Toronto Canada

Tips For Your Visit To Ripley’s Aquarium In Toronto, Canada

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People Enjoying Ripleys Aquarium

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The Ripley’s Aquarium is a captivating attraction. It is home to more than 450 species of marine life. The Aquarium sits on a 35,000sq. ft. space and has a 315ft. long viewing glass tunnel with a moving walkway that snakes through Dangerous lagoons. Ripley’s Aquarium is open daily throughout the year, from 9am to 9pm. The aquarium may close early when it is hosting special or private events.

When To Visit

The aquarium is a popular attraction that gets hundreds of visitors, the weekends being the busiest days. Hence, if you plan to visit the place then plan to do it on a weekday and in the morning hours or late hours of the day. Between 9 and 10 in the morning and then 3 in the afternoon; those are the ideal hours to be at the entrance. You will find a short queue and the best bit is that there are no crowds or groups of students visiting. If you plan to visit during the weekend, then you should plan to be there at 11am in the morning or later on during the day at around 4pm. Upon entry, the tranquil music playing from the aquarium’s speakers gives a transcendent feeling that adds to the overall experience.

How Much Time To Spend

How much time to spend in the aquarium is often a matter of personal preference; it can be based on one’s plans for the visit and the day. However, if you aim to enjoy your visit, you should plan to spend around three hours at the aquarium as you marvel as the diversity of marine life on display. Do not be quick to view the exhibits; take your time and wait to see the different types of fish as they swim.

Carry a camera with you and taking pictures of the different marine life, being patient and waiting for the fish to swim into the frame so that you can capture the perfect shot.  The time you spend waiting for the perfect shot will be enough for you discover the rhythmic dances of the various species of fish and its way of life in the expansive mass of water.

How To Take Perfect Photos

Taking a photo may not be as easy as it seems. Most of the sea creatures are in constant motion, and the aquarium is quite dark, which also presents a unique challenge. However, you need to have a good camera, some insight on which type of camera to carry, and some photography skills. For instance, you can use a wide angle lens to take photos of fish in tight spaces. A camera with zoom lens is ideal for close-up shots but make sure you reduce the blur in the pictures. All in all, carry a camera with excellent imaging and speed and make sure you do your homework on marine photography to get a few clues on what to expect.

If you just to take memorable shots of your visit, then your smartphone will handle all the photography. At least it is less technical and produces nice photo though some may come out a bit blobby; nonetheless, you still will manage to capture many photos, a handful of which will be less than okay. Just remember to disable the flash so that you kill any ambiance that may be created when the light heat the glass barrier.

Where To Find The Best Dining Experience When In Toronto

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Picture Of A Restaurant

Toronto’s restaurant scene can be as alluring and surprising as its many sights and sounds. The city has many top eateries with some have a world class status, and this is why it is impossible to miss an exceptional dining experience when in Toronto. Here are some of the restaurants that standout in Toronto’s culinary scene.

Alo

Alo is a fine-dining restaurant with a four-star rating, which speaks of the exemplary services and exquisite dishes Alo has to offer. If you find it included in the menu, consider ordering a dish made with foie gras, bouncy, coxcomb, and veal trotter. While the restaurant’s settings and its deluxe food may make you think that it is a bit pricey, the changing menu makes it possible for a guest to enjoy select dishes for as little as $89.

Yunaghi

Yunaghi offers a mix of Japanese and Western cuisine. The dishes never lack a visual flair that speaks of the level of art in Chef Tetsuya Shimizu culinary skills. It is a four-star restaurant. It is its combination of a laid back setting and modern elements that distinguish Yunaghi from other customary kaiseki eateries. For only $77, a customer can enjoy a seven-course meal, which is fairly reasonable given the quality of the food and its preparation. Sticky rice topped with leek emulsion, pickled ginger and marinated honey mushrooms is its signature item for its rice course.

