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One of the largest and most diverse cities in North America, Toronto has quietly become a major cosmopolitan commercial center -- or, centre -- while maintaining, at least in the eyes of Americans, a thoroughly unassuming façade. Its one nod to big-city grandiosity, the 1,815-foot CN Tower, is the tallest freestanding structure in the world, while the Harbourfront Centre at the edge of Lake Ontario features galleries, shopping and outdoor gardens. The Royal Ontario Museum and Art Gallery of Ontario are world-renowned, and big events like the Toronto Film Festival and Caribana -- the largest Caribbean festival in North America -- draw visitors from all over the continent and beyond.

With the Toronto Transit Commission operating subway, bus, rapid transit and streetcar service, there's no shortage of options for traveling around the city. Subway is fastest and easiest, with three lines that run throughout the downtown area and beyond. Fares are $2.75 (Canadian) one-way or $8.50 for a day pass.

Lester B. Pearson International Airport is 17 miles northwest of Toronto and accessible via four different bus lines, including the 58A, which offers transfer service to the Lawrence West station on the Spadina subway line. Taxi fares into downtown Toronto run approximately $40 Canadian.

See One of the NHL's Founding Teams
The immensely popular Toronto Maple Leafs are one of two active franchises (along with the Montreal Canadiens) that helped form the National Hockey League back in 1917. With 13 Stanley Cup championships and 21 appearances in the finals, the Leafs are among the most decorated teams in all of professional sports, and tickets to their games at the Air Canada Centre are still a commodity.

Peruse the Exhibits at the Hockey Hall of Fame
Honoring the greats of the sport, the Hockey Hall of Fame additionally contains displays of the prestigious NHL trophies, including the original Stanley Cup from 1893. The facility also features a replica of the Montreal Canadiens' locker room and interactive displays where visitors can try and stop a slap shot from a virtual Wayne Gretzky.

Take in a Game at Baseball's First Retractable-Roof Stadium
Now called Rogers Centre, the home of the Blue Jays opened as the SkyDome in 1989 with an unprecedented fully motorized retractable roof -- now commonplace in the majors -- and a hotel with rooms overlooking the field. The Blue Jays went on to become the first team outside the U.S. to win the World Series, with back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993.

Experience Canadian Football With One of Pro Sports' Oldest Franchises
Founded in 1873 when the Argonaut Rowing Club needed a winter sport to stay in shape, the Toronto Argonauts share the Rogers Centre with the Blue Jays and have the most Grey Cup titles in Canadian football with 15. The sport is distinguished from the American version by its 110-yard field (with 20-yard end zones), three downs instead of four and 12 players per side instead of 11.

Bike Along the Martin Goodman Trail
The Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail stretches for nearly 300 miles along the shores of the easternmost Great Lake. The 14-mile paved stretch that runs through Toronto -- the Martin Goodman Trail -- is a favorite of bikers, joggers and skaters and offers spectacular views of the lake (particularly at sunrise).

University of Toronto Art Centre
15 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 3H7, 416-978-1838
Hidden away on the University of Toronto campus is a jewel of an art museum, housing some of the world's finest works from antiquity through the Middle Ages. Most famous is Lucas Cranach the Elder's 1538 painting of Adam and Eve -- one of 50 iconic images dating from the 14th to 18th centuries. You'll also view Matisse's Girl with Flowers, as well as sculptures dating to the Bronze Age (4000 B.C.). The museum is located in downtown Toronto. There is ample parking or take a cab or public transportation.
http://www.utoronto.ca/artcentre/index.html

Kensington Market
From College St. to Dundas St., from Bathurst St. to Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5T 2K2
In the early 20th century, 80 percent of Toronto's Jewish population lived in the Kensington Market district. Many set up pushcarts in front of their houses and sold meat, produce and goods. In time, those in the community prospered and moved out, to be replaced by people of other nationalities and ethnic groups. Italians, Caribbeans, Portuguese, Asians. It's now a United Nations of street merchants, shops, street performers and restaurants -- and among the most popular destinations in the city, for both residents and visitors. The market is located in downtown Toronto. There is ample parking or hail a cab or take public transportation.
http://collections.ic.gc.ca/kensington/history.html

Ontario Science Centre
770 Don Mills Rd., Toronto, ON M3C 1T3, 416-696-1000
This is a science and technology playland. There are more than 800 interactive exhibits, spread among ten spacious halls. Test your reflexes, watch frozen liquid nitrogen shatter into thousands of icy shards, make a simulated spaceship landing on the moon. Don't miss the rainforest exhibit or the Omnimax Theater with its 79-foot domed screen. The museum is located six miles northeast of downtown Toronto. There is ample parking or take a taxi or public transportation.
://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/default.asp

Harbourfront Centre
235 Queen's Quay West, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8, 416-973-4000
The Harbourfront Centre is the city's 96-acre front window. Located on the shore of Lake Ontario, it is where residents and visitors alike come to stroll, picnic, gallery-hop, sail and dine. From Queens Quay, you can take harbor cruises or ferry to the Toronto Islands. Visit the Power Plant, a fine contemporary art gallery, take in a play at the Du Maurier Theatre Centre, stroll the 23-acre Artists' Gardens, watch glass blowers and potters work their crafts. The market is located two miles south of downtown Toronto. There is ample parking or hail a cab or take public transportation.
http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/noflash/frontpage.php

Casa Loma
1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, ON M5R 1X8, 416-923-1171
Most people dream of living in a castle; Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, a prominent Toronto financier, industrialist and military man, built his own, modeled after the medieval castles of Europe. Battlements and a tower encircle it. Sir Henry's "home," built on a hill overlooking the city and completed in 1914, took 300 workers three years to build. Enter the majestic Great Hall, with its 60-foot ceiling. Wander the Conservatory, with its immense bronze doors, stained-glass dome and Italian marble floor. Explore Sir Henry's (and Lady Pellatt's) private suites. Walk onto the terrace and view the grounds' exquisite gardens. The museum is located two miles northwest of downtown Toronto. There is ample parking or take a taxi or public transportation.
http://www.casaloma.org/

1993 Toronto Blue Jays (defeated Philadelphia Phillies, 4 games to 2).
1992 Toronto Blue Jays (defeated Atlanta Braves, 4 games to 2).
1967 Toronto Maple Leafs (defeated Montreal Canadiens, 4 games to 2).
1964 Toronto Maple Leafs (defeated Detroit Red Wings, 4 games to 3).
1963 Toronto Maple Leafs (defeated Detroit Red Wings, 4 games to 3).
1962 Toronto Maple Leafs (defeated Chicago Blackhawks, 4 games to 2).
1951 Toronto Maple Leafs (defeated Montreal Canadiens, 4 games to 1).
1949 Toronto Maple Leafs (defeated Detroit Red Wings, 4 games to 0).
1948 Toronto Maple Leafs (defeated Detroit Red Wings, 4 games to 0).
1947 Toronto Maple Leafs (defeated Montreal Canadiens, 4 games to 2).
1945 Toronto Maple Leafs (defeated Detroit Red Wings, 4 games to 3).
1942 Toronto Maple Leafs (defeated Detroit Red Wings, 4 games to 3).
1932 Toronto Maple Leafs (defeated New York Rangers, 3 games to 0).
1922 Toronto St. Pats (defeated Vancouver Canucks, 3 games to 2).
1918 Toronto Arenas (defeated Vancouver Canucks, 3 games to 2).