• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Must Do Canada

The Best Things to Do in Canada

  • City Guides
      • Calgary
      • Banff
      • Jasper
      • Edmonton
      • Vancouver
      • Kelowna
      • Victoria
      • Tofino
      • Regina
      • Saskatoon
      • Winnipeg
      • Toronto
      • Ottawa
      • Niagara Falls
      • Montreal
      • Halifax
      • St. John’s
  • Where to Go
    • Map of Canada
      • Provinces
          • Alberta
          • British Columbia
          • Manitoba
          • New Brunswick
          • Newfoundland & Labrador
          • Northwest Territories
          • Nova Scotia
          • Nunavut
          • Ontario
          • Prince Edward Island
          • Quebec
          • Saskatchewan
          • Yukon
  • What To Do
    • Outdoor Attractions
    • Indoor Attractions
    • History & Culture
    • Food & Drink
    • Festivals & Events
    • Road Trips
  • Blog
  • Facts
    • Facts About Canada
    • Canada Flags
    • Canadian Money
    • Canadian Languages
    • Alberta Facts
    • Calgary Facts
    • Ontario Facts
  • Resources
  • About
    • About Us
    • Work With Us
    • Contact

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Things To Do in Toronto

By Matthew G. Bailey 24 Comments

Sharing is caring!

248 shares
  • Share235
  • Tweet
Things to do in Toronto

Things to Do in Toronto last updated: March 20th, 2021

As Canada’s biggest city, there’s no shortage of things to do in Toronto. Whether you’re looking for world-class museums, fun attractions, lively neighbourhoods, or major league sports, Toronto truly has something for everyone. It’s also one of the most multicultural cities in the world, which makes it a great place to experience a wide variety of cultures and food.

We’ve been to Toronto a number of times and are always excited to return. From the beautiful skyline featuring the CN Tower to the funky neighbourhoods like Kensington Market, Toronto is such a lively city to wander around. However, if it’s your first time, it might be overwhelming. There really is so much to do and so many Toronto attractions that there’s no way we could list everything in this article without boring you to death.

So, what we’re going to do is list out what we feel are the best places to visit in Toronto, especially if it’s your first or second visit. It’s unlikely you’d get through everything here on your first visit unless you’re staying for quite some time. Regardless of what you do, you’re bound to have a great time in Ontario’s capital.

What To Do in Toronto

Table of Contents

  • What To Do in Toronto – Top Toronto Attractions
    • Peer Over Toronto from the CN Tower
    • Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
    • Toronto Zoo
    • Ontario Science Centre
    • Casa Loma
    • Toronto Eaton Centre
    • Historic Fort York
    • Toronto Islands and a Toronto Harbour Cruise
    • uFly Flight Simulator
    • Canada’s Wonderland
    • Royal Ontario Museum
    • Art Gallery of Ontario
    • Hockey Hall of Fame
    • Other Toronto Museums
    • St.Lawrence Market for Food, Culture, and Neighborhoods
    • Old Town and the Distillery District
    • Kensington Market 
    • West Queen West
  • Where to Go in Toronto
  • Where to Stay

What To Do in Toronto – Top Toronto Attractions

Figuring out your itinerary for what to do during your visit to Toronto will consist of what you’re into. We’re going to give a broad overview below of some of the most popular things to see in Toronto.

Peer Over Toronto from the CN Tower

As the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere, the CN Tower has become a true icon of both Toronto and of Canada in general. At 1,815 feet high, there’s no better place to get a birds-eye-view of this incredible city. Depending on the time you go, it could be quite busy, but this is the highest point you can go without taking a helicopter ride. You’ll be able to peer out through a 360-degree viewing area or even walk on the glass floor, looking down at the streets below. If there’s a baseball game happening during your visit, you can actually see the game from above! However, the players will look like little blue dots. There’s also a restaurant and for those wanting some thrills, the chance to try the EdgeWalk, which takes you outdoors to walk around the tower’s rim.

Tip: If you’re looking for a cold pilsner, walk from the CN Tower to Steam Whistle brewery, which is maybe 5-minutes away at most. Back in 2004, it was voted the best beer in  Toronto and occupies the John Street Roundhouse building in Roundhouse Park, which was previously the home of the Canadian Pacific Railway steam locomotive repair facility. The brewery is inside a National Historic Site. That alone is worth the visit! 

toronto attractions

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Located right next to the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada houses 5.7 million litres (1.25 million gallons) of marine and freshwater habitats from across the world. In fact, you’ll find roughly 16,000 exotic sea and freshwater specimens, including sharks, jellyfish, stingrays, and more. It’s quite beautiful but to be honest, we don’t like aquariums all that much. We find them quite cruel and would much prefer to go scuba diving in the wild. However, we mention it because it is one of Toronto’s top attractions and is hopefully a way to educate people about the ocean.

Toronto Zoo

Comprising approximately 287 hectares (710 acres), the Toronto Zoo is the largest Zoo in Canada. You’ll find more than 5,000 animals (including invertebrates and fish) from seven zoogeographic regions such as Indo-Malaya, Africa, Americas, Tundra Trek, Australasia, Eurasia, and the Canadian Domain. You’ll also find over 10 kilometres (six miles) of walking trails, as well as lots of things to do for kids, such as the Kids Zoo, Splash Island, and a two-acre water play area.

