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Student Travel to Toronto
Ontario Science Centre
Since opening in 1969, the Ontario Science Centre has welcomed more than 40 million visitors. More than 220,000 students visit each year to be wowed with the wonders of science and technology. Such attractions as the hair-raising electric ball, wall of bubbles and the rain forest are perennial favorites.
In 2008, the Science Centre opened the Weston Family Innovation Centre. With a target audience of 14-24 year olds, it challenged itself to find ways to inspire teens to be innovative. The Centre is a place where music and art co-exist with science and technology and young minds are free to think of unexpected solutions without worrying about being wrong. Exhibits include producing stop-motion films, designing footwear, mixing music on a wall of sound and solving the challenge of the day.
Art Gallery of Ontario
The Art Gallery of Ontario is in the heart of downtown Toronto’s Chinatown. Founded in 1900 by a group of private citizens at the Art Museum of Toronto, the AGO is one of the largest art museums in North America. Recently opened in 2008 is a $276 million expansion project designed by Toronto native, renowned architect Frank Gehry. The expansion includes the addition of more than 10,000 new works of art and a 47 percent increase in viewing space.
CN Tower
The CN Tower is Toronto’s tallest and most defining landmark, stretching 550 meters into the sky. Having originally been built to solve communications problems caused by skyscrapers dotting Toronto’s landscape it now serves as a hub for telecommunications across the city. Aside from that, the CN Tower has become a major tourist destination. Visitors can test their courage by walking across the glass floor 113 stories above the ground. The glass floor is 5 times stronger than standard commercial floors and can withstand the weight of 14 hippos.
Rogers Centre
The Rogers Centre (formerly the Skydome) is the world’s first multi-purpose retractable domed stadium. Home to the Toronto Blue Jays and the CFL’s Argonauts, Rogers Centre offers a one hour, fully-guided behind-the–scenes tour. Highlights include a visit to the Blue Jays Hall of Fame, a Press Box and a Luxury Suite. Among other interesting facts, you might learn that it takes 20 minutes to open or close the roof and when the roof is closed a 31 story building could fit inside.
Toronto Santa Claus Parade
The Toronto Santa Claus Parade started in 1905 as a publicity stunt to herald the arrival of Santa Claus at Eaton's Department Store. Who could have imagined that 90 years later it would become the world's largest Christmas parade. Designed to be a childrens' parade, it has more than 25 animated floats including subjects from Harry Potter to Hockey Night. Every year more than 100 celebrity clowns lead the parade and raise over $100,000 for charities. This international parade is also broadcast not only across America but in new Zealand, Norway & Ireland.