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17 Best Things to Do in Toronto, Canada

Toronto is filled with many exhilarating experiences, just waiting to be discovered. Kick-start your journey by indulging in the breathtaking bird's-eye view from the iconic CN Tower observation decks – a must-visit attraction. Afterward, you can

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Toronto Islands Toronto Islands free

When you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Canada's biggest city, you can hop on a quick, 15-minute ferry ride to the Toronto Islands. Amidst the towering skyscrapers of the city's mainland, this cluster of islands and islets provides a refreshing green oasis. The three interconnected islands – Centre, Ward's, and Algonquin – eliminate the need for constant boat transfers, allowing you to explore the entire area seamlessly. Each of these main islands offers a distinct experience, ensuring there is something unique to discover every time.

Centre Island lives up to its name by offering a variety of attractions, including picnic areas, beaches, sporting rentals and the Centreville Amusement Park. This park boasts more than 30 rides, a petting zoo and a charming boating lagoon. On the other hand, Ward and Algonquin provide a more relaxed atmosphere adorned with picturesque 1920s-style cottages and English gardens.

High Park High Park free

High Park is a true gem in the heart of Toronto, and it's no wonder it's often considered a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Spanning around 400 acres, this expansive park offers a delightful escape from the bustling city and a sanctuary of natural beauty.

One of the highlights of High Park is its lush green spaces and well-maintained gardens. Usually, during the spring, the park boasts an impressive collection of cherry blossom trees, which bloom in stunning colors, attracting crowds of admirers. High Park offers diverse habitats for nature enthusiasts, including serene ponds, wooded areas and even a small zoo. One of the park's most beloved features is Grenadier Pond, a calm body of water where visitors can enjoy fishing or unwind by its shores.

CN Tower CN Tower

Rising majestically amidst Toronto's stunning skyline, the CN Tower stands at an impressive height of 1,815 feet. The American Society of Civil Engineers hailed it as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Beyond its iconic stature, the tower offers unparalleled panoramic views of the city below, creating a breathtaking vantage point for visitors.

You'll take an elevator to reach the four observation areas available to visitors, including the Glass Floor room (at 1,122 feet), the Main Observation Level (at 1,136 feet), the revolving 360 The Restaurant (at 1,150 feet) and the SkyPod, at 1,465 feet, one of the highest public observation areas in the world. Meanwhile, the EdgeWalk allows the daring to experience the world's highest hands-free external walk on a building. Connected via harness, participants can take a walk on a 5-foot-wide ledge encircling the top of the tower's main pod 116 stories above the ground. Tickets for the EdgeWalk start at of CA$199 (about $150) per person ages 13 and older also includes a keepsake video, printed photos, a certificate of achievement and a ticket to re-enter the tower.

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St. Lawrence Market St. Lawrence Market free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Stop by St. Urbain Bagels, where fresh wood-fired Montreal-style bagels are made daily. Don't forget to savor the bakery's irresistible, flaky pastry boureka. – Suzanna Alsayed

Nestled within Toronto's historic Old Town, St. Lawrence Market has played numerous roles since its inception in the 19th century. Evolving from a marketplace, it has served as a vibrant social hub and even housed the City Hall. The market tantalizes visitors with various delectable delights, ranging from gourmet cured meats to intricately handcrafted jewelry. The St. Lawrence Market comprises three distinct buildings: the South Market, the North Market and the illustrious St. Lawrence Hall.

Distillery District Distillery District free

U.S. News Insider Tip: The Distillery District uniquely appeals to those on first dates, with couples often capturing precious moments in front of the heart-shaped sculpture adorning its entrance. – Suzanna Alsayed

In the early 1800s, the waterfront area of Toronto housed the esteemed Gooderham and Worts Distillery, which stood as Canada's largest distilling company. Fast-forward to the present day, and this historic neighborhood has transformed into a charming pedestrian-only enclave, surrounded by Victorian buildings and cobblestone pathways once traversed by horse-drawn carriages. Today, it brims with a vibrant tapestry of art galleries, performance venues, inviting cafes, tantalizing restaurants, patios and even a brewery. This captivating locale offers a genuine glimpse into Toronto's rich past.

Harbourfront Centre Harbourfront Centre free

Tucked away on the scenic banks of Lake Ontario, this expansive 10-acre attraction has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a neglected shipping terminal into a vibrant and upscale neighborhood. Once desolate warehouses have been revitalized, now housing captivating theaters and art galleries that exude a similar ambiance to renowned waterfront destinations like San Francisco 's Pier 39 and Baltimore's Inner Harbor .

The area boasts a myriad of culinary delights with numerous eateries to satisfy diverse palates. Serene pockets of green space dot the landscape, including the esteemed Toronto Music Garden, a harmonious collaboration shaped partly by the renowned cellist Yo Yo Ma. And if you're around during the summer, you can kick back on Sugar Beach, a former parking lot transformed into an urban beach.

Kensington Market Kensington Market free

For those who embrace a touch of vibrant chaos, Kensington Market is a captivating destination when visiting Toronto. Once a thriving Jewish neighborhood, this eclectic market began in the 1920s when families set up stands outside their homes to trade goods. Over time, it has evolved into a bustling marketplace that has expanded in size and cultural diversity.

This neighborhood is a hub for diverse culinary delights, unique products and cultural experiences. Wandering through the streets of Kensington Market, you'll encounter a tapestry of shops and restaurants offering various goods from Europe. For residents, this area provides a down-to-earth experience and serves as a compelling counterpoint to the luxurious aspects of Toronto, showcasing the city's authentic and less opulent side.

Hockey Hall of Fame Hockey Hall of Fame

No visit to Toronto, or even Canada in general, would be complete without immersing yourself in the world of hockey. Although hockey may not be the country's official sport, it holds an almost sacred status as the unofficial national pastime. If you have the chance, you should try to join the thousands of passionate Torontonians as they gather at Scotiabank Arena to cheer on the beloved Toronto Maple Leafs. Even if you visit during the summer months, you can still satisfy your hockey cravings by visiting the Hockey Hall of Fame, conveniently located just a block away from Union Station.

Spanning an impressive 65,000 square feet, the Hockey Hall of Fame is a treasure trove of memorabilia. Delve into the sport's rich history as you encounter iconic artifacts, including the original Stanley Cup, Max Bentley's cherished stick, and Terry Sawchuk's legendary goalie gear. As you explore the exhibits, take advantage of the opportunity to step into a faithful reproduction of the Montreal Canadiens locker room and marvel at the Puck Wall, adorned with more than 1,000 pucks gathered from tournaments worldwide.

Niagara Falls One Day Sightseeing Tour from Toronto

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Best of Toronto Small Group Tour with CN Tower and Harbour Cruise

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Casa Loma Casa Loma

U.S. News Insider Tip: Experience the magic of a live orchestra at Casa Loma's gardens during its Symphony in the Gardens event, which takes place Monday evenings from June to September. – Suzanna Alsayed

Are you a fan of castles? So was Sir Henry Pellatt, a former soldier whose lifelong aspiration was to build a majestic castle overlooking the city of Toronto. Thus, the magnificent Casa Loma came into existence in 1914, a sprawling estate comprising 98 rooms. This architectural marvel took nearly three years to construct, requiring a staggering investment of more than $3.5 million.

Toronto Zoo Toronto Zoo

According to travelers, the Toronto Zoo is a hit with kids (and most adults). This sprawling facility in Scarborough is one of the largest zoos in the world, with more than 6 miles of walking trails spread over 700 acres and 3,000 animals (representing more than 300 species) calling this place home. The zoo is separated into seven geographic regions, including the Tundra Trek, Eurasia Wilds and an African Rainforest Pavilion. There are also a plethora of seasonal activities to engage in. Along with a ropes course, there's a carousel and the Zoomobile Ride, which takes you through some of the park's various regions, including the Tundra Trek, the Canadian Domain and Eurasia. The Discovery Zone is also a top attraction for families, housing a 2-acre water play area, theater and an interactive wildlife experience designed for kids.

Recent visitors were impressed with the zoo, but warned that it's large, so you'll need to wear proper walking shoes. The ticket prices were a common gripe among reviewers, as was the zoo's location – there are no subway stations nearby, but the No. 86A bus route stops close to the main entrance. Others complained of the expensive food prices (hence, if you are on a budget, you may want to bring your food for a picnic).

Royal Ontario Museum (The ROM) Royal Ontario Museum (The ROM)

Positioned on the northern edge of the University of Toronto campus, the Royal Ontario Museum (also referred to as the "ROM") is a must-visit for avid history enthusiasts. Since its establishment in 1914, the ROM has accumulated more than 13 million artifacts, making it Canada's largest museum of world cultures and natural history. Across its 40 gallery and exhibition spaces, the museum displays diverse relics, including dinosaur bones, ancient Roman sculptures, Chinese temple art, an exhibit on Canada's First Nations and other cultural objects from various parts of the world.

Careful planning is advised to make the most of your time here, as recent visitors note that the Royal Ontario Museum offers such a wealth of exhibits that you might easily lose track of time. However, travelers unanimously agree that the museum's diverse array of exhibits is a true treasure, making every minute spent there worthwhile. Families traveling with children need not worry about keeping the little ones engaged, as the ROM provides interactive experiences. Kids can explore the hands-on gallery to touch snakeskin, examine shark jaws up close, and even venture into a fox's den. The CIBC Discovery Gallery also allows youngsters to dress up in costumes and embark on exciting "dinosaur" bone excavations.

Nathan Phillips Square Nathan Phillips Square free

Nathan Phillips Square is a must-visit destination in Toronto. Located in the heart of downtown, this bustling public square – which was named in honor of a former Toronto mayor – offers a variety of experiences that make it a popular spot for locals and tourists alike.

The centrepiece of Nathan Phillips Square is the striking Toronto City Hall, an architectural masterpiece that showcases modernist design. Its distinctive curved towers and the elevated walkway known as the "podium roof" make it a prominent landmark on the city skyline. Visitors are encouraged to explore the City Hall's public spaces, including the council chambers and the mayor's office, to see Toronto's governance in action.

Ontario Science Centre Ontario Science Centre

For an immersive and engaging learning experience that goes beyond reading plaques, look no further than the Ontario Science Centre. This remarkable facility offers a multitude of interactive exhibits designed to maximize educational opportunities for visitors of all ages. Step into the pilot's seat of a rocket chair, embark on a cosmic journey in the city's public planetarium and showcase your dance moves on a floor that converts energy into mesmerizing light displays. Delve into the Living Earth experience and feel the touch of a tornado or catch a glimpse of your future self with the Amazing Aging Machine. Before exploring, check the information area for any special events that day. The on-site IMAX theater screens various educational films, and the museum regularly presents captivating demonstrations on topics ranging from electricity to papermaking.

Recent visitors said that because there's so much to do, it's possible to spend the entire day at the Ontario Science Centre. To make the most of your visit, it is recommended to plan and select the exhibits you wish to see in advance. This strategic approach will help you optimize your time and ensure you get to all the highlights. While most reviewers agreed a visit here is worthwhile if you've got young kids in tow, others found the science center to be lacking for teens and adults.

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Fort York Fort York free

Fort York is prominent on the sightseeing itineraries of many tourists and history enthusiasts. Established in 1793, it is Toronto's most significant historical site, safeguarding the city from the late 18th century until the conclusion of World War II. Moreover, it serves as the birthplace of modern-day Toronto, as the Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada relocated the capital from the border town of Niagara due to nearby war conflicts. Visitors can now explore the quarters of soldiers and officers, observe cannon firings and military drills and even participate in flag raisings.

As stated by recent visitors, you'll love this site if you're into history. According to select reviewers, you may want to skip Fort York if you don't consider yourself a history or military aficionado. While many acknowledged that the site was incredibly well-preserved and offered a cool glimpse into the past lives of the soldiers who used to live there, some didn't find it to be as stimulating as other attractions.

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

Immerse yourself in a mesmerizing underwater world at Ripley's Aquarium of Canada. From the moment you step inside, you'll be captivated by the incredible marine life and interactive exhibits that await you.

One of the standout features of this aquarium is its sheer size and diversity. With more than 20,000 aquatic animals representing more than 450 species, there's something to fascinate visitors of all ages. The variety of marine life is truly astounding, from graceful sharks and majestic rays to colourful tropical fish and playful sea turtles.

Yorkdale Shopping Mall Yorkdale Shopping Mall free

Yorkdale Mall is a premier shopping destination that attracts locals and tourists alike. Here, you'll find a wide selection of high-end and luxury brands, popular retailers and diverse dining options. With more than 250 stores, including flagship stores and exclusive boutiques, Yorkdale Mall is a shopper's paradise.

The mall also hosts additional attractions and entertainment options, including a movie theater, art installations, interactive exhibits and unique pop-up experiences.

Canada's Wonderland Canada's Wonderland

Canada's Wonderland is an amusement park located outside Toronto that offers many attractions and activities across more than 200 acres, making it a must-visit destination for thrill-seekers and families alike.

One of the main reasons to visit Canada's Wonderland is its incredible collection of exhilarating rides. Thrill-seekers can brave the intense drops and loops of rides like Leviathan, Behemoth and Ghoster Coaster. At the same time, those seeking a milder adventure can enjoy the diverse selection of family rides, the 20-acre Splash Works water park and other attractions throughout the park.

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24 Best Things to Do in Toronto

By Stefanie Waldek

Given that Toronto is Canada’s most populous (and diverse) city, it should come as little surprise that there is a lot to do in town. Whether you’re looking to dive into the city's vast number of museums , take in nature in its parks, or sample the varied cuisines of Toronto's 250-plus ethnic groups, there is plenty to fill any itinerary. Our recommendation? Take it all in bit by bit. There’s always another chance to come back and see more.

Read our complete Toronto travel guide here .

Toronto Music Garden Arrow

This urban garden located in Toronto’s Harbourfront neighborhood is very accessible to tourists walking around downtown—and it has great views of the CN Tower. As for the garden itself: Yo-Yo Ma, the cello maestro, can put “landscape architect” on his resume after having collaborated on the Toronto Music Garden with professional landscape architect Julie Moir Messervy. For the project, the duo physically interpreted and manifested Johann Sebastian Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, the first of the composer’s six suites for unaccompanied cello, as a garden, using the piece’s six dance movements (Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Menuet, and Gigue) to create different sections of the green space. At the center is the Gigue (or Jig) section, a grassy amphitheater with a stage beneath a weeping willow tree where free classical music concerts are held each summer.

Art Gallery of Ontario Arrow

Established in 1900, the Art Gallery of Ontario has more than 90,000 items in its encyclopedic collection, which spans the last 2,000 years. Of particular note are its collections of Canadian and Indigenous art, though it also has notable works by European masters like Rembrandt, Auguste Rodin, and Pablo Picasso. The museum underwent a $276 million renovation by Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry in 2008, his first work in his native city, doubling its exhibition space.

Harbourfront Centre Arrow

In 1972, the Canadian government began a massive revitalization project in Toronto to boost both local, national, and international tourism, transforming 100 acres of industrial waterfront into cultural, educational, and recreational attractions. Overseeing the operation was the Harbourfront Corporation, which became the Harbourfront Centre nonprofit in 1991. The organization was tasked with organizing cultural programming in the neighborhood—more specifically, in a 10-acre area right on the water—which is still its primary function today. And it’s quite successful: In non-pandemic years, Harbourfront Centre’s myriad venues and public spaces would host some 4,000 events each year, from summer writing festivals to the performing arts to art and architecture exhibitions, drawing in more than 17 million visitors. In the winter, there's even an ice skating rink.

Casa Loma Arrow

Canada might not be known for its castles, but Toronto is home to an unusual one that has become a beloved tourist attraction. Casa Loma is a 98-room château built by Canadian businessman Sir Henry Mill Pellatt in 1914, who went bankrupt shortly after completing his beloved home. Casa Loma now serves as a museum and a popular filming location, most notably serving as Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngers in X-Men. Do the self-guided tour, which you can fly through at a clip, providing the place isn't packed; it can be tricky to rush past the crowds during busier times, especially in some of the smaller spaces, tunnels, and towers. Must-sees include secret passageways, gardens, and an underground pool.

CNT Editors

Todd Plummer

Caitlin Morton

Lale Arikoglu

St. Lawrence Market Arrow

St. Lawrence Market is perhaps the most famous market in Toronto, and locals regularly shop its stalls for produce, meats, cheeses, and more. While the focus of your trip should be browsing the dozens of food stalls, it’s interesting to take a look at its architecture, too. Though the current main building was erected in 1902, part of the Old City Hall, which dates to 1845, was incorporated into it. There’s also The Market Kitchen, a cooking school and event space where you can take culinary classes or partake in special hands-on dinners that include shopping the market for ingredients.

Hockey Hall of Fame Arrow

If there’s anything Canadians are known for, it’s hockey. The sport is the most popular in the country, so it’s no surprise that its most populous city is home to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Established in 1943, the non-profit organization has been inducting legendary players and other hockey professionals to its ranks every year since 1945. Today, the Hall of Fame also functions as a museum and houses the Stanley Cup. The museum is a must-take pilgrimage for all hockey lovers, though its gift shop deserves a stop, too: Pick up a wide array of themed merch, from authentic NHL and Hall of Fame apparel to souvenirs, novelty items, and all manner of presents for the hockey fans in your life.

Kensington Market Arrow

Kensington Market is not actually a market, but a food-centric neighborhood in downtown Toronto. While the city at large is known for its diverse population, there’s perhaps no better place to witness that multiculturalism in such a concentrated area than here. Whatever type of food you’re in the mood for, from Ethiopian to Vietnamese to Jamaican, there’s probably a restaurant, grocery store, or hole-in-the-wall for it. Some favorites include Seven Lives Tacos Y Mariscos for stellar tacos and NU Bügel for Montreal-style bagels with Venezuelan toppings. Beyond all the food, there are also vintage shops, independent boutiques, and artists’ studios tucked into Victorian-style houses all throughout the neighborhood.

High Park Arrow

Toronto’s largest public park has 400 acres that range from manicured lawns to themed gardens to untouched nature. In addition to the greenery, there are a number of interactive activities, including a zoo, an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, ice skating rinks (or frozen ponds in winter), a dog run, and playgrounds. It’s a park designed for all Torontonians and visitors to use however they best see fit, whether for leisure, sport, or fitness.

Allan Gardens Conservatory Arrow

History, architecture, and plant life collide at Allan Gardens Conservatory, a park with a series of connected Victorian-era greenhouses in the center of Toronto with 16,000 square feet of space to hold its botanical collection. Though the Toronto Horticultural Society inaugurated a garden on the site in 1858, the central Palm House, designed by architect Robert McCallum, opened in 1910. Subsequent additions have expanded the gardens’ holdings to include a tropical house, an orchid house, a temperate house, an arid house, and a children’s conservatory. Because the gardens are enclosed and protected from the cold, they’re open 365 days a year. There’s also an (outdoor) arboretum with 55 species of trees, providing lovely green space for Torontonians. Catch the three seasonal floral shows for a multicolored spectacle: the Spring Hydrangea Show, the Fall Chrysanthemum Show, and the Winter Flower Show.

Aga Khan Museum Arrow

Set in a 17-acre park, the elegant Aga Khan Museum, designed by architect Fumihiko Maki and opened in 2014, is the first museum in North America dedicated to Islamic art. The Aga Khan Museum is named after the spiritual leader of Shia Ismaili Muslims, who funded the project with the mission to share the artistic and scientific contributions of global Muslim communities with the world. While the museum has a 1,000-piece permanent collection, it also hosts rotating exhibitions and special events; one notable recent exhibit addressed the role of female citizens of Saudi Arabia (and featured an installation made from women’s travel documents), while another—inspired by the 2003 destruction of the library at the University of Baghdad’s College of Fine Arts—featured an ever-evolving installation of books that were later donated to the college.

Bata Shoe Museum Arrow

When Sonja Bata began traveling the world in the 1940s, she didn’t collect postcards or trinkets: she collected shoes. Three decades later, she established the Bata Shoe Museum Foundation to create a permanent home for her collection and to promote its growth. The current museum, which opened in 1995, houses nearly 15,000 shoes and related objects spanning 4,500 years of shoe-making history, so there's plenty to see.

CN Tower Arrow

Toronto’s most iconic landmark is the 1,815-foot CN Tower, the tallest freestanding structure in the world from 1976, when it was built, to 2007. While the tower does serve a purpose—its 335-foot antenna is used to broadcast television, radio, and cell signals—it’s also the most popular attraction in the city. The concrete megastructure is home to a number of observation decks, a restaurant with the highest wine cellar in the world (at 1,151 feet), and the EdgeWalk, a thrilling attraction that lets visitors walk outside the structure at 1,168 feet above street level. Tickets are required, with different packages providing different experiences.

TIFF Bell Lightbox Arrow

TIFF Bell Lightbox is not only the headquarters of the annual Toronto International Film Festival, but it’s also the city’s premier movie theater and entertainment complex, open to the public. Built in 2010, the modern facilities include five state-of-the-art cinemas, a restaurant, classrooms, a film reference library, gallery space, and a members’ lounge. Outside of the 10-day festival in September, TIFF Bell Lightbox screens new releases and runs thematic film programming year-round, focusing on anything from classic blockbusters to foreign indie films.

Toronto Islands Arrow

The Toronto Islands, located just offshore from downtown Toronto, are an 820-acre car-free haven. While 600 people live on the islands, the majority of visitors are day-trippers who come to enjoy the beaches, parks, gardens, yacht clubs, cafés, and a small amusement park for children. Seasonal activities include kayaking, picnicking, barbecuing, and outdoor yoga classes.

Tour Guys: Toronto Graffiti Tour Arrow

If you’re looking to learn about graffiti and street art rather than just snap selfies, look no further than the Tour Guys' casual yet informative walking tours throughout Toronto. On the Graffiti Tour, your small group (no more than 12 people) will head down Graffiti Alley, a hotspot for street artists. The guides do much more than point out highlights along the way. They dive into the history of the medium, explain technical terms, discuss current players in the Toronto scene, and talk about the legality of the art form.

Royal Ontario Museum Arrow

If you’re looking for a one-stop shop of a museum, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is your best bet. Originally established in 1912 as collection of five museums dedicated to archaeology, paleontology, mineralogy, zoology, and geology, ROM has since consolidated its efforts, covering everything from natural and cultural history to fine arts and design within the same massive space. It’s not often you can find dinosaur bones and fashion exhibitions within the same space. Be sure to spend a few minutes lingering outside the Queen's Park entrance, too, to best appreciate starchitect Daniel Libeskind's geometric marvel of a structure, dubbed the "Michael Lee-Chin Crystal," part of a multi-million dollar expansion to the museum, unveiled in 2007.

Bruce Bell Tours Arrow

Actor, comedian, historian, and proud Torontonian Bruce Bell leads this highly entertaining one-man show, which is a perfect excursion for those who don’t love cookie-cutter tours. You’ll meet your small group at the St. Lawrence Market—be sure to make reservations in advance—and travel on foot around the bustling building and the surrounding Old Town neighborhood.

Distillery District Arrow

A collection of 47 19th-century buildings that once comprised the Gooderham & Worts Distillery is now a major dining, shopping, and cultural hub in Toronto aptly called the Distillery District. Strolling through the neighborhood’s brick-paved pedestrian streets, visitors might feel as if they’ve been transported to Victorian-era Canada—the craftspeople who restored the old structures kept true to the original construction materials as much as possible. And while there are still breweries and distilleries here (including the Spirit of York Distillery and the Mill St. Brew Pub ), there are also restaurants, local-owned boutiques, and art galleries.

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The best things to do in Toronto right now

From world-class museums to famous festivals and iconic architecture, the best things to do in Toronto offer a surprising mix of fun

Toronto’s been on the international travel map long before Drake started from the bottom here, but it’s definitely evolved since he introduced the ‘6ix’ to the world. Today, the city is blanketed with construction cranes as its downtown core undergoes rapid development, including building burgeoning new neighborhoods and sites such as a newly opened, design-forward 320,000-square-foot retail space, The Well. Aside from the iconic CN Tower that stands proud before Lake Ontario, the city’s skyline has been transformed and redefined to meet the needs of an ever-evolving population.

Roll through the 6ix for the best ethnic eats in one of the world’s most diverse cities (more than half its population of 3 million was born outside of Canada, and upward of 180 languages are spoken here). And stay for its urban green spaces, world-class museums and family-friendly attractions. Below, the best things to do in Toronto for tourists and locals alike. 

This guide was updated by Toronto-based writer Charmaine Noronha. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines. 

RECOMMENDED: 🍽️  The best restaurants in Toronto 🥑  Where to eat the best brunch in Toronto 🍷  The best bars in Toronto 🖼️  The best attractions in Toronto 🏨  The best hotels in Toronto

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Best things to do in Toronto

1.  CN Tower

• Attractions
• Harbourfront

Once the world’s tallest tower, this iconic 553.33-meter (1,815.4-foot) structure is still impressive. Visiting Toronto is impossible without seeing the CN Tower, mainly because its spire dominates the landscape. You can take in the view from the main observation level (a circular floor that provides a 360-degree view of the greater Toronto area), or the main observation level plus Sykpod, the latter of which is the highest observation platform in the Western Hemisphere. Skypod is 33 stories higher than the main observation level and 447 meters (1,465 feet) above the ground. The elevator has multiple glass floors on your way up and on the main observation deck. Or if you’re really feeling adventurous, strap into the EdgeWalk: the world’s highest hands-free walk, on a 1.5m-ledge, 356 meters (1167 feet) above the streets. Reward your efforts with a Canadiana-inspired meal at the famous 360 Restaurant overlooking the city.

2.  Hockey Hall of Fame

• St Lawrence Market

Even if you’re not a seasoned hockey fan, the Hockey Hall of Fame is well worth visiting. It has a seriously impressive collection of memorabilia, records, jerseys, and more, and the building itself is pretty spectacular, too. Now, if only those Leafs could get out of round one…

3.  The Distillery District

• The Distillery District

Where are some of the best pubs in Toronto hiding? The Distillery District. Formerly the home of the largest distillery in the world, this is now a bustling pedestrian neighborhood, but there are more than just local watering holes, too: the nabe is full of trendy shops, art galleries, top-notch restaurants, and many, many patios. The developers maintained the Victorian industrial aesthetic, complete with cobblestone walkways and old-timey buildings, making it a fun place to wander if a little more pre-packaged than other neighborhoods. It also hosts several major local happenings, like the annual Toronto Christmas Market.

4.  Art Gallery of Ontario

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) features more than 905,000 works, making it one of the biggest art galleries in North America, attracting approximately one million visitors annually This gallery has everything from collections of Canadian indigenous artwork to the work of the iconic Group of Seven, who drew inspiration from the country’s rugged landscape. Good news for travelers on a budget: Wednesday nights (6pm to 9pm) are free, but tickets must be pre-booked online. If you plan on returning to the city within the year, consider paying CAD$5 more on the entrance fee for an annual pass.

5.  St. Lawrence Market

Once named the world’s best food market by National Geographic , St. Lawrence Market is the top spot for fresh produce, delicious eats and artisanal goods. This downtown market has been going strong since 1803, and today, it is home to more than over 120 vendors selling everything from fresh-from-the-farm veggies to mouth-watering meals to gourmet bread straight out of the oven. It isn't just about tummies, though. A farmers' market hijacks the North market on Saturdays and on Sundays, experience everything from antique sellers to Moroccan cooking classes. Check its website for details.

6.  Royal Ontario Museum

• Bloor Yorkville

The massive collection of cultural and historical items at this museum is unparalleled. Toronto is full of museums, but the ROM is the scene’s crown jewel. One of Canada’s largest and most comprehensive museums is home to a world-class collection of 13 million artworks, cultural objects, and natural history specimens. It is featured in 40 galleries and exhibition spaces, displaying everything from Roman antiquities to indigenous art. The museum also hosts various rotating exhibits, including the Japanese-Canadian experience through history and mummy portraits, some of the world's earliest-known fine arts portraits.

7.  The Beaches

This eastside neighborhood buzzes in the summer as locals and tourists flock to spend a day by the water. A boardwalk runs most of the length of the southern boundary along four beaches that make up the shoreline. The Beaches connect to the Martin Goodman Trail, a popular biking and hiking trail that runs west to east through the city.

Wander through the cute, boho neighborhood filled with cafes and restaurants before grabbing homemade ice cream at long-standing Ed’s Real Scoop. With your cone in tow, head to the beach to stroll the boardwalk, join in one of the many volleyball games or hop into the water to cool off. Hit up one of the many music/cultural festivals in the summer, such as the month-long Beaches Jazz Festival, which is one of the country’s largest free music festivals in July. If you find yourself in the city during the winter, the annual Winter Stations—an outdoor art exhibit that runs for six weeks in February and March—will hopefully warm your insides.

8.  Toronto Islands

A visit to any of Toronto’s islands will make you feel as though you have escaped three hours north to cottage country. The adventure starts on the ferry ride that takes passengers away from the bustling downtown core across the choppy waters of Lake Ontario. The cluster of adjoining islands features the popular Centre Island with an amusement park, Centreville Amusement Park, shaded picnic areas, and a beachfront. Although Centre Island is the most popular, Ward’s Island is far prettier with a scenic boardwalk, hobbit-like cottages, sailboats in view, and a cute beachy café that serves flatbreads and burgers and often features live music acts.

9.  Ontario Science Centre

Keeping things in the North York neighborhood, the Ontario Science Centre is one of the first interactive science museums in the world. Here, kids and adults alike can enjoy more than 500 interactive stations and numerous art installations. Catch a film about the night sky at Toronto’s only public planetarium, or take in a show at its 400-seat auditorium or domed IMAX theater. Wander through a living rainforest to learn about tropical vegetation, play educational games in the Science Arcade, and learn about 150 years of Canadian natural history and much more. In 2025, construction of a new state-of-the-art Science Centre will begin at Ontario Place, with an opening slated for 2028. So check out this tried and true facility before it moves house and then return for the grand opening.

10.  Aga Khan Museum

Located northeast of Toronto, this beautifully designed building is the largest museum dedicated to Islamic arts and culture outside any Islamic country. Designed by Pritzker Prize architect Fumihiko Maki and founded by His Highness the Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismaili community, this site is worth the 15-minute drive from downtown Toronto. The permanent collection of more than 1,000 pieces of paintings, textiles, ceramics, glassworks, manuscripts, and more spans 10 centuries from China to the Iberian Peninsula. Temporary exhibits have included the works of Rumi, and Night in the Garden of Love , a multisensory exhibition by British artist Shezad Dawood, inspired by African-American Muslim musician, composer, and polymath (Allāmah) Dr. Yusef Lateef. Catch a show in its 336-seat auditorium or a bite at Diwan, a restaurant that delves into a fusion of Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian cuisines.

11.  Rogers Centre

Catch the Toronto Blue Jays batting against Major League Baseball teams at the Rogers Centre, where the boys in blue play their home games. During the summer months (if the Jays are playing), Torontonians show their support by donning team jerseys and blue hats. Catch the action by the waterfront, where they play their home games, and don’t miss out on a hot dog and a beer while cheering on the only Canadian team in the league.

12.  Kensington Market

• Kensington Market

In a city full of diverse neighborhoods, Kensington Market is a standout. This pocket of Toronto has a distinctly wonderful, eclectic, bohemian vibe, with charming cafés, the city’s best Mexican snack foods, decades-old vintage stores, record shops and tasty vegan lunch joints. If quirky hipster hangouts and underground speakeasies are your scenes, this slice of the city is for you. Kensington has long been an artists’ hub, a fact that is apparent from its counter-culture performance spaces and art galleries.

13.  Toronto International Film Festival

Toronto’s internationally famous film festival takes place every September and is packed with everything from blockbusters to foreign films. Basically, this is film heaven. As you can expect, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) showcases some of the world’s best films from the year. Spot stars hobnobbing in the city’s streets and restaurants between premieres. The TIFF Lightbox Theatre plays classics all year round.

14.  Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre

• Eaton Centre

This double-decker theatre complex puts on an impressive array of performances and is the last of its kind in the world. Toronto bills itself as “North Broadway,” and with many touring companies coming through town, the city has plenty to offer drama lovers. There are theatres aplenty, but the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres are special as they’re both the last operating double-decker theatres and a national historic site.

15.  Roy Thomson Hall

In a city that prides itself on its thriving arts scene, the must-visit Roy Thomson Hall provides captivating performances that are a real treat for the ears. Whether you want to check out the next Drake show at one of the many live music spots around town or take in an aria with the Canadian Opera Company, there’s always something to hear. The interior of the Roy Thomson Hall is pretty spectacular, too.

16.  Trinity Bellwoods Park

From May through October, Trinity Bellwoods Park is one of the liveliest spots in the city, where dog owners and millennials flock to soak up the sun. Toronto is a cool city all year round, but it is particularly vibrant during the summer when Trinity Bellwoods Park turns into one of the best spots to people-watch and observe the city’s vibe. For the proper experience, come with a piping hot order of Bobbie Sue’s Mac + Cheese served from a takeout window around the corner.

17.  Winterlicious and Summerlicious

Toronto is a food city, and for two weeks in both summer and winter, 200 of the town's best restaurants put on a festival to showcase their best dishes. Those living in the 6ix know how to chow down, and tourists should follow suit. For more than 15 years, restaurants that participate in the annual Winterlicious and Summerlicious food festivals have had their menus on point, serving diverse cuisine that has tourists and locals abandoning their diets entirely.

