toronto to niagara falls road trip

Road trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls

Get ready for a beautiful road trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls, where you can choose which side of beautiful Lake Ontario to follow. On this scenic drive, you'll get to experience some of the most gorgeous landscapes, towns, cities, and historical places in the Great Lakes.

The 170 km road trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls will take 2 hours and 50 minutes to complete. Highlights en route are Burlington, Hamilton, St Catharines, Niagara-on-the-Lake, or Syracuse, Seneca Falls, Rochester, Buffalo and Finger Lakes in the USA.

This thrilling adventure around Lake Ontario will captivate you and give you plenty of lifelong memories. Read on below to learn more about our recommended routes, top highlights, best places to stay, and the best seasons to travel.

How far is Niagara Falls from Toronto, and how long will the road trip take?

The Hamilton Route to Niagara Falls from Toronto is a shorter journey, spanning 170 kilometres and taking approximately 2 hours and 50 minutes to drive.

On the other hand, the Finger Lakes Route is a more extensive journey, covering 780 miles, with an estimated drive time of 8 hours and 30 minutes.

Whether looking for a quick getaway or an extended road trip around Lake Ontario, these routes provide opportunities to discover the diverse landscapes and attractions along the way to Niagara Falls, so we recommend spending 2-3 days to enjoy them.

Best road trip route from Toronto to Niagara Falls

While both the Hamilton and Finger Lakes routes from Toronto to Niagara Falls showcase natural beauty, they offer distinctly different experiences. Your choice will depend on what you want to see and experience the most.

The Hamilton Route, though shorter, can be significantly extended during peak traffic hours, particularly when driving into the Greater Toronto Area. We recommend driving outside of peak rush-hour times.

This route will give you a picturesque journey with well-maintained roads and expansive views of Lake Ontario, perfect for capturing stunning city skyline photos.

Although it's a short drive, you'll get to see plenty of amazing Canadian communities and stop at several historic destinations. This route will take you to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls.

In contrast, the Finger Lakes Route is a longer scenic drive that encompasses nearly the entirety of Lake Ontario. It has plenty of opportunities for breathtaking views from both Canadian and American perspectives.

This route requires crossing into New York State, so ensure all necessary documentation for border crossing is prepared. While this route is spectacular during summer and fall, it also requires careful planning in winter.

However, you'll get to see amazing small towns by the beautiful Finger Lakes and picturesque vineyards on the way. You'll also drive through upstate New York's iconic mountain scenery. Note that this route ends in the USA side of Niagara Falls.

If you're seeking a quick, scenic drive with urban views, the Hamilton Route is ideal. But if you prefer a longer journey featuring diverse landscapes and a cross-border experience, the Finger Lakes Route is an excellent choice.

How to drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls

The map above shows our suggestions for the best road trip routes between Toronto and Niagara Falls. Keep reading for detailed descriptions of both routes, where to stay on either, and the best things to do on the way.

Hamilton Route

Starting in the big city of Toronto, head southwest on the Queen Elizabeth Highway. You'll soon make it out of the city and into Toronto. From here, drive to the historic city of Burlington. After enjoying the downtown area, make sure to visit the Royal Botanical Gardens.

From Burlington, make a stop at nearby Hamilton. From here, head east along the coast of Lake Ontario. You'll drive along beautiful stretches of coastline. Soon, you'll arrive in the stunning coastal community of St. Catharines.

From here, make your way to Niagara-on-the-Lake. This beautiful town is famous for the historic Fort George National Historic Site. After enjoying this iconic landmark, drive south to your destination of Niagara Falls.

Finger Lakes Route

Starting in Toronto, head east along the coastline of Lake Ontario. Continue driving to Oshawa. Here, make sure to stop by the Canadian Automotive Museum. After Oshawa, make your way east to Kingston.

In Kingston, you can visit the historical Fort Henry National Historic Site. From here, make your way into New York by crossing the famous St Lawrence River.

Drive along Interstate 81 (I-81) through rural upstate New York to Syracuse. Here, you can enjoy the beautiful museums and university campuses the city is famous for.

After Syracuse, make your way to Skaneateles and Seneca Falls to sample some of the best wines in the USA. These towns are gateways to the beautiful Finger Lakes of New York.

From here, take I-90 west to Rochester. After visiting this city's amazing museums and downtown, get back on route to Buffalo.

Buffalo is one of New York State's most famous cities. After enjoying this wonderful community, get on I-90 and drive to the world-famous destination of Niagara Falls.

Best places to stop between Toronto and Niagara Falls

Even though this is a relatively short road trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls, you'll want to stop at one of the amazing destinations below. This way, you'll be able to rest up and enjoy this breathtaking region of Canada and the USA.

A peaceful break in St Catharines

St Catharines, located about 1 hour and 30 minutes into the Hamilton Route, makes an ideal stopover. Known as "The Garden City," it's the most populous city in the Niagara region, offering a perfect blend of rest and exploration.

This city is celebrated for its hiking trails, abundant greenery, and public parks, providing a refreshing break in any season. Among its many attractions, Short Hills Provincial Park will give you a tranquil natural retreat, while 13th Street Winery is perfect for wine enthusiasts.

For your stay, consider the highly rated Juniper Inn, a stylish boutique hotel conveniently located a short drive from Niagara and Rainbow Bridge. Some rooms have picturesque Lake Ontario views, enhancing your stay with natural scenery.

At the Juniper Inn, you will be located in the heart of Port Dalhousie neighbourhood . Nearby, Lakeside Park and Beach are just a 3-minute walk away, offering a serene spot for relaxation by the water.

The Port Dalhousie East Pier and Lighthouse, a 25-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from the hotel, are perfect places for an evening stroll or a scenic daytime excursion.

Beautiful lakeside views in Skaneateles

Skaneateles, a picturesque town located nearly 6 hours into the Finger Lakes Route, serves as an excellent halfway point. The town is celebrated for Lake Skaneateles, known for its crystal-clear waters and scenic beauty, and its vineyards, where you can savour the local wine culture.

Did you know that the city's name is derived from an Iroquois word meaning “long lake”? Even today, its indigenous heritage is proudly celebrated through traditions and the local culture.

For your stay, the Skaneateles Suites Boutique Hotel offers a comfortable experience in the heart of the village. The hotel is just steps away from the village's shops and restaurants, and only a half-block from Clift Park and Skaneateles Lake.

Some rooms also have jetted spa tubs for an added touch of luxury. Additionally, guests benefit from free off-street parking, adding to the convenience.

Near the hotel, Skaneateles Lake is a mere 5-minute walk away, offering a peaceful setting for relaxation and water activities. Also within walking distance, just 4 minutes away, is Gallery 54, where art enthusiasts can explore a collection of local art and crafts.

Where to stay when you reach Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls, a city famous for its awe-inspiring waterfalls and the iconic US Rainbow Bridge is a bustling tourist hub offering plenty of attractions for all types of travellers.

The city's most iconic sight, Niagara Falls, is the world's fastest-moving waterfall, with nearly 700,000 gallons of water flowing at an astonishing speed of 100 miles per hour every minute.

For an incredible experience, visit the Rainbow International Bridge, which gives you a unique perspective of both the falls and the gorge. This landmark offers stunning views of the natural wonder.

When it comes to accommodation, the Niagara Grandview Boutique Hotel stands out as one of the city's premier boutique properties . Recently renovated, this hotel offers stylish and uniquely decorated rooms, featuring views of the Niagara River and Gorge.

The hotel also has a wide array of amenities, including complimentary parking and breakfast, an outdoor play structure for kids, bicycles for exploring the city, and a selection of books and board games suitable for all ages. There's also a cosy coffee shop on-site for a leisurely start to your day.

Located just a 12-minute walk from the bustling Clifton Hill tourist area, guests are in close proximity to Niagara's famous falls, the Skywheel, Niagara Casino, and much more.

Things to see on a road trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls

The road trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls is full of amazing highlights on both routes. To help you plan your wonderful road trip easier, we've included our favourite highlights below.

• Etobicoke, Ontario - A suburban district in Toronto, Etobicoke offers a blend of urban living and green spaces, with many parks and the picturesque waterfront of Lake Ontario. It's known for its diverse communities and family-friendly neighbourhoods.
• Oakville, Ontario - This charming town features a beautiful harbour, historic downtown, and a range of cultural activities, making it a perfect blend of urban and small-town life. Oakville's parks and gardens are also perfect places to relax.
• Bronte Creek Provincial Park - Located near Oakville, this expansive park offers a variety of outdoor activities including hiking trails, a large outdoor pool, and a children's farm, nestled in a serene natural setting.
• Burlington, Ontario - Burlington is known for its beautiful waterfront, vibrant downtown, and as the home of the Royal Botanical Gardens. It's a city that combines outdoor beauty with urban conveniences.
• Royal Botanical Gardens - Located in Burlington, these are Canada's largest botanical gardens, featuring over 27 km of nature trails and a diverse array of plant life, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts.
• Hamilton, Ontario - This port city is known for its rich industrial heritage and vibrant arts scene, offering a mix of urban and natural attractions, including waterfalls and conservation areas.
• Dundurn Castle - A historic neoclassical mansion in Hamilton, Dundurn Castle offers a glimpse into 19th-century life with beautifully restored rooms and an expansive garden.
• Hamilton Waterfront Trail - This scenic trail along Hamilton's waterfront offers picturesque views of Lake Ontario and is a popular spot for walking, cycling, and enjoying the city's natural beauty.
• Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum - Located in Hamilton, this museum showcases Canada's military aviation history with an impressive collection of over 40 aircraft, including a flying Lancaster bomber.
• Beamer Memorial Conservation Area - Known for its stunning views of the Niagara Escarpment and as a prime spot for birdwatching, especially during hawk migrations.
• St Catharines, Ontario - Often called "The Garden City," St. Catharines is renowned for its lush parks, gardens, and trails, as well as a lively downtown area with shops and restaurants.
• Niagara-on-the-Lake - A picturesque town known for its well-preserved 19th-century village, renowned wineries, and the annual Shaw Festival, celebrating theatre and the arts.
• Fort George National Historic Site - A historic military structure in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Fort George played a significant role in the War of 1812 and offers living history demonstrations and tours.
• Old Fort Niagara, Youngstown - Located across the border in New York, this historic fort offers a rich history, dating back over 300 years, with well-preserved buildings and reenactments.

• Oshawa, Ontario - A dynamic city with a rich automotive history, Oshawa offers cultural attractions like the Canadian Automotive Museum and a vibrant arts community.
• Canadian Automotive Museum - Located in Oshawa, this museum showcases Canada's automotive history with a vast collection of vehicles, from vintage models to modern cars.
• Lake Ontario - One of the five Great Lakes of North America, Lake Ontario is known for its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, and waterfront parks.
• National Air Force Museum of Canada - Situated in Trenton, this museum celebrates Canada's air force heritage with an extensive collection of aircraft and memorabilia.
• Kingston, Ontario - A historic city where the St. Lawrence River meets Lake Ontario, known for its vibrant downtown, historic architecture, and the nearby Fort Henry.
• Fort Henry National Historic Site - A 19th-century military fortification in Kingston, offering historical reenactments, tours, and stunning views of the surrounding area.
• 1000 Islands Tower - Offering panoramic views of the Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence River, this observation tower is a must-visit for breathtaking scenery.
• Syracuse, New York - A city known for its rich history, cultural attractions, and as the gateway to the Finger Lakes region, offering a blend of urban and natural experiences.
• Oneida Lake, New York - The largest lake entirely within New York State, offering recreational activities like fishing, boating, and lakeside relaxation.
• Green Lakes State Park - Located near Syracuse, known for its strikingly clear green-blue lakes and lush forest, perfect for hiking, swimming, and camping.
• Finger Lakes - A renowned region in New York State, famous for its picturesque lakes, wineries, and natural beauty, offering a diverse range of outdoor and culinary experiences.
• Skaneateles, New York - A quaint and picturesque town located on the shores of Skaneateles Lake, known for its crystal-clear waters, charming downtown, and serene ambiance.
• Seneca Falls, New York - A historic town known as the birthplace of the women's rights movement, with charming streets and significant cultural landmarks.
• Rochester, New York - A vibrant city on Lake Ontario's southern shore, known for its rich history, cultural institutions, and as the home of the annual Lilac Festival.
• Buffalo, New York - A city with a strong industrial heritage, known for its historic architecture, vibrant arts scene, and as the gateway to Niagara Falls.

Best time to go on a road trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls

A road trip to Niagara Falls offers amazing experiences across different seasons. Each has unique attractions and events depending on the season.

In spring, temperatures in Niagara Falls range from 4 to 20 degrees Celsius, making it the perfect time for sightseeing and enjoying the blooming landscapes. The roads on the Hamilton and Finger Lakes Routes are typically clear of winter hazards, though it's always important to check for any late-season snowfall.

Spring on the Hamilton Route brings Hamilton's Culture Days in September and October. This season is perfect if you prefer a tranquil travel experience with fewer tourists.

Summer is the peak tourist season in Niagara Falls, with temperatures ranging from 21 to 29 degrees. This warm weather is ideal for exploring the falls and enjoying the wonderful outdoor activities in the area. During this time, the Hamilton Route is bustling with events like the Festival of Friends in August.

On the Finger Lakes Route, the Rochester Lilac Festival in May features colourful flowers and activities. However, be prepared for heavier traffic, especially around the GTA on the Hamilton Route, and plan for potential border crossing delays on the Finger Lakes Route.

Fall sees temperatures in Niagara Falls between 4-19 degrees, accompanied by stunning fall foliage. The roads are usually clear, and the reduced number of tourists allows for a more relaxed journey.

The Finger Lakes Route celebrates the season with the National Buffalo Wing Festival in Orchard Park in September, adding a flavorful stop to your itinerary.

Winter transforms Niagara Falls into a frosty wonderland, with temperatures often ranging between -6 and 0 degrees. The Winter Festival of Lights illuminates the falls, creating a magical atmosphere.

Both routes require careful driving because of potential snow and ice. The Finger Lakes Route can be more challenging and some attractions, like the 1000 Islands Tower, are closed during this season.

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From Toronto to Niagara Falls: 5 Best Ways to Get There

Written by Michael Law Updated May 11, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Niagara Falls is a must-see when visiting Toronto, and fortunately, it's close by and easy to get to on a day trip or overnight excursion. The trip can be accomplished in a variety of ways: you can drive, take a tour, take a bus, take a train, or take a train/bus combo.

The drive via the Gardiner and Queen Elizabeth Highways is fast and easy, with the 130-kilometer trip taking about 80 minutes outside of rush hour. The route is all on divided highways and is well-signposted and easy to follow.

The Mega Bus takes two hours, the train takes two hours and six minutes, and train/bus combos take a bit longer at two hours, 40 minutes. However, you'll need to tack on a bit of time for the public transit options at the destination, as the bus station in Niagara Falls is about four kilometers from the actual falls. A scenic walk, taxi, local WEGO bus, or rideshare will be required to get you to your ultimate destination.

On This Page:

• From Toronto to Niagara Falls by Car
• From Toronto to Niagara Falls by Tour
• From Toronto to Niagara Falls by Megabus
• From Toronto to Niagara Falls by Train
• From Toronto to Niagara Falls by Train & Bus

1. From Toronto to Niagara Falls by Car

If you have your own car, traveling from Toronto to Niagara Falls provides the greatest flexibility. You can leave and return when you want and easily visit sights located away from the falls themselves.

The route from Toronto couldn't be simpler. All you have to do is get on the elevated Gardiner Expressway and head west toward Niagara Falls. The highway changes names at the Highway 427 Interchange , but no action is required, just keep going straight.

One of the highlights of the trip is the Burlington Skyway at the far western edge of Lake Ontario. As you climb this impressive bridge, be sure to soak up the views to your left back towards Toronto. On a clear day, you'll be able to see the downtown towers. On your right are the Hamilton steelworks, with their trademark bellowing smoke and flames.

The road continues onwards to Niagara Falls, passing through St. Catharines and up over the Garden City Skyway. From here, you may be able to catch a glimpse of the spray cloud of Niagara Falls. Off to your right is the Welland Canal with its impressive lock systems. If you are lucky, you'll see a ship transiting.

From this point, Niagara Falls is fairly near, so keep an eye out for the exit for Highway 420 . Take this exit, and then eventually take the exit for Falls Avenue . This will take you to the Niagara Parkway and the falls themselves.

A series of large parking lots are located on your right-hand side. Parking here is expensive. If you don't mind a walk to the falls, park at the free lot near Clifton Hill. It's located off Stanley Avenue/RR 102 on Ferry/Victoria Avenue.

After you've seen the falls, check out some of the other attractions in and around Niagara Falls including Clifton Hill, the Floral Clock, or the Butterfly Conservatory. Other popular things to do in Niagara Falls include a boat ride to the foot of the falls with Niagara City Cruises or a trip down into the tunnels behind the falls.

A nice option for your return trip to Toronto is to go via Niagara-on-the-Lake. It's one of Ontario's most romantic towns and has a wonderfully restored historical main street full of shops and restaurants.

2. From Toronto to Niagara Falls by Tour

If you are staying in Toronto and don't have your own transport, the best way to visit Niagara Falls is on a tour. All the logistics, parking, admission fees, and meals are coordinated and taken care of, all you need to do is show up on time for your hotel pickup (included).

One of the best tours, limited to 12 people for maximum enjoyment, is the Luxury Small-Group Niagara Falls Day Trip from Toronto with Cruise . The tour is a full day and takes on average between 9 to 10 hours.

You'll follow the same driving route mentioned above, and your guide will provide you with background and information on the sights you'll see along the way. In town, your tour includes a wet and wonderful ride on the Niagara City Cruise ship (Formerly Hornblower Cruises) to the foot of the falls. You'll also be able to see the falls from the top; the viewing area at Table Rock is less than two meters from where the water tumbles over the edge to the chasm below.

Just up from Table Rock, and recently opened after a multi-million-dollar restoration, is the historic Niagara Falls Power Station. This brand-new attraction in town is well worth a visit for architecture buffs, science fans, and those with an adventurous mindset.

Once you've had your fill of Niagara Fall's natural attractions, take a wander up Clifton Hill for some seriously wacky entertainment.

Three hours after arriving in Niagara Falls, you'll depart the falls and stop at the Floral Clock . The next stop is the beautiful and historic small town of Niagara-on the Lake . Here, you can indulge in a bit of shopping, snacking, or just strolling up and down the main street. The tour then departs and heads back to Toronto where you'll be dropped at your hotel.

3. From Toronto to Niagara Falls by Megabus

Taking the Megabus from Toronto to Niagara Falls is the most economical option. MegaBus has six departures daily at 8:45am, 10:45am, 12:45pm, 2:45pm, 4:45pm, and 7:45pm. The cost of this option is almost the same as taking the train and bus option below but is approximately 40 minutes faster and is direct. The MegaBus leaves from Union Station in downtown Toronto.

