That Mansion on the Hill - Casa Loma - Toronto Landmark

Toronto does not have many buildings that show the rich excesses of the 'Gilded Age' and if you want to see how the 1% lived in the early part of the 20th century than this is the place.

Casa Loma - Scottish Tower

This is wonderful place to visit year round, but it is particularly nice in late Spring and Summer when the gardens on the southern terrace are in full bloom.  They also decorate for Christmas Holidays in the Grand Hall and have events throughout the year.  One of the highlights is to see the Conservatory; but that and main dining room were being used for Mother's Day Brunch when we recently visited.

Grand Fountain on the Garden Terrace

Quick Facts:

• Casa Loma commenced being built in 1911 and was substantially finished 3 years later at a cost $3.5 million at the time. Modeled after in the style of an English 19th Century county Nobes home. 
• Built by Sir Henry Pellatt; entrepreneur and one time Chairmen of 21 companies.  He founded Toronto Electric Company in 1883 and key investor in the Canadian Pacific Railroad Company and North West Land Company.  He eventually got over extended during the changing econonmy during WWI and declared bankruptcy.  Thereafter, Casa Loma changed hands many times and eventually became a tourist attraction.
• Often featured in Movies and was notably the School for the Gifted in the first X-Men movie. For a more detail history see their website or better yet visit and listen to the audio guide.

The Library

What you need to know for a visit:

• Open Daily year round from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm; except Christma Eve and Christmas Day.
• Admission is $24.00 for adults, $18.00 for Seniors(60+) / Teens (14-17), and Children (4-13) $14.00.  Admission includes an Audio Guide that explains the majority of rooms and provides a narrative history.  They are picked up from the Gift Shop in the basement.
• Located at 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, ON, M5R 1X8 - Nearest major intersection is Bathurst & St. Clair Ave.  

Lady Pellatt's Suite

• On site parking is available for $9.00
• TTC - Casa Loma nearest Subway station is Dupont on University/Spadina Line and is about 3 blocks North, but it does involve going up 110 steps.  Someone else counted.

For more information see Casa Loma's visitor website.  

Suggestions for a better visit:

• Try to arrive early in the day to avoid the crowds and have more elbow room.  Also, you may be able to find free street parking nearby.
• Try to come on a sunny day with your SLR Camera; it is a great place to take pictures and you have some unique views of the city from the towers.  

View of Downtown Toronto

• Comfortable walking shoes, as there are countless steps and cobble stone patios. 
• If you have a Metropass you get 20% off.  If you are Toronto Resident and have a Library Card you can obtain free Passes via the MAP program; for more details see my blog. 
• Bring some light snacks/bottled water as the site only has one restaurant and it grossly over-priced for an okay salad or panini.  
• Take the 1000 foot underground walk from Casa Loma to the Carriage House.  See the stables and vintage cars.

Carriage House

Don't be that Guy and the little things:

A Merry Traveler

• There is numerous decorative motifs to keep an eye open for.  However, there is an obscene amount of graffiti in the rafters and in the towers.  Don't be 'Johnny' I was here.
• Also, the Norman Tower which is the tower that lets you go outside for a panoramic view of the city is closed for renovations and I could not find when it is expected to re-open. 

View West of the Norman Tower Under Renovation

What to do in the Neighbourhood:

• Casa Loma is situated in the Forest Hill neighbourhood and there are ample streets to walk around see gorgeous mansions/homes, which are surrounded by Old Oak Trees.  I'd suggest weaving your away homes to the NE of CASA Loma, East of Spadina Avenue and North of St. Clair.  
• I'd also suggest visiting Timothy Eaton Memorial Church at 230 St. Clair Avenue East; it is an impressive building inside and out.  

View North from the Scottish Tower 

• Get lunch or a snack in Forest Hill Village that is about 1 KM north of Casa Loma.  There is a Starbucks, Aroma Espresso Bar, Subway, Second Cup,  Hero Burger, Cobb's Bread, and What A Bagel.
• If you are looking for more restaurants including many of the chains head east on the St. Clair Streetcar to Yonge and St. Clair.  There are countless bars, pubs and my favourite Toronto book store - Book City. 
• Or go the other way on the St. Clair Streetcar to Dufferin and walk west into little Italy.  There is countless restaurants, shops, bakeries and of course Gelato. 

Comments? Thoughts? Suggestions?  Did you have a good visit?  Please be that guy who puts a comment below.