The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) looks spectacular from the outside. A futuristic construction was built onto the original old building, making it look quite spacey.
As we drove past it at night, we saw giant dinosaur skeletons flashing through the jagged edges of the façade and it was immediately clear to us: this is a museum we have to see. The ROM is the largest museum in Canada and one of the largest museums in North America.
On display are exhibits on the topics of culture, art and natural history. The ROM is known for its important ethnological collection and, as already mentioned, the palaeontological artefacts. You really learn a lot about the history of the indigenous people of North America and of course about Canada. We were also very impressed by the Asian section with huge vases, masks and a tomb.
When we were here, there were three very special exhibitions. One exhibition was dedicated to the designer Iris van Herpen. Exhibits from the world's fashion catwalks were displayed on a huge area. These outfits were crazy and definitely a highlight, not only for fashion lovers.
The exhibition by artist Philip Beesley: Transforming Space about architecture in the future was also more than impressive. The spider exhibition was more for children than adults. The museum has a total of six million exhibits and more than a million visitors come to see the exhibitions at the ROM every year.
Opening hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily (closed on 25 December).
The Royal Ontario Museum is definitely one of the top sights in Toronto. 
A highlight of the ROM is the dinosaur exhibition. 
One special exhibition featured wacky creations by designer Iris van Herpen The second special exhibition was "Transforming Space" by Philip Beesley. Recommended Toronto Travel Guides
We love to browse through travel guides in advance. It's a great way to prepare for your holiday, to get acquainted and to learn a lot about the history of your new destination.
2 The Distillery District
Toronto's old Distillery District is a must-see when you're in town. In 1832, an imposing industrial complex was built on the site of Gooderham and Worts. Three decades later, Gooderham and Worts was the largest distillery in the world. In 1990, the history of the company came to an end.
The site fell into disrepair for many years and was reopened in 2003. Today you will find small, exciting restaurants, shops, cafés and much more in the old brick buildings. The flair of times long past is still within reach. Old barrels, the tall factory towers, pipes and tubes take you back to the old days. Works of art from the old distillery tubs are the icing on the cake of the district.
You can sample tasty treats and even beer in the shops and pubs. Nowhere in North America will you find a greater collection of Victorian-era industrial buildings.
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It's fun to stroll through the old Distillery District. 
There are little shops everywhere where you can find great things. 3 Kensington Market
Another funky and alternative experience is Kensington Market. Here you can stroll through a multicultural district and definitely find super tasty delicacies. If you don't get your fill here, it's your own fault. The district exudes a very special charm because so many different cultures collide.
From delicious mochis in a Japanese café, a terrific bakery, to tasty falafel, but also a "Berlin" kebab shop (Otto's Berlin Döner: here you can get kebabs and curry sausage(website)), you can experience everything here. Once a poor working-class and immigrant neighbourhood, Kensington Market is now also home to more affluent people. Stylish cafés and bars with prices that the original population could hardly afford are now part of the neighbourhood.
Impressions from Kensington Market 4 Church and Wellesley
The Church and Wellesley neighbourhood is not to be missed. As soon as you stand on the corner of Church and Wellesley Streets, you will see why. The foot crossings are painted in rainbow colours. Exactly. You're standing in the middle of Toronto's lesbian and gay neighbourhood. And it's super beautifully designed and made with love.
The rainbow is of course the unifying element of the street, but there's also wacky Pride graffiti that makes it an experience you should immerse yourself in. There are many pubs and bars here and of course a large part of the crowd is gay. Christopher Street Day and Pride Week also take place here. On Queen Street, which runs parallel, there are many restaurants and cafés.
Welcome to Church and Wellesley. Even the street signs wear the colours of the rainbow. 
Church and Wellesley is Toronto's lesbian and gay neighbourhood. 
Wicked street art in a backyard. If you look closer, you'll find lots of cute details like glitter glued on Graffiti Alley Rush Lane
Graffiti Alley Rush Lane is a small street where you can admire an incredible amount of street art works. The alley itself is quite dirty and uninviting. It stinks because there is a lot of rubbish lying around. Nevertheless, tourists come in droves. But you shouldn't miss it either, after all, the artwork on the walls of the houses is really great and an absolute must, especially for Instagram.
Some say it's a run-down alley with dubious characters. Others are enthusiastic about Graffiti Alley Rush Lane. We think the spot is great! We are definitely fans of Graffiti Alley Rush Lane. 6 Gooderham Building
In the middle of Downtown stands a building that is already very close to the Flat Iron in New York. The Gooderham Building on Wellington Street looks really wacky. It looks like an iron, which is why it is called the Iron Building. This part of the city after 1793 formed the then newly founded York, which was then renamed Toronto.
