I was born and raised in Ontario, Canada (I lived just a bit outside the city of Toronto). For this reason, I might be a bit biased when I say I think it is one of the best cities in the world! Did you know Toronto is the largest city in Canada? It has a population of over 2 million (more than Chicago) and has been recognized as the most diverse city in the world. Pair a visit to this amazing city with some fun day trips, and you have a perfect place for a getaway! If you’re thinking of visiting, be sure to save this list of our top things to do in Toronto!
1. Visit the CN Tower
First up is the CN Tower. The CN Tower is the city’s monument and the most recognizable figure in the Toronto skyline. Take the elevator up to the observation tower and glass floor, or enjoy fine dining at 360, the restaurant that’s 351 metres high and offers revolving views of the city.
Feeling brave? Try the EdgeWalk, the world’s highest full circle hands-free walk on a ledge encircling the top of the Tower’s main pod, 116 storeys (over 1100 ft) above the ground. This is an unforgettable experience unlike anything else!
Click here for hours, tickets and reservations.
2. Take the Ferry to the Toronto Islands
A 15-minute ferry ride from Toronto’s downtown core you’ll find the Toronto Islands, a small collection of islands which feel a world away from the busy city centre. The most popular spot for families with young children is Centre Island which features a small amusement park (Centreville) with plenty of children’s rides, a petting zoo and picturesque swan boats. The Toronto Islands are also the perfect spot to rent bikes or enjoy a picnic!
3. Visit Casa Loma
If you love castles you should plan to visit Casa Loma, a popular tourist destination in Toronto that offers an amazing skyline view of the city. Casa Loma was built by Sir Henry Pellatt, a former soldier whose lifelong dream was to build a castle overlooking Toronto. It’s also a popular filming location that’s been featured in many movies!
Click here for more information, hours and tickets.
4. Visit the Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is the largest zoo in Canada. With more than 5000 animals divided among 7 geographic regions (Indo-Malaya, Africa, Americas, Tundra Trek, Australasia, Eurasia, and the Canadian Domain), you can easily spend a day here.
5. Have a BeaverTail
A BeaverTail is a classic Canadian treat of hand-stretched pastry covered with delicious toppings. The classic flavour is cinnamon and sugar, but there are so many different options to choose from like Oreo, Apple Pie or Brownie. You can find a BeaverTail at a variety of locations throughout Toronto – you can grab one at the Toronto Zoo, Canada’s Wonderland, Centreville or The Ex, to name a few.
6. Shop at the Toronto Eaton Centre
The Toronto Eaton Centre is one of the largest malls in Canada. It has more than 250 shops and has more than 50 million visitors a year. If you’re planning to do any shopping while you’re visiting Toronto, this is the place!
7. Visit Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Having opened in 2013, Ripley’s Aquarium is one of Toronto’s newer attractions. Located directly beside the CN Tower, you can easily visit both in the same day. This 135,000 square-feet attraction has fish and aquatic animals from around the world in more than 1.5 million gallons of water.
Click for tickets and information.
8. “Let’s Go to The Ex” (Canadian National Exhibition)
The Canadian National Exhibition, often called the CNE or simply The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at the end of summer each year. The Ex is Canada’s largest annual fair, with approximately 1.5 million visitors each year. Fun rides, live shows, culinary delights and so much more – the Ex has something for everyone. This is a true end of summer tradition for many Canadian families!
Note: The 2020 CNE has been cancelled due to the coronavirus.
9. Walk Underground in the PATH
Guinness World Records recognizes the Toronto PATH as the largest underground shopping complex in the world. This 20 kilometre (19 mile) underground pathway connects subway stations (including Union Station), hotels, attractions and many businesses. In the cold Canadian winters, many downtown workers walk through the underground PATH, which allows them to stay warm on their walk to work. Over 200 000 commuters walk through the PATH on an average business day. It can be a bit confusing to navigate (especially since GPS doesn’t work in the PATH), so be sure to look up a map and familiarize yourself with your route in advance.
10. Go to a Sporting Event
Toronto is the home of many popular sports teams, including the Toronto Raptors (Canada’s only NBA team) and the Toronto Blue Jays (Canada’s only MLB team). The Raptors won the NBA championship last year, and you may even spot Drake at a game. And of course, we can’t mention Toronto sports without mentioning hockey! The sport is incredibly popular throughout all of Canada and you can head to a game to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs play and see the spirit of the Canadian fans.
11. Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame
Though it’s not the official sport of Canada, it may as well be! Hockey is a beloved sport throughout the country and Canadians are well known for it. If you’re a hockey fan, be sure to check out the Hockey Hall of Fame during your visit to learn about the history of the game and see all kinds of hockey memorabilia.
12. Shop at Kensington Market
Kensington Market is one of Toronto’s oldest and most well-known neighbourhoods. This distinctive, multicultural neighbourhood is a photogenic area filled with indie shops, vintage boutiques and arts spaces. This bohemian spot is the perfect place to do some unique shopping during your trip!
13. Try a Poutine
Next up is a classic Canadian food. As one of the most popular dishes in Canada, poutine is a must-try if you’re visiting Toronto! Golden french fries, brown gravy and delicious cheese curds make up this insanely good treat. I could live off poutine! As a Canadian living in the U.S.A, I always make sure to grab one of these any time I visit my home country.
