Looking for the coolest, quirkiest, and top things to do in Toronto, Canada? I’ve got you.
Toronto is a city I know better than any other on earth.
I was born in Toronto and have lived about an hour outside the city for the last 28 years. I’ve spent almost every birthday, date night, weekend, and “what should we do today” trip exploring downtown Toronto and the surrounding neighborhoods.
So when someone asks me what the best things to do in Toronto are, I can actually give a real answer based on having done most of them, usually more than once.
This travel guide is my complete list of what to do in Toronto, Canada, ranging from must sees like the CN Tower, Blue Jays games at the Rogers Centre, and the Toronto Islands, to the lesser known activities like puppy yoga, crafty workshops, and interactive exhibits at Arcadia Earth. I’ve pulled from my own experiences and filled in the gaps with places I have saved on my phone on my to do list.
If you’ve been searching for stuff to do in Toronto, this is your one-stop read. Nothing I wouldn’t personally recommend. Just the best places to visit in Toronto, and local travel tips you won’t find on most travel guides.
My Toronto FAVOURITES:
- Dinner at the 360 Restaurant atop the CN Tower (or for more adrenaline try walking the outer rim of the tower on the EdgeWalk).
- A cruise of Toronto’s Harbourfront – Toronto sits on the shore of a giant lake called Lake Ontario. Cruise the calm waters with views of skyscrapers.
- Exploring the downtown core after dark – Toronto after dark is my favoruite version of the city. The streets come alive. There’s a great driving tour you can take after dark to cover more ground.
- Puppy Yoga at Puppy Sphere – I’ve done this twice now because it’s so surreal getting to play with tiny puppies in such a cute setting.
51 Amazing Things to Do in Toronto
I’ve grouped these by vibe so you can pick what fits your trip. This is my complete answer to what to do in downtown Toronto and beyond, plus day trips out to the rest of Ontario.
Scan the list for anything that sparks your interest. There’s more stuff to do in Toronto than anyone can fit into one visit, so pick the handful that match your vibe and save the rest for a return trip.
The Iconic Must Dos in Toronto
1. Go Up the CN Tower (and Eat at 360 Restaurant)
The CN tower was the world’s tallest tower until 2007 and remains Canada’s tallest building. The prominent tower dominates the Toronto city skyline from almost any angle.
You can ride the glass-fronted elevators up to the main observation deck for the views, stand on the glass floor looking straight down to the pavement, or head up to the SkyPod for the highest public view in the building.
If your budget can manage it (although it’s not that expensive compared to dining experiences elsewhere in Toronto), book a table at 360 Restaurant.
It is a revolving restaurant at the top. I went there for my birthday this past year and it’s still in my top five things I’ve ever done in Toronto.
You slowly rotate around the full perimeter of the tower while you eat, so you get a true 360-degree view with skyscrapers on one side and Lake Ontario and Billy Bishop Airport on the other.
Time your reservation for about an hour before sunset. We booked 6:30 for a 7:30 sunset and got daylight, the sunset itself, and the city lit up at night across one dinner. The food was amazing, the service was lovely, and it didn’t feel crowded or touristy.
Your reservation also includes access to the observation deck after dinner, so you can walk the glass floor once the sun goes down.
💡 Book a reservation through the CN Tower website.
2. Do the CN Tower EdgeWalk
If you want an adventure activity, the EdgeWalk is 150% worth it.
You clip into a harness and walk hands-free around the outside ledge of the main pod, 356 meters off the ground. I personally love heights, so I found it thrilling without being actually scary. Even when you lean back off the edge, you feel really secure, and you never feel like your feet could slip.
If you go in summer when the Rogers Centre dome is open, you can see the baseball stadium directly below you, which is wild.
💡 You can book your adventure on the CN Tower website here.
3. Catch a Blue Jays Game at Rogers Centre
The Blue Jays are Canada’s only Major League Baseball team, which makes them Canada’s team more than just Toronto’s. The cultural energy at a home game is magnetic.
I love Blue Jays games. They’re affordable, they’re fun, and the stadium was recently renovated, so there are really cool restaurant patios and bars you can walk through. There are hall-of-fame style exhibits on the 100 level with old players and awards, activities for kids, and the hot dogs and beer are a must.
