EXCITING: The skyline of Toronto, a thriving city where there is always something to see or do

THE VIBE:

There’s an energetic buzz about Canada’s capital of cool.

Priding itself on being the country’s most diverse city, Toronto’s citizens come from 230 countries around the world and speak 140 different languages.

Its map reveals multiple national districts, such as Little Italy, Little Portugal, Chinatown and Koreatown.

We took the hop-on-hop-off City Sightseeing bus tour which gives a flavour of eight of these unique neighbourhoods and is a great way to kick-start a city break.

MODERN MARVEL: Ontario museum in Toronto

MUST DO:

For a real bird’s eye view of the city, look no further than the CN Tower. Measuring 553 metres it was once the highest freestanding structure in the world.

Excitement was high as we boarded the lift ride up 342 metres, or 113 storeys, where floor-to-ceiling windows show off panoramic views of the city grid, gleaming skyscrapers and the glittering Lake Ontario.

A 5cm thick glass floor gives a hair-raising, walking-on-air experience. My 10-year-old daughter Maggie, however, decided to ramp up the thrill-factor by using it as a platform to do a handstand.

If you feel the need to go higher, head up another 33 storeys to the SkyPod for the adrenalin-pumping EdgeWalk, the world’s highest full-circle, handsfree walk.

CITY ATTRACTIONS:

Opposite the CN Tower, is Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, an angular glass-fronted building resembling the jaws of an angry shark.

Our kids loved the 97-metre tunnel which provides a window on the silent world of sharks, sawfish, eels, barracudas and green sea turtles.

Visitors can opt to glide through it on a conveyor belt or walk at their own pace. Toronto Zoo, meanwhile, is home to 5,000 animals as well as the Giant Panda Experience and Gorilla Rainforest.

The zoo, aquarium and tower can be accessed via a CityPASS which will save you 33% on admission fees.

You can also use it for the historic Casa Loma, a 98-room gothic-revival-style castle in the middle of the city, The Royal Ontario Museum featuring the architectural marvel of the Michael Lee-Chinn “Crystal” entrance, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Hockey Hall of Fame and the Ontario Science Centre.

GO EXPLORING:

Toronto is a great city for exploring on foot. Old buildings, constructed in the days when Toronto was called York, stand side by side with the skyscrapers of the Financial District.

Or take a guided Segway tour around the cobbled streets of Distillery District, featuring beautifully preserved Victorian buildings and modern street sculptures.

Then pop into the array of independent design shops, cafes and galleries.

EATING OUT:

Ranked as the best in the world by National Geographic, St Lawrence Market is a bustling hub of 120 vendors and restaurants selling everything from seafood to organic meats.

We enjoyed sampling the sweet treats from the Crepe It Up Café, spicy grilled chicken from Churrasco and bangers from Sausage King.

A combination of big screens and chicken wings drew us to Jack Astor’s to watch a Maple Leafs’ ice-hockey game while sitting in its Elvis booth, plastered with memorabilia of “the king”.

Visiting Brits will also love Bacon Nation in Kensington Market. Adding crispy rashers to everything from Brussel sprouts and calamari, makes every dish an indulgent treat.

AWESOME: The dramatic Niagara Falls

MAIN EVENT:

A 90-minute drive along the edge of Lake Ontario brings you to the Niagara Peninsula. Linking America to Canada, the Horseshoe Falls are the most spectacular of the three that make up Niagara Falls.

Simply looking is not enough though. Any trip to the Falls requires a waterproof poncho whether you take the Journey Behind the Falls walk or face its fury on one of the Hornblower Niagara Cruises.

In a veil of mist, visitors are transported within a whisper of the thunderous roar of the Falls.

Only then can you truly appreciate the 681,750 gallons of water that pummel its base every second.

WHERE TO STAY:

Centrally located in Gerrard Street West, the upscale Chelsea Hotel is Canada’s largest with 1,590 rooms and three restaurants.

Our “family fun” suite included two bedrooms, a living area, kitchenette and even a creative corner and an Xbox. I sweated it out with a run in the 27th floor gym adults-only health club, which has views of the CN Tower.

This helped to work off the calories I’d consumed via the hotel’s delicious Senoma breakfast – Yukon gold rösti, smoked ham, eggs, wilted spinach, chilli-spiced tomato and Boursin cheese.

Meanwhile, our daughters visited the Family Fun Zone, the Kid Centre and the family pool.

FACT FILE:

GETTING THERE: Fly from Heathrow to Toronto with British Airways from £590. Book at ba.com

WHERE TO STAY: A family fun suite at the Chelsea Toronto Hotel costs from £155 per night. Book at chelseatoronto.com

GETTING AROUND: TTC day passes, for Toronto’s public transport system, are available for £7 per adult. Book at ttc.ca

ATTRACTIONS: The CityPASS provides access to key places – £51 for adults and £34 for children. Book at citypass.com/Toronto Visit seetorontonow.com and see ontariotravel.net/uk/