Toronto – where you belong (T.O. State of Mind) 1
4:41 PM
A Brief History of Toronto – the city officially became Toronto on March 6, 1834, but its roots are much more ancient than that. In the 1600s, a Frenchman named Etiene Brule was sent into the not-yet Canadian wilderness by the famous explorer Samuel de Champlain to see what he could discover. He discovered plenty; the river and portage routes from the St. Lawrence St. Lawrence to Lake Huron, possibly Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, and eventually Lake Ontario. Of course, native Huron peoples had known this area between the Humber and Don Rivers for centuries 0 and had long called it "Toronto", believed to mean " meeting place". Later a bustling village called Telaiagon grew up here, and then it was the site of a French trading post. After British won the Seven Years' War, the
trading post was renamed "York" in 1793. More than 40 years later, the city again took the name Toronto. Following an unsuccessful American invasion in 1812, several devastating fires, and a rebellion in 1837, there was a slow and steady increase in the population of white Anglo-Saxon Protestants leading into the 20th century. Since WWII, though, Toronto has attracted residents from all over the world. Unlike the America "melting pot" phenomenon that melds everyone together, Toronto is more of a "tossed salad" of diverse ethnic group.
Toronto is divided into 6 neighborhoods:
OLD TORONTO - a visually exciting streetscape results from the mix of old buildings, new buildings, and old buildings restored for new uses. The area's draws include the Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum, the Hummingbird and St. Lawrence cultural centers, the lively St. Lawrence Market, and the Historic Distillery District.
FINANCIAL DISTRICT – Canada's financial and legal power is focused on Bay Street, west of Old Toronto. It's home to imposing skyscrapers in various early – and late-20th century styles and the most of the major theaters. In the 1990's, TEDA (Toronto Entertainment District Association) was formed by neighborhood theaters, hotels, and restaurants to better publicized its attractions. Cinemas, dance, clubs, comedy clubs, 250 restaurants, and many of the big hotels and boutique lodging are all within this Entertainment District.
THE HARBOURFRONT – Toronto is bordered by lake Lake Ontario, and after decades of neglect the city has turned its waterfront into a major asset. This most southerly area of the city includes lots of opportunities for outdoor activities and amusements, making it ideal for visitors with children. Among the attractions along the waterfront are Ontario Place, CN Tower, Air Canada Center, Rogers Center, Fort York, and Harbourfront Center, a cultural and recreation. Just a 15-minute ferryboat rides across Toronto Bay, is the best-kept secret of them all, the Toronto Islands.
DUNDAS and QUEEN STREETS - the north-central core area of Dundas and Queen streets is interesting for the vibrant street life of Kensington Market, Chinatown, and Nathan Philips Square. Cultural interest can be filled by the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Ontario College of Art and Design, many commercial galleries, and two restored historic homes. Shoppers flock to the mammoth Eaton Center and fashionable Queen Street West with its trendsetting habitués. These days West Queen West, as far out as Dufferin Street, is turning into the hip new area, with boutiques, galleries, and lots of places to eat and drink – including the happening Drake and Gladstone Hotels.
QUUEE'S PARK AREA – just north of Dundas and Queen streets area, the Ontario provincial legislature and the main campus of the University of Toronto occupy prime central real estate. The area is liberally scattered with parks and lawns as well as libraries and museums, including the world famous Royal Ontario Museum. On the northern edge of this area is Yorkville, filled with restaurants and elegant, upscale stores and boutiques. To the west is the Little Italy, with restaurants and cafes along College Street that have made it one of the coolest scenes in town. The Church-Wellesley area to the east is a vibrant and safe gay community that hosts Pride Week in June, attracting more than a million people.
GREATER TORONTO – head north on Yonge Street from Bloor Street to reach residential Midtown, a hotbed of trendy restaurants and upscale shopping northwest of downtown. Many smaller neighbourhoods compose this area, including Eglinton, Summerhill, Rosedale, St. Clair, and Davisville. Casa Loma, in the Midtown neighborhood of Forest Hill, is surrounded by leafy streets and multimillion-dollar homes. Northwest of the city is paramount Canada's Wonderland, theme park, and Black Creek Pioneer Village, which re-creates a mid-19-century community. A bit farther, out, in the town of Kleinburg, is the outstanding McMicahel Canadian art Collection. Most People visit the northeastern suburban section of Toronto for the hands-on Ontario Science Center in North York and the outstanding Toronto Zoo in Scarborough, but the sprawling Edward Gardens are also a draw. Directly east of Downtown is Greektown, which is centered on Danforth Avenue and southeast is the Beaches, a bohemian waterfront neighbourhood perfect for a boardwalk stroll and some shopping. Huge and lovely High Park is the highlight of southwest Toronto, but West Indian, German, Polish, and Ukranian enclaves attract those hungering for homemade ethnic trates.
Toronto is divided into 6 neighborhoods:
GUIDE TOURS
Double Deck Tours- operates 4 to 5 hours in double-decker English buses. Tours operate daily from mid-May thru October and include most of the major sights of Niagara Falls. Fare includes admission to Journey Behind the Falls, Maid of the Mist, and a trip in the Whirlpool Aerocar. Admission: $56.50 Cad.
When one thinks of Niagara’s recreational opportunities, the Falls themselves are forefront, along with Casino Niagara, the Butterfly Conservatory, Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks and the Guinness Museum of World Records. But there is so much more to Niagara than tourist attractions.
The waterfall’s colour history began more than 10,000 years ago as a group of glaciers receded, diverting the waters of Lake Erie northward into Lake Ontario. The force and volume of the water as it flowed over the Niagara Escarpment created the thundering cataracts now known so well. The lure of Niagara falls has not dimmed for those who want to marvel at the premier natural wonder; Niagara Falls , on the boarder of the United States and Canada, is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, and one of the most awe-inspiring.
American Falls
When one thinks of Niagara’s recreational opportunities, the Falls themselves are forefront, along with Casino Niagara, the Butterfly Conservatory, Louis Tussaud’s Waxworks and the Guinness Museum of World Records. But there is so much more to Niagara than tourist attractions.
The waterfall’s colour history began more than 10,000 years ago as a group of glaciers receded, diverting the waters of Lake Erie northward into Lake Ontario. The force and volume of the water as it flowed over the Niagara Escarpment created the thundering cataracts now known so well. The lure of Niagara falls has not dimmed for those who want to marvel at the premier natural wonder; Niagara Falls , on the boarder of the United States and Canada, is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, and one of the most awe-inspiring. The falls are actually three cataracts; the American and Bridal Veil Falls in New York State, and the Horseshoe Falls in Ontario. In terms of sheer volume of water – more than 700,00 gallons per second in summer – Niagara is unsurpassed in North America.
On the American side, you can park in the lot on the Goat Island near the American Falls and walk along the path beside the Niagara River, which becomes more and more turbulent as it approaches the big drop-off of just over 200 feet.
After experiencing the American side, you can walk or drive across Rainbow bridge to the Canadian side, where you can get a far view of the American Falls and a close-up of the Horseshoe Falls. You can also park your car for the day in any of several lots on the Canadian side, and hop onto the People Mover buses, which run continuously to all sights along the river. If you want to get close to the foot of the falls, the Maid of the Mist boat takes you close enough to get soaked in the spray. Boats tow fun-loving passengers on 30 minute journeys to the foot of the falls, where the spray is so heavy that raincoats must be distributed.
Maid of the Mist
You can also experience the Journey Behind the Falls. An elevator will take you to an observation deck that provides a fish’s eye view of the Canadian Horsehoe Falls and the Niagara River. From there a walk through three tunnels cut into the rock and takes you behind the wall of crashing water.
Journey Behind The Falls
The waterfall’s colour history began more than 10,000 years ago as a group of glaciers receded, diverting the waters of Lake Erie northward into Lake Ontario. The force and volume of the water as it flowed over the Niagara Escarpment created the thundering cataracts now known so well. The lure of Niagara falls has not dimmed for those who want to marvel at the premier natural wonder; Niagara Falls , on the boarder of the United States and Canada, is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, and one of the most awe-inspiring.
American Falls
The waterfall’s colour history began more than 10,000 years ago as a group of glaciers receded, diverting the waters of Lake Erie northward into Lake Ontario. The force and volume of the water as it flowed over the Niagara Escarpment created the thundering cataracts now known so well. The lure of Niagara falls has not dimmed for those who want to marvel at the premier natural wonder; Niagara Falls , on the boarder of the United States and Canada, is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, and one of the most awe-inspiring. The falls are actually three cataracts; the American and Bridal Veil Falls in New York State, and the Horseshoe Falls in Ontario. In terms of sheer volume of water – more than 700,00 gallons per second in summer – Niagara is unsurpassed in North America.
After experiencing the American side, you can walk or drive across Rainbow bridge to the Canadian side, where you can get a far view of the American Falls and a close-up of the Horseshoe Falls. You can also park your car for the day in any of several lots on the Canadian side, and hop onto the People Mover buses, which run continuously to all sights along the river. If you want to get close to the foot of the falls, the Maid of the Mist boat takes you close enough to get soaked in the spray. Boats tow fun-loving passengers on 30 minute journeys to the foot of the falls, where the spray is so heavy that raincoats must be distributed.
Maid of the Mist
Journey Behind The Falls
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