Toronto, Ontario's capital and the biggest city in Canada, is a fresh blend of culture and business, bold fashions and black-tie. Located at the western end of Lake Ontario, this vibrant urban center can keep company occupied for days on end.

Many of the important must-see sights are located in the downtown area sprawling out north from the waterfront. You won't get shanghaied from the harbor these days, in fact the waterfront is now a popular spot to have an afternoon's wander, good for watery views, hip eats, gallery hopping and cultural happenings.

Even if there are no concerts coinciding with your visit, have a rest amongst the greenery of Toronto Music Garden, then head for history to Fort York or Black Creek Pioneer Village. Adults might enjoy more a trip to the Steam Whistle Brewing for some locally brewed pilsner, though come sunny days, young and the young at heart won't want to miss a day of play on the waterslides at Ontario Place. Boat away for views of Toronto's skyline, either on an organized jaunt or under the power of your own paddle when skies are blue and the sailing smooth.

Fresh pressed and ready to hit the town, head to the top of Canadian National Tower for views and a city orientation. If you don't manage to catch a hockey game, visitors can still brush up on game trivia with a trip to Hockey Hall of Fame. Art enthusiasts won't be disappointed in Toronto, whether it's a textile thing, an interest in the contemporary or ceramics ? there are museums and galleries galore downtown. For architecture, tour Casa Loma or Spadina House while the shopper left unsatisfied by all the antiques not for purchase, can get the goods in Yorkville before cruising Kensington Market or Queen West for people-watching and edgy trends.

There are plenty of things to do around Toronto too, should you exhaust this range of activity. Find more art, the observatory and a variety of trails on your daytrips out and, as they say in Canada, "aboot".