Today, I’m not going far afield. Let me introduce you to Toronto, Canada’s largest city, and fourth largest in all of North America. The southwestern suburbs have been my home since 1969.
The Toronto skyline is instantly recognizable, thanks to the CN Tower, which is 553.33 metres (1,815.4 ft.) high. Completed in 1976, it was the tallest freestanding structure in the world at that time and is still the tallest in the Western Hemisphere.
It attracts more than two million international visitors annually. In 1995, the CN Tower was declared one of the modern Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It also belongs to the World Federation of Great Towers, where it holds second-place ranking.
The revolving 360 Restaurant offers a fantastic view, stretching for miles. Speaking from personal experience, the view is better than the food, which is of course, over-priced, as is the wont of many tourist attractions.
On August 1, 2011, the CN Tower opened the EdgeWalk, where thrill-seekers can walk on and around the roof of the main pod of the tower at 356 m (1,168.0 ft). It’s the world’s highest full-circle, hands-free walk.
Visitors are tethered to an overhead rail system and walk around the edge of the CN Tower’s main pod above the restaurant on a 1.5 m (4.9 ft) metal floor. Closed throughout the winter season and during periods of electrical storms and high winds. (I would hope so! Not something I can see myself doing. How about you?)
Toronto is a multicultural city, home to many ethnic groups, which adds a wonderful international flavour. There’s a myriad of festivals to indulge in and be entertained by, year round.
Every September, Toronto hosts the world-famous TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival), which plays host to countless celebrities and airs the best of up and coming films.
From Wikipedia: Founded in 1976, TIFF is now one of the most prestigious events of its kind in the world. In 1998, Variety magazine acknowledged that TIFF “is second only to Cannes in terms of high-profile pics, stars and market activity.”
In 2007, Time magazine noted that TIFF had “grown from its place as the most influential fall film festival to the most influential film festival, period.” This is partially the result of TIFF’s ability and reputation for generating”Oscar buzz”.
Actress Reese Witherspoon, TIFF 2005[Photo Credit]
Toronto is rich in culture for every taste, including museums, art galleries, concert halls and much more. There are professional sports teams for Hockey, Basketball, Baseball, Football, Lacrosse and Soccer.
Beautiful parks abound, everywhere. We had our wedding photos taken in High Park, which spans 161 hectares (400 acres), back in 1973.
For music fanatics like myself, Toronto is the best place to be! I would even go so far as to call it a “Music Mecca”. All the big name performers come here and going to concerts is one of my favourite activities. ♫♫♫
[concert photos ©DDB]
This video, made for investors, highlights all the best points about Toronto:
Of course, along with the positives are always some negatives. Case in point would be Rob Ford, Toronto’s bad-ass, butt of comedians’ jokes, alcoholic, joint tokin’, crack smokin’. patois spoutin’ mayor!
[courtesy of Bitstrips Facebook app]
Despite him, the city is doing very well!
Do you like Toronto? Have you ever been here?
Looking forward to your comments!
#AtoZChallenge 2014: T is for TORONTO #dogladysden Share on X
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Dog Mom and (retired) Canine Innkeeper in suburban Toronto, Canada, known as The Doglady. Former corporate workaholic. Writer, photographer, digital creator. Animal lover, music fanatic, inveterate traveller. Eternal hippie/rockchick. History, literature and cinema buff. Hockey and soccer fan. Dedicated night owl. German/Canadian binational, multilingual. Let me entertain you!
37 thoughts on “#AtoZChallenge: “T” is for TORONTO”
I grew up in the Midwest USA and we crossed the border into Toronto a lot. I loved it. As an adult I went there on business a few times but I found that the climate was difficult to handle after living in the Pacific NorthWest for the last 40 years. Do you mind the long winters and humid summers?
Hi Carol; I have to admit the weather here can be unpleasant at times, but that’s about the only minus. On the other hand, winters are generally milder than the rest of the country, (except southern B.C.). This year it was horrible, but that’s an aberration. In fact, they call our area the “Banana Belt” aka “Carolinian Canada”. 😀
Whoa…I would love to walk on the edge of the CN tower!! 😉
You look lovely in the picture! God bless!
You’re braver than I am. 🙂 No way would I do that! LOL Thanks; that photo was taken 41 years ago, when we were still young and pretty. 😉
Looks brilliant! 🙂 🙂 Nice clicks.. I loved it!
Glad you like it! 🙂 Thanks for visiting.
I can’t say I’ve ever been to Toronto. I did cross over into Canada once…before you had to have a passport. We only spent an hour or so there, though, and I think we just drove around.
That whole passport thing sure put a crimp in Canada’s U.S. tourist rankings. Thanks a lot, George Bush! 🙁 Oddly enough, Canadians are mostly okay with getting a passport to go to the U.S. Many like to go shopping there, because things are cheaper, so I guess that makes the passport expense worthwhile. Thanks for visiting. 🙂
I haven’t been to Toronto yet, but my friends and I were just talking the other day about a weekend trip this summer. Here’s hoping!