Eulalie’s Corner Store

The name may give a varied impression of what to expect, but everything about Eulalie’s Corner Store is true when it comes to classy dining. While it may offer sandwiches, waffles, and other snacks, this restaurant is considered the place to be for some authentic Indian cuisine. It has something nearly every taste and preference thus even vegetarians can find a tasty dish such as the mushroom dip. All in all, Eulalie’s Corner Store is a nice place to take the family for dinner.

Dandylion

Dandylion was, during its first several months, a restaurant where chefs go to dine. Why? The restaurant was opened by Master Chef Jason Carter, and it was opened after his long career in the Kitchen. Thus, those who came were coming with the intention to pay respects to the chef and savory is culinary creations. The dishes are the huge reason for the restaurants fame because Carter’s creations consist of only nine dishes, done in variations and are a blend of European cuisine.

Boralia

Boralia is located on Ossington Avenue and it a trending joint that brings out the best of old-school cooking, giving it a modern twist. The owners, Chef Morris, and Evelyn Wu Morris come from British Columbia and saw Toronto was the perfect place to set up a restaurant to bring back the rich diversity of forgotten Canadian cuisine. The menu rarely strays from the Canadian cuisine paying keen attention to the past recipes. The dishes include smoked mussels adapted from something Samuel de Champlain whipped up for his crew when they were homesick way back in 1605.

Interesting Activities For Kids In Toronto Before They Grow Up

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View Of Mount Pleasant Cemetery

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Visiting Toronto with kids can indeed be an exciting experience, given the innumerable activities ready to welcome you and your kids. Here are some of the prime attractions the city has to offer.

Music Garden

Get lost in the beauty of musical compositions as you enter the Music Garden of Toronto. The design of this beautiful garden was conceived by Julie Moir Messervy, renowned landscape designer, and Yo Yo Ma, a famous cellist. The exclusive features of the Garden, including the Maypole and the Music Pavilion, were designed by the Canadian artists Anne Roberts and Tom Tollefson.

Sunnyside Park And Gus Ryder Pool

There was a time when the park housed the Sunnyside Amusement Park. Currently, there are no swimsuit pageants or roller coaster rides; but the place still has a lot of things to provide amusement to families.

Take a stroll down the boardwalk, as you make a halt to run across the big splash pad or climb the large statues of dinosaurs, or even get to the swings for some workout. You may also make good use of the exercise equipment present, explore the Martin Goodman Trail or enjoy some beach volleyball. If you do not like lake water, the Gus Ryder swimming pool is waiting for you to take a dip. By the side of the pavilion, there are concession stands where you will get ice cream cones, hot dogs and pizzas.

Riverdale Farm

The farm covers 7.5 acres of land and its beautiful landscape includes pathways that traverse through wooded regions, meandering around ponds and passing into vegetable and flower gardens. Enjoy interacting with the farm animals and start a conversation with the farmers as they carry out their daily chores. The Riverdale Farm is situated in the center of Cabbagetown downtown community in a beautiful park like setting. The admission here is free of cost.

Mount Pleasant Cemetery

This cemetery is not only a living memorial, but is also a keeper of the history of the country. It is the final abode of a number of prominent Canadians including pianist Glenn Gould, first female surgeon of Canada Jennie Smillie Robinson and William Lyon Mackenzie King, who is the former prime minister of Canada. The place has an exclusive artwork collection which adds to its natural beauty. There are also large flower gardens and numerous trees which are home to a plethora of wildlife including birds.

Dufferin Grove Park

This is a great place for families looking for some healthy living, recreation, relaxation as well as social interaction. The park has a couple of fire pits where one can enjoy camping. There is also an artificial ice rink that is opened to the public in the winter season. You can also attend the Friday Night Supper, which has special menus for children. A gardening program is also held where everybody can take part.

You can also take your kids to the Adventure Playground at High Park, which is designed specifically with kids in mind, and has many giant wood castles with several hiding places. Other places to have a blast with your kids include Grenadier Pond, Sunnybrook Stables, Bata Shoe Museum, and more.

TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO IN TORONTO

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A View Of CN Tower

From great weather and vibrant surroundings to highly artistic culture and friendly locals, the Great White North is sure to impress you in every way. As the most populous city in Canada, Toronto displays an eclectic mix of culture. It is home to a few Chinatowns, a Little Italy, a Greek Town, a Little Portugal, and a Korea town.

So, a vacation in Toronto means you get to experience diverse culture under one roof. Open wide spaces, landscapes, museums, parks, global eats and historical buildings offer a wide range of things to do. If you are still confused then here is a list of top 5 things to do in Toronto:

Take A Tour Of The Famous CN Tower

The CN Tower is the one of the most significant buildings in the world standing tall at 1,815 feet and 5 inches. Apart from being the center of Toronto tourism, this iconic building also serves as the telecommunications hub of the state. CN Tower attracts nearly 2 million visitors every year who enjoy breathtaking views from the four level viewing areas of this tower. It also houses a café and a famous eatery from where visitors can see 360-degree view of the city.

Splash Some Cash At Yorkville

If you are dying to splash some cash then there are several reasons to do so at the Bloor-Yorkville, where you can find high end shops and award winning restaurants. This place offers you a unique blend of modernity and historic charm. This is the most popular and fashionable neighborhood in Toronto where you can find luxury hotels, world class galleries, plush eateries, designer boutiques, and much more to explore.

Casa Loma – The Heritage Landmark

When you are in Toronto, you must plan a visit to Casa Loma, which is a much celebrated landmark in the city. This beautiful heritage building is also used as an event space as it presents that ideal backdrop for many important occasions. The Liberty Entertainment Group is planning to preserve this historical building and make improvements to it by adding more facilities for school events and cultural programs.

Explore The Downtown Area

The downtown area is worth exploring as the streets that surround the heart of Toronto is always bustling with life and activities. You will find headquarters of many Canadian companies in this area and also several accommodation options. There are several hotels, restaurants and high end shops at the downtown area. Numerous high-rise condominiums have recently sprung up to accommodate the influx of people wanting to make the downtown their home.

A Date With The Royal Ontario Museum

When you want to get your historical fix with the city, you must visit the Royal Ontario Museum which stands tall as the pride of Toronto. The museum initially was divided into five separate museums that came to be recognized together as a single historical museum in 1968. When you visit Toronto, don’t miss a date with this heritage building that will give you an insight into the history and culture of this diverse country.

EXPERIENCE THE BEST OF TRAVEL AND LEISURE IN TORONTO LIKE A CELEBRITY

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View From Above Of Yorkville District In Downtown Toronto

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Toronto is at times referred to a Hollywood North and with good reason. It is a part of Canada that has some unique spots that can make you feel like you are a movie celebrity. It is a city that is an embodiment of some of the prominent places in America such as New York, Boston, and Chicago.

Being a city that has four seasons in which to film, it probably the reason that it plays host to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and even held every September that gets high press coverage and celebrities and businessmen alike.If you are thinking of visiting Toronto, this time round try and do it like an A-lister by walking the walk of the movie makers. Just keep in mind that this is not a thing that Torontonians do; they are never wowed easily when in the presence of a film celebrity.

THE TIFF HUB

Visit around the time when the city hosts the TIFF Bell Light Box that is a mix of panel discussions, interviews, premieres, and screenings held in a state of the art space. Within the same area, a lavish O&B Canteen and an upscale bar and dining section called Luma. The two restaurants are pack with customers ranging from actors, directors, onlookers, and industry type getting a something to bite. The Montecito is close by and it also takes a good number of VIP bookings. It is a favorite joint owned by Ivan Reitman and run by Chef Jonathan Waxman. Montecito serves a California-style cuisine made from fresh market products. Some of the movie celebrities are known to have dined there include Denzel Washington, Robert Pattinson, and Jennifer Garner among others.

Another famous restaurant just round the corner is Momofuku Toronto. It is a sleek joint owned by David Chang that has independent eateries. Momofuku has served its fair share of A-listers including Felicity Jones and Liam Neeson. The Ritz-Carlton is yet another spot frequented by celebs and it is reported that Olivia Wilde, Alexander Skarsgard, and Ryan Gosling had hung their hats there.

