The 29 Best Things to do in Downtown Toronto
The 29 best things to do in Downtown Toronto: the city’s best activities and attractions!
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Nestled on the shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is probably Canada’s most famous city. A sprawling metropolis of soaring skyscrapers, public parks, and a historic waterfront, Toronto is perfect for a city break. There are so many fun things to do in Toronto, from taking in panoramic views of the city’s styling from the CN Tower to seeing the skyline from the water on a boat tour. Lucy had the best time exploring Toronto solo and has compiled this complete guide of everything you need to know about the best activities and attractions in the city.
Toronto at a glance
The best things to do in Toronto
With so much to see and do, it can be hard to choose between the best things to do in Toronto when planning your itinerary. We’ve split this post up into handy sections so you can see the main attractions in the city by area.
The best things to do in Downtown Toronto
Downtown Toronto is home to some of the city’s biggest and best attractions. Also known as Old Toronto, this is a historic district with famous landmarks, bustling shopping centres, vibrant markets, upscale restaurants, and a charming harbourfront. Here are the best things to do in Downtown Toronto.
1. Climb the CN Tower
The CN Tower is a 553.3 metre (1,815 ft) tall concrete communications and observation tower in downtown Toronto. The CN Tower held the record for the world’s tallest free-standing structure for 32 years until it was surpassed by Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in 2007. There are several floors tourists can visit with various features, including panoramic windows, glass floors, terraces, restaurants and shops and an edge walk.
2. Watch Ice Hockey
No trip to Canada is complete without witnessing a game of the national winter sport, ice hockey. If you time your visit right you can watch the Toronto Maple Leafs at home in the Scotiabank Arena, which is also the home of the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association. There are a few different ways to get tickets, the easiest being to go through the website or buy through Ticketmaster. Most events sell out early, so you can also show up at the box office to see if there are any returned tickets. Don’t ever buy tickets from touts outside the venue.
3. Tour the Hockey Hall of Fame
If you can’t get enough of ice hockey, visit the Hockey Hall of Fame, a museum dedicated to the history of ice hockey. It features exhibits about players, teams, the National Hockey League (NHL) records and memorabilia, as well as NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup. Great for all ages, see the greatest collection of hockey artefacts from around the world, plus themed exhibits, multimedia stations, theatres, larger-than-life statues and a replica NHL dressing room. You can also try your hand at goaltending and shooting against life-sized animated versions of today’s top players in the NHLPA Game Time model rink or call the play-by-play and host your own SportsCentre in the TSN Broadcast Zone.
4. Visit the Rogers Centre
Situated near the CN Tower, Rogers Centre is home to the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. Opened in 1989, it is a multi-purpose retractable roof stadium and a great venue for watching a game of baseball.
5. Cruise Toronto’s Islands
Set on the waterfront of Toronto, Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre is a 10-acre campus for contemporary arts and provides year-round programming of more than 4,000 events a year. The not-for-profit charity works with over 450 community organisations in many disciplines, such as theatre, dance, literature, music, film, visual arts and crafts.
You’ll find lots of boats pulled up along the waterfront too. From here you can take a boat tour out into Lake Ontario. They usually last around 45 minutes and take in the iconic Toronto skyline, including the CN Tower and Rogers Centre, as well as the harbour and Toronto’s islands. Alternatively, you can cruise Toronto’s waterfront on a Best of Toronto City Tour. The chain of 15 islands houses an airport, amusement park, several private yacht clubs and an exclusive, car-free residential neighbourhood. The Captain’s narration on the tour is really informative but there are simpler water taxis which can actually take you to some of the islands without this.
The boat tours and shuttle only run from May to October and in the Autumn it can get very cold, so plan accordingly. You can purchase tickets from the ticket booth on the waterfront. You don’t need to purchase tickets in advance but it’s worth checking the timetable online before turning up and trips in summer can be very popular.
