TORONTO MIGHT JUST be the perfect place to achieve the elusive work-life balance: cut deals in the financial district by day, cut loose in the beating heart of King Street West by night, and unwind in breathtaking natural beauty at the weekend.
The largest city in Canada, and the capital of Ontario, this multicultural hub is friendly, vibrant, industrious and well-connected. Toronto Pearson International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Canada, handled 44.8 million passengers in 2023, with over 100 international routes. From 30 March, UK passengers can look forward to the relaunch of Virgin Atlantic's daily Toronto service - its first route to Canada in over a decade, which will complement existing UK services from Air Canada, Air Transat and British Airways.
Whether you can only escape meetings for an afternoon, or you're planning an entire vacation, Toronto has plenty of sky-high thrills, cultural gems and natural wonders to compete for a place on your itinerary.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1450191940/1737482156/articles/WSW_HOpSD1737715965961/3737323144.jpg]
Top attraction
Toronto's skyscraper-studded skyline is dominated by one standout attraction: the CN Tower. At 553 metres tall, it held the record for the world's tallest free-standing structure for 34 years, until Dubai's Burj Khalifa surpassed it in 2009. While the tower serves as a working telecommunications hub for Canadian TV and radio, it's also one of Toronto's top tourist attractions, with observation decks and a revolving restaurant.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1450191940/1737482156/articles/WSW_HOpSD1737715965961/3317374777.jpg]
If you enjoy the sensation of impending doom, then the CN Tower EdgeWalk is for you. Suspended 356 metres above the ground, it remains the world's highest external building walk - and is not for the faint of heart. After an ear-popping lift to the platform, the door opens to a 1.5-metre platform with no barrier to steady yourself as the wind whistles past. You're harnessed up to cables that could technically support the weight of an elephant or two - but try telling that to your nervous system.
Thankfully you're rewarded with an incredible vantage point of the city (provided you can open your eyes), including the Toronto Islands in Lake Ontario - the location of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. As if standing on the edge of the sky wasn't terrifying enough, guides have a series of "fun" challenges for you to complete. Cutesy names such as "toes over Toronto" belie how hard it is to inch over the platform, while you're also dared to lean backwards into the abyss. If you manage it, you'll be met with a surge of adrenaline and a sense of achievement, plus social media kudos thanks to the option to purchase photos and video of your experience (EdgeWalk costs $225 CAD including tax).
Touring Toronto's neighbourhoods
Back on terra firma, and once legs have stopped wobbling, it's time to explore Toronto's vibrant neighbourhoods. Once home to the historic Gooderham & Worts Distillery, the Distillery District is now a charming cultural hub. Cobblestone streets and restored 19th-century buildings house independent boutiques, art galleries, dining spots and eccentric shops, making it a haven for creatives and visitors alike.
Highlights include the Spirit of York distillery, where you can sample vodka, gin, rum and whisky made on site, and Soma for expertly crafted artisan chocolate. You could spend hours in Bergo Designs, a huge emporium of quirky homeware and gifts sourced from all over the world. Dining options range from French haute cuisine at Cluny to vibrant Mexican cuisine at El Catrin Destileria - complete with sides of fried crickets and an exhaustive tequila menu.
There's also a rotating calendar of live events around the main square, and you can take a deep dive into the area's heritage with a history walking tour. Plus, the area is a great setting for corporate gatherings - the Fermenting Cellar is popular for all sorts of exhibitions and events, most recently hosting a sensory experience by Illuminarium.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1450191940/1737482156/articles/WSW_HOpSD1737715965961/3172237773.jpg]
For a completely different vibe, Kensington Market is one of Toronto's most eclectic neighbourhoods, known for its bohemian atmosphere. Tucked away near Chinatown, the area is a true melting pot of flavours and influences. It's the kind of place where synagogues sit happily next to cannabis shops, and the famous “garden car” (an abandoned car that was filled with potted plants by residents) has been tended to for nearly 20 years. Wander down the colourful narrow streets filled with boutiques and famous vintage stores before diving into the multicultural eateries – fusion spots range from Rasta Pasta, where you'll find a jerk chicken alfredo, to sushi pizza and Korean hotdogs. The neighbourhood is also home to colourful murals, street art and a thriving community of local artisans, making it a hub for creative expression. On weekends, the area is especially lively, with vendors selling fresh produce, flowers and handmade goods.
Day trip beyond the city
Thundering Niagara Falls is a bucket list item for many and, being just an hour's drive outside of Toronto, it's an easy one to tick off with a spare morning or afternoon. The stunning Horseshoe Falls marks the border between Canada and the US, with the views from the Canadian side unparalleled. It's quite something to witness the astounding spectacle, with 3,160 tons of water flowing over the edge every second. While the free roadside views are astonishing, you can ramp up the volume with the 'Journey to the Falls' experience, which takes you into the tunnels 38 metres below the waterfall. Alternatively, take a boat tour for a spray-soaked adventure that will give you an up-close and personal encounter.
If you have time for a full day trip, it would be remiss not to explore Niagara wine country. Immerse yourself in the art of wine production at the picturesque Peller Estates Winery. The one-hour winery tour dives into enormous oak barrel cellars and a freezing ice room for samples of the region's unique ice wine. (Its secret? Frozen grapes are picked and pressed at night, so the sun doesn't thaw them.) There's a healthy amount of tasting to be done, meaning you emerge primed and ready to visit the gift s...
