Toronto is the largest city in Canada, and the fastest growing city in the world! It is also (fun fact) the second most international city in the world (behind London)! And of course, there is the nearby little place known as Niagara Falls…
As such, there are plenty of unique things to do in Toronto, and some of the BEST places to eat!
But, it can also be an overwhelming city to visit! I am working on several Toronto guides to make sure you understand the city and have the best experience (I walked 30,000+ steps in one day to ensure it!). For now, I’m just going to list out all of the best things to do in Toronto, so you can start planning an exciting city getaway!
What’s in this Article?
Overview of Things to Do in Toronto
Before we go over all of the possible Toronto attractions to visit… here is a general overview of what types of activities there are and where everything is located.
I’ve included a map, so you can see where everything is and try to plan out your trip accordingly. Our first venture into the city was spent mostly trying to navigate the public transportation and waiting for a bus across town… On my second trip I just walked everywhere… and logged 54,000 steps in 2 days.
If you plan your days around nearby attractions, you should have a bit more success than we did (and less blisters)!
Maps of things to do in Toronto:
This quick overview gives you a breakdown of what you can expect to find in Toronto. I go into more detail (and more things to do!) below.
Things to Do Downtown:
- CN Tower
- Ripley’s Aquarium
- Harbourfront
- Hockey Hall of Fame
- Attend a sporting event
Free & Cheap Things to Do in Toronto:
- Nathan-Phillips Square
- Sugar Beach
- Explore the different neighborhoods
- Take a walking tour
- Ferry to Toronto Island Park
- Free admission days at the museums
Museums in Toronto:
- Royal Ontario Museum
- Ontario Art Museum
- Hockey Hall of Fame
- Bata Shoe Museum
- Museum of Illusions
- Casa Loma
Unique Toronto Attractions:
- Little Canada
- Bata Shoe Museum
- Casa Loma
- Underground shopping in the PATH
- Toronto Island Park
Outdoor Things to Do in Toronto:
- Visit a city park
- Toronto Island Park
- Sugar Beach
- Toronto harbour cruise
Things to Do when it Rains:
- Any of the museums listed above
- Casa Loma Escape Room
- Shop underground in the PATH
- Ripley’s Aquarium
- Tour a theater or see a show
- Attend a sporting event
Winter Things to Do:
- Ice skating in Nathan Phillips Square
- Underground shopping in the PATH
- Go to a hockey game
- The Christmas market
- See the winter sculptures at Sugar Beach
Things to Do in Toronto
So now that you have an idea of what to expect in Toronto, here are more details about all the best things to do!
It’s good to know that there are more things to do in Toronto than just what’s listed here. But these are the absolute best Toronto attractions curated from tons of research and personal experience.
Take a Guided Tour
Because I find big cities overwhelming (and also because I love learning fun facts!), I always like to start off my time in a new city with a guided tour. Personally, I think they are a fun and relatively inexpensive way to get your bearings, learn inside information, and find things to do (or eat!) for the rest of your trip.
And there are so many different tour options! Some are self guided, like scavenger hunts, that can be super fun for you and your travel buddies. Or, if you can’t decide where to eat, do a food tour that gives you a little taste of everything.
I really wanted to do this donut walking tour of Toronto, but unfortunately it didn’t work out with my schedule. I did take a general walking tour, which I really enjoyed. Here are some of the best options to choose from:
CN Tower
When you think of Toronto, you probably think of the CN Tower. It is the uncontested symbol of the city, and the focal point no matter from what angle you look.
I actually find it hilarious that the tower was built to bounce radio signals off of, because the buildings in Toronto were too tall, and were muddling the signals. Now, 50 years later, the buildings are still going up, higher and higher! Toronto is the fastest growing city in the world!
Who knows… in a few years, they might have to build an even taller tower for those radio waves.
Things to do at the CN Tower:
- Multiple viewing decks
- 360 Restaurant
- Edgewalk
A general admission ticket will get you onto the lower and main observation decks, or you can add a ticket to “The Top,” where you can actually feel the tower swaying, and see all the way to Niagara Falls!! (*Side Note: You can even see the tower swaying from the ground! It might make you a little dizzy…).
