Fort York

Established by the British in 1793 to defend the town of York (as Toronto was then known), Fort York was almost entirely destroyed during the War of 1812 when a small band of Ojibwe warriors and British troops couldn’t stop US troops. Today, a handful of the original log, stone and brick buildings have been restored. In summer, men decked out in 19th-century British military uniforms carry out preposterous marches and drills, firing musket volleys into the sky. Kids feign interest or run around the fort’s embankments with wooden rifles. Tours run hourly from May to September, and a fancy new visitor’s centre was being planned when we visited. It’s, off Fleet St W, east of Strachan Ave.