Hey lovelies!
I feel like I'm going to be constantly flipping back and forth in time with some of these upcoming posts. I really wanted to update you when these things actually happened but I was in such a content rut that I didn't think it was worth it. Woe is me, I know haha!
I will certainly be making up for that now and overloading you with posts because I still think it would be helpful to share them with you. Plus, they can serve their place here on my blog as incredible memories for me to look back on in the future. So, let's get into it!
Toronto, Ontario in Canada. A seemingly interesting city that I had absolutely no clue about other than the fact that it has the CN Tower. Some of the content creators I have followed piqued my interest after they frequently vlogged days out in Toronto, especially during the Summer. I really wanted to see what the fuss was all about, so off I went with my family on a two week holiday!
I would like to note however that in my experience two weeks in Toronto is way too long. The trips/experiences we did could have been done in a week and we still would have had time to relax in between. Saying that, it is a really beautiful city and definitely one to visit if you love eating out, having drinks at patios or even spending some time in nature!
After spending a chunk of time in Toronto, I started developing a list of my favourite spots. I thought that it would be a good idea to tell you a little bit about them and show them off to you with some pictures. Enjoy!
TOP 5 PLACES TO VISIT:
1. Berczy Park & the surrounding area
This area was so, so beautiful! The weather definitely helped but even so the architecture was stunning, there were a lot of pretty flowers blooming, and plenty of artwork to capture your eye. I was especially impressed by the illusion mural on the Gooderham Building (photo below); absolutely insane and so cool!
Both the park and the streets surrounding it had such a social energy to them with all the restaurants and cafes dotted around. I also loved how well the area mixed the traditional with the modern without making it seem like something was out of place.
A little side note for those who love the Flatiron Building in New York City, Toronto has its very own version! I was completely taken aback by the similarities and had to get my fair share of snaps because it genuinely felt like I was back in NYC staring up at the Flatiron Building we all know so well. The layout of the streets almost felt the same too...either way it's a definite must-see!
2. Toronto Harbour
A tranquil spot for those who might want a break from the hustle and bustle of people. Don't get me wrong, there were still people roaming around the Toronto Harbour area but it felt a lot less overwhelming than the streets where everyone was out wanting to enjoy the hot weather.
The harbour offers plenty of opportunities to take a seat, look out on the water, watch the boats pass by or even people watch. We actually visited this spot on our first full day and it was such a welcome break from all the exploring we had been doing.
A few days later we even came back to the same spot to catch the boat tour that took us all the way around the harbour. The views were great, good music was playing, the guide was providing interesting commentary, and the breeze was heavenly, but halfway through it did feel a little like the views meshed together. I'm not sure if it's because there were a lot of tall buildings but it all looked so similar and we wondered maybe the tour didn't need to be so long since the harbour wasn't massive. Food for thought but overall a good time!
3. CF Eaton Centre & Aura Centre
Hands down the best places to shop in Toronto! There are so many stores and so many different food options that it would be impossible not to have a good time. We especially enjoyed popping into the little Italian restaurant at the CF Eaton Centre close to the grocery store section. The menu isn't extensive but you are sure to find something that you like!
As for the Aura Centre...just wow! It is incredible and I had the best time walking around this mall, finding my favourite stores, and being SO tempted to purchase whatever caught my eye. I love a place with options and this had ALL the options with a variety of price ranges too!
The best part about the Aura Centre is that it had a food hall in the basement with a wonderfully ridiculous number of stalls. We spent ages walking around trying to narrow down our choices to just one or two. The Chinese food in particular was delicious and I wish we had gone back to have it again as it definitely ended up being my favourite.
4. Niagara on the Lake
For all my fellow Gilmore Girls fans, this was truly like the Canadian version of Stars Hollow! It was so quaint and beautiful that it felt like something out of a movie. We only had an hour and a half to spend here since it was just a stop en route to Niagara Falls but even though the stop was short and sweet, Niagara on the Lake truly captured our hearts.
I remember seeing a couple of Golden Retrievers walking around, flower beds springing up, lovely welcoming shop owners and best of all, there were Christmas shops open! Baring in mind we were visiting in August, this didn't stop us from getting into the Christmas spirit just enough to almost consider picking up some decorations. We had to quickly come to our senses though because where on earth were we going to keep things like that safe heading to a giant waterfall?!
If you're considering visiting Niagara Falls, please do yourself a favour and book a tour that stops off at Niagara on the Lake. It's truly a spot that I would recommend to anyone because of how it so beautifully contrasts everything that city life is not. I really wish we could have spent longer there!
5. Niagara Falls & the Skylon Tower
I can't believe that I am lucky enough to say that I visited Niagara Falls and that I even took the boat to get right up close to it. It was incredibly surreal and nothing like I have ever experienced before. There's something about a natural wonder that really puts things into perspective. We get bogged down with life and all the negative stuff that goes on but when you're standing in front of something so beautiful, it's hard to feel like any of that stuff matters.
I have SO many photos from this day and I can guarantee you that there is no ugly angle of the Falls! It is majestic no matter which way you look at it and if you're not brave enough to see the Falls up close, head up the Skylon Tower because the views are insane! Not only are the views visible all the way around but you also have the option of standing outside and walking the full 360°.
This might be a controversial opinion but having ventured up both the CN Tower and the Skylon Tower on our trip, I would choose the Skylon Tower every day of the week. Sadly the CN Tower was quite disappointing! You spend loads of time queuing up and by the time you get to the top it's packed with people and they've only made a small portion of the viewing platform accessible to you. Saying that, you could choose to pay extra and have a meal with a view round the other side. A shame really but pretty cool to look up at from ground level!
Until next time...
Love always, Stephanie
xoxo
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