Exhibition Place

Lonely Planet review

Each year these historic grounds are revived for their original purpose: the Canadian National Exhibition. During 'The Ex' millions of visitors enjoy carnival rides, lumberjack competitions and more good, honest, homegrown fun than a Sunday School picnic in June. Presiding over the main entry to the grounds is the beaux-arts Princes' Gate - one of the few buildings in Toronto that will make you stop and say, 'Wow!'.

Built in 1927 in celebration of Canada's 60th birthday, the gate consists of a fabulously ornate grand arch with carved rose coffers and hefty Corinthian columns, topped by a winged, wreath-clutching Victory angel. Other special events held at Exhibition Place throughout the year include the Grand Prix of Toronto, the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair and an effervescent variety of sports and design shows. Otherwise the grounds are often spookily bereft of visitors, apart from conventioneers dutifully plodding to their next meet-and-greet session and die-hard historians visiting Toronto's oldest building, the humble Scadding Cabin. Built around 1795 by an estate clerk of Colonial Lieutenant Governor John Simcoe, the cabin isn't open to the public, but often participates in Doors Open Toronto.