Toronto Things to Do Tips by joanj

Ontario Parliament Building Parliament building Review

The Ontario Parliament Building , home of the provincial legislature since 1893 is built of pink sandstone, and is situated at the end of University Avenue.

A little bit of history about the building.:-

Ontario's elected representatives made the point that the province was a small but exceedlingly loyal part of the British Empire and clamoured to make it's mark and had the money to do so. Consequently the Members of the Provincial Parliament (MPP's) commissioned this immensely expensive structure in the Romanesque Revival style. Finished in 1892 its main facade is a panoply of towers, arches, and rose windows, decorated with relief carvings and set beneath a series of high-pitched roofs.

The interior is of matching grandeur. Gilded classical columns frame the main stair-case and enormous stained-glass windows illuminate long and richly timbered galleries.

A fire razed the west wing in 1909 which was rebuilt in Italian marble. The stone was very expensive, so the MPP's were annoyed to find that a large amount of the marble was blemished by dinosaur fossils, which can still be seen today in the west hallway.

Visitors can sometimes watch the parliament in session.

Address: University Avenue.

Watch the boats Harbourfront & Toronto Islands Review

It is nice just to sit here and people watch, and watch the boats come and go.

This area is where the harbour cruises depart, and many restaurants, shops etc.

There is a walkway which offers lakeside views,(when we were there in May 2005 it was being extended). This walkway would be behind the photographer (me) in the photograph.

Here to you can sit and watch boats on the lake, and from this vantage point also see the planes come and go into the small airport. (You can get a birds eye view of the airport from the top of the CN Tower)

Address: Queens Quay. Toronto

Casa Loma Casa Loma Review

Casa Loma is the former estate of Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, a prominent Toronto Financiar, Industrialist and Military man.

Sir Henry engaged the architect E.J. Lennox to help him realise a life-long dream - the creation of a "medieval" castle on the brow of a hill overlooking Toronto.

Begun in 1911, it took 300 men nearly 3 years to complete, and cost $3,500,000 at that time.

Sir Henry enjoyed Casa Loma for less than ten years before financial misfortune forced him to abandon his castle home.

Casa Loma is owned by the City of Toronto and has been operated by the Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma since 1937.

Photo Joan Johnson

Address: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto. Ont. M5R 1ZS

Phone: (116) 923 - 1171

Don't be scared ! CN Tower Review

As I said, don't be scared when you get to the top of the CN Tower, you must stand on the glass floor, and look at the street below. Strange feeling, but the glass is very, very thick. Took a photo of my feet standing on the glass, with the street, way, way below. Just to prove I did it. The ride up to the top is fast !
Don't miss it.

Address: 301 Front St. W.

Directions: In the heart of Downtown Toronto, right in between the SkyDome and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Front Street, just north of Bremner Blvd.

Website: http://www.cntower.ca/