The only downside to the bus option is that the Niagara Falls bus station is four kilometers from The Falls. However, if you don't mind a bit of exercise, one upside to this is that you can do the walk along pleasant paved pathways that run beside the scenic Niagara Gorge with the Niagara River roaring below.

Don't feel like walking? Just grab a rideshare service or a taxi for the short jaunt, or hop on the WEGO local bus service (Green Line), which has a stop at the bus station. The local bus passes right by all the main attractions.

4. From Toronto to Niagara Falls by Train

In the past, a train and bus combo through GoTransit was the only way to make this work. However, the good news for travelers is that you can now take the train all the way to Niagara Falls without a transfer to a bus. This new route leaves at 10:07am and 5:07pm and takes two hours and six minutes .

The ride on the train is relaxing and fast. It shaves almost an hour off the train and bus combo listed below. The train-only option also avoids all of Toronto's legendary traffic snarls.

The only downside is that, like the bus option, the train arrives at the GO Station approximately four kilometers from the falls. However, as mentioned above, you can walk along the river to the falls, grab a taxi or a rideshare, or hop on the local WEGO bus (Green Line). Combo tickets that include your train trip and local WEGO bus are available.

Two trains return to Toronto from Niagara Falls daily at 1:07pm and 8:07pm. An ideal day would be to catch the 10:07 train, enjoy Niagara Falls at a leisurely pace, enjoy dinner overlooking the falls at The Keg (reservations strongly recommended), and then catch the 8:07 train back to Toronto.

5. From Toronto to Niagara Falls by Train and Bus Combo

This option is super convenient, with departures almost hourly. It's a pleasant and relaxing train ride for half the route and a coach ride for the balance. The GoTransit route involves a change from train to bus in Burlington, the change from one mode to another is only a short walk.

As mentioned above, like the train, the coach portion of this trip arrives into the Niagara Falls bus station, four kilometers from the actual waterfall. The GoTransit train leaves from Union Station in the heart of downtown Toronto.

The price of the train/bus combo is competitive with the MegaBus option listed above.

More on Canada

Niagara Falls and Toronto 3-Day Itinerary

Given the enormous size of Canada, it is a stroke of geographical luck for visitors that two of the most popular destinations - Toronto and Niagara Falls — are a mere 90-minute drive from one another. Both are located in Southern Ontario , close to the U.S. border. 

With three days to spend in this region, you can get a broad experience that includes Canada's biggest city — Toronto — and the country's most flocked to tourist attraction — Niagara Falls . 

Several airports are convenient to visit this region of Canada: the city of Hamilton is midway between the two and has a small international airport  (code YHM), Buffalo (code YHM) is just across the Canada / U.S. border from Niagara Falls and may offer less expensive flights than the Toronto Pearson International Airport  (YYZ). Finally, Billy Bishop Airport  (commonly known as the Toronto Island Airport, code YTZ) is conveniently located just offshore downtown Toronto.

Two Days in Toronto, One in Niagara Falls

TripSavvy / Brakethrough Media

With three days available, most people will want to spend two days in Toronto and one in Niagara Falls. Whereas Toronto is a big city with a range of interesting things to see, from architecture and museums to shopping and dining, one day is sufficient to take in the spectacle of the Falls and explore the town, which largely comprises tchotchke shops, restaurants, rides, and games.   

Nevertheless, just next door to Niagara Falls is  Niagara-on-the-Lake , a delightful historic town with gentrified heritage homes, lush gardens and an enchanting main drag. In addition, the surrounding  Niagara Wine Region  is a charming stretch of more than 100 rambling wineries, boutiques, and restaurants, delectable to all the senses. 

Try to squeeze a stop in at one of these two places on your way to and/or from Niagara Falls for a pleasant contrast to the bigness and boldness of Niagara Falls. 

For convenience sake, you can stay both nights in a Toronto hotel. No need to move hotels, but if you did happen to have three or more nights to spend in the area, a night in Niagara Falls or Niagara-on-the-Lake would be a nice change. 

Your Toronto itinerary keeps your day to the downtown core, with most attractions and activities no more than a 10 or 15-minute subway ride, or 30-minute walk, away. 

Have breakfast either at the hotel, grab it on the run at a Tim Hortons, Starbucks or sit down at the Sunset Grill , for a standard breakfast at a reasonable price. 

Get oriented to Toronto with a hop-on, hop-off bus tour: great value for a short stay as your ticket includes transportation and a narrated guided tour of the city. Book a Toronto Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour with Viator. This tour's first bus leaves from Yonge-Dundas Square and the pass is good for three consecutive days. 

Stay aboard for the full two-hour tour, or if you're itching to tackle Toronto, hop off at one of the 21 stops, which include many of Toronto's top attractions , such as the CN Tower, the Eaton Centre, Art Gallery of Ontario, Casa Loma and the Royal Ontario Museum. Consult with the guides for optimum planning and when the busses will be stopping at certain locations. Don't miss the boat tour at the Harbourfront, which is included in your ticket. 

Many visitors buy a  Toronto City Pass , a nine-day pass that includes admission to five Toronto attractions, but two days is probably not enough time to get your money's worth so consider carefully before purchasing. 

Your afternoon activity depends on your interests. If you want to shop (especially if the Canadian dollar is low) consider the Eaton Centre (hop off at Eaton Centre, stop 1 or 17); wander up and down Queen Street, which has an interesting array of shops and boutiques, or head north to empty your wallet at any one of the many high-end Bloor Street and Yorkville stores (hop off at Yorkville, stop 10). 

If you want to explore a unique, historical Toronto neighborhood , hop off at stop 19, grab lunch at the St. Lawrence Market, and walk over to the Distillery District , a pedestrian-only village comprising the largest and best-preserved collection of Victorian Industrial Architecture. Not a franchise in sight here, so you can't get a Starbucks fix or shop at Gap; it's all one of a kind. 

If culture is what you're after, the Royal Ontario Museum  (ROM) and the Art Gallery of Ontario   (AGO)  both showcase world-class collections. The ROM is especially known for its unusual dynamic, asymmetrical structure as well as its dinosaur collection. The AGO, similarly, had a widely publicized renovation and stands as one of the city's great architectural masterpiece. It houses an impressive collection of both international and Canadian art. 

If you spend only a couple of hours at each, you can fit both into an afternoon, but you could easily spend a few lingering hours at either one. The ROM and AGO are an easy 10-minute subway ride or 25-minute walk away from one another. 

The ROM is close to Yorkville, a high-end, low-rise anomaly in downtown Toronto; the Bata Shoe Museum and the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art . 

The AGO is in Chinatown and close to Kensington Market , one of Toronto's most eclectic neighborhoods. 

If the CN Tower is on your list of things to do in Toronto, consider making a reservation at 360 Restaurant, a rotating glass pod more than a thousand feet above the ground. The advantage of dining at the CN Tower is that you skip the line and get directly ushered to the restaurant and the food is quite good. Expect to spend at least Cdn $65 to $85 per person (less for children) for a prix fixe menu, which includes admission to the Tower. There is no expiry on your time at the tower with a reservation at the restaurant. 

If the CN Tower is not a must-see, but you'd still like dinner with a view, Canoe is famous for its 54th-floor view and as one of Toronto's most revered restaurants for more than 20 years.

Alternately, try  Richmond Station  for more casual but excellent food and hospitality.

TripSavvy / Brakethrough Media 

The benefit of doing the hop-on, hop-off tour on Day 1 is that on Day 2, you are free to return to the attractions and neighborhoods that looked appealing but that you didn't have time to visit. 

Use your hop-on, hop-off bus ticket to make your way to back to Casa Loma, Canada's answer to Hearst Castle , Ripley's Aquarium , or another top Toronto attraction.

If you're looking for a casual, more authentic Toronto experience, try meandering one of the city's  many interesting neighborhoods , like Greek Town, Little Italy or Cabbagetown .  Just let the look of things and your own interests dictate your journey and they all feature outstanding restaurants for lunch or dinner. 

Dining options are so plentiful and ever-changing that you should consult TripAdvisor or read up locally on the current list of best restaurants: Toronto Life , for example, is always updating its best places to eat. ​

Let it be said though that whether you want fish and chips, ramen or a five-star steakhouse, you'll find it in Toronto and probably not that far away. 

If you still have life in your after dinner, discover why Toronto is a top theatre destination . It's not just because it probably costs way less than NYC or London, but also because the city has a wide array of interesting, historic theatres that attracts big names. 

If you're still seeking a bird's eye view of the city, make your way over to the Roof Lounge at the Park Hyatt or the One Eighty  (right across the street), both of which boast panoramic views of the city. 

Start your day bright and early. With 3 hours of driving ahead of you, you'll want to get on the road early. If you are in Toronto mid-week, traffic can be a beast getting in and out of the city. 

Though the waterfalls themselves (Niagara Falls actually comprises three waterfalls, the American, the Canadian and the more meager Bridal Veil falls) are the big draw, there's a whole lot else going on in the Niagara Region, so you'll want to devote a full day: 8 hours minimum, considering the drive each way is 90 minutes.

If you have your own car, follow directions for getting from Toronto to Niagara Falls . If you are a wine enthusiast or just to take in some striking scenery, allow time to visit the Niagara Wine Region just off the highway on your way to Niagara Falls. The wine route is well mapped out and plenty of signs will show you where to exit to visit any one of the more than 100 wineries. 

When you arrive at the Falls, you'll see lots of green "P" parking signs; however, the best deal that is still super convenient is a  large parking lot at the end of Robinson Street . You will need to descend a long set of stairs to Victoria Park, at which point you are in the heart of the action. 

If you would prefer to sit back and let someone else do the driving, there are a number of tour options that leave out of Toronto for Niagara Falls . Some will include visiting the wine region and/or Niagara-on-the-Lake, others will get in and out of Niagara Falls like a military operation. Be sure to choose the right tour, reading the fine print and customer reviews. 

Upon Arrival in Niagara Falls

You'll be naturally drawn to the boardwalk that winds its way along the Niagara Gorge and there's no mistaking which way to walk to see the brink of the famous Horseshoe Falls as you will hear, smell and feel the water spray.

Once you've taken in the spectacle of the Falls and the Niagara Gorge and gotten some photographs from up high, make your way over to Hornblower Tours (formerly Maid of the Mist), a ferry ride that takes passengers into the mist and furor of the Falls themselves. Don't worry; rain ponchos are provided. Note that Hornblower Tours are open May to October. ​

If you have kids, you may want to spend some time on Clifton Hill, a bright, bustling cluster of overpriced amusement rides, shops, fast food, etc. 

After spending about three hours at Niagara Falls , make your way to  Niagara-on-the-Lake , a town as charming and cultured as its famous neighbor is big and brash. This is the better choice for dinner as there are several excellent restaurants featuring local wines, meat and produce. Take some time to wander the main street which is gentrified and historic and brimming with delicacy shops, boutiques, and galleries. Some of the best restaurants are located within the many inns and bed & breakfasts scattered about the city. 

Head back to Toronto or build your plans around leaving departing out of Buffalo (20 minutes away) or Hamilton (about 45 minutes away). 

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Niagara Falls, Canada: Planning Your Trip

How to Travel From Toronto to Niagara Falls by Train, Bus, and Car

The 10 Best Things to Do in Ontario

11 Great Toronto Shopping Spots

How to Plan an Adventurous Niagara Falls Road Trip

By: Author Lora Pope

Posted on Published: May 20, 2020  - Last updated: January 11, 2024

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If you love waterfalls and vineyards, then you should start planning a Niagara Falls road trip! I remember visiting here for the first time as a kid, marveling at the sheer amazement of the power of Niagara Falls. Returning as an adult, coming here still brings up those same powerful feelings of wonder and awe.

Over the years, I’ve made countless road trips to Niagara falls with friends, boyfriends, and family. It’s a quintessential Canadian road trip that makes for a perfect day trip or weekend getaway. This Niagara Falls road trip planner has everything you need to know about visiting this world wonder!

Toronto to Niagara Falls Road Trip

Niagara Falls is just 128 KM from Toronto , but it’s likely going to take you at least two hours to drive to Niagara Falls because traffic leaving Toronto is notoriously awful. So if you can, avoid driving to Niagara Falls between 7-10 am or 3-6 pm. You’ll end up saving so much time.

If you don’t have your own car, regular bus tours run there from Toronto. You can also book a ticket with Busbud.

If you’re looking for places to stop on the way to Niagara Falls from Toronto, you could make a detour in Hamilton. It’s known as the world capital of waterfalls with over 100 that you can see hiking the Bruce Trail, so this is a great place to stop for nature lovers!

From Hamilton, it’s just an hour’s drive to Niagara Falls.

Things to do in Niagara Falls: Adventure Activities

Niagara Falls is a city in Ontario, Canada, but across the border/river, there is Niagara Falls, New York. Confusing! For this article, I’m going to focus on the best things to do in Niagara Falls, Canada, since this is where I’ve spent most of my time.

If you are coming from the American side – you can get to Canada in ten minutes by following the rainbow bridge. Just remember your passport!

Marvel at the Wonder of Niagara Falls

One of the best things to do on a Niagara Falls road trip is to go and marvel at this world wonder. There are three different waterfalls, Horseshoe Falls ( the Canadian Falls), American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.

The cool thing about visiting from the Canadian side of Niagara Falls is that you can see all three waterfalls at once – not to brag or anything.

Every evening beginning at sunset, Niagara Falls is transformed into an incredible, multi-colored water and light masterpiece. You can see the falls illumination schedule for the year here.

During the summer, they also put on regular fireworks which make it even more magical. It can get hectic around this time, so you’ll want to arrive early (around sunset) to secure a spot.

Although I’ve since seen many other world-wonder waterfalls , including Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Victoria Falls in Zambia , Niagara Falls is still one of my favorites.

While the falls are lovely to look at it (and free to visit), you wouldn’t expect me to leave it at that. This is an adventure travel blog after all!

Here are some ways you can truly experience the wonder of Niagara Falls, inside and out.

Niagara Hornblower Cruise – Voyage to the Falls

The Niagara Hornblower Cruise , or as I fondly remember it the Maiden of the Mist, is a boat cruise that takes you up close and personal with horseshoe falls.

It’s a 20-minute journey and you can expect to get very, very wet. Don’t worry, they provide ponchos! It’s so much fun to feel the spray of this powerful waterfall.

Go on a helicopter tour of Niagara Falls

Riding a helicopter is truly a remarkable way to see a waterfall. I took a helicopter over Victoria Falls, Zambia , and the birds-eye view was unlike anything else I’ve experienced – you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

You can do the same at Niagara Falls by taking a helicopter ride which will give you epic views of the waterfall and surrounding region.

Zip-line over the falls

If you want a quick dose of adrenaline, take a zip-lining tour over the falls . Starting at 67m high, you’ll soar right past the American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls on the left, then land on the observation deck at the base of Horseshoe Falls with speeds up to 70 kph+.

The entire experience takes about 60 seconds. While not as long as some of the epic zip line adventures in Costa Rica , it’s a pretty memorable way to see Niagara Falls.

Journey Behind the Falls

You’ve flown above it, you’ve gotten next to it, what else could there possibly be left to do?

Get behind it!

Yes, it’s possible with this very cool tour.

The experience starts with a 125 ft descent down an elevator where you’ll land behind horseshoe falls.

You’ll then walk through 130-year-old tunnels in the bedrock, coming out on an observation deck right next to the falls where you can witness them in all their glory.

Jet Boat through the River

Ride an open-air jet boat through Niagara Falls class five rapids. While scenic, don’t expect a relaxing ride. These boats cut through the water at high speeds, which will leave you soaking wet. Although not as wet as I was after river rafting class five rapids on the Zambezi River in Zambia!

Can’t decide which adventure you want to go on? Do multiple of them! On this epic half-day tour, you’ll get to ride the Hornblower Niagara Cruise, descend 125 feet underground and explore the tunnels below the Horseshoe Falls at the Journey Behind the Falls, and ride on the yellow bug elevators at Skylon Tower to enjoy a breathtaking vista!

Relaxing Things to do on a Road Trip to Niagara Falls

While the waterfalls are the main attraction in the Niagara region, there are a few other ways to enjoy the nature of this area.

Butterfly Conservatory & Botanical Gardens

Visit the Butterfly Conservatory and you can feel like you’re walking through a rainforest. This climate-controlled room is full of thousands of butterflies that will most likely land on you. They like human sweat; it’s weird.

Next to the butterfly conservatory is a beautiful botanical garden where you can stroll around and admire the gorgeous flora and fauna.

Hike or Rock Climb on Niagara Glen Nature Reserve

Just a few km away from Niagara Falls is the stunning Niagara Glen Nature reserve. This is the perfect spot to go day-hiking with several trails that overlook the whirlpool on the Niagara River.

Niagara Glen Nature reserve is also a great place to go rock climbing. Bring your own crash pad as there are many bouldering spots along the escarpment.

The best part about the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve is that it’s completely free to visit, which you may appreciate after a night at the casino.

Bike through Vineyards at Niagara-on-the-lake

Niagara Falls is part of the greater Niagara Region, which includes Niagara on the Lake. It’s a well-known wine-producing region, so taking a wine tour is the perfect thing to do here.

The easiest way to get to Niagara on the Lake is by driving; it’s just a half-hour drive from Niagara Falls. As you leave behind the falls, you can see the landscape change from the Niagara escarpment into the stunning vineyards of Niagra on the Lake. If you don’t have your own car, you can join a guided wine tour.

After visiting the vineyards, take a stroll into the town of Niagara on the Lake. It’s super cute and has some great restaurants for eating out! There are also many B&B’s and hotels to stay in Niagara on the Lake.

Eating and Drinking in Niagara Falls

The hub of nightlife in Niagara Falls is around Clifton Street. It attempts to be like a mini-vegas, with casinos for adults and arcade palaces galore for kids. That said, if you take it for what it is, Clifton street can be an enjoyable time, especially with a group of friends.

There is a Ferris Wheel on Clifton street which you can go on for some lovely views.

While we were walking the streets the night before my birthday, my friend sneakingly bought tickets for us to take the Ferris wheel at midnight. There’s just something perfect about turning a year older on top of a Ferris wheel; I recommend it if you happen to be there on your birthday!

You can drink inside the casinos, and there are clubs to go out to afterward. But to be honest, I didn’t find any of them particularly impressive. If you’re a craft beer lover, check out Niagara Brewing Company on Clifton street.

Best Restaurants in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls has an eclectic restaurant scene where you can get food from about any region in the world. Napoli Ristorante Pizzeria has delicious pizza and fresh pasta, while the Kasbah serves delicious farm-to-table Mediterranean food, including vegetarian options.

If you’re looking for a restaurant with good food and a view of the falls, then check out the Rainbow Room in Crown Plaza. IHOP also has an excellent view of the falls, but remember that you will be paying for that view in the food price!

