Hey there, travel enthusiasts! Get ready to dive into the vibrant metropolis of Toronto, the largest city in Canada and a playground of diverse experiences. During our recent visit to this bustling urban hub—where we spent an exciting five days reconnecting with family—we discovered just how much this dynamic city has to offer. From towering skyscrapers to serene waterfronts, multicultural neighborhoods, and a thriving arts scene, Toronto promises an unforgettable adventure for every type of traveler. Join us as we explore the top attractions, hidden gems, and local hotspots that make Toronto a must-visit destination on your travel bucket list!
Table of Contents
Introduction
Toronto is the capital city of Ontario and the most populous city in Canada. With a population of over 2.9 million, it’s considered a global city and exerts significant impact on Canada’s culture, finance, arts, and more.
Toronto has a rich history. It was founded in 1793 by the British as York, intended to be a trading post. The city grew rapidly in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as more British loyalists settled there after the American Revolutionary War. York was attacked and briefly occupied by American forces during the War of 1812. After the war, the city was renamed Toronto and became the capital of Upper Canada. Toronto continued to grow rapidly thanks to its strategic location on Lake Ontario and as a major port city.
Today, Toronto is located on the northwest shore of Lake Ontario in southern Ontario. It has a humid continental climate with warm, humid summers and cold winters. The city regularly receives over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually. Toronto experiences all four seasons distinctly, with average summer highs of 26°C (79°F) and winter lows of -6°C (21°F).
Toronto is a major economic center in Canada and globally. It has the second largest financial services sector in North America after New York. Toronto is home to the Toronto Stock Exchange, one of the largest stock exchanges in the world. Culturally, Toronto is highly diverse and multicultural. Over 50% of residents were born outside of Canada. The city is known for its festivals, museums, performing arts, and sports teams.
Getting to Toronto
Toronto is a major transportation hub with easy access by air, rail, car, and bus.
Air
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is the city’s main airport, located approximately 22km from downtown. It’s Canada’s largest and busiest airport, serving over 50 million passengers annually. Major airlines operate direct flights to Toronto from cities across North America, Europe, Asia, and other world regions. The UP Express train offers a direct 25-minute connection from Terminal 1 to downtown’s Union Station for $12 CAD one-way. Taxis are available for around $60 CAD, taking 30-60 minutes depending on traffic.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) provides a more central option just 2km from the city center on Toronto Islands. It’s serviced by regional airlines and offers direct flights from select U.S. cities. A free shuttle bus connects to mainland Toronto and Porter Airlines operates a ferry service for its passengers.
Rail
Via Rail trains and Amtrak connect Toronto to major Canadian and U.S. cities including Montreal, Ottawa, New York City, and Chicago. Union Station downtown is the city’s main railway station and intercity bus terminal. The GO Transit network also services Union Station, providing commuter rail connections from Toronto to nearby cities in Southern Ontario.
Car
Highways 401, 400, 427, 409, 427, the QEW, and the Gardiner Expressway provide access to Toronto from all directions. Driving downtown is not recommended due to traffic, construction, and limited parking. Public transportation, taxi, Uber or cycling are better options for getting around the city.
Bus
Intercity bus companies like Greyhound, Megabus, and Coach Canada offer connections to Toronto from nearby cities and towns. The main bus terminal is at Bay Street and Dundas Street, within walking distance of Union Station and the subway. GO Buses also service Toronto from across the GTHA region.
Best Times to Visit
Toronto is a year-round destination with each season offering its own unique activities and experiences. Here are some tips on the best times to visit:
Spring (March-May)
Springtime brings warmer weather and blooming flowers to Toronto. Average highs range from 10-20°C. Hotel rates are still low, attractions aren’t too crowded, and events like the Hot Docs film festival take place. May is a great time with mild weather and fewer tourists.
Summer (June-August)
Summertime means sunny skies, festivals, patios, and beaches. High temperatures average 22-30°C. It’s peak season with higher hotel rates and crowds. Major summer events include Pride, Caribbean Carnival, and the CNE fair. July and August can be hot and humid.
