Canada is the number one place to go in 2017
By Lucas on Jan 06, 2017
The New York Times recently published its “52 Places to Go in 2017” and guess who topped the list? That’s right, Canada took number one thanks to its “cosmopolitan cities” and “barely explored natural wonders.”
The New York Times also draws attention to the fact that Canada is celebrating its 150th anniversary of its confederation (when all the original colonies became one country). More than 200 national parks have free admission. You can visit the “turquoise lakes” and mountain ranges of Banff in Alberta, or tour the “rolling dunes and red sandstone cliffs” of PEI on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, or check out the Mealy Mountains in Labrador.
Ottawa’s year of anniversary celebrations are also highlighted, as well as Montreal’s 375th birthday celebrations. Of course, the weak Canadian dollar is also mentioned, meaning Americans can get more bang for their buck north of the border.
We may be the first to say it, but it is kind of odd to have the entire country as one of the places to visit and a paragraph highlighting a few hot spots. If you throw a dart at a map of Canada and simply go to that town or city, there’s a decent chance you’ll be questioning the New York Times’ travel opinion.
That said, we want to highlight a few Toronto attractions that our southern neighbours may find interesting:
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
The ROM is one of the largest museums of world culture, art and history in North America. There are six million items on display and 40 galleries, plus there are always interesting exhibitions.
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
You don’t need to travel to The Louvre in Paris to see paintings by Van Gogh, Matisse, Monet, or Gaugin. There are more than 80,000 pieces and like the ROM, the AGO hosts unique exhibitions all year.
Scarborough Bluffs
Located on the east side of Toronto, the Bluffs reach 300 feet at their highest point. The Bluffs span 15 kilometers along Lake Ontario. You can walk right up to the edge and even along the bottom of it in some areas.
St. Lawrence Market
Rated by National Geographic as the best farmer’s market in the world, the St. Lawrence Market is a must see! There are hundreds of vendors selling antiques and locally grown produce. This is Toronto’s oldest neighbourhood and it has definitely maintained its old-world charm.
Toronto Island
View from the island
Go from downtown to sandy beaches with just a short ferry ride. Some believe that the best Toronto skyline views are seen from the Island, so that’s where photographers need to go.
Take a food tour
There are many food tours offered in Toronto. The city’s diverse population means we specialize in a wide array of cuisines.
Ossington restaurants and bars
Via Bellwoods Brewery (124 Ossington Avenue)
If you want to hit an up-and-coming spot and experience Toronto’s foodie and bar scene, you should start at Queen and Ossington and head north on Ossington. The selection of independently owned shops and eateries is almost overwhelming.
Kensington Market
If you’re a fan of vintage clothing, fresh produce, and delicious bakeries, then you need to stroll through Kensington Market. You’ll love the laid back vibe and cheap eats.
If you live outside of Canada and you’re reading this, come to Toronto, there’s a lot to do. And who knows, you may even end up moving here.
