25 things to do in Toronto (Canada)
Toronto, the capital city of Ontario, Canada, offers a diverse range of activities and attractions for visitors. Here are 25 things to do in Toronto:
- CN Tower: Enjoy panoramic views of the city from the iconic CN Tower, one of the tallest freestanding structures in the world.
- Royal Ontario Museum (ROM): Explore the extensive collections of art, culture, and natural history at this renowned museum.
- Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO): Appreciate a diverse collection of artworks, including pieces by Canadian and Indigenous artists.
- Toronto Islands: Take a ferry to the Toronto Islands for a peaceful escape, beautiful beaches, and a view of the city skyline.
- Distillery District: Wander through this historic district with cobblestone streets, art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants.
- Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada: Discover marine life at this popular aquarium located near the CN Tower.
- Toronto Zoo: Explore one of the largest zoos in the world, featuring diverse ecosystems and a wide range of animals.
- High Park: Enjoy outdoor activities, cherry blossoms in spring, and the High Park Zoo in Toronto’s largest public park.
- St. Lawrence Market: Experience a bustling market with fresh produce, artisanal foods, and unique shops.
- Queen Street West: Shop, dine, and explore the trendy Queen Street West, known for its eclectic boutiques and street art.
- Hockey Hall of Fame: Immerse yourself in the history of hockey and see the famous Stanley Cup.
- Toronto Eaton Centre: Shop at this large downtown mall, home to numerous retail stores and dining options.
- Kensington Market: Wander through this bohemian neighborhood with vintage shops, multicultural eateries, and vibrant street art.
- Ontario Science Centre: Engage in interactive exhibits and educational displays at this family-friendly science museum.
- Casa Loma: Tour the historic Casa Loma, a castle-like mansion with stunning architecture and gardens.
- Harbourfront Centre: Enjoy cultural events, concerts, and waterfront activities at this cultural and arts hub.
- Chinatown: Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of Toronto’s vibrant Chinatown.
- Toronto Islands Bike Rental: Explore the Toronto Islands by renting a bike and cycling through the scenic paths.
- Theatre District: Catch a live performance in the Theatre District, home to many theaters and performing arts venues.
- Toronto City Hall and Nathan Phillips Square: Visit the iconic Toronto City Hall and the adjacent square with the famous “Toronto” sign.
- Agakhan Museum: Explore Islamic art and artifacts in this architectural gem.
- Ed Mirvish Theatre: Attend a Broadway-style show at this historic theater in the Entertainment District.
- Toronto Public Library (Reference Library): Admire the architecture of the Toronto Reference Library and explore its vast collection.
- Bata Shoe Museum: Discover the history of footwear from different cultures and time periods.
- Humber Bay Shores Park: Enjoy waterfront trails, parks, and picturesque views of Lake Ontario.
25 things to do in Toronto (Canada)
These are just a few of the many attractions and activities that Toronto has to offer. The city’s diverse neighborhoods, cultural events, and culinary scene contribute to its dynamic and welcoming atmosphere.
Toronto is the most important city to see in Canada. Despite being the country’s economic engine, the capital is in Ottawa. At the tourist level, Toronto does not have extraordinary attractions. It isn’t easy to see much movement beyond the Downtown in winter, but we assure you that it is a vibrant city with the arrival of summer. In this post, we propose 25 activities to do in Toronto throughout the year.
25 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN TORONTO
1. Take the best photo of the Toronto skyline from the Toronto Islands
They are a chain of small islands in Lake Ontario, a great place to disconnect just 10 minutes by ferry from Downtown. It is a bustling destination in summer, as it has a thousand options: an amusement park, playgrounds, picnic areas, barbecues, and even areas to rent a kayak. It is also a pleasure to walk through the residential areas of the islands, and they make you want to have a little house there.
2. Go on a hike to Niagara Falls
The Canadian part of these falls is less than two hours by bus from the city, and the view of the falls is much better than from the New York side, so you can’t miss taking a tour to be amazed at the force with which the waterfall falls. Toilet. If you have time, we recommend staying there one night. We stayed at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Niagara Falls hotel, and the view from the room was terrific.
3. Climb the CN Tower, a fun thing to do in Toronto
You can’t leave Toronto without having seen it since it is more than 500 meters high and is the jewel of the city’s skyline. It was the tallest tower from 1976 until the Burj Khalifa in Dubai was completed in 2010. If it is impressive from the outside, imagine what the city looks like from up there.
You can walk on a glass floor at 342 meters high, and the highest viewpoint is at 447 meters. Admission is $35.
4. Ice skating is an excellent plan to do in Toronto in winter
Where? On one of the 50 tracks that are set up in Toronto. The most famous is Nathan Philips Square, which converts its fountains into a skating rink.
5. Be amazed by Casa Loma
With more than 90 rooms, this mansion-turned-museum filled with stately goods is well worth visiting. It was built in 1911, but after 20 years, the city of Toronto took it over because the owner was loaded with debt. The ticket costs $25 with an audio guide if you want to see it inside.
6. Stroll through The Distillery District, a vibrant area full of history
Since 2003, the industrial buildings have changed the machines for small shops and ideal places to go out for a drink. If you are looking for a calm and relaxed atmosphere, do not miss it.
