Toronto Toronto cont’d
Canada’s largest city is a centre for improv comedy, hockey, artisan suds – and the gateway to the majestic Niagara Falls. By James Wilkinson
SEE AND DO
It’s worth the two-hour train ride down to Niagara Falls, where you’ll see nearly 3 million litres per second tumble down the curved cliffs of this natural wonder. Here you can stand next to the falls, hop on a boat and cruise up close, or, should you want the ultimate view, hop in a helicopter and hover above. Day trips are available from Toronto and many include winery visits on the way. Alternatively you can catch a train and guide yourself. www.niagarafalls.ca.
Back in Toronto, head on up to the sky pod at the CN Tower, which is three quarters of the way up the 553-metre structure, and get views across Toronto and the province of Ontario. Grab a coffee at Horizons Café and you’d best hold onto your cup on a windy day because the tower is known to sway now and then. 301 Front St W, Toronto. +1 416 868 6937. www.cntower.ca.
During ice hockey season head to the Air Canada Centre, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs ( mapleleafs.nhl.com). Don a jersey or a hat and root for the locals in a game that’s not just a sport but a national obsession. If the Maple Leafs are out of town, local NBA basketball team the Toronto Raptors ( www.nba.com/raptors) put on a good show too. 40 Bay St, Toronto. +1 416 815 5500. www.theaircanadacentre.com.
Head to the Royal Ontario Museum, Canada’s largest museum, where you’ll find 30 galleries showcasing art, archaeology and natural science. Now showing is Pompeii: In the Shadow of the Volcano. 100 Queens Park, Toronto. +1 416 586 8000. www.rom.on.ca/en.
Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner and Martin Short are all alumni of the Toronto outpost of Chicago’s Second City. Catch some brilliant improv shows including the daily main stage revue, How to Kill a Comedian. 51 Mercer St, Toronto. +1 416 343 0011. www.secondcity.com/shows/toronto.
Every September the Toronto International Film Festival takes over town. One of the largest in the world, it’s where many films expected to win Oscars are launched. Screenings are open to the public, but be fast to book for the big movies. tiff.net. Sep 10-20 2015.
EAT AND DRINK
At the 200-year-old St Lawrence Market, find over 100 bakers, butchers and artisans alongside antiques sellers on weekends. Stop by Chris Cheesemonger, a specialist in creamy Québecois provisions and pâtés; St Urbain for a bagel; and Churrasco of St Clair for a chicken roll. 92-95 Front St E, Toronto. +1 416 392 7219. www.stlawrencemarket.com.
Get your craft beer fix at
Hockey is not just a sport but a national obsession
Bellwoods Brewery on happening Ossington Avenue, where artisan suds are available on tap – make ours a Belgian IPA or a Brown Porter – alongside some tasty tucker, including Welsh rarebit, foie gras terrine and fried chicken. 124 Ossington Ave, Toronto. +1 416 535 4586. bellwoodsbrewery.com.
Also on Ossington, score a table for brunch at the Saint Tavern and order the devilled eggs and the breakfast sandwich; or, should it be dinner, the slow-cooked pork jowl is the call. 227 Ossington Ave, Toronto. +1 647 350 2100. www.thesainttavern.com.
Northwood is the place for a fresh brewed Americano or macchiato in the morning, while at night order a Vieux Carré, Aviation or a Corpse Reviver. There’s a good 40 craft beers by the bottle or on tap. 815 Bloor St W, Toronto. +1 416 846 8324. northwoodto.ca.
STAY
Four Seasons’ global HQ is in Toronto and the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto in Yorkville is an intimate hotel with 259 guestrooms with views over the city; Café Boulud, starring locally sourced cuisine; and D Bar with its impressive Canadian wine list. 60 Yorkville Ave, Toronto. +1 416 964 0411. www.fourseasons.com.
GET THERE
Air New Zealand ( www.airnewzealand. com.au) flies to Vancouver with onward connections available to Toronto. Upgrade to Business Class, where Air New Zealand offers world-class service, food and wine that highlight the best NZ has to offer. Flatbed seats feature thick seat-toppers, large pillows and duvets. You won’t get bored, with hundreds of hours of entertainment available on demand.
For more insights into Toronto visit timeout.com/toronto.