various businesses and possibly a guard who managed the parking lots, there were no other services available. At this time of night, I didn't see any cleaning crew or security staff - "nuff said. PARKING (Varied; N/A this instance): It was a flat 15-minute walk from my Airbnb. Otherwise, there were both onsite and offsite lots, numerous public transportation options, and rideshares - 'nuff said. ATMOSPHERE, DÉCOR, AMBIENCE A large outdoor area filled with 19th-Century buildings repaired and repurposed to house new businesses https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=fGw7y2G0RTwKqQnQ6VEynA with walking paths https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=xf2flq93fGxjt4L2oJAhmw and open sections for gatherings and live entertainment, and a decent amount of places to sit. Plenty of natural lighting since you were completely outside while a ton of various electric lights and those along the street filled in the rest. There were no TVs on the exterior while the only background noise were the sounds of passing vehicles and the chatter of patrons. https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=8jVT2inwc8GIQ6sH2UG9Vw&start=24&select=oF-rbwyZqdtP9nryC8CVRA ATTIRE Totally casual, so I would normally be in a t-shirt, boardshorts, and flip-flops. OVERALL The Distillery Historic District was very cool, and I would gladly visit it again the next time I was in Toronto. There were so many things to try and take part in given a full day. There were enough varied businesses to spread the money around... or simply just chill. And, I always loved supporting small businesses and efforts whenever possible. I found complete value based on the prices, service, and experience noted above (TOTAL paid experience was around $0.00 BEFORE any discounts and/or tip). And, many of businesses accepted my credit card of choice... AMEX! 5.0 STARS

If you're looking for a nice view of the CN tower and the skyline, come to Baldwin Steps! It is…read moreabout a 5 min walk from Dupont Station. There are lots of steps to climb it but the view is worth it. Plus if you are visiting Casa Loma, this is a great spot to soak in that skyline. As a local, I come here from time to time if I'm in the area just to admire the beauty and snap pictures of the CN tower. Definitely do check it out! Great views.

It's a nice day out, you want to get away from the city just a bit and climb some stairs. I know…read morethat's a very specific scenario, so you might not seek this place out. However, if you're in the area to see Casa Loma or any of the other attractions around, these are a nice set of stairs to climb up. At the top, there's a great view of downtown Toronto and the CN tower. Walk around a bit and you'll see Casa Loma and a number of old heritage buildings in the neighborhood. Enjoy!

Great landmark to take photo of,Built in 1892 and designed by David Roberts Jr., it is recognizable…read morefor its distinctive wedge shape, which lends it the name "flatiron". Also the St. Lawrence market is less than 5 min away, I recommend to check that one as well!

Gooderham Building is also known as the Flatiron Building. It does look like a flatiron. No it is…read morenot as famous as the Flatiron Building in NYC. The building is called the Flatiron building is due to its shape. Yes it is a triangular / iron like shape. The building is not tall and is only 5 stories high. This is a landmark of Toronto. The building was built in 1892. Behind the building is Berczy Park. It is very interesting that there is a 3D mural behind the Gooderham Building.