Toronto is a city rich in history; yet, it is also a city that never grows old. Canada’s most cosmopolitan city is the cultural heart of south central Ontario and of English-speaking Canada.

One of the greatest benefits of living in or visiting Toronto is its location. From the United States, it is just a 90-minute drive along the Queen Elizabeth Way. Weather-wise, the location is ideal. Toronto is situated on beautiful Lake Ontario. A walk along the waterfront leads to beaches, marinas, boating facilities, parkland, bike trails, and tennis courts. The lake’s influence keeps the winters in Toronto from being severe.

Toronto’s 2.4 million residents welcome 22 million visitors each year. Families are honored guests with many hotels providing special services for guests with children, including separate child-sized registration desks, separate recreation areas and pools just for families and playrooms and games for families with children. There is even an entire museum designed just for children. The Toronto Zoo, Paramount Canada’s Wonderland Amusement Park, Children’s Village, and Wild Water Kingdom are popular family attractions.

Toronto is a favorite convention city and gathering place. Toronto’s streets are safe, the air is clean, and the water is safe to drink. The city is strikingly cosmopolitan and vital in every aspect. In recent years, the United Nations named Toronto as the most ethnically diverse city in the world. Its residents have come to Canada from 170 different countries and speak more than 100 different languages and dialects. Within Toronto, the visitor will pass through neighborhoods that are Italian Asian, Greek, Portuguese, Jewish, Polish, West Indian and Pakistani. Toronto has welcomed its immigrants and the vitality with which they have infused the culture, religion, customs and cuisine of the city.

The Toronto Eaton Centre is more than just a shopping centre. It is an architectural model for shopping malls around the country. Built in 1979, and given a new facade in 1999, it is the third largest mall in Canada and is recognized as one of the city's most popular attractions. The 3 million square foot building with its over 300 stores and services extends along the west side of Yonge Street all the way from Queen Street to Dundas Street (with subway stops directly entering and exiting it at each end). The Eaton Centre, and in fact the whole metropolitan area, are easily accessible by public transportation. The city’s PATH system connects miles of downtown buildings by a unique underground walkway lined with attractive shops and restaurants.

Population:4,500,000
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time
Language: English

Average Temperatures:

Packing:
In winter, pack sturdy, waterproof boots, warm clothes that can be layered and a warm coat, gloves and hat. In summer, pack light cottons, comfortable walking shoes, a sweater and lightweight jacket or windbreaker, sunglasses and a hat. Be prepared with sunscreen for trips to the beach and waterfront.

National Holidays:
New Years Day January 1, Good Friday Varies Easter Monday Varies, Victoria Day Monday preceding May 25, Canada Day July 1 (The Holidays Act provides that July 2 is Canada Day when July 1 Is a Sunday), Labour Day First Monday in September, Thanksgiving Day Second Monday of October, Remembrance Day November 11, Christmas Day December 25, Boxing Day December 26

Transit Information:
For information on the subway, bus, streetcar, and light rapid transit LRT system, call 416/393-4636.

Bike rental:
Cyclepath, 2106 Yonge St 487-1717 , and Wheel Excitement Inc at 5 Rees St 260-9000 , also rents rollerblades.

Bus information:
416-393-7911.

Rail:
GO Transit 869-3200 ; VIA Rail enquiries 366-8411.

Arriving and Departing:

By Plane:
Most flights arrive at Pearson International Airport, in the northwest corner of Metro Toronto, approximately 30 minutes from downtown. The trip may take longer during the morning rush 7 to 9am . A few commuter flights land at the Toronto Island Airport, a short ferry ride from downtown.Pearson has three terminals, served by more than 50 airlines. The most spectacular is the Trillium Terminal 3 905/612-5100.

This supermodern facility has moving walkways, a huge food court, and many retail stores. There is a new, equally grand terminal currently under construction, which will one day replace the existing terminals 1 and 2.To get from the airport to downtown, take Highway 427 south to the Gardiner Expressway East. taxi ; flat-rate limousine, and hotel shuttles are modes of travel from the airport to town. The Airport Express bus 905/564-6333 travels between the airport, the bus terminal, and all major downtown hotels.There is also bus service between the airport and York Mills and Yorkdale subway stations every 40 minutes. The cheapest way to go is by subway and bus, which takes about an hour. The TTC airport bus no. 58A travels between the Lawrence West subway station and Pearson Airport Terminal 2. 416/393-4636.By Train:Trains arrive at Union Station on Front Street, 1 block west of Yonge Street, opposite the Royal York Ho The station has direct access to the subway, so you can easily reach any Toronto destination.

