Toronto enjoys four great seasons, and each season can offer the tourist a thousand reasons to visit. Keep in mind though, Winter can thwart the best of travel plans with its Canadian chill, but Fall is a excellent time to check out the city. In Summertime, Toronto hosts the annual Caribana festival — a Carnivale-like celebration and North America's largest street festival, which turns the city into a non-stop party. Winds blow into Toronto from Lake Ontario and can be chilly, even in the Summer, so don't forget to bring along your sweater! Toronto prides itself on being one of the world's greatest walking cities, and the efficient local subway system offers an alternative to driving. Finally, take in a game or two at the ultra-modern Air Canada Centre. Better yet, get tickets for a hockey game with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the city's beloved home team.

Acommodations

The rack rate is the maximum rate a hotel charges for a room. Always ask if there are any better deals available.

The Windsor Arms
18 St. Thomas Street. Toronto
416-971-9666
www.windsorarmshotel.com
Exclusive 28-room hotel located in Midtown West. Rooms begin at $255 USD, with the hotel's Superior Suite currently at a rate of $1,502 USD per night. There are weekend discounts available — Ask when making a reservation.

Hotel Victoria
56 Yonge Street, Toronto
800-363-8228
www.hotelvictoria-toronto.com
56-unit budget accommodation located in Toronto's Downtown West. Nightly rates start at $64 USD, but be sure to inquire about specials.

Travel

Private Car and Chauffeur
The Windsor Arms Concierge service
18 St. Thomas Street. Toronto
416-971-9666
www.windsorarmshotel.com
The concierge desk offers a Bentley car and private Chauffeur available on a daily hire. Rates begin at $115 per hour or $897 USD per day.

Food

Look for a wide range of tasty ethnic restaurants: Szechwan, Hunan, Mandarin and Cantonese.

Rain — restaurant and bar
19 Mercer Street, Toronto
416-599-7246
www.visualstore.com
Rain is located in Toronto's theater district. The signature dish of the house is fire-roasted Japanese Sirloin, which sells for $33 USD for two. Hours: Mon.-Weds., 5:30-10:30 p.m. (bar open until midnight); Thu.-Sat., 5:30-11 p.m. (bar open until 2 a.m.)

Zelda's — restaurant and bar
542 Church Street, Toronto
416-922-2526
www.zeldas.ca
Cost:Varies
A popular gay bar in Toronto's gay district. Open Mon.-Wed., 11 a.m.-1 a.m.; Thu.-Sat., 11 a.m.-2 a.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday brunch hours are 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Activities

With a population of over three million, Toronto is Canada's largest city, yet it has been rated one of the safest urban environments in the world. The city's theater scene rivals that of London's West End and New York City's Broadway district.

The CN Tower
301 Front Street West, Toronto
416-868-6937
www.cntower.ca
Standing at 1,815 feet, the CN Tower is the tallest building in the world and features the world's highest wine cellar. Access hours are 9 a.m.-10 p.m., 364 days a year (closed only on Christmas Day). The Total Tower Experience Tour begins at $25 USD. There are various other tour packages — inquire at the Tower directly or purchase tickets on the website. You do not have to purchase a sightseeing package to visit the restaurant.

Steam Whistle Brewery
255 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto
416-362-2337
www.steamwhistle.ca
Steam Whistle beers are made from all-natural ingredients such as spring water, Swiss yeast, German hops and malted barley. Tours at the Brewery run daily and take approximately 30 minutes. The basic tour costs $4 USD per person and includes a taste of the company's famous Pilsner and a souvenir glass or a bottle opener.

Hockey Hall of Fame
BCE Place, 30 Yonge Street, Toronto
416-360-7765
www.hhof.com
Tours of the museum cost $9 USD for adults.The Hockey Hall of Fame is open everyday except Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Induction Day (November 3.)

Harbor Front Tour
Along the harbor: begin at Union Station and end at Maple Leaf Quay
This is an excellent free walking tour to acquaint yourself with Toronto's scenic harbor. Sights taken in along the way include the historic Union Station and the Air Canada Centre.

Taste of the Danforth
Danforth Ave., Toronto
www.tasteofthedanforth.com
This street festival started as a celebration of Greek culture and cuisine, but is now host to a slew of ethnic foods and ware. Log onto the website for festival dates and attractions, as they change yearly.

Celebrate Toronto Street Festival
Yonge Street, Toronto
www.city.toronto.on.ca
This July event is North America's largest street festival, attracting over 1 million festival-goers annually. Check their website for next year's exhibitions, times and dates.

Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas Street, Toronto
416-979-6648
The museum offers free tours but is closed on Monday. Call for hours, as they vary according to season and day.

Bata Shoe Museum
327 Bloor St. West, Toronto
416-979-7799
www.batashoemuseum.ca
Admission is $5 USD for adults. Museum hours: Tue.-Wed., Fri.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thu, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 12 p.m.-5 p.m. The museum is free on Thursday nights between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Holt Renfrew
50 Bloor Street West, Toronto (There are other stores in Toronto also)
416-922-2333
www.holtrenfrew.com
Holt Renfrew was founded in 1837 in Quebec as a small hat and fur store. Today it is one of Canada's most exclusive and popular department stores. Check website for store locations and hours.

Hanlan's Point Beach a.k.a. "Bum Beach"
West side of Toronto Islands
The Clothing-option region of Toronto's Hanlan Beach, appropriately nicknamed "Bum Beach."