The name goes back to the Gooderham family. Gooderham founded one of the city's largest distilleries in 1837. It can still be seen today on the old Distillery Destrict. The Gooderham Building was erected in 1891. Oh yes: it is also worth looking at the back of the building. The wide part of the iron is adorned with large graffiti. Directly behind the Gooderham Building is a dog fountain. You really have to see it.
The Gooderham Building is very reminiscent of the Flatiron Building in New York City. Day trip to Niagara Falls
South of Toronto lie the famous Niagara Falls. Of course, the huge waterfalls are not close to the city, it takes you about an hour and a half by car to cover the 130 kilometres. But you should definitely see the world's most famous waterfalls on your trip to Canada.
First of all, so that you're not shocked, it's not as if the waterfalls are just surrounded by beautiful nature. An amusement park with Ferris wheels and casinos has been built around Niagara Falls.
Niagara Falls itself has also been commercialised for visitors. Day after day, boats take thousands of onlookers directly to the falls. Masses of people are really channeled through here. But: The waterfalls are really beautiful and very impressive. If you walk a little further away from the hustle and bustle, the flow of visitors becomes less crowded.
Niagara Falls consists of three waterfalls. On the US side there are the American Falls and the Bridal Veil Falls and on the Canadian side the Horseshoe Falls. The Horseshoe Falls are particularly beautiful. Here the Niagara River plunges into the depths in the shape of a horseshoe. You can walk right to the place where the falls come down. This is an impressive experience in itself.
Our tip: Avoid weekends and public holidays. Niagara Falls is even more crowded then usual. It's best to get up very early and be at this natural wonder long before the crowds. Then you can enjoy Niagara Falls and don't have to fight for the best spot on one of the viewing platforms.
A tourist boat in front of Horseshoe Falls, the most beautiful of the three Niagara Falls. Downtown - skyscrapers and the CN Tower
As soon as you look around Toronto, you will quickly notice that skyscrapers dominate the city. For me, Toronto is the New York of Canada. Downtown is the financial district of Toronto. Here you walk through narrow street canyons.
The tallest tower in the city is also downtown and is the CN Tower. It is 553 metres high. Until 2007, the CN Tower was the tallest building in the world. The tallest skyscraper in the city is First Canadian Place at 298 metres.
In the city centre there are more than 100 buildings over 100 metres high. That's pretty impressive, isn't it? Only New York City has more skyscrapers in North America. What gives the city its flair for me are the many old, much smaller houses that stand between huge stylish office buildings. Unfortunately, many old houses that have survived until today between the glass palaces are being demolished to make way for new skyscrapers.
Opening hours CN Tower observation floors: Daily 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
With a height of 553 metres, the CN Tower was the tallest building on earth until 2007. 
As the sun sets, the atmosphere among the skyscrapers in the streets of the metropolis becomes dramatic 9 Polson Pier Viewpoint
Unfortunately, we didn't make it to this great photo spot. Our friend Laura especially recommended this place to us. From Polson Pier you have the perfect view of the city skyline.
The skyline at night. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to go to this viewpoint in the harbour © anisrehman / Fotolia 10. former Maple Leaf Gardens
On the corner of Church Street and Carlton Street you'll find Loblaws, a huge deli and supermarket. The interesting thing about this shop, however, is that it is located in the former halls of Toronto's former ice rink. It was the former Maple Leaf Gardens stadium. In today's supermarket you can still find old photos from that time on tables. Stadium seats were formed into a wall art piece and some of the arena walls are still standing.
Around 1927, the famous Montreal architects Ross and Macdonald were commissioned to build a new stadium. The Maple Leaf Gardens was built. On 12 November 1931, the Toronto Maple Leafs played in the stadium for the first time against the Chicago Black Hawks. In addition to various sporting events such as boxing, ice hockey or wrestling, concerts were also held in the hall. Elvis Presley played in 1957, and the Beatles three times from 1964 to 1966.
The supermarket in the former Maple Leaf Gardens Stadium is a paradise for gourmets. 11 Yonge Street
Yonge Street in Toronto is legendary and has even earned the capital of the province of Ontario an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. Yonge Street is, by old definition, the longest shopping street in the world. It once ran 1896 kilometres from Toronto to northern Ontario.
Today it is "only" 99 kilometres long because much has changed over the centuries. In the past, the road was a simple trail for the aborigines. Later, the European explorer Samuel de Champlain also used it. In 1793, the lieutenant governor of the British colony of Upper Canada had the trail converted into a military road. It was thus given the name of the then Minister of War, George Yonge.
If you stroll along Yonge Street during the day, you can drop a lot of money at well-known luxury labels or at the Eaton shopping centre, but you can also simply eat something in a restaurant. Yonge Street is also home to Yonge-Dundas Square, which looks like Times Square in New York. It is also called "Toronto's little Times Square".
To be honest, the street didn't appeal to us, but it is certainly a highlight for shopping enthusiasts. At night, by the way, many dubious characters cavort here.
