Hotel at a Glance: The Omni King Edward Hotel

A wealthy businessman built The Omni King Edward Hotel in 1903 in the heart of downtown Toronto, and it still has an air of turn-of-the-century luxury. The guest rooms have custom bedding, detailed crown mouldings, and marble bathrooms. The hotel has three ballrooms and is located near the financial, entertainment, and shopping districts, as well as the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Sony Centre, The Distillery District, Toronto Eaton Centre, and the St. Lawrence Market.

• Have a tea party with scones, pastries, finger sandwiches, and more than 20 types of tea during the hotel's afternoon tea, served Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
• Enjoy fine dining at the elegant Victoria's Restaurant, helmed by Executive Chef Daniel Schick.
• Sip cocktails at the Consort Bar or head up to the 11th-floor Royal Club Lounge for an exclusive lounge setting.
• Pamper yourself with facials, mani-pedis, or massages at the onsite Nouvelle Maria Spa.

Toronto, Ontario: Scenic Trails, Boutique Shopping, and the Hockey Hall of Fame

Toronto is known as a wonderful walking city, with a sprawling network of eclectic neighborhoods and miles of waterside parkland. Set on the shores of Lake Ontario, the city’s scenic hiking and walking trails wind along the harbor front. From there, a northerly stroll takes you to the Fashion District, where warehouses and old factories that sat empty for years now house upscale restaurants, galleries, and cutting-edge boutiques. A bit farther north lies Kensington Market, a bohemian village rife with vintage shops and organic-food markets.

Toronto may be home to Canada’s best collection of museums. Hockey is a national pastime, so it makes sense that the Hockey Hall of Fame is here. Its interactive Pepsi Shut Out exhibit challenges goaltender wannabes to stop a slap shot against a virtual Wayne Gretzky. The Hall of Fame’s centerpiece is the hallowed Esso Great Hall, home to the Stanley Cup and portraits of all 375 inductees. Science buffs can stop at the Ontario Science Centre, where you can watch an IMAX film, delve into space at the planetarium, or touch a plasma ball at the Science Arcade.

The nearby Art Gallery of Ontario exhibits an astounding collection of work from Canadian artists and European masters in a Frank Gehry–designed building that centers on a circular floating staircase. Toronto is also known as a city of gardens, and you’ll find one of its best, the Toronto Music Garden, stretched out along the waterfront. Designed in part by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the Music Garden translates the music of Bach through beautiful landscaped installations, including a winding river and giant grass steps.

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