The only bummer about celebrating a birthday in Niagara is that many businesses don’t honor the free birthday gifts they usually give you (I’m looking at you, Boston Pizza). If you happen to be in Niagara on your birthday, Denny’s does provide complimentary breakfast.

If you want a sweet treat, hit up Sweet Jesus for a delicious Ice Cream cone.

Where to Stay in Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls has a ton of accommodation options for all budgets. If you’re looking for one with a great view, check out Marriott on the falls . My ex brought me here to ask me to be his girlfriend, and it was pretty swoon-worthy. In the end, we weren’t a great match, but it was a very romantic weekend!

View this post on Instagram Room with a view 👀🏩 💦 A post shared by Lora 🇨🇦 Solo Adventure Travel (@explorewithlora) on Apr 14, 2019 at 9:55am PDT

Other hotels in Niagara Falls known for their views are Raddison Niagara Falls, Hilton Niagara Falls, and Sheraton on the Falls. While these are all big-name hotels, you can score surprisingly good deals, especially if you are traveling during the off-season or in the week.

Another way to save money on accommodation/tours in Niagara Falls is to buy a package on Groupon. Even though these seem marketed towards couples, I recommend doing this with a friend.

On my 28th birthday, me and a friend bought a Groupon and set off for a romantic night at the falls. We got a sweet hotel room at the Travelodge with a heart-shaped hot tub; it even came with a box of chocolates and a bottle of wine. It was cheesy AF and the perfect way to turn 28.

Best Time to Road Trip Niagara Falls

The falls can be visited year-round, but the most popular is during the summer (June-September). This is when Ontario gets its best weather, so it’s a good time to enjoy the outdoor adventure activities. However, it’s also when the falls will be most crowded.

That said, visiting Niagara Falls is one of my favorite things to do in Toronto in the summertime.

I’ve visited the falls during winter and still enjoyed it. They were half frozen, which was pretty magical to see. Although it was cold, the fact that the hotels were half the price and there were hardly any other tourists made up for it. It’s one of the best places to go in Ontario in winter!

Just note that the weather can be unpredictable in Canada during the winter , which may delay your plans and driving time.

I’ve also been to Niagara Falls in spring/fall and experienced similarly low prices and fewer crowds. Fall is a beautiful time to visit because you can see the leaves change color, which is perfect if you want to go hiking around the Niagara Glen area.

Getting Around Niagara Falls

If you’re staying in downtown Niagara Falls , you will be able to walk almost everywhere, as this is where many of the top attractions are. A WEGO Bus can take you to the major attractions if you don’t want to walk. Niagara on the Lake is about half an hour away, but tours will take you there if you don’t have a car.

How Long to Spend in Niagara Falls + Sample Itinerary

While you can drive to Niagara Falls as a day trip from Toronto , t here’s so much to do here that I would spend at least a night, and ideally a weekend.

As a sample weekend itinerary, you could drive up to Niagara Falls from Toronto on a Friday night and spend that evening exploring Clifton Street and watching the nightly light show on the falls. The next day, set off for a day of adventure at the falls. You could zip-line, take a boat cruise, and Journey behind the falls all in one day. At night, enjoy dinner with a view at one of the cities restaurants.

The next day, check out of your hotel and head out to visit the Niagara Glen Nature Reserve for a light hike, then visit Niagara on the Lake for a winery tour. Return to Toronto that evening, feeling satisfied with a weekend of adventure.

FAQ: Road trip to Niagara Falls

When is the best time to visit niagara falls.

The summer season is the most popular time to visit Niagara Falls, as this is when you’ll get the warmer weather. However, visiting Niagara Falls during the winter should not be overlooked as you may get the chance to see the falls frozen over which is magical!

Is it free to go to Niagara Falls?

Yes, it’s free to see Niagara Falls, and it’s open 365 days a year!

Which Niagara falls view is better?

Call me biased, but I think the Canadian side is where you get the better view! There you can see gorgeous panoramic views of the American Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. On the American side, you’ll get a closer look at American and Bridal Veil Falls.

Which country owns Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls is owned by both America and Canada. The American and Bridal Veil Falls are entirely in the US, but Horseshoe Falls flows in both countries are the more popular tourist attraction.

How many days do you need for Niagara Falls?

To fully enjoy Niagara Falls and its surrounding attractions, plan for at least two days. This allows time to experience the falls from various perspectives and explore nearby activities.

Where do you stop on the way to Niagara?

On the way to Niagara Falls from Toronto, consider stopping in Hamilton, known as the world capital of waterfalls, or the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, famous for its vineyards.

What is the best road to go to Niagara Falls?

The best road to Niagara Falls from Toronto is the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW). It offers a direct and scenic route to the falls.

Which side of Niagara Falls is prettiest?

Many argue that the Canadian side of Niagara Falls offers the most picturesque views, allowing a panoramic view of all three waterfalls: Horseshoe, American, and Bridal Veil Falls.

Is it worth going to Niagara Falls on the US side?

Yes, visiting Niagara Falls on the US side is worth it, especially for the up-close views of the American and Bridal Veil Falls and unique experiences like Cave of the Winds.

What do you need to cross the Canadian border by car 2023?

To cross the Canadian border by car in 2023, you need a valid passport or other approved travel document, and it’s advisable to have proof of vaccination against COVID-19, auto insurance, and a clear travel itinerary.

Final Thoughts: Niagara Adventure

And there you have it, fellow travelers – your ultimate guide to a Niagara Falls road trip! From the breathtaking views on the Canadian side to the thrilling experiences on the US side, this journey promises a blend of awe and excitement. Whether you’re marveling at the falls from a Hornblower Cruise, zipping over them, or savoring local flavors in Niagara-on-the-Lake, each moment is a story waiting to be told.

Remember, Niagara Falls isn’t just a destination; it’s an experience. It’s about the mist on your face, the roar of the falls in your ears, and the thrill of new discoveries. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and set off on this unforgettable adventure. And who knows? You might just find yourself planning your next visit before you’ve even left. Safe travels and enjoy every moment at Niagara Falls – where every second is a spectacle! 🌊✨🚗

If you’re looking for a fun weekend getaway from Toronto, then Niagara Falls is a perfect choice.

Traveling in Ontario? Check out these posts!

• 9 Best Things to do in Toronto in Spring [2024]
• 101 Fun Things To Do in Toronto in Summer 2023
• 14 Best Toronto Food Tours and Experiences
• 12 Magical Places to Visit In Ontario in Winter
• 101 Fun Things To Do in Toronto This Winter [2023]
• Best Places To Be a Digital Nomad in Spain
• 23 Best Road Trips from Toronto for Summer 2023
• 9 Unique Places To Stay In Ontario [2023]
• 12 Best Neighborhoods in Toronto To Explore
• Best Boutique Hotels in Toronto
• Fall In Toronto: Best Events and Activities

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Lora is a full-time digital nomad on a quest to visit every country in the world and pet as many dogs as she can along the way. Over the last 15 years, she has traveled to 70+ countries and six continents solo. She currently calls Puerto Vallarta, Mexico home and enjoys ending each day with sunset and tacos on the beach.

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Making the Trip From Toronto to Niagara Falls: What to Know About Getting There via Car, Train, Bus and More

If you’re looking for an article which explains all your options in terms of getting from Toronto to Niagara Falls, well you’ve come to the right place. Longtime contributor Liisa Ladouceur breaks it all down for you , so you have a clear picture of all your options.

For many visitors to Toronto , the main attraction isn’t even in the city, it’s two hours away in Niagara Falls.

And no wonder. The “Canadian Falls” — more accurately named Horseshoe Falls—are a true natural wonder and a bucket list for travellers from across Canada and around the world.

So how do you get from Toronto to Niagara Falls? The good news is that this is an easy day trip. If you have a car, it’s a pleasant 130km drive each way—between 90 minutes and 2 hours, depending on traffic. Note that parking lots near the falls in peak season do fill up, and you may find yourself circling for a while. If you want to cross the border over to the United States falls, or tour wineries in the area, driving yourself is the way to go.

Can you get to Niagara Falls without a car? Absolutely. I don’t have a car or a driver’s license and am grateful that between Toronto and Niagara Falls is some of the best public transit options in all of Canada year-round. You can get to Niagara Falls from Toronto in about two hours by bus, train, or group tour. (It’s also a popular ride for ambitious cyclists!)

Here are all the ways you can get from Toronto to Niagara Falls without a car with tips on how to save money, too.

What’s the Best Way to Get to Niagara Falls from Toronto Without a Car?

Let’s Start with Go Trains

The best way from Toronto to Niagara Falls is by Go Transit. Go Transit is a regional public transportation system that runs commuter trains and buses around the Greater Toronto Area and Southern Ontario.

If you are just looking for transport and will choose your own adventures as an independent traveller, they offer some of most convenient schedules and affordable fares to travel to Niagara Falls from Toronto. Wifi is free on board. There is no food or beverage service. Children under 12 ride for free.

A Go Train runs from Toronto to Niagara Falls on Saturday, Sunday and holiday Mondays. This used to be a summer route only but was recently expanded to year-round, which is great news. It departs from Toronto’s Union Station and takes two hours, arriving at the Niagara Falls Train Station (4267 Bridge Street, Niagara Falls). There is usually one train in the morning and one in the afternoon, with return trains coming in the afternoon and early evening. Check Go Transit’s website for the current schedule.  

This train also has dedicated three cars for bicycles so if you want to bike around Niagara Falls or Niagara on the Lake and have your own bike it’s easy to take it with you. This is my preferred way to travel.

How About Go Transit Buses?

Travelling to Niagara Falls during the week? Go Transit also has a bus running several times daily . You can take the train as far as Burlington Station then transfer to the bus. It’s not as convenient but will still get you there in just over two hours. Go buses have bike racks on the front that fit two bikes, first come first served. The bus drops you at the same station as the train.

You can also take a Go bus the entire way, any day. This takes longer as and is not as scenic but is one of the only options for returning from Niagara Falls if you want to stay for fireworks or after dark fun without a hotel stay because there’s a return bus at 10:20pm.

When you arrive at the Niagara Falls Station you’ll notice it’s not near the falls. You can walk (about 4km, downhill), grab a taxi (they are usually waiting) or hop on the Niagara Falls bus system, called WEGO. WEGO has several routes serving the major tourist attractions in Niagara Falls and operates on a Day Pass system, for 24 or 48 hours. You can’t pay the driver on board. They sell these inside the Bus Terminal at 4555 Erie Avenue, right across from the train station. WEGO busses have space for two bikes on front racks. 

The price for Go Transit to Niagara Falls is very reasonable, and they offer several deals to make it even better.

What Else Should You Know About Go Transit?

On weekends and holiday Mondays, you can buy a Go Transit pass for just $10/day or $15 for any two days. So you could go from Toronto to Niagara Falls in one day and back for $10!

These passes are only sold on-line and you must “activate” them five minutes before boarding so you will need a smart phone to take advantage of this. Buy a weekend pass here.

At the time of publication, during the week, Go Train/bus fare from Toronto’s Union Station to Niagara Falls is $21 for Adults (13- to 64) or $10 for seniors over 65. You can purchase this on-line , or get a paper ticket from kiosks at the stations (debit or credit cards) or cash from the ticket booth at Union Station. If you have a Presto card, you can tap on and your fare is deducted automatically. 

A great deal for a weekend day trip to Niagara Falls on transit is the Go Transit/WEGO combo pass . Adults pay $25, Youth (3-12) is $8 and seniors $17.50 for for the round trip Train ticket plus a 48-hour WEGO pass for unlimited buses around Niagara Falls. (When you arrive at Niagara Falls you have to show your combo ticket receipt to get a WEGO Card, from their ticket office. This is clumsy and slightly annoying when it’s busy and you’re in a hurry, but once you have the card WEGO is easy to use.)  Only available on-line in advance.  

Phew. That’s a lot of Go Transit options. In short: if you want to travel from Toronto to Niagara falls like a local, I highly recommend the weekend Go Train. If you’re going during the week, try the bus.

What About Getting from Toronto to Niagara Falls With Buses Not Named Go?

Two low-budget bus companies offer service between Toronto and Niagara Falls. They provide more scheduling options than the limited Go train departures and take about the same amount of time. 

Both companies have “dynamic pricing” — the earlier you buy your ticket, the cheaper it will be. You can also pay more to choose your seat. There is free Wifi and no food or beverage service. 

Note that these buses leave from the new Union Station Bus Terminal at 81 Bay and not the older Toronto Bus Station at Bay and Dundas. Also, if you are looking for Greyhound buses, they no longer operate here.

FlixBus is a company based in Germany that is proud of its environmentally conscious public transport system, which is relatively new to the Toronto market. They charge between $20-$40 between Toronto and Niagara Falls.

Two things that set FlixBus apart: they offer departures from Scarborough Town Centre, and they drop you closer to the falls , either at Fallsview Casino or Livingstone Street at Fallsview Blvd.

Megabus is a well-known American bus line famous for its $1 tickets. There’s a limited amount of these deep discounts on each bus. The usual fare is between $20 and $40 each way. Megabus drops you at the Niagara Falls Terminal (same as Go Transit). 

The Via Rail Train from Toronto to Niagara Falls 

Via Rail is Canada’s major train network, and it offers a scenic and comfortable two-hour service between Toronto’s Union Station and Niagara Falls Train Station. Unfortunately, there is just one train per day, leaving Toronto’s Union Station at 8:20 am and returning from Niagara Falls at 5:40 pm. Also, Via is notoriously plagued by track issues and delays, so this is not the best choice if you have limited time.

If you are a train enthusiast or want to travel in comfort with food and beverage service on board, you can get the best price by buying your Via Rail ticket on Discount Tuesdays for the upcoming weekend. Regular fares start at $25 one-way but can rise to $100 on peak dates. 

The Casino Shuttle

If you are aged 19 or over and plan to play in Niagara, you can take advantage of a local secret: the casino shuttle.  There are coaches that bring gamers from Toronto to the Fallsview Casino.

These have some rules like no luggage, and you may need to have a players club card, but it’s worth looking into as you are usually offered free gameplay equivalent to your fare, so it can be free! Safeway is the main company, and they leave from around the city, including Chinatown and Pape Station in the east or mid-town, with late returns like midnight or 3 am. Reservations by phone so you can call them to get the details: 416-593-0593.

Angel Tour operates similar shuttles from Vaughan or Mississauga if you’re staying out there. 

Taking a Niagara Falls Organized Day Tour

Do you want a day trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls with the fun organized for you?

Plenty of tour companies offer coach trips from Toronto in combination with top attractions. You can find trips featuring Maid of the Mist boat tours, wine tastings, and even helicopter rides.

These start at about $100 per person. You won’t have a lot of free time to explore Niagara Falls on your own, but it’s a lot less walking for those with mobility challenges, and you get a tour guide to tell you about the local history. It’s the easiest way to see the best of Niagara Falls in one day.

To browse the different tours, head here .

Private Shuttle from Toronto Airport to Niagara Falls

If you are flying into Toronto’s Pearson Airport and want to go directly to Niagara Falls, check out Niagara Air Bus .

A shared shuttle from the airport to your Niagara Falls hotel is about $99+tax, with an Early Bird discount if you book at least 84 hours in advance.  You can also book a private vehicle for $269+tax, which is great for groups. (Must be booked a week in advance.)

Now that you know all the options for public transportation from Toronto, check out our guide for great things to do in Niagara Falls! There is so much to see and do in the Niagara Region beyond the falls themselves, from world-class wineries to cheesy haunted houses. Have fun! 

You May Also Like To Read:

Liisa Ladouceur is a Toronto-based writer who believes adventure doesn’t have to be far away – it’s about curiosity and wonder. She runs the travel blog LiisaWanders where she shares lessons learned while seeing the world.

Michael & Jacque Loebig

Tuesday 10th of October 2023

Thanks for the information. We'd love to see Niagara Falls. My husband is 83 years old and is handicapped so what's the best option? I don't mind renting a car and driving. We've tried to see if a cruise line goes through for a 1 week vacation but doesn't seem to available.

Kevin Wagar

Monday 23rd of October 2023

You won't find a cruise that goes to Niagara as it's located on an unnavigable river system. Your closest option would be to arrive by cruise in Toronto and then do a road trip from there. Renting a car is an excellent option. On a day trip you can include Niagara Falls and many of its attractions as well as the range of accessible wineries and historic downtown of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

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How to Get From Toronto to Niagara Falls: 7 Best Ways

Table of Contents

If you’re looking for an epic day trip from Toronto, Niagara Falls is the place to go.

Niagara is best known for its incredible waterfalls. But there’s so much more to see and do in this world-famous destination.

The good news is, that it’s easy to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls. There are several transportation options available, depending on your budget and preferences.

Here are 7 of the best ways to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls:

• Take a Tour
• Take a Coach Bus
• Shuttle from Pearson Airport

Find out more about how these options will affect your day trip to Niagara Falls from Toronto by reading on!

The Best Way:

► Small-Group Niagara Falls Tour from Toronto

The best way to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls is by a day tour.

This small-group tour is my favourite, with the ability to take a boat tour beneath the Falls and to stop in Niagara-on-the-Lake nearby.

Where is Niagara Falls?

Niagara Falls is located about a 90 minute drive from Toronto , in the Niagara region of Southern Ontario.

The falls are actually made up of 3 waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls.

Horseshoe Falls is the largest and most famous of the 3, and is found on the Canadian side of the border.

American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls are located on the United States side in New York State.

Niagara Falls is a popular tourist destination for people all over the world, and welcomes millions of visitors each year.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Get From Toronto to Niagara Falls?

The cheapest way to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls is to drive.

If you’re driving from Toronto, you’ll need to take the QEW highway towards Niagara.

The drive takes about 90 minutes , depending on traffic. Travel time varies with weather as well.

Once you get to Niagara Falls, there are a few free parking options available, but they will require you to walk downtown for the attractions.

What Is the Fastest Way to Get From Toronto to Niagara Falls?

The fastest way to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls is to fly .

There are several airlines that offer direct flights from Toronto to Niagara Falls International Airport, which is located just minutes from the falls.

The flight takes about an hour.

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, you can take a coach bus from Toronto to Niagara Falls; however, this will take longer.

Toronto to Niagara Falls Distance

The distance from Toronto to Niagara Falls is approximately 130 kilometers.

The drive from Toronto to Niagara Falls takes about 90 minutes, depending on traffic.

The flight from Toronto to Niagara Falls takes about an hour.

And the coach bus from Toronto takes about 2.5 hours.

1. Toronto to Niagara Falls Tour

If you’re looking for a hassle-free way to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls, taking a tour is a great option.

There are several companies that offer tours from Toronto to Niagara Falls, and they will take care of all the transportation and logistics for you.