Yonge Street is a haunt of some strange characters at night. 12 The old city hall
The OldCity Hall, which was the seat of the city government from 1899 to 1966, is a great example of the contrast in Toronto between old houses standing in the middle of huge skyscrapers. Today it is used as a courthouse. From the outside, Old City Hall looks very impressive. You should definitely take a look inside. You are not allowed to take photos, but inside you will find a huge stained glass window that you should take a look at.
13th Toronto Lettering
Directly between City Hall and Old City Hall is a huge Toronto sign. A pool of water has been created in front of it. The place is a magnet for visitors. Everyone wants to take a photo at the letters. Even though City Hall is also seen as a landmark of the city: The square is unfortunately not particularly beautiful. Concrete and 1960s architecture dominate here. A photo with the Toronto lettering is nevertheless a must on a Toronto trip.
The Toronto Sign is a top attraction in the metropolis. Here you can also see the Old City Hall 14th Osgoode Hall
Osgoode Hall is also a landmark of the city. Every visitor has to pass through security, but can then move freely around the building and see everything. Especially the old library and the entrance hall look impressive.
The building is named after William Osgoode, the first chief justice of Upper Canada. There is a large park around Osgoode Hall, which is especially popular for wedding shoots. In spring, the cherry trees and shrubs bloom pink here.
A visit to Osgoode Hall is well worthwhile. 15. chinatown
One sight you shouldn't miss is Chinatown. This district is located right next to Kensington Market, so it's easy to combine with this highlight. Chinatown is not particularly beautiful or spectacular. But if you are interested in foreign markets like we are, this is the place to be.
In Chinatown you will find fruit, fish and food that you certainly don't know. And that's exactly why it's worth wandering through the shops. Of course, there are also delicious Chinese snack bars. By the way, it is difficult to find an English-speaking pharmacist in Chinatown, as our friend Laura, who lives in Toronto, told us.
In Chinatown you dive into another world Cathedral Church of St. James
At the end of Church Street, at the corner of King Street, stands the Cathedral Church of St. James. For a long time it was the tallest building in the city. Before the huge skyscrapers were built, of course. By the way, there are twelve bells in the bell tower, which are still rung by bell ringers today. The building is quite impressive and anyone who is in the vicinity should definitely take a look. The interior, however, is quite plain.
The Cathedral Church of St. James 17 Toronto Islands
If you still have a little time, you should definitely take some time to visit the Toronto Islands. You can get there by ferry. You can rent a bike and explore the green island with a view of the skyline. The beach at Lake Ontario is beautiful and you feel like you are by the sea.
18 University of Toronto
The grounds of the University of Toronto are well worth a detour. If you've just been to the Royal Ontario Museum, walk down the street and check out the historic old buildings that form the entire university campus.
Many colleges and various faculties are also housed here. The facades are overgrown with ivy, have towers and stucco and definitely make a great photo motif. Directly in front of it is Queens Park. However, it was a construction site while we were there.
The grounds of the University of Toronto are a little reminiscent of the Harry Potter films. 19 St. Michael's Cathedral
St. Michael 's Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral and one of the oldest churches in the city. It is well worth seeing the colourful Gothic church. Ivory pillars stand in the aisle. Sixteen cast-iron lanterns hang from the ceiling. Paintings and murals date from the 1930s.
The blue ceiling in St. Michael's Cathedral is striking. 20th Greek Quarter
Toronto has many neighbourhoods. I would like to recommend one of them to you, especially in the evening for dinner or going out. In the Greek Quarter, there are brilliant restaurants that prepare super delicious, typical Greek food. Our restaurant tip: Mezes at 456 Danforth Ave(Google Maps). We didn't have a reservation and had to wait 45 minutes. But it was worth it!
Mezes is always crowded. Better make a reservation! 21st Museum metro station
If you're already at the Royal Ontario Museum, you should definitely check out the Museum Metro Station. We asked nicely at the counter and were allowed to walk down the steps to the Metro for free to take pictures. It's worth it because the station's columns are elaborate totem columns and other creative constructions. For some, the metro station is one of the most beautiful in the world.
The Museum Metro Station 22nd East Chinatown
East Chinatown is another interesting neighbourhood. Why the two neighbourhoods Chinatown and East Chinatown are separated, we do not know. What is exciting, however, is that both are very different. East Chinatown seems a bit like the posh Chinatown to us. The street is lined with personal care salons, shops, supermarkets and restaurants. At the beginning of East Chinatown is a striking, large Chinese archway. The graffiti directly behind it also looks great. The neighbourhood is growing and really "in".
Street Art in East Chinatown Cabbage Town
The Cabbage Town district offers visitors beautiful houses and streets. It is worthwhile to stroll through the alleys and streets and look at the houses in the old Victorian architectural style.
