This is a neat and hip little hangout spot located in central downtown Toronto. There is metered…read morestreet parking within a reasonable walking distance, but the easiest parking location is the commercial garage located right under the square. That is what I did. The Square also has a few bus stops as well, if you wish to take public transit. It is named after Nathan Philipps, mayor of Toronto from 1955 to 1962 and dates back to 1965. There have been many modifications and upgrades since then. The Square is a decent size, spanning 12 acres and is located in the shadow of Toronto's city Hall. It is a symbol of peace and remembrance. The Square features the world-famous LED multi-color changing Toronto sign. It is definitely worth checking out. The sign serves as the backdrop to the Square's water features that is a reflecting pool in the warmer months and a full-fledged skating rink in the winter. I visited in the winter, so the skating rink was in full effect. In addition to the sign, the Square has a peace garden, which was created as a memorial to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, a stage and several pieces of public art that include the Three Way Piece No.2: Archer The Square offers skate rentals, but a lot of people had their own. It is Canada. The Square also has a snack bar and usually has a food truck or two about on high traffic days. You will find a few cement benches to sit on while you are here and stairwells throughout the park that lead down to the underground parking garage. This spot is used to host some of the city's special events including the Cavalcade of Lights, New Year's Celebrations, Remembrance Day Celebrations, concerts, festivals and rallies. The Square is a popular spot among locals and tourist alike. The place was packed when I was there with skaters and visitors, but it was New years Eve. They did shot the skating off at 10PM that night. I really enjoyed hanging out at the Square. There is not a lot to do, outside of ice skating, but there is so much to see. Be sure to get a picture in front of the Toronto sign while you are there. It was a bit busy, but nothing too unbearable. The line for the skate rental was ridiculous, but I stayed away from it. Anyway, this is a must see while you are in Toronto and I highly recommend checking it out.

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.

Introduction: My…read moregirlfriend & I visited Toronto from the US in June 2025, and CN Tower was awesome! I just wrapped up an America 250 series of various American restaurants/businesses. From Odenton (Maryland) to Ontario now. 250 years since our Declaration of Independence in 1776 is a huge accomplishment; Canada will eventually get their 250 mark in 2117. While we have a lot to be proud of, but like any country, there's going to be some aspects that aren't so good. I don't like the bullying of Canada going on with Tariffs, talk of 51st state, & most recently President declaring Lake Ontario being Lake America. It's been known as Lake Ontario since 1639 (or earlier) when Ingenious tribe called this massive Great Lake this. US Google Maps are caving with Lake America, but I'll still call it Lake Ontario. Experience at CN Tower: Awesome views of Lake ONTARIO & Toronto skyline! It's a little expense, but when do you ever get to go to the tallest structure in the entire Western Hemisphere? We paid the extra for the very top section, which a smaller area an extra 100 meters higher up at 447 meters (1467'). But even if you go with the 346 meters option (1135'), it's still an awesome view, but we wanted the highest possible view. How this compares with other high structures I've been? There's 7 viewing platforms, which are above 250 meters in the US. I've been to 2 of them. The taller of the 2 is Hancock Tower in Chicago is 314 meters (1030') & the other was STRAT in Vegas is 265 meters (869'). Both of which are less even the main viewing platform at CN Tower. I could've gone up to the tallest in the US, the Willis Tower in Chicago, but I chose Hancock as I read better views of Lake Michigan & downtown skyline in general than from Willis, not to mention more expensive. My friend went to Willis as he wanted to go to the tallest possible. Willis is taller than CN Tower main viewing platform but still 35 meters short of the CN Tower Top platform. We got a lot of great pics of Lake Ontario, downtown Skyline, Rogers Centre, etc. We spent more time in the main viewing area, which was much larger area. There was also a glass platform on main level, you can look down the side of the tower itself all the way to the ground. I enjoyed that, but my girlfriend wanted nothing to do with that as it can be scary to be above open glass looking down. The Top section was even more outstanding views. But it was a smaller viewing platform, and it was kind of hot in that section. It's debatable if it's worth the extra money as the main platform was still outstanding. But why not go all the way to the top most, which really is the highest viewing platform in Western Hemisphere. Main platform is the still the 4th tallest (when not factoring Top platform) behind #1 Willis Tower in Chicago, #2 & 3 (World Trade Center & Empire State Building in New York). Just a sampling of my pics. Some show the Canadian wildfire smoke/haze was less than ideal, but still got a lot of great pics. In summary, this was an awesome highlight of our Toronto vacation.

