TORONTO Six top draws in the capital city
Toronto’s many attractions help make it the perfect Canadian getaway, offering both culture and fun
BARBARA TAYLOR and WAYNE NEWTON
Mind-bending illusions that confuse and amuse, centuries-old Qur’ans and sharks overhead.
With spring on our radar, we explored diverse attractions in downtown Toronto or close by — from an illusions museum to the opera to eateries and breweries. Suffice to say our 72-hour assignment, hosted by Tourism Toronto, proved an appealing eye-opener resulting in an A for awe from us for the big Ontario city.
ONTARIO SCIENCE CENTRE
For science-minded and inquisitive minds, there’s no better place to explore than the Ontario Science Centre, which celebrated its 50th birthday in 2019. Multi-generation visitors were clearly having fun interacting with each other and the exhibits when we popped in.
The main exhibit areas, highlighted by the classic hair-raising Energy Show, have remained science centre icons. A spacious exhibit hall before visitors descend into the ravine features rotating science shows.
Our time there focused on Mindworks, a special exhibit rooted in facial pareidolia — when you see faces in such familiar objects as jerry cans or building entrances. There are psychological interactive question-and-answer exhibits — be careful what you share with the crowd — while a whodunit virtual reality dinner is served every few minutes.
AGA KHAN MUSEUM
At the internationally renowned Aga Khan Museum, we were greeted by a mesmerizing pop-up performance by musician Amin Reihani playing an Iranian santoor, a kind of hammered dulcimer. Pop-ups feature an array of music played on instruments not often heard in North America.
We opted for an architectural tour before viewing the exhibit halls. The museum, which opened in 2014, features a stunning design by architect Fumihiko Maki. Depending on the time of day and season, light hits the building in different ways to throw patterns on the exterior walls. Maki also incorporated historical elements from Islamic culture, many of which were explained on our tour of this contemporary marvel conducted by volunteer Mohamed Bhanji.
Across a pond-filled courtyard sits the Ismaili Centre Toronto, a pyramid designed by architect Charles Correa. The tranquil courtyard, known as the Aga Khan Park, is the work of a third architect, Vladimir Djurovic.
Exhibits include priceless, centuries-old art and vases from the Islamic world and a number of ancient, handwritten copies of the Qur’an. Photography, without the use of flash, is encouraged.
There’s also a stellar restaurant featuring world foods (paired with local craft beer). The regular menu includes such items as baba ghanouj, halloumi bites and, from West Africa, mini lamb suya.
MUSEUM OF ILLUSIONS
Flush with distortions such as slanted floors and holograms, the Museum of Illusions packs a big punch with mind tricks and Instagrammable gobsmackers.
Its illusions warp your sense of size, perspective and balance, and even deal you in at a multiplayer card game in which you may (or may not) be the only player.
One popular feature literally locks you in a prism.
THEATRE AND OPERA
The theatre companies Studio 180 Theatre and Canadian Stage found the perfect location in a 1887 former Consumers Gas Corp. building, now the Marilyn and Charles Baillie Theatre, for their co-production of Sweat. The play is about the struggles of a group of steel mill workers who frequent a tavern.
The Canadian Opera Company’s matinee performance of The Barber of Seville at the Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts was a wonderful change of pace.
The iconic opera was exhilarating and especially enjoyable with a view of the orchestra from our third-floor seats. The show accommodated non-italian speaking and neophyte patrons with an electronic surtitle board across the top of the stage. The enormous venue with a stylish multi-tiered lobby is worth a look on its own, even if you don’t see a performance.
RIPLEY’S AQUARIUM
Whether you enjoy a lively daytime visit to Ripley’s Aquarium or, as we did this time, choose to be enchanted in the evening, the watery wonder will ignite your imagination.
Touch a stingray, have your fingers nibbled by creatures popping out from the sand, pause as sharks and swordfish swim overhead, be mesmerized by sea nettles ( jellyfish) or exchange glances with a stingray lolling above you — it’s all there to “sea.”
Know, too, that Ripley’s provides a vast array of information with staff at the ready to answer any queries you or your curious companions may have.
EATS AND BREWS
Just two years old, the Northern Maverick Brewing Company has gained the reputation as one of Toronto’s top restaurants, with a menu that goes way beyond pub grub. It’s located in a cavernous space on the ground floor of a 12-storey condominium on Bathurst Street near Adelaide Street West.
We were glad to have reservations for the “hopping” eatery.
We were also glad to know Steam Whistle Biergarten is still serving delicious fare and brews for a hearty luncheon with friendly servers and visitors.
The dimly lit Bar Reyna is best described as dark and delicious. It was an exotic breath of fresh air with the look of vegetation hanging from the ceiling that greeted us on a grey February night when we leaned in to see the menu of an eclectic mix of cocktails, tables snacks and shareable plates.
And it’s just a five-minute walk from the home of Canadian Stage.
STAY
The Chelsea Hotel at 33 Gerrard St. W. boasts 1,590 rooms, is fully smoke-free, and has family friendly amenities with Family Fun Zone pool and games area on the second floor and an adults-only pool and fitness centre on the 27th floor. Dining options include the buffet-style Market Garden.