The Granville Island was a major industrial center in the 1917 and was later on used as a ship building center during WWII. It soon fell into disuse around the sixties and the site became totally run-down. In the beginning of the 70s, the federal government encouraged new and people friendly developments and Granville Village was turned into a multi-use facility, which included industry, commerce, and entertainment. It was decided that this unique town would maintain its original look and as a result, buildings that were formerly factories and warehouses were turned into galleries, restaurants, artist studios, and theaters.

The best way to describe Granville Island is to call it a huge playground with a lot of things that will catch your fancy. There’s a Kids Only Market that has an indoor play area for … well, children, along with shops where you can buy toys, kits, art supplies, and several other things that will keep your little angel happy.

If you have some time, you can rent a kayak and go for a row around the island and explore water creek. If you don’t feel confident enough to do that alone, you can opt for a guided tour, and those who are keen to learn can opt for lessons. A 3-hour kayak lesson will teach you some basic strokes, which will be enough to get you started.

For those with a cultural bent of mind, the Granville Island Museum is the hot destination. You can check out their collection of miniature trains and model boats. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5:30pm, the Museum is sure to have some exhibits that will intrigue you.

Do what your heart desires here or do nothing at all, it’s your call. Browse through the popular Granville Island Market, considered to be one of the best all-around markets in North America, sample delicacies at the various food stalls, watch a theater performance, stroll along the waterfront under the moonlight, have some home brewed ale, pick up mementos for your friends, or simply take in the character of the village by walking about it. Like we mentioned before, Granville Island is best explored at your own pace and you are free to chart your own itinerary here. That’s just the best way to do it.

This zoological park is spread over 710 acres and has over 5,000 animals from about 500 species, making it one of the biggest zoos in the world. The zoo is divided into seven pavilions that are based on tropical distinctions. They are Africa, Malayan Woods, Indian Rhino, Gaur, Indo Malaya, Australasia, and Indo Malaya. In addition to this there are over 40 exhibits of fish – both native and exotic. Visitors to the park can also see polar bears in action as they swim and hunt for fish. Underground view windows give you an insight into the life of seals and other aquatic animals.

Among the highlights of the zoo is the replica of the African Savannas that is spread over 30 acres. The animals loll around in their artificially created habitat complete with rivers, kopje rocks, water holes and an elephant highway.

Yet another attraction is the Splash Island, made to resemble the waterways of Canada. This play area is home to beavers, ducks, and other native Canadian animals. In fact, an underground zoo will show the insides of a beaver’s lodge and give you an idea of how they live. The South American waterfall is also a great favorite with children, and on a hot sultry day, this is the coolest place in the entire zoo. Other award winning exhibits that you just cannot afford to miss are the Great Barrier Reef and the Gorilla Rainforest.

Visitors are allowed to bring a picnic lunch with them, or they can choose from a number of food joints here that serve all kinds of snacks from pastries and pizzas to beer and coolers. If you begin to miss your good old burger, there is a McDonald’s to bail you out.

The size of the zoo makes it virtually impossible for you to cover it all in one day. On special occasions zoomobiles available that will take visitors from one pavilion to another. Children can make use of strollers and wagons that are available on rent. A good strategy would be to get a map for yourself and mark the more interesting exhibit that you’d like to cover in that day. Surely enough, at the end of the day, you are bound to come back asking for some more interaction with the amazing wild life housed here. A trip to the Toronto zoo is a necessary addition to your itinerary.