10 Things to Do in Toronto at Night

One of the best ways to discover Toronto, besides touring its wide green spaces and seeing its skyscrapers, is to participate in the night activities offered by this destination. As the capital of Ontario, one of the main provinces of Canada, it is considered that never sleeps, so far from turning off, after sunset Toronto shows one of its best faces.

Some of the best things to do in Toronto at night include taking a ride on the sightseeing cruises, going on a helicopter tour, seeing the distillery district, having a beer experience on a guided tour, touring Chinatown and dining at a street stall, discovering the views from the CN Tower observation deck and visiting the bars of Queens Victoria West.

If you want to get to know one of the traditional faces of Toronto, you can't miss taking part in an evening ride on the city's best sightseeing cruises. This experience will allow you to see the illuminated views that reveal the true essence of the local skyscrapers, plus you can discover how the waters of Lake Ontario are illuminated by the reflection of the buildings, creating an unmissable atmosphere.

From the shore you will be able to admire the urban profile of Toronto, where the CN Tower rises majestically like a modern lighthouse that guides the night crossing. However, you will not only see this vast structure during your tour, as you will also be able to visit emblematic sites such as the Harbourfront Centre, where the nightlife comes alive with cultural and artistic events.

The cruise will also take you on a tour of the Rogers Centre and the Air Canada Centre, home to the city's most important sports teams, which are illuminated at night. Viewing these stadiums from the water adds a whole new dimension to their architectural grandeur, combining urban bustle with the serenity of sweeping views from the water.

Exploring Toronto aboard a helicopter during a night tour is an experience that will literally take you to new heights. As the sun sets and the city lights come on, this tour will allow you to discover the majesty of a city that stands out for its skyline full of skyscrapers.

During one of the best helicopter tours in Toronto, you will have the opportunity to fly over the famous CN Tower, which became the tallest building in the world, discover the twinkling lights on the waters of Lake Ontario and even spot the imaginary border between Canada and the United States, which is located on the 49th parallel. This tour will also reveal the illuminated neighborhoods of Toronto and its lively streets.

The helicopter tour, which usually lasts an average of 10 minutes, will also take you over the financial district, where corporate skyscrapers stand out with their flashing lights, creating a futuristic landscape that contrasts with the tranquility of the surrounding lake, in one of the most fascinating experiences Toronto has to offer.

Toronto is much more than a cutting-edge city guarded by tall, luxurious skyscrapers, it's also a popular site that was once associated with the distillation of spirits. On an evening tour of the Distillery District, you can discover this local facet that tells much about the tradition of Ontario's capital city.

As you walk the illuminated cobblestones of this district, you'll find yourself surrounded by 19th-century industrial architecture, now home to art galleries and trendy restaurants. However, the highlight of this site is the Gooderham & Worts factory, a former whiskey distillery that still stands in the heart of the district.

During this tour, which is often included in the best Toronto tours, you can also visit El Catrin, a Mexican cantina that offers a unique culinary experience in an artistic and vibrant setting. Soft lighting and live music create a cozy atmosphere that complements the delicious food. You can also visit the Spirit of York Distillery, where handcrafted spirits and gin are produced.

With its cobblestone streets and illuminated historic buildings, the Distillery District is an ideal setting for an alternative facet of Toronto's founding era.

Chinatown is one of Toronto's most popular neighborhoods, partly because of the large Sino-American community that inhabits the area, but also because it is a haven of oriental culture, enticing aromas and eye-catching colors. As you walk through its bustling streets, you'll find yourself immersed in the rich Chinese heritage that manifests itself in the architecture, markets and local businesses.

From exotic goods stores to traditional restaurants, Chinatown offers a sensory experience that awakens the senses, but certainly one of the most authentic ways to experience Chinatown is by sampling the local food at a street stall. These stalls, which are often included in the itineraries of Toronto's best food tours, offer a unique opportunity to sample authentic Chinese cuisine in a casual, authentic setting.

Among Chinatown's most popular dining spots is the Dumpling House, known for its steamed dumplings filled with intense flavors. There you can also try aromatic noodle dishes or tasty spring rolls, prepared right in front of you with fresh ingredients and ancient spices.

The CN Tower is Canada's most famous skyscraper and for more than 30 years was the tallest structure in the world at 554 meters high. Discovering the night views from the observation deck is one of the best things to do in this destination at night.

On a visit to the CN Tower you can use the glass elevator, which will allow you to discover the history of the construction of this building, which was completed in 1975. From the observation deck you will be able to see from the financial district to Lake Ontario, which is the equivalent of seeing from the same point the extremes of one of the most important cities in Canada.

At night, Toronto's skyscrapers are lit up in vibrant colors, creating an urban kaleidoscope that captures the city's modernity and diversity, and you can also enjoy dinner at the 360 restaurant at the top, which slowly rotates to provide ever-changing panoramic views.

