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Three Ways to Find Adventure in Toronto

By Carri Wilbanks / Catch Carri

Toronto, Canada will forever be one of my favorite places to visit. For one thing, it’s the fourth largest city in North America (after Mexico City, New York, and Los Angeles) so it runs at a fast pace and is constantly evolving with new ideas and businesses. Second, it’s a very multicultural city, which means there’s a ton of diversity, history, and of course different types of authentic food from across the world. And third, it’s the kind of place that encourages an active lifestyle — there’s even a fitness center in the airport and you’ll see a lot of bike commuters peddling through town. But most of all I love that if you combine all of three of these aspects, you get a city that offers a unique array of urban adventures. So no matter what kind of thrill you’re after — from an adrenaline rush to an authentic local experience — add these three activities to your next Toronto itinerary.

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Test your nerves at the top of the CN Tower. (Photo: Carri Wilbanks)

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Hang off the side of a skyscraper

The adventure starts with EdgeWalk at the CN Tower, which holds the Guinness World Record for being the highest external walk on a building — at 1,168 feet. After being harnessed into an overhead safety rail, daredevils shuffle around the entire main pod of the tower hands-free for 30 minutes. We eased into the tour by first putting our toes over the edge and finally, leaning straight over the city with our arms stretched out, Titanic style. Insider tip: Afterward eat at 360 Restaurant at CN Tower for a revolving view of the city.

Related: Mountain Do: 5 Easy Adventures in the Canadian Rockies

2. Cycle through the islands

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Cycle through the largest car-free community in North America. (Photo: Carri Wilbanks)

Toronto Bicycle Tours leads a tour through Toronto Islands, the largest car-free community in North America. After a 15-minute ferry ride, we pedaled to see dynamite views of the city skyline, Canada’s oldest light house (Gibraltar Point Lighthouse), beaches, a petting farm, and residential homes. Our guide and company owner, Terrence Eta, has the perspective you want in a tour leader, because he actually attended a summer camp here and shares personal stories along the way.

Related: Bike Your Way Around the World: These 7 Cycling Tours Will Blow Your Mind

3. Hang with the locals in Chinatown

At face value, Chinatowns across the globe start to blend together and can feel like a tourist trap. But a tour with resident John Lee, who grew up in the Toronto’s Chinatown after his family immigrated from Korea, brings an insider perspective, making this experience different. Here, Lee walks us past extremely affordable fruit and spice markets, saying hello and introducing us to some shop owners, speaking their native tongue.

He talks about the strong sense of community that proves itself when big businesses like Wal-Mart, Nike and Starbucks have tried to move in but have been shutdown with petitions and outcry. He talks about how wealthy investors are coming in from Hong Kong and creating new infrastructure that ends up being juxtaposed next to much older buildings, because some residents rhold tight to the history and look of the area and refuse to sell.

We weave our way to Kensington Market, which started as a Jewish neighborhood in 1920, a time when families would set up stands in front of their homes. The area is now full of different types of boutique shops, thrift stores, restaurants, and coffee spots. Here, everything is in tight quarters and even feels a little crowded compared to downtown Toronto, but somehow the density helps you feel part like you’re part of the community and makes you more apt to chat with the neighbors — the kind of neighbors who rallied together to help Tom’s Place, a suit store, reopen after it burned down in a fire.

Related: Smackdown: Battle of the Chinatowns — New York vs. San Francisco

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