This way you don’t have to go through the hassle of renting a car, finding places to eat, paying admission fees, parking, and deciding what time to go. And there’s no need to worry about your eyes drooping while driving on your return trip. The tour will handle it all!

I recommend this luxury small group tour from Toronto, which includes a cruise beneath the falls operated by Niagara City Cruise (formerly Hornblower Cruise).

The cruise is limited to 12 people so you aren’t crowded onto a bus and don’t get a personal experience. The Mercedes van that takes you to Niagara is large with comfortable seats, AC for the summer, and a knowledgeable driver who can easily navigate Toronto traffic.

It’s a 9-10 hour tour that allows you to see the falls from below in the cruise and to visit from Table Rock about 2 meters away from the edge of the falls. It offers the best views of the falls.

This offers plenty of time to explore the local architecture, play a hand at the casino, or to stop by the Niagara Falls Power Station to learn about the hydroelectric power of the water.

As a bonus, you’ll get time in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the “prettiest city in Canada”. While you won’t have time to visit a winery for a tasting, you will have time to check out the lovely shops.

The tour bus follows the same route that you’d drive yourself, which offers beautiful views of natural attractions on the Niagara Escarpment.

The drive takes about 90 minutes on either end, if you manage to avoid rush hour. But the bus is very comfortable to take a nap.

2. Toronto to Niagara Falls Drive

The most flexible way to get to Niagara Falls from Toronto is to drive yourself.

You can rent cars from the Toronto Pearson Airport, Billy Bishop Airport, or individual car rental spots in downtown Toronto.

This allows you to leave and return whenever you want; however, you will have to deal with parking and potentially driving while exhausted from a long day trip to this iconic destination.

To get to Niagara Falls, drive on the Gardiner Expressway or the QEW West in Toronto. You can follow signs for the Falls the entire drive.

Part way, the Gardener changes names to the Highway 427, but you just keep going.

If you want to go to the US side of the falls, you’ll need to drive a bit further.

At the Niagara River, you will take the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) and drive over the Rainbow Bridge into Niagara Falls, USA.

You’ll exit for the 420 Highway and follow signs for Niagara Falls and Falls Avenue.

After crossing the border, stay on the QEW for about 9 kilometers until you reach Niagara Falls. You will need your passport to cross the border.

Driving to Niagara Falls is stunning. You’ll be on the iconic Niagara Escarpment, with beautiful vantages from places like St. Catherine’s and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Many people stop at these locations for photo ops or to look at the natural beauty.

You will almost certainly need to pay for parking in Niagara Falls. It’s very hard to find free parking, especially if you’re arriving after 10am.

The most popular paid parking lots are:

• Clifton Hill
• Skylon Tower
• Casino Niagara
• Falls Parking Lot A (by Table Rock Centre)
• Rainbow Bridge Lot
• Queen Victoria Place (corner of Murray Street and Niagara Parkway)

If you stay overnight, check with your accommodation for parking options.

3. Toronto to Niagara Falls Bus

A bus is the cheapest way to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls, BUT it’s the least flexible and takes the longest time.

This is because buses have set schedules and regularly stop to pick up more individuals.

It’s also frustrating that most coach buses can’t park right beside the Falls so you’ll end up walking.

Bus routes follow the same driving routes, offering the most direct route to the falls.

MegaBus leaves from Toronto Union Station or 300 Borough Drive (Scarborough).

It lets off at the Niagara Falls Bus Terminal, about a 4km walk from the Horseshoe Falls. You can walk this or take an Uber.

It is a gorgeous stroll admittedly!

The trip takes about 2 hours and runs 5 times per day.

You can leave as early as 7:30 AM, and the final return is at 7:30PM, which can allow you about a 12 hour day trip to the Falls.

The price varies during the seasons, but on average it costs $20 each way (before tax). With the booking fee, a round trip will cost you $50 CAD per person.

Greyhound Bus

Greyhound is not currently offering any services from Toronto to Niagara Falls.

When they did offer services, they cost $18-30 one way, depending on the number of transfers. They could be direct or stop and take 2.5 hours to arrive.

Flixbus is a European-based coach service that has recently come to Canada. It’s becoming a popular alternative to Greyhound, with cheaper prices and newer buses.

The company offers direct buses from Toronto to Niagara Falls for around $30 CAD one way. The trip takes approximately 2 hours, but up to 3 hours if there’s traffic.

The buses pick up from Scarborough Town Centre or on the Toronto Harbour Front (between Harbour Street and Queen Quay on York St.).

The bus drops off at Fallsview Blvd at the bus station in Niagara.

4. Toronto to Niagara Falls Shuttle

Niagara airbus.

If you’re looking to get from Toronto airport to Niagara Falls, you can take the Niagara Airbus.

For $190 round trip, per person, this shuttle will take you directly to Niagara Falls from the airport.

I like Airbus because they provide tours as well as shuttle transfers, so you get more bang for your buck when you go with them. Plus, they can store your luggage unlike a bus or tour coach, so you don’t have to worry if you haven’t check into a hotel in Toronto yet.

5. Toronto to Niagara Falls Train

You can take the ViaRail train from either Toronto’s Union Station or Toronto Pearson International Airport to Niagara Falls.

The trip takes about 2 hours and a train ticket costs between $23 CAD one way, depending on the day of the week and time of day.

There are limited trains to and from Niagara, with the last train leaving Niagara at 5:45 PM.

Note: ViaRail currently has no available routes from Toronto to Niagara Falls . It’s unclear whether this is permanent or temporary.

Instead of ViaRail, opt for the Go Train or take a bus to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls.

6. Toronto to Niagara Falls Go Bus/Train

The Go Bus/Train is a quick and convenient way to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls. It’s a bit more convoluted as you’ll need to take a bus and a train to make this method work.

The Go Train leaves from either Union Station or Toronto Pearson International Airport and arrives in Niagara Falls about 1 hour and 15 minutes later.

The direct Go Train to Niagara Falls only runs during summer months (from May 24th weekend to Thanksgiving – Canadian Thanksgiving!) .

In winter, the Go Train stops in Burlington. However, from there you can buy a bus ticket and take the Go Bus to Niagara Falls (Route #12).

Fares cost $25 per person one way. However, you can get a discount with a group or with children.

The Go Train is the best mode of public transportation near Toronto, so it’s very comfortable to take. It’s not like some grungy trains.

You’ll get free wi-fi on your bus ride and train ride.

7. Fly to Niagara Falls from Toronto

There is no Niagara Falls airport, but there are nearby airports to shorten your drive time.

The Hamilton Airport (John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YMC)) is the closest option; however, this only removes about 30 minutes from your driving time.

The Buffalo NYC Airport is only 45 minutes from the Falls, but the time to go through customs will make this a longer journey than just driving from Toronto.

To fly, the best option is to charter a small biplane to land in the Niagara District airport which is for small, private planes only.

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Niagara Falls?

The best time to see Niagara Falls is during the summer months when the weather is warm and there are more hours of daylight.

During the day, you can take part in all the different activities that are available and at night you can enjoy the falls lit up.

The Falls are also spectacular in winter when they are frozen with water thundering beneath the ice. Come for New Year for a large celebration.

Avoid any long weekend experiences at the Falls as they’re likely to be very crowded.

What’s the Most Scenic Route to Niagara Falls?

The most scenic route to Niagara Falls is definitely the Niagara Parkway. This road follows the Niagara River from Niagara-on-the-Lake all the way to the Falls.

You’ll get stunning views of the river, the gorge, and the Falls themselves. If you have time, make sure to stop at some of the lookouts!

You can only do this if you drive yourself.

What to Do on a Toronto to Niagara Falls Day Trip

• Visit the Falls from a viewpoint
• Take a cruise to the bottom of the Falls (formerly the Maid of the Mist)
• Go wine tasting at one of the local vineyards
• Ride the rapids on the river
• Visit the top of Skylon Tower
• Gamble at Fallsview Casino
• Go on waterslides at Great Wolf Lodge
• Take a helicopter tour
• Ride the Whirlpool Aero Car
• Sample ice wine
• Stop by the floral clock

Wrap Up: Best Way to Travel From Toronto to Niagara Falls

No matter how you choose to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls, you’re in for an epic day trip.

The options I’ve listed range from the quick and convenient to the more scenic routes with plenty of things to do along the way.

Whichever path you choose, make sure to enjoy the majesty of the Falls!

Related Posts:

• 21 Best Road Trips in Ontario from Toronto: Unforgettable Places You Need to See
• The Best Toronto Food Tours: Reviews of the Top 10 for Travellers
• 15 Best Hotels in Toronto with Private Hot Tubs
• Best Time to Visit Toronto (from a Canadian)

Pin this for later!

Canada Travel Planning Guide

🚑  Should I buy Canada travel insurance?

100% YES!  — Canada has “free” healthcare but it’s only for citizens! Foreigners visiting need travel insurance in case anything happens on their visit. I recommend World Nomads – starting at just $5 a day!

💧 Can you drink the water in Canada?

Yes  — In all major cities in Canada, you can drink the tap water. There are very few, rural areas that you can’t. However, you should never drink river or lake water anywhere in the country! I recommend a Brita Water Bottle for long hikes and backcountry camping to stay safe and hydrated.

🚙💨  Is it safe to rent a car in Canada?

Yes  — Renting a car is a necessity in most of Canada! If you want to go on road trips or adventures outside of the major cities, you’ll need to rent a car. ( Read more )

📲  Will my phone work in Canada?

Maybe  — Some American companies work in Canada, but many will not. If your phone doesn’t work in Canada, I recommend getting a Canadian SIM card so you can get around and stay in contact with loved ones. We don’t have a lot of free WIFI in Canada, so you’ll need your phone for maps.

🏩  What’s the best way to book my Canada accommodations?

My go-to for Canadian hotels is Booking.com . For hostels, I use Hostel World . If you want a home-y feeling, check out VRBO (which is cheaper and safer than Airbnb).

Or get free accommodations with Trusted Housesitters!

✈️  What’s the best site to buy Canada flights?

For finding cheap Canadian flights, I recommend  Skyscanner .

🎫  Do I need a visa for Canada?

Likely Not  — US, UK, and EU passport holders don’t need Canadian visas. However, some other countries do ( check here! ). And if you plan to stay for more than 4 weeks (an average tourist visa length), you will need to look into visas to live in Canada.

Nina Clapperton is the founder of Nina Out and About. She has lived in 18 countries in the past 10 years, explored more than 30 countries, and has done most of it solo. A Canadian native, she also shares her favourite things to do in the True North. She helps over 100,000 people per month plan their expat adventures and Canadian trips.

Want to move abroad, but don’t know how to start?

Get an expert’s tips & tricks, pick which country to move to – and do it.

How To Get From Toronto To Niagara Falls [All Transport Options]

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Going From Toronto to Niagara Falls Has Never Been Easier!

Let us guess – you’re in Toronto and thinking how awesome it would be to see one of the most famous waterfalls in the world – Niagara Falls? Right?

Well, if you want to get a bit of nature’s beauty into your Ontario visit, Niagara Falls is a top Ontario attraction that you shouldn’t miss and there are lots of ways to get there.

The best way to travel from Toronto to Niagara Falls depends on your budget, your timelines, the season you are travelling in, and more.

So, we just wanted to go over basically all the Toronto to Niagara trip options so that you are covered!

So, from taking the Megabus to the GO Train – or even on a tour – we’ve got prices, distances, dates, schedules, and more! Let’s get you to Niagara Falls!

Toronto to Niagara Falls Transport Options

• By Car: As fast as 1.5 hours ( traffic depending!) via the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW)/403
• By Bus: As fast as 1 hour 40/50 minutes via Megabus or with FlixBus
• By Train: As fast as 2 hours 15 minutes (direct) with the GoTransit
• By Tour: Classic Niagara Day Tour w/ Optional Boat Cruise

Table of Contents

Toronto to Niagara Falls: All Options

If you want to get to Niagara Falls from Toronto, there are a few options that you can choose from.

They differ by the amount of time you have, your budget, and travel preference, among other things – each has its own pros and cons.

Below, we’ve outlined the travel options: driving by car, taking the bus or shuttle, or even hopping on the train. Keep in mind that you definitely could do Toronto to Niagara on a day trip – but staying overnight allows you to get the most out of the experience.

Plus, if you are in the Niagara Region it’s best to check out the wineries (if that interests you).

Staying Overnight? Check Here For Niagara Falls Accommodation Deals

Toronto to Niagara Falls By Car

Likely the most common way to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls is by car. The (driving) distance from Toronto to Niagara Falls is about 130 km and can take as little as 1.5 hours – depending on the route you take. Traffic is a big factor that determines the total time, quite frankly.

Toronto to Niagara Falls Self Drive

One of the best ways to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls is by car. The drive is pretty simple. From anywhere in Toronto, head southwest to hop on the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW)/403 towards Hamilton.

You then drive on it the whole time… through Burlington, around the lake through St. Catharines, to the Niagara Region. The drive takes about 1.5 hours (and a bit more with usual traffic).

Once you are approaching Niagara Falls, follow signs and exit onto ON-420/ Niagara Veterans Memorial Highway East. This is basically downtown Niagara Falls. You can find parking downtown in lots or at your accommodation.

This drive is the most direct route but there are other routes that are slower but more scenic. You could, for example, take Highway 81 through wine areas like Beamsville (running parallel to the QEW from Hamilton but on a smaller road with things to see).

Renting a car is a good way to do this drive without much hassle. The drive along parts of the lake can be quite pretty at times, too!

Toronto to Niagara Falls Rideshare

If you wanted to hop in a car and help save the environment, you could also consider a rideshare between Toronto and Niagara Falls.

There are plenty of cars heading in that direction. You can check out Poparide and/or Kijiji to arrange pick-up and price (usually $20 CAD for one-way).

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Toronto to Niagara Tours or Shuttle

If you want to take the roadways but don’t want to drive yourself there, you do have options to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls.

There are a few taxi/shuttle or tour options that can get you there in no time at all.

Tour options make for a great day trip to Niagara Falls from Toronto so you can just sit back and enjoy!

Toronto to Niagara Falls Shuttle/Taxi

There are a few different shuttle services that cater to groups wanting to go from Toronto (and Toronto Pearson Airport) to Niagara Falls.

You can search online for these shuttle services – here is a good example of one such Niagara Shuttle service .

Keep in mind, prices are generally more expensive but you pay for the simplicity and convenience. Some shuttles even provide tours with their services or they can be booked as add-ons.

If you were travelling from Toronto Pearson Airport, you can take a shuttle/cab to Niagara Falls.

The cost would start from $189 CAD so if you have a large group and baggage then maybe it makes sense? Here’s a website for the taxi/limo price list from Pearson !

Toronto to Niagara Falls Tours

If you want to take the hassle out of your trip to Niagara Falls (or just visit Niagara Falls on a day trip) you can hop on a tour.

There are lots to choose from – some taking you to visit wineries in Niagara on the Lake while others are strictly Niagara Falls day tours.

Taking a day tour from Toronto to Niagara Falls is a really smart option for two main reasons:

• Logistically, if you only have limited time in Ontario, sorting out the details to get to the Falls (plus admission tickets, etc) is a pain and eats into your vacation.
• Financially, the cost of a train ticket OR rental car, gas, and parking when you get to the Falls is easily more than what you’d pay for a guided day trip from Toronto.

So, a day tour from Toronto is a good idea. It just is. There wouldn’t be a whole industry based around the idea if it wasn’t!

All you have to do is sit back and relax as you’re taken to the best sights/wineries/experiences in the Niagara Region!

• If you want to take a day trip to see the best sights at both Niagara Falls and the Niagara on the Lake wine region, then check out this top-rated full-day tour from Toronto to Niagara Falls .
• If you want to experience great sights at Niagara Falls – and have a buffet lunch, then check out this Niagara Falls Day tour from Toronto .
• If you want to leave from Downtown Toronto, sip great wine, and add on the famous Hornblower Cruise, check out this Niagara day tour from Toronto .

Toronto to Niagara Falls by Bus

A really good way to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls is to take the bus. For this option, you’ve got the Megabus and the Flixbus. Similar services and stations but slightly different rates and schedules!

Just so we are clear – the GO BUS doesn’t run to Niagara Falls directly from Toronto but the GO TRAIN does.

You could, however, take the Go Train to Burlington from Toronto and then take the GO BUS that runs from Burlington to Niagara Falls ( GO Route #12 ).

Back to buses, the main Megabus bus terminal in downtown Toronto is the new Union Station Bus Terminal which is located beside Scotiabank Arena/Union Station.

Address of Toronto Megabus Terminal Downtown: 81 Bay Street, Toronto, ON

Once you are in Niagara Falls, the bus station is located at the southwest corner of Bridge Street and Erie Avenue.

Address of Niagara Falls Bus Terminal: 4555 Erie Ave, Niagara Falls, ON

Just so you know, the bus terminal is right across from the ViaRail/GO Train Station. You could walk to downtown Niagara/the actual Falls from here but you’d more likely grab a cab nearby .

Depending on the season, you could take the WEGO – a regional tourist bus/shuttle service for the whole Niagara area. The Green Line goes from the bus/train station to the Falls/Downtown. You can learn more about the WEGO here .

Megabus to Niagara Falls

If you want to take the Megabus from Toronto to Niagara Falls, it’s a good, cheap, and reliable option. There are 13 daily departures during the week with 2 daily on weekends. These are also direct buses – so no transfers!

As for price, the fares range from $14 CAD to 24 $CAD one-way for peak travel times. Most are about $16-18 CAD. So, overall still pretty good.

The bus journey only takes between 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours total – so not much variation overall. You can check fares here on the Megabus website .

(If you are looking for Coach Canada bus options, their website redirects to Megabus now).

FlixBus to Niagara Falls

The German bus operator FlixBus (we love it when we’re in Europe) has since come to Ontario in recent years and helped to fill a gap in service where Greyhound once stood.

FluxBus also runs a route to Niagara Falls from Toronto. The route takes as little as 1 hour 40 minutes and the departure terminals are similar to that of Megabus.

One key difference in buses is that the FlixBus will actually make stops in downtown Niagara Falls closer to the hotels and the Falls.

This is as opposed to up at the bus station located at 4555 Erie Ave (much more north of the heart of Niagara Falls).

You can learn more about taking the FlixBus to Niagara Falls from Toronto here .

Toronto to Niagara Falls by Train

Taking the train from Toronto to Niagara Falls is a scenic option – and it’s actually quite affordable and enjoyable!

For this, there are two train options: the GO Train and the ViaRail Train. Much like the buses, the GO Train and ViaRail train leave from the same station in Toronto.

To take the train from Toronto, you leave from good old Union Station. Located downtown on Front Street, Union is a pretty busy place! All trains leave from the upper-level tracks – and you can get to them via the elevators, stairs, or escalators.

ViaRail passengers usually line up from the Grand Hall / Via Concourse whereas GO Train passengers follow the numbered green platform numbers.