6. Ice Skate in Nathan Phillips Square
This urban plaza forms the forecourt of Toronto City Hall and is named after Nathan Phillips, mayor of Toronto from 1955 to 1962. The square hosts concerts, art displays, a weekly farmers’ market, the winter festival of lights and other events. During winter, the reflecting pool is converted into an ice rink and a big Christmas tree is installed.
You’ll also find the 3D Toronto Sign here, an illuminated three-dimensional sign is a popular photo spot for tourists and lights up at night.
7. Compare the Old & New City Halls
Located in Nathan Phillips Square, the Toronto City Hall, or New City Hall, is the seat of the municipal government of Toronto and one of Toronto’s best-known landmarks. Just off Nathan Phillips Square lies the Old City Hall. This Romanesque-style civic building and courthouse was the home of the Toronto City Council from 1899 to 1966. It has a distinctive clock tower and was designated a National Historic Site in 1984.
8. Take a snap of the Gooderham Building
The Gooderham Building, also known as the Flatiron Building, is a red-brick historic office building located on the eastern edge of the city’s Financial District. It is an early example of a prominent flatiron building and can be found wedged between Front Street and Wellington Street.
9. Take a Walking Tour
One of the best ways to see a new city is on a guided walking tour. You can join a 2-Hour Downtown Walking Tour, where a knowledgeable local will guide you around all the unmissable spots in Toronto, including Yonge-Dundas Square, Ed Mirvish Theater, Mackenzie House, City Hall, the Toronto Stock Exchange, Union Station and the CN Tower. While a 2-Hour Kensington Market Chinatown Walking Tour is the perfect way to explore Toronto’s eclectic markets, see cool street art, learn about local culture and explore more speciality food stops.
10. Shop in the Distillery District
The Distillery Historic District is a pedestrian-only area filled with 19th-century buildings that once housed a large whiskey distillery. The cobblestoned streets are lined with independent shops, restaurants, bars and galleries. The district has a hip vibe, with lots of modern outdoor sculptures and quirky architectural elements. There are often dance, music and stage performances at the area’s several theatres and the annual Toronto Christmas Market is held here in December.
Make sure to pop into Soma, an incredible, independent chocolatier on Tank House Lane. Try the hot chocolate and get a bar or two to take away.
11. Browse St. Lawrence Market
The St. Lawrence Market South, St. Lawrence Market North and St. Lawrence Hall comprise the St. Lawrence Market complex. The market was first established in the early 19th century and now houses 120 vendors, merchants and artisans, selling fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, grains, baked goods and dairy products, as well as non-food items. Certain guided tours also include tastings in the market, which is a great activity for food lovers.
12. Visit the Theatre
Toronto’s theatre scene is one of the best in the world, coming in just after New York’s Broadway and London’s West End. The Toronto Theatre District can be found in the Toronto Entertainment District in Downtown Toronto. Large touring shows regularly pass through the city and there are also several theatre festivals each year.
13. Watch a show at Roy Thomson Hall & Massey Hall
Located in the Garden District, Massey Hall is a performing arts theatre designed to seat 3,500 patrons, but after extensive renovations in the 1940s, it now seats up to 2,765. The Roy Thomson Hall exhibits a sloping and curvilinear glass exterior and is home to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall operate two of Canada’s premier concert halls as a not-for-profit charitable organisation.
14. Look up at Cathedral Church of St James
The Cathedral Church of St. James is an Anglican cathedral, designed by Frederick William Cumberland. It is the location of the oldest congregation in the city, with the parish being established in 1797, and is a great example of Gothic Revival architecture. It sits at 65 Church Street in Downtown Toronto, on the corner of St James’ Park, which features flower gardens, walking paths, a fountain & a produce-themed playground.
15. Spot Wildlife in the Gardens of Osgoode Hall
Osgoode Hall Gardens is another little park, featuring two manicured lawns and cobblestone paths, which extend from the two entrances along Queen Street. You’ll often find black squirrels among the horse chestnuts, lindens, honey locusts, and flowering crab apples. And if you look up in the tree-tops you may even spot a hawk or two.