Edgewalk is a separate ticket (and no, I did not do this!!), where you can actually walk out on the edge of the tower (strapped in, of course)!
A reservation at the restaurant will also grant you access to the main observation decks. But there is a $75 minimum spend per person on food.
Hockey Hall of Fame
A quintessentially Canadian thing to do is a visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Canada’s national sport! Housed in a historic building right in the center of downtown, it is worth a visit, whether you are a hockey fan or not.
Don’t forget to take your photo with the Stanley Cup!
Watch a Hockey Game (or other sporting event)
And while you’re here, you might as well head over to Scotiabank Arena to watch a hockey (or basketball) game! Or perhaps, if sports aren’t your thing, a live show or epic concert! You can even book a guided tour of the arena to see behind the scenes.
I think that attending a live show or sporting event is absolutely one of the best things to do in Toronto. Besides just the hockey team (the Toronto Maple Leafs), and basketball (the Raptors), you can also catch a baseball game (the Bluejays) at the nearby Rogers Centre.
Casa Loma
This was such a surprise to find in the middle of a modern metropolis! Toronto (and Canada itself) is not known for castles… but there is a gorgeous castle on a hill overlooking the city.
Casa Loma is not right in downtown, but is easy to get to from the Dupont Metro Station (though you do have to walk up a hill). You can tour the inside of the beautiful castle, and see filming locations from countless movies (including X-Men).
Orrr… you can do an ESCAPE ROOM IN A CASTLE!!!! Which I highly recommend, if you didn’t pick up on that.
Well, actually, you could do both! But the escape room in the secret parts of the castle was SO much fun, despite having to team up with perfect strangers (if you’ve never done an escape room before, check out my escape room guide).
Royal Ontario Museum
The most popular of Toronto’s many museums is the Royal Ontario Museum. It even has its own metro line stop! The Royal Ontario Museum houses historic artworks, animal skeletons, and artifacts from all over the world and all throughout history. It is the largest museum in the entire country of Canada, so you know that there is plenty to see here!
Admission prices vary a bit by day, so be sure to check their calendar for the best prices during your trip. In addition, the third Tuesday night of every month is free admission from 4:30 pm-8:30 pm.
Art Gallery of Ontario
Another popular museum is the Art Gallery of Ontario. The museum is located in an artsy neighborhood, with great views of the CN Tower, a cute park, and lots of other galleries and studios to wander around. Be sure to check out their events page for lots of fun events at the gallery, like Cocktail Night or Brunch Club, among many others!
The museum has free admission the first Wednesday night of each month, from 6 pm-9 pm.
Take a Harbour Cruise
There are many ways to get out on the water in Toronto. One way to enjoy the city views from Lake Ontario is to take a harbour cruise. You will get great views of the city, while learning fun facts about Toronto and the surrounding area.
Or maybe head out at sunset for a relaxing dinner cruise of the harbour.
Explore the Toronto Islands
To escape the city, instead of a harbour cruise, you could take a cheap ferry ride across the harbour to Toronto Island Park. They make an easy and fun day trip from the city (assuming it doesn’t suddenly downpour when you’re in the middle of the boardwalk).
You can take a public ferry or a water taxi about 10-15 minutes across to one of the three island docks: Centre Island, Ward Island, and Hanlan’s Point.
There are restaurants and cafes, kayak rentals, a small amusement park and petting zoo, beaches and more. You can also take guided tours of the islands to learn more about this unique area of Toronto.
Tour the Elgin & Wintergarden Theatres
Toronto has many new buildings, but, here and there, there are also old gems that have been lovingly saved from demolition in the city’s current building frenzy.
One such unique building is the Elgin & Wintergarden Theatres. These stunning atmospheric theaters are a perfect place to see a live show in downtown Toronto. Or you can just take a tour and see vintage Vaudeville sets, as well as the incredible stages and sites of these historic theaters.