To be honest, the place is always under construction so it can be confusing with old halls closing and new terminals/wings opening all the time. Just follow the signs or ask a staff person!

Address of Union Station: 65 Front St W, Toronto, ON

Once you arrive in Niagara, the two train lines (GO and ViaRail) arrive at the same station . It’s right across from the Bus Terminal (as we mentioned above). This is about 3.5 km from the Falls.

Address: 4267 Bridge Street, Niagara Falls, ON

The Niagara Falls Train Station is absolutely nothing fancy. It’s basically just a large building with a few automated machines, parking, seating, and not much else. Here’s more information about the Niagara Falls Train Station .

As we mentioned above in the bus section, once you get into Niagara Falls, you have a few options for getting to the Falls/Downtown. You could walk to downtown Niagara/the Falls from here but you’d more likely grab a cab .

Toronto to Niagara Falls ViaRail

If you want, you CAN take the ViaRail train to Niagara Falls. Eric has rode with ViaRail plenty of times, each time has been pretty good/excellent.

There is one daily ViaRail train from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Train #97 leaves at 8:20 am from Union and gets in at 10:16 – taking just under two hours. The cheapest fare online is $25 CAD, but this may change.

(So you know, the #98 train leaves from Niagara Falls to Toronto daily at 5:45 pm. There’s only one return train , too.) You can check the ViaRail website for schedules and details.

Toronto to Niagara Falls GO Train

For the GO Train to Niagara Falls from Toronto, it was a bit more complicated but has recently gotten a little better.

The train used to run as a summer promotion only and only recently (in 2023) did GO figure out that people wanted (and would use) regular daily service in both directions.

So now, in 2024, GO trains from Toronto to Niagara Falls run 7 days a week , according to their schedule. This is great news for those wanting to explore the Falls over a day or weekend.

In partnership with Niagara Parks, you can also now purchase a combination GO Train and WEGO ticket packages so that you have transit to and from the actual Falls area (and surrounding attractions) when you arrive.

However (as we mentioned in the “Bus” section above in this post), you can still take a GO Train/Go Bus split option all year round, too.

This would require taking the GO Train from Union Station to Burlington and then getting on a GO Bus to Niagara Falls (Route #12). Check out the GO Transit Website for more details on making this connection.

Toronto to Niagara Falls by Plane

The final option would be to fly from Toronto to Niagara Falls. However, don’t do this. Not only can you not fly to the Niagara Falls area directly, but in the time it would take waiting for the flight at Toronto Pearson you could literally just drive to Niagara Falls.

The flying option only makes sense if you are flying from far away to visit Canada. In this case, you could fly into Hamilton Airport instead of Toronto since it’s closer.

John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM) is the closest airport to Niagara Falls that’s big enough to matter.

Even then, Hamilton is not Niagara Falls so you’d still have to rent a car and/or plan to get to Niagara Falls another way. The drive would still be about an hour.

Address of Hamilton Airport: 9300 Airport Rd #2206, Mount Hope, ON L0R 1W0

Related Articles

Spending time in the Niagara Area? Here are some more posts to help you plan:

• 25 Awesome Things to Do in Niagara Falls (Canada Side)
• Our Guide to Niagara Falls Hotels (With Views of the Falls)
• Great Wineries + Distilleries in Niagara on the Lake
• We Had a Great Day on our Niagara on the Lake Wine Tour !
• Discover Things to Do in Niagara on the Lake
• Find Great Accommodations in Niagara on the Lake

And there you have it – basically all of the ways possible to get from Toronto to Niagara Falls. We’re sure that, given the options, you can find a route that works for you.

Also, be sure to read up on our guide for Niagara Falls accommodation , and be sure to book early! No doubt this post will change and grow as they increase the bus/train frequency from Toronto. We will keep you posted – so go and enjoy Niagara Falls!

As always, Keep Exploring, eh? – E&L

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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Planning The Perfect Summer Road Trip To Niagara Falls

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Planning a trip to Niagara Falls for your next vacation? In our opinion, the best way to see this natural wonder is to do a scenic road trip from Toronto! On the way, you will encounter hidden waterfalls, Canada’s most famous warship, and the largest botanical garden in the country, all to be found in the interesting historical city, Hamilton, Ontario. In today’s post, I have created a 5-day itinerary to Niagara Falls, highlighting the best places to eat, stay and play!

While planning a trip to Niagara Falls, remember this…

• You will need to rent a car if you want to follow this itinerary. So, make sure you have a valid driver’s license . U.S. driver’s licenses are valid in Canada, but if you’re visiting from other countries, you’ll need an international driver’s license.
• In Canada, the steering wheel is on the left-hand side of the car and we drive on the right-hand side of the road.
• We practice ultimate safety here. This means seatbelt must be worn at all times , for both drivers AND passengers. And, hand-held electronic devices are banned while driving.
• Visiting from the US side and wondering how to cross the border at Niagara Falls? It’s really easy. All you need is heading towards the Rainbow Bridge and a valid passport (and possibly a visa if you’re not a US Citizen. Please check!).

Car rental company suggestions:  We personally love using National Car Rental because as an Emerald Club member, we get to choose any car available on-site and go! You can find major car rental companies at Toronto Pearson International Airport, including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Alamo. You can also rent a car in downtown Toronto if you prefer not to deal with the city traffic (traffic congestion in downtown Toronto can drive you crazy, especially in the area where they have streetcars ).

Cool? Alright, now we have all the serious stuff sorted out, let the journey begin!

A 5-Day Itinerary: Summer Road Trip From Toronto To Niagara Falls

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Day 1: Exploring the Art & Culture in Toronto

We’ve been to Toronto many times, and there’s no doubt an endless number of things to see and do in Toronto. But since we only have one day in the city, my top suggestion is to focus on the exciting art and theatre scene!

Morning:  Start your trip at Canada’s largest museum of art, world cultures, and natural history — Royal Ontario Museum . Housing more than 6 million artifacts, the museum will take you on a journey around the globe and across ages. You will encounter ancient dinosaurs, discover a bat cave, and see the mysterious Egyptian mummies! For lunch, enjoy South American staples at Lena Restaurant !

Lena Restaurant

Afternoon:  Take a leisure walk around the downtown area, which is brimming with both historic and modern architectures. Nathan Phillips Square, Osgoode Hall, St. Lawrence Market , Harbourfront, and the Distillery District are a few places you do not want to miss.

Distillery District is our absolute favorite where we visit every time we’re in Toronto. If you’re there, be sure to stop by  Izumi , Ontario’s first sake brewery , and try sake tasting !

[irp posts=”5180″ name=”13 Places to Visit in Toronto for Photographers”]

You can see CN Tower from many places in Toronto, but at the top of this 553m tall skyscraper, you will get unmatched views of the city skyline! The best time to visit CN Tower is at sunset. If this doesn’t sound unique enough to you, try the Edgewalk where you stand on the edge of the tower and see the whole city below you!

Evening:  Craving for sushi? Then you must check out JaBistro – the best sushi restaurant in Toronto ! Their fish is so fresh and their lightly charred aburi style sushi is amazing! Reservation is a must at this place.

Perfect your evening with a musical, play or concert! Last year, we saw The 7 Fingers Cuisine & Confessions and LOVED IT! Click here to find out what Broadway shows, plays, dramas, and comedies are running in Toronto.

[irp posts=”5676″ name=”Behind the Scenes at Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre Centre”]

Accommodations:   Downtown Toronto has many luxurious hotels, including Ritz Calton, Fairmont Royal York, Shangri-La, Adelaide Hotel, and Le Germain. 

Ritz Carlton Toronto

Day 2: Seeing the Best of Hamilton

Morning:  Start your morning slow and enjoy a cup of coffee at an indie cafe! Some of the popular ones include Fahrenheit Coffee, Dineen Coffee Co., Jimmy’s Coffee, Balzac’s, and Early Bird Espresso & Brew Bar. 

Early Birds

Afternoon:  Pick up your rental car if you haven’t already. Then, start driving out to the city and grab brunch at La Cubana  in Ossington for some exotic Cuban food! This charming retro diner serves spectacular pressed sandwiches and unique Cuban coffee!

After the meal, make sure to go across the street to Bang Bang Ice Cream   and have their notoriously fabulous ice cream sandwiches (or ice cream in the Hong Kong Waffle cone for photo ops).

[irp posts=”5053″ name=”Best Dessert Spots in Toronto for Foodies”]

Now we’re ready to hit the road!

The drive to Hamilton will take about 1.5 hours. Compared to Toronto, Hamilton is a small city, but one rich in history and surrounded by stunning nature! There are 2 attractions you must see here:

• Royal Botanical Gardens :  It is Canada’s largest botanical garden as well as a National Historic Site! Your admission fee ($16) will grant you access to multiple gardens, nature sanctuaries, and various walking and hiking trails! Be prepared to spend a few hours here. The highlight includes the lilacs (bloom in May-June and make up the world’s largest collection), irises and peonies (June) and roses (June to July).
• HMCS Haida National Historic Site : This is Canada’s most famous warship and also the last surviving Tribal Class destroyer in the world. It served from 1943 to 1963, through WWII, the Korean War and the Cold War. Now docked at Hamilton Harbour’s Pier 9, you can relive the history and experience how the sailors lived, worked and fought aboard  the fightingest ship in the Royal Canadian Navy! Allow an hour here.

Evening: Treat yourself to a hearty seafood dinner at Fsh & Chp ! Everything is so fresh here! Our favourites include the signature fish & chips and lobster mac & cheese.

Accommodation:  You don’t get a lot of luxury options here. There are many business hotels that offer a comfortable stay, such as Sheraton, Homewood Suites, and Staybridge Suites.

[irp posts=”10896″ name=”8 Best Places To Spend Christmas In Canada For A Romantic Winter Escape”]

Day 3: Wine Tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Morning: Ever wish you could just roll out of bed and take a lovely walk to the waterfalls. In Hamilton, this is not a dream. N amed “ The Waterfalls Capital of the World ,” you can find as many as 100 waterfalls just minutes from the downtown core! All you have to do is find  Bruce Trail and it will take you to many beautiful hidden waterfalls. Check out this website for more information. 

Tiffany Falls / Source: City of Waterfalls

At around 11 am, continue on our road trip to Niagara Falls and start heading out to the next destination: Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Niagara on the Lake

Afternoon:  Stop for lunch at the town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. You can find a lot of restaurants along Queen St. HOBNOB and Cannery are the two popular options.

Niagara is a famous wine region and is the best place to sip on Canadian wines! After lunch, go on a winery tour and do a wine tasting ! Make sure you try Icewines, Canada’s famous sweet wine . Once you take a sip you’ll understand how irresistible it is. Lakeview Wine Co. , Peller Estates, and Inniskillin are great places to start off if you are not familiar with Canadian wineries. 

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Evening:  Dinner at Peller Estates is a must. The chef serves up delicious regional dishes using the freshest seasonal ingredients to blow your mind! After dinner, dress up like an Eskimo and sip Icewines at  Niagara’s only ice lounge. This is one of our favourite experiences in Niagara-on-the-Lake that you must not miss!

[irp posts=”7459″ name=”Peller Estates: Best Winery To Visit at Niagara-on-the-Lake”]

At 10 pm, watch the spectacular fireworks dazzle the night sky above Niagara Falls. Fireworks only set off on weekdays.

Accommodation:  For the best view of the Niagara Falls, I recommend staying at Sheraton. You can watch the fireworks right from your balcony! Otherwise, The Oakes Hotel, Embassy Suites, Radisson, and Marriott are also good options.

Sheraton on the Falls Hotel

Day 4: Outdoor Adventures in Niagara Falls

Morning:  Today is a day full of outdoor fun! Out of all the different ways to see Niagara Falls, my favourite is through ziplining . Imagine how THRILLING it is to soar across the sky with a full view of Niagara Falls right before your eyes. It is an experience you can’t get anywhere else!

Besides ziplining, another way to get an amazing view of the Falls is from up above! Go on a helicopter tour for stunning close-up views of the Falls. Ask for front seats if you can to get some great aerial shots like I did!

If that sounds too daring, go on a Niagara Falls boat tour ( Hornblower or Maid of the Mist ) to feel the mist and see the magnificent beauty right in front of your eyes! Cruises are operated by Hornblowers (from the Canadian Side) and Maid of the Mist (from the American side)

Afternoon:  Fuel up at Queenston Heights Restaurant on the Niagara Parkway, or at Queen Victoria Place in the entertainment district. Then, hop onto Whirlpool Aero Car and experience a unique ride above the Niagara River! Looking down at the class 6 rapids, you can almost feel the power of these fierce waters rushing below you. 

To top off the experience, hop abroad the Whirlpool Jet Boat for an exhilarating ride! It will take you through Niagara’s class 5 whitewater rapids and make you feel the fury of the river!

[irp posts=”7428″ name=”10 Best Ways To Experience Niagara Falls In The Summer”]

Evening:  After a long day, it’s time for a hearty meal. Try Windows by Jamie Kennedy (inside Sheraton), you won’t be disappointed!

Day 5: A Quick Getaway to Toronto Islands

Our 5-day road trip to Niagara Falls has come to an end. It’s now time to drive back to Toronto.

If you are back to Toronto early and would like to explore the city more, I’d recommend checking out Toronto Islands and Casa Loma.  Or, hit up some food spots, such as PAI , WVRST , and Ruby Watco .

To help you keep track of all the places I have mentioned in this post, I have created a map:

Have you done a road trip to Niagara Falls before? Any activities or attractions that I miss?

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44 comments leave a comment ».

I love the zip lines over Niagara Falls. That is totally on our list. I would love to eat my way around the world and never leave Toronto. There seems to be so many international choices there. Toronto is such a cosmopolitan city.

I am impressed with you for daring to do Edgewalk. I am way too wimpy for that. But maybe AFTER the sake and wine tasting experiences… Nah. I don’t think there are enough drinks to get me out there. I can’t even walk on the glass section of floor inside!

Ha, I just did something really similar! I flew into Buffalo, NY – took an Uber to Niagara Falls, NY. Spent the day in Niagara Falls (NY and Canada), then drove through St Catherine’s and Burlington and on to Toronto where I spent about 5 days. Just got home last night. It was a lovely trip!

Great itinerary, Cat. I love the overview and then the links to deeper articles on so many of the activities. Looks like a great five day get-away — though I think you’re braver than I am with taking on the Edge — I don’t think I would have made it!

I love the idea of road tripping in Canada! The route you’ve outlined is perfect. We’re getting into sake for our upcoming trip to Japan, so we’d definitely stop at Izumi in Toronto’s Distillery District 🙂 I’ve never been to Hamilton, so it would be interesting to see a new Canadian city. Great post, as always!

This is a perfect road trip itinerary! Niagara Falls is still on my to go list and I’d love to see it really soon! So many fun things to do from Toronto all the way to Niagara Falls.

Wow! that looks like perfect activity filled itinerary for the world’s most coveted waterfalls. I hope to see it soon and take all the advice you have shared. Only that worries me that I drive left hand and on a short trip it is risky to drive on the opposite side. I get confused while taking turns. We are used to free lift while you guys will have free right.

Wine and spirits Travel! Love it! Sushi! Yumm!! And then 100 waterfalls just minutes from downtown. I’m ready to go on a roadtrip!

Looks like an amazing itinerary you guys had full of fun and adventure. The Whirlpool let boat looks amazing. Our kids would love this sort of things its right up their alley. Your pictures are amazing they make the sites come alive

Thanks for the amazing road trip itinerary. I would love to visit Niagara Falls one day and eat the delicious food you mentioned! Gosh your photos are so beautiful. I just can’t wait to see it with my eyes!

I’ve always wanted to go to Niagara Falls but I have never really thought about all the other things to do nearby. Seriously love all the adventurous things mentioned here. SO brave for doing the CN tower! I hope I can get myself to doing it when I visit!!!

A really useful in-depth guide, we are thinking of going back to Canada in 2018. Although we may give the CN tower edge walk a miss.

Wow Niagara Falls look so amazing! I really hope I can make it there one day, annoying I didn’t take the chance when I had it.

Great post 🙂

This sounds like a fantastic trip! We unfortunately have no driving licenses, so we would have to find an other way to move around, but I’m sure this wouldn’t be impossible 🙂 I’d absolutely love to do the Zip-Lines, that sounds so great! Thank you for recommending also some good places to eat. The Fsh & Chp would be absolutely on my itinerary.

This is a great itinerary for Niagara Falls. The Edge Walk on the CN Tower looks crazy. My favourite thing to do would be to hike the Bruce trail to see all the smaller waterfalls.

Thank you for this post. Been to Toronto and Niagara but haven’t really thought of all the adventure we can do by the falls… Wow… I’m IN for the zipline:)

If my hubby and I were to do year 2 in our RV we would definitely take it to Canada to do a roadtrip there. It is such a huge country with so much to do that we’d need another year just to hit the highlights! But since I can’t do that, I do think an autumn road trip could be in order!q

I’ve heard from so many people that Canada is the better side to see Niagara, so I appreciate the 5 day itinerary! Would love to make it to Toronot at some point – and the Edgewalk at CN tower is on the list! Hamilton sounds like a beautiful small town to hit before some wine tasting in Niagara-on-the-Lake – 100 waterfalls just minutes from downtown sounds amazing!!

Thanks for the tip on staying at the Sheraton for the best views of the falls. I had no idea you could zip-line – what an adventure! Thanks for these great ideas!

What a great itinerary. I haven’t spent any time in Toronto, so your picks looks great. I was just in Hong Kong, and your ice cream pic reminded me that I was planning on trying a HK waffle cone with ice cream, but totally forgot until right now! I’ve heard so many amazing things about the Toronto food scene, that I’m afraid I would just get stuck in the city for the whole 5 days.

That seems like a perfect itinerary full of adventure, history, good food and stay. Canada is on our to-do list only for the Niagara Falls. The 100 waterfalls just a walk away sounds exciting. Would love to follow this once planning a trip. Thanks for sharing.

So funny, I always thought about visiting Niagara falls . . . from US so this post brings me another perspective, the Canadian one, which is pretty cool! I liked your proposed itinerary so much that I pinned one of your pins for a future use. Thanks Cat!

Brilliant itinerary and I’m so glad you included all these tempting places to eat. Always in the mood for Sushi! I’ve heard so many times approaching Niagra Falls from the Canadian side is much more spectacular, bonus to have all these other incredible spots to visit along the way.

I was in Toronto for the first time this year, so can identify with many of the suggestions on your list! I saw CN Tower from one of the buildings in the financial district, and it was free! I’d like to try the wine tasting at Niagara, I’m sure it would make the experience more fun of seeing the falls! Next time, I’ll try to visit Toronto Island.

I’m yet to explore the American continent. Niagara is ofcourse in the top of the places to visit. That said, here in India, we’re used to driving on the left side of the road and I don’t think I can manage driving in USA!!! That said I love this itinerary. Edgewalk is definitely in my list as well.

