Best Things To Do in Toronto

Toronto is the largest and most populated city in Canada, but also one of the most diverse and cosmopolitan in the world. Its tourist offer is quite extensive, so you will find cultural, historical, natural and gastronomic activities that you can not miss if you decide to visit it.

The most exciting thing about Toronto is that, in addition to an internal tour of its multicultural districts and neighborhoods, you can easily get to know its surroundings, go to the islands, take an excursion to Niagara Falls and more. In this guide I propose some of the best things to do in Toronto, so you can make the most of your stay in this fascinating city.

Toronto is a place that has a lot to offer. You can explore the city and learn about it in many different and original ways, such as, for example, with a helicopter tour. Discover all that this Canadian city has to offer: culture, history, architecture and natural spaces.

Generally, the itineraries of the best guided tours in Toronto are subject to change depending on your preferences. You will only have to plan the route in advance with the guide in charge of the activity.

In any case, some of the main points of interest that are not to be missed during any tour of the city are:

• The CN Tower, a symbol par excellence of Toronto and one of the tallest towers in the world, from whose viewpoint you will contemplate the whole city.
• St. Lawrence Market, a traditional market with a great culinary offer, artisan products, antique stores and more.
• Nathan Phillips Square, inaugurated in 1965 to honor Nathan Phillips, who was mayor of the city from 1955 to 1962.

Kensington Market is a destination where you will delight your palate with a mix of Canadian and international flavors. In addition, you will discover part of the city's art scene. Especially if you visit Toronto in July and through September, when a number of cultural festivals take place.

This is a very popular place, usually visited daily by dozens of tourists, either on their own or as part of the itinerary of some of the best food tours in Toronto. Whatever the case may be, upon arrival you will be amazed by the cultural and culinary diversity it hosts.

Among the things you can do on your culinary tour of Toronto's Kensington Market are the following:

• Buy fresh produce such as vegetables, meats, fish, fruits, among others.
• Delight your palate in the different restaurants, cafes and food stalls.
• Do some shopping in the stores that house the market, where you can buy fashion, crafts, souvenirs and more. And, if you are in Toronto in December, you will find seasonal products.

Information of interest

• Price: admission is free.
• Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. On Sundays not all the premises are open or close earlier.

Touring Toronto' s entertainment district at night will allow you to discover a different side of the city. You'll enjoy a lively atmosphere, learn about Canada's deep-rooted beer culture and see some of the iconic venues found in this busy Old Town neighborhood.

Along the way you'll find numerous theaters, concert halls, nightclubs, restaurants and bars where you can have a fun time. You'll also see the Wheatsheaf Tavern, which opened in 1849, the Distillery District, St. Lawrence Market, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and more.

You'll experience Toronto culture and fun at its best. In fact, you could enhance the experience by embarking on a Toronto beer tour, which is usually available at any time, whether you visit Toronto in March or April, early spring, summer or later in the year.

Toronto hides a lot in each of its corners, but what if I tell you that you can visit all of Canada in just hours? This is Little Canada, a miniature theme park that will surprise you. Live a unique experience in this attraction, ideal if you are in Toronto with children.

With tickets for Little Canada in Toronto, you can admire iconic landscapes such as Niagara Falls and Parliament of Ottawa. There are more than 45,000 buildings, 6,000 vehicles, 100,000 trees and 200,000 people. All of them at 1:87 scale.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to interact with some elements: turn on the lights or sound the sirens among other things. Undoubtedly, this is an attraction that should not be missing in your itinerary along with tours of the old town, or some of the best day trips from Toronto, among other activities.

Information of interest

• Price: the entrance fee is around 30€ per person. Children under 3 years old are free.
• Hours: opening hours vary according to the day of the week, but usually from 10:00 to 19:30 hours.

Niagara Falls is one of the most impressive tourist destinations in Canada. It is a set of three waterfalls on the border with the United States. If you want to enjoy this natural spectacle you should opt for a day trip during your stay in Toronto in summer, or any other time of the year.

Keep in mind that this destination is located less than two hours from Toronto by car, so you can visit it on your own. Alternatively, you can join one of the Niagara Falls tours from Toronto to save time or enhance the experience. Whichever you choose, you will see this mighty waterfall and its surroundings.

In addition, during one of the Niagara Falls tours from Toronto you could also take a boat cruise. In this way, you will get closer to the falls and feel its power, contemplating a different perspective of this great water fall that is part of the Niagara River and connects Lake Erie with Lake Ontario.

If you are an art lover, the city holds a special place for you. Located in downtown Toronto and on the list of the top 10 museums in Toronto, also known as ROM, it houses an important collection that spans from prehistoric times to the present day.

Whether you visit Toronto in August or any other month, with tickets to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto you'll have access to more than 6 million objects spread across some 40 galleries. For example, some of the exhibits you'll see include the following:

• The permanent exhibits, with dinosaurs, mummies, Chinese art, indigenous objects and much more.
• The temporary exhibitions, which are renewed periodically and offer a variety of themes such as glass art, fashion inspired by Star Wars or biodiversity.

Information of interest

• Price: the price of general admission to the ROM is about 15 €, students and seniors over 65 pay about 12 €.
• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:30.

The only LEGO theme park in Canada is in Toronto and its name is Legoland Discovery Centre. This theme park is located in the Vaughan Mills Mall, about 30 minutes drive from downtown Toronto. You will spend a fun day and let your imagination run wild.