See a Show
While you’re in the theater district, there are plenty of other venues, both old and new, with lots of entertainment to be had! From the Toronto Philharmonic Orchestra, to Lady Gaga, to local improv troupes, there is no lack of entertainment in Canada’s biggest city. Be sure to check out what’s on during your visit!
Shop Underground in the PATH
If it’s cold or raining outside (which seems rather likely, as it has rained on me every time I’ve been in Toronto!), a great place to escape the weather is the (mostly) underground shopping labyrinth known as the PATH.
The network goes under almost all of downtown Toronto, and like the city itself, is ever expanding. It connects many of the most popular tourist attractions as well. Look for signs for the “PATH” on business doors or when you exit the metro line.
It basically looks like one giant mall, with hundreds of shops and restaurants. You can even take guided tours of the PATH system.
Little Canada
I didn’t have time to visit Little Canada, so I don’t know how unbearably cheesy it is… but I think it sounds perfectly adorable and whimsical. Just past Yonge-Dundas Square, on a street full of tourist traps, gaudy lights, shops and theaters, is a little shop front that simply says “Little Canada.”
It’s a 45,000 square foot model of the entire country of Canada! It’s like the world’s largest dollhouse! You can even watch them building more miniatures, as they continue adding to this large, “little” attraction.
I hope next time I visit Toronto, I’ll have a chance to stop by this unique spot.
Bata Shoe Museum
When I found out there was an entire museum in Toronto dedicated just to shoes, I had to go! In fact, it was my first stop (after ice cream…). And it did not disappoint.
I think the admission price is relatively cheap for four floors of fun and whimsical shoes that people actually wore!!! Like… seriously… some of these shoes you look at and think… nooooo… nobody could wear that! From historical footwear to brand new designs, there is plenty to see here.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Of course every city has its own aquarium, but that doesn’t make them any less fun to visit. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is located right at the base of the CN Tower, looking out on the harbourfront.
The huge aquarium has one of those tunnels with sharks swimming over your head, among many other exhibits and events (like “Breakfast with a Mermaid.” I mean, how can you pass that up?!).
If you plan on visiting both the CN Tower and the aquarium, look into getting a combo ticket to save money.
St. Lawrence Market
Foodie travelers will love this spot in Toronto. In the Old Town neighborhood of Toronto stands a century old building, encasing the former city hall, and housing an epic market of fresh meat, baked goods, classic Canadian foods, and several restaurants.
St. Lawrence Market is the perfect spot to stop for lunch, or a mid-morning (or mid-afternoon) snack. They also have public restrooms (or washrooms, as they say in Canada) and a water bottle filler, so it really is the perfect pit-stop, whether you plan to eat anything, or just wander through and marvel at everything on offer.
Explore the Distillery District
The Distillery District was one of my favorite parts of the city of Toronto! It’s a little ways from the downtown core, but it is such a cute neighborhood! There are plenty of places to eat here, but you can also take a history tour, watch a live band, shop local, and find lots of selfie spots.
And the best part is… the entire neighborhood is pedestrian only streets!
Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions is a newer attraction that has been popping up in cities all over. It is not totally unique to Toronto, but if you’re visiting from a small town, or just haven’t been to one yet, it is a fun place to experience, if you have time. You will definitely get some fun pics for social media here (or maybe just your fridge, if you’re going old school!).
The museum is close to the St. Lawrence Market, in Toronto’s Old Town neighborhood.
Visit the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library
Part of the University of Toronto is the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library. The library is open to the public, and has rare books and artifacts on display. It is a fun place to visit for those literary lovers among us.
I didn’t get to this library, but I did visit Yale University’s Beinecke Library, which was like entering a magical Harry Potter world! I love visiting unique libraries, especially when they have rare and old books lining the shelves!
Tour Fort York
Way back when, before Toronto was called “Toronto,” it was actually known as “York.” You can visit the 200+ year old Fort York right in downtown Toronto. Learn more of the city’s (and country’s) history at this national historic site.