So fun! I’ve never thought about visiting Niagara Falls before, but it seems like there’s just so much more to do than look at the water! I think trying out the Whirlpool Jet Boat would be a scream! I’ve seen videos about it before and think it would be a gas. I love ziplining, so I think trying out the zipline over the falls would be magical for sure!

This summer I too had Nigara Falls visit, but from America side. Your 5 day itinerary plannery for Niagara Falls from Canada side is very interesting and thus I want to do it again from Canadian side. Edgewalking and Ziplining would be beautiful adventure to do here. Tiffany falls is also scenic.

This is a fantastic itinerary.  I recently spent some time in Niagara but it was not summer so the water activities were out of the question.  However I love your winery suggestions (Peller Estates is magnificent) and the Ice wine is a must. Next time I go I would like to try some of the activities you mentioned like the zip lining. This seems fun an a great way to get an aerial view.   I guess I need to plan a summer trip next.

I have been hearing about Niagra Falls since childhood. I have still not seen it. My aunt lives in California and I am planning to go with her. There is so much to do around Niagra. This reminds me I have to apply for my international driver’s license.

Thank you for the comprehensive and detailed itinerary. Your photos are amazing. I have pinned this for future reference since Niagara Falls is on my bucket list!

There is so much to do on a road trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Being English I’d love to try how the fish and chips are out there! The zip lining to the falls must give incredible views!. The Toronto Islands are a place I’ve not heard of and need to read more about!

I quite liked the itinerary. It takes care of everything and I like that you have tips about everything. Well, of course I would love to see Niagara falls some day, I would love to try some desserts at Bang Bang Ice Cream and go for the botanical gardens.

I was so impressed by the food options in Toronto! And that’s a gorgeous waterfall capture, so much natural beauty in this area!

No way! They have ziplining now in Niagara Falls? What a great vantage point to take it all in! I haven’t been to Niagara Falls in years (and there definitely was no ziplining then 🙂 ) and there looks like a lot more to see and do. Really love that you made a great road trip out of this, starting in Toronto and ending at the Falls. There’s so many great things to see along the way, especially the wineries and scenic sites. And I really can’t believe you stood on the edge of the CNTower….yikes!!

I love that you incorporated other parts of Canada in this, not just Niagara Falls! That Edgewalk in Toronto looks super exhilarating. I’ll have to consider this for summer.

Key words: Road Trip! Every post that starts with these words, gets my attention immediately. I’ve never been to Canada but I plan to do it. I would definitely need to make some adjustments to my budget, but it would totally consider the Whirlpool Aero Car.

This is making me want to go to Toronto! Hahahaha, of course, I would love to visit Niagra Falls too, but all of your suggestions along the way are amazing. The sushi presentation at JaBistro is gorgeous. I’m afraid of heights, so I’ll have to skip those activities 🙂

Wow such a useful post for people who’re planning to visit the Niagara falls. My favorite part of this itinerary is the edgewalk on CN Tower. Ritz Carlton in Toronto looks really good and the view is amazing.

It’s an interesting blog to read about the Canada. It’s really great you have included not only the Niagara falls but also that Edgewalk which looks so awesome. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful article with us!!

I am traveling at the beginning of December to the falls, I will only stay on the American side. My plan and reservation of plane and train indicates that I arrive at Niagara Falls at night so I have a whole day to explore the falls, my question is that it will be enough one day to explore the main thing and do the maid of the mist tour. Or is it convenient to stay one more day to explore the park? Thank you! ? Greetings

Hi Robert. Yes, one day is enough to see the falls and do the maid of the mist tour!

Your blog help me in my trip planning.

Hi Cat,Your article help me in my many Niagara Falls trips.

your blog post is so amazing, especially I liked your post picture portrayal and the content is very informative.

Nice article!! Very informative. It is my dream to visit Niagara Falls. Thank a lot.

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Toronto to Niagara Region

4-5 days 326 km • 4 hours, 29 minutes, burlington • hamilton • st. catharines • niagara falls • niagara-on-the-lake.

Toronto, Ontario Toronto to Burlington, ON (47 minutes, 64km) Burlington to Hamilton, ON (6 minutes, 4.5km) Hamilton to Vineland, ON (48 minutes, 53km) Vineland to St. Catharines, ON (25 minutes, 29km) St. Catharines to Niagara Falls, ON (18 minutes, 17 km)

Depart after breakfast to miss the Toronto “rush hour” traffic and enjoy your leisurely drive along the Queen Elizabeth Way (commonly called the QEW).   Your first stop along your tour is the Royal Botanical Gardens. The gardens are Canada’s largest botanical garden, and incorporates untamed and cultivated landscapes.   Comprised of 3 different locations, start your visit at the RBG centre at the hub of the Gardens! Visit the restaurant and gift shop, and catch the free shuttle bus (operates seasonally) to the other garden areas.   Depending on the time of the year you can see various blooms such as spring flowering bulbs, orchids, poinsettias and more!   Dress appropriately to be outside and don’t forget your camera to catch the flowers as they bloom.   Perfect picture location!

A short drive from the RBG is a Canadian heritage site not to be missed.   Dundurn Castle, part of Dundurn National Historic Site and the magnificent home of Sir Allan Napier MacNab, one of Canada’s first premiers. Discover mid-19th-century Hamilton on your tour of more than 40 rooms on three floors. Experience life in a grand country home: for the MacNab family and the servants working below stairs.

Leave time to browse in the Museum Gift Shop , featuring Canadian handmade crafts, souvenirs and special gifts. Enjoy a visit to the Hamilton Military Museum and the restored Kitchen Garden , all located in Dundurn Park.

Depart Hamilton and make your way along the QEW towards the Niagara Region and make sure to look left over Lake Ontario to see if you can catch a view of the Toronto skyline including the CN Tower.   Keep moving towards Niagara and stop in St. Catharines at the Welland Canal Centres, Lock 3.   You won’t get any closer to a Great Lakes Ship unless you’re a sailor yourself! See ships from around the world – UP CLOSE – as they navigate Lock 3 on their way through the St. Lawrence Seaway System. Access to the observation deck is always FREE .

Back in the car to your final destination, accommodations in Niagara Falls!   You have your choice of hotels that overlook the falls, Clifton Hill properties, waterpark resort hotels, Lundy’s Lane properties or traditional Bed & Breakfast nooks.

Enjoy a nice relaxing night preparing for a fun-filled day of attractions tomorrow!

Niagara Falls (all located within the city)

Awake early this morning, as you have a long, eventful day ahead of you! Start your morning off with a big breakfast at any one of Niagara’s breakfast stops and head off to a day of attraction fun.   “Must-do” things when in Niagara Falls: Niagara City Cruises (May – October), Niagara Parks Commission – Journey Behind the Falls, falls viewing at Table Rock, ride the yellow bug up the Skylon Tower for lunch and spectacular views of both the American Falls and the magnificent Canadian Horseshoe Falls.   Spend an afternoon at Clifton Hill taking in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not!, the Skywheel and scare yourself silly at haunted houses such at Nightmares!   Don’t forget to flock to the Bird Kingdom, the world’s largest free-flying indoor aviary located right beside the Rainbow Bridge.   Enjoy a relaxing tour through a tropical rainforest.   Don’t forget your camera for pictures of tropical birds and reptiles such as toucans, macaws, frogs, lizards and you can even feed the rainbow lorikeets!

After a couple long days of adventure relax at the Fallsview Casino in their 365 lounge with live entertainment available 3 nights a week.

If you are travelling with kids, your must-stop attraction is Great Wolf Lodge, adding a day to your trip to experience a Great Wolf Lodge adventure is worth it. Begin your day in a massive, 84-degree indoor water park. Splash away in over 100,000 square feet of water-packed excitement, including jaw-dropping slides for thrill seekers or zero-depth entry areas for little ones. Outside the water park, the fun continues. Get an ice cream-themed manicure in Scooops Kid Spa before gathering your family in the Grand Lobby for nightly fireside Story Time, the perfect ending to a Great Wolf day is in a wolf-den cabin!

Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (28 minutes, 21km)

Awake early this day, check out, grab a bite to eat to start your day right, and start the morning with a leisurely drive along on the Niagara Parkway. Enjoy the views of historical homes along your left and the Niagara River on your right. On the opposite side of the river is the United States, so close you think it would be easy to cross but with the Niagara River moving anywhere from 25 to 5 miles/hour it is more difficult than it looks. Want to get a closer view, take a Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour departing from Queenston, ON from May through October. This experience is a once in a lifetime opportunity for you to brave a Class 5 rapids onboard a 1500 horsepower, turbo diesel engine boat. Take the Jetdome and stay dry while enjoying the sites or for the more adventurous take the Wet Jet and get absolutely drenched while loving every second of it.

After you have dried off, take a nice walk through the old town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Visit the shops, dine at one of Niagara’s fine restaurants along the strip or just bask in the beauty and if it all looks a little familiar; try to remember how many movies you have seen the town in?

Visit Fort George and hear about the War of 1812 and the Niagara Region’s importance in it and you can even visit the first parliament house in Upper Canada, Navy Hall circa 1792 – 1796.

Before checking into your hotel or bed & breakfast for the evening try “Happy Hour” at what is labelled “Canada’s oldest operating Inn.” Established in 1789 and rebuilt in 1816 after the War of 1812, The Olde Angel Inn is a favourite among locals and tourists alike. Boasting a lively English-style pub, dining room and Snug room, as well as 5 guest rooms and 2 cottages, The Olde Angel Inn is decorated in old world decor, including 3 gas fireplaces, one in each of the 3 dining areas. Enjoy the great food, great rooms and endless hospitality. Who knows, you may even have a run in with the resident ghost – Captain Swayze. Don’t forget to visit the bathroom when you are here!!

Niagara-on-the-Lake to Toronto, ON (1 hour, 45 minutes, 152 km)

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and pick up any last minute gifts for family and friends back home and start your journey back to Toronto. Along the way back to the QEW make sure to stop in at some great local fruit stands, wineries, cheese monger stores and more!

Hotels Available in the Area

Niagara falls accommodations.

Crowne Plaza Hotel Niagara Falls – Fallsview Great Wolf Lodge Sheraton Fallsview Skyline Waterpark Hotel Travelodge Niagara Falls Americana Waterpark Resort Yogi Bear Jellystone Parks Niagara

Note: Some attractions are seasonal. Please contact them directly for hours of operation. Distances are approximate only.

Tips For Planning a Road Trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls

There are a few ways to visit Niagara Falls. You can visit the U.S. side, which is closest to Buffalo, NY, but also a short drive from Detroit, Michigan, and Cleveland, Ohio. Most people recommend a visit to the Canadian side. I chose to go to the Canadian side because the flights to Buffalo cost as much as Toronto flights, and since I’ve not been to Toronto, I wanted to get two trips for the price of one. Here’s a guide to planning a trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls.

How to Get to Niagara Falls from Toronto

The distance from Toronto to Niagara Falls is approximately 130 kilometers (81 miles). This distance can vary slightly depending on the route and starting point. There are a few options to visit Niagara Falls from Toronto, including:

• Driving Distance : Approximately 130 kilometers (81 miles).
• Duration : About 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on traffic.
• Take the Gardiner Expressway West from downtown Toronto.
• Merge onto the Queen Elizabeth Way (QEW) towards Hamilton/Niagara.
• Continue on the QEW, which will take you directly to Niagara Falls.
• Follow signs for Niagara Falls exits.
• Toronto to Niagara bus options: Greyhound , and Megabus
• Duration : Approximately 2 to 3 hours.
• Greyhound and Megabus offer direct routes from Toronto to Niagara Falls. Buses usually depart from the Toronto Coach Terminal.
• GO Transit provides a combination of bus and train services. You can take a GO train from Union Station to Burlington, then transfer to a GO bus that will take you to Niagara Falls.
• Service Provider : VIA Rail and GO Transit .
• Duration : About 2 hours.
• VIA Rail offers direct service from Toronto’s Union Station to Niagara Falls.
• GO Transit offers seasonal train service directly to Niagara Falls, typically available during weekends and holidays. Check the schedule for the latest availability.

By Guided Tour

• Service Providers : Several companies offer day tours from Toronto to Niagara Falls.
• Duration : Full-day tours usually last about 9-10 hours.
• Tours typically include round-trip transportation, guided commentary, and sometimes additional activities such as a boat tour to the falls, winery visits, or stops at other attractions like the Niagara Whirlpool or the Floral Clock.

Here are a few options for a Niagara Falls Day Trip

By Rideshare or Taxi

• Service Providers : Uber, Lyft, and local taxi companies.
• Duration : Approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Cost : It can be quite expensive, usually ranging from CAD 150 to CAD 250 one way.
• Rideshare services are convenient for direct and private travel. Ensure the app is available and operational in your area.

We opted for the rental car option so we could spend the night. We used Hertz in Toronto at Simcoe Place, we took QEW (Queen Elizabeth Way) towards the West all the way to Niagara.

Practical Tips for a road trip to Niagara Falls from Toronto

• Check Traffic : Traffic can be heavy, especially during weekends and holidays, so plan your trip accordingly.
• Make sure your GPS doesn’t take you on Highway 407 because that is a toll highway
• Reservations : It’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance for buses, trains, and guided tours.
• Seasonal Services : Some train and bus services are seasonal, so check the schedules ahead of time.

When weighing renting a car vs. public transportation be sure to think about:

• It is expensive to park, as most areas in the main area of Niagara, including the hotels, charge for parking.
• Factor in the cost of gas. We used about half a tank in an Intermediate car (Hyundai Elantra or similar) for roughly 200 miles and were charged about 58 CAD for gas. The gas cost s more than the car for one day.

Things to do in Niagara Falls Canada 

In addition to the Falls, many people like to visit the Niagara on the Lake wine region that has over 30 wineries. We made this our first stop so that we would not have to leave the area of the hotel when arriving. We toured one winery but I think if you have more time check out tours that include multiple wineries.

Peller Estates Winery

Our tour included learning the history of the winery as well as the process. Our tour guide Corey did a great job in explaining the process and I learned a lot.

The tour concluded in the 10 below Ice lounge to taste Peller Estates’ Icewine. Icewine is a dessert wine that is produced from grapes that are frozen while still on the vine. Canada is one of the largest producers of Icewine and Germany is another producer of Icewine.

Niagara Hotel-Sheraton on The Falls

We stayed at the Sheraton on the Falls which was within walking distance from the falls. This hotel was very busy. It provided a view of the falls or the strip. The rooms are a little outdated, our room had a mildew like odor and noticeable cracks. It wasn’t the worst room but for 10,000 SPG points , I expected a little more. There are a resort fee and an additional fee for parking.

Hornblower Niagara Cruises

Our next stop included the Hornblower Niagara cruise. I enjoyed riding into the mist on the double-decker boat. Ponchos were included in the ticket price and my waterproof purse and waterproof GoPro housing allowed me to capture great footage. The day cruise costs about $27 US and leaves every 15 mins. I purchased my ticket ahead of time to avoid a line for ticket purchase. This company offers an evening cruise to see the falls lit up with various colors for a different fee.

Clinton Hill

After the cruise, changing and a little rest we headed up to Clinton Hill for dinner. There are a ton of restaurants and bars and the strip reminded me of a very slow Vegas. There are even arcades, go-karts a Ferris wheel and more for kids and kids at heart. After, we headed to Fallsview Casino where I was unlucky. I made sure not to convert too much cash at the casino so I wouldn’t lose much converting back if I decided not to play as much.

The next morning I did some souvenir shopping at the top of the hill and stopped by Hershey World for treats. I was a kid in the candy store, literally.

After checking out of the hotel we headed to the Outlet Collection on 300 Taylor Road at the Niagara on the Lake exit, which was on the way back to Toronto. There were a ton of deals and shops that I liked, I needed more time! The Gap outlet offered a discount since I am a U.S. resident. Be sure to try on everything because you can’t return items purchased in Canada to a store in the States. I really enjoyed my road trip to Niagara. I would love to go back and spend more time! The summer has a lot of crowds so expect peak prices for rooms and lines. If you aren’t interested in planning your own trip, you may check out tour package from Toronto here . Check out more top attractions in Niagara by clicking here.

What is your favorite part about Niagara or your favorite Canadian road trip? Comment below!

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Although I received a complimentary tour from Peller Estates, all views and opinions are my own.

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• | Author: Grace K

In this article:

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Ever since I set foot in Canada, I’ve had Toronto and Niagara Falls on my list of places to visit. I finally had the chance to go in October 2021, so I planned the following amazing 4 day Road Trip. I strongly recommend this trip when you’re exploring Canada, I happen to start in Montreal, but you can easily kick it off from Ottawa. 

On this 4-day road trip, you’ll see Toronto, Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, the Thousand Islands from Gananoque, and Kingston. In other words, you’ll be visiting Canada’s largest city, one of the world’s wonders, wineries, and charming towns you’ll want to settle in. 

Keep in mind the maximum travel time between points A and B in this trio is 3 hours. I reduced the travel time as we had a senior person with us, and we wanted everyone to be comfortable. This makes this plan perfect for couples, friends, and families. For planning tips, read my article on How to Plan a Road trip . Bon Voyage!

Day 1 – Gananoque and the Thousand Islands

The drive – montreal to gananoque.

Gananoque (pronounced as GAN-ə-NOK-way) is, depending on traffic, around 2.5 hours from Montreal (1.5 hours from Ottawa) via the A. 20 O and ON-401 W. Leave around 9 am to make the most of your day there. 

I must admit, the drive is lovely during the fall as you see the trees changing colors on both sides of the road. It’s as if you’re living in a piece of art.

Things to do in Gananoque & the Thousand Islands

Gananoque is one of the largest towns in the Thousand Islands and a very charming one. Start by walking along King Street to stretch your legs, explore local shops, and grab a bite.

Then walk along King Street to reach Stone Street, where you can take a stroll in a lovely neighborhood. There are different B&B on this street. in case you feel like staying overnight. 

From Stone Street, take a right to reach Water Street, where you can visit the Thousand Islands. The City Cruises Gananoque by Hornblower offers multiple options to cruise along the river. We chose the Original Heart of the 1000 Islands , and I highly recommend it! With this option, you’ll cruise alongside the Admiralty and Navy group of islands and will admire summer cottages. 

Here are the details: 

• Duration: 1 hour
• Schedule: there are multiple departure times during the day; we picked the 2pm one
• Price: Adult (13-54) CAD 27.50; Senior (55+) CAD 23.50; Child (6-12) CAD 21.50; Infant (5 and under) CAD 13.50

Food & Drinks

For a refreshing beer and some fish and chips, I recommend the Stonewater Pub ! The Pub is on Stone Street, so you can have a bite before or after the cruise.

Towards the end of the day, you can drive to Toronto to spend the night there (see details below).

