Top Picks for Pics
Toronto has numerous works of public art and tourist attractions that provide fun and memorable photo opportunities. Here are our top picks for pics:
Canoe Landing Park
Adjacent to the Gardiner Expressway and Roger’s Centre, Douglas Coupland’s Red Canoe is a snapshot of Canadiana where you can also get a great view of the CN Tower in the background. Map
CN Tower’s EdgeWalk
EdgeWalk offers the best background shot and vantage point of our fair metropolis from the ledge of the CN Tower. You can’t take your own photo here but two photos and a video are included in the experience price. Map
Simcoe WaveDeck
Inspired by the shorelines of Ontario’s Great Lakes, it replaces a narrow sidewalk with impressive curves that soar up to 2.6 metres above the lake and provides a great photo backdrop. Map
Dundas Square
Our square is reminiscent of New York’s Times Square with myriad billboards in the background. The lights and colours showcase the excitement of our downtown core. (stand on the northeast corner for best shot) Map
Graffiti Alley
South of Queen Street, our city-sanctioned alley complete with the works of arts from graffiti artists showcasing the underbelly of Queen Street. In the crevices of back doors and against the walls, this is a colourful setting for shutterbugs. You may notice that this is also the alley where Rick Mercer shoots his political rants on the Rick Mercer Report. Map
CP24 Truck
One of the most interesting pieces of art in Toronto is a former City News truck bursting through the wall of the CTV building at the corner of Queen and John, the location of the news channel’s former headquarters. If you look closely sometimes the wheels spin. Map
Rising Sculpture
At the Shangri-la hotel, this $5 million sculpture at the hotel’s exterior on University Avenue is inspired by a twisted root and covered with flights of stainless steel birds (also known as peace pigeons). It’s difficult not to want to take pictures of it, especially from down below and looking up. You can also get a good shot of this sculpture from the second-floor patio of the hotel. Map
OCAD University
Will Alsop’s colourful table-top structure located beside the Art Gallery of Ontario has caused a lot of controversy since its inception in 2004. A photo at this structure illustrates the quirky side of the city. It’s also a great vantage point for photos of the CN Tower. Map
Toronto Skyline from the Toronto Islands
Looking for that picture perfect postcard shot of your trip? Whether you’re shooting from the islands or on the ferry, this is one of the best vantage points of our city’s skyline. Map
Galleria Italia at the AGO
One of the best photo opportunities at the Art Gallery of Ontario is the Galleria Italia. Famed architect Frank Ghery’s 50 foot high wooden beams were made to look like the inside of a tipped canoe. Map
Brookfield Place
Brookfield Place is an internationally acclaimed public space with the stunning vaulted Allen Lambert Galleria, a favourite backdrop for visitors. The space is also used for prominent exhibitions and art installations. Map
Sherbourne Common
This 1.5 hectare park features a variety of sculptures and green space that provide memorable photos. Artist Jill Anholt’s dramatic “Light Showers” sculptures rise almost nine metres from the ground and provide the most striking photos. Map
The City Room of Four Seasons Centre
The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, home to operas and ballets, has intermissions in The City Room. The glass-enclosed main lobby provides an open view of the city in one of the most central locations of downtown Toronto. It provides a view just as dramatic as the performances! Map
National Ballet School
The recently renovated school on Jarvis Street illuminates at night which gives a wonderful silhouetted view of dancers in the windows. Map
Casa Loma
This Gothic Revival style house has 98 rooms on 5 acres of gardens has served as a location for movies such as X-Men, Strange Brew, Chicago, The Tuxedo, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Warehouse 13, Twitches Too and The Pacifier. Map
Marilyn Monroe Towers
Located in Mississauga, you won’t forget the Absolute Towers. They are curved like their namesake bombshell and have revitalized the region’s architecture. Map
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
The crystal-shaped structure of the ROM’s exterior captures the attention of passersby. You can get some great shots from the upper levels of both the Museum Tavern and Roof bar at the Hyatt across the street. Map
Sugar Beach
Named for its proximity to the Red Path sugar factory, this beach is a sweet spot to lounge in the summertime. The pink umbrellas dotting the beach with Lake Ontario in the background are fun images to remember from your Toronto jaunt. Map
Humber Bay Arch Bridge
This pedestrian bridge is a familiar site if you are driving on the Gardiner Expressway or Lakeshore Boulevard into the city. The bridge provides a great backdrop of the lake and a unique view of the west end of the city. Map