Relax in a Park
After a day of walking 20,000+ steps around the busy city, you might want to just find a bench with a nice view of the CN Tower, the harbour, or even a cherry blossom tree, and just relax.
There are several parks you can visit in the city of Toronto:
- High Park-High Park is the city’s biggest park. It is not right in the downtown area, but is easily accessible via the metro line. There are plenty of walking trails, the city zoo, and cherry blossom trees in the spring.
- Trinity Bellwoods Park-This park is right by the trendy Queen St. West neighborhood, and is another good spot for cherry blossom viewing. It is a much smaller park, but is closer to the city, and has famous views of the CN Tower.
- Queen’s Park-Also easily accessible via the metro line, this park is right in the center of Toronto. It contains the legislative building for the city’s government, which you can tour, if you so choose. There are plenty of benches and statues to wander around, as you meander from one side of the city to the other.
These are the main parks in Toronto, though there are plenty of other little spots where you can find a corner in which to relax during your city break.
See Where the Pilot Episode of Gilmore Girls was Filmed
I debated whether this should go under day trips from Toronto, or things to do in Toronto, but since Unionville is part of Markham, which is technically a suburb of Toronto (and only a half hour drive from downtown), it ended up on this section of the list.
Did you know that the first episode of Gilmore Girls was filmed in Unionville, Ontario??? It is a perfectly adorable small town full of charming shops, cafes, spas, and gazebos. Even if you’re not a fan of the show, the town is worth a visit if you have extra time in Toronto.
Places to Eat in Toronto
Foods to Try in Toronto
There are so many great options for eating in Toronto. Dining out is definitely one of the best things to do on a visit to Toronto, because the city has so many international influences.
But if you’re looking for something uniquely Canadian on your trip, here are a few things you definitely have to try:
- Poutine-Obviously Canada and poutine are synonymous. The classic dish includes fries with gravy and cheese curds, and can be found pretty much anywhere. Or switch it up a bit and get pulled pork or buffalo chicken poutine. Basically, it’s just loaded fries.
- Butter Tart-I kept reading about “butter tarts,” and when my tour guide highly recommended it, I knew I had to try one. As a self-proclaimed sugar connoisseur, I wasn’t knocked out of the park by the one I tried from the St. Lawrence Market. I think Toronto has plenty of other desserts worth eating instead. But, other bakeries might have better ones! Plus, it is a classic Canadian treat, and it’s cheap, so treat yourself to one (or two).
- Peameal Bacon Sandwich-Ah, the peameal bacon sandwich… It is a Toronto staple, though outside of Toronto or Ontario, you may not have even heard of it. Way back in the day, meat processors started coating cuts of bacon in ground yellow peas, to help preserve it. Today, the bacon is coated in cornmeal, and a sandwich of said meat is famous in the city, especially from the St. Lawrence Market!
- Maple Syrup-Does it even get more Canadian than Canadian maple syrup? Buy it in a maple leaf shaped jar, or have it on pancakes at one of the many brunch places in the city!
- Brunch-Apparently brunch is a big thing in Toronto (and I’m not complaining). There are lots of cafes catering to the brunch crowd, but Mildred’s Temple Kitchen was one of the most recommended, so that’s where we made a point of stopping. Their pancakes are the thickest and fluffiest I’ve ever seen!
- Beavertail-A “Beavertail” is basically fried dough and sugar, but they also come in other varieties. This is technically an Ottawa claim to fame, but the Bevertail stands can be found all over Canada now, so feel free to grab yourself a little treat while you’re walking along the harbourfront in Toronto.
Where to Eat in Toronto
Here are some options of places to eat in Toronto, based on my research, friends’ suggestions, and personal experience:
- Nathan Phillips Square-This plaza in the middle of the city (with the “Toronto” sign) is a good spot for a snack. There is a food stand where you can ice cream in the summer, hot choccy in the winter, and poutine year-round. Sometimes there are also additional food trucks!
- Queen St. West-Known as a vibrant, hipster neighborhood, Queen St. West is overwhelmingly lined with local shops and restaurants. But you’ll also find Chick-Fil-A and Taco Bell, if you prefer that.
