Canada – the country of maple syrup, poutine, ice hockey, and Timbits. The land of opportunity and diversity. The home to the biggest number of lakes in the world and the birthplace of snowmobile, plexiglass, and electron microscope. It is also probably the only country where people spend as much time apologizing as they spend breathing. 

The Great White North, as people often nickname Canada, has a lot to offer including its vibrant cities, of which Toronto is the largest one and it claims the title of the capital city too. Toronto is a popular tourist destination due to its many attractions, from galleries, music, and film festivals to sports events, not to mention that Niagara Falls is just over 1-hour drive away. It is a  dynamic city with a booming restaurant and nightlife scene and it should definitely be on your list of cities to visit while in Canada. It is almost impossible to be bored in Toronto or to get bored of it!

The decision of what to see in Toronto completely depends on two factors: how much time you have and what are your interests. If you are an art lover, you can get lost in all its museums, galleries, and numerous architectural masterpieces located directly in the city or in its close proximity. On the other hand, if you are more interested in nature or the outdoors, you might consider paying a visit to one of the many local parks, the zoo, or the botanical gardens. Here is a list of a few iconic attractions that are well-beloved by tourists and thus are worth seeing. 

1. CN Tower: As the tallest (1,815 ft) monument in the city, the CN Tower has become a symbol of Toronto. It offers a  360° view of the city panorama. The elevator ride to the top takes an astonishing 58 seconds and once you are up you can choose to take in the spectacular views from a number of different observation levels, one of which features a glass floor!
   
   
2. Royal Ontario Museum: If you are a fan of history, art, and science, then the Royal Ontario Museum is the place to go. It will transport you to the times long gone with its historic and prehistoric artifacts that are on display here. Apart from the permanent exhibits, the museum regularly holds temporary exhibitions. If you visit, make sure to check out the Martian meteorites at the Earth’s Treasures collection.
   
   
3. Casa Loma: Originally built in 1914 as a private residence, Casa Loma is a picturesque Edwardian castle sitting on top of a hill overlooking Toronto. The complex boasts 5 acres of land and includes flower gardens along with stables. Its beauty has caught the eye of various Hollywood directors. You might recognize it from the X-men saga, where it originally served as professor Xavier’s residence and later as a school.
   
   
4.  Distillery Historic District: This mini-neighborhood will immediately make you feel like you are walking the streets of Victorian Toronto. The pedestrian-only zone with its cobblestone streets and industrial-looking buildings is now a place where culture, dining, and shopping experiences meet in one place. Head here for a romantic stroll that ends with dinner and bask in the unique atmosphere of this area. 
   
   
5. Graffiti Alley: The best place to experience street and mural art in Toronto is this popular alley that runs 3 blocks and can be found in Toronto’s Fashion District. It features small, as well as bigger colorful pieces that will convince you of the artistic value of graffiti. It is also a popular location for photoshoots, videos, and street festivals.
   
   
6. Toronto Islands: To get to the 15 inter-connected islands, take a ferry that departs from downtown, and in 13 minutes you arrive at Centre Island. You can easily walk from one island to another or you can get a bike and explore the islands in this way. When it comes to the activities you can do, the list is endless. You could simply relax on the beach, visit the amusement park, go see the historic lighthouse, or try kayaking.
   
   
7. Niagara Falls: Although not directly located in Toronto, Niagara Falls are a sight worth seeing. The waterfalls, which Canada shares with the U.S., are one of the most famous and most visited waterfalls in the world. They are especially magnificent in the evening during the nightly light shows. You can also take a boat tour to see them from a closer angle, just remember – you will likely get wet. If you prefer the bird’s perspective you can always book a helicopter tour instead. 

We could go on and on and on with our list of sights to see in Toronto and we still wouldn’t be able to list them all. The attractions mentioned above are what we consider the creme de la creme of the Toronto sightseeing scene and they are a good starting point for someone on a tight schedule as well as for someone wishing to delve deeper into the exploration mode.