18.  Humber River

The river that runs through Toronto’s West End, with its mouth opening up at Lake Ontario, is perfect for an afternoon of kayaking. Toronto is a bustling city, but it’s also dubbed “a city within a park,” and anyone who opts to kayak down the Humber River will see why. Outdoorsy tourists who wish to enjoy nature can easily ogle at birds, turtles and wildflowers as they float toward the iconic Humber Bay Bridge. Since you’re still in the city, making it on time for happy hour in the Entertainment District post-paddle will be no issue.

19.  The National Ballet of Canada

• Downtown Toronto

Canada’s premiere ballet company performs the full range of classics and contemporary choreography. You'll see lead dancers who have truly mastered the art of graceful movement. The schedule is ever-changing, so follow their website for updated show listings.

20.  Bad Dog Theatre Company

• Dufferin Grove

Previously known as Theatresports Toronto, this full-time improvisational theatre was a breeding ground for talents like Mike Myers and Colin Mochrie. Almost four decades old, this accessible and affordable venue is as important as ever. Canada has produced some notable funny folks, and many got their start at Toronto’s Second City or Bad Dog Theatre Company. Think you’re the next big thing? Sign up for one of the weekly drop-in improv classes.

21.  Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival

For two weeks in spring, North America’s biggest documentary film festival will have you ditching your Netflix account. With more than 200 films to choose from, there’s something for everyone on the big screen at this fabulous festival. From docs focusing on social justice issues to the backstories of some of the world’s most talented artists, this is a film festival that showcases some of the most captivating tales from around the globe. The best part? They’re all true stories, of course.

22.  Buddies In Bad Times Theatre

• Greater Toronto

If you want to catch a local production, head to Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, which, for more than 40 years, has put on alternative shows you won't find anywhere else. Located in the heart of Toronto’s Gay Village and next to top bars and restaurants, this theatre celebrates the LGBTQ community and is the largest and longest-running queer theatre worldwide. You might also want to catch the yearly Toronto Fringe Festival , where many big names first started (The Drowsy Chaperone first tread the boards at Fringe before winning a Tony).

23.  Backyard Axe Throwing League

Around 11 million axes are thrown at these arenas every year. This is serious business. Canada is not, contrary to the stereotype, a frozen tundra populated by igloos and lumberjacks. But, okay, yeah, we still enjoy our plaid and sometimes want to get in touch with our burly, rugged history. Learn to throw an axe with the Backyard Axe Throwing League, where you and your friends can enter a group tournament to see who has the chops to triumph.

24.  Haunted Walk

Many stories recalled on the Haunted Walk may be fictional, but they are enough to make even the most hardened horror-lover shudder. This macabre walking tour is also a great way to acquaint yourself with the city’s nooks and crannies. A cloaked tour guide carrying a lantern will lead you through Toronto's spookiest spots, including haunted theatres and the Mackenzie House, supposedly one of the city's most active paranormal sites. Not worried about nightmares? Grab a ticket for a night-time seance, where the Victorian supernatural awaits you.

More great things to do in Toronto

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Ideas & Inspiration

Explore asian heritage in toronto, neighbourhood guides, must-visit walkable neighbourhoods in toronto, outdoor adventures, cycle the toronto islands, where to watch the sunset in toronto, food & nightlife, the most iconic drag brunches in toronto, 9 iconic eats in kensington market, toronto's best sports bars for watching the big game, global tastes, toronto's best restaurants for plant-forward dining, 10 toronto blue jays fan experiences at rogers centre, live performances, celebrate live music in toronto this summer, culture & entertainment, 6 ways to explore queer toronto, museums, galleries & attractions, 10 amazing toronto escape rooms & games for all ages, shopping guides, where to buy uniquely toronto gifts & souvenirs, style & design, an architecture buff’s guide to queen’s park, 5 iconic toronto buildings for architecture buffs, where to shop for earth day-friendly souvenirs in toronto, indigenous stories, don’t miss this summer’s 6 best indigenous arts events in toronto, 5 can’t-miss indigenous foods to savour in toronto, 10 places to support indigenous creators in toronto.

16 Cool Facts About Toronto's Must-See Attractions

Here’s what you probably didn’t know about toronto’s most iconic attractions and neighbourhoods..

Ever been in the presence of a Martian meteorite or taken a walk through a blockbuster movie set? In Toronto, you can. There’s probably a thing or two you didn’t know about our city’s popular landmarks and neighbourhoods, each with an interesting story to tell.

1. The CN Tower weathers all storms

Towering over the city at 1,815 ft, the CN Tower  is Toronto’s landmark attraction and is famous for offering unparalleled views of the city.

A little-known tidbit is that as the tallest structure in the city, it’s no stranger to lightning. In fact, it gets struck around 75 times per year. Do a quick CN Tower search on Instagram, and you’ll come across jaw-dropping photos of the gorgeous occurrence.

Thankfully, the Tower’s build is more than equipped to handle it, with electrons easily flowing through and causing zero damage—just incredibly cool photos. Who knows, next time you visit, maybe lightning will strike. Buy CN Tower tickets online .

Where to eat nearby

The CN Tower’s 360 Restaurant  serves fine Canadian cuisine paired with an outstanding, revolving view of Toronto.

2. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada houses 12 sharks

Among the 16,000 marine animals at  Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada  live 12 impressive sharks. That’s right, 12. You must be thinking, what do they eat? Surprisingly, the Aquarium only feeds them three times per week due to their naturally slow metabolisms.

The building is also made with special shielding to protect the sharks from disturbances via the electrical systems. When the sharks are happy, everyone’s happy. Buy tickets for Ripley’s Aquarium  online and see their magnificence in person.  

Grab a quick bite at Ripley’s Café, or enjoy casual eats and arcade games across the street at  The Rec Room .

3. The Royal Ontario Museum displays Martian meteorites

Is there life on Mars? Who knows! What we do know is that there are meteorites at  the ROM , three of which are Martian.

Meteorites (or space rocks) are surprisingly common, with over 100 having landed on Earth to date, some even originating from the moon. Buy ROM tickets online  and find the meteorites at the Earth’s Treasures department during your next visit or browse  the ROM’s online database .

Head down the street to  Cibo Wine Bar  for delicious Italian cuisine, an exquisite selection of wine and a lively, rustic ambiance.

4. The Art Gallery of Ontario owns one of Toronto’s most popular pieces

Before Yayoi Kusama’s  Let’s Survive Forever  enchanted the city, one of  the AGO’s  most popular acquisitions was Henry Moore’s  Large Two Forms . In fact, it’s considered one of Toronto’s most photographed works of art.

The avant-garde, corporeal structure is the largest of Henry Moore’s sculptures displayed at the museum. Find it at the AGO’s rear, in Grange Park. Buy AGO tickets online .

Fill up at the AGO’s very own  AGO Bistro , designed by Frank Gehry. The seasonal menu incorporates only the freshest ingredients sourced locally.  

5. The Toronto Islands have the oldest lighthouse on the Great Lakes

If you love history, then this 200-year-old monument is for you. And if you’re in search of ghosts for Halloween, here’s a good place to start. 

The Gibraltar Point Beach Lighthouse  is one of Toronto’s oldest buildings dating back to 1809, and is also supposedly haunted by its first keeper, John Paul Radelmüller. As the story goes, he disappeared under mysterious circumstances and still guards the lighthouse to this day.

Ferries to the island depart from Queens Quay daily. Buy ferry tickets online . 

Grab a bite with a view at  Island Café , directly across the Ward’s Island ferry dock.

6. The Distillery Historic District has a reputation for ghost sightings

Speaking of ghosts, they seem to have a pattern of haunting Toronto’s oldest locations.  The Distillery District  is a pedestrian-only neighbourhood known for once housing the largest distillery in Canada (Gooderham & Worts), and with buildings dating back to the 1830s, ghost sightings have been reported by locals and tourists alike.

In fact, they’re so common that they’ve inspired a handful of haunted Distillery District tours, including a haunted Segway tour with Go Tours Canada  and  haunted walks . Why not try this fun alternative to your usual Halloween party?

Also see:   Get into the Spooky Spirit with a Ghost Tour of the Distillery Historic District

Enjoy authentic Mexican eats surrounded by eclectic and stylish décor at  El Catrin .  

7. St. Lawrence Market was Toronto’s first public market

Originally called Market Square,  St. Lawrence Market ’s inception was due to an increase in York’s (Toronto’s) population. Settlers decided it was time to open a proper market to feed their growing city.

It immediately became  the  city centre where locals would convene and hold social celebrations. Nearly 200 years later, St. Lawrence Market thrives as a culinary hub where foodies gather for local and artisanal eats. And as far as we know, no ghost sightings yet.

Also see:   The Must-Eats of Toronto’s Historic St. Lawrence Market

The Market overflows with scrumptious food options at every turn and hosts  food tours . Try the Peameal Bacon, a local favourite. Or take a sandwich tour around the market .

8. The Hockey Hall of Fame has an interactive model rink

Looking to brush up on your hockey skills? Face up against Carey Price and Frederik Anderson to practice your slapshots at the  Hockey Hall of Fame .

We should probably mention that you’ll be playing against virtual versions of the hockey legends—still cool, nonetheless! Practice your technique with a real puck and stick inside of an immersive model rink as the virtual goalies protect their nets. Buy Hockey Hall of Fame tickets online .

Steps away from the Hockey Hall of Fame is  The Bottom Line , a yummy sports bar owned and operated by former NHL-er Wayne Cowley.

9. Casa Loma moonlights as a blockbuster movie set

Casa Loma  is primarily known for being North America’s only castle. Built in 1914, its beautiful Gothic revival design, immaculate flower gardens and overall opulence can’t be found anywhere else.

For this reason, it’s become a prime location for film shoots, some of which are Hollywood hits. You may recognize it in  X-Men ,  Chicago  and most recently,  Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World . Keep that in mind during your next visit as you walk through Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. Buy Casa Loma tickets online .

For a meal as regal as Casa Loma itself, try  Blue Blood Steakhouse , located in the castle. Opt for the decadent meat and seafood dishes.  

10. The Toronto Zoo began with a single deer

It’s hard to imagine that  the largest zoo in Canada  and the third largest in the world, with over 5,000 animals, started with one deer.

It’s true! At some point in the early 1890s, Daniel Lamb was gifted a deer, which prompted him to open Cabbagetown’s Riverdale Zoo. And the rest is history.

Today, the zoo has over 2.87 km 2  of walking trails within seven geographic areas. From the African Savannah to the Gorilla Rainforest, safely explore the zoo by foot or by car. Buy Toronto Zoo tickets online .

There are ample  food options on-site , including favourites like burgers and beavertails.

11. The Toronto Sign at Nathan Phillips Square got a makeover

Nathan Phillips Square’s iconic Toronto Sign  wasn’t originally built to be a permanent city fixture. Created solely for the 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games, the 3D installation became so popular and well-received that Toronto decided to keep it.

Except it wasn’t constructed to last more than a couple of years. It fared pretty well considering Toronto’s winters but was replaced by a more durable sign in September 2020 and updated again in September 2022.

The current vinyl wrap is an artwork titled  Rekindle  by artist Joseph Sagaj. The new wrap was created in recognition of UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages, which focuses on the rights of Indigenous language speakers worldwide.

Treat yourself to  The Chase , a scenic rooftop restaurant that serves fine, fresh cuisine in a beautiful setting.  

12. Kensington Market was originally a Jewish market

Previously known as The Jewish Market,  Kensington Market  was predominantly inhabited by Toronto’s Jewish community (around 60,000 people) for the first half of the 20 th  century. A go-to market for the city’s immigrants, they often frequented the locally-owned shops for rare imports from around the world.

Eventually, the Jewish community migrated north, and Kensington attracted Caribbean immigrants instead. However, Kensington’s Jewish roots are still present among the many synagogues throughout the area.

It’s hard to name just one spot, as Kensington is filled with culinary gems. Local favourites include  Seven Lives  (tacos),  Rasta Pasta  (Jamaican-Italian fusion) and  Otto’s Berlin Döner  (German street food). 

Also see:   Iconic Eats of Kensington Market

13. The Scarborough Bluffs conceal an Ancient Greek theatre

Hidden along the  Scarborough Bluffs  is  Guild Park and Gardens , a beautiful sculptural garden filled with Toronto’s salvaged architecture from times past and dreamy rose bushes.

You’ll feel like you’re walking among Ancient Greek and Roman relics when in actuality, they’re remnants from Toronto’s ornate historical buildings that were demolished. The best part of the garden is the Bank of Toronto’s salvaged archways, set up to mimic a Greek theatre.

You can also overlook Lake Ontario and the rest of the Bluffs from the garden’s cliffs.

Also see:   How to Spend a Day at the Scarborough Bluffs

Treat yourself to traditional Italian cuisine at  Il Fresco , just a 5-minute drive or bus ride away.   

14. Yonge-Dundas Square sees 100,000 people daily

Bright, electric, lively and poignant. There are as many adjectives to describe Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square as there are people. Oh, and did we mention entertaining?

If you need a jolt, spark of inspiration or simply something to see—there’s usually an event going on—head to the Square. It’s Canada’s busiest intersection, with 100,000 people crossing it on the regular.

Surrounded by major landmarks like  Ed Mirvish Theatre  and the  CF Toronto Eaton Centre , the intersection’s popularity is no surprise. Plus, there’s free Wi-Fi.

Head to  Don Don Izakaya  for delicious and shareable Japanese-inspired plates and one of the best Sake selections in town.

Also see:   An East Asian Food Tour along Yonge Street  

15. The Ontario Science Centre brings flying to new heights

At the  Ontario Science Centre ’s Above & Beyond: An Interactive Flight exhibition, you can learn about the history of air and space travel. The exhibit features immersive and hands-on activities, including riding a space elevator or being the pilot of a jet! 

While you’re there, explore the other interactive exhibits as well (over 500 of them), including an immersive, hyper-realistic rainforest. 

Grab a bite at one of the many eateries within the Ontario Science Centre, or head to  Hakka Garden  for Indian-Chinese fusion.

16. Wonderland’s Wonder Mountain wears many hats

Canada’s Wonderland ’s Wonder Mountain is more than just the theme park’s showpiece landmark. When it was first built, the Mountain was equipped with beacons up top to alert low-altitude planes from Vaughan’s nearby airport.

Nowadays, the beacons are gone, but the Mountain still serves as an air conditioner for the theme park. The chilled water loop that circulates from within the Mountain flows 30,000 gallons of water per minute, sending air to Wonderland’s restaurants, arcades, shops and more. Call it the world’s coolest air conditioner. Buy Canada's Wonderland tickets online .

Wonderland itself is  filled with eclectic food , from burgers, hot dogs and funnel cake, to Mexican eats, gourmet Mac and Cheese, beavertails and more.

Save On Entry With The Toronto Museum Pass

The Toronto Museum Pass is the best way to visit up to seven museums for one exclusive price. Explore iconic Toronto landmarks and immerse yourself in centuries of art, history and culture.

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20 Best Things to Do in Toronto, According to Local Experts

Culture, cuisine, and charm-filled neighborhoods are just the beginning of all Toronto has to offer.

Lindsay Cohn is a writer, editor, and avid traveler who has visited 45 countries across six continents — and counting. She contributes to Travel + Leisure, Hotels Above Par, InsideHook, Well+Good, The Zoe Report, and more.

FrankvandenBergh/Getty Images

Toronto deserves its reputation as Canada’s most cosmopolitan city. Set on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, this diverse urban sprawl is well known for its vibrant culture that offers travelers world-class museums with incredible art collections, many diverse neighborhoods, charming small businesses, and one of the best culinary scenes around — with everything from Michelin-rated fine dining to food markets. When the sun goes down, locals and visitors mingle at the rooftop bars and hidden speakeasies. Outdoorsy types enjoy easy access to nature thanks to leafy parks and nearby islands that make for scenic day trips. 

These are the best things to do in Toronto, according to local experts. 

Meet the Expert

Bruce Bell is a Toronto historian and tour guide offering group walking tours and private excursions to some of the city’s most famous sights.

Harry Hollywood is the chef concierge at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto, a luxury property located in the Yorkville neighborhood. 

Related: T+L’s Guide to Toronto

See the city from the CN Tower.

PaulMcKinnon/Getty Images

Arguably the city’s most iconic landmark, the CN Tower was once the tallest structure in the world. Though it no longer holds the title, it still looms large over the city. On a clear day, the views from the top stretch all the way to Niagara Falls. At night, it’s illuminated with colorful lights.

Eat your way through St. Lawrence Market.

Kristjan Veski/Travel + Leisure

Established in 1803, St. Lawrence Market is the oldest and largest food market in Toronto with more than 80 vendors. “It’s very multicultural and really reflects the city’s diverse population with many delicious dishes to try,” says Bruce Bell , Toronto historian and tour guide. He recommends “the world-famous peameal bacon sandwich.”

Explore the Distillery District.

benedek/Getty Images

From 1837 to 1990, the Distillery District housed a large whiskey distillery. Today, it’s one of the coolest areas in the city. “The cobblestone streets are lined with hip cafés, restaurants, bars, and boutiques,” says Harry Hollywood, chef concierge at the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto . “It also hosts a festive winter village and holiday market in December.”  

See what’s on at the Harbourfront Centre.

Part of a massive citywide revitalization project in the early 1970s, the non-profit Harbourfront Centre puts on all sorts of public cultural events throughout the year, from international writing festivals to contemporary art exhibitions. The Harbourfront Centre also hosts courses and workshops ranging from glass blowing to jewelry making throughout the year. 

Take a Sunday stroll around Kensington Market.

Marcus Oleniuk/Toronto Star via Getty Images

“Kensington Market is actually a neighborhood rather than a market as its name suggests,” explains Hollywood. “It’s a lively, multicultural hub that blends diverse backgrounds and cuisines, from Caribbean and Mexican to Middle Eastern and Vietnamese.” On select Sundays, the area transforms into a pedestrian-only zone.  

Admire art from near and far at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

“The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) proudly showcases a broad array of talent, from Vincent van Gogh to Indigenous Canadian artists to renowned British sculptor Henry Moore,” says Hollywood. “It also provides educational programs and seminars, hosts global exhibitions, and actively engages with the surrounding community.” 

Tour Casa Loma, Toronto’s very own castle.

DebraLee Wiseberg/Getty Images

Built by Sir Henry Pellatt in 1914, Toronto's historic hilltop castle, Casa Loma , showcases Gothic Revival architecture, beautiful gardens, and panoramic views of the city. Besides being a museum, it’s also an events venue and popular filming location. You might recognize it as Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters in X-Men.

Enjoy a concert at the Toronto Music Garden.

buzbuzzer/Getty Images

Designed in collaboration with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the Toronto Music Garden is an idyllic green space with draping trees, grassy lawns, and waterfront views that hosts summer concerts and impromptu performances for locals and visitors on nice days. Even without live music, it’s still a beautiful place for a stroll. 

Get lost in the Royal Ontario Museum.

Roberto Machado Noa/LightRocket via Getty Images

Canada’s largest museum, the Royal Ontario Museum draws upwards of one million visitors each year who come to admire the staggering variety of artwork, cultural items, and natural history specimens. Learn more on one of the museum’s tours, like the climate change tour that explores the topic through the works and items found throughout the galleries. 

Bop around Queen Street West.

Queen Street West — a major east–west thoroughfare — and the surrounding area is a hub of trendy galleries, funky stores, cafés, and street art. “It’s kind of like Toronto’s answer to Brooklyn — very cool and dynamic with an indie spirit,” adds Bell. 

Related: The 21 Most Beautiful Places in Canada, Picturesque Islands and Remote Mountains Included

Snap some photos in Graffiti Alley.

Brakethrough Media/Travel + Leisure

Toronto has a really incredible legal street art scene. One of the best places to see tons of colorful murals — from depictions of fun characters to more political messages — is Rush Lane, better known as Graffiti Alley, just south of Queen Street West. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Take a day trip to the Toronto Islands.

The Toronto Islands is a collection of 15 islands in the western part of Lake Ontario. “Cars are prohibited, preserving a calm atmosphere for all,” says Hollywood. It’s a lovely place for a day trip to get outside, ride bikes, and go to the beach, especially in the warmer summer months. Families will want to visit the Centreville Amusement Park on Centre Island (open seasonally). 

Go under the sea at Ripley’s Aquarium of Toronto.

BrakeThrough Media/Travel + Leisure

Among the city’s star attractions for kids, parents, and really anyone with an interest in marine life, Ripley’s Aquarium of Toronto boasts more than 20,000 aquatic animals, from sea urchins and harlequin tuskfish to spotted eagle rays and a giant Pacific octopus. It’s a popular spot for both school and family trips and offers many education programs and workshops for budding oceanographers. 

Learn all about Canada’s national winter sport at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Ice hockey is the national winter sport of Canada. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a recent convert, it’s worth visiting the Hockey Hall of Fame to learn about the history of the sport and its most famous players and see tons of cool memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup. 

Take a walk around High Park.

The ideal place to be on a nice day, Toronto’s largest public green space, High Park, covers 400 acres of recreational facilities (including an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, ice skating rinks, and playgrounds), gardens, lakeside walking trails, and a mini zoo with llamas, buffalo, bison, deer, and peacocks.

See shoes in a whole new way at Bata Shoe Museum.

The Bata Shoe Museum displays the most extensive collection of footwear and related items in the world, with exhibitions ranging from a fascinating timeline that chronicles 4,500 years of footwear history to cutting-edge kicks of the future. Some highlights include red leather stilettos worn by Marilyn Monroe and the Dalai Lama’s flip flops.

Dine at Alo.

Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Fans of fine dining who don’t mind splurging on a memorable meal should reserve a table at Alo , a Michelin-starred Relais & Châteaux restaurant and culinary fixture that delights diners with contemporary French gastronomic tasting menus. The Dining Room serves a multi-course tasting menu that costs $225 per guest. 

Spend some time in the beautiful Yorkville neighborhood.

Lisa Stokes/Getty Images

The upscale Yorkville neighborhood is home to designer shops, ritzy restaurants, and five-star hotels — including both the Four Seasons Hotel Toronto and The Hazelton Hotel . Whether you plan to go for dinner, stay the night, or just stroll around, it’s a posh and pretty place to spend some time while in Toronto.

Learn about Canadian history at Fort York.

“First erected in the early 19th century, Fort York was later attacked by the Americans and rebuilt,” explains Bell. “Now preserved as a national historic site, it’s a great place to visit to get an idea of how the relations between Canada and the United States once were and the evolution of that relationship.” Admission is free, and you can learn more on a free guided tour. 

Shop until you drop at CF Toronto Eaton Centre.

Jeff Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Located right in the middle of downtown Toronto, the CF Toronto Eaton Centre is a major shopping destination with hundreds of stores and places to eat. It’s also an unexpected place to peep art. Canadian artist Michael Snow created the eye-catching installation of 60 flying geese that hang from the glass ceiling. 

Related Articles

27 Toronto Tourist Attractions That You Shouldn’t Miss

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These are Some of the Top Toronto Tourist Attractions!

Want to explore Toronto like a local? You got an Ontario boy right here at Ontario Away! Not only did Eric grow up north of Toronto, but we’ve lived and worked in Toronto in the past.

With family living there now, we go back very regularly. And boy, have we had some amazing adventures in Toronto.

From visiting the iconic CN Tower, venturing to the Toronto Islands, and exploring some of Toronto’s coolest neighbourhoods – like Kensington Market -, there is no shortage of things to see and do when you’re visiting the city.

So, to make it easy, our guide covers some of the best and most well-known tourist attractions that visitors should check out. If you want to play tourist, we’ve got you covered!

Toronto Quick Guide

Best Time to Visit:  Summer for “patio season” in nice weather, fall for colours and nice temperature, but plenty of indoor/outdoor activities in winter!

Getting Around:  Toronto is relatively flat but sprawling. The TTC (buses, streetcars, and subway) is very useful for travelling distances.

Top Things to Do:  CN Tower , Royal Ontario Museum , the historic Distillery District , St. Lawrence Market for food!

Where to Stay:   One King West Hotel and Residence for a popular, upscale hotel downtown, Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre for a classic option, and Ace Hotel Toronto for a boutique hotel also close to Downtown.

Table of Contents

Top Toronto Tourist Attractions

Let’s dive into the top attractions around Toronto! You’ll notice that they are in no particular geographical order. That said, we did our best to give you the general locations/directions.

Address: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9

The Canadian National Tower (also commonly known as the CN Tower) is like the crown jewel of the Toronto skyline.

Built back in the 1970s, the CN Tower was at one point the tallest man-made structure! Standing 533 metres tall, the views from the top are absolutely incredible. You can see for many miles and even into the United States (on a good day)!

Once you take one of the speedy elevators to the main deck, there is lots to do up there! There is a famous glass floor for those brave enough to walk on. The view down to the ground is pretty dizzying.

There is a restaurant up there – 360 Restaurant – that is known for serving high-class dishes with local ingredients. The coolest part? The restaurant does a full rotation every hour, so you truly get views all over the city!

The CN Tower is known for the Edge Walk – a thrill-seeker experience where you hang off the edge of the outside of the building.

Lastly, you can take the elevator to the Sky Pod – one level higher for views of the city. Comes at an entry cost, though, so plan accordingly! Here is the official website for the CN Tower .

Our Tip: To make the most of your day in Toronto, you can hop on a guided Toronto evening experience to catch the sunset from atop the CN Tower.

The Distillery District

Location: Google Maps

Do you like beer, history, good food, and great photo spots? Great – it sounds like a visit to the Distillery District is for you!

Located to the east of downtown, this old industrial area was once home to many distilleries in the city – hence the name!

These days, the odd distillery still exists and is mixed in among the many shops, restaurants, coffee places, and breweries that have moved in!

You can do a Distillery District walking tour to learn about the rich history of the red-brick factories.

Pro Tip: If beer is what you are into, Toronto has a crazy vibrant beer scene. You can check it out on a  Beer and History Tour of the city. The good news? You’ll end up in the Distillery District!

The Distillery District is full of interesting art installations that draw crowds and make for great photographs. In the winter, the District is home to amazing light displays and a winter wonderland of Christmas market stalls (shown above in the photo).

The District is also home to one of our favourite classic breweries – Mill Street, known for its Signature Mill Street Organic Beer. During the warmer months, you can even sit outside and have a flight of beer for a great price!

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Kensington Market

Address for “The Garden Car”: 232 Augusta Ave #254, Toronto, ON M5T 2L7

You might have heard people talk about this hip and alternative area that you should walk through. It’s likely Kensington Market they’re referring to – and you should definitely check it out. 

Kensington is located to the west of Spadina Avenue, north of downtown, between College and Dundas Streets. It’s close to Chinatown if you want to see that too – we mention it below!

This urban jungle of graffiti, cool clothing shops, amazing restaurants, and markets, almost certainly has something for everyone.

Pro Tip: Kensington is a uniquely old and multicultural neighbourhood with a fascinating immigrant history about it. So it can be great to learn more about the history of Kensington Market on a guided tour !

You don’t even have to look for anything – just a wander through to experience the neighbourhood is enough.

You can’t miss things like the “Garden Car” – you’ll know it when you see it. Trust us.

Royal Ontario Museum

Address: 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6

The Royal Ontario Museum (the ROM, for short) is located at Bloor Street and Avenue Road and has a history of displaying just a little bit of everything!

This makes sense – the ROM is the largest (and most visited) museum in Canada and one of the largest in North America.

Get your ROM Entry Ticket here .

With around 6 million pieces, the numerous galleries and exhibits feature things from spiders to art, culture to dinosaurs, and Rome!

Eric went as a kid years ago and remembers having an amazing time at the Royal Ontario Museum ! If you are getting there by subway, you can get off at – you guessed it – Museum Station!

Bata Shoe Museum

Address: 327 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1W7

Do you like shoes? Like, do you really like shoes? Would a museum full of shoes make you happy? If so, the BATA Shoe Museum might be the place for you!

Located on Bloor Street just north of downtown, the museum has done an amazing job of collecting and showcasing footwear from all around the world.

We’ve never been but walked by many many times and always thought it looked super interesting. If you want to visit, get your BATA Shoe Museum entrance ticket .

“The Toronto Sign” at Nathan Phillips Square

Address: 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N1

Travelling to Toronto and wanting to snap a photo as a souvenir? Of course, you do!

Head north from Lake Ontario to Nathan Phillips Square. Located on Queen Street West just west of Yonge, it’s here that you’ll find Toronto City Hall and the famous “Toronto Sign”.

During the day, the sign is often themed for various festivals or occasions. At night – it’s all lit up! Nathan Phillips Square is quite the gathering spot in the city. At New Year’s, the square is filled with concert stages and party-goers – Eric has even been a few times.

In the winter, the fountain you see in front of the sign turns into an ice skating rink which is free to use (but it costs a few dollars for skate rentals).

There are street food trucks and lots of tourist buses parked here since it’s a great place to start any Toronto sightseeing adventure.

To get your bearings and to learn all about Toronto’s busy core, try out a 2-Hour Guided Downtown Walking tour .

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Address: 288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9

As a newer attraction to the city’s line-up of awesome things to do, Ripley’s Aquarium has certainly made a splash in a short amount of time. See what we did there? Gotta love our aquarium puns!

The Aquarium is home to the longest underwater glass tunnel in North America – it extends through the “Dangerous Lagoon”. This is where you come face-to-face with some scary predators like sharks and eels.

In all, there are 9 different galleries and over 400 species to check out. You are sure to find something you enjoy! The place is so popular – they recommend visiting before 10 am or after 3 pm to beat the crowds.

If you are planning a visit to Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and know which day, consider a Ripley’s Aquarium “After Hours” ticket that is valid for a night visit after 7:00 pm. Crowds can be smaller and admission is actually reduced from the daily fare.

Fort York National Historic Site

Address: 250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3K9

Are you into learning about Toronto’s role in military history? Want to learn about how we beat the United States in the War of 1812?

That’s a true story – and you can learn all about it at Fort York. The grounds are located to the west of downtown – pinched between the Lake and Liberty Village under the Gardiner Expressway.

The historic site is actually one of the largest collections of 1812 wartime buildings. They even have cannon firings and daily tours that run frequently.

Some of the park’s grounds are free to roam through, but the exhibits and museums require admission. To learn more about visiting Fort York and the exhibits, visit the official Fort York website .

St. Lawrence Market

Address: 93 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E 1C3

St. Lawrence Market is definitely a must-see when visiting the city. We went to the Market “playing tourist” when Lisa was visiting before she moved to Canada and it was an amazing experience.

The current building where it is located was opened in 1902! Inside, there are two floors – the main floor stretches the length of the main hall and the lower floor is just a portion of the length.

You’ll find an assortment of fresh produce, fresh meats and seafood, cheeses, prepared food, wine, trinkets, you name it!

There are samples at various counters and places to grab a bite to eat, so you definitely shouldn’t leave hungry.

You can experience the Market (and all our yummy food like Peameal bacon and butter tarts) on a Canadian Food Discovery tour !

If you are looking for very touristy Canadian souvenirs, there is also a place to buy them here.

Pro Tip:  The Market is located just to the east of downtown on Front Street – and you can check out  The Gooderham Building  for a great photo.

The Gooderham is that historic red-brick flatiron building at the intersection of Wellington Street and Front Street!

Steam Whistle Brewing & Biergarten

Address: 255 Bremner Blvd STALL 6, Toronto, ON M5V 3M9

All aboard the Steam train… to Steamwhistle! Located very close to Ripley’s Aquarium, the CN Tower, and the Rogers Centre, Steamwhistle has been a tourist magnet and popular brand in Toronto and Canada for two decades.

Founded back in 1998, Steamwhistle finds its home in the Roundhouse – an old red-brick railway repair depot used back in the day.

These days, you can tour the brewery or just belly up to the bar in their Tap Room or Biergarten for a pint of the classic pilsner that has made them one of the best-known beers in Canada.

To check out the brewery or to book a tour, check out the official website of Steamwhistle .

The Toronto Islands

Address for Ferry Terminal: 11 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2H3

Looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Toronto? Check out the Toronto Islands – that might help!

Located in Lake Ontario just off the shore across from downtown, “the Islands” as they are known are popular for their beaches, walking trails, and the historic Centreville Amusement Park.

We visited the Islands one beautiful summer day and had a wonderful day walking, eating, relaxing on the beach, and just taking in the views.

Lots of people explored the area by bike – and there’s a really popular guided bike tour that helps you get the most out of your visit.

Interesting fact: The Islands themselves actually have residents.

There is a ferry that leaves from the Ferry Terminal located on Queens Quay between Yonge and Bay Street. You can check out the Toronto Island ferry schedule here.

Alternatively, if you want a smaller tour of the harbour and surrounding islands, check out this Toronto Harbour boat cruise . You have to get off on the islands so the tour doubles as a water taxi – with amazing photos of the skyline!

Address: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, ON M5R 1X8

It’s a house? It’s a castle? No, it’s Casa Loma ! Built in the early 1900s and located in Toronto’s midtown, Casa Loma is a top tourist attraction for so many reasons.

This Gothic dream home was built by a wealthy Toronto businessman – Sir Henry Pellatt. After decades of history, the estate is now owned by the city and revered for its many art pieces and rich history.

Get your Entry Ticket for Toronto’s famous Casa Loma !

Due to the grand size of the estate and gardens, Casa Loma is also the place for many events, festivals, and even weddings throughout the year.

If you are visiting, you can buy a ticket to enter and hop on a guided tour to learn all about one of Toronto’s most famous attractions.

Hockey Hall of Fame

Address: 30 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5E 1X8

You can’t go to Canada and not discover the rich history of hockey! To do this, you should take a trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame .

Located right downtown on Front Street, the Hockey Hall of Fame is a great attraction that is one part museum, part exhibit, part interactive games area, and much more.