The largest city in Canada, and the capital of Ontario, this multicultural hub is friendly, vibrant, industrious and well-connected. Toronto Pearson International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Canada, handled 44.8 million passengers in 2023, with over 100 international routes. From 30 March, UK passengers can look forward to the relaunch of Virgin Atlantic's daily Toronto service - its first route to Canada in over a decade, which will complement existing UK services from Air Canada, Air Transat and British Airways.
Whether you can only escape meetings for an afternoon, or you're planning an entire vacation, Toronto has plenty of sky-high thrills, cultural gems and natural wonders to compete for a place on your itinerary.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1450191940/1737482156/articles/WSW_HOpSD1737715965961/3737323144.jpg]
Top attraction
Toronto's skyscraper-studded skyline is dominated by one standout attraction: the CN Tower. At 553 metres tall, it held the record for the world's tallest free-standing structure for 34 years, until Dubai's Burj Khalifa surpassed it in 2009. While the tower serves as a working telecommunications hub for Canadian TV and radio, it's also one of Toronto's top tourist attractions, with observation decks and a revolving restaurant.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1450191940/1737482156/articles/WSW_HOpSD1737715965961/3317374777.jpg]
If you enjoy the sensation of impending doom, then the CN Tower EdgeWalk is for you. Suspended 356 metres above the ground, it remains the world's highest external building walk - and is not for the faint of heart. After an ear-popping lift to the platform, the door opens to a 1.5-metre platform with no barrier to steady yourself as the wind whistles past. You're harnessed up to cables that could technically support the weight of an elephant or two - but try telling that to your nervous system.
Thankfully you're rewarded with an incredible vantage point of the city (provided you can open your eyes), including the Toronto Islands in Lake Ontario - the location of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. As if standing on the edge of the sky wasn't terrifying enough, guides have a series of "fun" challenges for you to complete. Cutesy names such as "toes over Toronto" belie how hard it is to inch over the platform, while you're also dared to lean backwards into the abyss. If you manage it, you'll be met with a surge of adrenaline and a sense of achievement, plus social media kudos thanks to the option to purchase photos and video of your experience (EdgeWalk costs $225 CAD including tax).
Touring Toronto's neighbourhoods
Back on terra firma, and once legs have stopped wobbling, it's time to explore Toronto's vibrant neighbourhoods. Once home to the historic Gooderham & Worts Distillery, the Distillery District is now a charming cultural hub. Cobblestone streets and restored 19th-century buildings house independent boutiques, art galleries, dining spots and eccentric shops, making it a haven for creatives and visitors alike.
Highlights include the Spirit of York distillery, where you can sample vodka, gin, rum and whisky made on site, and Soma for expertly crafted artisan chocolate. You could spend hours in Bergo Designs, a huge emporium of quirky homeware and gifts sourced from all over the world. Dining options range from French haute cuisine at Cluny to vibrant Mexican cuisine at El Catrin Destileria - complete with sides of fried crickets and an exhaustive tequila menu.
There's also a rotating calendar of live events around the main square, and you can take a deep dive into the area's heritage with a history walking tour. Plus, the area is a great setting for corporate gatherings - the Fermenting Cellar is popular for all sorts of exhibitions and events, most recently hosting a sensory experience by Illuminarium.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1450191940/1737482156/articles/WSW_HOpSD1737715965961/3172237773.jpg]
For a completely different vibe, Kensington Market is one of Toronto's most eclectic neighbourhoods, known for its bohemian atmosphere. Tucked away near Chinatown, the area is a true melting pot of flavours and influences. It's the kind of place where synagogues sit happily next to cannabis shops, and the famous “garden car” (an abandoned car that was filled with potted plants by residents) has been tended to for nearly 20 years. Wander down the colourful narrow streets filled with boutiques and famous vintage stores before diving into the multicultural eateries – fusion spots range from Rasta Pasta, where you'll find a jerk chicken alfredo, to sushi pizza and Korean hotdogs. The neighbourhood is also home to colourful murals, street art and a thriving community of local artisans, making it a hub for creative expression. On weekends, the area is especially lively, with vendors selling fresh produce, flowers and handmade goods.
Day trip beyond the city
Thundering Niagara Falls is a bucket list item for many and, being just an hour's drive outside of Toronto, it's an easy one to tick off with a spare morning or afternoon. The stunning Horseshoe Falls marks the border between Canada and the US, with the views from the Canadian side unparalleled. It's quite something to witness the astounding spectacle, with 3,160 tons of water flowing over the edge every second. While the free roadside views are astonishing, you can ramp up the volume with the 'Journey to the Falls' experience, which takes you into the tunnels 38 metres below the waterfall. Alternatively, take a boat tour for a spray-soaked adventure that will give you an up-close and personal encounter.
If you have time for a full day trip, it would be remiss not to explore Niagara wine country. Immerse yourself in the art of wine production at the picturesque Peller Estates Winery. The one-hour winery tour dives into enormous oak barrel cellars and a freezing ice room for samples of the region's unique ice wine. (Its secret? Frozen grapes are picked and pressed at night, so the sun doesn't thaw them.) There's a healthy amount of tasting to be done, meaning you emerge primed and ready to visit the gift s...
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Business Traveller Uk (Digital) - 1 Issue, February 2025