Getting Around:
By Public Transportation:The Toronto Transit Commission, or TTC 416/393-4636 daily from 7am to 10pm for information , operates the subway, bus, streetcar, and light rapid transit LRT system.

Fares:You can buy a special day pass that's good for unlimited travel for one person after 9:30am on weekdays, and good for up to six people a maximum of two adults anytime on Sunday and holidays. There is no Saturday pass, and no multiple-day deals.For surface transportation, you need a ticket, a token, or exact change. You can buy tickets and tokens at subway entrances and at authorized stores that display the sign TTC. Bus drivers do not sell tickets, nor will they make change. Always obtain a free transfer where you board the train or bus, in case you need it. In the subways, use the push-button machine just inside the entrance. On streetcars and buses, ask the driver for a transfer.

The Subway:It is fast, quiet, and clean: and very simple to use. There are two lines: Bloor-Danforth and Yonge-University-Spadina: that form a cross. The Bloor Street east-west line runs from Kipling Avenue in the west to Kennedy Road in the east where it connects with Scarborough Rapid Transit to Scarborough Centre and McCowan Rd. . The Yonge Street north-south line runs from Finch Avenue in the north to Union Station Front St. in the south. From there, it loops north along University Avenue and connects with the Bloor line at the St. George station. A Spadina extension runs north from St. George to Downsview station at Sheppard Avenue.The light rapid transit LRT system connects downtown to Harbourfront. The fare is one ticket or token. It runs from Union Station along Queen's Quay to Spadina, with stops at Queen's Quay ferry docks, York Street, Simcoe Street, and Rees Street, then continues up Spadina to the Spadina subway station. The transfer from the subway to the LRT and vice versa at Union Station is free.The subway operates Monday to Saturday 6am to 1:30am, Sunday 9am to 1:30am. From 1am to 5:30am, the Blue Night Network operates on basic surface routes. It runs about every 30 minutes. For route information, pick up a "Ride Guide" at subway entrances or call 416/393-4636. Multilingual information is available. You can also use the automated information service at 416/393-8663.

Buses & Streetcars:
Where the subway leaves off, buses and streetcars take over. They run east-west and north-south along the city's arteries. For complete TTC information, call 416/393-4636

January
Chinese New Year Celebrations, downtown. The year is ushered in with traditional and contemporary performances of Chinese opera, dancing, music, and more. For Harbourfront celebration information, call 416/973-3000; for SkyDome, call 877/666-3838.

February
Winterfest, Nathan Phillips Square, Yonge and Eglinton, and Mel Lastman Square. This 3-day celebration spreads over three neighborhoods. It features ice-skating shows, snow play, midway rides, performances, ice sculpting, arts-and-crafts shows, and more. For information, call 416/338-0338. Usually around Valentine's Day.Toronto Festival of Storytelling, Harbourfront.  This annual event celebrates international folklore, with 60 storytellers imparting legends and fables from around the world. For information, call 416/973-3000. Last weekend of February.

March
Canada Blooms, Metro Toronto Convention Centre. At this time of year, any glimpse of greenery is welcome. There are 6 acres of indoor garden and flower displays, seminars with green-thumb experts, and competitions. For information, call 416/593-0223. Usually the second week of March.St. Patrick's Day Parade, downtown. Toronto's own version of the classic Irish celebration. For information, call 416/487-1566. March 17.

April
Blue Jays' Season Opener, SkyDome. Turn out to root for your home-away-from-home team. For information, call 416/341-1000; for tickets, which aren't too hard to get, call 888/654-6529. Mid-April.The Shaw Festival, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario. Starting in mid-April and running through the fall, this festival presents the plays of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries. Call 416/690-7301 or 905/468-2172. Mid-April through October.The Bloor-Yorkville Wine Festival, Yorkville. This 4-day gourmet festival brings together award-winning Ontario vintages, food from the city's top-rated chefs, and live jazz. For information, call 416/504-3977. Last weekend in April.