Get your Hockey Hall of Fame ticket in advance here .

Eric has been there many times over the years since it was always a great place for a school to plan a field trip to. That said, there is plenty to do for adults as well. We just recently went with friends visiting Toronto (late 2023) and it was an absolute blast.

Not only can you test out your hockey skills in the interactive zones, but there’s a 3-D movie, tons of hockey memorabilia to see (like Crosby’s 2010 “Golden Goal” mitts and stick), and even a mock sports broadcaster booth.

The coolest part is – of course – the trophy hall where you will be able to see (and take a photo with) the current Stanley Cup (one of the oldest sport trophies in an organized league worldwide), the old versions of the cup, and all the other important trophies handed out each year in the NHL.

Hockey is a huge part of Canadian culture, so a stop is definitely worth your time if you’re interested. We had an absolute blast when we visited!

Dundas Square

Address: 1 Dundas St E, Toronto, ON M5B 2R8

If you are looking for “Times Square” but for Toronto – Dundas Square is it. From the street performers to the lights at night, the corner near Yonge and Dundas is a great place to experience Toronto in full swing in the evening.

Besides malls and restaurants, there isn’t much to do there, but you might want to pass through to snap a few photos in the evening!

It’s probably good to mention that the southwest corner is where you enter the Eaton Centre – a top attraction, but not good enough for its own place on the list.

It’s just a very nice mall that is pretty big and features some very popular shops. There are fountains and at Christmas, they have a tree and giant reindeer!

Scotiabank Arena – formerly Air Canada Centre

Address: 40 Bay St., Toronto, ON M5J 2X2

If you are into sports, Toronto is an amazing sports city with very passionate fans across the professional leagues.

At the Scotiabank Arena (formerly called the Air Canada Centre) the Toronto Maple Leafs play ice hockey and the Toronto Raptors play basketball. The Arena is located closer to the water, just south of Union Station.

Leafs tickets can be quite expensive but are definitely worth the experience of watching professional-level hockey in Canada. Raptors tickets can be less expensive if you don’t mind sitting higher up in the stands!

Even watching the game at one of the sports bars nearby is an experience worthy of a visitor to Toronto! Here is the Scotiabank Arena website if you want to check out ticket availability and prices.

Art Gallery of Ontario

Address: 317 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T 1G4

Located on Dundas Street West between Spadina and University Avenue, the Art Gallery of Ontario (or AGO , for short) is definitely an art lover’s paradise.

Featuring 95,000 works over 45,000 sq metres of space, this makes the AGO one of the largest galleries in all of North America.

The AGO was originally founded in the year 1900. Over the years, it has expanded to its current size and number of galleries.

The AGO hosts exhibitions and has many permanent galleries featuring everything from Canadian artwork to African sculptures to Baroque-era paintings. 

You can purchase a ticket for admission in advance . Keep in mind that the AGO is closed on Mondays!

Location: 43°39’10.6″N 79°23’52.3″W

There are many amazing Chinatowns around the world (San Francisco, for example) – and Chinatown in Toronto is no exception!

If you want to experience Toronto’s Chinatown, head over to Spadina between College Street and Queen Street West.

You’ll find open-air shops with all sorts of goods, amazing restaurants (with really good dim sum), and other places to grab sweet treats.

Chinatown itself is a neat experience and conveniently placed along Spadina. This makes it easy to wander through on the way to another attraction.

Toronto is a city that prides itself on its multiculturalism and ethnic diversity, so check it out!

Tip: Explore both Chinatown and Kensington Market on a guided tour !

Rogers Centre

Address: 1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto, ON M5V 1J1

Still thinking about sports? How about catching a baseball game? The Blue Jays play at the Rogers Centre – physically located at the base of the CN Tower.

The Jays are the only Canadian team playing in Major League Baseball, so if you’re in Toronto anytime from April to September, Toronto is your only chance to catch baseball north of the border!

The nice thing about Jays games is that the summer weather means a great time out in the sunshine.

The other great thing about tickets at the Rogers Centre is that that they are still relatively inexpensive. You can go to a game for cheap and enjoy the game from decent seats!

Unlike at Scotiabank Arena, you can show up on game day, wait in line, and get tickets! It’s a franchise that isn’t too expensive yet (cough, the Leafs). Here’s the website for Jays tickets .

Woodbine Beach

Address: 1675 Lake Shore Blvd E, Toronto, ON M4L 3W6

Ah, Woodbine Beach – what can we say? It’s “home”. The beach is located in the neighbourhood called “The Beaches”.

The Beaches is in the city’s east end – and it’s actually where we lived when we lived in Toronto!

Woodbine Beach is a massive (and massively popular) sandy and rocky beach with access to swimming in Lake Ontario.

There is a boardwalk that runs for kilometres through Ashbridge’s Bay, other walking trails, parks, dog beaches, and wooded areas.

As for things to do, the summertime is busy with paddleboard renters, swimming, sunbathing, a few patios, and beach volleyball. The autumn is great for fall strolls along Lake Ontario.

The neighbourhood area along Queen Street East is full of restaurants, bars, and shops that you should check out.

It’s funny – the Beaches is where we worked on and grew our other travel site –  Penguin and Pia  – in its early days. How times have changed!

Queen Street West

Queen Street West is certainly where you can get some shopping done!

Located – you guessed it – along Queen Street West west of Yonge Street and extending well past Bathurst Street, Queen Street is also home to many amazing restaurants, hip bars and pubs, and coffee shops.

One of our favourite ramen places is on Queen Street West and Lisa misses it dearly from when we used to go for ramen lunch! Mmmm, noodles.

Harbourfront Centre

Address: 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8

If you are looking for things to do down near the waterfront, head to the Harbourfront Centre ! The Centre itself is actually an area of the pier described as a “cultural hub”.

This means that there are walking paths, performance stages, exhibits, restaurants, coffee shops, and much more.

There is always something going on down at the Harbourfront Centre. You can get great photos down by the lake, and the proximity to Amsterdam Brewhouse is also nice!

University of Toronto

Address: 27 King’s College Cir, Toronto, ON M5S

As one of the oldest universities in all of Canada and the oldest in Ontario, the University of Toronto has a great reputation on the world stage for academics.

Founded in 1827, the main campus (St. George Campus) is often like stepping into a time capsule.

This university has a huge main campus that sprawls for blocks and blocks between College Street and Bloor Street.

You can walk through, hop on a campus tour, and you might even find football going on at their Varsity Stadium!

Attractions Located Outside of Toronto

While this article is mainly about Toronto tourist attractions that are mainly located downtown or very close by, there are also a handful of awesome attractions that you might be interested in that are a bit further away! So, here are five.

We want to make it clear: these are NOT located in downtown Toronto. It would be in your best interest to have a car to reach these attractions given their distance.

That said, you can definitely consider some of these as a day or weekend trip in Ontario  if you’re up for it!

Toronto Zoo

Address: 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto, ON M1B 5K7

Located out in the north end of Scarborough, the Toronto Zoo is renowned for its number of species – over 5,000!

The zoo itself is divided into 7 “areas” that showcase all different climates/regions where animal groups exist in the wild.

The Toronto Zoo was originally opened in the 1970s and today enjoys very high visitor numbers because of its commitment to research and ecological sustainability.

You can learn more about directions and admission prices at the official website of the Toronto Zoo .

Scarborough Bluffs

Address: 50 Bluffers Park, Scarborough, ON M1M 3W3

If Woodbine Beach and the parks in that area weren’t enough, you could drive out to Scarborough (east of the city).

Along the water’s edge, you’ll find large white cliffs – these are the Scarborough Bluffs. In the summer, the cliffs attract many visitors to the nearby parks and beaches.

In particular, you can plan a visit by heading to Scarborough Bluffs Park Beach or Bluffer’s Park Beach.

Canada’s Wonderland

Address: 1 Canada’s Wonderland Drive, Maple, ON L6A 1S6

Canada’s Wonderland is the biggest and best amusement park in the country.

Located about 40 minutes north of downtown Toronto, Wonderland features roller coasters that crack numerous top 10 lists in the world for height or speed, among other things.

Just Google “Leviathan” – it’s the tallest in Canada and the 9th tallest in the world!

Eric grew up about 20 minutes north of Wonderland and so as a kid (and as a teenager, too) he would go to Wonderland on summer evenings when the crowds had died down.

You can also go in the spring or fall at reduced hours. These days, the place is busy and expensive – but definitely worth it if you like thrills and decent attractions.

Check out the official website for Canada’s Wonderland !

Ontario Science Centre

Address: 770 Don Mills Rd., North York, ON M3C 1T3

Want to be entertained and learn a little bit, too? The Ontario Science Centre is where you should go!

Located to the northeast of the city along the Don Valley Parkway in North York, the Science Centre is known for its featured exhibits, interactive science displays, and an IMAX theatre.

They even have a rainforest area that is climate controlled to help grow different plants to discuss ecology.

All in all, the Science Centre is a great way to kill a few hours or entertain the kids if you want more ideas! Check out the official website of the Ontario Science Centre for directions and prices!

Niagara Falls

Address for Table Rock Welcome Centre: 6650 Niagara Pkwy, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6T2

Let’s be clear – Niagara Falls shouldn’t be on this list because it’s not “just a 45 minutes drive” from Toronto like the others. Niagara Falls is about 2.5 hours from downtown Toronto, depending on traffic.

So, if you want to explore Niagara Falls, you can go on a Niagara Falls day trip from Toronto  to make things easy if you don’t plan on heading down on your own.

We’ve written a whole guide on things to do in Niagara Falls, Canada as well as where to stay in Niagara Falls (including hotels for the best “Fallsview”)!

Things to Consider When Visiting Toronto

If you’re planning a visit to Toronto, here are a few other details you might want to know about before you arrive.

Best Time to Visit Toronto

The best time to visit Toronto will definitely vary based on what you want to see and do. The summer months are the warmest and when the famous “patio season” in Toronto is in full swing.

The shoulder months – like May – are cooler but definitely good for visiting. The fall can be tricky: September and October can be warm, but it may already be quite cold.

In this case, a few layers and a cup of coffee will have you enjoying the cool lake air with no problem.

The winter in Toronto is actually fine for a visit. Sure, it can be chilly – but, historically, the city doesn’t get as much snow as the surrounding areas.

There are plenty of indoor activities, such as museums, and there is outdoor skating across the city (especially in Nathan Phillips Square).

Getting Around Toronto

Since there is so much to see and do in Toronto, doing it all will take some planning.

While the city is basically all flat and walkable, the distances between attractions can be a little daunting.

You can hop on the TTC ( Toronto Transit ) and use the streetcars, buses, and subway lines to get around.

You might consider buying a Presto card (the rechargeable card you just tap) and just loading it with money at a machine.

Where to Stay in Toronto

If you’re visiting the city, there’s a good chance you need a place to sleep. Luckily, Toronto is packed with different accommodation styles – including many, many hotels.

Toronto accommodation can be on the pricey side, but choosing a location right Downtown (or close to Downtown) is definitely worth it.

The amount of time and money you’d spend on transit just to stay in a cheaper location farther from the more central areas (Downtown, Yonge-Bloor, Queen Street West, etc.) just isn’t worth it, in our opinion – especially if you’re only visiting for a few days.

⇒ Get started searching for Accommodations in Toronto here .

Toronto is home to many neighbourhoods that are good areas to stay. You should read our detailed guide on where to stay in Toronto if you want to learn more.

If you just want the spark notes for accommodations, One King West Hotel and Residence is a popular, upscale hotel located right in the heart of downtown.

Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre is a classic chain option in/close to The Village, while the Ace Hotel Toronto is a boutique hotel close to the intersection at Queen-Spadina.

If you want a cozier style of accommodation, the Margie Townhome Suites is a nice guesthouse option.

For a longer stay, an aparthotel like Yonge Suites Furnished Apartments is centrally located and close to top attractions!

Toronto Sightseeing Tours

Speaking of getting around, planning what to see and how to get there can be a little overwhelming.

Luckily, Toronto is a diverse city with lots of different tours that show off its different sides. Here are some great ideas for Toronto tours that might interest you for your trip.

Popular Toronto Tours

• Toronto Biking Tour
• Downtown Toronto Walking Tour
• Toronto Harbour & Islands Boat Cruise
• Ultimate Toronto Day Tour

Related Articles

Oh, and if you planning an entire Toronto visit or you are looking for other places to visit in Ontario – we’ve got lots more about the city and the province!

• Our One Day in Toronto Itinerary
• 17 Day Trip from Toronto (+ How to Get There)
• 9 of our Favourite Coffee Shops in Toronto
• Great Bars in Downtown Toronto !
• Our Toronto Accommodation & Area Guide
• Great Ice Cream Across Toronto

And there you have it – some of the best Toronto tourist attractions out there! Obviously, there are a few things that we didn’t mention – but those “hidden gems” are for another post.

Toronto is an amazing city, a place we also call home, and a welcoming city for people of all backgrounds, colours, and languages!

We hope that you will have an amazing time exploring Toronto when you visit! Have you been before? What did you get to see or what did you miss? Get in touch and let us know!

As always, Keep Exploring, eh? – E&L

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Eric Wychopen

Hi, we're Eric and Lisa - an Ontario-born Canadian and a German! After settling in Ontario together, we realized that there is lots more to explore in this beautiful Canadian province! On Ontario Away, we as well as local contributors cover everything from cities and hikes to wineries, attractions, accommodations, and more.

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30 Top Things to Do in Toronto

Toronto is filled with fun, interesting, unique, and exciting things to do whether you're on vacation or even if you call Toronto home. From the top of the CN Tower to the largest collection of hockey memorabilia in the world, these are 30 of the best activities and attractions the city has to offer.

See the Skyline from the Water

Toronto has a fantastic skyline, and the best way to enjoy it is from Lake Ontario. There are many ways to get out on the water during your visit to Toronto, whether you rent a kayak or take a stand-up paddleboarding tour. You can find rental shops like The Boat House on Toronto Island if you want to splash around in a kayak, or if you're feeling ambitious, you can embark on a five-hour paddling tour from Kew-Balmy Beach to Bluffers Park with Oceah Oceah .

Go Thrifting

Sometimes the best souvenir is found in a thrift shop, and Toronto has many to choose from. You can find costume jewelry at Courage My Love or peruse the past two hundred years of fashion at Gadabout , which sells items from the 19th century. And if you're looking for menswear, Kingpin's Hideaway boasts a fine collection of vintage suits, ascots, and fedoras.

See a Show at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre

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Opened in 1913 as vaudeville theatres, the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre is the world's last double-decker theatre. The two auditoriums were built on top of the other and are beautiful and unique in design. While the Elgin Theatre is glitzy with a gold and red scheme, the Winter Garden Theatre is inspired by nature with columns sculpted to look like tree trunks and plants hanging from the ceiling. You can check the event calendar if you want to buy tickets to a performance, but there are also tours available , on which you will be able to learn more about the history of the theatre and get up close to artifacts like an original silent film projector from the early 19th century.

Eat and Shop in Little India

Getty Images/Krzysztof Dydynski

Toronto has a sizeable South-Asian community celebrated every day in the Little India neighborhood surrounding Gerrard Street. Here you can find more traditional Indian Cuisine at restaurants like Leela Indian Food Bar or try Desi Burger , which serves spicy burgers alongside sweet, creamy, and fruity drinks like faloodas and mango lassis. Shopping-wise, you can peruse beautiful sarees and kurtis at Nucreation or maybe find new copper dishes for your home at Kohinoor Kitchen Ware .

Visit Niagara Falls

If you haven't ticked Niagara Falls off your bucket list yet, you can't leave Toronto without taking a day trip to the magnificent waterfall, which is about 80 miles south on the other side of Lake Ontario. Around the main waterfall, there is plenty to do in town, whether you want to hit the casinos or go shopping. If the weather's right, consider taking a boat ride to get up close and personal with the waterfall's misty spray or enjoy the view from a distance at a restaurant with a view like Top of the Falls or Fallsview Dining .

Find Solitude on the Philosopher's Walk

At the University of Toronto, the Philosopher's Walk is a scenic footpath that will take you past some of the city's cultural landmarks like the Royal Ontario Museum, Royal Conservatory of Music, and Trinity College. Here, you'll also find the Queen Alexandra Gateway, built in 1906. With students bustling about, it's a great place to enjoy Toronto's academic atmosphere and get away from the crowds of tourists in the city's other popular hotspots. You'll find historical memorial plaques and a book quote on every bench along the path.

Hang Out in High Park

Stop by Toronto's largest public park to take advantage of hiking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, landscaped gardens, and an explosion of cherry blossoms in the spring. High Park is easily accessible by public transit and home to an outdoor public pool, a wading pool for kids, an ice rink, baseball diamonds, and Grenadier Restaurant .

Shop for Delicious Foods at St. Lawrence Market

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The city's largest market is a definite must-do on any trip to Toronto and was even voted best food market by National Geographic. The South Market is home to over 120 specialty food vendors selling everything from fresh produce and baked goods to prepared foods, dairy, meat, and seafood. Saturdays in the summer, you'll find a bustling farmers' market at the North Building.

Visit the Royal Ontario Museum

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Canada’s largest museum showcases everything from art and archaeology to natural science in over 30 galleries. Whether you’re interested in ancient Rome, Chinese temple art, dinosaurs, or Japanese culture (to name but a few), something at the Royal Ontario Museum will likely pique your interest.

Stop by the Art Gallery of Ontario

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Wandering through the Art Gallery of Ontario , whether the permanent collection or a special exhibition, never gets old. Toronto is lucky to have one of the largest art museums in North America, with an array of more than 90,000 works of art. The collection comprises Canadian, European, contemporary art, photography, and more.

Shop Until You Drop

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No matter what you’re looking for, be it clothing and accessories, housewares, vintage finds, books, art, kids’ stuff, or something for your pet, Toronto has it. The city is filled with diverse shopping areas, including Bloor-Yorkville , Yonge and Eglinton, the CF Toronto Eaton Centre, Kensington Market , Leslieville, and Queen Street West.

Wander the “Second Coolest Neighborhood in the World”

Toronto’s eclectic West Queen West neighborhood was named by Vogue in 2014 as the second coolest neighborhood in the world thanks to its vibrant mix of independent shops and boutiques, bars, a large concentration of art galleries, restaurants, and cafes. Start your exploration at Queen and Bathurst, heading west to Dufferin to take in everything this ‘hood offers. 

Stroll Through Allan Gardens Conservatory

Slip into a tropical oasis in the middle of the city with a visit to Allan Gardens Conservatory , where you’ll find six greenhouses filled with plants worldwide. The conservatory is open 365 days and always free to enter. Some highlights include the two tropical houses filled with a variety of orchids, bromeliads, and begonia and the Palm House filled with various palms, bananas, and tropical vines.

Spend a Day in the Distillery District

No visit to Toronto would be complete without a few hours (or even a whole day) spent exploring the historic Distillery District . Wander among Victorian-era buildings on pedestrian-only cobblestone streets filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants. The area is also home to several art galleries, theaters, and artist workshops to explore. 

Head to the Toronto Islands

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Escape the city via ferry with a trip to the Toronto Islands . Whether you bring your bike (which you can take on the ferry) and explore on two wheels, relax by the water, hang out on the beach, have a picnic, or take the family to Centreville on Centre Island to check out the rides, there’s always something fun to do.

Hit the Beach

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Toronto is blessed with some great beaches , as evidenced by how busy they can get come summertime. Cherry Beach, Sunnyside, Ward’s Island Beach, Bluffer’s Beach, and Kew-Balmy Beach are some of the best for swimming or sunbathing. Depending on which beach you visit, there’s also the option for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding.

Take in the Views From the CN Tower

When you head to the LookOut level of the CN Tower , you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views over the city. High-speed elevators whisk visitors to the top in just 58 seconds. Depending on your threshold for thrill-seeking, you can go one step further than the CN Tower’s LookOut Level or Glass Floor and try EdgeWalk . This adventure is the first of its kind in North America and has you doing a hands-free walk around the tower's main pod, 116 stories above the ground.

Explore Kensington Market

One of the most fun and eclectic neighborhoods to explore in Toronto has to be Kensington Market . Brimming with various vintage stores, a diverse array of restaurants and bars, food shops, and cafes, it’s easy to spend a whole day wandering, shopping, and eating through the vibrant area.

Check Out the Aga Khan Museum

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Aga Khan Museum is dedicated to showcasing the art and culture of the Islamic world and how Muslim civilizations have contributed to world heritage. In addition to a vast permanent collection, the museum also offers workshops, rotating exhibitions, and special events.

Go to Evergreen Brick Works

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Evergreen Brick Works is a year-round destination boasting a farmers’ market, skating rink, children’s garden, nature trails, ongoing events for the whole family, art, the Evergreen Garden Market, a bike shop, workshops, and much more.

Hear Live Music at Horseshoe Tavern

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One of the best places in the city to see live music is the legendary Horseshoe Tavern , which has been going strong since 1947. The much-loved music venue has seen everyone from The Rolling Stones and The Tragically Hip to Blue Rodeo, Wilco, and Arcade Fire grace the stage. There’s usually something going on here every night of the week.

Hang Out at Harbourfront Centre

Harbourfront Centre’s 10-acre waterfront site is home to more than 30 spots to explore, including theaters, art galleries, parks, gardens, restaurants, and more. The multifaceted year-round venue attracts over 12 million repeat visitors each year and is well worth checking out at any time of year. Go skating by the lake in the winter, or head out for a paddleboard or kayak ride in the summer.

Visit Casa Loma

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There’s a castle right in the middle of Toronto. The former home of Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt, Casa Loma is one of the city’s most unique attractions and houses decorated with suites, secret passages, an 800-foot tunnel, towers, stables, and beautiful five-acre estate gardens. There are usually events here throughout the year, both at the castle and on the castle grounds.

Head to the Hockey Hall of Fame

Love hockey? Then you might want to visit Toronto's Hockey Hall of Fame, home to the most extensive collection of hockey memorabilia in the world and the Stanley Cup. Visitors can also go one-on-one against life-size, animated versions of some of today's greatest goalies and shooters and watch hockey-themed movies.

Walk Around the Toronto Zoo

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Canada’s premier zoo is home to over 5,000 animals covering 450 species, including a wide range of creatures from around the world. The zoo is divided into seven geographic regions: Indo-Malaya, Africa, the Americas, Australasia, Eurasia, Canadian Domain, and the Tundra Trek. Animals are indoors in tropical pavilions or outdoors in environments that align with their natural habitat.

Explore Historic Fort York

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Established in 1793, Historic Fort York contains Canada's most extensive collection of original War of 1812 buildings and an 1813 battle. It's the ideal attraction for history buffs of all ages. Fort York is open year-round and offers tours, exhibits, period settings that take you back in time, and seasonal demonstrations.

See Some Undersea Life at Ripley’s Aquarium

Located at the base of the CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada contains 135,000 square feet of interactive, underwater exhibits. This is the country's largest indoor aquarium and is home to many aquatic creatures, including jellyfish, sea turtles, countless colorful tropical fish, ancient giant lobsters, stingrays, and sharks. See the creatures swim above you via the underwater gallery.

Go on Some Rides at Canada’s Wonderland

Located just outside Toronto, Canada’s Wonderland is a sprawling amusement park featuring over 200 attractions and the 20-acre Splash Works water park. There are rides and attractions here for every age and level of thrill-seeking, including an area just for kids and some of the most thrilling rollercoasters in the country.

Hike or Camp in Rouge Park

You might be surprised to learn that you can camp right in Toronto. Rouge National Urban Park is a massive green space containing one of the region’s largest marshes, beautiful beaches, the city’s only campground, and numerous scenic hiking trails. The park offers guided walks, children’s programs, fishing, watersports, bird watching, and more.

Learn About Footwear at Bata Shoe Museum

A thousand shoes and related items are on display (from a collection consisting of over 13,000 artifacts) at the Bata Shoe Museum . The exhibition showcases over 4,500 years of history and includes Chinese bound foot shoes and ancient Egyptian sandals, to celebrity footwear, and nearly everything in between.

Ontario Heritage Trust. "Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre." Retrieved April 5, 2021

National Geographic. "Top 10 Food Markets." September 13, 2011

Vogue. "Global Street Style Report: Mapping Out the 15 Coolest Neighborhoods in the World." September 5, 2014

Harbourfront Centre. "The Heart of Toronto's Waterfront for 35 Years." Retrieved April 5, 2021

Top Things to Do in Toronto, Canada

Places to visit in toronto.

• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Old Toronto
• Waterfront Communities-The Island
• Downtown West
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Good for Couples
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Honeymoon spot
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. CN Tower

2. Toronto Island Park

3. St. Lawrence Market

4. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

5. Royal Ontario Museum

6. Casa Loma

7. Distillery Historic District

8. Steam Whistle Brewery

9. Hockey Hall of Fame

10. Art Gallery of Ontario

11. Rogers Centre

12. Little Canada

13. High Park

14. CF Toronto Eaton Centre

15. Royal Alexandra Theatre

16. Toronto Public Library

17. Toronto Zoo

18. Scotiabank Arena

19. Ed Mirvish Theatre

20. University of Toronto

21. Kensington Market

22. Bata Shoe Museum

23. Nathan Phillips Square

24. Princess of Wales Theatre

25. Toronto Harbour

26. Toronto Islands Ferries

27. Edwards Gardens

28. Black Creek Pioneer Village

29. Yonge-Dundas Square

30. Queen Street

What travellers are saying.

Toronto's top 10 attractions

Things to do

Toronto’s motto isn’t ‘go big or go home,’ but that’s a good summary of their top attractions, which include the lofty CN Tower, the biggest indoor aquarium in Canada and the only full-sized castle in North America.

One of Canada's greatest landmarks and one of the seven wonders of the modern world, the  CN Tower External Link Title  has come to define the Toronto skyline. At 553 metres in height, this engineering wonder is hard to miss during any trip through the city and you don't want to miss it. Beyond being a very cool building you can take an elevator up to the revolving 360 Restaurant for world-class dining. Feeling a bit bold? Walk across the glass floor, only 2.5 inches thick, 113 storeys above the ground. Want an even bigger thrill? Travel up another 33 storeys to the Skypod lookout. Still not daring enough? Strap on a harness, head outside, and take a thrilling walk along the building's edge with nothing but air between you and the ground, in the not-for-the-faint-of-heart EdgeWalk experience. This adrenaline-inducing activity is actually the world's highest 'hands-free walk,' so you can brag about that one to your friends.

Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum External Link Title  is the biggest museum of world cultures and natural history in Canada. Located right in downtown Toronto, the striking main entrance to the museum, known as The Crystal and designed by Michael Lee Chin, will draw you in right away. Inside, the museum houses exhibits that run the gamut from dinosaurs to ancient Egypt to Canada's First Nations. It's hard to categorize the, oh, six million-or-so objects the museum has in its collections, but trust us, you'll be able to find something you really enjoy. As you walk from floor to floor, past the 25-metre totem pole, you'll encounter art, history, archeology, mineralogy, geology, paleontology, zoology, and elements of any other -ology you could probably imagine! With something new to discover every time you visit, the 100-year-old museum is a favorite of locals and tourists alike.

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

Do you like the idea of coming face to face with a shark, separated only by a pane of glass? The  Ripley's Aquarium of Canada External Link Title  allows you to live that experience, while exposing you to another 16,000 marine animals hosted on site. It takes 5.7 million litres of water to host all of those animals, from southern stingrays, to 65-year-old giant lobsters, to giant pacific octopus, to nettle jellyfish. Explore life on the reef, walk in safety under a dangerous lagoon, stick your head in an underwater viewing bubble, or take in a stingray dive show. Open 365 days a year, you can always turn to the Ripley's Aquarium of Canada for an exciting day--whether it's an angelfish on Christmas Day, or a stingray on your birthday.

Distillery Historic District

Restaurants, boutiques, arts, and entertainment are  The Distillery Historic District External Link Title 's claim to fame. This pedestrian-only village features more than 40 heritage buildings that now house everything a modern traveller might enjoy. New fashion can be found in restored, Victorian-era buildings; culinary inventions are hidden behind weathered red brick walls; and art galleries and performance venues host events year-round, ensuring that the old neighbourhood is full of life. The sector gets its name from the Gooderham & Worts whiskey distillery, which used to occupy many of the buildings.

The Art Gallery of Ontario

A remarkable 90,000 works of art live inside the walls of the  Art Gallery of Ontario External Link Title , one of the biggest and best art museums in North America. Observe the lauded work of Canada's 'Group of Seven' art collective, part of the largest collection of Canadian art in the world. Then travel the globe, from the African Art Gallery to the extensive European collection, and travel back in time, from the Renaissance and Baroque eras to the present day. Photography, sculpture, graphic art, installations; Rubens, Goya, Picasso and Rembrandt; the AGO covers it all. Even the building is a work of art. World-renowned architect and Toronto-born Frank Gehry, the man behind the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, designed an expansion to the AGO in 2008 that has earned critical acclaim. If you love art, there's no better place in the city to be.

Believe it or not, the only full-sized castle in North America is actually located in Toronto.  Casa Loma External Link Title  literally has everything you could want from a castle. There are turrets offering beautiful views of the city. There's a large library and nearly 100 rooms to explore. There are secret passageways to discover, including a 245-metre tunnel to the stables and carriage house, the latter of which features an exhibit of vintage cars from the early 1900's. Plus it has five acres of gardens full of beautiful flowers, sculptures and fountains. Plug in your headphones, listen to the digital audio guide, and roam around a castle in the city.

Hockey Hall of Fame

If the expression "when in Rome" were applied to Canada, it would probably have something to do with ice hockey. If you've never seen a game before, you may want to pay a visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame External Link Title to get up to speed with Canada's favourite sport. Ice hockey is often used to define Canada and it's here on display, with 65,000 square feet filled to the brim with artifacts, mementos, and relics straight from the rink. Learn about the 388 members inducted into the Hall of Fame, and see the sticks, gloves, pucks, and even nets from some of the greatest games ever played. Test your shooting and goalie skills with state-of-the-art games, see if you could make it as a play-by-play commentator, and grab a seat in a replica NHL dressing room. And, most important of all, touch the actual Stanley Cup.

Rouge National Urban Park

Rouge National Park External Link Title is Toronto's own slice of paradise and Canada's only urban National Park. It is an ecologically protected zone in the Greater Toronto area that straddles cities including Toronto, Markham, Pickering and the Township of Uxbrigde. At a total of 79.1 square km of land, Rouge National Park is an excellent day spent out of the city to reconnect with nature. The options are endless at Rouge, where you can find yourself cycling, hiking, swimming, kayaking, camping External Link Title , and so much more.

The Toronto Islands

You only need to travel 10 minutes from the city of Toronto to enter a completely different world. Hop on a ferry and embark on a journey to  the Toronto Islands External Link Title , an attraction-filled destination where relaxation is the name of the game. There are no cars, so you're going to want to rent a bike or rollerblades to explore the chain of islands -- the three big ones being Centre, Ward's and Algonquin -- which are connected by a series of pathways and bridges. Along the water you'll find four beautiful beaches, while summer cottages from the 1920s and impressive English gardens are one of the main draws on land. A maze on the islands serves to test your wits, while the haunted lighthouse tests your courage. From picnics, to paddleboats, to ponies, the Toronto Islands offer a great contrast to the busy city while still enjoying the view of the skyline!

St. Lawrence Market

Right in the middle of Toronto's historic Old Town district you'll find one of the city's best foodie destinations:  the St. Lawrence Market External Link Title . The market has existed in some form since 1803, and though the complex has evolved, it still contains an authentic farmer's market -- the best in the world according to a 2012 National Geographic article -- complete with specialty foods and restaurants for every taste. Treat your senses, as you see, smell, and sample fresh produce and cheese in the very same place vendors have been selling it for over two centuries. All of that history can be discovered in a little more depth during a walking tour of the complex, which also houses venues for business and social events, and countless local artisans selling souvenirs, clothing, jewellery, and more. Check it out, from Tuesdays to Saturdays.

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18 Top Tourist Attractions in Toronto

By Carl Austin · Last updated on May 4, 2024

With more than 2.9 million people, Toronto is the largest city in Canada, ensuring the capital of Ontario province offers plenty of things for visitors to see and do. The list of tourist attractions in Toronto includes world-class museums, great shopping, a smorgasbord of dining options, and summer and winter outdoors activities.

The city is known for its professional sports teams, including baseball’s Blue Jays and hockey’s Maple Leafs. Toronto is a vibrant city, with its large Chinatown, its restored Victorian buildings and its modern-day skyscrapers.

See also: Where to Stay in Toronto

18. Harbourfront Centre

Looking out over Lake Ontario, the huge waterfront complex lies just a stone’s throw from the CN Tower. Packed with art galleries and theaters, parks and outdoor stages; the Harbourfront Centre really is an amazing place to visit.

Once a derelict shipping terminal, the area was transformed into a thriving arts and culture center in the 90s with dozens of studios and venues now found alongside cafes and restaurants. Besides visiting its galleries or basking in beautiful views over the lake, visitors can attend one of the more than 4,000 cultural events, dance shows, and festivals held here each year.

17. Bata Shoe Museum

The Bata Shoe Museum takes you on a fascinating journey through over 4,500 years of footwear. Located in a specially designed shoebox-shaped building, its enthralling collection can be found just northwest of the University of Toronto’s St. George campus.

Founded in 1979, the museum impressively boasts over 13,000 shoes of all shapes, sizes, and styles. You can find jewel-encrusted slippers and chestnut-crushing clogs on show alongside Japanese geta, Inuit boots, and celebrity footwear. You can learn all about the history and evolution of shoe designs with so many amazing artifacts on display from all around the world.