Day 2 – Toronto

The drive – gananoque to toronto.

Driving from Gananoque to Toronto takes around 2 hours and 45 mins, depending on traffic, via the ON-401 W.

Where to Stay in Toronto

I designed this Road Trip to avoid having multiple accommodations. My recommendation is to check in at a hotel in Toronto on Day 1 in the evening and check out on Day 4. I suggest you pick a hotel Downtown to avoid driving much on Day 2, plus parking can be scarce and expensive in Toronto.

Things to do in Toronto

If you want to see Toronto in 1 day, here’s the plan: start by walking south along Younge Street and passing by the Yonge-Dundas Square for a mini New York Time Square Experience. 

Continue walking along Younge Street until you reach Queen Street W. You’ll find the Toronto Old City Hall and the famous Nathan Phillips Square. This square is packed with activities all year long. In fact, the large fountain is transformed into an outdoor ice rink in winter. 

You can continue walking west on Queen Street until you reach Spadina Avenue. When you do, take a right and walk north towards Chinatown and Kensington Market. You can grab a quick bite there before you continue the tour. 

When you’re done, you can walk south on Spadina Avenue until you reach the Graffiti alley, where you’ll find vibrant street art. 

You can then head to the harbourfront. Walking West on Queens Quay is lovely in the afternoon as you walk past the famous CN Tower and the Harbourfront Center. You can go up the CN Tower and enjoy a 360-degree view of Toronto. It was gloomy on the day I visited Toronto, so I didn’t end up not going up. But if you happen to go on a clear day, you can pre-book your ticket to reach the top for CAD 40 Adult (14-64) / CAD 27 Youth (6-13) / CAD 14 Child (3-5). 

For places to eat and drink, check out the below section. 

That’s the fun part if you ask me! Here’s a list of places I tried during my stay and recommend. 

For sushi lovers, Miku is the best sushi restaurant in Canada, in my opinion. I’ve tried the one in Vancouver and loved it. I was surprised when I saw they had another branch in Toronto. It’s an expensive restaurant but worth it.

Richmond Station

For a nice international meal in busy downtown Toronto, the Richmond Station is your place. Cool vibes, delicious food, and unforgettable service! 

Cluny Bistro

Situated in the pedestrian-only Distillery district and inspired by modern French cuisine, Cluny offers a variety of delicious food! 

O’Somae

At O’Somae , they use indigenous ingredients, promoting local farms and businesses. We had a delicious brunch there!

Day 3 – Niagara Falls & Niagara on the Lake

The drive – toronto to niagara falls and niagara on the lake .

From Toronto, you’ll need to drive for 1 hour 15 mins (depending on your location and traffic) via the 403W and the Queen Elisabeth Way. I recommend leaving for Niagara Falls in the morning so you can enjoy the rest of your day. From Niagara Falls, you can drive 15 mins to reach the charming town of Niagara on the Lake.

Things to do in and around Niagara Falls

The majestic falls .

Oh my, you’re in for a treat! I have not seen anything so impressive and breathtaking as Niagara Falls. I was amazed by the Horseshoe falls, aka the Canadian falls. They are the most voluminous falls in the world! There are multiple viewpoints to enjoy this beauty, here are my recommended ones: 

• Niagara City Cruise by the Hornblower: Do not miss this 20 mins cruise that takes you as close as possible to the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, and the Bridal Veil Falls. Yes, you’ll get soaked in water, even if you wear the waterproof poncho, but it’s worth it. For the price (add HST): Adults (13+) CAD 32.00 CAD, Children (ages 3 to 12) CAD 22.00 CAD, Infants (2 and under) are free. Tickets include an audio commentary that accompanies you. 
• Skylon Tower : At the top, there’s an observatory deck with a 360-degrees view of Niagara Falls. You have 2 options: either you purchase a ticket to take the elevator to the top (CAD 16.24/adult, CAD 10.44/child), or you reserve a table at the Revolving Dining Room, which grants you a complimentary ticket for a minimum charge of CAD 35
• Niagara Falls Parkway: you can walk along the parkway and enjoy the view of the Horseshoe Falls

Niagara on the Lake 

When you’re done feasting your eyes on the Falls, head to Niagara on the Lake, a charming little town that dates back to 1797. You can grab some ice cream from the local shops and walk on Queen’s Street, where you’ll find the clock tower a WW1 memorial. You can then head towards Lake Ontario for a change of scenery. 

Niagara on the Lake also has multiple wineries, so if you’re a wine lover, make sure to head there but book ahead of time as they tend to be fully booked. One of the wineries I recommend visiting is the Konzelmann Estate Winery , which is on Lake Ontario, and the view from there is breathtaking.

Day 4 – Kingston and the drive back 

The drive – toronto to kingston.

On the way back from Toronto, make a stop at Kingston; it’s around 2 hours and 45 mins (again, depending on travel) via the ON-401 E and halfway through Toronto-Montreal (or Toronto-Ottawa). Quite an easy drive if you ask me. 

Things to do at Kingston

Fun fact, Kingston was Canada’s first capital for 3 years! This is a great town for a break to slow down the drive back. You can stretch your legs by walking along the waterfront. A nice stop is around the Spirit Of Sir John A. Canadian Pacific; on one side, you have the city hall, and on the other, the harbor. You can then head to Princess Street for some food and a beer. 

PS: You can do the Thousand Islands Tour from Kingston if you didn’t stop at Gananoque. 

Et Voila! This concludes the 4 days trip to Toronto, Niagara Falls, and the Thousand Islands.

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3 thoughts on “thousand islands, toronto & niagara falls a 4-day road trip”.

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Loved it! I was looking for something like this. Can you share the hotels you stayed in as well?

Of course! I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites 1000 Islands in Gananoque and at the Courtyard by Marriott in Downtown Toronto 🙂

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Experience the best of Niagara Falls on the exciting Day Trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls!

Enjoy the amazing world-renowned attraction and its surrounding areas in the comfort of our well-maintained luxury vehicles. We'll pick you up from your hotel, residence, or Toronto and the surrounding area and take you on a picturesque journey through the landscapes. This well-planned and thoughtful tour provides a unique way to see Niagara Falls.The day trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls is perfect for those who prefer a friendly and intimate travel experience. The itinerary ensures you visit both well-known sights and hidden gems, making the most of your time at Niagara Falls. Situated in a picturesque setting, it captivates visitors with its sheer magnificence. The clock is not just an ordinary timepiece but a grand symbol of artistry and creativity. Niagara Falls is known for being one of the most breathtaking natural wonders. However, there's plenty more to discover and enjoy in Niagara.

Join our Day Trip from Toronto To Niagara Falls for a chance to witness the mesmerizing views of the Falls and take a trip back in time to the charming town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. This picturesque destination showcases its enchanting 19th-century charm and stunning Victorian architecture. Don't miss out on the opportunity to see Niagara Falls in the most luxurious and friendly way possible.

Book your Day Trip from Toronto To Niagara Falls with ToNiagara today, and discover the ultimate way to experience the wonders of Niagara Falls. Experience the thrill of a lifetime as you stand just steps away from the breathtaking spectacle of millions of litres of water cascading over the brink at Niagara Falls every second. Get ready to cross off the most magnificent waterfall on earth from your bucket list!

Tour Itinerary

Hotel pickup:.

Start your day trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls with a convenient free hotel pickup. Sit back, relax, and let us take care of the transportation..

Arrive at Canadian side of Niagara Falls.

You will be able to see the beautiful Niagara Falls even before the bus stops!

Voyage To The Falls Cruise

Join in an unforgettable adventure with the Voyage to the Falls Boat Cruise. Sail up close to the thundering Niagara Falls, feeling the mist on your face as you witness this natural wonder from a unique perspective.

Time For Lunch & Free Time to Explore Niagara Falls

Free time to eat lunch, souvenir shop and explore Niagara Falls! Lunch is not included in the price of the tour. It is an optional add-on.

Scenic drive on Niagara Parkway

Enjoy a leisurely drive along Niagara Parkway, renowned for its breathtaking views of the Niagara River and lush landscapes. It's the perfect opportunity to unwind and capture stunning photos of the surrounding beauty.

Whirlpool Rapids

Experience the raw power of nature at the Whirlpool Rapids, where the Niagara River narrows and creates powerful rapids and whirlpools. Witness this impressive natural phenomenon up close during your day trip. At this time, we drop off customers at the Helipad (if they have selected the Helicopter Tour Add-On).

The Floral Clock

Discover the beauty of the Floral Clock, a unique landmark adorned with colourful flowers arranged to form a large clock face. Take a moment to admire this floral masterpiece and capture memorable photos.

Visit the World's Smallest Chapel

We will stop at the Worlds Smallest Chapel, a wonderful place to take unique pictures at the miniature place of worship.

Niagara-on-the-Lake Drive Through:

Take a scenic drive through the picturesque town of Niagara-on-the-Lake—Marvel at the historic architecture, quaint shops, and vibrant atmosphere of this charming destination.

Wine Tasting at a Local Winery:

Indulge your senses with a wine-tasting experience at a local winery. Sample a selection of Niagara's finest wines while surrounded by picturesque vineyards, learning about the art of winemaking in this renowned region.

Conclude your day trip with a drop-off back at your hotel in Toronto, filled with unforgettable memories of your journey to Niagara Falls and its surrounding attractions.

Pickup Information

• We offer pickup and drop-off services throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
• In 2024, to ensure a personalized experience, we are maintaining small group sizes with a preference for 6-seater SUVs. For larger groups, buses or appropriate vehicles will be arranged.
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• Changes or cancellations to Niagara Falls Day/Evening/Private Tours should be communicated via phone or email.
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• Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the day trip from Toronto to Niagara Falls include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for your convenience. We ensure a hassle-free experience by picking you up from your hotel in Toronto and dropping you back after the tour.

Q: Will we enjoy a scenic drive on Niagara Parkway during the day trip?

Absolutely! Our day trip includes a picturesque drive along Niagara Parkway, offering stunning views of the Niagara River and its surrounding landscapes. It's the perfect opportunity to relax and soak in the region's beauty.

Q: What are the Whirlpool Rapids, and will we visit them during the tour?

The Whirlpool Rapids are a natural phenomenon where the Niagara River narrows, creating powerful rapids and whirlpools. Yes, our tour includes visiting the Whirlpool Rapids, where you can witness the impressive force of nature up close.

Q: What is the Floral Clock, and why is it a must-see attraction?

The Floral Clock is a unique landmark featuring a large clock face made entirely of colourful flowers. It's a popular photo spot and a symbol of the region's horticultural beauty. You'll have the chance to marvel at this impressive creation during our tour.

Q: Is there assigned seating in the vehicle?

Seating is first-come, first-serve. However, don't hesitate to get in touch with [email protected] if you require a reserved seat, and we will try to assist.

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No, there are no waiting lists. It is best to book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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Yes. We want you to capture your tour's great memories with us!

Q: Should I tip the tour guide?

Gratuities are not included in the price of your ticket. A tip is not required but is always appreciated!

Q: Are food and drink included on the tour? Can I bring my own?

No food is served on the tour, and you are provided complimentary bottled water. Feel free to bring your own snacks as long as you remove all garbage from the vehicle at the end of the tour. There are many fast food places to eat, or you can purchase the lunch add-on when you book your ticket.

Q: Are kids ages 0-3 years of age free?

Infants 0-3 years of age are free however seating is not guaranteed. If the vehicle is full they may have to sit on a lap. If you purchase a seat it is guaranteed.

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9 short and sweet road trips from Toronto that aren't just to Niagara Falls

Start your car!

A person standing by a colourful wall. Right: A person standing by an intersection.

Craving a road trip from Toronto ? While Niagara Falls is a popular choice, there are also so many other amazing spots to explore around the city.

From small towns to charming cities, these spots are two hours or less from Toronto and offer scenic views, cute shops, delicious eateries and more.

You can spend the day filling up on ice cream by the water or flying through a forest in a Mountain Coaster at these spots.

Here are nine short and sweet road trips from Toronto that aren't just to Niagara Falls.

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Address: Creemore, ON

Why You Need To Go: Located about an hour and 30 minutes from Toronto, this charming small town is a beautiful road trip destination.

It's known as "the little village with a big heart" and you'll be transported back in time as you wander along the historic streets.

Nestled in the Niagara Escarpment, the town boasts boutiques, attractions and more to enjoy.

Here you'll find North America's Smallest Jail featuring just three cells as well as the stunning Purple Hill Lavender which is a dreamy spot to visit during the summer months.

The town is renowned for its craft beer so you won't want to miss a stop at Creemore Springs Brewery for a beverage.

Experience Creemore website

Bracebridge

Address: Bracebridge, ON

Why You Need To Go: According to the town's website, "Bracebridge is a vibrant community nestled in the 'Heart of Muskoka', connected by historic streets and mesmerizing waterfalls."

The small town is lined with shops and eateries and boasts beautiful waterfall views. It's a great destination to visit year-round and offers events and activities during every season.

From Santa's Village to Muskoka Brewery and High Falls, there are so many spots to explore around this small town.

Visit the Bridge website

Blue Mountain Village

Address: 156 Jozo Weider Blvd., The Blue Mountains, ON

Why You Need To Go: This European-like pedestrian village is always worth a visit, no matter what season it is. Located about two hours from the city, Blue Mountain Village is brimming with charm and scenic views.

The mountainside town has tons of shopping opportunities where you can browse through a variety of items.

There is always something going on, from Springlicious during the spring to Holiday Magic at Blue during the Christmas season.

You can spend the day flying past trees on the Mountain Coaster, painting at Crockadoodle or getting pampered at Iwa Spa.

There are many restaurants where you can fill up on delicious meals and desserts.

Blue Mountain Village website

Address: Port Perry, ON

Why You Need To Go: Port Perry will take you on a cozy trip back in time and it's been dubbed a "haven for lovers" in a press release.

Its cute Main Street and romantic vibes make it an idyllic spot for couples.

You can spend the day exploring local boutiques and strolling along the scenic shoreline.

Located just an hour from Toronto, it's a convenient spot for a quick road trip. Surrounded by lavender farms and rolling hills, you can totally unwind while visiting Port Perry.

Scugog Tourism website

Address: Paris, ON

Why You Need To Go: While it may not be home to the Eiffel Tower, Paris, Ontario is still full of magic. Dubbed the "Cobblestone Capital of Canada," the small town will transport you back in time with its historic streets and old-world atmosphere.

In downtown Paris, you can find lots of charming boutiques and shops. Head to the Paris Wincey Mills Co. for more shopping opportunities from a variety of vendors.

You can fill up on mouthwatering cuisine at the town's numerous restaurants. Some even offer stunning views of the Grand River as you dine.

The Grand River is surrounded by trails and hikes so don't forget to bring some comfy shoes. During the warmer months, you can even tube along the water.

Downtown Paris website

Address: Caledon, ON

Why You Need To Go: Caledon offers "beautiful scenery, fresh air and nature," according to the town's website. The region is located just outside of Toronto and encompasses several charming small towns and hamlets.

You can spend the day hiking through some of its scenic countryside. Some highlights include Belfountain Conservation Area, where you can wander across a bridge by a waterfall, and Mono Cliffs Provincial Park , where you can follow a trail through a canyon.

There's also the Cheltenham Badlands, which will transport you to Mars with its rolling red hills.

The small towns and villages of Bolton, Alton and Caledon Village are charming spots to spend a day. The area is also brimming with lavender and fruit farms.

Visit Caledon website

Address: Oakville, ON

Why You Need To Go: Nestled on the shores of Lake Ontario, Oakville is a beautiful town to road trip to. According to the website, it's "known for its picturesque harbours, vibrant shopping districts, active arts community and some of the best dining options in the Greater Toronto Area."

There are several areas where you can enjoy a shopping spree, including Bronte Village, Downtown Oakville and Kerr Village.

During the summer, you'll want to grab an ice cream cone and wander along the lakeshore, taking in the views.

There are also museums and galleries to visit, as well as beautiful parks and trails to explore.

Visit Oakville website

Address: Guelph, ON

Why You Need To Go: If you're looking for a laid-back weekend escape not far from Toronto, it might be worth heading to Guelph.

The city has a charming downtown area filled with shops, eateries, and cafes to explore. You can browse through second-hand stores, boutique jewelry shops, and more.

There are also many picturesque trails to wander along, as well as The Arboretum which features magical gardens to experience.

During the summer, don't miss out on a trip to The Boathouse. You can dig into delectable ice cream cones from the quaint Tea Room while strolling alongside the river and soaking up the scenic views.

Visit Guelph website

St. Jacobs Village

Address: St. Jacobs, ON

Why You Need To Go: This sweet village is perfect for enjoying some relaxing, small town vibes. With cute boutiques and bakeries lining the streets, you can shop for delicious goodies and fill up on some homemade treats.

It's less than a two-hour drive from Toronto, so it makes for a short and sweet road trip.

Make sure to stop by the iconic St. Jacobs Farmers' Market. You'll find lots of local goodies, art, and more.

There are also plenty of beautiful trails around town, perfect for taking a stroll and soaking up some sun.

St. Jacobs Village website

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

• 7 Incredible Fall Road Trips From Toronto That Lead To Vibrant Trails & Tiny Towns ›
• 8 Canadian road trips to take this summer that lead to cute small towns and iconic landmarks ›

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You're not a true torontonian unless you've been to these 8 magical small towns near the city, 10 enchanting small towns in ontario that look too cute to be true, 11 tiny villages & towns in ontario to visit if you love hidden gems, 10 adorable small towns less than 4 hours from toronto for a romantic summer getaway, i've lived in ontario all my life & these are my top 7 weekend getaway spots in the province, 10 charming small towns near toronto that you can get to in under 1 hour, 8 super romantic small towns near toronto to visit with your favourite person, 10 beautiful small towns every ontarian should visit in 2024, this map leads to 8 magical small towns near toronto to visit in the spring, these are the 11 best small towns in ontario to visit, according to locals, 10 incredible ontario destinations to visit in 2024, according to a travel writer, 11 stunning ontario small towns & cities to visit in 2024 if you'd rather be in europe.

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Niagara Falls to Toronto drive

Niagara falls to toronto road trip planner.

Here's a sample itinerary for a drive from Niagara Falls to Toronto. If you're planning a road trip to Toronto, you can research locations to stop along the way. Make sure you check road conditions to double check the weather. Traveling with a dog or cat? Find pet-friendly stops . Camping along the way? Search for RV campgrounds . Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the most talked about places recommended by Trippy members.