May
Milk International Children's Festival, Harbourfront. This is a 9-day celebration of the arts for kids: from theater and music to dance, comedy, and storytelling. For information, call 416/973-3000. Usually starts on Mother's Day.The Stratford Festival, Stratford, Ontario. Featuring a wide range of contemporary and classic plays, this festival always includes several works by Shakespeare. Call 800/567-1600 or 416/364-8355. Early May through October.North American Cycle Courier Championships, downtown. Part of Toronto's Bike Week, this unique race is really an obstacle course filled with all the things that can ruin a bike courier's day: traffic lights, road problems, and pedestrians. For information, call 416/539-7007. Last week in May.

June
Harbourfront Reading Series, Harbourfront.  This annual festival celebrates the best of Canadian literature. Top writers such as Timothy Findley, Anne Michaels, and Barbara Gowdy flock here to read from their latest works. For information, call Harbourfront at 416/973-3000; for tickets, call 416/973-4000. Readings go on through most of June.North by Northeast Festival, citywide. Known in the music business as NXNE, the 3-day event features rock and indie bands at 28 venues around Toronto. For information, call 416/469-0986. Second weekend in June.Toronto International Festival Caravan, citywide. This popular 9-day event is North America's largest international festival. It features more than 40 themed pavilions, craft demonstrations, opportunities to sample authentic dishes, and traditional dance performances by 100 cultural groups. For information, call 416/977-0466. Usually third and fourth weekends of June.Benson & Hedges Symphony of Fire, Ontario Place. This international fireworks competition is set to music and draws 2 million people to the waterfront. Six shows take place, on several Saturdays and Wednesdays. For information, call 416/442-3667; for tickets for waterfront seating, call 416/870-8000. Mid-June to July.Taste of Little Italy, along College Street between Euclid and Shaw streets. Restaurants, craftspeople, musicians, and other performers put on displays during this 2-day festival for the whole family. For information, call 416/531-9991. Mid-June.International Dragon Boat Festival, Centre Island. More than 160 teams of dragon-boaters compete in the 2-day event, which commemorates the death of the Chinese philosopher and poet Qu Yuan. For information, call 416/598-8945. Third weekend in June.Gay & Lesbian Pride Celebration, citywide. A week of events, performances, symposiums, and parties culminates in an extravagant Sunday parade. For information, call 416/92PRIDE or 416/927-7433. Late June.Du Maurier Downtown Jazz Festival, citywide. An annual event since 1987, this 10-day festival showcases more than 2,000 international artists playing every jazz style conceivable: blues, gospel, Latin, African, traditional: at 60 venues around town. For information, call 416/363-8717. Late June.

July
Canada Day Celebrations, citywide. July 1 marks the nation's birthday. Street parties, fireworks, and other special events across town mark the day. For information, call Tourism Toronto 800/363-1990 or 416/203-2600 . Weekend of July 1.The FringeToronto's Theatre Festival, citywide. More than 90 thespian troupes participate in this 10-day festival of contemporary and experimental theater. Shows last no more than an hour. For information, call 416/534-5919  First week of July.Great Canadian Blues Festival, Harbourfront Centre.  3-day festival of Canada's best blues musicians. The Blues Festival coincides with a  BBQ festival also at Harbourfront. For information, call Harbourfront 416/973-3000 ; for tickets, call 416/973-4000. Second weekend in July.Molson Indy, the Exhibition Place Street circuit. One of Canada's major races on the IndyCar circuit. Away from the track, there's live music and beer gardens. For information, call 416/922-7477. Third weekend in July.Caribana, citywide. Toronto's version of Carnival transforms the city. It's complete with traditional foods from the Caribbean and Latin America, ferry cruises, island picnics, children's events, concerts, and arts-and-crafts exhibits. This festival draws more than 1 million people from across North America and Britain. Call 416/465-4884 for more information. Late July to early August.

