Toronto is one of the cities capable of eliciting absolutely different opinions from a wide range of people. Some tourists say that Toronto is one of the finest cities in North America due to its variety and cleanliness, whereas others claim that the city is boring and too expensive to visit, especially when compared to the bright cities of America, like Chicago or New York.
Can we say that Toronto is worth visiting?
After exploring the downtown area for a day, riding a subway, visiting the famous market in St. Lawrence, tasting the authentic Canadian food, going up the CN Tower, and seeing the islands in Toronto, I had enough time to form my own impression about the biggest city in the country.
My first day in Toronto started with the downtown area since I left my hotel and took the subway to reach my first destination.
The closest subway station was St. Andrew. Initially, I found the subway system quite challenging since I encountered more than one map and had to navigate different directions. The term subway, used by residents, is the local name for the underground transit network, but visitors may know it by other names, such as metro.
I was fortunate to meet a local passenger who offered to show me the way. The instructions were quite clear – I only needed to take the train from the south to King and walk to St. Lawrence Market.
Finally, I could see that the station was very clean and tidy. The subway train was also equipped with an air-conditioning system. The ride was short, too. It took me just a few minutes to travel from St. Andrew to King station.
The subway system may be a bit tricky for first-timers, but it should not be a problem when one knows where to go.
Toronto’s Unblemished and Diverse Downtown
I enjoyed walking around the downtown area of Toronto. Tall buildings created an atmosphere of a typical big city in North America but at the same time, the rich multicultural nature of Toronto was not difficult to recognize.
All kinds of languages were heard in the streets, nationalities were represented in the great variety of restaurants, and the city attracts representatives of a number of cultures.
Toronto’s diversity is believed to be one of its most important features.
At the same time, during my walk, I encountered something unpleasant. There were homeless people and other people in obvious distress. This was sometimes hard to see – for instance, when the person appeared to be sleeping or even unconscious on the street.
At the same time, it should be noted that this problem is not a problem of only Toronto but also of other great cities, both in America and Europe.
Shortly after I started exploring Toronto, I found myself in a nice park where the atmosphere was more enjoyable. This flourishing park was full of families. Kids played in the fountain, while popular music was played somewhere not far.
In this particular instance, one of the contrary elements was the fact that Toronto contains both problems typical of big cities and also beautiful public places.
St. Lawrence Market Visit
It was reminiscent of food markets in other corners of the world. There were booths selling food items of various nature, drinks, ready-made meals, and snacks. Certain food items were meant to be taken away, while some were prepared for immediate consumption.
For tourists looking for places to eat in Toronto it can be really interesting to visit. This is because food lovers will have different options of things to eat in one location.
Before the main meal I had a chance to taste the pecan tart. The pastry was more substantial than expected having pleasant doughy taste and sweet filling flavored with pecan.
It proved to be a nice snack while walking through the crowded market.
Experiencing Peameal Bacon Sandwich in Toronto
The specific culinary deliciousness that I was particularly looking for was peameal bacon sandwich.
Carousel Bakery proudly displays the sandwich as one of its top attractions at the market. Indeed, peameal bacon is an inherently Canadian food, so it perfectly suits a first-time visitor who is eager to discover Toronto’s specialties.
The sandwich was very simple but satisfying—all in all, the bun was soft and fluffy, and the meat was full of rich marinated taste. I chose to skip adding a lot of sauce and preferred to keep it quite simple so that I could appreciate the meat.
Surprising results followed.
This was basically the kind of food that can work as a good lunch or snack in the middle of the busy day.
Besides, the price was acceptable compared to such cities of the US as Boston, New York, or Chicago, where I have just travelled.
Does Toronto have better prices for food than major U.S. cities?
One of the most interesting things I observed during my trip to Toronto was how expensive food can get in this city.
The cost of food in Toronto is definitely not cheap, especially downtown. However, it may offer some bargains as compared to some of the popular American cities.
For example, a peameal bacon sandwich sold in a downtown market is way cheaper than many popular meals offered in the top tourist spots in the United States.
Of course, this varies depending on the type of food and the restaurant and the neighborhood. Overall, we could say that the trip to Toronto was not as expensive as I thought compared to some other big American cities.
Taking Uber from the market to the CN Tower
After visiting the market, I proceeded to the next destination, the CN Tower, the most famous landmark of Toronto.
Instead of using public transport again, I decided to take an Uber. The route was short although waiting a little longer to find a driver.
The driver gave us an interesting local viewpoint. He has lived in Toronto for many years, but he confessed that he does not like it. That conversation showed that tourists and Toronto natives can see the place in very different ways.
But tourists can be very glad to use Uber to get around Toronto as it is a comfortable way to reach the attractions that are located far from a subway station.
Visiting the CN Tower
The CN Tower is probably the most famous landmark in Toronto, and it is clear why once you see it.
The CN Tower rises about 553 m and 1,815 ft. high from the ground and has been one of the main symbols of the city since the opening in 1976.
I bought my ticket in advance so I was happy not to wait too long in the queue.
Finally, I passed the security and waited some more to get the elevator.
The trip in the elevator to the observation platform took no time.
Toronto was completely different when viewed from the height of the CN Tower observation deck.
The downtown area of Toronto as well as its harbor and urban surroundings could be observed from the viewpoint. In good weather the height of the CN Tower can give a unique view of the city.
Should you visit the CN Tower?
If visiting the CN Tower is your first time to go to Toronto, you would certainly include this place in your sightseeing list.
What you would get from this trip is unforgettable views from the vantage point especially if the weather is perfect. The tower is constructed in such a way that there is a glass floor, which gives those who are not afraid of heights unusual feelings.
