Like any big city around the world, in Canada, Asia, or elsewhere, Toronto can be somewhat overwhelming. While it’s a very appealing city with a reputation that only seems to have improved in the last decade or so, it’s also a big place full of people and activities - which can make it tough to know where to start when exploring it. For this reason, we’ve put together a few words on some of the true must-see highlights everyone should experience when visiting the city and the surrounding area.

Toronto Islands

The Toronto Islands are a chain of fifteen small islands offshore in Lake Ontario. Centre, Algonquin, Olympic, and Ward’s are the four major islands, and Ward’s actually connects to Centre. Altogether, the islands offer a natural respite from Toronto’s bustling urban scene.

Centre Island is the most well-known island of the bunch, and has an enormous amusement park known simply as Centreville Amusement Park. This attraction features picnic areas, extensive trails, gorgeous beaches and gardens, a boating lagoon, a petting zoo, and more than 30 rides. Needless to say, it packs a full day’s worth of activity and then some!

Ward’s Island is attached to the eastern end of Centre Island, and is by contrast mostly residential; Algonquin Island is similarly residential, though its quaint, 1920s-style lodges and traditional gardens make for interesting sightseeing. Olympic Island, on the other hand, is comprised of vast parks and hiking trails.

Specifics aside, all of the islands have great beaches and offer spectacular views of the Toronto skyline. They’re about as nice to visit and explore as any large outdoor area you can find in a major city.

Day Trip To Niagara Falls

Toronto is so close to Niagara Falls, a day trip to the area really cannot be skipped. The city of Niagara Falls, as well as the stunning waterfalls themselves, are well worth the hour-and-forty-minute drive, particularly if you - like so many people - have the area on your travel bucket list!

Niagara Falls is comprised of three waterfalls that bestride the border between Canada and the U.S. The three waterfalls, from largest to smallest, are the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls, and each one offers otherworldly beauty. Tourists in the area can experience the waterfalls in a variety of ways, from walking along paths above and below them, to gazing at them from viewing platforms, to taking one of the famous boat rides that get close enough to have their passengers splashed.

The city built up around the attraction on the Canadian side, meanwhile, is also an inviting place to spend an evening after you explore the waterfalls. Naturally there are some good restaurants in the area, but the Fallsview Casino Resort is also an inviting attraction in and of itself. Canada has a robust gambling industry online, which a lot of tourists pick up on even if they aren’t staying at real-life casinos. At Fallsview though, the fun goes well beyond the casino games themselves. It has its own bars and restaurants, shops and spa facilities, and entertainment venues that attract acts as big as OneRepublic and John Legend.

Distillery District

The Distillery District of Toronto is recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada and was once home to one of Canada’s largest distilleries. Today, this newly-revamped residential and commercial area is a tourist hot spot with Industrial Victorian architecture and charming brick and cobblestone streets. The heritage buildings that make up the district have been converted into everything from shops and coffee houses, to award-winning restaurants and bars, to art galleries and jewelry boutiques.

You may find a specific reason to visit the Distillery District, such as taking in the history of the Stone Distillery or dining at one of the restaurants. It’s also one of the nicest parts of town in which to wander aimlessly, however. You can take in pretty sights, enjoy pedestrian-friendly streets, and ultimately trust that you’ll bump into an interesting venue of one kind or another.