Jetsettersblog

Toronto — Canada’s largest and most cosmopolitan city pulses with creative energy, international charm, magnificent architecture and natural beauty. Visitors can whisk to the top of one of the world’s tallest towers, window-shop their way through the Fashion District, or enjoy a few of the city’s 1,500 parks. Plus, the weather is fine — Toronto is located farther south than the French Riviera. And Toronto CityPASS makes this center of Canadian glamour and moviemaking all the more affordable by offering discounted admission to the city’s essential attractions, including CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum.

The Toronto CityPASS ticket booklet lets visitors bypass main ticket lines, and provides reduced-price entry into the city’s six top attractions — for a price that’s 46 percent less than the cost of tickets purchased separately. Toronto CityPASS costs $59 CAD for adults (a value of $109.12) and $39 CAD for kids (a value of $72.83).

With CityPASS, savings are significant: Adults save $50.12 CAD and kids (ages 4-12) save $33.83 CAD over regular admission prices. With a Toronto CityPASS ticket booklet, visitors get reduced-price admission to CN Tower, opulent Casa Loma, Ontario Science Centre, Royal Ontario Museum and the Toronto Zoo.

Named one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, CN Tower is the world’s second tallest freestanding structure. Toronto CityPASS holders walk straight to the glass-fronted elevators and shoot skyward 1,136 feet (346 meters) to the Look Out level in just 58 seconds. Visitors won’t believe the thrill of stepping out onto the Glass Floor with a clear view 1,122 feet (342 meters) straight down.

The CN Tower architects and engineers promise that the floor is secure — they even encourage jumping on the glass floor panels (even though your nervous system might scream otherwise). At this level, there are also restaurants, shops, a movie on the building of the tower, and — for an additional fee — a special Sky Pod elevator that soars up another 33 stories. From that height, visitors have a 360-degree, unobstructed view of Toronto and Lake Ontario. On a clear day, Niagara Falls shimmers in the distance.

A Toronto CityPASS admission ticket to the CN Tower also provides a choice of either The Height of Excellence film or the Himalazon motion-theater ride. Visitors can drink in the views while enjoying the world’s highest wine cellar, and then settle in for a casual meal in Horizons Café or go high-class with a sumptuous experience in 360 Restaurant.

Next, travel from the heights of modern engineering to the heights of fancy conjured by Canadian business magnate Sir Henry Pellatt. In the early 1900s, Pellatt built Casa Loma, a medieval-style castle surpassing any private home existing in North America. Sir Henry filled his masterpiece with treasures and art from around the world. Visitors can explore the castle’s secret passages, lofty towers and the 800-foot tunnel that connects to luxurious stables. During the late spring and summer, the estate’s five-acre garden is in bloom. A Toronto CityPASS admission ticket includes an introductory film about Sir Henry Pellatt and a self-guided digital audio tour.

The Ontario Science Centre has been igniting curiosity for 40 years, featuring hands-on science and technology exhibits that bring out the inquisitive kid in everyone.

Children 8 and younger will be thrilled at the KidSpark discovery playground. Older kids and teens can engage in interactive exhibitions and science demonstrations and view IMAX films. The fun begins even before visitors pass through the entrance: The museum’s front yard is an outdoor exhibition space that lets visitors play music on a fountain, navigate a water maze (without getting wet), explore a wetland and climb on three large spheres.

With a Toronto CityPASS ticket booklet, visitors are waved to the express entry at the phenomenal Royal Ontario Museum — Canada’s largest museum of world cultures and natural history. Discover its World Culture Galleries, showcasing artifacts from ancient Egypt, China, Canada’s First Peoples and more.

The museum is probably best known for its awe-inspiring Age of Dinosaurs collection, whose exhibits range from tiny fossilized insects to Gordo the Barosaurus, a 90-foot (27 meter) behemoth who holds the title of Canada’s largest dinosaur on permanent display.

The Toronto Zoo is consistently voted the best attraction in the city and is one of Toronto CityPASS’ hottest discount tickets. Rather than resting on its laurels, the Toronto Zoo frequently introduces amazing new exhibits and habitats. Sharks are coming back to the zoo in late May, giving visitors a chance to stick their hands in a tank and safely pet nurse sharks, stingrays and other creatures.

Last summer the zoo opened a new 10-acre Tundra Trek exhibit with a habitat for polar bears, snow geese, arctic fox and wolves, reindeer and snowy owl. The Toronto Zoo’s refurbished Australasia Pavilion introduced a new Great Barrier Reef Exhibit and expanded its space to include a new exhibit for the echidna and hairy-nosed wombats.

While downtown, relax in Yonge-Dundas Square — a focal point of downtown Toronto. The intersection of Yonge and Dundas streets is Toronto’s No. 1 gathering spot.

The free Wi-Fi, concerts and performances encourage lunch crowds and after-work schmoozing. May through October (Friday through Sunday), the square’s Arts at the Heart market is the place to look for handcrafted items and jewelry that reflect a wide array of cultural influences.

Foodies will relish the chance to peruse the St. Lawrence Market, regarded as one of the world’s finest food markets by Food & Wine magazine. Located in the historic Old Town Toronto neighborhood at Jarvis and Front streets, the South Market has more than 50 gourmet food vendors and a dozen lunch counters. Upstairs, the Market Gallery shows archival art and photographs from the city’s collection. The North Market is home to the 200-year-old Saturday Farmers’ Market and the Sunday Antique Market.