YORKVILLE

If you seek to shop like an A-lister, then Yorkville is the place to head. It is an upscale neighborhood popular to many Hollywood royalties. It is the perfect place to go do a bit of high-end shopping and a chance to bump into movie celebs as you stroll along Bloor Street. It is home to Chef Daniel Boulud’s Four Season Hotel’s dbar that has hosted many celebrities such as Bruce Springsteen and Woody Harrelson. It is a one of a kind space that has an enormous dining patio and 20ft windows that stretch from the floor to the ceiling.

The One Restaurant located at Hazelton Hotel is a popular eatery for many celebs including Jennifer Aniston and Bono, and some celebs also option to stay at the hotel when in Toronto. The Parisian Style Bistro La Societé is yet another glamorous place that has seen the likes of Michael Kors, and Amy Adams possibly come to enjoy a French bubbly and the duck confit.

DOWNTOWN CORE

Eateries in other parts of the city are often a choice for those celebs that do not like the limelight and prefer staying under the radar. One such spot is Buca on King and Portland that has seen celebs such as Penelope Cruz and Jason Priestly. The Vibe is yet another joint located in at Soho House; a members-only restaurant frequented by the likes of Colin Firth and Jenner Lawrence.

TORONTO BREAKS RECORD WITH MORE THAN 14 MILLION OVERNIGHT STAYS IN 2015

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Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto

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In the six years leading up to Toronto’s record-breaking 2015, the Canadian powerhouse had seen its popularity reach new heights. In addition to the 14.04 million overnight visitors, the city saw 26 million day visitors. The increase in tourism has given the economy a boost, with 7.2 billion USD spent by tourists in 2015 alone.

INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION

Of those 14 million visits, 4 million were international, with 2.48 million from the United States, and 1.75 million from China and the United Kingdom. These visits generated 7.2 billion USD in direct spending within Toronto, which according to Tourism Toronto’s report is the highest economic stimulus ever created by the tourism sector.

Despite the fact that US visits have been increasing since 2010, 2015 saw an even stronger 10% rise. Air and land crossings from the US have ballooned, breaking records for the number of American visits to the city. 65% of American visitors get to Toronto via air, a rising number.

Visits originating from China and India increased 13% from 2014 to 2015. Mexican and Brazilian visits were up 24% each; the United Kingdom, 10%; Japan, 3%; and Germany down by 1%.

FOCUSED EFFORTS

Tourism Toronto CEO and President, Johanne Bélanger, credits the increase in tourism across the board to more aggressive marketing efforts. These efforts have been mainly focused in the US, and include the Toronto Stopover program offered through Air Canada for Americans travelling overseas. In addition to the Stopover Program, partnerships with national and provincial marketing agencies have helped to create the surge in visits.

AN ECONOMIC AFFAIR

Bélanger cites the hard work of the hotel industry as a positive economic impact of the growth. “Every day there are 110,000 visitors in our destination – 38,000 of them staying in a hotel. On average there are 6,800 American travellers and a further 4,800 visitors from other countries in Toronto every single day, and that speaks to the growing appeal of Toronto on a global scale. It also speaks to the hard work our team and our partners do selling and marketing Toronto in key world markets and the results those efforts are producing,” she says.

Overall, hotels in Toronto in 2015 sold over 9 million room nights, a 2.6% increase from 2014. The growth in Toronto tourism has contributed over 600,000 room nights every year to the hotel industry.

The tourism industry of Toronto employs more than 300,000 people in various sectors of economy, from hospitality to goods and services. In addition to accommodations, tourists spend money on food, music and theatre events, nightlife, transportation, and shopping. The tourism sector is of great significance to the overall economic condition of Toronto, as well as the community affairs.

Toronto was also the host of many meetings and corporate events in 2015. They brought over 350,000 representatives who spent 417 million USD during their stays. Tourism Toronto and their partnerships also have more than 750 future events booked for the city. These future events are planned to bring in 350,000 people and 375 million USD.