10:00 am  start in Niagara Falls drive for about 19 minutes

10:19 am   St Catharines stay for about 1 hour and leave at 11:19 am drive for about 21 minutes

11:40 am   Grimsby (Canada) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 12:40 pm drive for about 19 minutes

12:59 pm   Devil's Punchbowl Conservation Area stay for about 1 hour and leave at 1:59 pm drive for about 16 minutes

2:15 pm   Burlington (Canada) stay for about 1 hour and leave at 3:15 pm drive for about 20 minutes

3:35 pm   Oakville stay for about 1 hour and leave at 4:35 pm drive for about 15 minutes

4:50 pm   Mississauga stay for about 1 hour and leave at 5:50 pm drive for about 19 minutes

6:09 pm   High Park stay for about 1 hour and leave at 7:09 pm drive for about 10 minutes

7:19 pm  arrive in Toronto eat at St. Lawrence Market stay at The Drake Hotel

driving ≈ 2.5 hours

Niagara Falls to Toronto questions

Where should I stop along the way?

St Catharines Grimsby (Canada) Devil's Punchbowl Conservation Area Burlington (Canada)   (3 answers) Oakville Mississauga   (5 answers) High Park   (11 mentions)

Where's the best place to stay in Toronto?

Are you going straight to a hotel, or looking for a vacation rental or Airbnb?

The best resource on neighborhoods, areas, and hotels is the Trippy page on where to stay in Toronto .

If you're looking for a quick answer, you can check out The Drake Hotel , which was mentioned 3 times on Trippy.

Here are some more hotels people talk about:

Want to research more popular hotels in Toronto? Click the blue button below.

Where's the best place to eat in Toronto?

Need some recommendations on somewhere to get food?

Trippy members suggest St. Lawrence Market , which was mentioned 11 times.

Here are some more restaurants people talk about:

Want to research more popular restaurants in Toronto? Click the blue button below.

What are some things to do in Toronto?

This section could be endless, so rather than trying to suggest every local activity or attraction, we'll leave it open-ended.

These are some of the places people talk about on Trippy:

Of course, Trippy is the perfect place to ask questions because there's an entire community of travelers talking to each other and sharing tips and advice. Trippy is where you can get answers personalized for your tastes, budgets, trip dates & more!

For example, here are some questions people have asked about Toronto. Click on any question to see answers from the community!

Click the button below to explore more questions and answers related to Toronto.

Do I really have to go back home?

Yes, even this step is optional, because if you're on vacation who wants the trip to end? It's okay, you can start planning your next trip!

Want to plan the trip back? Get the reverse directions for a Toronto to Niagara Falls drive , or go to the main page to plan a new road trip .

Looking for ideas for more destinations within driving distance of Niagara Falls? Try searching for places within 1.5 hours of Niagara Falls .

You can also compare the travel time if you're flying or driving by calculating the distance from Niagara Falls to Toronto . Or get a full Niagara Falls to Toronto flight plan .

Don't forget about exploring your own hometown with a staycation. You can also find some cool day trips or get away for a weekend.

And if you know Niagara Falls well, please help your fellow travelers and answer their questions about Niagara Falls!

More info on this route:

road conditions from Niagara Falls to Toronto

places to eat

alternate routes

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THE 10 BEST Day Trips from Niagara Falls

Day trips from niagara falls.

• Niagara Falls to Niagara-on-the-Lake
• Niagara Falls to Toronto
• Niagara Falls to Niagara Falls
• Niagara Falls to Grimsby
• Private Day Trips
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Best of Niagara Falls Canada Small Group Boat and Behind Falls

2. Niagara Falls in 1 Day: Tour of American and Canadian Sides

3. Niagara Falls Canadian Side Tour and Maid of the Mist Boat Ride Option

4. Full-Day Niagara-On-The-Lake Guided Wine and Charcuterie Tour

5. Niagara Wine Tour and Tastings with Included Transportation

6. Toronto: Niagara Falls Private Day Tour

7. Toronto to Niagara Falls Early Bird Small Group Tour w/Boat Ride

8. Full-Day Group Wine Tour (with cheese and charcuterie) in Niagara-on-the-Lake

9. Afternoon Wine, Beer & Charcuterie Tour

10. Private Niagara Falls Tour in a SUV

11. Niagara Falls Maid of the Mist & Jetboat Ride + Lunch (Ice Cream)

12. Toronto: Niagara Falls Festival of Lights All Inclusive Tour

13. 6 Hour Wine, Cheese, Chocolate Tasting Tour with Lunch

14. Tour Wine, Beer, Cider, Spirit - Something for Everyone Tour

15. American and Canadian Niagara Falls Tour from Canada

16. Spectacular Night Tour & Fireworks Cruise from Niagara Falls USA

17. Private 5 Hour Wine Tour in Niagara-on-the-Lake with cheese & charcuterie

18. Niagara Falls Private Half Day Tour with Boat and Helicopter

19. Niagara Falls USA Small Group Tour + Helicopter +Maid of the Mist

20. Best of Niagara Falls USA Tour with Cave & Maid of the Mist Boat

21. myWineCountry Experience Premium Wine Tours and Tastings

22. Niagara Falls Day Tour From Toronto Airport Hotels

23. Niagara Falls at Night: Illumination & Fireworks Tour from Canada

24. Niagara Falls Canadian Side Evening Tour & Fireworks Cruise

25. Private Custom Niagara Falls, Canada Scenery Tour from Niagara Falls, NY

26. Exclusive Private Tour to Niagara Falls from Toronto

27. Niagara Scenic Tour Incl. Boat to the Falls & NOTL Wine Tasting

28. Private Niagara Falls-Niagara-on-the-Lake Day Trip and Winery Tour from Toronto

29. Private Custom Niagara Falls, Canada Scenery Tour from Buffalo,NY

30. Private Niagara Falls Full-Day Tour from Toronto

What travelers are saying.

• Gustavo R 3 contributions 0 5.0 of 5 bubbles Visit to Niagara Falls alone but with the best company: a guided tour The views are amazing. During the tour you can get great views from the beginning, but being behind the falls feels unreal, crazy thing to feel the power of nature. The tour guide was cool all time, I was on time, but we had to wait for a couple that was coming from the USA and got stuck on the bridge. The van was clean and functional. It is great to hear from the tour guide some historical information about the place and general recommendations about how to enjoy the Boat and get better views. Highly recommended. Read more Review of: Best of Niagara Falls Canada Small Group w/Boat & Behind Falls Written June 10, 2024 This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

6 Magnificent Conservation Areas Near Toronto That Are Like A Little Slice Of Paradise

F resh air, stunning views and more await at these beautiful conservation areas around Toronto . If you need to unwind away from city life for a day, then lace up those hiking boots and get lost in nature at these stunning spots.

With boardwalk trails around turquoise lakes , towering clifftop trails and majestic waterfalls, you don't need to go far in order to experience some incredible sights and natural wonders.

Whether you're looking for a challenging hike or leisurely stroll, these conservation areas have something for everyone.

Here are six conservation areas around Toronto to visit next time you need a little nature getaway.

Ball's Falls Conservation Area

www.instagram.com

Price: $13.75 per driver

Address: 3292 Sixth Ave., Lincoln, ON

Why You Need To Go: Want to chase some waterfalls? Located a road trip away from Toronto in the Niagara region, this stunning conservation area is worth the drive.

The area is home to a historic village that you can explore as well as two tumbling waterfalls. The village features heritage buildings like a blacksmith shop, four mill, restored church and more.

Upper and Lower Ball's Falls are located along the Cataract Trail. The hike takes you through the beautiful scenery of Twenty Mile Creek and comes with incredible views.

The conservation area is home to several events throughout the year, including an annual Thanksgiving Festival and magical Holiday Trail that leads you through a twinkling Christmas village.

Ball's Falls Conservation Area website

Crawford Lake Conservation Area

Price: $10.50 per adult

Address: 3115 Conservation Rd., Milton, ON

Why You Need To Go: You'll find more than just beautiful trails at this conservation area. Crawford Lake is home to a rare body of water known for its vibrant turquoise hues.

The meromictic lake gets its blueish green colour because its layers of water do not mix.

You can follow an enchanting boardwalk trail around the lake and take in the stunning sights. The boardwalk winds through towering trees and is especially magical during the winter months when it is dusted in glistening snow.

You can also visit a 15th century Longhouse Village and learn about the daily life of Indigenous people in the area during that time.

The Species at Risk Trail features massive wood sculptures of animals and more and is a unique spot to check out.

Whether you're hiking, skiing, snowshoeing or exploring the village, this natural area is a gorgeous place for an adventure. Reservations are recommended.

Crawford Lake Conservation Area website

Rockwood Conservation Area

Price: $7.08 per adult

Address: 161 Fall St. S., Guelph/Eramosa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Featuring massive limestone cliffs, rocky caves and glacial potholes, Rockwood Conservation Area offers endless beauty.

You can hike your way along the trails to see the glacial potholes. The paths include sections of boardwalk and clifftop trails.

The conservation area is also an idyllic spot for a paddle during the warmer months. You can canoe your way around the giant rock faces and peaceful rivers of the place.

In the summer you can take a dip in the water at the small, sandy beach. Or, check out some of the caves which include stalactites, columns and flowstone.

There are several picnic tables scattered throughout the area so you can sit and enjoy a snack after a day of exploring.

Rockwood Conservation Area website

Spencer Gorge Conservation Area

Price: $16 per vehicle and driver

Address: Harvest Rd., Dundas, ON

Why You Need To Go: Home to two impressive waterfalls, this conservation area is a gorgeous spot to spend a day. You can venture to the towering Tew Falls which stretches 41 metres high and is nearly as tall as Niagara Falls.

The Tew Falls trail takes you past the cascade to the iconic Dundas Peak , a popular lookout spot during the fall months. You can gaze across a vast valley and see all the way to Dundas and Ancaster.

Webster Falls requires a separate reservation and boasts its own kind of beauty. The tiered waterfall tumbles over the rock face and is straight out of a fairytale.

You can cross a restored cobblestone bridge that will transport you back in time. There are several lookouts where you can get a stunning view of the falls and drink in the gorgeous surroundings.

Reservations are required on long weekends and daily beginning September 23, 2023.

Spencer Gorge Conservation Area website

Hilton Falls Conservation Area

Address: 4985 Campbellville Rd., Milton, ON

Why You Need To Go: From an enchanting waterfall to crumbling ruins, this conservation area has it all. You can wander along the 3-kilometre Hilton Falls Trail to reach the dreamy cascade. You can relax and take in the views, snap a photo, or even have a picnic.

The ruins are located beside the falls and are the remains of three 19th century saw mills.

It's also worth following the trail around the reservoir, the "best kept secret of the conservation area." Here you can enjoy a jog, scenic walk or picnic.

During the winter months, you can cross-country ski and snowshoe along the trails for a magical snowy weather adventure.

Hilton Falls Conservation Area website

Kelso Conservation Area

Address: 5234 Kelso Rd., Milton, ON

Why You Need To Go: Operating as both a park and a ski and snowboard hill, Kelso Conservation Area has lots to enjoy. It has an extensive network of trails that take you along the Niagara Escarpment and scenic Bruce Trail.

The reservoir is a beautiful place to hang out during the warmer months. You can stroll along the boardwalk that loops around the water or go for a swim. You can also canoe, paddle board and more.

If you're looking for an adventure, the Challenge Course features an aerial ropes course and and massive climbing tower that will take your day to new heights.

During the fall, Kelso offers chairlift rides that take you soaring over the autumn colours to the top of the Niagara Escarpment. It's a magical way to take in the vibrant foliage.

Kelso Conservation Area website

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

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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The Perfect 48 Hours in Niagara Falls Canada

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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!!

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• https://www.niagaraparks.com/media-room/news/prepares-for-temporary-road-closures

Niagara Parks Prepares for Temporary Road Closures Ahead of Weekend Events

June 5, 2024

Niagara Parks

• Cyclists to compete in annual two-day Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer in support of vital cancer research on June 8-9 • Niagara Shrine Club Ceremonial Parade planned for Saturday, June 8 • Temporary road closures will be in place between June 6 and June 10 to support both events

Niagara Falls, ON – Niagara Parks is proud to once again host the 2024 Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer Event on June 8 and June 9 and the Niagara Shrine Club Ceremonial Parade on June 8. To support both events, temporary road closures will be in place between June 6 to 10 within the area of Queen Victoria Park by the Toronto Power Generating Station, Dufferin Islands, Upper Rapids Boulevard and within the Town of Chippawa.

The Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer is a two-day charitable cycling event with a synchronized start in Toronto and Niagara Falls that sees thousands of riders travel more than 200 kilometers to finish in Niagara Falls in support of cancer research. The largest cycling fundraiser in Canada, proceeds from the Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer support the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Located in Toronto, the centre is among the top five cancer research centers in the world. The Niagara Shrine Club Ceremonial Parade is the highlight of the Rameses Spring Ceremonial; a convention which brings thousands of Shriners from Canada and the northern part of the U.S. together.

Princess Margaret Ride to Conquer Cancer

Thursday, June 6 and Monday, June 10 : To support set-up and clean-up for the event, there will be a temporary single lane closure of the northbound lane of the Niagara Parkway between Dufferin Islands and Toronto Power Generating Station between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday, June 7 : An overnight closure of the northbound lane of the Niagara Parkway between Dufferin Islands and the Toronto Power Generating Station is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. for A/V production set up.

Saturday, June 8 : There will be a full closure of all northbound lanes of the Niagara Parkway from Upper Rapids Boulevard to Fraser Hill from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. All northbound traffic on the Niagara Parkway in this area will be diverted to the southbound lanes, operating in an opposing traffic pattern. In addition, there will be a full closure of the Niagara Parkway from Mechanic Street to Upper Rapids Boulevard. Please note that until 10 a.m., Dufferin Islands and Burning Springs Hill Road will be closed to all traffic and parking. The Niagara Parks Floral Showhouse parking lot (Lot B) will also be closed to service the event. As a result, all vehicles will be directed to Niagara Parks’ Falls Parking (Lot A) or Rapidsview Parking (Lot C). Access to Bus Management at Table Rock Centre or Rapidsview Parking Lot will not be interrupted. WEGO bus service between Rapidsview Parking Lot and Table Rock Centre will continue without interruption, as all roads are expected to be reopened beginning at 10 a.m. After 10 a.m., there will be a temporary single lane closure of a northbound lane of the Niagara Parkway between Dufferin Islands and the Toronto Power Plant until 3 p.m. to facilitate site changeover.

Sunday, June 9 : From 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., there will be a full road closure of the Niagara Parkway from Marshall Road to Upper Rapids Boulevard. In addition, Bridgewater Street from the Niagara Parkway to Cummington Square in Chippawa will be reduced to one lane. There will be a single lane closure over Weightman Bridge to allow cyclists to re-enter the Niagara Parkway via Macklem Street. These sections will reopen as the last participant cycles through the event around 5 p.m. There will be a full closure of the northbound lanes of the Niagara Parkway from Upper Rapids Boulevard to Fraser Hill from 4 a.m. to approximately 7 p.m. All northbound traffic on the Niagara Parkway in this area will be diverted to the southbound lanes, which will operate in an opposing traffic pattern. To avoid congestion, it is recommended that vehicles enter Niagara Parks via Murray Street or Clifton Hill. Dufferin Islands and Burning Springs Hill Road will be closed to all traffic and parking for the day. The Floral Showhouse Parking Lot will also be closed to service the event. As a result, all vehicles will be directed to Niagara Parks’ Falls Parking or Rapidsview Parking Lots. Access to Bus Management at Table Rock Centre or Rapidsview Parking Lot will not be interrupted. WEGO bus service between Rapidsview Parking Lot and Table Rock Centre will begin at 9 a.m. and continue without interruption. Traffic delays are to be expected with all roads reopening by 7 p.m. After 7 p.m., there will be a temporary overnight single lane closure of a northbound lane of the Niagara Parkway between Dufferin Islands and the Toronto Power Plant until 7 a.m. to facilitate A/V production tear down.

Niagara Shrine Club Ceremonial Parade

Saturday, June 8 : There will be a full closure of the Niagara Parkway from Upper Rapids Boulevard to Macklem Street/Portage Road intersection from 12:45 p.m. until the last parade float has exited at Mechanic Street and Macklem Street or by no later than 2 p.m. The parade is expected to begin at 1:00 p.m. and as the parade passes by, the Niagara Parkway will be fully closed to vehicular traffic. The approximate length of the parade will be 45 minutes in duration. During this time, residents on Bukator Drive and Rapids View Drive will not be able to access the Niagara Parkway unless there is an emergency. In the case of an emergency, Niagara Parks Police will be positioned along the parade route to assist residents or emergency service vehicles with access/egress. The parade formation will take place in the eastbound lanes of Upper Rapids Boulevard. As a result, a temporary closure of the eastbound lanes will also be in effect from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Access to Rapidsview Parking Lot from Portage Road and the Niagara Parkway (north of Upper Rapids Boulevard) will not be impacted by this closure.

For detailed road closure timings and alternate routes, it is recommended to refer to Niagara Parks’ official communications closer to the event dates.

The Niagara Parks Commission is committed to a vision of Ontario’s Niagara Parks as one that Preserves a rich heritage, Conserves natural wonders, and Inspires people world-wide. Founded in 1885, The Niagara Parks Commission is an Operational Enterprise Agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Its mission is to protect the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River for the enjoyment of visitors while maintaining financial self-sufficiency.

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Niagara weekend GO Trains to offer more bike storage this summer

Additional bike coaches can store up to 22 bikes.

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Weekend GO Transit is offering additional bike coaches on its weekend trains to Niagara Falls this summer, to allow more people to commute with their bikes without clogging up compartments.

In a news release this week, Metrolinx says the additional coaches are able to store up to 22 bikes, and will accommodate a growing number of people taking bicycles and e-bikes on GO Transit.

Bike coaches also provide seating for 10 passengers on the lower level, according to the release. Metrolinx didn't specify how many bike coaches will be added to each train, but said there will be multiple coaches located through each train.

Normally, GO Trains offer limited bicycle storage on each coach, with designated bicycle zones only able to accommodate two bikes at a time. 

The additional summer bike coaches are designed to allow passengers to easily move around the train, despite increased bicycle storage.

Increased demand for bike travel on GO Transit has led Metrolinx to offer additional bike coaches on other lines, and to update its bike policy this year .

Under the new policy, e-bike owners must stay with their bikes during their trip, and only certain types of e-bike batteries can be taken on trains and buses.

Metrolinx is making room for more bikes on GO trains amid surging demand

Under GO Transit's bicycle policy, folding bicycles can be taken on as hand luggage, but bicycles and e-bikes must be parked in designated areas.

Weekend trains between Toronto's Union Station and Niagara Falls run three times a day from both terminals on Saturdays and Sundays.

• GO Transit to inspect e-bikes starting next month
• Metrolinx to ban some e-bikes on GO Trains starting next month

Bikes can also be taken on GO Buses to Niagara Falls, which run express every hour to and from Burlington, but Metrolinx is only offering additional bike storage on weekend GO Trains to and from Niagara Falls this summer.

Metrolinx is the Ontario government agency that operates GO Transit.

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