- St. Lawrence Market-St. Lawrence Market, as mentioned above, is a foodie paradise. While they sell lots of fresh meats and vegetables, there are also actual restaurants, where you can get a famous peameal bacon sandwich, or a butter tart from one of the bakeries.
- Distillery District-The Distillery District is a super cool neighborhood in Toronto, with lots of restaurants, bakeries, dessert spots, and of course, breweries. It’s the perfect spot for an evening out.
- Kensington Market-The Kensington Market neighborhood has a chill vibe, with local cafes and restaurants, featuring cuisine from many different cultures! Plus, definitely check out Wanda’s Pie in the Sky for a delicious slice of dessert!
- Chinatown-Or the other Chinatown. Because why would Toronto have just one Chinatown? There are SO many places to eat in these neighborhoods! If you don’t know where to start, try a local tour.
- Little Italy-It’s further away from downtown, but this multi-cultural city also has a Little Italy neighborhood, if you’re craving pasta and cannolis (and who isn’t?!).
- Mildred’s Temple Kitchen-The perfect brunch spot in Toronto is the Mildred’s Temple Kitchen, for their famous stack of blueberry pancakes! But of course, they have other delicious brunch items too.
- Smoke’s Poutinerie-Poutine is available everywhere, but if you want a quick and easy spot for highly recommended poutine with lots of flavor options, try Smoke’s Poutinerie.
- The Loose Moose-To be honest… when I solo travel, I mostly visit coffee shops and bakeries, and then eat carrot sticks for dinner (true story). So I asked my friends for some recs from their trip to Toronto, and The Loose Moose was one of their favorite restaurants.
- The Second City Toronto–The Second City Toronto was another recommendation from my friends’ trip to Toronto.
Day Trips from Toronto
You can’t visit Toronto without also going to Niagara Falls (unless you’re just visiting from western NY, and have already been to Niagara Falls 20 times…)!
But there are also a lot of other great places to day trip to if you have more time in the area (including western NY!).
Niagara Falls
Obviously Niagara Falls is the number one day trip from Toronto. It’s a must do for sure, no matter what season you’re visiting.
The best part is, there are so many ways to get to Niagara Falls from Toronto! You can take a guided tour, public transportation, or drive yourself, so there’s something to suit every type of traveler.
Niagara on the Lake
Just 30 minutes from Niagara Falls, or 1 hour and 45 minutes from the city, is what’s known as the prettiest town in Canada! Niagara on the Lake is an absolutely adorable small town bustling with shops, bakeries, restaurants, hotels and the famous Shaw Theatre. Not to mention the nearby wineries and historic sites.
Buffalo
Just across the border in the US is the industrial city of Buffalo, NY. Buffalo may not be well-known as a tourist destination, but there are secretly so many absolutely unique and fun things to do in Buffalo!! The city is an architecture lover’s paradise, the area is brimming with Hallmark filming locations, and where else can you rock climb up an old grain silo while smelling cheerios from the nearby General Mills factory?
Seriously, Buffalo is worth a visit!
I feel like that is certainly enough suggestions of things to do in Toronto to get you started! Between all the eating, day trips, and wandering around the huge city, you will not be wanting for entertainment.
Any more questions?
If you have any other questions, or your own suggestions of things to do in Toronto (or places to eat!), please feel free to email me or comment below.
Planning a trip to Toronto?
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You might also like:
- The Ultimate First Timer’s Guide to Visit Toronto
- Best Neighborhoods to Visit in Toronto
- Complete Guide to the Toronto Islands
- Top Things to Do in Niagara Falls
- The Complete Guide to Niagara Falls, Canada & the US
Julia is a travel blogger with a Bachelor’s Degree in photography from Indiana Wesleyan University. She worked as a professional photo-retoucher for seven and a half years, before leaving the company to work in the travel industry. She now works at a historic 1800’s hotel. When she’s not working, she’s reading fantasy novels or classic literature, and planning trips to magical destinations.
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