24 Hours in Toronto

24 Hours in Toronto

Canada's largest and most cosmopolitan city, Toronto is a melting pot of cultures and has a huge range of attractions - from fine theatre and concerts, galleries and museums, to trendy bars and clubs. There are also a whole host of unique shops, and scores of restaurants that serve every cuisine from across the globe. With so much on offer, you might think the city would be difficult to squeeze into a short visit, but Toronto makes a perfect city break, especially when paired with a few weeks discovering Ontario's great outdoors.

To organise a trip to Toronto, try BA, Virgin Atlantic or Air Canada for flights to Canada, lastminute.com for bargain hotels. Whether you plan on browsing art galleries or hiking up hills, book your travel insurance before you fly, with reputable providers such as GoTravel or the AA.

If you're visiting Toronto but only have a day to spare, here's an introduction to the city:

Start your day with a trip up the CN Tower, the world's tallest telecommunications tower. At a giddy 181 stories high, after a high speed elevator ride, you are greeted with glorious views over the city. Then head downtown to the bustling heart of the city, where you'll find the busy financial district. Sports fans will love the Hockey Hall of Fame, an icon to the nation's favourite sport, next to the vast Rogers Centre Stadium, and theatre buffs will want to come back to the thriving theatre district in the evening; Toronto is supposed to have the world's largest theatre scene after London and New York.

From here catch a ferry; Toronto sits looking over the majestic Lake Ontario, and you can sail across to Toronto Islands for a picnic on the beach – kids will love the amusement parks that litter the tiny islands. For an afternoon of culture, visit the Royal Ontario museum, a treasure-trove of ornately decorated rooms filled with stuffed animals, Chinese art and Greek sculpture. The Art gallery of Ontario is also worth a visit, with exhibits ranging from Inuit to contemporary Canadian art. If you're spending the day with the kids, make this a brief stop and then head on to Ontario Place, a lakeside theme park with child-pleasing attractions such as an IMAX theatre and water rides.

More sophisticated travellers can unwind in the afternoon at the Eaton centre, Toronto's pre-eminent downtown mall, and stock up on a few souvenirs to take home. End your visit in the ambient setting of the Distillery Historic District, a former industrial complex that has blossomed into one of the city's most happening areas. The Victorian buildings and cobbled streets now play host to quirky boutiques and galleries by day, and the cosy cafes, restaurants and pubs come alive at night.