16. Rogers Centre

Right next to the soaring CN Tower is another of Toronto’s main attractions and most recognizable landmarks: the Rogers Centre. Aside from being the home of Major League Baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays, it also hosts innumerable concerts, sporting events, and auto shows over the course of the year.

When it was completed in 1989, the state-of-the-art stadium was remarkably the first arena in the world to have a fully retractable dome roof. This lends it an electrifying atmosphere when the roof is closed and the Blue Jays go to bat. Besides watching a brilliant baseball game, you can also take tours around the stadium or attend one of its conventions, concerts or carnivals.

15. Ontario Science Centre

Home to all kinds of interesting and interactive exhibits, the excellent Ontario Science Centre can be found just fifteen minutes’ drive northeast of the center. A fun, family-friendly place to visit, it has plenty of hands-on activities and experiments that shine a light on the fields of science and technology.

Since being established in 1969, it has been a firm favorite with adults and children alike due to its informative yet engaging displays and live demonstrations. While some sections look at the human body and mind, others focus on the natural world around us or on scientific principles and theories with fun games and a fantastic planetarium also being on offer.

14. Kensington Market

A feast for the senses, the colorful and chaotic Kensington Market really is a delight to explore and perfectly encaptures the city’s multicultural make-up. Lined with shops, restaurants, and stands, the vibrant neighborhood lies just ten minutes’ drive west of the center.

Once mainly home to eastern European Jewish immigrants, the area is now incredibly diverse and has a laid back bohemian vibe. While strolling around its bustling streets you’ll come across fabulous public artworks and vintage stores with Jamaican, Mexican, and Tibetan eateries occupying graffiti-covered buildings. In addition, there are also stalls selling everything, from fresh produce and jewellery to souvenirs, with live music and street shows often taking place.

13. Black Creek Pioneer Village

A must for those interested in learning more about the history of the city and its surroundings, Black Creek Pioneer Village lies just half an hour’s drive northwest of the center. A popular place to visit, the huge open-air heritage museum shines a light on what rural life in Ontario was like during the early nineteenth century.

Founded in 1960, the village now has more than forty wonderfully well-restored historic buildings that include a church, blacksmiths, and schoolhouse among others. Aside from its informative displays and exhibitions, costumed re-enactors highlight how villagers would have lived and worked back in the day.

12. Toronto Zoo

Home to a huge array of animals from all over the world, Toronto Zoo certainly makes for a family-friendly day out. Located just half an hour’s drive to the east of town, it boasts everything from pandas and polar bears to rhinos, tigers, and gorillas.

First opened in 1974, the enormous zoo now impressively contains over 5,000 animals both large and small in spacious enclosures that mimic their natural habitats. While some areas and exhibits focus on Canada’s animals and ecosystems, others take you to Africa, Eurasia and Australasia. With so many beautiful animals and birds to see, Toronto Zoo is definitely not to be missed out on.

11. Art Gallery of Ontario

Another of Toronto’s most popular tourist attractions is the marvelous Art Gallery of Ontario, which is located in the Grange Park neighborhood of downtown. One of the largest art museums in North America, it contains an extensive collection of paintings, photos, drawings, and sculptures.

First opened to the public in 1900, its artworks and exhibitions now occupy a striking modern complex. In total, there are over 95,000 unique pieces to peruse. Fine Inuit carvings and religious works are on show, alongside lovely landscape paintings by the influential Group of Seven, and masterpieces by European artists. In addition, the museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions, as well as talks, tours and workshops.

10. Hockey Hall of Fame

Toronto is ice hockey country and has been since 1917 with the founding of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It’s also home to the Hockey Hall of Fame, which makes it a must-see attraction for visitors who love this exciting sport.

Home to the prestigious Stanley Cup, the museum features the greatest players in this sport as well as explains its history through artifacts and film. It also has state-of-the-art interactive multi-media exhibits that allow visitors to project themselves playing against the professionals or to become play-by-play broadcasters.

9. Toronto Eaton Centre

Visitors can shop till they drop at Eaton Centre, Toronto’s premier shopping mall. Hungry visitors can take a break at one of the mall’s many restaurants, which range from fast foot to ethnic cuisine. Altogether, Eaton Centre has more than 235 stores and restaurants, right in Toronto’s city center.

This huge complex, which also contains offices, gets around a million visitors a week, making it the most popular attraction in Toronto. Unfortunately, visitors won’t be able to shop at Eaton’s, the department store chain for which it is named, since it is no longer in business.

8. High Park

High Park is for anyone who wants to enjoy the outdoors. Toronto’s largest public park has hiking trails, a playground for children, gardens and a zoo, among other amenities. It also has a waterfront since it is on Grenadier Pond filled with ducks and other marine birds; the best view is from the observation deck at Hillside Gardens.

For visitors who prefer more activity than walking the nature trails, the park also has an outdoor swimming pool, baseball diamonds and tennis courts. A “maple leaf” made up of flowers or other vegetation is considered the park’s most famous landmark.

7. Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum says it’s one of Toronto’s favorite museums. With the variety of exhibitions it holds, it’s hard to dispute that claim. The museum combines natural history with world cultures, with exhibits ranging from dinosaurs and prehistoric peoples to textiles and biodiversity.

There are plenty of hands-on and interactive exhibits to increase visitors’ knowledge of the past and present. It is home to the largest collection of Chinese architectural exhibits outside of China, but also has extensive collections of artifacts from other countries, including Africa and the Middle East.

6. Casa Loma

Casa Loma is a Toronto landmark that’s hard to miss. It’s a huge castle that has stood out since the moment it was built on a hill in the early 20th century. Casa Loma was the dream of a wealthy man who always wanted to live in a castle, so he built one.

Casa Loma has 98 rooms and was the largest house in Toronto when it was built. It also has secret passageways, lovely gardens, a library, a hunting lodge and even an elevator. Three hundred people worked three years to construct this magnificent complex.

5. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Wow doesn’t begin to describe Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, which has 16,000 aquatic animals all swimming in one tank. The tank is not your ordinary home fish tank, however. It’s filled with more than 1.5 million gallons (5.7 million liters) of water.

Visitors observe all this marine life by walking through an underwater tunnel that is North America’s largest viewing tunnel. See sharks, sting rays and other sea life up close. The aquarium has more than 100 interactive exhibits to teach visitors more about marine life. Live shows starring the animals are presented every two hours.

4. Toronto Islands

Toronto Islands is another hot-spot recreation destination. Located just offshore a ferry ride away from Toronto proper, they are the only islands in this part of Lake Ontario. Since only a few vehicles are permitted, they are the largest urban car-free zone in North America.

Recreation opportunities abound, from swimming and kayaking to biking and Frisbee golf. Centerville, located on the largest island, Centre, is a 1900s style amusement park for children, complete with miniature railway and antique carousel. Toronto Islands also hosts annual arts and rock music festivals.

3. Distillery District

The Distillery District is the place for visitors to go when they want to experience the charm of Victorian Toronto. Set in the historic district just a short walk from downtown, this pedestrian-only shopping area centers around restored buildings that were once the Gooderman & Worts whiskey distillery.

Considered one of the hottest spots in Canada, visitors will find more than 80 retail shops, boutiques and eateries as well as art galleries and entertainment venues. The district hosts a number of events, including art shows and music festivals, throughout the year.

2. St. Lawrence Market

Travelers are shopping in history when they visit St. Lawrence Market, which has been a going concern on the site since 1803. Today it’s contained in three buildings, including one for specialty foods, another for a Saturday farmer’s market and a third that has retail shops.

The South Market is home to 120 shops selling specialty foods, such as brads and produce; Toronto’s cultural services are showcased on the second floor. The North Market hosts the Saturday farmer’s market that began in 1803; on Sundays it becomes an antique market. Built in 1850, the St. Lawrence Hall houses retail businesses.

1. CN Tower

Located in the heart of Downtown Toronto, the CN Tower is Canada’s most recognizable icon. The communication tower was built from 1973 to 1976 by the railway company “Canadian National” and standing 553.33 meters (1,815.4 ft) tall was the tallest structure in the world for over 30 years until it was surpassed in height by the Burj Dubai.

A glass elevator takes visitors up to where they can look out from behind glass windows or from an outside observing area through a metal screen. Restaurant diners with reservations can avoid the queues for the observatory, and at night the lights from distant Rochester, New York are visible over the lake.

Map of Tourist Attractions in Toronto

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October 20, 2023 at 10:00 am

Visited CN tower,Royal Ontario museum, Casa loma,Ripley’s aquarium, Toronto eaton center, Last but not least the Niagara falls. Happy that I have covered 6 out of 10 best places in Toronto

September 15, 2018 at 9:03 am

Visited CN tower,Royal Ontario museum, Casa loma,Ripley’s aquarium, Toronto eaton center, Last but not least the Niagara falls. Happy that I have covered 6 out of 10 best places in Toronto.

Super visit….. Niagara Falls is a dream come true & it should be in the world’s wonder list since this is not a man made one.

November 29, 2017 at 4:45 am

Royal Ontario Museum and Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada are my favourite and couple of time i visit and and now planning to visit Niagara falls.

August 13, 2016 at 8:12 am

Much and much more to see but lovely start.,.. toronto a wonderful place 🙂

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Best Attractions in Toronto

If you are planning a trip to Canada, don't miss Toronto! It is the largest and one of the most vibrant cities in Canada. There is a lot to explore in Toronto. If you're visiting for the first time, you may find it difficult to narrow down the top tourist attractions in Toronto .

Every neighbourhood of Toronto has its own story. There are many hidden gems and tourist attractions in Toronto. As Canadian travel experts, Canadian Train Vacations is here to help you. We have curated a comprehensive list of the best attractions in Toronto. If you love to travel and explore, the following places should be on your itinerary.

1. Explore the Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum is home to a range of exquisite cultural and historical pieces collected from all over the world.

All three levels of this magnificent place, locally called “The ROM,” are rife with treasures organized into more than 20 galleries — like the new Willner Madge Gallery, Dawn of Life or the Sir Christopher Ondaatje South Asian Gallery or Life in Crisis: The Schad Gallery of Biodiversity. And that’s not all! Be sure to check out the limited-time exhibits, such as Psychedelics (on until March 9, 2024). 

The museum is located at 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario. You can easily reach here by bus, cab, or public transportation. General admission is $23 CAD for adults and $14 CAD for children ages four to 14.

Keep reading or discover more travel inspiration in our brochure. This guide showcases our world-famous train journeys, with ideas for personalizing your Canadian vacation.

2. See the animals at the Toronto Zoo 

The zoo is one of the best outdoor attractions in Toronto. If you love wildlife, you should visit the Toronto Zoo. Spread over 10km, it is a great place to walk and explore. It features a unique polar bear habitat and an African penguin exhibit. From alpacas to giraffes, there's a lot to see here.

Orangutans of Gunung Leuser: Guardians of the Rainforest is a brand-new outdoor habitat for Sumatran orangutans, whose conservation status changed from Endangered to Critically Endangered in 2017. Why? Palm oil harvesting is destroying the rainforests they call home. In addition to protecting these amazing mammals, the Toronto Zoo has taken a leadership stance on raising awareness about palm oil. 

Other reasons people love going to the Toronto Zoo: The Wild Rouge Zipline, the Conservation Carousel, and the Tundra Air Ride. If you get tired of walking, hop on the Zoomobile for a tour.

We recommend at least two hours to explore the zoo. Admission is $24.50 for adults and $15.50 for children.

#1 Travel tip: See the animals being fed at the zoo

For the best experience at the Toronto zoo, be sure to see if there are any feeding times scheduled during your visit.

3. Enjoy the View from CN Tower

Built between 1972 and 1976, the CN Tower was once the tallest building in the world, at 553 meters tall. It is the most famous tourist destination in Toronto. It can be enjoyed from the ground, but the view from the top is simply breathtaking. You can even download a free viewfinder app so you know what are looking at in all directions.

There is also a revolving restaurant at the top for dining and lunches. The 360 Restaurant completes a full rotation every 72 minutes. The menu focuses on local and sustainable ingredients and recipes from across Canada, including Indigenous dishes. It is popular so you should reserve ahead.

The CN Tower is located at 301 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario.

It is open from 9 AM to 9 PM every day. Entry fees start at $53 but depend on what activities you want to do, such as the EdgeWalk, the outdoor walkway around the observation deck.

4. Visit the Art Gallery of Ontario 

The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the major attractions in Toronto. It is home to a large collection of artwork dating back centuries. The building is an architectural masterpiece in itself.

More than 95,000 works of art are held in the collections at the AGO, as it is locally called, from European masterpieces to work by emerging Indigenous artists, Group of Seven to Western and Central Africa, historic to modern to contemporary. You can get lost in here for hours, transported through the art in the regular collections and in the many special exhibits featured throughout the year.

Don’t miss the AGO Shop — it has some of the coolest gifts and souvenirs I have ever seen.

Located at 317 Dundas St W, it is easily accessible by public transportation.

TIP : If you want to skip the line to enter the museum, prepurchase a day pass for $25 CAD or an annual pass for $35 CAD.

5. Eat at Kensington Market 

You're bound to get hungry after exploring all the tourist attractions in Toronto, Canada. It's time to head to Kensington Market, just west of downtown Toronto. This multicultural neighbourhood offers various food shops and restaurants which serve cuisines from all over the world.

There are lots of little places you pick up a snack to walk around with — empanadas maybe or a burrito or something with bacon. Or put together a picnic from Global Cheese or Sanagan’s meat and head to Bellevue Park. If you want to sit for a while, check out Trinity Common, a popular pub, especially with the hipster crowd, for smash burgers and fries that go oh-so well with craft beer. And I have never left Kensington Market without stopping at Wanda’s Pie in the Sky.

Additionally, you can explore the beautiful shops that sell vintage items. You will want approximately two to three hours to explore this neighbourhood, which is easily accessible by public transportation.

TIP : Admission is free, as it is a public neighbourhood, but we recommend around $50 CAD/couple for a meal.

#2 Travel tip: Make reservations for dinner

Toronto is a top foodie destination and home to some of the best restaurants in the world. Be sure to make reservations at any places you want to try to avoid disappointment.

6. Witness Marine Life at Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

The aquarium is also one of the most popular tourist places in Toronto. It is one of the largest indoor aquariums in the country. It is home to about 450 different fish species and other sea animals.

The Dangerous Lagoon is one of the most exciting features at Ripley’s. Board the moving sidewalk through a clear tunnel in the tank while sharks, stingrays and other lagoon inhabitants swim over your head. You may even be lucky to see staff feeding the fish twice a day.

It will take you 2-3 hours to explore the aquarium. Tickets cost $44 CAD for adults and $20 for youth ages six to 13, and $12.50 for children ages two to five.

7. Take a Selfie at the Museum of Illusions

The Museum of Illusions opened in 2018. It is one of the new family attractions in Toronto, Canada. It is fun for both adults and kids alike. The museum features an elaborate series of illusions, along with their explanations.

Illusion rooms, installations, images and holograms, this is one place you will want to be sure you have a fully charged phone so you can take lots of weird and wonderful photos. There are selfie points along the way, and it is one of the most Instagrammable places in Toronto.

It is located at 132 Front Street East. Tickets are $23.50 CAD.

8. Go Down Memory Lane with Bata Shoe Museum

If you're interested in the history of shoes, visit the Bata Shoe Museum. Shoes are much more interesting that you might think, not only in terms of fashion but also culture. Special exhibits include In Bloom: Flowers and Footwear and Obsessed: How Shoes Became Objects of Desire .

It is located just across from the Royal Ontario Museum. You can gain access to the museum for just $14 CAD.

TIP : Check out the outside of the building as well. The building is shaped like a shoebox.

9. Learn About Hockey at the Hockey Hall of Fame 

Hockey is an extremely famous sport in Canada, which makes this a must-visit tourist destination in Toronto for all sports fans. Housed in a heritage building that was formerly a bank, Hockey Hall of Fame is spread over 65,000 square feet. It’s big! It even has a replica of the Montreal Canadiens dressing room.

See interesting exhibits about the sports and try fun interactive displays. For example, follow the evolution of goalie masks or try your skills at broadcasting or play the latest hockey video games. It is also the home of the Stanley Cup, the NHL's biggest trophy.

The retail shop has everything a hockey fan could want. And where do you go for snacks when you visit the Hockey Hall of Fame? Tim Horton’s, of course! Horton, a former hockey star, founded the famous coffee franchise and a special edition Tim’s is located next door to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

You can get a ticket to the Hockey Hall of Fame for $20 CAD.

10. Go Down Memory Lane at St. Lawrence Market

Named the best food market in the world in 2012, this famous tourist destination in Toronto has been operating since the early 1800s. Apart from buying the freshest and best produce, you can also explore several cuisines at this market and everything you need to make it. Caviar, fresh oysters, croissants, sausages, cheese by the slab — you name it and they probably have it, plus all the condiments and sauces, and even the kitchenware to prepare it.

Don’t feel like cooking? There are so many ready-to-eat options. From Indian to Ukrainian, there's something for every palate. Try a Toronto classic peameal bacon sandwich — basic and fancied-up versions are available. And don’t miss the lower level, where you’ll find many more delicious choices, like cabbage rolls and pierogies. Inside tables are at premium especially on weekends, but you can also take your to-go boxes outside to the picnic tables.

And when you're done eating, go upstairs to explore the art gallery. The market also hosts a public kitchen for special cooking classes and is home to St Lawrence Hall, where you can catch exhibitions and live performances.

TIP : Hiring a tour guide gives interesting insights into the vendors and the area's history.

11. Get answers at Ontario Science Centre

The first interactive museum of its kind in the world, this place is specially designed for all those interested in science. It is one of the best family attractions in Toronto. There are live experiments, demonstrations, planetariums and games to explore and enjoy.

What people love about this place is that it’s hands-on: not only you learn about science, but you also get to try things out and see how they work in the Science Arcade and Innovation Centre. Underwater adventures bring Captain Nemo to Life and the space exhibit makes sense of meteorites, black holes and cosmic rays. Plus, there’s a rainforest, a Canadian forest and a domed IMAX theatre. 

The entire tour of the place will take you about two hours. 

TIP : We recommend you book tickets online to skip the lines, especially during school holidays. A ticket costs $22 CAD.

12. Shop at Toronto Eaton Centre

No trip is complete without shopping! Toronto Eaton Centre is a shopper's paradise that's located in the middle of downtown Toronto. Home to the world's best luxury brands, flagship stores, restaurants and movie theatres, Eaton Centre is an iconic structure that's known as one of the best tourist places in Toronto . It receives approximately 50 million visitors every year.

Dozens of dining spots await, especially in the food court area, but my favourite is Trattoria Mercatto for a pizza and the cannolo I can never resist.

You can reach this place easily by taking any public transport — there are subway stations at either end of the complex.

TIP : Don't miss the 115-foot long pedestrian bridge between Eaton Centre and Hudson's Bay Company building. It's an architectural gem.

13. Wander Through the Distillery District 

This quaint village-like area gets its name from the fact that it once housed the largest distillery of the British empire. With nearly 50 Victorian buildings, this is a national heritage site. Now home to some of Toronto's best art galleries, boutiques, bars, restaurants, studios, and shops, Distillery District is one of the top 5 attractions in Toronto .

One of my favourite spots is El Catrin Destileria, with its beautiful patio and excellent tapas and margaritas. Soma Chocolate shop is a must-stop for me (just follow your nose), and I always wander through Bergo Designs check out the great gifts and gadgets.

Among the various festivals held throughout the year, the Toronto Christmas Market attracts the most visitors. It is set up like a German-style outdoor market, complete with mulled wine and carollers.

TIP : Distillery District covers13 acres and is a pedestrian-only area. Wear comfortable shoes!

14. Feel Regal at Casa Loma 

Casa Loma in Midtown Toronto is an almost 200,000-square-foot mansion designed like a castle in Gothic Revival-style. It was built between 1911 and 1914 to be the home of financier Sir Henry Pellatt. It has an interesting history and served several functions before being converted into a museum that sees at least 650,000 visitors a year.

 The castle has three floors that include 100 rooms, grand washrooms, towers, secret pathways and underground tunnels. When you see Casa Loma in all its splendour, you will understand why it is a popular location for movie and television filming, weddings and private events.

TIP: You can also visit the well-maintained stables and estate gardens — five acres of impeccable gardens and a patio restaurant for casual meals during the summer. Fine dining is also available for dinner by reservation only in the Blueblood Steakhouse, where steaks are listed on the menu like wine with the origin along with the name and ounces.

Casa Loma is open from 9.30 AM to 5 PM and a ticket costs $40 CAD.

15. Walk Through the Aga Khan Museum

Constructed by Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan and Princess Catharine Aga Khan in the 1950s, this museum is completely devoted to Islamic Arts. It is the largest museum for Islamic Arts in North America. The museum is located in serene surroundings in the northern part of city and has a reflecting pool all around it. 

The museum and gardens are one of the most beautiful, peaceful places in the city and very much a place to learn and experience Islamic culture and civilization. Until October 23, 2023 visit the Aga Khan Museum to see an inspiring exhibition celebrating Rumi, one of history's most famous poets, on the 750th anniversary of his passing. 

There is also a restaurant that provides a fine dining experience. Diwan is one of Chef Mark McEwan’s restaurants and features modern Middle Eastern cuisine. It is open for lunch and dinner; reservations are recommended. 

An entry ticket costs $20 CAD and the museum is open 10 AM - 5.30 PM, Sunday-Tuesday.

TIP : Post-Covid, Museum entry has been more restricted. We recommend you book tickets online to avoid any inconvenience.

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16. take a stroll around toronto islands.

Toronto Islands is a chain of several islands along Lake Ontario. One of the best outdoor attractions in Toronto, there's a lot that one can do, such as water sports, fishing, boating, bird watching, picnics and even visiting art galleries and shops. It also offers stunning views of the Toronto skyline.

Many people bring their own bikes on the ferry, along with their kids and their dogs. Centreville amusement park, with its 30 rides and attractions, is a popular family spot in the summer. Centre Island Beach is great fun on a sunny day.

TIP : No private vehicles are allowed on the island, so you can catch a passenger ferry from Jack Leyton Ferry Terminal. Rent a bike to explore the islands.

17. Explore Old City Hall 

The Old City Hall is a Romanesque-style building that's over a century old. It was very close to demolition, but activists saved the historic site. Now the city hall serves as a museum and a war memorial. There is a lot you can uncover if you love architecture and history.

For example, the façade is mostly sandstone and if you look closely, you will see carvings of animals and humans. Between 1899 and 1917, the clock tower was the tallest structure in Canada.

TIP: If possible, carry just the basics in your bags. The security check at the entry is quite thorough and you will have to pass through metal detectors.

18. Take a Trip to Niagara Falls

The list of the top 10 attractions in Toronto is incomplete without the famous Niagara Falls. Just 90 minutes away from Toronto, Niagara falls is a group of three waterfalls that lie on the border of Ontario and New York state (USA). As expected, you will be greeted with stunning views, exciting trails and hikes, guided tours, and plenty of staying and eating options nearby.

The Journey Behind the Falls is an opportunity to see the falls from inside out via tunnels that lead to observation points. It’s pretty exciting when you consider how much water is crashing down.

TIP : Helicopter rides can be easily arranged to get the best views.

19. Stroll through High Park 

If you want to explore the greener side of Toronto, you should check out High Park. One of the best outdoor attractions in Toronto, this place is favoured by families with children or elderly members — and dogs!

It is Toronto's largest urban park and includes a large playground, swimming pool, diverse vegetation, walking trails, and so much more. Genadier Pond has an observation deck so you can watch the birds. The picnic area has tables and lots of space, as well as the Grenadier Café, a summer-only snack and drinks stand.

High Park Zoo is a small, family friendly place that was established in the 1893 for deer. Fast forward 120 years, the Zoo’s eleven paddocks are home to bison, llamas, peacocks, reindeer, highland cattle, emus and sheep. In 2016, two High Park capybaras, Bonnie and Clyde, made the news when they escaped and launched a massive search (they were found safe).

TIP : During April-May, the park blooms with cherry blossoms.

20. Visit Black Creek Pioneer Village

This is a one-of-a-kind village that showcases Toronto during the 1860s. Historic buildings, unique stables and sheds, picturesque gardens and trade exhibits - Black Creek gives you a real immersive experience of rural life in the 19th century.

Take a tour with costumed guide for the best insight and be prepared to walk on boardwalks and dirt roads. If you’re lucky, there may be some baby animals on the farm.

An entry ticket costs $15 CAD and it stays open from 11.00 AM - 4PM

TIP : You will have to pre-book a tour online till March 2023. Do check their website for more changes in entry rules.

21. Take a tour of Steam Whistle Brewery

Located close to Ripley's Aquarium, this is one of the most quirky and lively places in Toronto. Founded in 1998, this brewery was developed from a national historic site - The John Street Roundhouse building. This roundhouse used to serve as a depot for the Canadian Pacific Railway steam locomotive. So, grab a pint of Steam Whistle and take a tour around the area or kick back and relax at the Taproom.

You can also enjoy a meal alongside that crisp Steam Whistle Pilsner at the Biergärten Restaurant, featuring contemporary Canadian cuisine. Reservations are recommended.

22. Relax at Woodbine Beach

Woodbine Beach is the perfect place to spend a relaxing day. This beach is along Lake Ontario and offers a perfect blend of relaxation and revelry. The 3-km-long shore is a popular spot for sunbathing, swimming, water sports, beach volleyball, picnics and an Olympic-sized pool.

Woodbine Beach is located in an area locally known as “The Beaches” and the people who live here love it here. Restaurants and cafes all along Queen Street provide plenty of options for lunch or dinner.

TIP : The beach can get noisy and crowded as it is one of the popular outdoor attractions in Toronto. If you need a breather, you can walk across to the calm and scenic Woodbine Park. Or keep walking east and take in the lakefront scenery all the way to Kew-Balmy Beach and Kew Gardens, a lovely park with a gazebo that started as a farm in the 1850s.

23. Catch the Vibe at Yonge-Dundas Square

Yonge-Dundas Square is often called the Times Square of Toronto. Known for fast-fashion shops, affordable eateries, street performances and its giant screens, you can easily spend 2-3 hours here without realising it. It's a perfect snapshot of Toronto city life and comes alive once the sun sets.

Because of its location at the north end of Eaton Centre, this is a great spot to include on a shopping itinerary. Grab a coffee and settle in for some people watching or catch a movie if you really want to give your feet a break. Some of the restaurants here big and busy — Jack Astor’s, Red Lobster, Joey Eaton Centre, 3 Brewers — all lots of fun. If you want something really special, check performance calendar at Jazz Bistro and make a dinner reservation.

24. Head Over To Chinatown

Chinatown is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Toronto and offers delightful stories in every nook and corner. Curl up at a restaurant with warm dim sum, brothy noodles or spicy chops — there are so many choices. My favourites: Rol San for all-day dim sum and Mother’s Dumplings, which has dumplings and whole lot more.

Shop the outdoor stalls for hard-to-find produce and unique housewares, all at really great prices.

Given its prime location, you can easily reach Chinatown by taking any mode of transportation.

25. Unwind at Harbourfront Centre

An iconic cultural destination, Harbourfront Centre hosts several art exhibits, food festivals, live music and dance shows. The water-front complex, located at 235 Queens Quay West, hosts around 4000 events in a year. The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery is also right there and well worth stop for art fans.

Apart from the art scene, you can also relax in one of the many inviting cafes and restaurants in and around the centre — like Boxcar Social with its bacon croquettes and shrimp on toast, or the Goodman Pub and Kitchen, for fish and chips and burgers. Or you can grab an ice cream and go to the beach! HTO Park is right near Harbourfront Centre and has a sandy beach with umbrellas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should i not miss in toronto.

You should not miss the CN Tower when you're in Toronto. It is one of the most iconic and remarkable buildings in Toronto that provides a bird's eye view of the city.

What is the most visited place in Toronto?

Some of the famous tourist destinations in Toronto are the CN Tower, Casa Loma, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Royal Ontario Museum, and Ripley's Aquarium.

What is Toronto best known for?

Toronto is best known as a Canadian metropolis. It has sky-high buildings with a waterfront. The city's vibe is vibrant and full of energy, with a good mix of historic and modern establishments.

How many days are enough for Toronto?

You must spend at least 4-5 days in Toronto. There is a lot to see and explore in this capital city of Ontario. You will thoroughly enjoy your time here.

Where can I go when I'm bored in Toronto?

There are many famous tourist destinations in Toronto. You can see the animals at the Toronto Zoo, feed the fishes at Ripley's Aquarium, or stroll through the Distillery District. You will never be bored in this city!

About the author: Carolyn Camilleri is a Contributing Writer with Fresh tracks Canada. A magazine writer and editor since 1996, she loves the discovery that comes from travel. Her work has appeared in several Canadian travel publications, including Where Victoria, Harbour...   Read more

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Home » North America » Toronto

The BEST Places to Visit in Toronto (2024 • Updated)

The razor sharp wit of Reddit suggests that the most engaging occupation of one’s time in Toronto is “A rail of coke off Rob Ford’s headstone”.

Alas, local governance has never officially approved it, and the questionable ethics of it seem to put off most families.

Thankfully, there are a great range of far more admissible places and activities to interact with in Toronto, and some of them are even (almost) as exciting!

In my EPIC guide to the  best places to visit in Toronto , I will be taking you through much more than just the ‘basic’ tourist attractions (like the ‘Are you sure we’re in Canada?’ Hockey Hall of Fame,  or the ‘queue like the English’ CN Tower). There is so much to explore in Toronto, and I’m gonna pick out the best, just for you…

…Let’s take a peek!

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

What are the BEST Places to Visit in Toronto?

Faqs on the best places to visit in toronto, final thoughts.

Have you found that your Toronto itinerary is meeker than a nun in a men’s first XI changing room? Then you’re going to need some extra spicy attractions to top it up. Read on fellow travellers…

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1. Ontario Science Centre

• Droves of interactive exhibits
• Rocket Chair
• Ageing Machine
• Touch a Tornado

What to do there: It’s seriously possible to spend an entire day exploring the whacky insides of the Ontario Science Centre, which makes it one of my top picks for places to visit in Toronto! You can check out an actual Moon rock, touch a tornado, and even investigate what you will look like in the ageing machine!

If you’re set on staying in Toronto , I wouldn’t miss this! The sheer quantity of information means that it is superb value for money too!

Why it’s awesome: The Museum is dedicated to educating, which makes it great for kids, and there is a superb array of interactive activities. Even adults will be impressed at the amount of information and spread of experiments that are accessible. Truly one of the most interesting places to go in Toronto.

2. CN Tower

• Iconic Toronto landmark
• Amazing views
• Tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere
• Thrilling activities

Why it’s awesome: One of the most famous places in Toronto, the soaring CN Tower is a major sight on the city’s skyline. Built in the 1970s, it was the world’s tallest free-standing structure for many years. Today, it is still the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere and is often classed as one of the Modern Seven Wonders of the World. A major sight on the Toronto skyline, the tower stands 553 metres (1,815 feet) tall in the heart of Downtown Toronto. The high observation deck provides incredible views across the city and beyond. If you’re here for a sneaky weekend , don’t put it down!

What to do there: Admire the towering structure from afar before riding one of the glass elevators to the observation deck. You can enjoy the terrific views as you ascend and get many great pictures from your high vantage point. If you’re feeling brave you can step out onto the EdgeWalk, a hands-free walkway that encircles the tower at some 356 metres (1,168 feet) above the ground. Don’t worry—you’re securely tethered! Dine on the tasty fare in the 360 Restaurant as you soak up the panoramic views.

3. The Toronto Islands

• Group of small islands in the scenic Lake Ontario
• Easy to access from the city
• Outdoor activities
• Relaxation and leisure

What to do there: Catch the 15-minute ferry service from Toronto Harbour to reach the Toronto Islands and spend a day walking around and crossing between the islands to explore. You can rent bicycles to travel around the islands. Bask in the sunshine on several sandy lakeside beaches, including the nudist beach at Hanlon’s Point, and swim in the refreshingly cool waters on a pleasant sunny day.

Relax in pretty parks and try a range of water-based activities, such as kayaking, boating, canoeing, and yachting. Kids can have fun at the play areas, the small kid-friendly farm, and the fun Centreville Amusement Park, which has a charming carousel and a cool mini train. Don’t miss seeing the historic lighthouse. Even the locals reckon this is one of the best things to do in Toronto !

Why it’s awesome: The Toronto Islands is a group of 15 small islands in the huge Lake Ontario, with bridges and walkways linking the islands. Regular ferries connect the city with the pedestrianised islands, and the islands are a popular day-trip destination from Toronto. There are diverse activities to enjoy as well as a variety of attractions to see. From beaches and parks to water sports and family-friendly attractions, the islands offer something for everyone.

4. Hockey Hall of Fame

• An essential Canadian attraction
• Home to the Stanley Cup
• Tons of Hockey Artefacts
• Top architecture

What to do there: The Hockey Hall of Fame is a quintessential Canadian attraction, which brings visitors from all over! Wander the halls, explore the trophy room and check out some exciting interactive displays. If you’re a big hockey fan, then this is sure to interest you, as it houses the largest publicly accessible collection of hockey memorabilia in the world! You should probably spend around 2 and a half hours here.

Why it’s awesome: There are serious quantities of hockey trivia hanging around. If you love hockey (or sports in general), then the Hockey Hall is sure to interest you. The top attractions include the Stanley Cup, Max Bentley’s stick and Terry Sawchuck’s goalie gear. If you’ve rented a saucy Airbnb downtown, you should be able to pop in, with no trouble!