💡 Grab seats through the official Blue Jays site. Anywhere in the stadium works; the energy is great no matter where you sit.
4. Wander Kensington Market
Before I ever visited, I thought Kensington Market was one physical indoor market. It’s actually a small neighborhood of a few streets completely filled with vintage stores, cute cafes, and quirky shops.
I spent my last birthday roaming around here. We did a book crawl, read in several different cafes, and shopped through vintage stores that ranged from affordable thrift to higher-end luxury vintage.
The food scene is incredible. You’ll find Jamaican patties, Chilean empanadas, fresh bread, dim sum spots, and cafes tucked into every corner. It’s also right next to Chinatown, so you can easily combine both in one afternoon.
This is one of the best places to visit in Toronto for a non-touristy day.
💡 You May Also Like: The Best 3 Day Itinerary for Toronto, Canada
5. Walk Through the Distillery Historic District
The Distillery District is a pedestrian-only village built from 47 preserved Victorian industrial buildings, once the largest distillery in the world.
The cobblestone streets are full of art galleries, boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes. Don’t miss the 40-foot spider sculpture called “IT” or the giant “Love Locks” sign.
In December, the Toronto Christmas Market takes over the whole Distillery District with twinkle lights, mulled wine, and holiday shopping. It’s one of the best things to do in Toronto in winter.
6. Escape to the Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands are a 15-minute ferry ride from downtown and feel like a completely different world once you’re there.
This is one of my favourite summer activities. Rent a bike, kayak the lagoons, swim at Hanlan’s Point, or walk the sand dunes. You can bring kids to Centreville Amusement Park on Centre Island, or just post up with a picnic and read.
The islands also give you some of the best skyline views in the city, especially from Ward’s Island looking back toward downtown Toronto.
These are the best tours you can take on Toronto Island:
- Take a Morning or Twilight Bike Tour – It is 3.5 hours long total and is an active way to explore the island’s top landmarks.
- Sunset Canoe Tour – The Toronto sky line from the water illuminated by sunset is incredible!! This canoe tour paddles around the islands, a bird sanctuary, and passes under a bridge built in 1905.
You can also take the ferry from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal at the foot of Bay Street. Book tickets in advance in summer on the City of Toronto ferry page.
🤩 Paddle with Views of Toronto’s Skyscrapers at Sunset on This Canoe Tour
7. Marvel at Casa Loma
Casa Loma is a real 98-room Gothic Revival castle right in midtown Toronto. It was built in 1914 and it has secret passages, towers with city views, underground tunnels, and beautiful gardens.
A standard visit to explore Casa Loma is cool, but the really interesting stuff is the special events.
In summer, Casa Loma has a beautiful garden terrace restaurant called the Terrace Grill. They set up elegant tables in the gardens and often have live classical string quartet, twinkle lights everywhere, and flowers filling the space. Everyone dresses fancy and it’s absolutely beautiful.
They also have an escape room built into one of the actual towers. I did this for one of my birthdays and it uses real historical parts of the tower as props for a 90-minute game.
🤩 You can book regular Casa Loma Tickets here.
8. Visit the Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canada’s largest museum and has artifacts spanning art, culture, and natural history.
The building itself is worth seeing, with a dramatic glass addition that juts out over the sidewalk. Inside, you’ll find massive dinosaur skeletons, Egyptian mummies, Chinese temple art, and a gallery dedicated to First Peoples art and culture.
The Ontario Museum runs rotating exhibits that change topics throughout the year, so check what’s on when you’re visiting.
You can purchase your tickets online in advance if you want to skip past the line. I’d recommend doing that on a weekend, but don’t bother if its a weekday.
🤩 Purchase Your ROM Tickets in Advance Here
9. Admire Art at the Art Gallery of Ontario
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) sits inside a redesigned Frank Gehry building with a spiral wood staircase that’s almost as cool as the art.
The collection is 95,000 works deep. You’ll see Group of Seven Canadian landscape paintings (we have 3 prints from this group hanging in our house, they’re so stunning), European masters, Indigenous art, and the world’s largest public collection of Henry Moore sculptures.
