essence of Toronto?

Walking back to the hotel along Bay Street, I stopped to take this photo that for me captures the essence of downtown Toronto. This being the "New York" of Canada it wasn't surprising that some parts of it were gritty and grimy with shiny glass towers going up in every direction. Having said that, some parts seemed clean and environmentally conscious, and there was also an older perceptible layer of civilization - seen here in this bas-relief - which reflects Canada's strong connection to nature and the outdoors.

Toronto stroll, part 2

Evidently we had stumbled into something called Harbour Square Park East. Further research shows that there are many other shoreline parks and possible points of interest in the area. We went this route at the suggestion of someone in the hotel.

Toronto stroll

After breakfast we decided to take a stroll to the nearest water, which wasn't too far. Evidently it was the city harbor which is connected to Lake Ontario and has ferries to various islands that I've never heard of.

epicenter of Toronto?

In many ways this area felt like the epicenter of Toronto, in part because of the ubiquitous CN Tower - perhaps the city's most famous landmark. There's no coincidence that it's located near Union Station, since it was built by and named after the railway company Canadian National in 1976. For many years it was "the world's tallest free-standing structure" at 1,815 feet, but in recent decades that record has been surpassed by towers in Dubai and Canton.

Toronto Union Station, part 2

This huge, high-ceilinged hall is befitting to a major city. For the most part the station is clean and user-friendly, but like anything this big it can be confusing the first time.

 

Toronto Union Station

Pillared, grandiose and a touch drab - Toronto Union Station reminded me a little bit of Chicago's. I thought perhaps they had the same architect, but they don't. The Canadian firm Ross & Macdonald designed both Toronto Union Station in 1927 and the Royal York Hotel in 1929.

Fairmont Royal York

The massive 1,363 room hotel from the outside. It occupies the entire block.