16. See Osgoode Hall
Osgoode Hall was constructed from 1829 to 1832 to house the Law Society of Upper Canada. It is named after William Osgoode, the first Chief Justice of Upper Canada, and features late Georgian Palladian and Neoclassical styles.
17. Tour Toronto’s Statues and Sculptures
Toronto has lots of statues and sculptures dotted around the city. Some honour important historical moments for the city and others are just for fun. Two of our favourites include the plain of metal cows in the financial district and the Berczy Park Dog Fountain.
18. Visit Casa Loma
Casa Loma is a Gothic Revival castle-style mansion and garden that is now a historic house museum and iconic landmark. Located in midtown Toronto, Casa Loma was designed by E. J. Lennox and constructed from 1911 to 1914 as a residence for financier Sir Henry Pellatt. Casa Loma is one of only 4 castles in Ontario and features soaring battlements and secret passageways. It’s also rumoured to be haunted.
19. Explore the museums
Toronto has countless museums to choose from and all make for a perfect rainy or cold weather day activity. Here are few of the best museums in Toronto:
20. Marvel at Little Canada
Little Canada is an immersive 90-minute experience showcasing iconic Canadian cities and landmarks in miniature scale. You’ll walk through the sights, sounds and little stories of Canada, built in a 1:87 scale. You’ll see miniature versions of Niagara Falls, Toronto, Golden Horseshoe, and Quebec, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the site’s construction in the Mini Makers Studio. Fun for all the family, end your experience by entering a 3D scanning booth for a chance to create a 3D miniature of yourself.
21. Transit Union Station
Union Station is a major railway station and Canada’s busiest, multi-modal passenger transportation hub. The building itself is beautiful – the Great Hall is fronted by a façade of 22 Doric limestone columns – and as such, has been a National Historic Site of Canada since 1975. More than a quarter of a million people use Union Station daily as it connects Toronto to the rest of Canada and provides a direct link to the airport.
The best day trips from Toronto
Union Station is a central hub that is the perfect starting point to enjoy some of Toronto’s best day trips. Here are some of the best days out from Downtown Toronto, whether you’re using public transport, driving, or taking a tour.
22. Day Trip to Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is just over an hour’s drive from Toronto and is often hailed as the ‘8th wonder of the world’. Niagara Falls is actually a group of three waterfalls at the southern end of Niagara Gorge: Horseshoe Falls lies on the border between Canada and the USA, while American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls lie on the American side. Horseshoe Falls, also known as Canadian Falls, is 52 metres (170 ft) tall and 670 metres (2,200 feet) wide. While not record-breaking, Niagara Falls is famous for the sheer amount of water that thunders down the river and over the cascade.
Many people (including us) believe that Niagara Falls is best experienced from the Canadian side, making this a day trip not to be missed! If you have longer, it is also possible to cross the Rainbow Bridge into America and explore that side too, but you’d need more than a day. There are a variety of tour operators that offer guided day trips from Toronto to Niagara Falls. This Small Group Half-Day Sightseeing Tour is one of the most popular Niagara Falls day tours and includes your Niagara Cruises boat ride. Alternatively, a Niagara Falls Evening Tour includes the boat ride and night-time light illuminations display. If you’re keen to explore on your own, you can book a Shuttle Transfer Between Downtown and Niagara Falls.
23. Niagara-on-the-Lake
Niagara-on-the-Lake is a town on the shores of Lake Ontario in southern Ontario. It lies at the mouth of the Niagara River, making it the perfect destination to combine with a Niagara Falls Day Tour. The 19th-century town is known for numerous wineries, as well as the summer Shaw Festival, a series of theatre productions. The flower-filled, tree-lined Queen Street leads to the old town and features classic buildings from the 1800s. Niagara-on-the-Lake is worth visiting and tourists can explore the charming streets or discover local goodies at independent bakeries, farmers markets and boutique gift shops. The smallest church in Canada, The Living Water Wayside Chapel, can also be found nearby.
