Discover Toronto's most surprising facts, genuine strange bylaws, record-breakers, and hidden history. Verified Toronto trivia you won't find anywhere else.
Toronto is derived from the Mohawk word 'tkaronto', meaning 'where there are trees standing in the water' — referring to the wooden stakes used to fish in Lake Simcoe to the north, which early European explorers misapplied to the present-day city site.
For decades Toronto proudly claimed Yonge Street as the world's longest street at over 1,900 km. Guinness World Records listed it until the mid-1990s, when the record was disputed — the stretch north of Toronto technically becomes Highway 11. The claim is now considered an urban legend, but Yonge St through Toronto is still the city's main artery, running 56 km from the waterfront to Barrie Road.
Yes — the PATH is officially the world's largest underground pedestrian network, with over 30 km of walkways connecting 75+ buildings, 1,200+ shops and services, and 5 subway stations. On a January blizzard day it's your best friend.
March 30, 1954. The Yonge Street subway between Union Station and Eglinton Avenue was Canada's first subway line. It ran 12 cars and cost 25 cents per ride at opening.
Toronto is the third-largest film and TV production hub in North America after Los Angeles and New York. Major studios, tax incentives, diverse architecture, and skilled crews bring hundreds of productions per year. If you see a 'New York' street scene in a movie, there's a decent chance it was filmed in Toronto.
WTF Toronto creates guides using independent editorial research, official sources, local knowledge and firsthand experience where available. Commercial relationships are disclosed where applicable.