Toronto Neighbourhoods
Toronto has so many different areas worth visiting. Venture into some of these neighbourhoods for a true cultural exploration!

Ask a Torontonian where they live and they won't reply with a street address or intersection. They'll name the neighbourhood. Cabbagetown. Greektown. Corso Italia. Toronto is a city of neighbourhoods. Here are some of the highlights:

Chinatown
There is not one, but five Chinatowns in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). The heart of the largest is at Dundas and Spadina in downtown Toronto. Chinatown East is smaller, but no less boisterous. Pacific Mall, the continents largest Chinese mall, is the centre of Markhams Chinatown. Plus, there are two more Chinese neighbourhoods to discover in Mississauga and Scarborough.

Cabbagetown
Named for the cabbages that once grew in every yard, helping early Irish immigrants make ends meet, this neighbourhood is lined with beautifully restored Victorian homes from the 19^th Century. It is also home to Riverdale Farm, Torontos only remaining farm. Cows, chickens and sheep are raised for educational purposes here, right in the heart of the city.

The Village
Torontos proud neighbourhood of gays and lesbians is known as The Village. It is an area of exuberance centred at Church and Wellesley streets that is marked with rainbow-coloured flags fluttering from every pole. The annual Pride Parade takes place here towards the end of June, drawing close to 750,000 people, straight, gay or otherwise, from across the city and around the world.

The Beaches
Once a summer - only retreat with carnivals, cotton candy and cottages that Torontonians flocked to when the heat hit, The Beaches is now a year-round funky corner of the city that thousands call home. Its claim to fame is its lengthy boardwalk, sandy volleyball courts, and California vibe. However, the stores, bars and restaurants along Queen Street East are distinctly Toronto.

The Danforth/Greektown
The first section of Danforth Avenue, just across the Don Valley, is the place to go if you crave a serving of saganaki, set aflame beside your table, or any other Greek culinary specialty. The area caters to Torontos Greek population, the second largest in the world outside Greece itself, but the lively action on the strip draws people from all backgrounds.

West Queen West
With its unique galleries, boutique hotels, funky shops and one of Torontos finest dog parks, West Queen West is the epitome of cool. Its eclectic mix of styles draws a diverse group of inhabitants, from loft-dwelling artists and young professionals to families renovating Victorian homes.

St. Lawrence and Corktown
More than a century ago Corktown was filled with Irish immigrants from County Cork and the St. Lawrence neighbourhood was the citys industrial heart. Although much has changed since then, its rich past still lives on. Especially in the St. Lawrence Market, where delicious specialties from dozens of market stalls tempt the hungry.

The West End
For the adventuresome, a group of colourful neighbourhoods awaits to the west. They are: Roncesv alles Village, also known as Little Poland, where you can savour kolduny and chlodnik; Bloor West Village, where the Ukrainian Festival generates plenty of excitement every August; and High Park, a hilly oasis for those wishing to get back to nature.

King Street West
This stretch of King Street was once bustling with lunch-box toting workers trudging off to work in local factories. Today those factories have been transformed into lofty offices and gleaming condos where young professionals work and play. The Amsterdam Brewery, its air heavy with the scent of malt, is the perfect place for a break while exploring this neighbourhood.

Little Italy and Corso Italia
With almost half a million people of Italian origin, it is no surprise that Toronto has two distinctly Italian neighbourhoods. The first is known as Little Italy. Boot-shaped decorative lights illuminate College Street, making this area unmistakable. The second is Corso Italia, on St. Clair Avenue West, where the latest Italian fashions are displayed and soccer is taken very seriously.

Attractions
If youre looking for advice on where to go in Toronto, youre not likely to get a clear consensus. With so many beautiful attractions to see and places to experience, its hard to single out just a few. But then again, why settle on a few? Our advice: pack plenty of film and experience them all. Below is a short sampling:

CN Tower
Instantly recognizable, the CN Tower pierces the skyline of Toronto like an exclamation mark. The entire structure is designed to thrill and amaze. Elevators shoot upwards at 22 km/h (15 mph) and cover a distance of 1,135 feet in 58 seconds. Looking out from the SkyPod level on a clear day, the view can stretch 160 km and bring Niagara Falls and Rochester, NY into sight.

Waterfront and Islands
Many of Torontos best features are right on Lake Ontario. There are beaches where you can scrunch sand between your toes. There are schools that will teach you everything from kite-sailing to sea kayaking. The Toronto Islands are just a short ferry ride away. Theyre a car-free escape from the city with everything from bumper cars to haunted lighthouses.

Harbourfront
Once a desolate chunk of industrial land, this area was taken over by the Canadian government in 1971. Today its been transformed into a hive of cultural and artistic activity on the shore of the lake. Harbourfront Centre holds more than 4,000 theatrical and musical events every year.

Old Town
Old Town Toronto is a community with a rich history. With one of the largest concentrations of 19th-Century buildings in Ontario, this area of town has been experiencing a cultural and economic revitalization. Many of the historic buildings are now home to art galleries, coffee shops and specialty shops.

Niagara Region
With 35 million gallons of water rushing over the falls every minute, its no wonder why the Niagara Region is so popular. But there are plenty of other reasons to visit the area too. For wine lovers, there are vineyards to visit. For the thrill-seeker, there is a haunted fort, and for those who just need to be cooled off, the killer whales of Marineland create a sizable splash.

Green Toronto
Toronto once had a parks commissioner who became internationally famous for putting up signs that stated Please walk on the grass. The idea was shocking for the time. Today those signs can still be seen. There are some parks wild enough to support deer and coyotes. Others have imaginative playgrounds that provide hours of fun for young and old alike.

Toronto Zoo
Take a stroll through the Sahara Desert. Dive under water and witness otters, beavers and seals in their natural habitat. Watch nocturnal animals roam around in a pavilion that simulates night. With over 5,500 animals representing 460 different species, the 710-acre Toronto Zoo is an oasis of discovery for children and adults.

Museums
For those with inquiring minds, Torontos museums can satisfy anyones curiosity. The largest is the Royal Ontario Museum, which holds over six million objects and artifacts. Fashion lovers will enjoy the unique Bata Shoe Museum and hockey fans can live out their dream at the Hockey Hall of Fame. In fact, theres a museum here for just about any interest.

Casa Loma
Sir Henry Pellatt was a dreamer and romantic. He took a handful of sketches of his favourite castles to Toronto architect Edward Lennox, designer of Torontos Old City Hall. The result is Casa Loma. Its turreted, imposing presence makes it one of Torontos icons. The castle overlooks the city on land that once marked the shoreline of Lake Iroquois 12,000 years ago.

Rogers Centre
Torontos Rogers Centre is a marvel in itself. Its the worlds first stadium with a fully retractable roof. Four giant white-topped panels rest on top of each other when the roof is open. Then the panels spread out at 21 metres a minute for the 20-minute trip to seal the elements out. If it happens when theres a game on, it can be tough deciding which to watch.

Photos and information kindly provided by Tourism Toronto: www.torontotourism.com