Fall (September-November)
Fall brings beautiful autumn colors and crisp, cool weather with highs of 15-20°C. Toronto International Film Festival takes place in September. October offers pleasant weather for walking and sightseeing. Rates are lower and crowds thinner after Labor Day.
Winter (December-February)
Winters are cold with average highs just above freezing. First snowfalls arrive in November. Holiday markets and festivals create festive ambiance. Hotel rates dip and attractions are uncrowded, aside from the busy Christmas period. January and February can be bitterly cold with temperatures below -10°C.
Major Events
Some of Toronto’s biggest annual events include Pride Week (June), Caribbean Carnival (July), Toronto Film Festival (September), and Winterlicious food festival (January-February).
Top Neighborhoods to Stay
Downtown
Downtown Toronto is the city’s central business district and a hub for entertainment and culture. Staying downtown puts you in the heart of the action and close to top attractions like the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, Rogers Centre, and the Eaton Centre shopping mall.
Downtown has a wide range of hotel options from luxurious five-star hotels to budget-friendly chains. There are also furnished apartments for longer stays. The Entertainment District and Yorkville areas have boutique hotels housed in historic buildings.
Midtown
Just north of downtown, Midtown Toronto has quieter residential neighborhoods mixed with shopping areas. It’s home to attractions like the Royal Ontario Museum, Bata Shoe Museum, and the upscale Yorkville and Bloor-Yorkville neighborhoods. The University of Toronto campus is also located here.
Midtown has less expensive hotel rates than downtown but is still central. There are bed and breakfasts, hostels, and chain hotels around Yonge Street and near the university.
Beaches
The Beaches refer to the lakeside communities of Leslieville, The Beach, and Ashbridge’s Bay. This area east of downtown has a relaxed, small-town vibe with independent shops, restaurants, parks, and of course beaches along Lake Ontario.
Most accommodations are intimate bed and breakfasts rather than big hotels. Prices are lower than downtown but it’s farther from major attractions. It offers a cozy, local experience.
Etobicoke
Etobicoke is a residential and industrial suburb west of downtown near the Toronto Pearson International Airport. It’s not a major tourist destination but accommodations are plentiful and affordable. Hotels cluster around the airport and major highways.
Staying in Etobicoke can save money but you’ll be dependent on driving or public transit to reach downtown attractions. It’s best for airport proximity or exploring attractions in the west end like the Toronto Congress Centre.
Top Attractions
Toronto has no shortage of exciting attractions and landmarks to explore. Here are some of the top attractions you don’t want to miss on your visit:
CN Tower
At 1,815 feet tall, the CN Tower is one of the world’s tallest freestanding structures and Toronto’s most iconic landmark. Take the elevator up to the observation deck for panoramic views of the city and Lake Ontario. For an extra thrill, try the Edgewalk, where you can walk hands-free around the outside edge of the main pod. The tower also has a glass floor and rotating restaurant.
Ripley’s Aquarium
Immerse yourself in an underwater world at Ripley’s Aquarium right next to the CN Tower. It holds over 16,000 marine animals and has interactive exhibits like the Dangerous Lagoon where you can touch sharks. Walk through the acrylic tunnels and come face to face with green sea turtles, sawfish, and moray eels.
Royal Ontario Museum
With impressive collections covering art, world culture, and natural history, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is one of the largest museums in North America. The iconic building with its modern crystal facade houses dinosaur fossils, Egyptian mummies, a bat cave, precious gemstones, and more. Don’t miss the museum’s impressive collection of fossils from the Burgess Shale.
Casa Loma
This Gothic Revival castle in midtown Toronto was built between 1911-1914 by Sir Henry Pellatt. Take a self-guided audio tour through the castle’s secret passages, climbing stairs, towers, and decorated rooms. The outside grounds and gardens are also lovely to explore.
