Multiculturalism in Toronto
It's only after spending a few days in Toronto that you really feel how much diversity this city carries. And the reason why you notice it only after a while is that you might think that diversity is due to tourism. The reality instead is that most of Toronto's population is born in a foreign country and has moved there for employment reasons.
Together with people, Toronto has become a place bursting with cultural festivals, national and regional restaurants, and culturally diverse neighborhoods, offering visitors and residents the chance to find their country represented and to quickly dive into different cultures without going too far.
I believe it would be very interesting and stimulating to work and live here, as you could build connections and confront such diverse mindsets. However, after being in Toronto for a week, I felt a bit overwhelmed. The city seemed very cold to me. Despite the diversity, it seems like cultures don't really mix together, making it hard to feel welcomed in a place that's not your "home".
Nice neighborhoods to visit
Distillery District
It's one of the oldest districts in Toronto, and its name comes from the Gooderham and Worts Distillery that this area hosted. It seems as if time has stood still here. You can walk through the Victorian-style buildings while visiting art galleries, local shops and businesses, and vintage boutiques. This district is also the perfect destination if you are trying to escape the crowd and noise of the city, and enjoy a good meal sitting in a cute restaurant.
Kensington Market
Kensington Market is definitely one of the most distinctive neighborhoods that convey Toronto's atmosphere of multiculturalism. This is located west of Chinatown and is considered Canada's bohemian neighborhood. What do we find here? The Market is home to various types of stores. We can find a large selection of vintage clothing stores and at the same time numerous places to eat food from around the world. In fact, there are many bars, restaurants, and bakeries that are able to provide both more informal and more refined cuisine.
Contributing to the even more Bohemian atmosphere are the various festivals that are held there from time to time. Populating the neighborhood are both students and families who live in the tree-lined streets and the tourists and artists who frequent the area daily. We recommend using transportation to get there since the streets are very crowded and parking is hard to find.
Panoramic places to visit
CN Tower
To view the city from above, the best choice is to go to the top of the CN Tower. This, at 553 meters high is Canada's national tower and the fourth tallest such structure in the world. A 58-second ride in a glass elevator takes you to the top. From here it is possible to take a close look at the city's skyscrapers and see views as far as 100 miles. There are 3 viewing levels: the LookOut Level, the Glass Floor with the outdoor SkyTerrace, and the SkyPod, the highest of all.
Toronto Islands
To view the skyscrapers from another perspective we suggest the view offered by Toronto Islands. These are located in Lake Ontario across from the city. To reach them takes are 13-minute ferry ride from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at the foot of Bay St. and Queen's Quay. These are 15 islands interconnected by bridges and paths. There are no cars and to get around them, therefore, one can move around by bike or on foot.
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