14. Visit the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum)
History lovers and museum-fans should plan for a visit to the Royal Ontario Museum, usually called the ROM. It’s the largest museum in Canada and the most-visited. This museum of art, world culture and natural history features a world-class collection of 13 million pieces in 40 galleries and exhibition spaces.
15. Enjoy the Views at the Scarborough Bluffs
One of Toronto’s most scenic viewpoints is the Scarborough Bluffs. It’s a stretch of cliffs which has 11 different parks. The scenic views are the main attraction here! White sandy cliffs surround the blue water of Lake Ontario. It’s a great place for a hike, or you can also just drive up to enjoy the beautiful view.
16. Experience Thrills at Canada’s Wonderland
Canada’s Wonderland is a fun amusement park located just outside Toronto in Vaughan, Ontario. This park is owned by Cedar Fair, the same company that owns Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California and Cedar Point in Ohio. From huge thrilling roller coasters to plenty for the little ones, this park has something for all ages. The newest roller coaster, Yukon Striker, is the world’s tallest, fastest and highest dive coaster!
Click here to purchase tickets.
17. Go to the Theatre
Toronto has a wonderful theatre scene, so for those who enjoy Broadway productions this is a great addition to your trip to Toronto. Several notable theatres include the Princess of Wales, the Royal Alexandra and the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre. While there are many popular shows to choose from, Come From Away would be our recommendation. This extremely popular show was created in Canada and has quickly become an international phenomenon. The musical is based on the heartwarming true story of Gander, Newfoundland – a small town that hosted 38 planes in the aftermath of 9/11.
18. Visit Yonge-Dundas Square
Yonge-Dundas Square (sometimes just called Dundas Square) is a public square in the centre of downtown Toronto. Many public events, performances and art displays take place here. It’s the busiest intersection in Canada; over 100 000 people cross the pedestrian scramble daily. It’s almost like a smaller version of New York’s Times Square.
19. Get Festive at the Toronto Christmas Market
If you’re visiting at the most wonderful time of the year, you’ll definitely want to plan a visit to the Distillery District to visit the annual Christmas Market. From mid-November through until Christmas, the Toronto Christmas Market brings the joy of the holidays through a massive Christmas tree, magical lighting and seasonal decor, pop-up shops and food vendors, carolers and so much more! This is the perfect way to get into the spirit of the holidays.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
20. The AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario)
If you’re interested in art, the Art Gallery of Ontario is the place to visit. At 45 000 square metres, it’s one of the largest art galleries in North America. The gallery houses over 80,000 works from the first century up to the present day.
21. Grab a Donut at Tim Hortons
Did you know that Canadians consume more donuts per capita than any other country? It also has more donuts shops per capita, too. As Canadians, we love our donuts and there’s no place to get them like Tims! Canadian Maple, Boston Cream, Vanilla Dip… whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong. Tim Hortons is also known for Timbits (donut holes). It’s also the perfect place to grab a coffee (or a refreshing ‘Iced Capp’ in the summer). A stop at Tim Hortons is so quintessentially Canadian, it’s a must on any visit!
Click here to plan your visit.
22. See a Movie at TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival)
The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) takes place in Toronto each September. This is one of Canada’s most famous events, with celebrities and tourists coming from all over the world to attend. Whether you’re interested in red-carpet premieres or supporting some lesser-known films, there are hundreds of screenings to choose from. For more popular films, be sure to purchase tickets in advance. This is a world-renowned festival, so if you’re visiting during it’s dates you should be sure to check it out!
23. Shop for Delicious Foods at St. Lawrence Market
The St. Lawrence Market is Toronto’s largest market and is over 200 years old. It was once voted as the ‘#1 Food Market in the World’ by National Geographic. It hosts over 120 food vendors serving cuisines from all over the world. Toronto is a very international city, and the food scene reflects that. While some locals do their regular grocery shopping here, many locals and tourists alike will visit to explore some worldly flavours. From French pastries to Eastern European perogies, Greek souvlaki and Montreal-style bagels, there are so many options to try. Be sure to bring your appetite!
24. Go Skating at Nathan Phillips Square
If you are visiting during the winter months, one of the best ways to enjoy the holiday season in Toronto is to go skating at Nathan Phillips Square. This is one of the most popular spots to ice skate in the city. It’s completely free if you have your own skates, but skate rentals are also available. Skating is a classic Canadian activity in the wintertime, so its the perfect way to get outside and enjoy the winter weather!
25. Day Trip to Niagara
Finally, the most popular day trip to make from Toronto is to Niagara Falls. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Especially if you haven’t been before, this is a must-do! Even if you’ve been to the American side before, it’s still worth visiting the Canadian side of the Falls. Of course you can take a classic boat ride out near the Falls, you can explore the Clifton Hill tourist promenade or visit the observation decks or restaurants at the Skylon Tower.
While you’re in the area, we also recommend taking a winery tour. The Niagara area is known as a great wine region, and there are plenty of lovely little wineries to visit.
Conclusion – Things to Do in Toronto
If you’re planning to visit Toronto, consider purchasing the Toronto CityPass which gets you access to 5 of the city’s top attractions for one set price.
As you can see, there are so many things to do and see in Toronto. This amazing, beautiful and diverse city is one that’s close to my heart, so I hope you have the chance to visit one day! Have you been to this city yet? What’s your favourite thing to do in Toronto?
Pin this post to share with your friends or save it for later:
