Canada's most popular destinations, flanked by the iconic CN Tower and the famous Niagara Falls, Toronto and Niagara attract millions of visitors every year in search of a change of scenery. Yet they have so much more to offer if you venture off the beaten track. Here are our four tips for discovering these regions differently.
A cultural melting pot
At first glance, Toronto is striking, with its long, straight avenues and twisting buildings... a typical American look! But it's as you stroll its streets and neighborhoods that Ontario's capital really comes into its own: a veritable cultural and linguistic melting pot where half the population is foreign. The city is home to ethnic groups speaking over a hundred different languages and dialects. To immerse yourself in these different cultures, there's nothing better than a stroll through the city's ethnic neighborhoods. When you're in Toronto's Chinatown, you're in China. Period. A cultural change of scenery guaranteed. In addition to the variety of shops, the culinary diversity is spectacular. Don't miss the Chinese New Year festivities in February. Although Little Italy has opened its doors to many new communities in recent years, and is therefore a little less "100% Italian", it still exudes an unmistakable Dolce Vita atmosphere. It is, of course, the ideal place for a real pizza, not to mention espresso and cappuccino. Greektown and Little India are two neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city. As their names suggest, they are both community enclaves with a strong identity. Greektown is a veritable miniature Greece, with its typical restaurants and lively streets, especially at weekends. As for Little India, it's home to North America's largest South Asian market. Multicolored bracelets, saris, scarves and tunics overlap in the stores, all topped off by the smell of curry at mealtimes.
A paradise for foodies
With countless cultural communities established in every corner of the city, a gourmet world tour is a must when visiting Toronto. You'll find classics like Italian pizzas at the old-school Bitondo's (Little Italy) or biryanis and curry dishes at 309 Dhaba Indian Excellence (Entertainment District), as well as top-flight Asian cuisine (all the restaurants of chef Susur Lee) or Italian cuisine (Bar Buca in the Fashion District), for example. Another tip for your taste buds is the St. Lawrence Market (Old Town), a veritable voyage to the heart of world flavors. Located on the corner of Jarvis and Front, this enormous market offers fresh produce and bulk goods as far as the eye can see, over two floors. Perfect for a picnic! A number of sandwich shops have set up shop here, and there are plenty of places to sit if you want to eat in.
The Queen City boasts thousands of restaurants to suit all tastes, from bobo cafés to high-end steakhouses. To help you find your way around, the tourist office website lists its "best of" in categories as varied as food trucks, the best spots for brunch, addresses offering incredible views of Toronto, etc. And every winter, Winterlicious, a festival dedicated to the culinary arts, takes place in the city. Last but not least, the Niagara Peninsula's Niagara-on-the-Lake is home to some of the world's finest restaurants. Some 15 of them have joined forces under the "Signature Kitchens" banner to promote and showcase the excellence of the region's products. Grab your forks!
The wine and craft beer route
From Grimsby to Niagara Falls, the Wine Route offers more than fifty addresses. Discover Niagara's vineyards and spend a few days in a wonderful setting, where wine tastings and guided tours of the winery follow one another. We explain all the steps involved in making wine, from the soil where the vines grow to the cork that seals the bottle. Some are masters of this art. Château des Charmes, Inniskillin, Peller and Jackson-Triggs are just the tip of the iceberg. Discover also the secrets of the famous ice wines, in the world's largest and most prestigious wine-producing region. Depending on your point of departure, follow this itinerary: Niagara-on-the-Lake, St. Catharines, Vineland, Jordan and Beamsville (or vice versa). If you don't have a car, gourmet escapades with tastings are offered by Wine Tours Toronto.
When it comes to hops, Ontario's capital boasts a brewing scene worthy of the name, with a number of craft breweries and microbreweries established here. We're particularly fond of Bellwoods Brewery for its creative beers and vintage decor, and Volo Bar for its in-house jewels and amazing list of guest beers.
Arts, culture and winter fun
Cultural and artistic passion is alive and well in Toronto. Just think of its Entertainment District, where theaters and concert halls follow one another. It's also home to the CBC, Canada's national English-language broadcasting network, the CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium, the Rogers Centre and the Air Canada Centre. Then there's the pedestrian-friendly The Distillery Historic District, which devotes more than a dozen hectares exclusively to arts, culture and entertainment, inside more than forty buildings that once made up the largest distillery in the Commonwealth. Not to mention two of the Queen City's must-see museums: the Royal Ontario Museum, a prestigious museum of world culture and natural history, and the Art Gallery of Ontario, dedicated entirely to the fine arts. And the list goes on...
As for Niagara Falls, while cruises to the foot of the falls end in late October, the vast majority of attractions welcome visitors year-round, including casinos, the history museum, the botanical garden and the indoor water park. In winter, the city is decked out in all its finery for the Winter Festival of Lights, when over 3 million light bulbs illuminate a 5 km route. Simply enchanting! And what about the spectacle offered by the falls in winter... Watch from the Skylon Tower observatory, from the top of a helicopter, or at Rink at the Brink, an outdoor skating rink near the falls. And if you're visiting Niagara Falls at the end of December, the New Year's Eve festivities in Queen Victoria Park are well worth a visit.
See also our tips for a trip to Niagara Falls from Toronto!
Useful information
When to visit? Autumn lends itself perfectly to exploring Toronto's neighborhoods and gourmet escapades on the Niagara Peninsula, as well as revealing sublime landscapes under the magnificent colors of the trees. During the cold season, the cultural and festive facets of these two regions can be savored to the full.
How to get there. For a return flight between Paris-CDG and Toronto Pearson International Airport, expect to pay between €500 and €1,200.
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