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Toronto

Toronto, Ontario was my first real stop of my month long rail journey in 2002. I had never been to Toronto before this. I enjoyed the city very much and I look forward to going back sometime in the future. There's lots to see and do in the heart of the city. And all of it can be done without a car. And much of it can be done without going outside. Toronto has an underground world; a series of tunnels from the train station through the business district up almost as far as city hall with "side streets". There are stores and food courts and banks and even a post office. There may be more that I didn't find while wandering about. I admit that I got lost more than once. When this happened and I would break down and ask for help (real men don't ask for directions) all the merchants I talked with were very accommodating. I have only one warning to visitors. Stay away at 5 PM. People are flowing out of the buildings and form a tidal wave heading for the train station.

The CN Tower

The Canadian National Tower, at 1815 feet, is the tallest freestanding structure in North America. If you go to Toronto this is one place you need to visit. If you're not afraid of heights you must spend a few extra dollars and get a ticket to the Skypod. The Observation Deck is only 1122 feet above ground. The Skypod is 1465 feet above ground. That's more than a quarter mile! It's the World's Highest Public Observation Deck.
CN Tower in Toronto CN Tower in Toronto CN Tower in Toronto RCPM Moose in the CN Tower CN Tower in Toronto

On the Observation Deck of the CN Tower there is a glass floor which allows you to look straight down to the ground 1122 feet below. Here is a shot of the floor and a few shots of the view when looking down thru the glass. The last two shots show the old Canadian National Railroad John Street roundhouse across the street from the tower as seen from the observation deck and at ground level.
The glass floor in the CN Tower The glass floor in the CN Tower The glass floor in the CN Tower Roundhouse next door to the CN Tower Roundhouse next door to the CN Tower

Toronto seen from the Observation Deck of the CN Tower

The first two photos are of downtown Toronto, then looking to the east, and last looking to the west.
downtown Toronto downtown Toronto looking east out of the CN Tower looking west out of the CN Tower

I stayed at the Royal York Hotel. It was built by the Canadian Pacific Railroad in the late 1920's across the street from the train station. It is a grand and very regal hotel. I felt very out of place staying here, being a Holiday Inn type of guy.
First is the hotel from the ground. Next a view of Union Station (the green roofed building at the right) and the hotel (the second green roof from the right) as seen from the CN tower,
The Royal York hotel Union Station and Royal York Hotel
Toronto Union Station is a wonderful station, inside, outside and on the boarding platforms.
Toronto Union Station Toronto Union Station Toronto Union Station Toronto Union Station

Around Toronto

I found Toronto to be a wonderful city. Here's a sample of what I saw.
The Hockey Hall of Fame the Toronto Skydome, home of the Blue Jays baseball team, unidentified art work on a street corner, the walkway between Union Station and the CN Tower, and "The Gateway to Understanding" by David Rubin Piqtoukun
The Hockey Hall of Fame Toronto Skydome Artwork on a street in Toronto walkway Gateway to Understanding

Here are photos of the Toronto skyline as seen from the base of the CN Tower, the Toronto City Hall, an unidentified building near the Royal York Hotel, the Air Canada Centre, home of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team, and a snowman that's not scared by warm weather.
Toronto skyline Toronto City Hall a building in Toronto's financial zone a building in Toronto's financial zone Air Canada Centre snowman

     
©2002,2006 John Simakauskas
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