💡 Wednesdays are often half-price nights. Check the AGO schedule for current pricing and rotating exhibits.
10. Explore Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Ripley’s Aquarium is right next to the CN Tower and has over 20,000 marine animals.
The highlight is the Dangerous Lagoon, where you stand on a slow-moving conveyor belt and glide through an underwater tunnel with sharks, stingrays, sawfish, and sea turtles swimming directly over your head. Planet Jellies is also really cool, with color-changing tanks that make the jellyfish look like they’re glowing.
It’s great for families, but even as an adult I found it interesting.
💡 Book tickets online to skip the line if you go on a weekend.
11. Stroll Past Nathan Phillips Square
Nathan Phillip’s Square is in the heart of Downtown Toronto. You don’t need a ton of time there, but it is a cool looking square with the big Toronto sign out front of it. A perfect photo op.
If you happen to be visiting in the winter, there is a giant ice rink set up in the square. You can skate and grab hot chocolate right in the heart of the city.
12. Take a Driving Tour of the City At Night
I LOVE Toronto after dark. The tall skyscrapers light up and everything feels alive and glowy. I highly recommend taking a tour of the city if you are lower on time to cover more ground, and I especially recommend doing it at night.
This tour covers the entertainment district (has tons of theatres and nightlife spots), a visit to the CN Tower with admission included, a stop at Nathan Phillip’s Square lit up at night, the Distillery District, and more of Downtown.
Food, Shopping, and Neighborhood Hangs
13. Take a Food Tour of Toronto’s Legendary Food Scene
The food tours typically take you through Kensington Market, the St Lawrence Market, and/or the Distillery District. You get to sample tons of different food varieties from the numerous cultures that make up Toronto’s multicultural city.
You can try East Asian and Himalayan foods, or sample local favourites like “Canadian” bacon (we just called it peameal bacon) and butter tarts.
This tour below also has a secret food that is revealed at the very end of the tour. It’s run by locals, so you also get a deeper look into the city’s attractions from their perspective.
🤩 The Best Food Tour of Toronto’s Neighbourhoods
14. Eat at Waterworks Food Hall
Waterworks Food Hall at 50 Brant Street in King West is my favourite food hall in all of Toronto.
It’s inside a beautifully restored heritage building and has 15 food vendors, 3 bars, and 2 patios. You can get amazing tacos, ice cream, pasta, sandwiches, and specialty coffee all in one place.
If you’re asking what to do in downtown Toronto around lunch, this is always my first recommendation.
15. Shop at Stackt Market
Stackt Market at Front and Bathurst is an outdoor market built from 120 reclaimed shipping containers. It’s cool just to look at, with all the containers stacked up in different colors.
The shops and food inside are eclectic. Vintage clothing stores, pasta bars, art studios, and rotating pop-ups. I did a resin keychain workshop at Stackt one afternoon and it was a blast.
They also host events with live DJs, night markets, and seasonal festivals.\
💡 Check the Stackt calendar before you go.
16. Explore The Well and Arcadia Earth
The Well is one of my favourite buildings architecturally in the city. It’s an indoor-outdoor shopping complex with gorgeous design and great natural light.
The shopping at The Well is solid. You’ll find Lululemon, Indigo (the big Canadian bookstore chain), Adidas, and a bunch of other stores. But the real reason I’d send you here is Arcadia Earth, an immersive art experience focused on the planet. It has interactive exhibits and rooms where the walls are floor-to-ceiling screens with cool lights and art.
Worth an afternoon if you like creative, interactive experiences.
17. Try Poutine (A Must if You’re New to Canada)
If you’re a foreign tourist visiting Toronto, then you need to try Canada’s cultural dish called Poutine. It’s fries with cheese curds and gravy poured over top and it’s delicious. As a Canadian, I can attest that poutine fits into my regular comfort food rotation.
You can get a poutine at most restaurants, but there are some specifically dedicated to them. They are:
- Poutine Hub
- Nom Nom Nom Poutine
- Smokes Poutinery
18. Shop at the Eaton Centre
The Eaton Centre is one of Toronto’s biggest malls, and it sits right in downtown Toronto.
