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Time Zone
Eastern
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A major center of commerce and industry, Toronto has played a dominant role in Upper Canada (Ontario's original name) for more than a century. It offers visitors a variety of world-class pleasures, from architecture to culinary opportunities, arts and entertainment, and much more.
The CN Tower offers splendid views of the city as well as a revolving restaurant. The Romanesque 19th-century legislative buildings mark its importance as the capital of the province, while the Toronto City Hall complex, opened in 1965, has become a landmark of contemporary design. Also note Ontario Place, on Lake Ontario, with dramatic exhibition pavilions, the Cinesphere, a marina, and play areas; the Ontario Science Centre, with innovative participation exhibits; and the Royal Ontario Museum, containing the world's greatest collection of Chinese art, noted North American Indian art, archaeology, and natural history collections.
Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts is the home of the National Ballet of Canada and the Canadian Opera Company. The Toronto Symphony, the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, and touring artists perform at Roy Thomson Hall. Hit shows are performed at theaters such as the Royal Alexandra, the Elgin, and Canon. The recently expanded Art Gallery of Ontario occupies striking buildings with more than 20 great galleries to house its treasures. Harbourfront is a redeveloped section of the waterfront with playgrounds, restaurants, craft studios, theaters, and boutiques.
From the Ferry Terminal take a 7-minute boat ride to the Toronto Islands, a four-mile strip of connected islands with beaches, tennis courts, bicycle and canoe rentals, and a children's farm.
Fort York, blown up in the War of 1812, has been reconstructed. Black Creek Pioneer Village recalls the 1860s. Mackenzie House, home of Toronto's first mayor, is restored with its mid-1800s decor intact. Spadina House has a fine historic garden, and Casa Loma, the 1911 medieval dream-castle of Sir Henry Pellatt, has magnificent furnishings.
Toronto Eaton Centre is a modern shopping complex with some 300 stores and restaurants housed in a glass-domed Galleria. Toronto Zoo is a large and outstanding zoo where animals roam freely in six major zoological preserves. Also nearby are Paramount's Canada's Wonderland, a large theme park featuring thrill rides, shows, and Wafer park; and the Rogers Centre, where the Blue Jays and the Argos play; and in nearby Milton, the Ontario Agricultural Museum.
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