At the Legoland Discovery Centre you can enjoy more than 12 attractions and play areas, designed for children from 3 to 10 years old and also for adults. Some of the attractions you can't miss are Miniland, Kingdom Quest, Merlin's Apprentice, LEGO 4D Cinema, LEGO Factory Tour and much more.

There is even an area called Café and Shop, where you can take a break and enjoy a snack or a drink. You can also buy souvenirs, toys and exclusive LEGO products in the store area.

Information of interest

• Price: admission is around 40€ per person, both for adults and children. Children under two years old are free
• Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sundays from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Another of the things to see and do in Toronto during your stay is to sail on Lake Ontario, which is located right on the shore of the Canadian city. You can discover its islands and contemplate a different view of the city.

There are many tourist cruises around the harbor and the islands of Toronto that will allow you to escape the bustle of the city and enjoy the scenic beauty of the place, being able to see in the distance the skyscrapers and buildings of downtown, which create an interesting contrast.

In addition to the paradisiacal islands from the boat, you can identify some iconic places on the skyline of the city. For example, the CN Tower, a broadcasting structure that reaches 553 meters high; the First Canadian Place, a skyscraper about 298 meters high, among others.

With more than 6,000 square meters of space dedicated to field hockey, both Canadian and international, the Hockey Hall of Fame is a must-see in this city. You will be able to visit several rooms that show the history, highlights, teams and most famous players of this sport.

Upon arrival you will be able to take a tour through the different rooms and see the following attractions:

• Lord Stanley's vault or the Great Hall, where the most important NHL trophies and commemorative plaques are displayed.
• Costume exhibits: with replicas of the costumes worn by the players of the Montreal Canadiens professional field hockey team.
• Interactive areas, where you will test your skills, speed and aim, thanks to simulators and video games.

Also, depending on when you visit, you can take advantage of the sports season that starts in September in Toronto and buy tickets for a field hockey game in Toronto, or for a baseball game.

Information of interest

• Price: the entrance fee is about 16 ¤ per adult, about 14 ¤ for seniors over 65, about 12 ¤ for children between 4 and 13 years old, and children under 3 years old get in for free.
• Hours: if you visit Toronto in summer (June to September) the opening hours are Monday to Saturday (9:30 am to 6:00 pm) and Sunday (10:00 am to 6:00 pm). Meanwhile if you are in Toronto in October and until May, you will find the Hall of Fame open Monday to Friday (10:00 am to 5:00 pm), Saturday (9:30 am to 6:00 pm) and Sunday (10:30 am to 5:00 pm).

With more than 230 stores and restaurants spread over four levels, the CF Toronto Eaton Centre is one of the largest and busiest shopping malls in North America. Take advantage of your stay to stroll through its aisles and do some shopping.

During your tour of the mall you will find everything from popular and affordable stores to the most exclusive and luxurious. You will find fashion, jewelry, electronics, among many others. In addition, you will find a wide variety of gastronomic options: coffee shops, ice cream parlors, international cuisine restaurants, etc.

You should also pay attention to the Flight Stop sculpture, which shows two geese flying, located in the central part of the mall. Ideal for you to take some pictures. And, if you visit Toronto at Christmas time, you will be amazed by the decorations and lighting. After exploring everything this mall has to offer, you can continue discovering the city. Perhaps take a night driving tour of Toronto.

Interesting information

• Price: admission is free.
• Hours: daily from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm (Monday to Saturday) and Sunday (11:00 am to 7:00 pm).

If you want to live a multicultural experience during your 3-day stay in Toronto or longer, then you must visit the Chinatown area and the Kensington Open Air Market. These are must-see tourist destinations, where you can try new flavors, buy exotic products, learn about oriental and Canadian traditions, among other things.

Chinatown

During your visit to Chinatown you can delve into the ancient culture of this popular destination. You will find restaurants, street food stalls, markets, stores, tea houses and other places where you can delight your palate with oriental cuisine.

Also, if your visit to Chinatown coincides with the month of February in Toronto, you will have the opportunity to celebrate the Chinese New Year. You will enjoy the traditional dragon parade, the fireworks show, etc.

Kensington Market

You can combine this multicultural experience with a stroll through the Kensington Market, which is about a 10-minute walk from Chinatown. There, you will enjoy a picturesque atmosphere with aromas and flavors that will awaken your senses.

You will find food stalls with fresh seasonal produce and restaurants with ready-to-eat food, craft stores , souvenir stores, fashion showcases and more. Undoubtedly, these are two destinations visited daily by locals and tourists, which you can access on your own or by joining a tour of Chinatown and Kensington Market in Toronto.

Another of the things to see and do in Toronto is to visit the Distillery District. This is a former industrial complex, which today stands out as a busy pedestrian district. The place is dotted with bars, cafes, restaurants and stores, giving you a lively atmosphere where you can spend a different time during your stay of 2 days in Toronto or more.

In this district you can see part of the architectural legacy of the city, represented by the preserved Victorian buildings. You will also have the opportunity to learn a little about the history of the first local distillery, Gooderham & Worts.

In this area you will have plenty of leisure activities to enjoy. For example:

• The Toronto Lights Festival, which you can attend if you are in Toronto in January through March.
• The Christmas markets, which take place from November in Toronto until approximately the first week of January.

You can do this experience on your own or join an untourthrough Toronto's distillery district. The latter option will be more convenient for you to learn more about how alcohol production began in Toronto, thanks to the guide's commentary.