It has every store you’d hope for, and the mall itself is pretty cool with a sweeping glass ceiling. If you’re in town around Christmas, they set up a giant Christmas tree that’s several stories tall. Worth a look.
19. Cafe Hop on Ossington Street
Cafe hopping is one of my favourite ways to spend an afternoon in the city. Pick a neighborhood and walk between cafes with your book, your journal, or your laptop.
Ossington is my go-to strip. Great stops include:
- Misc Coffee at 299 Ossington for fruit-noted espresso
- Pilot Coffee Roasters for single-origin pours
- Sam James Coffee Bar for a pared-back essentials menu
- Uncle Studios for coffee, clothing shopping, and a vintage photo booth session
Queen West around Trinity Bellwoods, College Street in Little Italy, and Dundas West in Little Portugal are also solid cafe hopping streets if you want more options.
20. Explore Toronto’s Distinct Neighbourhoods
Toronto is a city of cultural neighbourhoods, each with its own food scene and shopping personality. Build at least one neighbourhood walk into your trip:
- The Junction: up-and-coming spots with craft breweries, new community spaces, and beautiful Victorian commercial architecture
- The Annex and Koreatown: right by the University of Toronto, with indie record shops, Honest Ed’s Alley murals, and late-night Korean BBQ and karaoke
- Queen Street West: vintage fashion, indie designers, and record stores in one of Toronto’s most artistic strips. Also home to graffiti alley, which is an activity listed further down this list.
- Yorkville: luxury shopping, high-end restaurants, and a polished vibe
- The Beaches: a lakeside boardwalk lined with independent cafes, shops, and a sandy beach on Lake Ontario
21. Book a Tasting Menu Dinner
For a memorable dinner in Toronto, book a tasting menu.
Alo Restaurant is the most famous. It holds a Michelin star and serves a six- or ten-course tasting menu ($185 or $245 per person) that blends European and Asian techniques. Reservations open on the first Tuesday of each month at 10 AM for dates two months out. Book as early as you can.
I’ve also heard really good things about Pastiche and their blind tasting menu, which is on my list for my next birthday dinner.
Outdoor and Active
22. Run or Walk the Harbourfront
The Toronto Harbourfront has always been one of my favourite parts of the city.
There’s this high outdoor energy along the lakeshore. Everybody is running, biking, walking dogs, rollerblading, or sitting with a coffee. Lake Ontario sparkling beside the modern architecture is a great backdrop for a long walk or run.
Start at Harbourfront Centre, a free cultural hub on the lake with exhibits, markets, and live events, then walk west toward Stackt Market or east toward Sugar Beach and Corktown Common. It’s flat, scenic, and one of the best free things to do in downtown Toronto.
23. Take a Boat Cruise Around Toronto’s Harbour
This boat tour has been saved on my to do list for so long. I’ve heard such great things about it and it looks like a beautiful way to spend an afternoon or evening in Toronto.
The best part of these cruises, is that you get some of the best views of the city’s skyline from the water. And there is usually music, drinks, and food depending on the boat cruise you choose.
🤩 This is the boat cruise I have on my to do list.
24. Picnic at Riverdale Park East for Sunset
Riverdale Park East is one of the best free views of the Toronto skyline in the city. It’s a big grassy hill in the east end, with the CN Tower front and center in the view.
It’s become the most popular sunset picnic spot in Toronto. Grab snacks from a nearby bakery or grocery store, bring a blanket, and get there about an hour before sunset.
25. Hike the Scarborough Bluffs
For a real nature break without leaving the city, head east to the Scarborough Bluffs.
These clay cliffs rise 90 meters above Lake Ontario and have hiking trails, lookout points, and Bluffer’s Park Beach at the bottom. It looks more like a coastline in a national park than the outskirts of a major city.
Drive or take the TTC plus a cab for the final stretch. Wear real shoes.
26. Walk Through High Park
High Park is Toronto’s largest green space. It has hiking trails, picnic areas, a small free zoo (with capybaras and llamas), and the city’s famous cherry blossom display in late April or early May.
Come for the blossoms if your timing works, but it’s beautiful any season. Parking fills up fast on cherry blossom weekends, so take transit.
