Although Toronto has always had pockets of world-class architecture — particularly in its historic districts — Canada’s financial capital is currently in the midst of an architectural boom. In all, about $860 million worth of new and expanded museums, and music and cultural venues were unveiled during the 2006 Year of Creativity.

Frank Gehry’s design for the Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas St. W., tel 877 225 4246, http://www.ago.net), scheduled for completion in late 2007, is a jewel in the crown of new construction, with its arresting glass and titanium facade and innovative sculpture gallery. Also causing a stir is the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts (145 Queen St. W., tel 416 363 6671, http://www.fourseasonscentre.ca), the city’s new opera house and home of the National Ballet of Canada.

The new projects serve as an interesting counterpoint to the more established landmarks for which the city is known, such as the 200-year-old St. Lawrence Market (92 Front St. E., http://www.stlawrencemarket.com), where you can find local products mingling with such international fare as Swiss chocolate truffles, Honduran coffee and French cheeses (open daily except Sunday and Monday.) Try a peameal bacon sandwich, the local specialty, at the Carousel Bakery (South Market, tel 416 363 4247).

Check out the trendy Distillery Historic District (Mill Street, http://www.thedistillerydistrict.com) which boasts the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, as well as restaurants, coffeehouses and summer-long festivals, then stop for Sunday brunch at the Le Royal Méridien King Edward Hotel (37 King St. E., tel 416 863 9700, http://www.starwoodhotels.com) for everything from lobster to Eggs Benedict. Or try the allday dim sum at the Bright Pearl Seafood Restaurant (346-348 Spadina Ave., tel 416 979 3988, http://www.brightpearlseafood.com) in Chinatown.

Spend the afternoon at Riverdale Farm (201 Winchester St., tel 416 961 8787, http://www.friendsofriverdalefarm.com)
in Old Cabbagetown for an up-close look at a working turn-of-the-century farm perched incongruously in the city. Be sure to sample the freshly baked goods, and, if time permits, hop on a wagon ride.

Indulge in a little retail therapy at Vaughan Mills (1 Bass Pro Mills Dr., tel 905 879 2110, http://www.vaughanmills.com) for all the top brands or head to Yorkville (Yorkville Avenue and Bloor Street, tel 416 928 3553, http://www.blooryorkville.com), the city’s former hippie district where head shops have given way to Prada and Hermes. Book lovers can try The World’s Biggest Book Store (20 Edward St., tel 416 977 7009), which, true to its name, boasts an inventory that goes way beyond the bestseller list.

For dinner, try Le Papillon Restaurant (16 Church St., tel 416 363 3773, http://www.lepapillon.ca) for more than 20 types of crepes — as well as more traditional menu items — served up by a roaring fire. The restaurant is tucked in the theater district (King St. W., tel 800 461 3333, http://www.mirvish.com), where you can see some of Broadway’s hottest shows at relative bargain prices. Current productions include “We Will Rock You,” “Dirty Dancing”and “The Phantom of the Opera.”

Top off your night at Crush Wine Bar (455 King St. W., tel 416 977 1234, http://www.crushwinebar.com) for a nightcap or Ultra Supperclub (314 Queen St. W., tel 416 263 0330, http://www.ultrasupperclub.com)for late-night dancing.