Read next: There’s more to Niagara than the Falls – The 7 Best Things to do near Niagara Falls
24. Try Ice Wine
Ice wine is a type of dessert wine that is popularly made in Canadian vineyards. It is produced from grapes that have been picked after the first frost of the season and tastes very sweet. There are several wineries in the Niagara region and the best way to visit is on a Half-Day Winery Tour with Tastings. This guided tour explores Ontario’s wine country, stopping for tastings at the Pillitteri Estates, Inniskillin, and Konzelmann Estates. Full-Day Private Winery Tours are also available for a customised experience, which includes up to 5 wineries and amazing views as you sip on locally produced wines. Those with a sense of adventure should consider a Vine and Dine Bicycle Wine Tour with Lunch, which offers in-store tasting experiences as well a 15-mile (25 km) guided cycle.
25. Try Local Beers
Beer lovers can join a Craft Beer Tastings Tour, which visits four of Niagara’s best craft breweries and takes a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process. Private tours are also available for a more intimate experience, where you can visit 6 breweries and sip your way through luxury craft beer samples.
26. Fly over Toronto by helicopter
There’s no better way to see a new city than on a City Sightseeing Helicopter Tour. Get a bird’s eye view of Toronto on a scenic helicopter flight, taking in sights including Toronto Harbour Front, Rogers Centre, and CN Tower. On the standard flight, you can choose between the 15-kilometre flight for approximately 7 minutes or the 35-kilometre flight for approximately 12 minutes. Couples should consider Private Helicopter Tour for Two, an intimate and unique 7 or 14-minute experience. While those looking for something special can book a Private Twilight Helicopter Tour with Wine, which not only includes a sunset scenic flight, but also a complimentary gift basket of wine, chocolate and 2 framed souvenir prints.
27. Day Trip to Bruce Peninsula National Park
Get out of the city and into nature on a Day Trip to Bruce Peninsula National Park. Straddling the Niagara Escarpment, Bruce Peninsula National Park is a huge forested ridge that runs through southern Ontario. On this highly-rated tour, you will explore Canada’s expansive wilderness, see the roaring Inglis Falls, hike to Marr Lake and visit Tobermory’s lighthouse. You also have the opportunity to hike along Horse Lake to find a secluded beach surrounded by the Cliffs of Georgian Bay, by the lighthouse at Big Tub Harbor.
28. Explore Algonquin Park
Algonquin Provincial Park contains forests, rivers and numerous lakes and is the perfect destination for adventure activities including hiking, canoeing, snowshoeing and swimming. Explore Canada’s oldest provincial park on an Adventure Tour to Algonquin Park from Toronto, which includes a 3-hour Booth’s Rock Trail hike, swim around Popcorn Island, and a guided canoe around Canoe Lake. There are plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities too where you might see animals such as moose, black bears, beavers, wild turkeys and turtles.
29. Take a Haunted Night Walk
Learn about the darker side of Toronto’s history on a Haunted Night Walking Tour. Choose from four walks: the Original Haunted Walk in English or French, the Campus Secrets and Spectres Walk, the Ghosts and Spirits of the Distillery Walk, or the Black Creek Pioneer Village Walk. Hear about everything supernatural including ghosts, graveyards, hangings, and haunts on a 75-minute walking tour with a cloaked local guide.
Toronto Map
Use the map below to create a DIY walking tour of Toronto city! Filter the pins using the tab in the top left corner.
Where to eat in Toronto
Toronto is an incredible food city with numerous international cuisines available. From Michelin-star restaurants to independent local eateries, Toronto has an overwhelming variety of places to eat. Here are a few foods not to miss and places we’d recommend to eat in Toronto.
Foods to try:
- Butter tarts – A decadent syrup of eggs, brown sugar, butter, walnuts and vinegar in pastry.
