Our stay in Toronto was full on – so much so that it’s only today that we’ve found time to write up our blog entry. We arrived by train from Montreal – terribly civilised, with breakfast supplied, comfortable seats, drinks (though to be honest a shot of vodka at 7am seems a bit hedonistic! We didn’t imbibe…). We arrived at Union Station in Toronto, a vast Cathedral of a place.
We were immediately struck by the big city vibe of the place. Busy streets, tall skyscrapers, lots of people… and one of the first things we saw was the giant CN Tower (once the tallest building in the world, and the Toronto’s most iconic building). More of that later.
Our apartment was near the lakefront, with a small red lighthouse just outside (used as a streetcar turn-round). The octangonal building was originally one of a pair of lighthouses built in 1861 at Queen’s Wharf, replacing an earlier 16-foot lighthouse built in 1838. It’s one of the oldest lighthouses in Ontario.
The loop was rebuilt in 1982 and reconfigured so that streetcars on Fleet Street could enter and exit in both directions, allowing them to change directions quickly.
Up the tower
Our first full day we decided to head up the CN Tower. Completed in 1976, it was once the tallest free-standing structure in the world and remains a symbol of Toronto’s modern identity. Visitors can enjoy sweeping panoramic views from its observation decks, dine in the revolving restaurant, or even try the thrilling EdgeWalk around the tower’s exterior. We weren’t brave enough for that….
It’s a real meeting place – we had a coffee (very reasonable, $15 for two coffees and a huge cookie), and found ourselves chatting with a man from Charlottetown, where we were just a few days ago; and then we heard an English accent and got chatting to a couple, only to find the husband had lived just round the corner from Annette’s mum and dad in Runcorn. And the view from the top goes for miles and miles and miles.
We decided to head for the Toronto Islands, a short ferry ride away from the CBD. Walking down to the waterfront we went past the Railway Museum, designed around an old turntable, with a bunch of old engines and carriages. The turntable enabled engines to be placed in sheds without a complex arrangement of sidings
The Toronto Islands are a peaceful chain of small islands just off the city’s downtown waterfront, offering a quiet escape from the bustle of urban life. Known for their beaches, bike paths, picnic areas, and beautiful views of the Toronto skyline, the islands are a favorite spot for both locals and visitors. With parks, gardens, and a relaxed atmosphere, they provide a perfect setting for a day of walking, cycling, or simply enjoying nature by the lake. The spring colours are simply stunning.
… and the lunch in the café (on the left, below) was pretty good too.
Falling for Niagara
Next day we had booked a trip to Niagara Falls. Our driver/guide was Hain, full of information and stories. It’s a couple of hours from Toronto’s CBD to Niagara, but absolutely worth the drive. The Canada side of the falls is very long, and Hani dropped us by the old hydroelectric station so we could walk back along the length of the falls. And they are magnificent.
The water moves at incredible speed. The facts and figures about Niagara Falls are mind blowing. Niagara Falls is the most powerful waterfall in North America by volume: During peak tourist hours, more than 168,000 cubic metres (5.9 million cubic feet) of water can flow over the falls every minute. Horseshoe Falls, the largest section, is about 57 metres (188 feet) high and roughly 670 metres (2,200 feet) wide.
The American Falls are smaller but just as spectacular, at about 58 metres (190 feet) high and 320 metres (1,060 feet) wide.
Leaving the Falls behind, Hani took us to some of the other attractions in the area, including a Maple Syrup production factory. There are three types of Maple Syrup, starting with pale, very light syrup to a much darker, stronger tasting variety.
We also visited the Niagara Park’s beautiful floral clock, the world smallest church and a winery – so a packed visit!
The winery was actually the Niagara College Teaching Winery, the first commercial teaching winery in Canada and is integrated into the college’s wine programs. Visitors can tour the facility, taste wines, and learn about the winemaking process. We tasted some of the wines, including Ice wine, one of the world’s most distinctive dessert wines. It is made from grapes that are allowed to freeze naturally on the vine before being harvested and pressed. It has to go through three days of temperatures below -8 degrees Celsius before being harvested. After tasting this, possibly that was why we all nodded off on the way home.