Will update as I am waiting in line. Make sure you come…read moreearly. 8:15pm reservation and it's been 40 minutes and we are in a line trying to get into the elevator to the observation deck. People had dinner reservations at the 360 restaurant and had to ditch this line because it was taking too long. Be prepared for TSA type security upon entrance. Will update review if I ever get in.

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.

Price: 35 CAD or so for adults, a bit less for kids or seniors…read moreTime: 60-90 minutes. Less if you're rushing, but I wouldn't. Add an extra 20/30 minutes if you're going to look at everything/use the shop or station Location: Lower basement of The Tenor Other Notes: Free Wi-Fi and scavenger hunts for kids Side note: There is a separate business page with one review and no photos for their newer name, Pocket Planet Canada. I requested a merge or similar Toronto Review 10/Many: I went to this excellent exhibition, previously known as Little Canada, with another person. They are located downstairs in the basement of The Tenor. The price was reasonable, and we stayed for around 80 minutes, but it definitely could have been longer. I have previously been to a couple of other miniature museums, but never one with this much detail and with so many moving parts. The staff was friendly, and they had some scavenger hunts and other things for kids. The first area goes over Niagara and the surrounding area. Along with showing some early movement, this also introduced one of their interesting features, where the models and room shift between day and night. Then came the largest portion, which, as expected, was the Little Toronto section. This included one of the highlights, a scaled replica of the Rogers Center, including a fully retractable roof and lights and sound that can be turned on and off. There was also, of course, the CN Tower, various squares, and other things. The remaining sections covered the remaining parts of Canada. I would go into all the details, but I honestly think that it shouldn't be spoiled. In case you do want to see, I have also posted many photos. A particular highlight for me was an appropriately wintry take on Petit Quebec. After the exhibits, there was a "Littlization Station," which we didn't take part in as we didn't have time, but apparently it makes miniatures of people using a lot of high-quality cameras. I saw something similar before at a studio in NYC, and it's a fun idea to add that here too. There was also the Miniature Maker's Studio, where a friendly woman was answering questions regarding how they make things otherwise. Finally, there was a particularly excellent gift shop that sold some items you can't buy online, such as miniatures and other things. I bought a nice cherry blossom one, but there were also some options for all different regions of Canada. For how long the experience is and how detailed it is, I found this more than worth it. Overall, this was the unexpected highlight of the trip, and I heavily recommend it for people of all ages. I can see why they've won awards.

Interesting and educational mini Canada exhibit. They make it extra exciting for the kids with a…read moretheme to search for...right now it's Maurice the Moose. In the past, it looks like they have had Superhero's , KPop Demon Hunters and Moana. My little one enjoyed searching for Maurice in each section. Some surprise effects like watching the Skydome open and close, and the odd train or car moving, added to the fun. The whole thing took us about 90 minutes to complete and we were not rushing. We wanted to do the mini figure creation but there was a long line. I don't think we would go here again though, unless it was a completely new experience or something . Giving it four stars for that reason and also because it was pricey for what it was and there was no line up process to see each section. We kept getting 'stuck' behind a group. The only was to pass them meant skipping a large section. A briefing at the start, explaining to keep moving could help. We did make an afternoon of it though. Went to Shake Shack next door, walked down Yonge Street and then through the Eaton Center...

Cute outdoor brick area with shops and restaurants…read more Highlights: - Adorable pedestrian area with an open spot in the middle and few side alleys to explore - Stores, cafes, restaurants, and places to have drinks - Cool art all around - Few cute photo ops like the LOVE spelled out in chains of locks and a heart to frame a pic in - Everything from a sock store to a UK souvenir store to clothing bakeries and a full distillery - When we were there they had a country festival with special events and a stage with live music - Locals and tourists can enjoy it Lowlights - Probably wouldn't be as fun in rainy weather since it's outdoors

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.

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.