Toronto Islands
Accessible by a short ferry ride, the Toronto Islands are a great escape from the busy city. The islands have sandy beaches, picnic areas, gardens, trails, and amusement parks. Rent a bike and cycle along the waterfront, or relax in the park and enjoy the view of Toronto’s skyline. Centre Island is the main hub with various food and drink options.
Outdoor Activities in Toronto
Toronto offers plenty of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy. The city’s parks and waterfront provide ample opportunities for recreation all year round.
Hiking
There are over 1,500 parks in Toronto, many of which have excellent hiking trails. Some top hiking spots include Rouge National Urban Park, home to forests, wetlands, and meadows. The Toronto Islands also offer scenic pathways with great views of the city skyline. For more rugged terrain, head north to parks like Earl Bales which has ravine trails and even an off-leash dog park.
Cycling
Cycling is a popular activity along Toronto’s many bike paths and trails. A top route is the Martin Goodman Trail which runs along the waterfront for over 56 km. Other options include the Lower Don Trail, Humber Trail, and trails through High Park. Bike rentals are available from companies like Bike Share Toronto.
Water Sports
On Lake Ontario, visitors can go sailing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, and more. Marinas like Harbourfront Centre and Ontario Place offer rentals and lessons. There’s also surfing at Woodbine Beach. Those looking to swim can hit one of Toronto’s many beaches like Cherry Beach, Woodbine Beach, and Sunnyside Beach.
Winter Activities
Even in winter, there are plenty of things to do outdoors in Toronto. Ice skating is popular at Nathan Phillips Square and other rinks around the city. Downhill skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed at Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre. Cross-country skiing is possible along trails like those in High Park. Tobogganing hills can be found at parks like Riverdale and Withrow. Snowshoeing is another winter activity to try in Toronto’s parks and ravines.
Food and Drink
Toronto is a food lover’s paradise with cuisines from around the world represented. As one of the most multicultural cities in the world, Toronto offers authentic options for virtually any type of food you’d like to try.
Some local specialties to look for include peameal bacon sandwiches, poutine, and Toronto-style pizza. Peameal bacon is back bacon that has been coated in cornmeal, then sliced and typically served on a kaiser roll. Poutine is fries topped with cheese curds and gravy – a delightfully indulgent treat. Toronto-style pizza has a unique fluffy, airy dough that is lightly sauced with just cheese on top.
For high-end dining, some top restaurants in Toronto include Alo, Buca, and Canis. Alo features exquisite tasting menus and is consistently named one of the world’s top restaurants. Buca offers house-made pastas and pizzas in a lively trattoria setting. Canis serves seasonal Canadian cuisine with an extensive wine list.
In addition to restaurants, Toronto has a thriving craft beer scene. Steam Whistle, Mill Street, and Amsterdam are some of the most popular local breweries with taprooms. And for coffee, Rooster Coffee House, Pilot Coffee Roasters, and Sam James Coffee Bar are standouts.
Arts and Culture
Toronto has a thriving arts and culture scene with world-class museums, a vibrant performing arts landscape, exciting festivals and events, and a lively nightlife.
Museums
Some of Toronto’s top museums include the Royal Ontario Museum, home to art, world culture and natural history exhibits; the Art Gallery of Ontario, with its impressive collection of Canadian and European art; the Gardiner Museum, devoted to ceramics; and the Bata Shoe Museum for footwear history. The Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto is a newer addition featuring modern and contemporary works.
Performing Arts
Toronto is home to the National Ballet of Canada, Canadian Opera Company, and Toronto Symphony Orchestra. The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts is the main venue for opera and ballet. For theater, Mirvish Productions stages large Broadway-style musicals while Soulpepper and Tarragon Theatre Companies put on more intimate productions.
Festivals
Toronto has festivals happening year-round. Some of the most popular include the Toronto International Film Festival in September, Pride Toronto in June, and Caribbean Carnival in July/August. There’s also Luminato arts festival in June, the TD Toronto Jazz Festival in June/July, and Nuit Blanche all-night art event each October.
