"My career and perspective of the business world has changed tremendously since attending CDI college." - Adebayo S., CDI Graduate
This wonderfully cosmopolitan city is more than a busy economic centre. When the six municipalities were amalgamated together in 1998, they formed a new "mega-city" made up of a mix of unique neighborhoods, beautiful parks, sports facilities and cultural centres. Whether it is summer or winter, there is much to do in Toronto!
Sports and Outdoor Activities
Waterfront and Beaches
Situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, the lakefront and harbourfront offer a 46-km long waterfront shoreline in the downtown core, that is ideal for biking, walking or roller-blading. These trails also the perfect spots to enjoy the view of the Toronto skyline.
Toronto has three main sections of beach along Lake Ontario that offer escape from the city on hot summer days. The nicest and most popular is in the aptly-named The Beaches neighbourhood, a great location for sunbathing, boating or kayaking.
The Toronto Islands are not to be missed either. Accessible from downtown by ferry, the islands offer a stunning view of the city’s skyline. For cycling, walking, picnicking or just relaxing a moment away from the bustle of the city, the Toronto Islands are hard to beat.Parks
With miles and miles of parkland around the streams and rivers that flow through the city, Toronto is known as "the city within a park". Edwards Gardens and the Toronto Botanical Gardens in the North York neighbourhood might be the place to start exploring this natural environment. With its 17-themed gardens, Toronto Botanical Gardens offer a real educational experience by providing demonstration gardens and hands-on training for gardening lovers.
Sports
Toronto is the only Canadian city with representation in seven major sports leagues, with teams in the National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, Canadian Football League, Major League Soccer, Canadian Women's Hockey League and USL W-League. The city also has major sports venues including Air Canada Centre, Rogers Centre, Ricoh Coliseum, and BMO Field.
Urban Life
The CN Tower defines the Toronto skyline. At a height of 553m, it was the world's tallest freestanding structure until 2007 but still is the tallest tower in the western hemisphere.As the provincial capital of Ontario and largest city in Canada, Toronto offers all the advantages of an exciting urban centre. Each neighborhood has something special to discover. Victorian and Edwardian-era residential buildings can be found in enclaves such as Rosedale, Cabbagetown, the Annex, and Yorkville. Wychwood Park is historically significant for the architecture of its homes, and for being one of Toronto's earliest planned communities. Then head to Little India to get a vibrant sense of the South Asian community, or to Little Italy which gathers the western Mediterranean communities. The Chinatown area is now one of the largest Chinatowns in North America.
Surrounded by extensive fertile farmlands, Toronto also has an abundance of farmer's markets. One happens almost every day in pick season.
Arts and Culture
When it comes to culture, Toronto abounds in quality and diversity. Toronto is a major centre for the performing arts, with more than fifty ballet and dance companies, six opera companies, two symphony orchestras and a host of theatres. The city is home to the National Ballet of Canada, the Canadian Opera Company, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, the Canadian Electronic Ensemble and the Canadian Stage Company.
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is a major museum of world culture and natural history. The Art Gallery of Ontario, recently redesigned by architect Frank Gehry, contains a large collection of Canadian, European, African and contemporary artwork, and also hosts exhibits from all over the world. The Gardiner Museum of ceramic art is the only museum in Canada entirely devoted to ceramics. The Ontario Science Centre always has new hands-on activities and science displays particularly appealing to children. The Toronto Zoo, one of the largest in the world is home to over 5,000 animals.
Shopping
Toronto has numerous opportunities for shopping, and nearly every section of the city has unique places to find deals. Shopping fanatics will love one of the poshest shopping streets in North America. Dubbed the "Fashion Mile", the area of Bloor between Yonge Street and Avenue Road is often compared to Fifth Avenue in New York, Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles and Chicago's Magnificent Mile. There are also several mid-priced shops and ample spots to grab a coffee or a bite to eat.