One City, Three Ways: Toronto

Sitting pretty on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is staking its claim as a truly cosmopolitan travel destination, complete with that quintessentially irresistible Canadian charm.

Whether you’re looking for eclectic art and culture, a robust and globally-influenced restaurant scene, or a chance to embrace your inner urban explorer, there are no shortage of ways to experience the best that this city has to offer.

Rest easy at the Kimpton Saint George when visiting Toronto. (Photo Credit: @saintgeorgetoronto)

Really, we mean it — rest easy. (Photo Credit: @saintgeorgetoronto)

So, what should you do when visiting Toronto? Keep reading for our favorite recs.

Imagination and Ingenuity on Display

Toronto is rich in world-renowned cultural institutions, installations, and events that keep locals and travelers alike entertained and endlessly curious. Here are our favorite recommendations:

Art is everywhere in Toronto. (Photo Credit: @mason_studio)

Just look up, and all around. (Photo Credit: @lovesey)

• Check out The ROM, Canada’s largest museum, which contains a wide range of galleries and exhibitions ranging from art to natural history to world culture.
• Venture beyond downtown to the Aga Khan Museum in North York, which showcases Muslim art, heritage, and artifacts. Or visit the McMichael Art Gallery in Kleinburg with its extensive collection of works by well-known Canadian artists.
• If you’re in town at the end of April/beginning of May and enjoy a good documentary, score a ticket to one of more than 200 films showing at the Hot Docs Film Festival.
• Looking beyond the popular Mirvish productions, theatre buffs can explore Toronto’s contemporary theatre scene at the Tarragon Theatre, which bills itself as “Canada’s home for ground-breaking contemporary plays.”
• As you stroll around the city, keep an eye out for Toronto’s famous street art — you’ll find yourself in the midst of some dazzling photo ops.

Enticing Eats, Internationally Inspired

Vibrant and varied, Toronto’s dining scene is shaped by the city’s cultural diversity. That, and Torontonians’ obsession with all things food. Here’s where to go:

The foodie scene has expanded exponentially in Toronto. (Photo Credit: @saintgeorgetoronto)

• This city is serious about brunch and while Toronto loves French toast and a classic eggs benny, you can shake up your brunch order all over town. On weekends, Gusto 101 offers an Italian-inspired brunch or you can hit up Luckee for dim sum. Lady Marmalade serves a delicious huevos migas, or check out Egyptian brunch spot Maha’s for dishes like the Cairo Classic or the Pharaoh’s Po’ Boy.
• Toronto’s lunch offerings are also on-point. Try Pai for mouth-watering Thai cuisine or Torteria San Cosme for flavorful Mexican street food. You could also grab a bite at the pan-Asian sandwich shop, Banh Mi Boys.
• No matter your cuisine of choice, dinner in Toronto is always satisfying. Enjoy New Asian flavors at DaiLo, Middle Eastern & European Jewish fare at Fat Pasha, or Spanish pintxos, tapas, and tasty cocktails at Bar Raval.
• What about a nightcap, you say? Beer enthusiasts will love the selection at Birreria Volo, while cocktail lovers are sure to find a tempting tipple at the aptly named Cocktail Bar on Dundas West.

Nurtured by Nature

Hardly a concrete jungle, Toronto features abundant green spaces — you’ll find yourself surrounded by nature without ever leaving the Greater Toronto Area.

Visit the Toronto Botanical Gardens on your next trip. (Photo Credit: Shainee Fernando)

The gardens will transport you out of this massive, metropolitan city. (Photo Credit: Kyle Wagner)

• Have a picnic, visit yaks and peacocks at the zoo, and let your pup off its leash at High Park, Toronto’s largest public park. If you’re visiting the city during the spring, you might even catch the annual blooming of the cherry blossoms.
• From the sizzling summer months to the depths of winter, Christie Pits Park’s outdoor skating rink, public pool, and summer outdoor film screenings make it a popular destination all year round.
• Go for a discovery walk or hop on a bike along the nature trails interspersed throughout the city. It’s the perfect combination of fresh air, exercise, gorgeous views, and a bit of history.
• Surround yourself with beauty at the Toronto Botanical Garden. In addition to four acres of lush gardens, there is a year-round organic farmers’ market and a free summer music series (both on Thursdays).

After a long day of exploring, Kimpton Saint George will welcome you home. (Photo Credit: @royfosscadillacthornhill)

With so much to do and see in Toronto, the Kimpton Saint George gives you the perfect opportunity to stay right in the middle of it all. What will you explore on your next trip to Toronto?

Where to stay: Kimpton Saint George