27. Visit the Evergreen Brick Works
The Evergreen Brick Works is a former brick factory in the Don Valley that’s been transformed into a sustainability hub with gardens, nature trails, and a weekly farmers’ market.
It’s one of the coolest adaptive reuse projects in Toronto and a low-key way to spend a Saturday morning. Hike the adjacent Crothers Woods trail if you want a longer walk.
Unique Experiences and Workshops
28. Do Puppy Yoga at Puppy Sphere
Puppy Sphere runs ethical puppy yoga classes where five- and six-week-old puppies run around the yoga studio while you flow. I’ve done it twice and I was obsessed.
After the class you get time to cuddle and take pictures with the puppies. They hand out toys, clean up accidents, and include a complimentary drink. The puppies are absolutely adorable. It’s one of the most unique things to do in downtown Toronto.
💡Book your puppy yoga class on their website.
29. Take a Flight Over Toronto
Toronto is ridiculously impressive from above with its towering skyscrapers right next to sparkling Lake Ontario. Luckily, there are aerial flights and helicopter tours that take you circling above the beautiful skyline.
Some of the tour options take you on a fancy private-jet looking plane where to jet around the city (yet it’s super affordable). Or you can get some extra thrill in a helicopter flight.
This is another one of those must do Toronto activities I have saved on my list for a future birthday.
🤩 Here’s the private-jet looking aerial flight, or check out the helicopter flight
30. Make a Silver Ring or Other Craft at a Workshop
Toronto has more craft workshops than any city I’ve been to. If you’re interested in learning something new, you can find a workshop for it here.
I did a silver ring workshop at Chillax Studio for one of my birthdays where we used real silver clay to shape, fire, and polish our own rings. It was an absolute blast, and the studio was close to Waterworks Food Hall so we made a full afternoon of it.
Other workshops worth trying that I’ve either done or been eyeing:
- Rug tufting at Chillax Studio
- Purse making at EWOWDAY
- Perfume making at Orris Labs
- Candle making (many places offer this)
- and the resin keychain workshops at Let’s Make It Stackt Market.
31. Make Charm Bracelets
Charm bracelet making is really popular in Toronto right now.
You can book a guided session at Gem Studios inside The Well, or you can do what I did and go to Hi Beads to grab your own charms and chain, then build your bracelet at a cafe.
A rainy day activity that sends you home with a souvenir from your trip. Perfect combo.
32. Find a Vintage Photo Booth
Vintage photo booths have blown up in Toronto in the last couple of years. The good ones use real film and a tiny darkroom inside the booth to develop your photo strip, so you’re not just getting a digital print.
My favourite spots:
- Waterworks Food Hall (the one I’ve personally done, great strips)
- Uncle Studios on Ossington for a $10 four-pose strip
- The Drake Hotel on Queen West
- Penny Arcade Vintage
It’s the best $10 souvenir you can bring home from visiting Toronto.
33. Play at Activate Games or Tilt Midnight Arcade
Activate is one of the coolest facilities to get active in Toronto. You get to jump, climb, and solve puzzles through a series of game rooms with technology that reacts in real time.
There are multiple Toronto locations, including a massive new one at the Stockyards with 19 game rooms. I’ve been to activate about 5 times now, they’re so fun and affordable.
If you want something more chill, Tilt Midnight Arcade in downtown Toronto is a vintage-style arcade with drinks and a cool vibe. I haven’t been yet but it’s been on my list for a while.
34. Museum of Illusions
The museum of illusions is wacky and super worth a visit. It’s packed with optical illusions, holograms, a room that makes people shrink and grow, a vortex tunnel that genuinely messes with your balance, and an infinity room you could lose yourself in for ten minutes.
It’s small enough that you’re not overcommitting a whole day, but every single exhibit is hands-on, so bring your phone because you will take photos.
It’s only a 5-minute walk from St. Lawrence Market, so pair the two and make an afternoon of it.
35. Go to an Outdoor Concert at RBC Amphitheatre
RBC Amphitheatre (renamed from Budweiser Stage recently) is an outdoor concert venue right on Lake Ontario near the lakeshore.