Cabbage Town is still wonderfully original 24 Sugar Beach
Probably the most photogenic place in Toronto in summer is Sugar Beach. This stretch of beach in the middle of the city on the harbour on Lake Ontario is really cute. There are pink umbrellas on the beach. They are right next to big ships.
Sugar Beach is a popular meeting place in the metropolis in summer. In autumn, when the weather is dreary, there is of course nothing going on Toronto: Tips from insiders
Our friend Laura emigrated to Toronto and founded her start-up there. She took time out for us and showed us Toronto's nightlife. She also has some super insider tips for you that you should definitely discover.
These are Laura's top 7 places in Toronto for insiders
Toronto Reference Library (Yonge St & Bloor St) The musician "The Weeknd" shot his music video "secrets" here. I like to go here to work. I can get deep into things at this creative place.
Kekou Gelato (Queen St & Spadina) They have delicious ice creams, like Vietnamese Coffee, or Green Tea Whiskey. Try them all!
Fika Café (Kensington Market) I like to go here with my boyfriend on weekends to enjoy a cardamom latte. Fika Café is a super nice coffee shop in the middle of Kensington Market. Perfect for a little break while shopping.
Assembly Chef's Hall (Richmond St & York St) Perfect place if you can't decide what to eat at lunch. Assembly Chefs Hall is anupscale food court. It's best to go with several people and order a few dishes to share.
Merchants of Green Coffee (Queen St & Broadview) They have super delicious scones. Really the best I've ever had! The café makes the scones very fresh and there is a fine selection of different coffee beans that you can have prepared to your liking. Definitely something for the coffee connoisseur.
The Drake 150 (York St & Adelaide St) This place has the best burgers in Toronto. The atmosphere is always nice too. The Drake has several restaurants in Toronto, and one in Prince Edward County. If you have time, you should definitely make a stop in Prince Edward County. A wine tour and lunch at Drake Devonshire is the perfect day for me.
Broadview Hotel (Queen St & Broadview) om Broadview Hotel you have the best rooftop view in Toronto. My tip: go here for a drink.
Getting to Toronto
You can easily get to Toronto by plane from Germany. The flight time from Frankfurt is about eight hours. Flights usually start at around 600 euros (→ find cheap flights*).
How do you pay in Toronto?
In Toronto - as everywhere else in Canada - you pay with Canadian dollars. One euro will get you about 1.50 Canadian dollars (as of December 2018). You can easily pay by credit card in most shops.
How expensive is Toronto?
Toronto is a very expensive city. A double room in a good 3-star hotel in the city centre can hardly be found for less than 150 euros a day. On top of that, parking fees are horrendous. Restaurants are also very expensive in Toronto.
Also note that you have to add at least ten per cent tip to the bill. Museums and exhibitions can also eat into your travel budget. Admission to the Royal Ontario Museum, for example, costs 20 Canadian dollars. Special exhibitions cost extra.
Do I need a rental car in Toronto?
No! The local transport is quite well developed, a car is only a hindrance in the city centre. In addition, parking spaces are very limited and expensive. Toronto is best explored on foot, by bus and train or by bicycle. If you want to explore the surrounding area, however, a rental car is of course highly recommended.
Tip: How to travel by metro, tram and bus in Toronto
Our tip for Toronto: Spend at least one day wandering around the city and you'll discover an incredible amount. However, as the city is quite big, you can get from A to B quickly by metro, tram and bus if you don't feel like walking. Local transport is well developed. There are three metro lines, trams and buses. One ride costs 3.25 Canadian dollars.
To change trains, you have to get a free transfer ticket. But you only get one after you have paid. The tokens you can buy are a little cheaper. One token costs three dollars. But you have to buy at least three tokens. On trams and buses you need cash, tokens or a transfer ticket. There are also reloadable cards and weekly and monthly passes. However, these are more suitable for people who will be in Toronto for a longer period of time.
Here you get an overview of the metro, tram and bus network in Toronto. 
You can get a transfer ticket on the metro from machines like this one. Restaurants & cafés that we can recommend
Momofuku Noodle Bar (190 University Ave) is located next to the Shangri La Hotel. To eat here, you should make a reservation in advance. Otherwise, you can expect to wait 30 to 60 minutes. On the ground floor is the cosy Momofuku, a ramen noodle soup restaurant. On the third floor is an expensive Chinese restaurant. We liked the vegetarian buns and the vegetarian ramen soup very much. By the way, every guest gets a small ice cream for free as a dessert.
You should definitely try the restaurant Mezes (456 Danforth Ave) in the Greek quarter if you like Greek food. Important: you should call ahead and make a reservation. We waited 45 minutes for a table. It was worth it. Afterwards, however, you smell of garlic all the way to the other end of town. We enjoyed it very much. Take the metro to the Greek quarter and get off at Chester station.