5. Graffiti Alley

• Interesting street art
• Great photo opportunities
• No charge to enjoy
• Tucked-away colourful alleyway

Why it’s awesome: Located in the Fashion District, Toronto’s Graffiti Alley (officially called Rush Lane) is tucked away from the hustle and bustle. Stretching for almost three blocks, the alley is one of the most unusual things to do in Toronto. While many of the eye-catching pieces have remained the same for some time, there are often new additions to the vibrant walls along the narrow lane. It’s somewhat like an open-air art gallery full of imagination and expression. Even better, a visit won’t cost you a cent.

What to do there: Don’t forget your camera! You’re sure to want to snap plenty of pictures of the funky street art along Graffiti Alley—you’ll definitely be able to add lots of colour and funk to your Instagram feed! Look at the tags and you’ll notice that many famous local names in the street art scene have made their mark here, including Poser, Spud, Uber5000, and Skam.

6. Niagara Falls

• Iconic natural landmark
• Picturesque scenery
• Varied leisure options

Why it’s awesome: One of the most famous waterfalls in the world, the gigantic Niagara Falls attracts millions of visitors each and every year. The largest of three falls, the glorious Horseshoe Falls, sits on the border between Canada and the USA (with the other two falls located entirely within the US). Dropping some 57 metres (187 feet) and covering around 790 metres (2,590 feet) in width, it really is a jaw-dropping sight that is easy to get to from Toronto. As well as being one of the world’s most iconic and scenic places, the magnificent Niagara Falls is also a major source of hydroelectric power. There are various activities to enjoy in the area and it’s a terrific place for photography lovers. It’s the perfect way to get out of Downtown Toronto and see one of the most incredible natural tourist attractions close to the city.

What to do there: Gape in amazement at the spectacular waterfalls. Make sure your camera batteries are fully charged as you’re sure to want to take many awesome photographs from various angles. Take a stroll through the pretty Queen Victoria Park for more terrific vistas of both the Horseshoe Falls and the two cascades on the American side of the border. Pass historic war sites along the scenic Niagara River Recreational Trail, take an exciting ride on the cable car and chance your luck in one of the casinos.

If you’re planning on visiting the mighty Niagara Falls, why not stay at one of these epic lodges in Hamilton? It’s a great base for your adventure, with easy access to the falls and Lake Ontario.

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7. Royal Ontario Museum

• One of Canada’s most-visited museums
• Links with the University of Toronto
• Large collection of items
• Displays related to history, culture, art, natural history, and anthropology

Why it’s awesome: The Royal Ontario Museum (often abbreviated to ROM) has been open since 1914. It’s Canada’s biggest museum and also one of the biggest museums in North America. With more than 1 million visitors every year, it’s also one of the country’s most-visited museums. The huge collections span diverse themes; the museum has more than six million items spread through some 40 galleries and exhibition areas. From natural history and art to world cultures and interactive learning areas, there are plenty of opportunities to discover new facts about the world. The buildings are also interesting.

What to do there: See the different buildings of the Royal Ontario Museum, with the original Romanesque Revival building (complete with Gothic gargoyles, mosaics, and rounded windows) a striking contrast to the modern, gleaming Crystal. Allow plenty of time to explore the different sections. Younger visitors are often drawn to the exhibitions on dinosaurs and fossils and the wider natural history exhibits, and the hands-on displays and activities in the CIBC Discovery Gallery  are sure to inspire curious minds. Other displays include textiles, art, design, architecture, gemstones, old tools, pottery, ceremonial masks, sculptures, jewellery, manuscripts, religious items, and much more.

8. Black Creek Pioneer Village

• Experience Canada was in times gone by
• Many heritage buildings
• Watch artisans at work
• Period costumes and historical re-enactments

Why it’s awesome: The open-air heritage museum of Black Creek Pioneer Village is one of the best places to visit in Toronto for people interested in history. A Toronto must-see if you like seeing what life was like in yesteryear, the museum recreates life as it was in the 19 th century. Visitors can glimpse into the rural life of times long passed and there are numerous heritage buildings with period furnishings inside. People dress in period costumes to further bring the past to life and there are various demonstrations as well as explanations and activities.

What to do there: Step inside heritage buildings for a peek into the past. From Charles Irwin Weaver, Dickson’s Hill School, and Rose Blacksmith Shop, to Snider Workshop, the Half Way House Inn, and the Dominion Carriage Works, there are heaps to keep you busy and engaged at the Black Creek Pioneer Village. You can also visit places like an old shoemaker’s shop, a church, a firehouse, a doctor’s house, a cider mill, former private homes, a cemetery, and barns. See plants used for food (and medicines) in the Herb Garden, Berry Garden, and Kitchen Garden, and call by the beautiful Market Garden to see items grown for trade.

9. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

• Hindu place of worship
• Unique architecture
• Spiritual atmosphere
• Biggest Hindu mandir in Canada

Why it’s awesome: Located in Etobicoke, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was constructed in the early 2000s and officially opened in 2007. The biggest mandir in Canada, it was built from striking materials from across the globe, including Indian stone, Turkish limestone, and Italian marble. It was created in India and then later shipped to Canada where it was assembled by Indian workers.

Built according to details set out in ancient Hindu scriptures, it is a spiritual place where devotees go to pray and perform religious rituals. Surrounded by well-tended gardens, the complex also has a Heritage Museum and a carved wooden cultural centre referred to as a haveli. Open to visitors, it has some of the most stunning architectural details of the many points of interest in Toronto.

What to do there: Experience India as you explore Toronto, admiring the glorious hand-carved details of the spectacular Hindu complex. See the various shrines within the beautiful building, each with statues of various Hindu deities. Monks and laypeople offer prayers, songs, and material offerings to the statues throughout the day, with lots of ceremonial significance.

Look inside the eye-catching haveli, complete with grand columns engraved with mythological creatures, animals, symbols, gods, and goddesses. Pick up tasty vegetarian snacks from the onsite shop, learn more about the basics of Hinduism in the Heritage Museum, enjoy quiet moments in the meditation area, walk through the ornate gardens, and marvel at the domes, arches, pinnacles, and other stunning details.

10. High Park

• Green and leafy park
• Diverse leisure and recreational options
• Interesting monuments
• Picturesque setting

Why it’s awesome: One of the major outdoor hotspots in Toronto, the extensive High Park covers around 400 acres (161 hectares) and has natural areas as well as great leisure and recreation facilities. The terrain is hilly with two deep ravines, ponds, and forested areas. Various flora and fauna live in the park, including black oak trees, flowers, herons, ducks, and insects. There are picnic areas and sporting facilities, along with a small zoo, monuments and statues, nature trails, pretty gardens, and a museum. It’s a pleasant place to visit in Toronto with your family or significant other.

What to do there: Relax and stroll alongside the attractive Grenadier Pond, often said to be bottomless because it’s not possible to accurately gauge the depth because of all the mood below the water. Pass a few leisurely hours fishing in the shimmering pond, home to perch, carp, bass, and bluegill. You can either toss back anything you catch or cook up a fish feast. Feed the ducks at Upper Duck Pond, follow the nature trails, keeping your eyes open for wildlife, and wander through the charming cherry tree grove and hillside gardens.

11. Distillery District

• Gorgeous restored Victorian Buildings
• The Distillery District is a National Historic Site of Canada
• Diverse shops
• Many eateries

Why it’s awesome: Visiting the Distillery District is a Toronto must-do. It features the biggest collection of Victorian buildings in all of North America and is a National Historic Site of Canada. The area has many buildings that were previously part of the huge Gooderham and Worts Distillery, many of which have now been repurposed. The distillery, established in the 1830s, was once the world’s largest distillery. By the time the distillery finally finished operations in 1990, much of the area was derelict. After regeneration projects, today the area has diverse shops, cafes, and restaurants and is a popular place to visit in Toronto. Each year the area hosts the annual Toronto Christmas Market.

What to do there: Wander along the ten pedestrianised (and cycle-friendly) streets that make up the Distillery District, seeing old buildings like the 1873 Pure Spirits Building, the 1886 East Boiler House, the 1863 Malt House, the 1859 Stone Distillery, and the 1889 Tank House. Snap pictures of the towering chimney stack on top of the Boiler House, one of the major landmarks in Toronto.

Don’t worry if you have a feeling of déjà vu as you explore the Distillery District—numerous movies and TV shows have shot scenes in the atmospheric part of the city. Several interesting sculptures add to the ambience too. Shop till you drop in the diverse stores, including cool and quirky vintage boutiques, browse fresh produce and artisan treats in the weekly Sunday Market, peek inside trendy art galleries, and stop for refreshments in a cute café or top-class restaurant.

12. Canada’s Wonderland

• Biggest amusement park in Canada
• Many rides and attractions for all ages
• Dedicated areas for kids
• Fun water park to beat the heat

Why it’s awesome: Open since 1981, Canada’s Wonderland is the biggest theme park in Canada. Spread across 330 acres (134 hectares), the large amusement park has plenty for people of all ages. In addition to a wide assortment of rides, people can cool down in the warmer temperatures at the water park with slides, pools, a lazy river, wave pool, and cabanas where you can take some time out and chill. There are great shows to enjoy throughout the day and a wide assortment of places to eat and drink. A visit to Toronto’s Canada’s Wonderland promises to be a fun-filled day out, and there’s also an onsite resort if you want the thrills and giggles to last for longer. It’s a popular place for families, couples, and friends visiting Toronto.

What to do there: Brave Leviathan, one of Canada’s fastest and tallest roller coasters, strap into Flight Deck, the country’s first inverted coaster, and ride the long wooden coaster of the Mighty Canadian Minebuster. Feel the rush on rollercoasters like Behemoth, Wilde Beast, The Bat, and Time Warp, with rides like the Drop Tower, Psyclone, Shockwave, and Riptide also sure to get the adrenaline pumping. Kids can enjoy tamer rides like the Ghoster Coaster, Swing Time, Pumpkin Patch, and Frequent Flyers.

13. St. Paul’s Basilica

• Striking architecture
• Oldest Catholic church in Toronto
• Modelled on a church in Rome
• Serene and tranquil

Why it’s awesome: Built in 1889 and standing on the site of an earlier church, Toronto’s lovely St. Paul’s Basilica is the city’s oldest Catholic church. There used to be a school near the church too, meeting the educational and religious needs of the Irish immigrant community (who were predominantly Catholic). The Italian-like building was built to resemble Rome’s Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. The insides are beautiful, with lots of religious artwork. Today, it is an active place of worship still as well as one of the most religious attractions in Toronto.

What to do there: Appreciate the Italian-esque building from the outside, complete with its soaring bell tower, religious statues, large roof-top cross, and grand columns. Step through the doorways to stand at the end of the sweeping nave, with colourful stained glass windows and many paintings to catch your eye. The ceilings are especially impressive. Take a few moments for some quiet reflection and, if you’re religious, visit the church for mass.

14. Chinatown

• One of the biggest Chinatowns in North America
• Home of Toronto’s first Chinese-run business
• Many places to sample delicious food
• Lively atmosphere

Why it’s awesome: Toronto’s vibrant Chinatown is one of the largest Chinatowns in North America. A buzzing ethnic enclave, it can trace its immigrant roots back to the 1890s. One of the first Chinese-run businesses (a launderette) had previously opened in the area in the late 1870s and the first-known Chinese café opened in the early 1900s, with many others following. Today, it’s a great place for visitors to immerse themselves in a different culture and see a different side of the large Canadian city. It’s a top place to fully appreciate Toronto’s rich multi-cultural and multi-ethnic facets.

What to do there: Walk around Chinatown, absorbing the many sights and sounds among the bustling crowds. Admire art in Bau-Xi Gallery, with a wide selection of works by both national and international artists on display, stock up on Asian groceries in one of the area’s international stores and supermarkets, and take a peek inside the traditional herbal remedy shops. If you’re feeling weary from all your sightseeing, how about a traditional massage?

A few blocks away is Planet Traveler, one of the best hostels in Canada . We’d recommend staying here so you are close by and able to soak up all that Chinatown has to offer.

15. St. Michael’s Cemetery

• Hidden away and off the beaten track
• Large burial ground
• One of the oldest Catholic cemeteries in Toronto
• Atmospheric and peaceful

Why it’s awesome: Nestled behind towering buildings and shops in Toronto’s downtown is a hidden gem—the quiet and atmospheric St. Michael’s Cemetery. Although it could hardly be said to be small (it covers around 10 acres / 4 hectares), many people are unaware of the cemetery’s existence. One of the oldest Catholic cemeteries in Toronto, it was established in the mid-1800s due to the large numbers of Irish immigrants to the city who sadly passed away shortly after their arrival. Trees line the edges and there are neat rows of old graves, some beautifully ornamented and others rather plain.

What to do there: The cemetery is usually closed to the public, its entrance blocked by large gates, but you can still peer through the metal gates to get a sense of the size and serenity of the burial ground. Access is possible through gates of private homes, but this isn’t usually a realistic way of entering the grounds for most travellers. You may, however, strike it lucky and find somebody at the gate who is willing to let you look around and pay your respects to the deceased inside, or you can join a historical walking tour that includes access to the old burial ground. Among the graves there’s a small cluster of cross-shaped markers, marking the spot where a whole group of nuns was laid to rest.

16. Rogers Centre

• Major sports stadium
• The only Major League Baseball stadium in Canada
• Home of the Toronto Blue Jays
• Interesting architecture

Why it’s awesome: Sitting close to the shores of Lake Ontario, the Rogers Centre is a large multi-purpose stadium. It’s home to the Toronto Blue Jays (a Major Basketball League team). Built in the late 1980s, the stadium is noted for its fully retractable motorised roof and for being the first stadium of its kind in the world. During construction, many historic artefacts were discovered in the ground, including pottery and cannonballs. The stadium is used for various sporting events, including baseball, basketball, soccer, football, cricket, and tennis. It also hosts various shows and exhibitions and has seen diverse concerts over the years including Bon Jovi, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, and Madonna.

What to do there: Buy tickets to watch a sporting event and cheer on your favourite team as you revel in the electric atmosphere. There’s no need to worry about missing a second of the action thanks to the gigantic video screen and TVs in the eateries. Several of the restaurants also offer terrific views of events. See stunning pieces of artwork throughout the complex, including the gleaming steel and glass The Art of the Possible, the fabulous Salmon Run fountain, and the joyful and golden The Audience. You can peek behind the scenes, and visit areas that are usually off-bounds to visitors, with a stadium tour. It’s a must on your Toronto Itinerary.

• Housed in a former church
• Major centre for the Hare Krishna movement
• Varied program of community events
• Top place to experience Hindu culture

Why it’s awesome: Iskcon is a great place to experience Hindu culture when you travel to Toronto. Housed in a former church, the historic building looks like many other Christian places of worship from the outside, with a tall bell tower and Gothic-like windows. Upon further inspection, however, it’s easy to spot flags flying from the top where you may expect to see crosses and a large sign that shows it’s a Hare Krishna place of worship. The International Society of Krishna Consciousness was first established in Toronto in 1969, eventually moving into its present home (after a number of setbacks) in 1975.

What to do there: Admire the beautiful building from the outside and go inside the temple to see colourful statues of various Hindu deities and learn more about the Hare Krishna movement. If you visit on a Tuesday evening you can join in with lively discussions on spirituality and enjoy a vegetarian dinner. The centre also runs classes to study ancient religious texts, yoga classes, cooking lessons, dramatic productions, and more.

18. Fort York National Historic Site

• Long history
• Built by Canadian troops and British soldiers
• Some of the oldest buildings in Toronto
• Interesting Museum

Why it’s awesome: One of the best places in Toronto for history lovers, Fort York National Historic Site dates back to the early 1800s. The defensive structure was built because of tensions between the British and Americans, and the British wished to protect their territories. The circular battery was built in 1811. In 1812 the USA declared war and Fort York was attacked in 1813. The fort was eventually captured and destroyed.

It was rebuilt in 1814 and the war subsequently ended. Defences were strengthened over later years when trouble seemed imminent. The fortress was restored in the early 1900s as a celebration of the incorporating of the city. It was opened as a museum in the 1930s. Today, some of the structures within the complex are among the oldest buildings in Toronto. Visitors can explore the once mighty fortress and see an array of artefacts and military memorabilia.

What to do there: Discover Ontario’s troubled and turbulent history as you wander around the once-powerful Fort York. Learn more about past battles and relations between Canada, the USA, and Britain and take tours to dig deeper into times gone by. See old barracks, munitions storage areas, storerooms, and gates, and step into reconstructed period rooms to experience the life of yesteryear. You can also see various exhibits, including weapons, pottery, and items recovered from a shipwreck. Relax in the Fort York Community Garden, pick up souvenirs in the museum store, and watch impressive displays (in the summer months) by the Fort York Guard.

19. The Entertainment District

• Excellent night scene
• Diverse cuisine
• Lively theatre district
• Popular with both locals and tourists

Why it’s awesome: The Entertainment District is, as the name suggests, one of the best places to visit in Toronto for fabulous nightlife. It also promises to be a fun visit during the daytime too! A previous industrial area, it went through a major transformation in the 1980s and is today a popular part of the city for anyone seeking leisure activities and fun. In addition to a wide array of restaurants, bars, and clubs, the area also boasts some excellent theatres, cinemas, and shops.

What to do there: Catch a top show in one of the theatres along King Street West or watch a movie at the TIFF Bell Lightbox. Dine on the delicious global fare in one of the many restaurants, with something to appeal to all tastes and budgets. From French and Italian delicacies to Asian specialities and fast food, the Entertainment District is sure to satisfy your hunger. As night descends you can hop between cool bars, some of which feature live music, or dance the night away as the DJs keep the tunes spinning in one of the spirited nightclubs.

If you’ve ever wondered, is Toronto safe , rest assured that it was ranked the 4th safest city in North America. Make sure to take the necessary safety precautions as a traveller in particularly rowdy drinking areas at night, though, just as you would anywhere else.

20. Craigleigh Gardens Park

• Off the beaten track
• Impressive entrance
• Walking trails
• Dog-friendly area

Why it’s awesome: Close to the affluent Toronto neighbourhoods of Bayview and Bloor, Craigleigh Gardens Park is a lesser-visited park. Quiet and peaceful, the pretty park is a top place to escape the tourist crowds and spend some time outdoors. There’s an area where visitors can let dogs of the lead too, meaning that all visitors, human and canine, can enjoy the park. The park was once the site of a grand Victorian house. The home was demolished, however, in the 1920s and the gardens were turned into a lovely city park. The park covers 8.4 acres (3.4 hectares) and there’s lots of open space. There are also walking trails close to hand.

What to do there: Pass through the impressive Gothic gates to find yourself in a beautiful and quiet verdant park. Don’t be surprised if you spot very few other souls—it really is a hidden Toronto treasure! Stroll through the green expanse and let children run and play. Take a walk down the narrow Milkman’s Lane next to the park and explore the scenic ravine trail. The nearby area also has lots of elegant homes to admire as you daydream.

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Here’s what we’re usually asked about the top attractions and excursions in Toronto.

What are the Best Places to Visit in Toronto, Canada?

I would say the best places to visit in Toronto are undoubtedly the Toronto Islands, Niagara Falls, and the Ontario Science Centre. If you’re looking for attractions in the city, try the CN Tower, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Lawrence Market Street, and the photo opportunities of Graffiti Alley.

What are the Top Places to Visit in Downtown Toronto?

Downtown Toronto is packed full of great places! Try the CN Tower, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Graffiti Alley, St. Lawrence Market, the Distillery District and the Royal Ontario Museum! If you want something to entertain the kids, check out the Museum of Illusions, or a Blue Jays hockey game!

What are the Best Places to Visit in Toronto with Kids?

Kids will love Canada’s Wonderland, the Ripley Aquarium, and the Museum of illusions. If you have time, I’d recommend checking out the Ontario Museum of Science, which has enough to see to last the entire day! Going on a bike tour of the Toronto Islands is another great way to entertain the children.

What are the Top Tourist Attractions in Toronto Canada?

The CN Tower is probably the top tourist attraction in Toronto (which means you might have to queue). Following that, the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Toronto Islands, and St. Lawrence Market are all top choices! There is so much to see and do in Toronto, so just take a stroll of the downtown, and you’ll find a surprising amount!

Toronto is a vibrant city with much to appeal to the senses. There are plenty of ways to have fun in Toronto; whether you’re into shopping, dining, sightseeing, or outdoor pursuits, you’ll find lots of ways to enjoy your Toronto visit.

Whether you want to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs, explore a variety of world cultures, or just explore heaps of coffee shops, there’s plenty to do when you visit Toronto.

Other fantastic places to visit in Toronto include the pretty Toronto Botanical Garden, the awesome Art Gallery of Toronto, Lawrence Market and City Hall, the romantic Allan Gardens Conservatory, and the lesser-visited Riverdale Park.

Don’t miss calling by Casa Loma too, one of the most unusual things to do in Toronto as well as exploring the city’s East End. As you can see, there’s plenty of variety when it comes to tourist attractions in Toronto.

Need more? Why not head out of town for the day and check out all the things to do in Hamilton?

Sheridan Cahoon

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This list is amazing. Highlights the best things you can do in Toronto. Organized in an extremely informative way. Very helpful

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Places To Visit In Toronto – Top 35+ Toronto Attractions

If you are looking for places to visit in Toronto, we got your back! Toronto is all about art, culture, multicultural experiences, food, green urban spaces, museums, sports, and friendly locals (like us, eh). So what’s not to love?

As you know, Road Trip Ontario is based in Toronto and locals (one of us born and bred), we’ve put together the top places to visit in Toronto + hidden gems. A whopping 35+ of the best Toronto attractions to familiarize you with the city we call home.

Usually, we plan day trips and weekend getaways from Toronto –– but whether you’re a Canadian, a local Torontonian, here for a game, a concert, a show or a tourist passing through, you’ll find that there’s so much to discover in this city. Oh, and once you’ve explored everything on this list, why not consider an epic day trip from Toronto ?

Toronto History

• Toronto, the most densely populated city in Canada and the capital of Ontario, has gained a reputation for being the nation’s most renowned city. This may be why many of us Torontonians believe that Toronto is Canada.
• Despite its immense size, acclaim, and the sentiment of its residents, Toronto is not the capital of Canada – that honour is reserved for Ottawa, where the country’s federal government is based.
• The name Toronto has a long history, dating back to 1675 when it appeared on maps as a water channel between Lake Simcoe and Couchiching. Over time, the name made its way south to a fort on the banks of the Humber River known as Fort Toronto. This was the first settlement in the area and ultimately lent its name to the modern city of Toronto.
• The Mohawk people referred to the channel connecting Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching as “Tkaronto,” meaning “where there are trees standing in the water”. This channel, now known as “The Narrows,” has been documented since 1615, when Samuel de Champlain recorded it.
• If you want to sound like a local, don’t pronounce the second “T” like “Turonno”

Getting To Toronto

Toronto has two international airports: Toronto Pearson International and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Toronto Pearson is Canada’s busiest airport and offers connections to each continent.

The quickest and most budget-friendly way of travelling from the airport to Toronto is with the UP Express (Union-Pearson Express), which departs from Terminal 1. Alternatively, you could take a taxi, Uber, or public transportation.

Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is minutes from Toronto’s downtown core and located on the Toronto Islands. Travellers can take a brief ferry or walk through the underground tunnel under Lake Ontario. Both Porter Airlines and Air Canada offer flights from this airport.

You can get to Toronto by train from other parts of Ontario and neighbouring provinces using GO Transit, VIA Rail, and AMTRAK + VIA Rail if coming from the USA.

Driving to Toronto from nearby areas is easy, with Highways 2, 401, 407, and the Queen Elizabeth Way + Gardner Expressway. Additionally, if you wish to cross the border, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, and Windsor are the closest points of entry.

Situated between two Toronto Subway Stations and accessible through the underground PATH, the Gray Coach Terminal, now known as the Toronto Coach Terminal, is the city’s central hub for Coach Canada, Greyhound Canada, and Ontario Northland bus lines.

Getting Around Toronto

Full disclosure, it takes an hour to get from Toronto to Toronto by car in any direction. Our 5th season is construction. Driving is a nightmare as great and necessary as construction is for a continuously growing city. The best way to get around Toronto is by walking, biking, or using the streetcar (tram) and subway (train).

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) which operates the city’s trains, buses and streetcars, offers Day Passes – available at all subway stations. This allows unlimited rides on all TTC transit within 24 hours. This pass is especially affordable for those who plan to make a few trips during their stay.

For those who want to explore the city in style, Bike Share has several bike stations scattered around the city so visitors can explore the city quickly and effectively.

Hop-on-hop-off-bus

An efficient and popular way to see many of the city’s attractions is on one of the many sightseeing tours like the hop-on-hop-off bus tour , which provides tourists with an inexpensive and convenient way of visiting Toronto’s most popular attractions.

Many tour operators offer narrated tours in languages other than English, including Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Japanese, to mention a few.

Top Things to See in Toronto (Day 1)

Before we get started, Toronto is the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. It is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Like most of our itineraries, we use the CN Tower as our starting point. Since Toronto is a big city, we’ll logistically divide destinations based on their proximity to each other, from the CN Tower, and what you can fit within a day.

1. CN Tower (The most popular of all places to visit in Toronto)

Wanting to get a birds-eye view of Toronto? Then head on over to the famous CN Tower. Standing at 553.3 meters high, it’s the tallest free-standing building in the Western Hemisphere and the ninth tallest in the world.  

While this Toronto tourist attraction can be seen from almost anywhere in the downtown area, the best view is definitely from the Sky Pod. At 447 meters high, you’ll be able to see as far as Niagara Falls on a clear day. If you’re looking for a more death-defying experience, stroll along the 365-meter-high “Edge Walk.” 

 After the sightseeing, why not grab a bite to eat at the 360-degree revolving restaurant?

2. Rogers Centre

Rogers Centre (aka SkyDome, its former name that most of us still call it) is a multi-purpose stadium home to the Toronto Blue Jays. Opened in 1989, this iconic stadium is the world’s first fully retractable roof stadium and is a symbol of Toronto’s sporty side.

The Rogers Centre has hosted numerous major events, including the 1993 World Series and the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Many cultural and musical events occur annually if a game isn’t on.

3. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

In downtown Toronto, near the CN Tower, sits the underwater world that is Ripley’s Aquarium. With over 20 000 marine and freshwater specimens, there is no shortage of mesmerizing water animals to spot. 

The underwater tunnel is the perfect place to observe these creatures – you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to an entirely different world. There are also interactive displays, touch tanks and many other educational opportunities, making the Ripley Aquarium one of the must-see places in Toronto for families.

4. Toronto Railway Museum

Toronto Railway Museum is a great place to discover the history of Toronto’s railroads and railway industry. The museum has two permanent exhibitions – one is dedicated to the Railways of Toronto, and the other is to the Working Railway.

It also features many interesting displays, including a 1940s Pullman Station, a railway post office, and collections of artifacts from the days of steam.

5. Steam Whistle Biergärten

Steam Whistle Biergärten, located in the historic Roundhouse Park, offers a wide selection of Steam Whistle’s craft beer, local spirits and delicious eats. The 20,000-square-foot courtyard with a giant fireplace and plenty of seating is open daily from May to October and hosts various events throughout the summer months.

The beer selection includes house-made lagers, IPAs, ciders and more. It also has a full bar offering wine and cocktails. In addition, there is a selection of food items such as wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, salads and more.

6. Amsterdam Brewhouse

Amsterdam BrewHouse is a great and popular beer-inspired place to visit in Toronto that’s located by the lake and offers stunning views of Lake Ontario. Amsterdam Brewhouse has a wide selection of craft beers, wines, and spirits and an array of delicious food options to pair it with.

With up to 15 different beers on tap, including some hard-to-find seasonal specialties. Amsterdam Brewhouse has a great atmosphere and, during the summer, can have long lineups of people trying to get in, making it one of the most popular places to visit in Toronto.

7. Harbourfront Centre

Harbourfront Centre is a non-profit cultural organization and landmark on Toronto’s waterfront founded in 1972. The Centre presents over 4,000 events year-round with access to leading Canadian and international artists in music, theatre, dance, literature, visual arts, family programming and more.

With four galleries, a craft & design store, a public promenade, an outdoor stage and several outdoor sites for festivals and special events, there is a good chance that something will be happening during your visit.

Things To See In Toronto | East Of The CN Tower

8. scotiabank arena.

Scotiabank Arena, formerly known as the Air Canada Centre, is an indoor arena home to the Toronto Raptors (2019 world champions! “WE THE NORTH!”) and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The arena is owned and operated by the Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment business division, which also owns both teams.

9. Fairmont Royal York

The Fairmont Royal York is a historic, AAA/CAA four-diamond luxury hotel and is one of the city’s iconic landmarks. The hotel has over 1,000 rooms and suites and offers various services and amenities, including upscale dining, meeting and banquet facilities, a fitness centre and spa, salon services, and event spaces.

10. Hockey Hall of Fame

Speaking of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Canadians love their sport – especially ice hockey! If you are a fan of this sport or want to learn more about it, you must head to the Hockey Hall of Fame. This museum holds all types of memorabilia – from players’ jerseys and kits to the famous Stanley Cup. 

Coming to this museum is one of the best things to do in Toronto with kids. Besides browsing the exhibitions, you can test your ice hockey skills. This hall of fame offers interactive games where you can shoot pucks at a digital goalie – or try and be the goalie if you’re up for it. And yes, you can try these games out even if you’re an adult.

11. Gooderham Building (Flatiron Building) + Berczy Park

The Gooderham Building and Berczy Park are two awesome downtown landmarks en route to St. Lawrence Market and The Distillery District. The Gooderham Building, commonly known as the Flatiron Building, is a notable Victorian Era building in the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood that has existed since 1892.

Behind the Flatiron Building is Berczy Park, which is on this list simply because it has the coolest 2-tiered fountain with dog and cat sculptures.

12. The Cathedral Church of St. James

The Cathedral Church of St. James is the oldest Anglican church in Toronto. Established in 1797, it was the first Anglican church in Upper Canada and served as the original seat of the diocese of Toronto.

The building is an example of Gothic Revival architecture, built from local stone in the 1830s and features a 137-foot-high tower and spire, making it a prominent landmark in the city.

13. St. Lawrence Market

This public market on the southwest corner of Front and Lower Jarvis Street is filled with vendors. The sights, smell, and grand interior contribute to a charming atmosphere. If you find yourself in St Lawrence Market, sample some delicious foods or treat yourself (or a friend) to a gift or two. 

This spot is a Toronto must-do, even if you’re just visiting Toronto for the weekend.

14. Distillery District

Whether you love a craft beer, a glass of wine or good old G&T, you’ll find it in this industrial Toronto neighbourhood. Taking a segway tour is a great way to explore the area. But if you’re planning on sampling some (boozy) goods, then a walking tour might be the smarter option. 

Distillery District is known for its hip, broody atmosphere, which makes it the perfect place for a host of events. During the warmer months, there’s the Music City Summer series and a weekly Sunday market. Otherwise, there’s a host of boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes waiting to be discovered.

Toronto Places To Visit | North Of The CN Tower (Day 2)

King street.

From the CN Tower, we head North to King Street. Within the downtown core, King Street is a major cultural and entertainment hub (Entertainment District). It contains many shops, restaurants, bars, clubs, live theatres, movie theatres, concert halls, the Toronto International Film Festival and other businesses.

15. Roy Thomson Hall

Roy Thomson Hall is home to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and hosts many other performances and special events throughout the year. The acoustics and architecture of the hall have made it a popular venue for both classical and popular music acts, as well as comedy and stage performances.

Canadian architect Arthur Erickson designed the building, which can seat 2 630 and was completed in 1982.

16. Princess of Wales Theatre

The historic Princess of Wales Theatre is a 1,000-seat theatre built in 1893 and is the oldest in Canada. Canadian impresario George William Ross originally owned the building, but Mirvish Productions owns it.

Although the theatre was originally built as a vaudeville house –– This type of light entertainment was popular from the mid-1890s to the early 1930s and comprised a range of performers, including magicians, acrobats, comedians, trained animals, jugglers, singers, and dancers, each act lasting for approximately 10-15 minutes)

It has since hosted numerous theatrical productions, concerts and events and is one of the most renowned theatres in the city.

17. TIFF Bell Lightbox

TIFF Bell Lightbox is an entertainment venue, the headquarters of the Toronto International Film Festival, and a multi-screen cinema complex with five screens. It opened on September 12, 2010, as the permanent home of the Toronto International Film Festival.

When the TIFF isn’t taking over Toronto in September, The TIFF Bell Lightbox also features regular film screenings, lectures, discussions, festivals, workshops, and year-round installations.

The complex includes two restaurants, a lounge, galleries, a gift shop, and learning and rental spaces.

Queen Street

As we continue north, we hit Queen Street at the centre of the Fashion District. It is one of the busiest streets in the downtown area, lined with an eclectic mix of stores, from high-end fashion boutiques, thrift shops, bars and restaurants.

18. Campbell House Museum

Campbell House Museum houses various artifacts relating to Sir William Campbell’s and his family’s lives. The museum is not only a beautiful historical landmark with a grandiose Georgian-style home; it was built in 1822 by William Campbell, one of Toronto’s foremost architects and builders.

The museum offers a variety of tours, where you can explore the house and learn about its history. In addition, many events and programs are held throughout the year that offers educational and interactive activities.

It is also rumoured that the house may also be haunted.

