Path, Toronto

Toronto is a unique and original city, boasting many world-leading showpieces such as the CN Tower, Skydome, and the very nifty Path, connecting the central business district underground, lined with shops and services. Beat the summer humidity and smog as well as the winter cold by descending and walking to most of the major attractions downtown underground. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world, so it fits right in with this city of firsts. The only drawback is that its primary customer base is the 9-5 crowd, so it's pretty much "closed" during off hours. Nonetheless, it provides a stimulating alternative to strolling at street level when you need to get from point A to point B, and it's big, covering miles and miles and hundreds of shops. Its yearly underground sidewalk sale is another world's biggest.

It also provides an interesting view of the workday. There is a different sound, pulse, vibe, for each part of the day; the fresh crisp sound in the morning as everyone bustles to start their day, generally moving in one direction northward from Union Station; the chaotic but more relaxed lunch rush, the most action-packed time of the day; the end rush, with everyone coursing southward back to the Union train station. And then there are those times in the midst of the day when people take a break from the offices above and just go for a stroll, grab a refreshing beverage or gourmet snack, sit under a fountain somewhere and read, or just watch all the people go by...and of course, the shopping is fabulous as well as competitive, depending on what you're looking for.