The New York Times has listed Canada’s largest city as a top travel destination for 2016.
Toronto landed seventh on the list of 52 places to go this year, and was one of only two Canadian spots to make the cut. The other was in British Columbia.
“Toronto is remaking itself as Canada’s premier city, quietly slipping out of the shadow of Montreal and Vancouver,” wrote journalist David Shaftel.
Part of what earned Toronto the high honours appears to be its new and improved waterfront, which Shaftel pointed out is “part of the largest continuing urban revitalization project in North America.”
“It now has bike and pedestrian paths and new streetcars that link green spaces and promenades that will be full of public art.”
Shaftel also singled out The Junction neighbourhood as a top hot spot for bars, live music and coffee shops.
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The city’s new express train that gets travellers from the airport to downtown in 25 minutes got a mention, too. So did the Toronto International Film Festival, which draws tourists to the city every September.
It’s not the first time Toronto has earned such accolades. Last January, it was ranked the best city in the world by The Economist.
In August, Metropolis Magazine named it the most livable city in the world.
It’s also been listed as one of the world’s most expensive cities. Still, the majority of people surveyed in 2014 said it’s worth it.
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The only other Canadian location to make The New York Times‘ list this year were British Columbia’s Southern Gulf Islands, located off the Vancouver coast. The islands came in at number 50 and received glowing reviews for their small seaside villages, “where summers can feel almost Mediterranean.”
“Winding roads lead from farms and wineries to cheeseries, breweries and artists’ studios,” Remy Scalza wrote, while also lavishing praise on the islands’ impressive restaurants and charming accommodations.
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“Each of the nearly dozen major islands has its own character and contrarian island culture, but all offer secluded coves and trails to explore, and abundant wildlife, from eagles to orcas.”
Other cities worth visiting in 2016, according to The New York Times, include Mexico City, Bordeaux (France), Malta (island in the Mediterraean), Coral Bay, St. John (U.S. Virgin Islands), Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota), and Mozambique (Africa).
You can see the full list here.
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