19. Osgoode Hall

Osgoode Hall is an iconic building in the heart of Toronto built in 1829. The first Law Society of Upper Canada initially occupied it, but today it serves as a historic landmark and museum.

The building is Neo-Classical architecture, with two large towers on either side of the main entrance. The building’s facade is adorned with several sculptural details, such as the figure of Lady Justice above the entrance and the grand pillars that flank the entranceway.

Visitors are welcomed with a majestic grand staircase leading up to the main entrance.

20. Toronto City Hall + Toronto Sign + Nathan Phillips Square

If you ever wondered where to find that multi-coloured ‘Toronto’ sign you’ve seen on social media? Well, Nathan Phillips Square is where you’ll find it! But that’s not the only reason to visit Toronto’s urban plaza.

This square hosts several events throughout the year, such as a New Year’s Eve party and the Cavalcade of Lights Festival. Located in the center, you’ll find a sizable, man-made pond (in the summer) that doubles as an ice skating rink in the winter months.

21. Toronto Old City Hall

Toronto Old City Hall is an architectural landmark built from 1889 to 1899 and was once the home of the city’s municipal government for nearly a century. The building is one of Canada’s most prominent examples of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture and is a National Historic.

22. Eaton Centre 

The Eaton Centre is the city’s only mega shopping destination. With 230 national and international retailers, it offers shoppers an abundance of shopping opportunities and entertainment options. In addition, the Eaton Centre caters to its visitors with various dining selections.

23. Yonge-Dundas Square

Yonge-Dundas Square is an iconic landmark in Toronto, comparable to the iconic Times Square in New York City –– but on a smaller scale. The area is always bustling with tourists and locals, enjoying the open space and eclectic atmosphere. The vivid LCDs illuminate the square and capture the electrifying energy of downtown Toronto.

24. Little Canada

Don’t let the miniature size of the Little Canada exhibits discourage you from visiting – the amount of detail and work they have included in each little location is incredible! From the parliament buildings in Little Ottawa to the Little Bay of Fundy with its own tide schedule, much attention has been paid to each element they have included.

Except for the CN Tower, the exhibits are built on a standard train model scale of 1:87. Its impressive size in real life is mirrored in the Little Canada world, where they had to adopt a 1:160 scale to fit in the building.

If you fall in love with the display, you can even leave yourself in the Little Canada world! Using the Littlization Station, a 360-degree photo is taken to create a Little Me replica reflecting every aspect of you and your appearance on the day of your visit. This includes your hairstyle, the clothing you’re wearing, and even your pose.  The final ¾” Little Me can be placed in the exhibit of your choice or have a miniature version of yourself made to display at home.

Learn more here: Discover Little Canada: Travel The Nation Coast To Coast Right In The Heart of Toronto

25. Art Gallery of Ontario

Calling all art lovers. The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO for short) and its 95 000 art piece collections are calling your name! From contemporary art to Renaissance masterpieces, you’ll get to admire various artworks from across the globe. 

When you’re not ambling through the galleries, you can partake in one of the interesting workshops and grab a bite to eat at the AGO Bistro.

26. Graffiti Alley

This is a Toronto must-see for tourists and locals alike. Running parallel to Queens Street West and Richmond Street West lies an alleyway with a kaleidoscope of colours. This is the place to go if you want to see a more alternative side of the art scene!

27. Kensington Market

Mixed in with Chinatown, Kensington Market is a historic, bustling, eclectic and diverse community home to immigrants and locals for more than 100 years. The area is full of colourful shops, cafes, restaurants, and markets of all kinds, making it one of the city’s most vibrant and interesting places to explore.

This is one of our favourite spots in the city and a great place to find unique original items, whether new or used and grab a bite or a beer at Kensington Brewery.

Toronto Attractions | Further North Of The CN Tower (Day 3)

28. university of toronto campus.

If you want a Harry Potter-type experience, start the day at the University of Toronto Campus.

In 1827, King’s College was established, making it the first university of higher learning in Upper Canada. The University of Toronto is home to twelve distinct colleges, with two satellite campuses in Scarborough and Mississauga.

29. Royal Ontario Museum

At first glance, the Royal Ontario Museum presents a contradictory sight. Jutting out from the building’s midsection is the museum’s most recent addition – an architectural masterpiece resembling a crystalline structure made of glass and aluminum. On either side stands the original museum’s walls which were done in Italianate and Neo-Romanesque architecture. 

Once you step through the front doors, you’ll be transported into a natural history, art and culture world. Ever seen an Egyptian sarcophagus or a real-life meteorite collection? You can see that and so much more at this must-see attraction in Toronto.

30. Yorkville

Recently named one of the hippest and most vibrant neighbourhoods in Toronto, Yorkville is known as a quiet, posh residential area which has evolved into one of Toronto’s trendiest hotspots. From high-end boutiques to outdoor art and trendy cafes and eateries.

One of the most popular and iconic spots in Yorkville is the Mink Mile. This stretch of Bloor Street is lined with some of the most luxurious stores in Toronto, such as Coach, Burberry, and Harry Rosen.

31. Bata Shoe Museum

At the Bata Shoe Museum, you can explore their unique collection of more than 13,000 shoes and footwear-related artifacts. The museum is home to some of the world’s oldest and most unusual footwear.

From ancient Egyptian sandals to modern high-heeled stilettos, you can learn about the history of shoe making and its social importance. With interactive displays to guided tours with experienced curators, this is a great stop for shoe and fashion enthusiasts.

32. Casa Loma (One of the top Toronto Attractions)

Ever dreamed of building your own ostentatious, medieval-style castle? Perhaps you won’t get to do it in this lifetime, but you can certainly imagine what it would be like during a tour of Casa Loma. 

This 98-bedroom castle was built in the early 1900s for Sir Henry Pellatt , a Canadian multi-millionaire. When you’re not exploring the secret passageways, towers and decorated suites, you can stroll about the sprawling 5-acre garden.

Places To Go In Toronto | East Of The CN Tower

33. fort york national historic site.

Fort York National Historic Site is home to the nation’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings. It was established as long ago as 1793 to protect the harbour from an American invasion.

The fort is open to the public seven days a week and offers a variety of activities, including guided tours, educational programs and interactive exhibits. During the summer months, regular re-enactments of battles take place in and around the fort, allowing visitors to experience a piece of history first-hand.

34. BMO Field

BMO Field, located at Exhibition Place in Toronto, is home to the Toronto Football Club (Toronto FC) and the Toronto Argonauts (CFL). With 30,000 people, the field can host other large-scale events, such as outdoor concerts.

35. The Exhibition Place, aka The Ex

The Ex is an age-old summertime attraction in Toronto and is the largest fair in all of Canada. it covers 200 acres of land with over 800 exhibitions and games, including bowling, bumper cars, carnival rides, video arcades, and so much more

They also have classic fair food like cotton candy, candied apples, popcorn, and extreme food items such as fried crickets or hotdog-flavoured ice cream.

Where To Go In Toronto | South Of The CN Tower

36. toronto islands.

Where to go in Toronto? Well, all you have to do is look out at the small cluster of islands off the shore of downtown Toronto. This small archipelago is one of North America’s largest urban car-free communities (well, besides the handful of service vehicles).

There are plenty of things to do while visiting the Toronto Islands, such as rowing, sailing, cycling and walking. During the summer, the Toronto Islands host many outdoor events like music festivals. There’s also the Centreville Amusement Park if you’re looking for some exhilarating fun. 

While you can easily tour the islands on your own, taking a guided bike or boat tour of the Toronto harbour and several islands is a great way to ensure you don’t miss out on anything. When you’re on any islands, look back at the mainland – on clear days, you’ll enjoy a stunning view of the Toronto skyline.

More Time In Toronto, More Toronto Attractions (Day 4 and Beyond)

37. allan gardens – toronto botanical garden.

With almost four acres of land and 17 gardens the size of cities, there’s plenty to be seen. There are also numerous trails to meander along – you could easily spend an entire day amongst the flowers. 

The Toronto Botanical Garden is run by a non-profit organization that aims to educate and inspire visitors through its wonderfully designed garden spaces. You should pop into the seasonal cafe for a sweet treat when you’re not admiring the flowers. 

38. Ontario Science Centre 

The Ontario Science Centre is one of the must-do Toronto activities – it’s bubbling with curiosity, inspiration and creativity. Be prepared; a lot is going on at this Toronto attraction. 

You’ll be able to interact with exhibits, get hands-on with science experiments or observe a live presentation. If your kid wants to become an astronaut or scientist one day, send them on over to the impressive KidSpark – a place of fun and learning. 

Over and above this, there are several outdoor displays too! You’ll never have a dull moment at this attraction.

39. Rouge National Urban Park

This is a great place to go in Toronto if you want to escape the city bustle. With no entrance fees and only an hour’s drive sitting between you and this Toronto must-see, what’s stopping you from enjoying this tranquil spot? 

This urban national park boasts an array of animal species and terrains. You can sunbathe on the beaches of Lake Ontario, paddle along the river, or explore the dense forests. Other activities include camping, hiking along the trails, fishing in the marshland and learning about some of Canada’s oldest known indigenous sites. 

If you’re looking to get further away from the city, consider heading further north, where you can hike in Huntsville or spend the weekend camping .

Where To Stay In Toronto + Map

Final thoughts: top toronto places to visit.

When it comes to top places to visit, you can see why Toronto should be top of the list. This city is truly fantastic and has something for everyone – whether you’re a foodie, sports enthusiast or art lover. We might be a tad biased, but we truly want you to love our city as much as we do.

If you know of any other hidden gems in Toronto and think they should be included in this list, drop a comment below – We’d love to hear from you!

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50 Best Things to do in Toronto Canada in 2024

Written By: The Planet D

Updated On: March 5, 2024

There are so many things to do in Toronto it can be difficult to know where to start. Being one of the most  multiculturally diverse  cities on the planet, there is something for everyone. It’s our hometown but we’ve also experienced Toronto as a tourist. Toronto is the largest city in Canada, and in our humble opinion, it’s the most exciting! If you are visiting the city, our comprehensive Toronto guide will help you find the best places to visit and things to do in Toronto with our expert local opinions.

Table of Contents

Top Things to Do in Toronto

We have broken this guide into sections to help you plan your Toronto itinerary. There here are clusters of attractions in different parts of the city so instead of hopping in taxis or taking the subway running around in all directions, we’re going to give you a Toronto guide where you can walk from one attraction to another.

• Part 1 – Toronto Entertainment District – CN Tower, Roger’s Center, Grafitti Alley, The Well
• Part 2 – Front Street and Distillery District – Gooderham and Worts, Hockey Hall of Fame, St. Lawrence Market
• Part 3 – Harbourfront – Sugar Beach, Toronto Islands, Harbourfront Cruise Part 4 – Downtown Toronto – Yonge and Dundas Square, Nathan Philips Square, Eaton Centre
• Part 5 – Toronto Museums & Galleries – ROM, AGO,
• Part 6 – Toronto Outdoors – High Park, Evergreen Brickworks, Cycling Trails, Humber River, The Beaches
• Part 7 – Toronto Theatres and Entertainment Venues – Ed Mirvish Theatres, Massey Hall, Roy Thompson Hall, Second City
• Part 8 – Day Trips from Toronto – Niagara Falls , Niagara on the Lake, Toronto Zoo, Canada’s Wonderland

When flying into Toronto, Canada, you’ll be landing at Pearson International Airport. Airport taxis are available and you can call and Uber or LYFT with a dedicated ride share pick-up station and you can take the UP-Express. But take the hassle out of travel and book an  airport limousine transfer  that will take you to your downtown hotel.

Entertainment District

1. cn tower edge walk.

The CN Tower is Toronto’s most iconic landmark and the most popular thing to do in Toronto. Built in 1975, it reigned as the world’s tallest building until 2007 when it was taken over by the Burj Khalifa in 2008. While the CN Tower is a top Toronto Attraction unto itself, it’s the Edgwalk that makes it special.

• Location:  301 Front Street.  Directions  – TTC to Union Station, then walk East on Front Street

CN Tower Glass Floor

If you aren’t up for the adrenaline rush of the Edgewalk, you still must visit the CN Tower to see city views from its observation decks. There is the Lookout Level, The SkyPod and the Glass Floor which we were surprised terrified some people.

You can eat dinner at the revolving restaurant, walk on the glass floor, and see the best view of Toronto from inside and out, enjoy a virtual reality ride. Read more: CN Tower Edgewalk – Taking on The World’s Highest SkyWalk

2. Toronto Railway Museum

While you are at the CN Tower, there are plenty of things to see and do around Front Street. Make your way to the Railway Museum just behind the CN Tower to see this incredible display. The Toronto Railway Museum is dedicated to the history of rail transport in Canada located in the former Canadian Pacific Railway John Street Roundhouse, which was built in 1929.

It served as a maintenance facility for steam locomotives and today it is a sprawling outdoor museum featuring a collection of historic railway equipment, including locomotives, passenger cars, and cabooses. Visitors can see exhibits of various railway artifacts, learn about the history of Canadian railways, and experience interactive exhibits.

After checking out the Railway Museum, you can pop into the Steamwhistle Brewing Company. Pop into the roundhouse to enjoy a pint of premium beer and a bite to eat. Located in the historic John Street Roundhouse which was use to repair locomotives from the Canadian Pacific Rail company, it is now a tap room complete with Biergarten inspired by the famous beer gardens of Munich .

3. Rogers Centre

This area is filled with things to do from the Ripley’s Aquarium and the Toronto Rogers Centre which is home to the back to back Major League Baseball champions circa 1992 and 1993, The Toronto Blue Jays.

The Rober Center is the ultimate entertainment complex with the largest retracting roof in North America. Home to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Rogers Centre is a huge stadium seating 53,000 people. When the Jays aren’t playing, you will find the hottest musical acts in the world playing in their stadium tours. See  Roger’s Live Nation  for upcoming concerts.

4. Queen West

This is where the hippest of the hip hang out in Toronto. Queen West is known as the Art and Design district and if you’re looking for some trendy styles, this is the place to go. Queen Street has shops and stores selling everything from makeup to menswear.

You can even buy sewing and material goods here as well as jewelry-making supplies. It’s got it all. Once the shops close, the food scene begins and the live music starts at venues like The Horseshoe, the Rivoli, and the Rex.

One of the best ways to get a feel for Toronto is to take a walking tour. This food tour takes you through the different neighborhood that helped shape Toronto from St. Lawrence Market to food stalls, local sushi and sweet treats.

5. Graffiti Alley

Queen Street is the main entertainment area of the Entertainment District home to some of the best shopping in Toronto and the headquarters of City TV. But just behind the glitz and glam of Queen Street is Graffiti Alley. Graffiti Alley is the most popular place in Toronto for  Instagram.

Located at Queen and Bathurst Graffiti Alley offers 1 km of walls covered in street art and graffiti along Rush Lane. Canadian commentator Rick Mercer shot his Rants along Graffiti Alley over the course of his 15-year show. It’s located in the city center on Queen Street making it an easy walk to get to and it is filled with amazing street art.

• Location :  South of Queenstreet  Between Spadina and Bathurst.
• Toronto Tour Guys offer  Toronto Graffiti Tours . 

6. Entertainment District Nightlife

The CN Tower, Roger’s Center, and Ripley’s Aquarium are all located on the south edge of the Entertainment District so once you’ve spent the day sightseeing here, it’s time to enjoy life in the city in the heart of the action.

The Entertainment District spans from Queen Street to the Gardiner Expressway and Spadina Avenue to University. It’s home to legendary live music venues such as the Horseshoe Tavern, The Rivoli, and Cameron House. Toronto’s top theatres, are Roy Thompson Hall, Royal Alexandra Theatre, and the Princess of Wales and there are plenty of bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and pubs.

7. Arcadia Earth at the Well

The Well is Toronto’s newest entertainment complex spanning across 7.7 Acres in Toronto’s King West. This area is just starting to ramp up, and the hottest spot in town is Arcadia Earth. Influencers and Instagrammers will love this place. We recently visited and took part in the hour long multimedia display.

Downloading the app to our iPhones, we walked through 10 immersive experiences using the latest technology. This really is one of Toronto’s coolest experiences where you feel that you are right in the heart of the displays themselves. You can download media directly to your phone to bring home the experiences with you.

Where to Stay in the Entertainment District

The Entertainment District is a great place for travelers to make a base while exploring the top Toronto Attractions as many of Toronto’s top tourist attractions are within walking distance of its hotels. Close to Union Station, it is easy to get to and it is where Toronto’s main nightlife venues are with cocktail lounges and chic bars.

• Stay at the Ritz Carlton, one of our favourite hotels in Toronto overlooking the CN Tower  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com
• Thompson Hotel  For a more moderate mid-range budget, check out the modern and chic hotel that is Close to nightlife.   Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

Front Street and Distillery District

8. distillery district.

The Distillery is one of the most popular places in Toronto for travelers. Stroll through the pedestrian walkways along cobblestone streets as you browse the many boutiques, brew pubs, and art galleries. In the summer the streets come alive with outdoor street performers, music, and stage performances. In the winter, the annual Toronto Christmas Market is in full swing.

• A Segway tour of the Distillery is a fun way to get around and learn its history.

9. St. Lawrence Market

St. Lawrence Market was once voted as the #1 Food Market in the World by National Geographic. St. Lawrence Hall and the North and South Market building have been operating for more than 200 years at the foot of Front and Jarvis Street. 120 vendors take pride in their goods operating stalls that have been passed down for generations. Take a walk through St. Lawrence Market and buy some fresh cheese, meats, and bread to take on a picnic in the Toronto Islands.

St. Lawrence Market is undergoing a new development and the North Market is closed as its state-of-the-art design is being built, but the City relocated the Sunday Antique Market and Farmers Market to a temporary market at 125 The Esplanade.

10. Scotia Bank Arena

It is our second-largest stadium and is home to the Toronto Maple Leafs and NBA Champions, the Toronto Raptors. If you are a hockey fan, make sure to buy tickets to a Maple Leaf game well in advance, Toronto loves its hockey and games sell out quickly. Which is surprising since Toronto hasn’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967.

Scotia Bank Arena is also home to the 2019 NBA champions the Toronto Raptors. Tickets are at a premium for basketball games too, but visitors can watch a game in the square outside the arena known as Jurassic Park. This is almost as lively as watching it live as crowds gather to cheer on our beloved team.

In between the two major sporting seasons, the Scotia Bank Arena opens its doors to more music acts. Visit their website  for hockey, basketball, and concert schedules.

11. Hockey Hall of Fame

Canada loves its hockey and Toronto is home to the Hockey Hall of Fame. If you are a hockey fan, you won’t want to miss visiting the Hockey Hall of Fame. Located in downtown Toronto at the foot of Yonge and Front Street it’s a must stop on any Toronto itinerary for hockey fans.

It houses the Stanley Cup and it’s on display when it’s not touring the country. It also houses the world’s largest collection of hockey memorabilia, there are interactive displays and two theatres.

• Location : 30 Yonge St – Subway Line 1 to King Station. Directions here .

Harbourfront

12. helicopter tour or scenic flight.

For a bird’s eye view of the city, take a scenic flight from Billy Bishop Airport on Toronto Island. We have had the privilege of taking several scenic flights over Toronto. What stands out besides the beautiful city skyline is all of the green space in Toronto. It is very impressive to see so many trees scattered among the skyscrapers.

Travelers shouldn’t miss the chance to see Toronto from above. You’ll fly along the waterfront of Lake Ontario to see the beaches, and Toronto Islands, and circle around the skyscrapers of this spectacular international city. This 7-minute helicopter tour is an affordable way to see the city skyline views from above. It may be a short flight, but 7 minutes is all you need to view the CN Tower standing over downtown Toronto, Fort York, and the Lake Ontario waterfront from above

13. Harbourfront Centre

After you have seen Toronto from above, make your way from Billy Bishop to Toronto’s Harbourfront, it’s just down the street. Harbourfront is an amazing entertainment area complete with theatres, museums, music venues, and festivals.

Harbourfront Centre is the heart of the area with entertainment venues, artists workshops, galleries and outdoor attractions. There is always something going on at Harbourfront Centre. There are plenty of dining options and it is an excellent place to stroll along Toronto’s waterfront, do some shopping in the Centre and enjoy the artisan workshops.

The main building of Harbourfront Centre is closed for renovations, but events are still going and The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery remains open.

While at the Toronto Harbourfront and book a sunset harbour cruise for a fantastic sunset view of Toronto. There are all kinds of cruises planned to show off the Toronto skyline from dinner cruises, daytime cruises, and cocktail cruises to special Luau Cruises and holiday events. It’s a beautiful way to take in the Toronto Scene and witness the Toronto Islands as you cruise Lake Ontario. Book a cruise in advance

14. Sugar Beach

Harbourfront is also home to one of Toronto’s most photographed beaches, Sugar Beach. It’s a tiny beach located on Corus Quay right beside the Redpath Sugar Factory, Sugar Beach is a quiet spot just at the east end of Queens Quay. It’s a small patch of sand with Muskoka Chairs and a pink umbrella installation.

• Location :  Located on Queens Quay  – Subway to Union Station and Walk South to the water. Or ride the Spadina Streetcar all the way to Harbourfront.
• 29. Harbourfront Cruise

15. Toronto Music Garden

A hidden gem in the Harbourfront district is the Toronto Music Garden in Queens Quay. Designed by Yo Yo Ma and landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy. It was inspired by the first movement of Bach’s Suite No. 1 in G Major for unaccompanied cello, and the park is meant to be a living representation of the piece.

The park features six distinct sections, each representing a different bar of the music. The sections to look for in the Toronto Music Garden Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Menuett, and Gigue. The park also features a variety of plants, trees, and flowers, which were chosen to reflect the mood and character of each section of the piece.

16. Toronto Islands

You must go to the islands for the city skyline views of Toronto. This is the view that everyone around the world recognizes. There is stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, and cycling. You can visit the beaches of the island including Toronto’s famous Nude Beach.

Take the ferry to Centre Island, Hanlan’s Point, or Ward’s Island and spend the day enjoying the sunshine and iconic views of the city. We always enjoy a picnic on the islands and there’s even a small amusement park. Centreville Amusement Park on Centre Island is a cute park for kids with a carousel, log ride, Ferris wheel and plenty of concession stands, midway games, and miniature gold. The islands are a perfect getaway for the whole family from the city.

• Location : Board the ferry from Queen’s Quay.

Where to Stay in Harbourfront

• Mid-Range:   Westin Harbour Castle  – This is The Place to stay in Harbourfront. Located right on the water. Pool, fitness center, dining with city views. Has a resort feel.  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

Downtown Toronto

17. city hall and nathan phillips square.

Located just a few blocks from Yonge and Dunas Square is Nathan Phillip’s Square. Home to Toronto City Hall, Nathan Phillips Square is a gathering spot for tours and meetups.

It probably attracts the most visitors to Toronto due to the iconic City Hall Building. It is a popular spot for events, art displays, and celebrations. This is where we celebrate New Year’s Eve and the fountain turns into a ice skating rink during the winter months.

For exploring City Hall and downtown Toronto the Sheraton Center is an excellent hotel. It overlooks City Hall and is connected to the PATH at the Toronto Eaton Centre, this is often our go-to hotel. It has an indoor/outdoor pool, and fitness center.  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com Check it out on

• Location :  100 Queen Street West  – Subway Line 1 to Queen Street.
• Book a  walking tour of Toronto  to see all the major sites of Toronto

18. Toronto CF Eaton Centre

The Eaton Centre has been the heart of Toronto Shopping since the 1970s. Located at Yonge and Dundas Square, this shopping mall spans from Dundas to Queen with flagship stores like The Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue helming the ends. There are high-end boutiques and thrifty dollar stores. It has everything you’d want under one roof.

The Eaton Centre spans from Queen Street to Dundas Square along Yonge Street in the heart of Toronto and it is the busiest shopping center in North America. Right now its iconic Canada Geese installation has been taken down as the Toronto Eaton Centre is undergoing a 77-million-dollar makeover, but it is still open for business

19. Yonge and Dundas Square

This popular public square in the heart of Downtown always has something exciting going on. Surrounded by billboards, shopping, movie theatres, and City TV, it’s a happening spot. It’s Toronto’s version of Times Square in New York City and a place all travelers to the city should visit. There are always outdoor performances, festivals, and even free movies in the summertime.

At Yonge and Dundas Square, you’ll find plenty of Restaurants including Milestone’s Patio overlooking Yonge Street and lots of shopping including Toronto’s Iconic Eaton Center.

• Location : At the intersection of Yonge and Dundas Street. Subway Line 1 to Dundas Station.

20. Little Canada

Little Canada is also located at Yonge and Dundas Square on the lower level of the Cineplex building. This Toronto attraction features miniature replicas of famous Canadian landmarks, such as the CN Tower, Niagara Falls, and the Parliament Buildings. You can also see miniaturized versions of various Canadian cities and regions, such as Toronto, Vancouver, and the Canadian Rockies.

It has interactive displays where you can activate the Northern Lights, makes it rain in Vancouver, or control the cars on the streets of Toronto.

21. Toronto Underground City

It’s true, Toronto has an entire subterranean world under the city known as The Path. It is one of the largest underground walkways in the world. Starting at Yonge and Dundas Square it weaves through 30km of the downtown core all the way to Union Station.

More than 200k daily visitors and commuters walk the path filled with restaurants, shopping, cafés connecting 75 skyscrapers, subway stations, department stores and hotels.

• Located : in the downtown core. Just walk into any building and look for the Path sign. Visit  Path.com  for maps

Where to Stay Downtown Toronto

• Mid-Range:  Sheraton Centre  –  Connected to the PATH at the Eaton Centre, this was our go-to hotel. Views of City Hall, indoor/outdoor pool, and fitness center.  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com
• Budget:  Chelsea Hotel   – Not too many budget spots here but Chelsea is on the affordable side. Prime location steps from Dundas Square. Ask for a renovated room.  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

22. Kensington Market

For the complete opposite end of the spectrum, Kensington Market is a funky shopping district with second-hand clothing and vintage style. Located just off Spadina in the heart of China Town, you’ll find cheese boutiques, fresh vegetable markets, microbrews, and vintage clothing. It is the funkiest place in the city and a must-stop for anyone coming to Toronto. For a local vibe and funny atmosphere, make sure to visit Toronto’s, Kensington Market.

23. Chinatown

One of Toronto’s most vibrant neighborhoods in downtown Chinatown is located on Spadina Avenue. Pick up your favorite Asian vegetables for authentic cooking, eat incredible Chinese food, and ask for “a pot of tea” after hours (meaning, a pot of beer)

You really feel as if you have stepped into an Asian city with the sounds, smells, and tastes of Asia engulfing the senses at every turn.

• Located  along Spadina Avenue between Queen and College
• Book a walking tour  of China Town and Kensington Market.

Bloor/Yorkville

While you are visiting the ROM, take a stroll over to Toronto’s chicest neighborhood. Bloor Yorkville is home to the Mink Mile – One of the world’s most expensive shopping streets. For shopping, you’ll find every high-end sort you can think of including Gucci, Chanel, Kate Spade, and Burberry.

The top salons make their home in Yorkville and some of the city’s best dining is here. If you want to people-watch and keep an eye out for celebrities in Toronto, this is the place to be. Our favorite hangouts in Bloor Yorkville are Hemingways Patio and The Pilot.

Where to Stay in Bloor Yorkville

• Luxury:  Four Seasons  –  The top choice for celebrities and businesses, this 5-star luxury hotel has an incredible spa, popular bar and one of the best dining establishments in Toronto.  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com
• Mid-Range:  Intercontinental Toronto Yorkville   – What was once the hot hotel for celebrities at TIFF, now an affordable option in Yorkville.  Trip Advisor  /  Booking.com

24. Casa Loma

Did you know Toronto has a castle? Casa Loma was built in 1911 by Sir Henry Pellatt; a local financier to be used as his private residence. It was a lavish Gothic Revival mansion with 98 rooms at 64,700 square feet (6,011 m 2 ). There are always seasonal events going on at Casa Loma with Halloween celebrations, Christmas decorations, and March Break Festivities. But visitors can tour this historic castle as well.

There are stables and a coach house and today it is a popular tourist attraction. There is even an 800-foot tunnel leading to the stables. You can tour the many suites or eat at the BlueBlood Steamhouse, a casual restaurant at the Terrace Grill and coffee and snacks at Liberty Café. Read More: Toronto Tours by Locals

• Location : 1 Austin Terrace – Take the Subway Line 1 to St. Claire Station and then walk West to Casa Loma

Toronto Museums and Galleries

When planning your Toronto sightseeing excursions, you must include museums in your Itinerary. Toronto has a number of museums and art galleries to see, but these are a few of the top.

25. Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is Canada’s largest museum of Natural History and one of the top 10 cultural institutions in North America and Canada s largest museum.

Located in downtown Toronto at the corner of University and Bloor, this popular Toronto attraction melds old and new. The contemporary design of the Royal Ontario Museum is a beautiful addition. The ROM houses 13 million artifacts and artwork featured in 40 different exhibition spaces and galleries.

• You can purchase advance tickets to the ROM  Get Your Guide for $20.
• Location:  100 Queens Park – at the corner of Yonge and Avenue Road. Line 1 or 2 Subway to Museum Station.

26. Art Gallery of Ontario – AGO

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) went through a huge transformation in 2008 with a spectacular design by Canadian artist Frank Gehry. The art gallery houses permanent collections like the Group of Seven, The Thomspon Collection, and Contemporary Art. It also has a lovely cafe where locals like to meet for a drink or coffee. It’s no wonder this is one of the best places to visit in Ontario , let alone Toronto.

Located downtown Toronto on Queen Street, The Art Gallery of Ontario is a central location that is within walking distance from the Entertainment District, China Town, or Front Street.

• Location:   317 Dundas Street West  – Line 1 Subway to St. Patrick Station
• There are several private art galleries along this street.

27. Bata Shoe Museum

This is one of the most unique museums we’ve experienced with displays of footwear through history. But you’ll also see celebrity footwear like Elton John’s platform boots and Elvis’ Blue Suede Shoes, and stilettos worn by Marilyn Monroe. Canadian legend Terry Fox’s running shoe is on display from when he attempted to run across the country for cancer research. He eventually succumbed to the disease, but he is a true Canadian hero.

• Location: 327 Bloor Street West . Subway Line 1 or 2 to St. George Station
• Advance tickets can be purchased through Get Your Guide 

28. Aga Khan Museum

Opened in Sept 2014, the Aga Khan Museum features a collection of Islamic, Persian and Muslim Art. It is North America’s first museum dedicated to Islamic Art and was started by the private collection of the late Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan. The museum houses 1000 objects dating back 10 centuries housed in an impressive eye-catching building.

• Location : 77 Wynford Drive – Subway Line 2 to Broadview Station then transfer to Bus #100 to the museum.

29. Fort York

Before Toronto became the mega city that it is, it was once called York. And this fort stood on the waters of Lake Ontario to protect the city during the War of  1812. This National Historic Site is open year-round offering guided tours, demonstrations, and exhibits. You’ll have fun interacting and learning about history.

• Location: 250 Fort York Blvd . Streetcar 511 or 505 or 509 Street Car

30. Ontario Science Centre

Located north of the city, the Ontario Science Centre has been a favourite for decades. There are great hands-on science exhibits and spectacular displays. Walking through the Living Earth exhibit feels like you are walking through a real rainforest. It has Toronto’s only Planetarium and there is an OMNIMAX Theatre showing new films regularly.

• Location :  770 Don Mills Road North York:  Subway Line 2 to Pape Station, transfer to Bus 25 North to Don Mills at St. Dennis. Or grab an Uber, or ride a bike!

The Entertainment District is filled with music venues, and Toronto’s top theatres and it is home to TIFF. (The Toronto International Film Festival)

Toronto Theatres

31. ed mirvish theatres.

Ed Mirvish was a beloved businessman in Toronto from the 1960s to the 1990s. His love for the theatre basically single-handedly revitalized the Toronto theatre scene. He opened the Princess of Wales Theatre, Royal Alexandra Theatre, and & Ed Mirvish Theatres all of which still showcase the most popular Broadway shows of the day.

• Check out  Mirvish.com  for all theatre listings and showtimes.

32. Massey Hall

Massey Hall is an intimate music venue that has seen acts perform from all around the world. If you are looking for a rock and country acts or comedians to watch, chances are you’ll find someone at Massey Hall. And there is exciting news! Massey Hall has reopened and is hosting musical acts in its newly renovated space at Allied Music Theatre.

33. Roy Thompson Hall

For the best orchestra, opera and musical performances, Roy Thompson Hall is the top classical music venue in Canada. Home to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra it is the premier concert hall in the city with outstanding acoustics. It is also a popular venue during the Toronto international film festival.

• Check out the  Roy Thomson Hall  Website for more details.

34. Second City

The Second City in Toronto is awesome. It is the best Second City outside of Chicago in the United States. Comedic icons such as Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers, Catherine O’Hara, and Martin Short performed here and it is still going strong on Blue Jays Way.

Make a night of it in the Entertainment District to see its live comedy shows featuring improv, sketch comedy, and musical performances.

35. Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

It is the largest soft-seat theatre in Canada making for a very comfortable experience. There’s always something playing here including concerts, films, live shows, and festivals.

• Check out their calendar for show details. Anyone under 30 Years old receives $15 tickets!

Toronto Outdoors

36. high park.

Located in the West End, the city’s largest park attracts visitors from afar during cherry blossom season, but there is a lot more to high park.

Visit the High Park Zoo housing domestic animals like bison, highland cattle, and llamas. There are plenty of picnic areas, hiking and cycling and in the summer Shakespeare in the Park begins with live performances from the Bard. There’s Grenadier Pond, the Historic Colborne Lodge and it is a short walk down to the Lake Shore to enjoy the Toronto Waterfront.