Toronto is fantastic in the summer. You’d enjoy it Laurel! Look me up when you get here. 🙂
Yay for Toranna! I have been lucky to take a few trips there the past few years and even saw Wizard of Oz there last year with my friend from my teen days. What a city! I enjoyed my time there in your home town even if you do have a crazy mayor! 😉 He has put Toronto on the map but maybe not in a good way.
I took the boys there in 2010 and we enjoyed going to the CN Tower. That was before that new addition of being able to walk around the edge wearing the harness. EEEK! Bad enough just walking over that clear glass and looking down. That was bad enough. Quite the spectacular view though and it was a clear day so we were lucky.
Hope to go to Toronto again sometime. Maybe we could even meet, Debbie. That would be fun.
Yes, Rob Ford has made Toronto famous, for all the wrong reasons. LOL It’s been quiet lately. At least until the next “drunken stupor” episode. 😛
I’ve seen the view through the glass and that’s good enough for me too. No way would I try the harness walk! If you ever come back this way, Cathy, please let me know and we could surely arrange a meeting. That would be great! 🙂
Toronto has grown and grown since the 70’s and I think of it as North America’s city of the future. And a place where we West New Yorkers can catch Broadway class theatre and big-name musical concerts galore!
It’s a welcoming city. It’s an ethic haven yet a familiar city; and forgiving the cliché it’s a clean city.
It’s also my neighbor and my cousin. I ♥ Toronto!
Oh, yeah. I would take that walk. Come with me?
The Edgewalk? No way, Jose’ :O Too scary for me!
Well, it’s not as clean as it used to be and there’s a lot more crime too, sad to sat. 🙁 Still a beautiful city though, with lots of interesting things to do.
Thanks Chi Chi 🙂
I haven’t been too many places in Canada and it’s right next door to the US. That’s just not right!
I am so happy you included your 1973 wedding photo. First of all congratulations on such a long and seemingly happy marriage. I so admire people who are able to share their lives like you have. And secind – that flowered 70’s dress LOL I LOVE IT Can you believe I got married the same year (didn’t last) in a pink and purple paisley dress?!?! Seeing you two cuties sure put a smile on my face! Peace, love and grooviness 🙂
Lots of great places to visit in Canada, Sammy. 🙂 Yes, we’ll be celebrating our 41st anniversary this year and can hardly believe it, ourselves! That was my hippie wedding dress. LOL I still have it, but of course it doesn’t fit. 😛 Looking at hubby’s shoes always makes me laugh. Crazy fashions back then! Pink and purple paisley was the height of fashion. I can dig it! 😀
I am completely terrified of heights. Not sure how well I would do on that walk, although I am sure the view is incredible!
I have no desire to try that walk, Kathy! :O The view is great from the restaurant and also the observation deck. Good enough. LOL
love the post on Toronto, Debbie. I haven’t ventured that way yet, but who knows. U and ur hubby look wonderful 🙂
Look me up when you get here! 🙂 Thanks for the compliment. We did look good then – it was 41 years ago. 😛
That was a fab tour of Toronto, Debbie. Love your wedding pic. A few of my friends stay in Toronto 🙂
Glad you enjoyed it Shilpa! Maybe you’ll be able to visit those friends in Toronto one day. 🙂 Ah yes, the wedding – over 40 years ago! Hard to believe. Thanks.
I can’t see me going up there in those conditions, either. Perhaps when I was younger… Your enthusiasm seems like my enthusiasm for New York City–who knows why that might be? 😉 Now for sure we’ll have to get together at least twice–here and in Canada! 😀
HI Mary; Yes, I really love living here, (well, except for the weather, sometimes). 🙂 New York City is definitely on my list of places to visit and it would be fun if you came here, too.
Nice to read about Toronto. I once spent a couple of days in this beautiful city – this was many years ago, I think in the year 2000. We walked around the streets of the city, did some sight-seeing and visited some art galleries too…though I can’t recall their names or anything. Good picture of you and your husband there in the beautiful surroundings 🙂
Glad you enjoyed your time in Toronto, Beloo. I love it here. 🙂 Thanks for mentioning the photo. Ah, to be that young and pretty again! Sigh….
I first read about Toronto as a child in an Archies Comics when the whole gang went for a trip there…And this post somehow reminded me of that 🙂
That’s interesting, Naba. I never knew Toronto was featured in a comic book. 🙂 Speaking of comic books, did you know that the person who created Superman was Canadian? Thanks for visiting.
I attended a travel blogger conference in Toronto last June. It was my first time visiting the city and I was favorably impressed. (At that point, Rob Ford was still denying he used crack cocaine. ) After the conference, I visited Kingston and Ottawa which I also enjoyed.
I think I remember reading your post about that and commenting as well, Suzanne. 🙂 June is usually a good month to visit, weather-wise. Ottawa is really pretty too. Thanks for stopping by.
almost came close to travelling there (as part of mycompany) but cancelled last moment 🙁 still waitingfor another opportunity
PhenoMenon
You would enjoy Toronto, I’m sure. 🙂 Thanks for dropping by.
A lovely and lively description of Toronto…
I’ve never been there, but would definitely love to add it to my wish list of dream destinations…:)
It’s a great city with lots to do and see. Look me up when you get here! 🙂