Initially built in 1844 as Toronto’s first city hall, Old York's outstanding St. Lawrence Market is a social spot for locals and a choice destination for food lovers. Sample a slice of Canadian bacon, grab a Montréal-style bagel, or wander around more than 50 speciality stalls serving fresh seafood, pasta and baked goods.

Just a two-hour drive from Toronto is one of the most stunning natural wonders in the world – Niagara Falls. Don a poncho and take a cruise on the Maid of the Mist to experience the falls up close or jump on the yellow bug elevator at the Skylon Tower observation deck for a 236 metre view over the falls.

Canada has two national sports. In the summer, Canadians go crazy for lacrosse while in winter it’s all about ice hockey. Attending an ice hockey game at Air Canada Centre is an exciting experience. Watch the competitive clash between two professional NHL hockey teams. Tickets can be scarce, so book in advance.

Toronto was once the alcohol distillation centre of North America. These days the scene is a bit more gentrified. The five-hectare Distillery District, centred around the 1832 Gooderham and Worts Distillery, features Victorian industrial warehouses that now house art galleries, design boutiques, fashionable cafes and modern restaurants.

The tallest freestanding tower in the Western Hemisphere and Toronto's most iconic landmark, the CN Tower is 553 metres tall, weighs 130,000 tonnes, and cost C$63 million to build. Take one of the glass-fronted elevators, which travel at 20 feet per second, to the top for awe-inspiring views across the city – providing it’s a clear day.