• Location: Take Subway Line 2 West to Keele or High Park Station.

37. Evergreen Brickworks

With outdoor markets, art exhibits and cafés, the Evergreen Brickworks is a fantastic place to spend a couple of hours. Rent a bike from one of the city’s bike share locations and peddle out to the quiet district to grab some fresh fruits and vegetables from the farmers market. This reminds me of those cool districts you find in New York City.

• Location : 550 Bayview Avenue . It’s tricky to get to cycling or a car is the best way. By transit, Subway line 1 north to Davisville and then bus #28 to the Brickworks.

38. The Beaches

The Beaches have long been a favourite tourist attraction of Toronto. Starting at Ashbridges Bay, you’ll find beach volleyball, boardwalks, and parks stretching along the 3km trail along Lake Ontario leading to the R.C. Harris Filtration Plant. Traffic is a killer in the summer, so use a bicycle to get around. The Beaches Jazz festival takes place during the month of July.

• Location: Toronto East – Queen Streetcar.

Cherry Beach

Cherry Beach is located at the outer harbour on the Martin Goodman Trail and is a popular spot for SUP, Kite Boarder and kayaking. Locals like the off-leash zone for dogs. On your way stop at Polson Pier for the best skyline view of the city outside the island.

Kew Beach is another great spot for Canoe and Kayaking plus our favourite SUP. It’s home to the balmy beach club and there’s outdoor fitness equipment to play with. Kew Beach basically blends into Balmy Beach and Woodbine Beach and there’s an outdoor swimming at the Donald D. Summerville Olympic Pools including 5 and 10-metre (15-30 feet) diving boards!

Ashbridges Bay

Ashbridges Bay is one of the more popular spots for beach lovers in Toronto. The waterfront trail runs through the Bay area that has green parks and walkways, beaches, a skateboarding park and picnic sites. This is Toronto’s main spot for fireworks during Canada Day and Victoria Day.

39. Ontario Place

Located at the CNE Grounds on the Lakeshore, Ontario Place is an excellent place to spend an afternoon. It has one of the best outdoor festival stages in Toronto at Budweiser Stage attracting big names performing in an intimate setting. And there’s an IMAX theatre. Enjoy the excellent trail for cycling or rollerblading that goes around 7.5 acres of green space.

• Location : 955 Lakeshore West BLVD – Hop on the 514 Streetcar out to Dufferin Gate Loop. Or ride a bike along the waterfront trail.

40. Toronto Bike Trails

Toronto has some excellent bike trails away from the city traffic. You can use the bike share program to cycle around the city, or you can rent a bike. Some of the best cycling trails are the Waterfront Trail, Leslie Spit Trail, The Don Valley Bike Path, Key Garden Belt Line, Taylor Creek Park, and High Park.

• Locations: For a complete list of Toronto, Bike Trails visit Toronto.com
• There are plenty of cycling tours that will take you to see the top Toronto attractions.
• Bike Share Toronto   is good for short rides. A day pass is only $7. It’s important to note that a pass is for 24 hours, but includes unlimited 30-minute rides.

41. Sunnyside Park

Located in the West End of Toronto, Sunnyside Beach is a quieter stretch of beach located near Sunnyside Pool. There’s a lovely pavilion that’s popular for weddings and events and you can grab some lunch while you are here.

It’s an excellent place for running and cycling and there are plenty of stops along the Waterfront Trail. This trail takes you out through wetlands, over the Humber River and Mimico Creek, and into West Etobicoke.

42. SUP Bluffers Park

There are plenty of spots to Stand Up Paddle Board in Toronto but the most scenic spot is make your way to Scarborough Bluffs at Bluffers Park just off of Bluffers Beach. Blue waters mixed with the white Scarborough Bluffs make a perfect setting and the water is usually calm for paddleboarding.

Located in Scarborough just east of the other Toronto beaches, it is one of the more scenic beaches of Toronto with the lovely Scarborough Bluffs towering overhead at 65 metres high. (180 feet) There’s a restaurant at the marina and spots for picnics. Bluffers Beach has become a popular Instagram spot.

43. Trinity Bellwoods Park

Located just west of the Queen West Neighbourhood, Trinity Bellwoods Park is a popular hangout space in Toronto thanks to its large shady trees. You’ll find all the cool cats and hipsters hanging out at this park that features an ice skating rink in the winter, a public pool, community garden and tennis courts.

Trinity Bellwoods Park is also known for its cultural events and community gatherings, including outdoor movies, live music, and arts and crafts markets. It is also a popular spot for picnics, barbecues, and outdoor gatherings with friends and family.

Day Trips from Toronto

These day trips from Toronto are just two of the day trips that we recommend for first-time visitors and people from out of the country. But there are countless day trips from the city that you can explore. Read our complete list of the best day trips from Toronto: 25 Day Trips from Toronto to Escape the City

44. Canada’s Wonderland

I used to sing at Canada’s Wonderland for four seasons so this amusement park is very dear to my heart. Located north of Toronto, this is one of the best day trips from the city. Spend an entire day enjoying its mega roller coasters, Splash Works and entertainment.

The park features more than 200 attractions, including 16 roller coasters, making it one of the top destinations for thrill-seekers. Some of the most popular rides at Canada’s Wonderland include the Leviathan, Behemoth, and Yukon Striker roller coasters. The park is open from May to October, but throughout the year there are special events with Christmas markets, Halloween Haunts, and Winterfest.

45. Niagara Falls

One of the top day trips from Toronto is to go to Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls really requires more than a day, but the top attractions in the falls can be done in one simple day if you have limited time. Get Yourself an Adventure Pass and spend the day exploring the top attractions in Niagara Falls like The Hornblower, Journey Behind the Falls, Whitewater Walk and Clifton Hill. Read more: Things to do in Niagara Falls .

Niagara Falls can be done in a Day. When I was working at Canada’s Wonderland during my summer vacations, we always made at least one day trip to Niagara Falls to enjoy its top attractions. With the Niagara Adventure Pass, you can see it’s top sights in less than 12 Hours. You can get to Niagara Falls on a full day tour , by bus or by renting a car. Check car ren tal prices here.

46. Niagara on the Lake

Niagara on the Lake is another great day trip from Toronto. You can combine a trip with Niagara Falls, or go on your own for a day of wine tasting and exploring some of the top vineyards in Canada.

Located on Lake Ontario, Niagara on the Lake definitely deserves more than one day, but if you only have a short time, it is at least worth checking out to see its historic downtown, take a wine tour to one of its wineries, stop at historic Fort George, or watch a show at the Shaw Festival. Check out more things to do in Niagara on the Lake here .

47. Toronto Zoo

If you want more wildlife viewing, the Toronto Zoo is a popular attraction. We’re not huge on zoos, but there is an argument that zoos help promote sustainability and awareness about wildlife. And if you are going to visit a zoo, the Toronto Zoo isn’t too bad.

The animals all have for the most part large enclosures and seem to be treated quite well. When I was working at YTV, we went to the Toronto Zoo a lot and the people who work there are very passionate about animal conservation and animal welfare.

48. Terra Lumina

Terra Lumina is an attraction at the Toronto Zoo that happens after dark. A 1.5 km walking path takes you through a light show and multimedia experience. Lazers shoot through the air, paths light up and wolf howls and polar bears are projected onto screens. It starts in the future 2099 and travels back in time.

Check out more tours from Toronto and Day Trips

• 25 Day Trips from Toronto to Escape the City
• The Ultimate Guide to the Best Weekend Getaways from Toronto
• Things to do in Niagara Falls

49. Best Instagram-Worthy Spots in Toronto

• Sugar Beach – Located at Lower Jarvis Street beside to the Redpath Sugar Factory just down from Queens Quay.
• Polsen Pier – Polsen Pier is an excellent waterfront attraction with entertainment and fantastic views of the Toronto skyline.
• Brookfield Place – This beautiful piece of architecture is located in the city center on Yonge Street. When you enter this entertainment center, you are treated to stunning views of the Allan Lambert Gallery which is a 6-story enclosed courtyard.
• Humber Bay Bridge – The Humber Bay Bridge is a pedestrian and cycling walkway connecting downtown Toronto with The Lakeshore.
• Museum Subway Stop – located in the heart of the city center, the Museum Subway Stop is an easy place to grab beautiful photos of the museum columns adorning the platform.
• Graffiti Alley – This isn’t only a great Instagram spot, Graffiti alley is one of the best places to visit in Toronto.

50. Best Toronto Festivals

Toronto is a city of festivals and some of the not to miss events are:

• Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) – Sept
• Toronto Pride – June
• Toronto Summer Music Festival – July
• Luminato – June
• Beaches Jazz Festival – July
• Toronto Caribbean Carnival – July

Getting Around Toronto

There is the  UP Express  that leaves from Toronto Pearson Terminal 1 every 15 minutes and takes you directly to Union Station. Get Your Guide offers  airport limousine transfers  in style that will take you to your downtown hotel.

Uber and Lyft can now answer calls at Toronto Pearson Airport. By Train, you arrive in Toronto at Union Statio n from all major hubs.

Hop on Hop Off Bus – If you want to get around the city, a great way to explore is the  Toronto Hop on Hop off Bus.   A 48-hour pass lets you explore Toronto’s main attractions as you hop on hop off at major tourist sites. Cost $49/It will help you see the highlights quickly and take you to some of the top sights in Toronto like Casa Loma, and a free harbour cruise.

Public Transit – Fares cost $3.25. If you buy tokens or a Presto Card it is $3.25 CAD. You can buy  Presto Cards in advance here. Toronto Transit Pass  – You can buy 1 day or a weekly pass. If you plan on an extended stay, a  Presto card  is a good option.

Bike Share Toronto   is good for short rides. A day pass is only $7. It’s important to note is that a pass is for 24 hours, but includes unlimited 30-minute rides. So after 30 minutes at a time, extra fees apply. So it’s best to use them to get from point A to point B. The good news is that rental stations are close to most attractions.

Car rentals – Toronto itself can sometimes be very spread out depending on where you are going. If you want to do day trips from Toronto, a rental car is a good option. RentalCars.com  is a good comparison website to find the right car rental for you.

Parking – Use Green Ps when parking in Toronto, they are the best deal and you  can download the app .

Uber –  In America Lyft is cheaper, but in Toronto Uber is cheaper and the drivers we’ve talked to say they prefer Uber over Lyft. (it’s the opposite of what we’ve heard from drivers in America. Interesting eh?

Read More Toronto Travel Tips

• Where to Stay in Toronto – A Guide to the Best Neighborhoods
• Things to do in Niagara Falls – What to do, Where to Eat & Where to Stay
• 35 Iconic Places to Visit in Ontario, Canada
• Toronto to Niagara Falls by Bus -It’s Easy with Busbud
• 19 Most Epic Things to do in Ontario

And there you have it. Our ultimate guide for things to do in Toronto. If you are visiting Toronto, this guide should have you covered with all the amazing things to see and do! What did we miss?

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

You May Also Like

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About The Planet D

Dave Bouskill and Debra Corbeil are the owners and founders of The Planet D. After traveling to 115 countries, on all 7 continents over the past 13 years they have become one of the foremost experts in travel. Being recognized as top travel bloggers and influencers by the likes of Forbes Magazine , the Society of American Travel Writers and USA Today has allowed them to become leaders in their field.

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42 thoughts on “50 Best Things to do in Toronto Canada in 2024”

I had a great time visiting Toronto last year. I enjoyed the St. Lawrence Market and the Royal Ontario Museum. And the art and murals around the city are amazing!

Nice blog read and love those places.

Great post! I love Toronto and I’m trying to get here this year.

I am researching on Canada life now a days and this article is really very interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing valuable information.

Great article Dave and Deb. Very detailed and well explained. I’m sure it will help a lot of aspiring travelers in navigating their way around Toronto and making the most of their time.

In this great list of best things to do in Toronto, I would like to add a few more spots that I think your readers would love to visit.

1. The 3D Toronto Sign on Nathan Philips Square has been a new edition and has become a famous Instagram spot due to it’s urban aesthetics. 2. Toronto Island Park, a chain of 15 small Islands in Lake Ontario. A great place if you want to enjoy the skyline, pursue water sports, ride bicycle or even relax. 3. Ripley’s Aquarium, a walk through aquarium with an almost astounding 16000 exotic sea creatures and more than 450 species

Hopefully this helps. Can’t wait for your next blog And if you are interested in knowing a bit more about Canada, do visit my Canadian travel blog and guide. I’m sure you and your readers will find it very helpful

Traveling to Toronto is an impressive thing for people.

As a Torontonian, great piece. One little thing…. that picture of Toronto Islands, is not the islands. That’s the Leslie Street Spit that curls out into the lake near the islands. Not many activities on the spit, but you can reach it from land, no ferry required. Take a bike, it goes out there a long way. Great spot for birders too.

Toronto is very famous for activities, art, landscapes and the friendliness of people. I also want to this place with my family. Thanks for your writing!

Thanks for your writing! Let’s come to Toronto and enjoy the beauty of this country.

I love Toronto so much. It is a beautiful place for people to visit. In the future, I will travel there with my family if I have a chance.

I Love the city of Toronto. I remember taking the train from Ottawa into Toronto a few Summers ago. Real efficient rail system. The city was very clean and the people were so friendly. I would say Eaton Centre and just walking up and down Yonge street were a few of my favorite things to do there. I would move to Toronto in a heart beat if not for the Winters. Great city though!

Very Interesting post. I am from Dubai and its a dream for me to visit Toronto. But i hope one day i will be there.

Excellent post – so many great tips and very helpful

This list is the best one online! Thanks a lot

Thanks for sharing such a big list of places to explore in Toronto. The whole idea of breaking down all these spots into different sections really helps to go through them.

Thank you for the amazing tips and knowledgeable guide you have shared through your blog. All the placed you have mentioned are beautiful and must be visited once in a lifetime.

Thank you so much for these wonderful tips. This is a great post and place you visited. Lovely pictures.

Nice post! Thanks for sharing!

We found your site and got loads of inspiration and great stories! Toronto is on our Bucket list and this article was very helpful comprehensive stuff!

Keep up the great work and content! Safe Travels!

Great article! I look forward to visit Ontario some day, and now I know what I will do when I get there!

Toronto is seriously a wonderful place to visit.

These are really very best things you shared and beautiful pictures you capture. I would love to go there.

This is so informative, and I think it is a perfect guide for the tourist to enjoy their visit to Toronto to the fullest.

Nice post and awesome pics! Good Job!

WOW, I Like Toronto – Thanks for sharing this….

Simply Sooperb, After reading this post, planned to go Toronto now with my friends.

I love the sights and sounds of Toronto. Thanks for sharing.

Agreed. great list!

Thanks for sharing the post. Toronto is the beauty.

Love the photo essay of Toronto.

Hi Dave and Deb,

Thank you for posting this blog. Very concise and well laid out in different sections; makes very easy to look for the information. And yes your pictures are great too !!

I am inspired.

Thanks Alok

Hi Davie and Deb,

Thanks for sharing such a big list of places to explore in Toronto. The whole idea of breaking down all these spots into different sections really helps to go through them. I personally have only been to couple of places but now I have a list to go and visit. Thank you for inspiring .

Regards Alok

Very well concise summary on Toronto. We are planning to go for family trip but could not understand where we should spend much time but your article helps me we have decided to visit this place. Thanks.

What a nice tourism object !

Hello Dave,

It’s the best thing to do experiencing your hometown as a tourist, did it myself two years ago when in Paris, to be honest, I did discover a lot of places that I wasn’t aware they exist at all, some secret places and streets. I don’t really like Hop and Hop buses, but will definitely try one when in Toronto.

Thank you for the tips.

As a Torontonian, great piece. One little thing…. that picture of Toronto Islands, is not the islands. That’s the Leslie Street Spit that curls out into the lake near the islands. Not many activities on the spit, but you can reach it from land, no ferry required. Take a bike, it goes out there a long way. Great spot for birders too.

This all looks wow…Simply WOW!! Thanks for sharing this….

Wow! This looks incredible post and information. These are really very best things you shared and beautiful pictures you capture. I would love to go there.

Waw! I got that article at the right time, this is a very informative and helpful for me because I am going to Toronto next month.

Amazing Lists, nice way to explain each part of Toronto.. !! Will follow each place as you mention in your blog.

These ideas all look like so much fun! It’s a great city. There’s so much to do there and so many places to explore. Such a beautiful pictures you captured.. Thank you so much for sharing a great post and information.. Keep sharing!!

12 Best Beaches in Toronto

Written by Michael Law Updated May 3, 2023

Author Michael Law lives near Toronto and enjoys spending time at the beaches in summer.

Toronto's beaches are some of the best beaches in Ontario . They are easily accessible to all, with lots of space - you'll have no trouble finding your perfect patch of sand.

On warm summer days, they can be packed with families, teenagers, and retirees enjoying the wide-open spaces. Activities include swimming, playing in the waves, strolling, or just reading a book in a chair. Lifeguards are on duty at most locations to keep an eye on you.

The beaches are an escape from the densely populated city. Here, your views are huge, with the other side of the lake not visible. At many locations on windy days, you'll be entertained by kiteboarders or windsurfers racing back and forth offshore.

Public transport options are good in most cases; however, if you are driving, note that parking is tricky at some locations; go early on hot days. In fact, many of the beaches are connected via the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, making it easy to bike or walk between locations.

Playgrounds, changerooms, washrooms, and concessions are available at all locations. Pack a lunch - most beaches have green space in behind, with picnic tables and, in some cases, free barbecues.

Of the 12 beaches listed, four of them are on Toronto Islands : Ward's, Centre Island, Hanlan's Point, and Gibraltar. Reaching them involves a ferry ride and a walk ranging from 10 to 15 minutes in length. I prefer to bring my bike with me on the ferry. Anyone can do this free of charge.

Find a place to relax by the water with our list of the best beaches in Toronto.

1. Woodbine Beach

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Highlights: Action and urban vibe

One of the best true urban beaches and easily accessed beaches in Toronto, is Woodbine. This 15.2-acre hot spot for beach fun has long been a destination for a younger crowd looking to have a good time.

The beach is a long, curving arc of soft sand, some of the best in the city, and is backed by a boardwalk and treed area. The beach faces east, and a large headland on the south side of the beach protects it from strong winds. As a result, the waves stay small and the water tends to warm up nicely — a real bonus in chilly Lake Ontario.

Extensive volleyball courts with lithe bodies doing their best to get that perfect set and spike set up are located at the back of the beach. Pack a picnic lunch, or grab lunch at the fast food concession, ice-cream truck, or the full-service restaurant nearby.

Parking at Woodbine is extensive, but on hot weekends, the large lots still fill up. Note that there are three main lots; the largest is just off Eastern Avenue.

Highlights: Scenery and swimming

Bluffer's Beach is considered by many (especially those who live in Scarborough ) to be the most beautiful beach in Toronto. Beige-colored bluffs with flowering trees at their baseline the beach, while out front, lake Ontario sparkles in the sunshine. It's hard to believe that just behind you, a city of three million people exists.

This large beach has some of the softest sand of all the Toronto beaches and ample areas for just about anyone who wants to lay out in the sun and imagine they are in the Caribbean. Lifeguards are on duty and keep a watchful eye on bathers swimming and splashing about in the shallow water. Unlike other beaches in the Toronto area, the picnic tables and BBQs are not located at the back of the beach; at Bluffer's they are off to the right in a treed green space.

Parking for the beach is limited, and the lot closest to the beach fills up fast. However, another much larger parking lot is located one kilometer away, about a 15-minute walk along a wide, paved trail. Drop your gear and crew at the beach and then draw straws to see who has to go park the car and walk back!

Note that the iconic, steep bluffs so frequently photographed are not at the beach area. Those are at the far western edge of the park and quite a distance from the beach.

The Kew-Balmy Beach area is located in the appropriately named area of Toronto called The Beaches . This stretch of sand begins roughly at the historic Leuty Lifesaving station, built in 1920, and runs for just over a kilometer, ending at the beautiful Art Deco-inspired RC Harris Water Treatment plant.

This beach has a calm vibe and more of a local feel, it's less about loud music and more about lying in the sun with a good book. For a more lively atmosphere, head to Woodbine Beach just a bit farther west. The sand here is generally coarse with a mix of small pebbles at the waterline. The shore is punctuated with seawalls that extend into the lake, especially near the eastern end of the beach.

The usual beach activities are popular here, plus the area is an ideal place to go kiteboarding . On days when the wind is blowing from the west, south, or east, you'll see the kiters racing across the waves.

A perfect day at Kew-Balmy Beach might look like this: Go early and snag a good parking spot, walk down the tree-lined streets to the beach, set up your gear, and settle in. Once you start feeling hungry, wander up to Queen Street East and settle onto a patio for a long, lingering lunch. Stroll back down to the beach and perhaps have a nap in the sun until it's time to head home.

An alternative version of this plan is to stay on the beach all day and then hit a patio for an early dinner prior to heading home.

Highlights: Calm water perfect for families with children

Hitting the beach on the Toronto Islands is a full-day excursion but one that is well worth the effort. The busiest beach and the first one you come to if you take the Centre Island ferry is Centre Island Beach.

This stretch of sand is right at the end of the one-kilometer walkway that leads you through a wooded area, over a couple of bridges, and past a beautiful set of gardens. The waters here are calm and warm owing to the large rock breakwater just offshore. It may not be the best beach on the island, but it is certainly the most popular and the one with the most facilities.

The view from the beach is the best on the island: uninterrupted vistas stretch in front of you in a 180-degree arc. It's the most lively of the four beaches on the Toronto Islands and on a hot summer weekend, it will be packed with people of all ages. A pier extends from the shoreline with a viewing platform at the end.

The beach has changerooms, bathrooms, bike rentals, lockers, and a concession selling cold drinks, pizza, and snacks.

Highlights: Best Beach in Toronto for wind-related watersports

Located off on its own on the western side of the island, this beach has some of the best sand on the island. The back of the beach is treed with sand dunes covered in vegetation. A one-kilometer section of Hanlan's Point Beach near the south end is the only clothing-optional beach in Toronto. Don't worry, though, a majority of the beach is clothing mandatory.

Owing to its location near Toronto's Island Airport, a steady stream of small planes take off and land, providing some visual entertainment. Other visual stimuli include the kiteboarders at the northwest end of the beach. Hanlan's Point Beach faces southwest and is one of the best places on the island to see the sunset.

Be sure to take the Hanlan's Point ferry when departing from Toronto . It's a smaller car ferry and much less crowded. It also runs east to west across Toronto Harbour making for a more scenic ride than the Centre Island ferry. Count on a 15-minute walk from the ferry terminal to the best part of the beach.

Highlights: The closest beach to the best restaurants

Located at the far eastern end of the island , Ward's Island Beach is a pleasant arc of sand with views out towards Cherry Beach on the Toronto Port Lands. This beach has the added advantage of being close to many of the island's best patios, so if you need a bite to eat, it's only a short stroll to satisfy that craving.

The beach itself is wide, with small trees in behind, however, they don't provide much shade, so be sure to bring an umbrella. Break up your day with a stroll down the long boardwalk on the right-hand side of the beach.

Count on a 10-minute walk from the Ward's Island ferry terminal to the beach. Be sure you take the Ward's Island ferry , not the Centre Island ferry, or you'll face a long walk!

If the scene at Centre Island Beach is too much for you, head east to Gibraltar Beach. Perhaps one of the more overlooked beaches on the island, Gibraltar Beach has a wonderful stretch of sand and is rarely busy. The beach is long and wide; a metal breakwater marks the southern end.

Behind the beach, providing shade, are large cottonwood trees, an area that is hard to pass by because it's just so perfect for setting up a beach chair and settling into a good book. If you need a break from the sun and sand, take a short stroll back from the beach across the small road to the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse. It dates from 1808 and is supposedly haunted.

Gibraltar Point Beach is about a one-minute walk from the Centre Island ferry terminal - it's best to take the Centre Island ferry . Alternatively, the Hanlan's Point ferry is an option, but it's a longer walk, and if you do this, you'll probably just end up at Hanlan's Point since it's the nicer of the two beaches.

Highlights: A beach on Lake Ontario with warm water

Beautiful Rouge Beach is at the southern tip of Rouge National Urban Park , Canada's newest national park. The Rouge River enters Lake Ontario on the left side of the beach, bringing warmer water into chilly Lake Ontario.

This beach is rarely crowded; if you crave space this is the place to come. The beach stretches for roughly 500 meters, and a trail runs through the trees along the back of the beach. Off the beach and near the parking area is marsh, an ideal place for wildlife spotting, paddling, or kayaking.

The views out over Lake Ontario from Rouge Beach to the south and west are quite beautiful, although the sight of the Pickering Nuclear Generating plant to the east is a bit jarring.

Highlights: Lovely picnic areas under mature trees

Cherry Beach is perhaps one of Toronto's most overlooked beaches. Located in the Port Lands area of Toronto , this gem of a beach is protected on three sides from the wind. From the roundabout, the beach is split into two areas east and west of the lifeguard station; parking on the east side is easier.

One of the great things about this beach is the area off the sand; in behind are large mature trees and a grassy area complete with picnic tables and BBQs. The beach itself has relatively coarse sand, and bathers should be aware that the water drops off quite steeply.

On windy days, kiteboarders and windsurfers put on an entertaining show, while sailors do their thing farther offshore.

Highlights: Easy to access and lots for kids to do off the beach

The beach at Sunnyside is actually a series of four beaches: three named Sunnyside, and one named after Sir Casmir Gzowski. No matter which beach you choose, you'll find a narrow stretch of sand backed by a boardwalk, trees, and an open green space with picnic tables.

The beaches are protected by an offshore breakwater, making the water along the shore calm at all times. The breakwater also pens in the lake water, allowing it to warm up in the shallow enclosure.

A café in the historic Sunnyside Pavilion has one of the best beachfront patios in the city. See if you can snag a table here and watch the non-stop progression of people parading up and down the Sunnyside Boardwalk.

Parking here is easy, with extensive lots just back from the beach. If you feel like a stroll, just take Colborne Lodge Drive north under the Gardiner Expressway and walk up to High Park, one of the best parks in Toronto .

Note that after heavy rainfall, Sunnyside Beach tends to be closed for swimming owing to the nearby Humber River.

One of two beaches that you can't swim at in Ontario, Sugar Beach still gets a mention because of its funky vibe. The roughly triangular beach has permanent pink sun umbrellas and Muskoka chairs set in some of Ontario's softest sand. Back from the beach is a tree-lined promenade and several giant rocks painted in colorful stripes.

This is a place for hanging out with your friends and catching up on the latest gossip while undertaking some serious people watching, and checking out the lively scene. The beach is located across from the Redpath Sugar factory, hence the name Sugar Beach.

Similar in nature to Sugar Beach, HTO Beach is a non-swimming beach . More wide-open and less industrial than Sugar Beach, HTO Beach offers easy access to the waterfront for the residents living in the concrete box towers of downtown Toronto.

A play on the chemical make of water, H 2 O (the T from Toronto is substituted for the "2" in the chemical formula) HTO is more than just sand. Here, you'll also find 16 acres of green space, benches, Muskoka chairs, and giant yellow umbrellas. There's nothing quite like sitting here soaking up the sun and gazing out at the sailboats making their way back and forth through Toronto Harbour.

The best time to get your fix of sun and sand in Toronto is in July and August . At this time, the summer sun is at its hottest and the sweltering humidity that southern Ontario is famous for will have fully arrived. The 12 beaches above provide a welcome respite, although the hot weather brings out the crowds. If summer arrives early, June is also a good option.

In order to secure a parking spot, you'll need to plan to be at the beach early. Any later, and the roads are sometimes closed as the parking lots reach capacity.

One thing to bear in mind: Although the crystal-clear water looks especially inviting, the highest summer water temperature in Lake Ontario is a bracing 24.5 degrees Celsius (76.1 degrees Fahrenheit), and that's in August. June and July are substantially cooler. For reference, a typical backyard pool temperature is 28 Celsius (82 F).

More on Canada

Canada Travel Guide

Last Updated: April 29, 2024

Canada is often skipped over on many round-the-world trips owing to its proximity to the US, poor flight connections, and few budget cross-country travel options.

But those people miss out on so much! Canada is one of the best countries in the world for RVing and road trips and it’s brimming with outdoor activities for all levels. Backpacking Canada is an amazing experience.

I love my friendly neighbor to the north and believe Canada is a really underrated destination. There’s a reason everyone around the world loves Canadians after all.

To top it all off, it’s also easy to get a working holiday visa here so you can stay longer and make money while you explore (there are huge seasonal industries across the country).

This travel guide to Canada can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your visit to this friendly natural wonderland!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Canada

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in canada.

1. Tour Toronto

Toronto is often considered the most multicultural city in the world, as over half of the city’s population is foreign-born. It’s an awesome, hip, artsy city. Don’t miss Kensington Market for good eats and cool shops, and there are plenty of tasty eats to be found in the city’s massive Chinatown as well. If you want to play tourist, head up the CN Tower for the best views of the city. For a bit of swimming in the summer, check out some of Canada’s easily accessible beaches on Lake Ontario where you can go kayaking, windsurfing, stand-up paddle boarding, and more. And if you’re traveling with kids, don’t miss the nearby amusement park Wonderland.

2. Explore Jasper and the Columbia Icefield

The Icefields Parkway connects Banff and Jasper in Western Canada and is one of the most scenic drives in the country (if not the world). Stop along the way at the Columbia Icefield, an enormous icefield that feeds into eight glaciers. You can travel onto the 10,000-year-old Athabasca Glacier where you can hike around and even drink from the crystal-clear icy glacial water. If you’re not squeamish about heights, walk out to the cliff-top glass-floored Skywalk to get a spectacular panorama of the entire area. It’s easy to reach via an enormous bus or opt for a hiking tour where you can walk the glacier. There’s even a restaurant at the top that’s a bit expensive but worth at least a coffee for the view.

3. Road trip the Maritimes

Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick make up Canada’s east coast. If you want to spend your days hiking, relaxing by the ocean, and whale watching, this is the place to do it. Nova Scotia is sometimes considered the most beautiful province with rolling hills leading to lush green coastal cliffs over frothy shores. There are colorful little fishing villages like Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered one of the “Prettiest Painted Places in Canada.” It boasts delicious fresh seafood and friendly locals to chat with. Be sure to set aside a few days for an incredible road trip on the 298-kilometer (185-mile) Cabot Trail around Cape Breton and spend in the Highlands National Park where you can hike, camp, or fish. The east coast is stunning and sees very few tourists compared to other areas of the country.

4. Hang out in Montreal

Montreal offers a look at the French side of the country. Old Montreal is thriving with culture and a mix of old and new architecture within its European-style cobblestone streets, the Notre Dame Cathedral, museums, and river cruises. The other side of Montreal is extremely modern with an underground city and mall, funky jazz clubs, and amazing cuisine, which make this the hippest and most romantic city in the country. It’s also cheaper than most of the other large cities in Canada. Don’t forget to try the poutine and bagels when you visit!

5. Have fun in Vancouver

Other things to see and do in canada, 1. celebrate the calgary stampede.

During July, over 1 million people descend on Calgary for this multi-day rodeo, drinking festival, and carnival where everyone gets to be a cowboy. It’s a lot of fun, and you’ll meet tons of people from around the world. It’s one of Canada’s premier events so book early — prices rise and accommodation disappears fast! Also, wear cowboy boots and a hat if you want to fit in.

2. Hit the slopes

The mountains in Canada offer great skiing and snowboarding during the winter. Banff is a popular mountain town known for its excellent trails. It’s quite busy during the winter as locals and visitors alike hit the slopes, but it’s popular for a reason. While Banff is the most popular place to go, there are tons of other great skiing destinations in the country. Sunshine Village, Whistler Blackcomb, Lake Louise, Kicking Horse, and Mont Tremblant are just a few to check out (they stretch from British Columbia to Quebec so you’ve got lots of choices).

3. Discover Vancouver Island

Take a few days off from Vancouver to explore nearby Vancouver Island . Eat delicious seafood, hike, spot some whales (lots of orcas live near here), shop, and lounge on the beach. This is a place to just sit and relax. Since it is so close to Vancouver, it’s a popular getaway with the locals during the summer. Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is located on the island. It’s a quiet but gorgeous little city worth a couple days of exploring. From here you can also visit places like Tofino, where the bustling surf community has evolved into a fun hippie town. If you’d rather hike an incredible yet challenging trail, the West Coast Trail is famous for its rugged beach and rainforest trails, man-made ladders through the trees, and rare wildlife.

4. Hike the rainforest

Hike the Pacific Rim National Park for a wonderful look at some temperate rainforests on Vancouver Island. It’s one of the most popular parks in Canada, home to Western Red Cedars, Pacific Silver Firs, and tons of wildlife including deer, wolves, bears, and cougars. The Long Beach area is one of the most accessible places for hiking, but the sand dunes behind Wickaninnish Beach on the South Beach Trail are also worth the trek.

5. Explore Calgary

Often skipped over by travelers since it’s not on the coast, Calgary actually has a lot to offer when it comes to free and low-cost activities. Have a picnic in one of its many parks, go rollerblading, watch a hockey game, or head up to the top of the surrounding peaks. There’s great hiking, kayaking, skiing, water rafting, and camping here and you can easily rent a bike and explore the city via its many bike paths. Although it’s been long dismissed as an oil town, it’s one of the liveliest cities in Canada.