7. Discover Kensington
Kensington is one of the most exciting districts in Toronto for its multiculturalism. In recent years it has become a fashionable neighborhood for artists. There are usually food markets, jewelry, art, and endless things in its streets.
8. Take a selfie with the Nathan Philips Square lettering
It is the city’s heart, New Year’s Eve is celebrated there, and concerts and demonstrations are held throughout the year. That is why some very cool luminous letters with the city’s name are installed. An ideal place for a souvenir selfie 🙂 Don’t miss the town hall, a spectacular building on one side of the square!
9. Spend a summer night in the Royal Ontario Museum
It is the largest natural history museum in Canada. On Fridays in the summer, it hosts ROM Nights Live, an event with music and drinks accompanying visitors on an evening visit. If you go in winter, it is just as exciting, and you can visit it for free on Wednesdays from 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm. We recommend booking your tickets online to avoid the queues.
10. Visit the Bata Shoe Museum
Are you a shoe lover? You cannot miss this museum with more than 13,500 pairs of shoes. It is a very curious museum that reviews the history of all the materials that have dressed our feet. They also have unique pieces wrapped with Elvis Presley, Elton John, or John Lennon. On Thursday afternoons, you can enter without paying a ticket, giving a voluntary contribution. It is best to buy the ticket online to save time for any other day.
11. Go shopping in one of the best markets in the world, St. Lawrence Market.
In 2012, it was named the best food market by National Geographic, and there are stalls so fantastic that they seem like part of a set. There are some stalls where you can stop to eat something tasty and fast.
12. Join the passion for hockey at the Hockey Hall of Fame
Although it’s been more than 50 years since the Toronto Maple Leafs won the prestigious Stanley Cup, you can see the last one in this museum full of relics that will delight any ice hockey lover. Admission is $18.
13. see a basketball or baseball game is an excellent plan to do in Toronto for sports lovers
When we were in Toronto, the Blue Jays were playing and, without exaggeration, 80% of the people you passed were wearing some detail: pins, scarves, T-shirts. For NBA fans, it’s an excellent idea to go to the Air Canada Center because Tickets are cheaper than other courses in the US. At Stubhub, you will find very well-priced tickets.
14. Take a history class at Fort York
This fort was built at the end of the 18th century to defend itself against possible attacks from the neighboring country, which had just become independent. Now it has become a museum with objects of the time that, together with the explanations of a guide, will make you know a little more about the country’s history.
15. Melt the credit card at the Eaton Center
It is a huge mall. It is a good refuge for the colder winter months since with more than 300 tents you can spend the whole day entertaining. But it is not only a shopping center; it is also a set of underground galleries that even house two metro stations. If you don’t know what to do in Toronto on a rainy or freezing day, don’t hesitate to go shopping there!
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16. Spend the day at Scarborough Bluffs Park
They are beautiful cliffs on the shore of Lake Ontario. It fills up with families who take advantage of the small beach during vacations and holidays. The park is excellent for a picnic overlooking the lake, as there is a barbecue area. It takes about 45 minutes to get there by car or public transport.
17. Surround yourself with street art on Queen Street
There are many bars on this street, but if something stands out, there is a lot of graffiti, sculptures, and art with unexpected things. Even the trees are decorated with colored wool.
18. Put on your boots at the Canadian National Exhibition
It is an annual exhibition focused on Canadian agriculture and technology, but for many, the most tempting thing about visiting this fair is the food stalls there.
19. Feeling in the Canadian Times Square, a must-do in Toronto
Yonge-Dundas Square is the intersection of two of the most important streets in the city and is the nerve center of Toronto. The square is full of LED screens in true Times Square-style, and no matter what time you pass by, there is always activity.
20. Rent a bike to see Toronto giving pedals
Like most big cities, Toronto has a relatively cheap public bike rental system. You can tour the city for a whole day for less than $10. An excellent place to take a bike ride is the promenade in the beach area.
21. Attend the Caribbean festival
In Toronto, they take summer very seriously, and that is why they celebrate the most massive Caribbean festival in North America. Each year more than two million people attend the parades with costumes of vibrant colors and music with a Latin rhythm. If you are looking for something fun to do in Toronto, this is not to be missed!
22. Walking along the shore of Lake Ontario is a very relaxing thing to do in Toronto
There is nothing like enjoying a walk around the Harbourfront Center area when the good weather arrives. Many free activities are organized for the whole family, such as concerts.
23. Bathe on one of its beaches
Although it sounds strange, Toronto has a lot of beaches very close to the city center to take advantage of the warmest days of the year, which are then sorely missed!
24. Visit the greenhouse at Allan Gardens
Inside the park, there is a beautiful glass dome that serves as a greenhouse, something like the Palacio de Cristal del Retiro, but there are plants inside in Toronto. Open every day from 10 am to 5 pm.
25. Visit other Canadian cities like Montreal, Ottawa, or Quebec.
And finally, to end this post with the best things to do in Toronto, there is nothing better than discovering other destinations on the Canadian East Coast. Ottawa is the capital and is the closest city.
Nearby, you can visit Montreal, one of the country’s economic engines, and the one that is farthest from Toronto is Quebec, although it also seemed to us the most beautiful.
25 things to do in Toronto (Canada)