Viewpoint observers stand high in the sky, staring down through the glass.
There is a higher section of the CN Tower that allows visitors to rise higher. It’s because of the different level that the viewing room is smaller and the view of Toronto gets smaller too.
If you suffer from the fear of heights you should not visit the highest layer.
Even though it is likely that visitors won’t forget their first glimpse of CN Tower, the experience will be something extraordinary that the vast majority of people from abroad will remember.
BeaverTails Experience
Having seen the CN Tower, we had enough time to try one of the famous Canadian delicacies called BeaverTails.
Despite the strange name, the product does not contain any beaver-related content as it is simply fried dough shaped like a beaver tail which can be covered in different toppings.
The flavors varied from chocolate-banana and apple pie to the more traditional one with juicy cinnamon and sugar.
The sweet, warm cinnamon-and-sugar flavor seemed like just the right choice.
While it was too hot to eat, the BeaverTail was light and did not taste oily at all.
The ferry ride to Toronto Islands
The last important location of the day was Toronto Islands.
In order to reach it, we needed to take a ferry from the wharf. The time traveling was short – around 10-15 minutes.
The price for the round trip ticket was ok and buying it from the internet made it easier.
While the ferry was leaving the port, the skyline of Toronto became more impressive. This is what I wanted to see.
Toronto Islands is completely different from downtown. People can find parks, beaches, cafes, walking places and plenty of free space instead of high buildings and busy streets.
For people staying in Toronto, the Islands must be a very good place to relax from the busy life in the city in the weekends or on warm evenings.
Toronto Islands- the best view of the skyline
The greatest impression of the day was the view of Toronto from the Islands.
As someone who has got a passion for city skyline, this was one of the most remarkable aspects of the entire journey.
The CN Tower overshadows every part of the landscape and gives Toronto a unique appearance to people from various parts of the world. The thing is that when you are at the islands, you see that it is not the only point of interest.
The mixture of water and greenery with buildings looks incredibly impressive.
In case you are asking yourself where to go to see the Toronto skyline, include Toronto Islands in your plan.
Another feature which was remarkable throughout the day is cultural diversity of Toronto.
People from various nations can be met everywhere, and plenty of languages can be heard in the streets of Toronto.
By the way, there was a cultural festival of Indian culture at Toronto Islands when I was there. The sounds of music filled the park reminding of how bright and colorful is the Canadian capital.
However, the city is not mono-cultural.
It is better to say that it is a combination of many communities living in one environment.
Diversity can be seen not only in people but in restaurants
Travelers who appreciate multicultural cities can consider this as one of the biggest benefits of Toronto.
Comparing Toronto to US cities could be difficult because every city has something unique to offer.
Nonetheless, Toronto has several features in common with major US cities. For instance, the architecture, cars, fast-food restaurants, glass skies, and urban feel at times can make it feel surprisingly close to those cities.
It is also important to note the opposite side of the coin.
From a tourist perspective, Toronto has proved to be a clean, organized, and multicultural city that is easy to navigate. Additionally, it appears from this short trip that Toronto provides tourists with better value for their money compared to a number of US cities.
However, this does not mean that Toronto is actually better than New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, or others.
In fact, gigantic US cities are more likely to possess world-famous landmarks that attract tourists from all over the planet.
Toronto is appealing in its own way, as it is a big North American city that has a multicultural population, lakefront views, many accessible sites, and tons of food.
Is Toronto a Good Destination for Travelers?
After spending a full day in Toronto, I can say that my overall impression is a good one. Toronto might not have the instant wow factor that New York has nor does it have some iconic attractions like other large cities in North America. However, that doesn’t mean it is boring either. There are more than enough things to see that can make your trip fulfilling.
From historic markets to tasting Canadian delicacies, to visit one of the most famous towers of the world, to walking through parks, experiencing neighborhoods with different cultures and taking a ferry across Lake Ontario, Toronto has a lot to offer.
Once you familiarize yourself with the transportation system, it’s easy to navigate around the city.
If you are visiting Toronto for the first time, I would suggest visiting CN Tower, St. Lawrence Market and Toronto Islands among other places.
The truth about my first impression of Toronto.
Toronto is not without its flaws. It has its expensive neighborhoods, homelessness, and traffic problems as well as a number of issues relating to metropolitan areas most other cities in the world have.
Despite the disadvantages identified above, they were not the defining elements of my trip.
Toronto is such a fascinating holiday option because of its combination of stunning architecture, diversity, local cuisine, waterfront views and the city’s landmarks.
The most spectacular view was that of the Toronto skyline from Toronto Islands; the peameal bacon and BeaverTails added to the unique culinary experiences.
What mattered the most, however, is that Toronto taught that it would still be successful in tourism without being in competition with destinations such as New York and Chicago.
Every city has its own charm.
To sum up: Would it be worth visiting Toronto?
To answer the question, yes, it is worth a visit, especially for those liking huge multicultural cities and food markets, impressive architecture and waterfront attractions.
You can have a good time there, taking a subway trip, finding delicious dishes at St. Lawrence Market or sightseeing from CN Tower or Toronto Islands.
Toronto can be compared to comparable cities across the United States. Many people who visit Toronto will recognize its familiar appearance. However, what makes Toronto a city worth visiting are things such as its multicultural makeup, food culture, location by the water, and impressive skyline.
One day will likely not be enough time to explore the city of Toronto – let alone other places in Canada. The country has really beautiful nature and many more places to visit.
However, a short stay in Toronto still allows visitors to have good experiences. First-time travelers will experience in Toronto a perfect combination of fun, food, culture, and urban exploration.