- Poutine – French fries with cheese and gravy.
- Tourtière – Spiced meat pie, traditionally eaten between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
- Peameal bacon sandwich – an award-winning sandwich which must be tried at the original Carousel Bakery.
- Ketchup crisps – Lay’s crisps with tomato ketchup flavouring.
St Lawrence Market is great for trying a variety of local produce and getting some tasty souvenirs. Foodies should consider booking a 3–Hour Secret Food Tour, which not only takes you to the main sights but includes 6 food tastings of local produce in St. Lawrence Market too.
Bellwoods Brewery is a popular Toronto-based brewery. Beer lovers can visit on a Craft Brewery Tour around Toronto which includes a behind-the-scenes look at operations, tasting sessions, a guided brewery tour and a souvenir beer glass and magnetic bottle opener.
If you’ve never visited Canada before, you have to pop into a Tim Hortons, known fondly as Timmie’s. Now a multinational coffeehouse chain, Tim Hortons was founded in 1964 by a Canadian hockey player of the same name.
Where to stay in Toronto
There’s a variety of different neighbourhoods in Toronto. Most visitors choose to stay Downtown as it’s closest to all the main attractions. Here are a few of our favourite hotels in Toronto:
Budget: Planet Traveler Hostel
Mid-range: Residence Inn by Marriott
Deluxe: Bisha Hote
Luxury: Shangri-La
Opulent: The Ritz-Carlton
How to get around Toronto
Getting around Toronto on public transport is easy. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) runs three modes of public transport: subway, streetcar and bus. All operate extensive routes throughout the city and suburbs, making getting around very easy.
Toronto’s Downtown and Harbor areas are very walkable. Taking a Guided Walking Tour can help to orient you, as well as give you lots of interesting information about the area. Alternatively, a Best of Toronto City Tour with Entry Tickets is a great way to see the main sights.
If you wish to combine sightseeing and transport, the Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus is great. With over 20 stops throughout the city, as well as audio commentary, the open-top double-decker is an easy, convenient, and fun way to get around Toronto.
Those looking for adventure should consider joining a 50-Minute Distillery District Segway Tour. A training session is held first so no prior Segway experience is needed, and it’s a fun way to see the colourful stories behind the cobblestone streets and 19th-century architecture.
Cycling is a popular and eco-friendly way to get around Toronto. Bikes can be hired through the Bike Share programme. Cycle tours can be booked around Toronto Islands and Downtown, as well with an emphasis on scenic viewpoints and Evergreen Brick Works and Don Valley Trails.
How to get to Toronto
Most international visitors will arrive into Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ). To get from Toronto Pearson Airport to Toronto Downtown you can take a bus, taxi or train.
The journey by bus takes around 45 minutes with several services running to Downtown and the suburbs.
The train is the fastest and easiest way to get to Toronto from Toronto Pearson Airport. The Union Pearson Express takes just 25 minutes and a one-way adult fare is around $12 CAD, with youth and post-secondary students receiving a 40% discount using PRESTO. Trains run every 15 minutes and you can pre-book your train tickets here.
Taking a taxi is the more expensive option, but can drop you at the door of your hotel. Be sure to choose a licensed taxi or limo, for your safety and security. Licensed taxis charge flat rates and can be found in the designated pick-up area on the terminal curbs, on the Arrivals Level. Look for the GTAA number plate on the bumper and decal on the window to ensure it’s a licensed cab. Airport limos are premium black cars and charge approximately 10% more than a taxi. Taxis take around 25 minutes and cost around $50-70 CAD. Uber is also widely available.
You can pre-arrange a transfer, which will be waiting for you when you arrive and is typically cheaper than taking a taxi. You can book a highly-rated Private Transfer from Pearson International Airport to Toronto here.
To get from Toronto Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls you can book a shuttle transfer. Shared shuttle transfers are the most affordable option. While private transfers can be arranged and are more convenient.
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