Blending shimmering sky rise towers with a warren of underground store-lined passages, the calm regenerated harbor front area with the lively Blue Jays' SkyDome, museums, galleries and theatres with malls and flag-ship stores, Toronto is the focus of Canada for both business and leisure purposes.

Bata Shoe Museum

A museum dedicated to shoes, with a collection that contains 10,000 varieties of foot coverings and, through the changing fashions, highlights the craft and sociology of making shoes. Some items date back more than 4,000 years. Rushed sky-diving boots, iron-spiked shoes used for crushing chestnuts, and smugglers' clogs are among the items on display. Elton John's boots have proved wildly popular, but Marilyn Monroe's red leather pumps give them a run for the money.

CN Tower

Built as a TV transmission antenna, this tower has come to be known as Toronto's symbol and is a huge draw for tourists. At 1815 feet, it's the tallest tower in the world. Its range of attractions and exhibits includes a digital animation program, shops, and a Simulator Theatre, which mimics air flight. All these facilities can be reached via the famous glass-faced elevator, which takes less than a minute to reach the observation deck.

African Lion Safari

First opened in 1969 with forty lions, this family-owned wildlife park has grown to include over a thousand animals. The animals roam freely in large habitats, and guests drive through safari-style. The park has a very successful captive breeding program, so you'll likely see some animal youngsters along the way. There are two full-service restaurants, several snack stands, and two gift shops in the park.

Centreville Amusement Park

Located on the Toronto Islands, this family-oriented facility features turn of the 20th Century rides and entertainments, geared mostly to younger children. There is also a petting zoo and miniature golf.