6. Visit the galleries of Toronto

Toronto has some of the best museums and galleries in the country, so take a day or two to admire the art of the city. The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) are the two most famous art museums, but there are a plethora of smaller, specialty galleries too, like the Textiles Museum of Canada and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Galleries often offer discounts on certain days of the week, so check before you go to save some cash.

7. Take a road trip

This huge country is best explored by car or RV. It’s the ideal way to find yourself in tiny little towns, majestic mountains, amazing countryside, and plenty of off-the-beaten-track places. If you have a lot of time, this is your best and cheapest option to see the country. The Trans-Canada Highway stretches from coast to coast, making a road trip relatively easy to plan. Just keep in mind that the weather can be unpredictable (especially in the winter). Of course, you’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife and you’ll want to be prepared for long stretches of driving without any rest stops or gas stations. However, it’s worth it — the changing landscapes and scenic vistas are out of this world! you could easily spend weeks or months touring the country and still barely scratch the surface. For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

8. Stroll the nation’s capital

Ottawa is a very easy city to explore on foot. Home to museums, art galleries, and plenty of shops, it’s a charming city worth visiting for a couple days. You can take a tour of Parliament Hill (the historic buildings where the Canadian government operates) or cross the Ottawa River and visit Quebec (the great Museum of Civilization is just across the bridge). The Canadian War Museum and the National Gallery of Canada are two must-visit museums in Ottawa. Also, don’t miss the busy Byward Market, and be sure to check out the craft breweries in Westboro. Try a beavertail (a sweet pastry with sugary toppings) when you’re here!

9. Get off the beaten path in Nova Scotia

The locals boast that Nova Scotia is home to the friendliest people in Canada. They might be right. That, combined with over 100 beaches, picturesque lighthouses, great sailing, mouth-watering seafood (this area of Canada is the main fishing region), and a marvelous coastline, makes Nova Scotia an amazing place to visit in Canada. Plus, the province doesn’t see lots of tourists so it’s far less crowded and unspoiled compared to other regions. It’s perfect for road trips and camping.

10. Admire Quebec City

Quebec City’s Old Town offers cobblestone walkways, well-preserved 17th-century architecture, and the only North American fortress, the Citadel. The historical Quartier Petit Champlain is stunning and gives you an authentic French feeling with little cheese shops, bistros, creperies, and boutiques. It’s especially magical in December as it’s fully decorated with twinkling lights, snow-covered canopies, and lined with beautiful Christmas trees. In the warm weather, you can easily lose track of time wandering the streets admiring the flowers everywhere and colorful window shutters and storefronts. Don’t forget to sample the local ice ciders, head out for drinks on Grande Allée, and explore the streets below the stunning Château Frontenac.

11. Visit Kelowna

Warm in the summer and mild in the winter, this glacial valley has some of the best weather in the entire country. It’s no wonder that this is where many Canadians spend their vacations. There’s a marina and a few golf courses, not to mention that the Okanagan Valley is home to Canada’s best vineyards and wineries (a four-hour wine tour costs around 125 CAD). In the summer, Canadians rent fancy houseboats complete with waterslides to vacation on nearby Okanagan Lake. Overall, this is just a gorgeous slice of the country that shouldn’t be missed.

12. Head north to Churchill, Manitoba

This might be a small town in the middle of nowhere, but it also happens to be the Polar Bear Capital of the World, the Beluga Whale Capital of the World, and one of the best places to view the Aurora Borealis. You can ride in a tundra buggy (a special bus raised on giant wheels to keep you out of reach from polar bears) and head out on the open plains to see polar bears in their natural habitats. Mother nature is alive and thriving here. Day tours in a tundra buggy during the summer start at around 250 CAD, including lunch.

13. See the iconic Niagara Falls

This is one of the most visited attractions on the entire continent. You can never imagine how big it is until you see it up close (you never envision so much mist either). To see it up close, on a boat tour and head out into the waterfalls (be prepared to get soaked). Walks runs a daily boat tour that has exclusive access to the best spots and includes access to behind the falls (tours are 107 CAD). The town itself is touristy and cheesy so don’t spend more than a day or two (it’s fun for kids though).

14. Get lost in the Yukon

The Yukon is the perfect place to get your nature fix. The chances of seeing a bear, elk, or deer are incredibly high (or you can tour the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, where you’re guaranteed to see them). Go hiking in Tombstone Territorial Park, soak in a mineral hot pool at the Takhini Hot Springs, or swing by the Sign Post Forest with its unique collection of over 77,000 signposts. Hardly anyone ever visits the Yukon as visitors tend to stick to the major cities in the south of the country. Because of that, you’ll find yourself surrounded by unspoiled nature.

  For more information on specific cities in Canada, check out these guides:

• Calgary Travel Guide
• Montreal Travel Guide
• Nova Scotia Travel Guide
• Ottawa Travel Guide
• Quebec City Travel Guide
• Toronto Travel Guide
• Vancouver Travel Guide
• Vancouver Island Travel Guide

Canada Travel Costs

Accommodation – Rates vary a lot depending on what city you’re staying in. On average, you’ll end up paying 35-45 CAD per night for a dorm room at a hostel. Expect to pay at least 90-120 CAD for a budget hotel room. Prices rise drastically in larger cities (notably Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa).

Airbnb is available across the country, rivaling budget hotels for price and convenience. Expect to pay an average of 60-90 CAD per night for a private room, while entire homes/apartments start around 100 CAD. Keep in mind that many smaller towns won’t have many options. However, there are usually locally owned hotels or motels that are generally quite cheap. Also, Airbnb prices can double (or triple) when not booked in advance so book early.

If camping is your thing, you’ll have plenty of options across the country. Prices vary depending on the grounds but expect to pay between 25-35 CAD per night for a basic pitch for two people. Many of the major national and provincial campgrounds sell out early in the summer, so be sure to book in advance during the peak season (June-August).

Food – Overall, the food here is a collage of dishes from other cultures, owing to the country’s diverse history of immigration. On the coasts, seafood is king while the prairies have more of a meat and potatoes diet. Be sure to sample some of Canada’s famous staples like poutine (fries with gravy and cheese curds), beaver tails (fried dough with maple syrup), Canadian bacon, and the oddly tasty ketchup chips.

Overall, food can be inexpensive if you stick to cooking for yourself, eating street food, and dining at cheap fast-food places. Cheap sandwich shops and fast food are your best bet, usually costing less than 13 CAD per meal.

Pizzas cost 15-20 CAD while Asian food is usually 10-15 CAD for a main dish.

A meal out at a casual restaurant costs 20-35 CAD for a main dish and a drink. Casual fine dining costs double that.

Beer is around 7 CAD while a latte/cappuccino is around 4.60 CAD. Bottled water costs 2 CAD.

If you cook your own food, expect to pay 50-75 CAD per week for groceries. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, veggies, and some meat or fish.

Backpacking Canada Suggested Budgets

How much does it cost to visit Canada? Well, it’s complicated. How much you spend largely depends on where in Canada you’re going to visit. For example, Canada’s biggest cities like Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver are considerably more expensive than the smaller ones (like Halifax, St. John’s, and Quebec City). The rural areas are even cheaper but getting around costs more as you may need to rent a car or take expensive buses.

On a backpacking budget, you should plan to spend around 70 CAD per day. This assumes you’re staying in a hostel dorm, cooking all your meals, using public transportation, limiting your drinking, and sticking to free activities like hiking and enjoying nature.

On a mid-range budget of 185 CAD per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb, take buses between destinations, eat out for most meals, enjoy a few drinks, and do more paid activities like visiting museums or taking a food or wine tour.

On a “luxury” budget of 310 CAD per day or more, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink more, rent a car to get around, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though, the sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in CAD.

Canada Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Given the size of Canada, there are plenty of ways to save money when you travel, but it varies by region (as I’ve been repeating). The general tips below can help but for specific tips visit our city guides!

• Stay with a local – As Canada is not the most budget-friendly destination owing to its inconvenient size, you’ll be able to cut down on your costs by using Couchsurfing . While not huge in smaller towns, you won’t have a hard time finding a host in the major cities. Just be sure to plan ahead during the summer as that is prime tourist season and it’s much harder to find a host then.
• Enjoy outdoor summer festivals – Since Canadians are stuck indoors all winter, they love to make the most of hot days by packing in lots of festivals into the short summer. Many of these, like Heritage Days (Edmonton), Kits Days (Vancouver), and Caribana (Toronto), are free. Check out upcoming events online by visiting the local tourism board’s website.
• Embrace the outdoors – A vast country with a relatively minuscule population leaves lots of potential for outdoor activities. Rent a pair of cross-country skis or snowshoes in the winter and enjoy the free use of many trails (versus expensive downhill lift passes). In the summer, you can bike, hike, kayak, or canoe. The cost of most equipment rentals is around 25-100 CAD for a day, and you can explore many areas at no further cost.
• Take the bus – Megabus runs in Ontario and Quebec (with connections into the U.S., including NYC). You can find tickets for as little as 1 CAD if booked in advance. This is the most affordable way to get between Toronto and Montreal (or into the U.S.).
• Use ride-sharing services – If you are going to be traveling between cities or provinces, keep an eye out for people sharing their vehicles. Craigslist, Couchsurfing, Kangaride, and Facebook all have ride-share pages for most major cities. If you can find someone traveling in your direction you can tag along and share the cost of gas.
• Eat street food – Every major Canadian city has plenty of street vendors selling hot dogs, sausages, and veggie dogs for as little as 3 CAD. You won’t find a cheaper lunch!
• Take a free walking tour – Most major cities in Canada offer free walking tours. They are a great way to explore and get a feel for each location and its history. Most last a couple of hours and don’t need to be booked in advance. Just remember to tip your guide at the end!
• Buy gas on native reserves – If you are driving around the country, keep your eyes peeled for native reserves — they are the cheapest places to buy gas in Canada. With lower taxes, you’ll find gas prices significantly cheaper than anywhere else. They are also great places to stop and experience the vibrant cultures of Canada’s First People.
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a built-in filter to ensure your water is always safe and clean.

Where to Stay in Canada

Hostels are not that plentiful across Canada, but generally, they’re high quality and clean. Here are my suggested places to stay in Canada:

• The Only Backpacker’s Inn (Toronto)
• The Parkdale Hostellerie (Toronto)
• Cambie Hostel Gastown (Vancouver)
• Samesun Vancouver (Vancouver)
• HI Calgary City Centre (Calgary)
• HI Lake Louise (Banff)
• HI Montreal Hostel (Montreal)
• Alexandrie-Montréal (Montreal)

How to Get Around Canada

Public transportation – Within city limits you’ll find great public transportation networks. Toronto and Montreal are the only two cities in Canada with subway systems (although Vancouver has SkyTrain), but even the smallest Canadian cities have extensive bus routes. It usually costs about 3.25 CAD for a one-way ticket.

Larger cities have passes designed for tourists to make the most of the metro system. For example, Toronto has a daily pass for unlimited travel for 13.50 CAD.

Bus – There’s no singular country-wide bus system here. Instead, regional operators vary per location. Megabus is the cheapest option when it comes to traveling between cities in Ontario and Quebec. Fares can be as low as 1 CAD if booked in advance. Red Arrow is primarily an Alberta coach line. On the east coast, Maritime Bus is the main coach company (except in Newfoundland where it’s DRL Group).

Toronto to Ottawa costs about 30-50 CAD with Flixbus, while Ottawa to Montreal is around 35-50 CAD. A longer ride — like the 13-hour drive from Calgary to Vancouver — costs around 125-165 CAD.

To find bus routes and prices, use BusBud .

Train – There is a train service (VIA Rail) that runs from coast to coast and is very scenic, albeit not cheap. Many train routes are currently suspended or running with limited space due to COVID-19, meaning that journeys take even longer. It takes over 24 hours to get from Halifax to Ottawa, costing about 150-170 CAD. On the other hand, shorter routes like between Montreal and Quebec City (a 3.5-hour journey) are more affordable and start at 36 CAD.

Flying – As your last alternative, you can fly, but since the country has only two major airlines (WestJet and Air Canada) prices are often high. Round-trip flights from Toronto to Vancouver usually start at around 200 CAD when booked early but they can easily cost triple that price. Round-trip from Ottawa to Calgary is around 270 CAD, but again, this is when booked in advance. Expect to pay at least double that price if you don’t book early.

Overall, flying is worthwhile only if you want to see specific cities and have limited time. For shorter routes (like Montreal to Ottawa) you’ll save a lot of money if you just take the bus or train.

Car Rental – If you’re going between provinces or staying a while in the country, consider renting a car for 35-50 CAD per day. This is one of the best, most convenient ways to get around the country — especially if you’re interested in getting out of the cities and into Canada’s wilderness (ideally if you have someone to share the cost with too).

For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

Ridesharing – If you are traveling between cities or provinces, keep an eye out for people sharing their vehicle. Check these websites for rides:

• Couchsurfing

When to Go to Canada

Since Canada is such a large country, climate and temperature vary drastically from coast to coast. Canada has very defined seasons, and winter can be harsh and long in some places. For example, winters in the Northern Territories begin early and end late, and places like Newfoundland and Labrador can experience snow until late May.

On the other hand, winter in the Canadian Rockies is epic and people from all over the world flock to British Columbia and Alberta to hit the slopes around Whistler, Banff, and Revelstoke. Prepare for cold temperatures, though. In some places, like on the prairies, it can get as cold as -40°C (-40°F). In short, only visit in the winter if you’re planning to do winter sports.

Summer in Canada is beautiful, but it’s also the busiest time of year. June to the end of September is the main tourist season, with inflated prices and large crowds. On the other hand, the temperatures are lovely during this time, often in the high 20s°C (70s°F). There are music festivals galore and it’s a great time to hike, bike, and explore the Great Lakes.

Shoulder season is also a fantastic time to visit Canada, although spring (March-June) can be quite wet. Fall (September-October) is highly recommended, as temperatures are still warm enough and the autumn foliage is really something special. Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces are well worth an autumn trek.

How to Stay Safe in Canada

Canada is a safe place to backpack and travel — even if you’re traveling solo, and even as a solo female traveler. Violent attacks are rare and tend to be confined to certain areas (generally where drug and gang violence are a problem). You may encounter petty crime, like theft, around popular tourist landmarks, though that isn’t super common. Nevertheless, always keep an eye on your belongings, especially while taking public transportation, just to be safe.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.).

If visiting in the winter, dress warmly. It gets so cold here that people literally freeze to death so take precautions and always keep an eye on the forecast.

If you’re going out hiking, always check the weather beforehand and ensure you have enough water. Bring sunscreen and a hat too. It can get humid here!

Canada’s cannabis legalization has a whole lot of rules and restrictions. The CBC has a great outline on everything you need to know if you’re thinking of consuming cannabis while in Canada.

Scams here are rare, but it never hurts to be prepared. Read about common travel scams to avoid here if you’re worried about getting ripped off.

If you experience an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Canada Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Canada Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Canada travel and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Toronto

Where to Stay in Quebec City: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Where to Stay in Vancouver: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Where to Stay in Toronto: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

Canada Road Trip: A One Month Suggested Itinerary

How to Road Trip the Yukon on a Budget

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The best places to visit in Canada from cosmopolitan cities to the Rockies

Apr 11, 2024 • 10 min read

Experience the best of Canada with these top places to visit © Hero Images / Getty Images

Visitors to Canada are equally as wowed by the wildlife and wilderness as they are by the cultural and culinary offerings in the cities that speckle this sprawling nation.

Look for polar bears on the arctic tundra of Churchill or cruise Vancouver’s curvy coastline in a canoe while gawking at the city skyline. Feast on five-star fusion cuisine in Toronto, or take in a street-side jam session in Montréal. 

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning to experience something new, these are the best places to go in Canada. But you'll have to plan your trip ahead because this is the world’s second-largest country – you can’t see it all in just one go.

Best for diversity

A vibrant jumble of cultures and neighborhoods , Toronto strikes you with sheer urban awe. Will you have dinner in Chinatown or Greektown? Five-star fusion or a peameal bacon sandwich? In Ontario ’s coolest city, designer shoes from Bloor-Yorkville are accessorized with tattoos in Queen West, while modern art galleries, theater par excellence, rocking band rooms, and hockey mania round out the megalopolis.

This is far and away Canada’s most diverse city, as well as its largest – about half of Toronto’s residents were born in another country.

Local tip : Snap a photo of the CN Tower  (one of the top spots to visit in Toronto ). For an added thrill: check out Edgewalk, where you can shuffle around the tower’s perimeter while taking in unparalleled city views.

2. The Canadian Rockies 

Best for mountain views

The sawtooth, snow-topped mountains straddling the British Columbia — Alberta border inspire both awe and action. Five national parks – Banff, Yoho, Kootenay, Waterton Lakes and Jasper – offer countless opportunities to delve into the lush wilderness with ribbons of hiking trails , rushing whitewater and powdery ski slopes to satisfy travelers looking for mountain thrills. 

This is one of the best places to visit in Canada in winter , but there is outdoor adventure aplenty during the summer months, too.

Planning tip: For a different perspective, take the train and experience the grandeur from the comfort of your seat: luminous lakes, jumbles of wildflowers and glistening glaciers glide by as the steel cars chug up mountain passes and down river valleys en route to points east or west.

Wondering where locals go in Canada? Check out some of our writers' favorite spots .

3. Manitoulin Island

Best for Canada’s First Nations culture

The largest freshwater island in the world, floating right in Lake Huron’s midst, Manitoulin is a slowpoke place of beaches and summery cottages. Jagged expanses of white quartzite and granite outcroppings edge the shoreline and lead to shimmering vistas. First Nations culture pervades, and the island’s eight communities collaborate to offer local foods (wild rice, corn soup) and eco-adventures (canoeing, horseback riding, hiking). Powwows add drumming, dancing and storytelling to the mix for immersive experiences that connect you with the people and the land of the country that we now know as Canada.

4. Vancouver 

Best for urban life with access to nature

Sea-to-sky beauty surrounds the laid-back, cocktail-loving metropolis of Vancouver . There are skiable mountains on the outskirts, beaches fringing the coast and Stanley Park ’s thick rainforest just steps from downtown’s gleaming skyscrapers.

For the best of both worlds, pick up provisions and a cold beer and picnic at one of the amazing city parks (it’s legal to drink alcohol at most of them during the summer). 

Shop and stroll through the diverse and charming neighborhoods – you may even spot a celebrity along the way. Known as “Hollywood North,” Vancouver is the filming location for many TV and film productions shot throughout the year.

Planning tip: With its mild climate and beautiful beaches , Vancouver is definitely one of the best places in Canada to visit in summer.

5. Baffin Island

Best for Inuit art and incredible landscapes

The rugged landscape of Baffin Island is home to cloud-scraping mountains and a third of Nunavut’s human population. It’s Canada’s largest island (the fifth biggest in the world) and the ideal place for an arctic safari where you can spot narwhals, belugas and bears in their natural habitat. The island’s crown jewel is Auyuittuq National Park – its name means “the land that never melts,” and indeed glaciers, fjords and vertiginous cliffs fill the eastern expanse. The park is a siren call for hardcore hikers and climbers – and more than a few polar bears.

Local tip: Baffin Island is also a center for Inuit art; studios for high-quality carving, printmaking and weaving can be found in many of the small towns.

6. Vancouver Island 

Best for nature, surf beaches and boutique food ventures

Picture-postcard Victoria is the heart of Vancouver Island , beating with bohemian shops, wood-floored coffee bars and a past steeped in English tea culture since the 1840s.  British Columbia ’s capital city is full of charm, but it’s only the kick-off point to an island that has a bounty of natural wonders to explore.

Brooding Pacific Rim National Park Reserve includes the West Coast Trail, where the wind-bashed ocean meets a mist-shrouded wilderness, and surfers line up for Tofino’s waves. With so many outdoor adventures to try, this is one of the best places in Canada for nature lovers.

Detour: Wandering foodies will want to head to the Cowichan Valley, which is studded with welcoming small farms and boutique wineries.

Find out how to see Canada by train.

7. Whistler 

Best for skiing, mountain biking or summer paddle-boarding

This 2010 Winter Olympics venue is one of the world’s largest, best-equipped and most popular ski resorts, and it’s only a 90-minute drive from downtown Vancouver. Featuring over 200 marked runs winding down two towering mountains – Whistler and Blackcomb – this alpine village is paradise for skiers of all levels.

Skiing may be Whistler ’s raison d’être, but summer visitors with their downhill mountain bikes and stand-up paddle-boards outnumber their ski-season equivalents, making the resort a year-round hot spot for locals and visitors alike. Adding more diversity, Whistler has recently developed a thriving arts and culture scene, with highlights like the Audain Art Museum and Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre taking the stage as equally appealing attractions to the famed slopes.

8. Old Québec City

Best place to visit in Canada for romantics

Québec’s capital is more than 400 years old, and its stone walls, spired cathedrals and jazz-filled cafes suffuse it with atmosphere, romance, melancholy, eccentricity and intrigue on par with any European city. The best way to soak it all up is to walk the old town’s labyrinth of lanes and get lost amid the street performers and cozy inns, stopping every so often for a café au lait and flaky pastry.

The city is also home to Québec’s scenic highway, Rte 132. Circling the Gaspé Peninsula , this road winds past the sea and the mountains, as well as charming towns. More than 700,000 people drive it each summer. Of course, it has yet to approach the romantic popularity of Canada’s “honeymoon capital,” Niagara Falls, a region that draws more than 14 million annual visitors. But head for La Gaspésie instead, young lovers. Because if you’re on your honeymoon, you don’t need 14 million other people hanging around.

9. Montréal

Best for music lovers 

As Canada’s second-largest city and the country’s cultural heart,  Montréal  is a marvel for music lovers. From June to August, Montréalers get high on sunshine in parks, beaches, mountaintop forests and endless festivals. The steamy outdoors is more alive than ever with arts-loving visitors filling the streets (and the cool of performance spaces), while rooftop bars turn into parties. The best jazz-influenced musicians in the world play to equally jazzed spectators at the annual  Montréal International Jazz Festival , where there are over 500 performances and shows to enjoy (and countless are free). Nature is also never far away in Montréal where a network of cycling paths, waterways and islands crisscross the city. No wonder Montréalers grow up jogging, paddling canals and skating in the fresh air.

Planning tip:  Check out  Tourisme Montréal  for the latest live music events, big and small, throughout the city. 

10. Rideau Canal

Best for ice skating

Opened in 1832, this 200km-long (124 miles) waterway – consisting of canals, rivers and lakes – connects Ottawa and Kingston via 47 locks. The Rideau Canal is at its finest in wintry Ottawa, where a stretch of it becomes the Rideau Canal Skateway – the world's largest skating rink.

People swoosh by on the 7.8km (4.8 miles) of groomed ice, pausing for hot chocolate and scrumptious slabs of fried dough called beavertails (a quintessentially Canadian treat). February’s Winterlude festival kicks it up a notch when townsfolk build massive ice sculptures.

Local tip: Once the canal thaws, it becomes a boater’s paradise, meaning you can appreciate it whatever time of year you visit.

11. The Prairies

Best for big-sky road trips

Solitude reigns in Canada’s middle ground. Driving through the flatlands of Manitoba and Saskatchewan turns up uninterrupted fields of golden wheat that stretch to the horizon, eventually melting into the sunshine. When the wind blows, the wheat sways like waves on the ocean, punctuated by the occasional grain elevator rising up like a tall ship.

Big skies mean big storms that drop like an anvil, visible on the skyline for miles. Far-flung towns include arty Winnipeg , boozy Moose Jaw and Mountie-filled Regina, interspersed with Ukrainian and Scandinavian villages.

12. Niagara Falls

Best for an iconic travel experience

Niagara Falls may be relatively short (it doesn’t even crack the top 500 worldwide for height), but when those great muscular bands of water arc over the precipice like liquid glass, roaring into the void below – and you sail toward it in a mist-shrouded boat – the falls never fail to impress.

While you’re there, extend your stay and head beyond the falls on a two-wheel biking adventure along the Greater Niagara Circle Route, or take a go at the Wildplay Zipline to the Falls , a pulse-pounding rush of a ride that offers unparalleled views of the falls below as you zoom through the sky.

Read on for the best experiences to be had in Canada.

13. Bay of Fundy

Best place to spot whales

It has lighthouses, boats and trawlers, fishing villages and other maritime scenery, yet Fundy is not your average Canadian bay. That’s because its unique geography results in the world’s most extreme tides, capable of reaching 16m (56ft) – about the height of a five-story building.

The tides stir up serious whale food, with krill and other plankton attracting fin, humpback and blue whales to feast, as well as endangered North Atlantic right whales, making a whale watch here an extraordinary must-do.

14. Churchill

Best for polar bear encounters

The first polar bear you see up close will take your breath away, and there’s no better place for an encounter than Churchill , Manitoba, which happens to be right on the bears’ migration path. From late September to early November, tundra vehicles head out in search of the razor-clawed beasts, sometimes getting you close enough to lock eyes with the beautiful bears. Summer lets you kayak or stand-up paddleboard with beluga whales.

15. Drumheller

Best for dinosaur enthusiasts

Dinosaur lovers get weak-kneed in dust-blown Drumheller , where paleontological civic pride runs high thanks to the Royal Tyrrell Museum , home to one of the planet's pre-eminent fossil collections. The world’s largest “dinosaur” is here, too – a giant fiberglass T-rex that visitors can climb and peer out of (through its mouth). Beyond the dino-hoopla, the area offers classic Badlands scenery and eerie, mushroom-like rock columns called hoodoos.

Planning tip: Follow the scenic driving loops; these take you past all the good stuff.

This article was first published Jul 11, 2021 and updated Apr 11, 2024.

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Toronto, the Quietly Booming Tech Town

For all the excitement around places like Austin and Miami, the biggest tech expansion has been in Canada’s largest city.

A new $100 million complex built by the University of Toronto will house artificial intelligence and biotech companies. Credit... Brendan Ko for The New York Times

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By Cade Metz

• March 21, 2022

TORONTO — In late February, Microsoft opened four floors of new office space near the top of a 50-story glass tower in downtown Toronto, a block from Scotiabank Arena, home of the Maple Leafs and the Raptors.

Apple and Amazon were already in towers just down the street, and Google was about to open a new building around the corner. Meta, formerly Facebook, did not yet have an office downtown, but many Toronto start-ups complained that the social media company was driving tech salaries to Silicon Valley levels as it recruited top engineers across the city. During the pandemic, it was hiring anyone willing to work from home.

A few blocks north, construction workers in yellow vests and hard hats were finishing three floors of new office space for another social media company: Pinterest. Stripe, an American payments company, was opening an office near City Hall, where Klarna, a Scandinavian payments company, had just announced its arrival with a flashy photo op alongside Mayor John Tory.

As the tech industry continues to expand and communities all over the world compete for tech jobs outside Silicon Valley, many executives, investors and entrepreneurs are promoting warm climes like Austin and Miami as the next big tech hubs. But they are tiny tech communities compared with the new hub growing in the cool air along the shore of Lake Ontario.

Thanks to years of investment from local universities, government agencies and business leaders and Canada’s liberal immigration policies, Toronto is now the third-largest tech hub in North America. It is home to more tech workers than Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington, D.C., trailing only New York and Silicon Valley, according to CBRE, a real estate company that tracks tech hiring.

Toronto’s tech work force is also growing at a faster clip than any hub in the United States. And unlike many cities, Toronto is likely to have the resources needed to sustain the trend. It is the fourth-largest city in North America — with about three million people in the city and more than six million in the metro area — behind only Mexico City, New York and Los Angeles, and its roots in technology run deep.

“Everyone points to Miami as the next tech hub because it offers low taxes. But it offers little else from a tech point of view,” Mike Volpi, a partner with the venture capital firm Index Ventures, said on a recent visit to Toronto. “You need anchor companies that can provide a transformative impact. Entrepreneurs come from these companies and start their own.”

These anchor companies — including the Canadian e-commerce company Shopify as well as the many American giants — have come to Toronto for the researchers and engineers who are already here. But they also believe the talent pool will grow.

“This is now a place to make a long-term bet — to build connections with the cluster of schools in the area and create a new pipeline for hiring,” said Tristan Jung, a Korean-born computer scientist who grew up in Toronto, spent six years working at Twitter’s headquarters in San Francisco and recently persuaded the company to build an engineering hub back home in Canada.

Over the last year, Twitter hired more than 100 engineers in Toronto, tripling its Canadian work force. Household internet names like DoorDash, eBay and Pinterest built similar technology hubs in the city, as did rising artificial intelligence companies like Cerebras, Groq and Recursion Pharmaceuticals.

This corner of Canada includes two universities known for generating top researchers and engineers: the University of Toronto, a short walk from downtown, and the University of Waterloo, Mr. Jung’s alma mater, roughly an hour away by car or train. In the past, much of this talent migrated to the United States. But engineers and computer scientists trained in and around Toronto increasingly are staying put.

Or, like Mr. Jung, they are moving back home after years in the United States.

In Toronto, U.S.-based companies can also speed the arrival of new tech talent from other countries — a talent stream that has long been the lifeblood of the American tech industry. As the U.S. immigration system slowed and sputtered under the Trump administration, Canada introduced programs intended to bring skilled workers into a country that is already unusually diverse. Nearly 50 percent of Toronto’s residents were born outside the country, according to the city .

“It is infinitely easier to bring that kind of talent into Canada,” said Heather Kirkby, chief people officer at Recursion, a company that applies A.I. to drug discovery. “A lot of companies have given up on immigration in the U.S. There are limits to what’s possible.”

In and around Toronto, local institutions are intent on feeding the tech ecosystem. Ontario recently passed a law that explicitly bars companies from enforcing noncompete clauses in employment contracts , encouraging employees to found their own start-ups. Backed by a $100 million donation from local business leaders, the University of Toronto is building a complex that will house A.I. and biotech companies.

When discussing the Toronto tech scene, locals inevitably point to Geoffrey Hinton, the University of Toronto professor whose research set in motion the recent boom in artificial intelligence .

In 2012, Dr. Hinton and two of his students published a breakthrough paper involving “ neural networks ,” a technology that could power everything from self-driving cars to digital assistants to chatbots. Soon, the world’s biggest companies were spending millions — sometimes tens of millions — to hire researchers who specialized in the technology.

Google paid $44 million for Dr. Hinton, born in Britain, and his two students, both born in the former Soviet Union. For a time, he worked at Google’s Silicon Valley headquarters. But he kept his professorship at the university, and in 2016 he opened a Google research lab in downtown Toronto.

The next year, he joined local entrepreneurs and researchers in founding the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence , which raised $130 million from government and industry meant to keep top researchers in Toronto, attract talent from other parts of the world and push other companies to open labs in the city.

The area was already a growing tech hub. As the financial center of Canada, Toronto was home to big banks. Microsoft had operated offices in the suburbs for years. So had computer chip companies like Intel and AMD. Google was running an engineering office near the University of Waterloo.

A month after Dr. Hinton announced his Google lab, Uber opened a self-driving car lab anchored by another University of Toronto professor: Raquel Urtasun, who had been courted by a who’s who of American autonomous vehicle companies, but she insisted on staying in Toronto.

“The one thing that was clear for me is that I did not want to go anywhere. The talent is here,” said Dr. Urtasun, who was born in Spain and immigrated to Canada in 2014.

In 2019, two Canadian researchers who had worked in Google’s Toronto lab, Aidan Gomez and Nick Frosst, created their own artificial intelligence company alongside another entrepreneur, Ivan Zhang. Called Cohere, it specializes in technology that helps machines understand the natural way people write and talk — the most promising breed of A.I. — and Google is now a partner.

A year later, as Uber’s core ride-hailing business declined during the pandemic, the company jettisoned its self-driving car efforts . And Dr. Urtasun founded a start-up called Waabi.

Waabi kept most of the same researchers who worked in the Uber lab, with Dr. Urtasun becoming chief executive. It uses the same office on the top floor of a building just west of the university. It is funded in part by Uber. But it is a Canadian company.

Driven by the pandemic, immigration policy and other forces, many other giants have followed Google and Uber into Toronto or rapidly expanded their existing operations in and around the city. Local venture capitalists like Jordan Jacobs, whose firm Radical Ventures invested in both Cohere and Waabi, believe this will feed the growth of a much larger start-up ecosystem.

Others are still unsure. The big American companies came to Toronto in part because the cost of the talent was lower. According to the recruitment website Hired, the average annual tech salary in Toronto was 117,000 Canadian dollars in 2020 (only about $90,000 in U.S. dollars), versus $165,000 in Silicon Valley. But many local start-ups are now saying that because demand has suddenly risen, so have salaries, and it has become much harder to hire the talent they need.

“A situation like this is always good for someone and bad for someone else,” said Liran Belenzon, the Israeli-born chief executive of BenchSci, a biomedical artificial intelligence company he helped found in Toronto in 2016.

Not all tech projects in Toronto have gone as expected. In 2020, Sidewalk Labs, which was operated by Google’s parent company, Alphabet, backed out of an ambitious plan to digitize an entire neighborhood. The company said uncertainty by the pandemic was the main reason, but it had faced several years of local objections.

Investment in new Toronto companies is still tiny compared with Silicon Valley. In 2021 and 2022, investors pumped $132 billion into Silicon Valley tech start-ups, according to the research firm Tracxn. In Toronto, that figure was $5.4 billion. But ultimately, it is tech talent that drives a tech hub, said Mr. Volpi, a Bay Area venture capitalist who also invested in Cohere.

“The money will follow the talent,” he said.

Cade Metz is a technology correspondent, covering artificial intelligence, driverless cars, robotics, virtual reality, and other emerging areas. He previously wrote for Wired magazine.  More about Cade Metz

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