Nightlife
Toronto has a lively nightlife scene with bars, pubs, dance clubs and live music venues. Some top areas to go out at night include the Entertainment District, King West, and Queen West. Popular nightlife spots include the CN Tower’s revolving restaurant, the Rooftop Bar at the Park Hyatt, and Dundas Square. The city also has a vibrant LGBTQ nightlife scene located primarily along Church Street.
Shopping
Toronto is a shopper’s paradise, with everything from massive malls to quaint boutiques and markets. The city offers a wide variety of shopping experiences.
Major Malls
The Eaton Centre is Toronto’s top shopping mall, spanning multiple blocks downtown with hundreds of stores. It attracts huge crowds of both locals and tourists. The Toronto Premium Outlets in Halton Hills is another massive mall with deals on designer brands. Other top malls include Yorkdale Shopping Centre, Sherway Gardens, Scarborough Town Centre, and Square One.
Markets
The St. Lawrence Market is a historic indoor market with over 120 vendors selling fresh produce, meat, cheese, baked goods and more. Kensington Market is an outdoor pedestrian market in a bohemian neighborhood, featuring vintage shops, artisanal food, and handmade goods. The Distillery District also has a nice outdoor market on weekends.
Boutiques
Toronto has many neighborhoods loaded with one-of-a-kind boutiques. Queen Street West and West Queen West are hotspots for fashion boutiques. Leslieville and the Beach have great home decor and gift shops. The Annex and Yorkville are swanky areas with high-end designer boutiques.
Souvenirs
Good souvenirs include Maple syrup, Canadian chocolate and candy, Roots clothing with maple leaf logos, CN Tower models, and Toronto-themed apparel and gifts. The CN Tower has gift shops with all kinds of souvenirs.
Toronto offers an amazing diversity of shopping experiences, from massive malls to quaint local markets and boutiques. Shoppers will find fashion, food, home decor, souvenirs and more.
Day Trips from Toronto
Toronto makes a great base to explore more of Ontario. Here are some of the top day trips and weekend getaway options from Toronto:
Niagara Falls
Only about 1.5 hours from Toronto, the thundering Niagara Falls are a must-see. Take a boat ride up to the base of the falls for incredible views. Check out attractions like Journey Behind the Falls, the Butterfly Conservatory, and Botanical Gardens. At night, the falls are illuminated with colorful lights.
Muskoka
The Muskoka region north of Toronto is known for its pristine lakes, forests, and classic cottages. Rent a cottage or book a resort for a weekend of swimming, boating, hiking, and relaxing in the beauty of nature. Stop in the charming towns of Bracebridge, Gravenhurst, and Port Carling.
Stratford
Stratford is the home of the famous Stratford Festival, featuring world-class theater productions of Shakespeare and other plays. Even if not seeing a show, Stratford is a pleasant town to stroll through, with cute shops, cafes, gardens, and historical architecture.
Wine Regions
The Niagara-on-the-Lake wine region is about 1.5 hours from Toronto. Spend a day tasting at wineries and enjoying the charming small town. Prince Edward County is a bit further at 2.5 hours from Toronto, but also offers an emerging wine region, vineyards, and small towns.
With so much diversity nearby, Toronto serves as an ideal home base to explore more of the province on quick getaways and day trips.
Conclusion
Toronto is a city that truly has it all—captivating architecture, rich cultural diversity, mouthwatering cuisine, and an infectious energy that keeps you coming back for more. Whether you’ve explored the iconic CN Tower, strolled through the charming streets of Kensington Market, or experienced the vibrant nightlife along King Street West, Toronto leaves a lasting impression on all who visit.
As you plan your next adventure to this dynamic metropolis, we hope this guide has provided valuable insights and inspiration to make the most of your trip. Embrace the spirit of Toronto’s welcoming atmosphere and eclectic charm, and get ready to create unforgettable memories in one of Canada’s most exciting cities. Toronto awaits, ready to enchant and delight you at every turn!
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