If you plan to visit Toronto during the Christmas season, you'll also get a glimpse of the holiday warmth that distinguishes this destination.

Details of interest

• Price: entrance to the observation deck has an initial cost of approximately 30 euros per person.
• Hours: daily from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm.
• Location: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto.

If you really want to discover Toronto's nightlife, then you can't miss the Entertainment District. The epicenter of Toronto's culture, entertainment and local social life, it is known for being home to theaters, restaurants and clubs that embody the pulse of the city.

A must-see stop on your evening tour of the Entertainment District is the famous Roy Thomson Hall, an iconic venue dedicated to classical and contemporary music. If you have the opportunity to attend a concert there, you will experience world-class acoustics in an elegant and modern setting.

In addition, you can also visit the TIFF Bell Lightbox, the home of the Toronto International Film Festival, which celebrates the film industry in a way that lights up the night with special screenings and activities. You can attend this event if you plan to visit the city in September.

Dining options in the Entertainment District are equally varied. From fine dining restaurants to quaint bistros, you'll find something for every palate. In addition, the renovated concert venue The Rec Room also offers a unique mix of entertainment, with options ranging from arcade games to themed theaters.

Toronto is an ideal city to discover at night, but its size and wide variety of offerings can be overwhelming. The solution to this drawback may be to opt for a driving tour at night. This way you can discover a whole new perspective of the city as its lights twinkle and its monuments are illuminated, from the iconic Harbourfront to the financial Downtown.

These tours will allow you to discover how modern and futuristic architecture merges with history in the corridor linking Lake Ontario to the financial district. A stroll down Yonge Street, the longest street in the world, will allow you to appreciate the energy and vibrancy of the local nightlife, whether you are visiting Toronto during the summer or winter.

These tours usually also include a visit to Kensington Market, which comes alive at night with hanging lights and artistic murals. The narrow alleys and illuminated stalls of this market will allow you to discover a bohemian and multicultural experience in one of the most traditional sites of Ontario's capital city.

Are you up for immersing yourself in the dark and mysterious side of Toronto? If the answer is yes, then you can't miss participating in a thrilling ghost tour during the night. This intriguing tour will take you through the haunted corners of the city, exploring its rich paranormal history and haunting legends.

One of the featured destinations on this tour is historic Old Town Toronto, where cobblestone alleyways and old buildings tell stories of its past, filled with tragedies and unsolved mysteries. St. Lawrence Market, a bustling place during the day, takes on a completely different atmosphere after dark. Tales of haunting spirits and spectral apparitions add a supernatural tinge to this popular culinary destination.

The Distillery District, known for its historic charm, is also a perfect setting for ghost stories. Repurposed industrial buildings harbor tales of paranormal events, making this site a fascinating experience during the night tour.

These tours usually end at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, where moonlit headstones and centuries-old burial monuments, stories of lost souls and intertwining local legends create an atmosphere shrouded in mystery.

Delving into Toronto's nightlife is an unparalleled experience, and Queen Street West stands out as an epicenter of diversity and style. This street, one of the city's most famous, is home to an eclectic variety of bars offering everything from craft cocktails to draft beers and live music.

The Drake Hotel, a hybrid of boutique hotel and walk-up bar that offers a unique experience with its decor and lively atmosphere, is one of the unmissable stops on your nightly tour. Famous for its themed cocktails, you'll find one of Toronto's busiest bars and dance until dawn on its dance floors.

Cameron House, an iconic venue with more than 30 years of history, is a bar known for its bohemian atmosphere and for being the stage for presenting local talent in live music shows. If you are looking for a quiet alternative in the heart of Toronto's bustling nightlife, this is an option you can't pass up.

If you're looking for a traditional experience, Horseshoe Tavern is a must stop. This historic bar has hosted legendary musicians and bands over the years, establishing itself as a mainstay of Toronto's music scene. Its relaxed atmosphere and diverse concert lineup make it an ideal choice for live music lovers.

Not only for cocktails and whiskey distilleries does Toronto stand out, but it also has an extensive local brewing industry. If you want to discover this profile of the city, one of the best alternatives is to participate in a tasting tour of the main sites of this drink.

In these experiences you can visit Steam Whistle Brewery, a brewery located in a historic building, which offers pilsner style beer and guided tours that will allow you to learn about the brewing process.

You can also visit Amsterdam BrewHouse, located on the waterfront. There you can sample local craft beers while you gaze at the lights of Lake Ontario. In addition, this place not only offers a wide variety of beers, but also a lively atmosphere and panoramic views.

If, in addition to beers, you also want to discover the local cuisine, you can include in your tour the Bar Hop Brewco, a place that combines an extensive selection of beverages on tap with local dishes, which rescue a combination of traditional French, English and American.