Top Rated Attractions in Toronto

Occupying an entire block in the heart of Toronto's cultural district is the famous TIFF Bell Lightbox which boasts a cinema, studios and galleries which display works of art related to cinema. Visitors here are often astonished by the mammoth collection of world cinema that is screened.

Known in the 1930s as the Jewish Market, Kensington today is an awesome display of the city's multi-ethnicity. Here you will find shops packed with products from Europe, Middle East, South America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia and you will hear dozens of languages spoken. A visit to this neighborhood is like taking a trip around the world! With more than 100 shops in all selling everything from second-hand clothing to fresh produce, from exotic pastries to art objects and furniture, you won't go away empty-handed.

If you like shoes, you'll love this museum devoted entirely to footwear; see shoes from various cultures and all parts of the world, from ancient times to the present. Fancy shoes and basic ones, boots and sandals, they are all in the Raymond Moriyama building, located north of the University of Toronto campus. You can view more than 10,000 pairs in all. Celebrity shoes include Queen Victoria's ballroom slippers, Elvis's blue patent loafers and Karen Kain's ballet pointes.

Just one street over from this trendy strip is the Ontario College of Art and Design, Queen Street West is one of the top shopping streets in the city. When young artists graduated and were desperate for cash, they would bring their treasures here to sell. Soon small shops stuffed with unique items began popping up on Queen Street West. Today, you can still find unusual gifts from cool clothing to antique comics either in the stores or from one of the many friendly street vendors. It's also a hot spot for restaurants and bars such as the Epicure Cafe, the Rivoli and the Queen Mother Cafe.

Riverdale Park East is a great place to escape to, if you wish for some fresh air to breathe without leaving the city. This park area makes for a great day out with friends or family as there are a gamut of activities for everyone to pick from. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy a game of baseball or football, while kids can run around at the playground. The ice rink is ideal for skating as well as ice hockey, while a swim in the outdoor pool is quite refreshing. All this activity is bound to leave you hungry; lay down for a meal in their picnic spot, and take a small hike along one of their many trails.

Home to the Austin family for more than a century, Spadina House is now operated as a museum by the City of Toronto Cultural Services. Although some restoration has taken place, the original feel of the 55-room mansion has been wonderfully preserved, giving visitors a glimpse into a time when immigration increased and tabloid journalism had its beginnings (1918-1939). Rooms are also available for hire. The tour guides will make sure that the experience is thoroughly informative and educational while still being fun.