The summer lineups are always good and the outdoor vibe is unbeatable. If you can, grab a garden access ticket instead of a reserved seat. You get a lawn area where people dance and the energy is always great.
Heads up: the venue is closing for full renovations in 2027, so catch a show here while you still can. Check the current schedule when planning your trip.
36. See a Show in the Mirvish Theatre District
Toronto’s theatre district is the third largest English-speaking theatre scene in the world.
For the most visually beautiful theatre, book a show at the Royal Alexandra or Princess of Wales (both Mirvish theaters). The architecture alone is worth the ticket, with ornate gold trim, detailed painted ceilings, and old-school grandeur.
You can also check out the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre, one of the last operating double-decker theaters in the world, with a ceiling made of suspended leaves.
💡 Browse all shows at Mirvish.com.
37. Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame
Canada is obsessive about hockey, and the Hockey Hall of Fame in downtown Toronto is where the sport’s history lives.
You can see the Stanley Cup in person, explore exhibits on legendary players, and take a shot in the interactive zone. Even if you’re not a sports person, it’s a peek into a huge part of Canadian culture.
38. Catch Other Local Sports Teams
If you time your trip right, you can catch the Maple Leafs (NHL) or Raptors (NBA) at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto FC or the Argonauts at BMO Field in Exhibition Place, or Toronto’s new WNBA team, the Toronto Tempo, at the Coca-Cola Coliseum.
Hidden Gems and Off-the-Beaten-Path
These are the spots that don’t make most travel guides but absolutely should. Half the fun of Toronto is finding the weird stuff that most visitors miss.
39. Graffiti Alley
Graffiti Alley is a block-long outdoor exhibition of street art in Toronto’s Fashion District. It is always changing, with new pieces of art getting added all the time. The murals are colourful and very photogenic.
If you love art, I recommend taking this street art walking tour around Graffiti Alley with a local. You’ll get a much deeper insight into Toronto’s art scene and of course, some great local insights.
40. The PATH
The PATH is the largest underground pedestrian network in the world. It consists of 30 kilometers of connected tunnels with over 1,200 shops, food courts, and services linking downtown Toronto’s office towers, Union Station, and major hotels.
It’s meant to be a lifesaver on those cold winter days, but it’s a unique piece of the city to walk through on your way between attractions.
41. The Biblio-Mat
Tucked inside The Monkey’s Paw used bookshop, this coin-operated vending machine dispenses a random vintage book for $3.
You have no idea what you’ll get. A perfect quirky souvenir for book lovers.
42. Chester Hill Lookout
A secluded spot in the east end with a giant astrology wheel painted on the ground and quiet sweeping views of the skyline and the Don Valley.
Most tourists never find it but it has amazing views. I haven’t personally been yet, but it’s been on my list.
43. Little Canada
At Yonge-Dundas Square, Little Canada is a massive miniature exhibit with highly detailed, animated versions of Canadian cities and landmarks.
I went to a version of this in New York City and it remains a surprisingly strong memory of my three trips I’ve done to the city.
44. Niche Museums Worth Adding to Your List
Beyond the Royal Ontario Museum and the AGO, Toronto has a surprisingly deep bench of specialty museums:
- Bata Shoe Museum for 4,500 years of footwear history
- Aga Khan Museum for Islamic art in a striking modernist building
- Gardiner Museum for Canadian ceramic history
- Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in the Junction
- Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery at Harbourfront Centre
For Families and Kids
45. Toronto Zoo and Canada’s Wonderland
Take kids to the Toronto Zoo, Canada’s largest zoo with over 5,000 animals, or let them loose at Canada’s Wonderland amusement park just north of the city. Wonderland has some of the steepest roller coasters in the world. I’ve been a bunch of times and it’s one of the best amusement parks in Ontario.
Other kid-friendly picks: Centreville Amusement Park on Centre Island, Far Enough Farm petting zoo, Legoland Discovery Center at Vaughan Mills, and the Riverdale Park Farm in Cabbagetown (a free 7.5-acre working farm).
Toronto Festivals Worth Planning Around
46. Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)
The Toronto International Film Festival runs every September. It’s one of the biggest film festivals in the world and brings massive star power to the city centre.
