Toronto

Along the shores of Lake Ontario south of downtown lie a series of harbourfront parks and promenades perfect for stretching your legs and getting a dose of fresh air. In the warmer months, enjoy a picnic or open-air festival and when it’s cold, you can go skating or head indoors to the Harbourfront Centre, a cultural hub with year-round events and attractions. You can also catch a water taxi from the marina in the area to zip across to Toronto Island, where a whole other side of the city awaits.

In Toronto’s north end, visit this stately manor built by a wealthy Canadian financier over a century ago and tour the richly landscaped grounds. As well as beautiful interiors and gardens, Casa Loma displays permanent and temporary exhibits that spotlight elements of local history. The Castle—as it styles itself—also plays host to musical performances and escape rooms, and you can even find a premier steakhouse on site with a top-notch art collection that includes works by Warhol and Dalì.

These emblematic neighbourhoods, which are right next to each other, feature a kaleidoscope of stores, street art and international cuisine. Chinatown is a goldmine of incredible sights, sounds and smells, while Kensington Market is a legendary bohemian area with vintage boutiques, graffiti, dive bars, comic book shops and an aura of cool. There’s nothing like wandering around to feel the pulse and tap into the unique energy. Or grab a seat at a coffeeshop or restaurant and enjoy the people-watching. These communities are hip, packed with great spots to eat and drink, and never boring.

An indoor botanical garden, it features five greenhouses practically bursting with verdant palms, otherworldly cacti, tropical plants and rare flowers. Around the Allan Gardens Conservatory sprawls a vast green space with a playground and park where residents and tourists alike can enjoy the lush grass and fresh air. Admission is free and it’s open 365 days a year.