Best Things To Do in Toronto

Toronto is the largest and most populous 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 cannot 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 neighbourhoods, you can easily get to know its surroundings, go to the islands, take a trip to Niagara Falls and more. In this guide I suggest some of the best things to do in Toronto to 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 a variety of original ways, such as a helicopter tour. Discover all that this Canadian city has to offer: culture, history, architecture and natural areas.

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 observation deck you can see the whole city.
• St. Lawrence Market, a traditional market with a wide range of culinary offerings, artisan products, antique shops and more.
• Nathan Phillips Square, inaugurated in 1965 to honour Nathan Phillips, who was mayor of the city from 1955 to 1962.

Kensington Market is a destination where you'll delight your taste buds with a mix of Canadian and international flavours. You'll also discover some of the city's art scene. Especially if you visit Toronto in July and into September, when a number of cultural festivals take place.

This is a popular spot, visited daily by dozens of tourists, either on their own or as part of the itinerary of some of Toronto's best food tours. Whatever the case, you'll be amazed by the cultural and culinary diversity on your arrival.

Some of the things you can do on your food tour of Toronto's Kensington Market include 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 market's shops, where you can buy fashion, handicrafts, souvenirs and more. And, if you are in Toronto in December, you will find seasonal products.

Useful information

• Price: admission is free.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Not all venues are open or close earlier on Sundays.

Tour Toronto' s entertainment district at night and 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 neighbourhood.

Along the way you'll find numerous theatres, concert halls, nightclubs, restaurants and bars for 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's culture and entertainment 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, in early spring, in summer or in the last months of the year.

Toronto hides a lot in every corner, but what if I told you that you could visit all of Canada in just a few 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 emblematic landscapes such as Niagara Falls and the Ottawa Parliament. 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 of the elements: turn on the lights or sound the sirens, among other things. Without a doubt, 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.

Useful information

• Price: Admission is around €30 per person. Children under the age of 3 are free.
• Opening hours: Opening hours vary depending on the day of the week, but are usually from 10:00 to 19:30.

Niagara Falls is one of Canada's most impressive tourist destinations. 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 at any other time of the year.

Keep in mind that this destination is located less than two hours away 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'll see this mighty waterfall and its surroundings.

Also, during one of the Niagara Falls tours from Toronto you could also take a boat cruise. This way, you'll get up close to the falls and feel the power of the falls and get a different perspective of this great water fall that forms part of the Niagara River and connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario.

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

Whether you're visiting Toronto in August or any other month, tickets to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto will give you 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 exhibitions, with dinosaurs, mummies, Chinese art, indigenous artefacts and much more.
• The temporary exhibitions, which are periodically renewed and offer a variety of themes such as glass art, Star Wars-inspired fashion and biodiversity.

Useful information

• Price: General admission to the ROM is around 15€, students and over 65s pay approximately 12€.
• Opening 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 have a fun day out and let your imagination run wild.

At the Legoland Discovery Centre you can enjoy more than 12 rides and play areas, designed for children from 3 to 10 years old as well as adults. Some of the must-see attractions include Miniland, Kingdom Quest, Merlin's Apprentice, LEGO 4D Cinema, LEGO Factory Tour and much more.

There is even a Café and Shop area 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 shop area.

Useful information

• Price: Admission is around €40 per person for adults and children. Children under the age of two are free
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm and Sunday 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 shores of the Canadian city. You'll be able to discover its islands and get a different view of the city.

There are many sightseeing cruises around Toronto's harbour and islands that will allow you to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the scenic beauty of the place, with the skyscrapers and buildings of the city centre in the distance creating an interesting contrast.

Besides the paradisiacal islands from the boat, you'll be able to spot some iconic landmarks on the city's skyline. For example, the CN Tower, a 553-metre-high broadcasting structure, the First Canadian Place, a 298-metre-high skyscraper, among others.

With over 6,000 square metres of space dedicated to hockey, both Canadian and international, the Hockey Hall of Fame is a must-see in this city. You can tour the various rooms that showcase the history, highlights, teams and most famous players of the sport.

Upon arrival you can 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 on display.
• Costume exhibits: with replicas of the costumes worn by the players of the Montreal Canadiens professional hockey team.
• Interactive areas, where you can test your skill, speed and aim, thanks to simulators and video games.

Also, depending on the time of year you visit, you can take advantage of the Toronto sports season, which starts in September, and buy tickets to a hockey game in Toronto or a baseball game.

Useful information

• Price: The ticket price 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.
• Opening hours: if you visit Toronto in summer (June to September) the opening hours are Monday to Saturday (9.30am to 6pm) and Sunday (10am to 6pm). Meanwhile, if you're in Toronto in October through May, you'll find the Hall of Fame open Monday to Friday (10am to 5pm), Saturday (9:30am to 6pm) and Sunday (10:30am to 5pm).

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

As you stroll through the mall, you'll find everything from popular and affordable shops to the most exclusive and luxurious. You will find fashion, jewellery, electronics and many more. You will also find a wide variety of dining options: cafés, ice cream parlours, 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. It's a great place to take some pictures. And, if you visit Toronto at Christmas time, you'll be amazed by the decorations and lighting. After exploring all that this mall has to offer, you can continue discovering the city. Perhaps take a night driving tour of Toronto.

Useful 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 a multicultural experience during your 3 days or longer stay in Toronto, then you must visit the Chinatown area and the Kensington Open Air Market. These are unmissable tourist destinations, where you can try new flavours, buy exotic products, learn about oriental and Canadian traditions, among other things.

Chinatown

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

Moreover, 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 Kensington Market, which is about a 10-minute walk from Chinatown. There, you will enjoy a picturesque atmosphere with aromas and flavours that will awaken your senses.

You will find food stalls with fresh seasonal produce and restaurants with ready-to-eat food, craft shops , souvenir shops, fashion showcases and more. Without a doubt, these are two destinations visited daily by locals and tourists alike, which you can access on your own or join a tour of Toronto's Chinatown and Kensington Market.

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 pedestrianised neighbourhood. The place is dotted with bars, cafes, restaurants and shops, providing you with 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.

There are plenty of leisure activities to enjoy in this area. For example:

• The Toronto Lights Festival, which you can attend if you are in Toronto in January until 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 a 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.