If you’re a film fan, the energy during TIFF is electric. Premieres, red carpets, and surprise guest Q&As happen nightly.
Tickets go fast. Grab yours at tiff.net as soon as they release.
47. Toronto Caribbean Carnival
The largest Caribbean festival in North America takes over Lakeshore Boulevard in late July with costumes, music, and a massive street parade.
48. Winter Festivals and the Toronto Christmas Market
Winterista brings giant ice sculptures, ice slides, and heated outdoor bars.
The Toronto Christmas Market at the Distillery District is also one of the best holiday markets in Canada.
Excursions From Toronto
49. Take a Tour to Niagara Falls
I’ve been to Niagara Falls many times throughout my life. The falls often have some kind of light display on after dark and there are activities to get close up, like the Maid of the Mist boat ride that takes you up to the falls or the zip line over top of it.
The falls themselves are impressive as heck and the touristy area around it is really quirky and fun. It’s called Clifton Hill and it has wax museums, a rainforest cafe, a ferris wheel, and tons of souvenir shops.
The falls are about 1.5 hours drive from Toronto. There are lots of great tour options to take you there, some of which include the cruises or even wine tasting in the neighbouring Niagara-on-the-lake wine region.
I highly recommend this tour here because it also includes the Maid of the Mist Tour, where you get right up close to the waterfall by boat. You’ll be outfitted in the touristy rain ponchos and will feel the mist. It also includes all the round trip transport you need to and from Toronto so you don’t have to worry about logistics.
🤩 The Best Niagara Falls Tour From Toronto
Best Time to Visit Toronto
May through October is the best window for a Toronto trip. Patio season is in full swing, the Harbourfront comes alive, the islands are ferry-accessible, and all the best outdoor activities are running.
September is a sweet spot. Warm weather, smaller crowds, and the Toronto International Film Festival brings a cinematic buzz to the city centre.
Winter is cold (often -15°C or colder in January), but if you can handle it, the Christmas Market, Cavalcade of Lights, and ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square make for a magical visit. But if you’re not used to Canadian winters, it is COLD.
FAQs About What to Do in Toronto
How many days should I spend in Toronto?
Plan for a minimum of 3 days, and ideally 5 to 7 if you want to add day trips to Niagara Falls or Prince Edward County. Three days covers the essentials. A full week lets you go deep in neighborhoods like Greektown, Little Italy, and the Junction.
Is Toronto safe?
Yes. Toronto is one of the safer major cities in North America. Use normal big-city caution at night, especially around areas like Jane and Finch or parts of the east end after dark, but most of downtown Toronto is very safe.
What is the best way to get around Toronto?
The TTC subway, streetcar, and bus system covers most of the city and connects into Union Station downtown. Walking and biking work great in the central neighborhoods. Uber and Lyft are plentiful. I don’t recommend renting a car because the traffic in Toronto is crazy.
What are the best free things to do in Toronto?
walk Graffiti Alley, visit Allan Gardens Conservatory, browse Harbourfront Centre, picnic at Riverdale Park East, take photos at the 3D Toronto sign, hike the Scarborough Bluffs, wander Kensington Market, and explore the Toronto Music Garden. These are also great places to go to in Toronto when you want something low-key between bigger activities.
What’s the must do in Toronto if I only have one day?
If you only have one day, prioritize the CN Tower (either 360 Restaurant or the EdgeWalk), lunch at St. Lawrence Market or Waterworks Food Hall, a walk through Kensington Market, and sunset at Riverdale Park East. That’s the one-day must see Toronto itinerary and it covers what to do in downtown Toronto without burning you out.
Planning Your Trip to Trip:
By now you probably have a running list in your head of everything you want to do, and the real question is how to actually fit it all into a trip.
That’s the part I can help with next. If you only have a long weekend / shorter stay, start with my 3 day Toronto itinerary. It’s built around the absolute top things to do in Toronto and paced so you’re not sprinting between neighborhoods.
If you’re stilling trying to figure out if Toronto is worth your time or not, check out my full list of pro’s and con’s to visiting Toronto.
Toronto rewards people who plan a little and then leave room to get lost. Pick a few things from this list, book the big stuff, and let the city fill in the rest.
Happy adventuring.
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