August
Festival of Beer, Fort York. More than 70 major Ontario breweries and microbreweries turn out for this celebration. There's also a wide selection of food from local restaurants, and live music of the blues, swing, and jazz persuasions. For information, call 416/698-7206. First weekend in August.Canadian National Exhibition, Exhibition Place. One of the world's largest exhibitions, this 18-day extravaganza features midway rides, display buildings, free shows, and grandstand performers. The 3-day Canadian International Air Show first staged in 1878 is an added bonus. Call 416/393-6000 for information. Mid-August to Labour Day.Du Maurier Ltd. Open, National Tennis Centre at York University. Canada's international tennis championship is an important stop on the pro tennis tour. It attracts players such as Sampras, Agassi, Seles, and Sanchez-Vicario. The Open runs in conjunction with a tournament in Montreal during the middle of August. the women play in Toronto and the men in Montreal.This format alternates each year.  For information, call 416/665-9777. Mid- to late August.

September
Toronto International Film Festival, citywide. The stars come out for the second-largest film festival in the world. More than 250 films from 70 countries are shown over 10 days. For information, call 416/967-FILM. Early September.PGA Tour Canadian Open, Glen Abbey Golf Club, Oakville. Canada's national golf tournament 905/844-1800 has featured the likes of Greg Norman and Tiger Woods in recent years. It's almost always held at Glen Abbey, though Montreal played host in 1997. First or second weekend of September.Word on the Street, Queen Street West between Simcoe Street and Spadina Avenue. This street fair celebrates the written word with author readings, discounted books and magazines, and children's events. Other major Canadian cities hold similar events on the same weekend. For information, call 416/504-7241. Last weekend in September.

October
Oktoberfest, Kitchener-Waterloo, about 1 hour 60 miles from Toronto. This famed 9-day drinkfest features cultural events plus a pageant and parade. For information, call 519/570-4267. Mid-October.International Festival of Authors, Harbourfront. This renowned 11-day literary festival is the most prestigious in Canada. It draws more than 100 authors from 25 countries to perform readings and on-stage interviews. Among the literary luminaries who have appeared are Salman Rushdie, Margaret Drabble, Thomas Kenneally, Joyce Carol Oates, A. S. Byatt, and Margaret Atwood. For information, call Harbourfront 416/973-3000 ; for tickets, call 416/973-4000. Third weekend of October.Toronto Maple Leafs Opening Night, Air Canada Centre. Torontonians love their team, so securing a ticket will be a challenge. The Air Canada Centre seats 18,700 hockey fans. For information, call 416/216-1700; for tickets, call 416/872-5000. Mid-October.The Old Clothing Show & Sale, Exhibition Place. Everything from Jazz Age flapper to Austin Powers-like '60s suits, all under one roof. For information, call 416/410-1310. Third weekend of October.

November
Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and Royal Horse Show, Exhibition Place. The 12-day show is the largest indoor agricultural and equestrian competition in the world. Vegetables and fruits are on display, along with crafts, farm machinery, livestock, and more. A member of the British royal family traditionally attends the horse show. Call 416/393-6400 for information. Mid-November.Santa Claus Parade, downtown. A favorite with children since 1905, it features marching bands, magical floats, clowns, and jolly St. Nick himself. American visitors are usually surprised that the parade's in November, but really, it's better than watching Santa try to slide through slush. For information, call 416/249-7833. Third Sunday of November.One-of-a-Kind Craft Show & Sale, Exhibition Place. More than 400 craft artists from across Canada display their unique wares at this 11-day show: just in time for the holidays. For information, call 416/960-3680. Last weekend in November through early December.Cavalcade of Lights. During this holiday celebration, the trees in and around Nathan Phillips Square are lit up, parties and performances take over the skating rink, and ice sculptures decorate the square. Late November through December 31.Canadian Aboriginal Festival, SkyDome. More than 1,500 Native American dancers, drummers, and singers attend this weekend celebration. There are also literary readings, an arts-and-crafts marketplace, and traditional foods. Call 519/751-0040. Last weekend in November.

December
First Night Toronto and New Year's Eve at City Hall. First Night is a nonalcoholic family New Year's Eve celebration. A  button admits you to a variety of musical, theatrical, and dance performances at downtown venues. To celebrate New Year's Eve, Torontonians gather in Nathan Phillips Square and in Mel Lastman Square in North York, where concerts begin at around 10pm to usher in the countdown to the New Year. December 31.