Ontario is home to not one, but two capitals – Ottawa, the federal capital, and Toronto, the provincial capital. Both cities are in deep contrast to one another and neither should be missed.
Toronto Overview
Toronto brims with energy and excitement. From iconic architecture, fascinating museums and galleries, exciting nightlife and luxury hotels – this city is always on. The cosmopolitan capital of Ontario is comprised of many multicultural neighbourhoods including six Chinatowns, Portugal Village, Greektown, Little India and Little Italy. Explore Toronto’s fascinating neighbourhoods on the user-friendly transit system, the TTC, or soak up the culture in this urban hot spot on foot.
Shop till you drop at Toronto’s chic boutiques, colourful markets and upscale malls. Soar to the top of the CN Tower to peer through the glass floor, then get under the dome at the Rogers Centre. Sample arts, culture & recreation at Harbourfront Centre, then unwind in an urban oasis, the pedestrian-only Toronto Islands, just a short ferry ride away. Come down to the Beach area and stroll the boardwalk, then check out the eclectic shops and restaurants.
Toronto offers culture buffs a world of choices. A host of fascinating galleries and museums beckon, including museums dedicated to science, ceramics and shoes. Revel in the renewed energy and bold new looks of the Royal Ontario Museum and Art Gallery of Ontario. Take in a big Broadway-style show or check out a small independent theatre production. See the ballet, treat yourself to an evening of symphonic music or spend the night at the opera.
Ottawa Overview
Considered one of the world's most beautiful capital cities, vibrant Ottawa is both the national and cultural capital of Canada. This impressive, yet intimate metropolitan area, is home to over 1.1 million English and French speaking residents - and a growing multicultural population. Famous national landmarks and historic sights greet the visitor at every turn, including Parliament Hill, the National Gallery of Canada and the Canadian Museum of Civilisation - and many others.
Ottawa's beautiful natural setting creates year-round opportunities for adventure and recreation. As the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, weaves its way through the heart of the city, you'll spot boaters, cyclists, joggers and walkers. Visitors can rent a bike to explore on their own - or take a boat cruise on the canal or the Ottawa River. Just 90 minutes from downtown, the Ottawa River offers up whitewater rafting experiences for the first-timer to the enthusiast, from Class I to Class V!
Festivals play a big part in Ottawa's cultural scene all year round, including the world's largest Tulip Festival in spring, the Ottawa Blues and Jazz Festivals in summer and the famous Winterlude in every February.
Nightlife
After an action packed day in Toronto, the night is still young. Toronto's stages showcase a diverse range of performing arts - from the Fringe theatre festival to Tony Award-winning plays, lavish Broadway-style musicals and inventive opera & ballet productions. As the sun goes down, the energy turns up at Toronto's nightclubs and concert venues. From glittering dance floors to low-key lounges with sultry live jazz to big-name entertainers, there are so many cool scenes to choose from.
Ottawa by night? From quiet and intimate to busy and happening, there's something for everyone, with lots of options for evening entertainment. The heart of the action is the ByWard Market, whether you want something young and edgy or something a litte more classical. There's also lots of action along Elgin Street, with its pubs and restaurants. The Casino du Lac-Leamy has gambling, dinner and shows. The Capital’s premier performing arts venue, the National Arts Centre, presents a full lineup of music, dance and theatre, plus popular touring acts and shows. Ottawa also has a thriving local theatre scene.
Both Toronto and Ottawa host music festivals throughout the summer. Visiting sports fans are invited to cheer for the locals in hockey, basketball, baseball, football and soccer in Toronto or hockey in Ottawa.
Shopping
Toronto offers everything from designer Canadian fashions to antiques to luxury labels. The Toronto Eaton Center, a glass-domed galleria in the heart of the city, is linked to the PATH - 28 km (17 miles) of interconnecting underground shopping malls with over 1,200 shops and services. Toronto’s vibrant neighbourhoods are full of colorful streets of renovated Victoriana, with garment shops, art galleries, antique stores and open-air cafes in summer. Check out current trends on Queen Street West or forge farther west to funky and eclectic West Queen West. Experience the gleam of high-priced art, haute couture and fine dining that draws stars, fans and paparazzi to chic Bloor-Yorkville during the Toronto International Film Festival. Dsitricts such as St Lawrence Market and the Distillery District offer historical intrigue in addition to shopping. Venture outside the downtown core to shopping centres such as upscale Sherway Gardens and Vaughan Mills, an outlet and entertainment complex north of the city.
From large malls to exclusive Ottawa shops and boutiques, to unique gift and souvenir stores, shopping in Ottawa is a favoured activity of visitors and residents alike. Downtown shopping provides a host of shopping opportunities, from the 180-store Rideau Centre to the eclectic boutiques and craft shops of the ByWard Market, the Downtown Rideau district, and Sparks Street – the country's first and oldest pedestrian shopping mall.
Shopping hours
Many city and suburban shops and shopping centres are open until 2100. In smaller towns, many shops stay open until 1800.
Dining Out
Globally inspired tastes characterize dining in cosmopolian Toronto. From upscale gourmet to home-cooked comfort foods, savour the city's unique culinary diversity at any of the over 7000 restaurants across Toronto's neighbourhoods. Visit Greektown on Danforth Avenue to enjoy a hearty souvlaki or sweet baklava, or venture to India Bazaar for authentic and affordable Indian cuisine. In Little Italy, amid the martini bars and cocktail lounges, you’ll find Italian chefs who have been sharing family recipes with the neighbourhood for years. Chinatown never sleeps – much to the delight of those who take their enjoyment seriously enough to stay up into the small hours. If you can’t decide, just head to Baldwin Village where you’ll find an international cooking pot of restaurants: Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Korean, Mexican, Italian, French, Indian, Middle Eastern and Thai, all of them side by side!
Ottawa's culinary scene is alive with a community of chefs gaining national and international accalim. The Savour Ottawa initiative encourges and promotes the use of locally grown and produced fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy. Ottawa's relaxed dining districts include the historic ByWard Market with its courtyards and outdoor cafés, Somerset Street’s great Asian dining, Preston Street’s Italian food, and Elgin and Bank Streets, where you’ll find a mix of culinary treats. The city’s prestigious Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute, the first to be set up outside Paris, welcomes amateur chefs. You can also enjoy this classic French cuisine at the Institute’s Signatures restaurant, recognised as one of Canada’s best dining experiences.
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