Ontario Science Centre

The Ontario Science Centre is a great place to visit if you want to combine hands-on experiences and engagement with the science of local, national, and global relevance. Young or old, visitors will find more than 500 interactive experiences spread out over eight exhibit halls, as well as watch films under Ontario’s only IMAX® Dome theatre or gazing up at the state-of-the-art planetarium. The Ontario Science Centre also features a real-life Rainforest, a Science Arcade, and a KidSpark discovery area, making this one of the top things to do in Toronto with kids.

Casa Loma is one of the top Toronto attractions.

Casa Loma

It’s hard to believe that a big city like Toronto is home to one of Canada’s very few castles. Okay, maybe it’s not a “real castle”, but it certainly looks like one. It’s a Gothic Revival-style mansion that was built back around 1911 by financier Sir Henry Pellatt. Not only is it quite close to downtown Toronto but it also offers a beautiful view of the city, including the CN Tower. It also houses a museum and has been a popular location for movies and television shows.

Toronto Eaton Centre

While we normally wouldn’t list a shopping centre as a top thing to do, the Toronto Eaton Centre has become a top Toronto attraction. In fact, we’ve heard that this shopping centre receives more visitors than any other attraction in the city. These stats include locals, but with almost 50,000,000 people visiting in 2015 alone, it’s easy to see why this number would be hard to match. Basically, if you want to shop, this is the place to go. Plus, right outside the doors, you’ll find Yonge-Dundas Square, which looks a bit like New York’s Times Square.

Historic Fort York

For a slice of military history, Fort York is the place for you. This historic site of military fortifications is just west of downtown Toronto was designated a National Historic Site back in 1923. It was built by the British Army and Canadian militia troops in the late 18th and 19th centuries to defend the area from the United States.

Now you’ll find Canada’s largest collection of original War of 1812 buildings, the 1813 battle site, and a variety of tours, exhibits, period settings, and demonstrations.

fun things to do in toronto

Toronto Islands and a Toronto Harbour Cruise

The best way to see Toronto’s stunning skyline is to go for a cruise along the harbour. However, this is also a great way to see the Toronto Islands, a chain of small islands in Lake Ontario that provides summer fun for locals and tourists alike. The islands host a variety of hiking trails, picnic areas, beaches, yacht clubs, and the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. You’ll also find Centreville Amusement Park and a variety of Toronto activities, all of which help to make this the largest urban car-free community in North America.

Please note: During our boat tour, we saw people throwing cigarette butts into the lake. This is despicable. Please do not litter in waterways and if you see people do it, call them out on it. Thanks. 

Tip: If you decide to take the Double Decker Hop-on Hop-off Bus, it includes a FREE harbour and islands cruise. 

fun things to do in mississauga

uFly Flight Simulator

Although this attraction is in Mississauga, it’s too cool not to mention. If you’ve ever dreamed of flying a commercial airliner, you shouldn’t miss this opportunity. uFly’s B 777-200ER is one of the most sophisticated and realistic publicly available flight simulators in the world! This is about as real as it gets apart from actually flying a jet. Sitting next to you in a real pilot who will help you take off, fly, and land the jet in a variety of airports around the world.

Canada’s Wonderland

Last but not least, one of Toronto’s top attractions is Canada’s Wonderland, which is located just outside Toronto in a suburb called Vaughan. As someone who loves rollercoasters, this is one of the best amusement parks in the world. At 330-acres, Canada’s Wonderland houses roughly 70 attractions, 17 of which are rollercoasters. The only amusement park in the world with more rollercoasters is Six Flags Magic Mountain. There’s also a 20-acre water park and a month-long “Canada Day” celebration called Celebration Canada. For those seeking thrills, our favourite rides are Leviathan, Behemoth, and the new Yukon Striker, which is the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster.

The Hockey Hall of Fame is one of the top toronto activities

Royal Ontario Museum

ROM is the largest museum in Canada and one of the largest in North America. It houses art, world culture, and natural history. With more than 6 million items spread out over 40 galleries, you’ll need a whole day if you’re looking to truly experience the entire museum. Of course, you could just spend a few hours enjoying a couple of their galleries as well. Some notable collections include dinosaurs, minerals, African art, European history, and Canadian history as well. It’s also Canada’s largest field-research institution.

Tip: You can save 20% off your admission by booking online with the Must Do Canada Saver Card, which is shipped to you for free. 

places to visit in toronto

Art Gallery of Ontario

This massive art museum consists of 480,000 square feet of space, housing around 95,000 works spanning the first century to the present day. It’s one of the largest galleries in North America, including significant collections of Canadian art, art from the Renaissance and the Baroque eras, European art, African art, and a vast modern and contemporary collection. You’ll also find photography, sculptures, and other kinds of art such as miniatures, frames, books, film and video art, installations, architecture, and more.

You’ll also find a restaurant, café, espresso bar, research centre, event space, a Gehry-designed gift shop, and even a Hand-On Centre where you can play around with art yourself. The Art Gallery of Ontario is the second most visited museum after Toronto’s ROM.

toronto tourist attractions

Hockey Hall of Fame

As someone who grew up playing hockey in Northern Alberta, I was so impressed when I first visited the Hockey Hall of Fame. The beautiful building houses exhibits featuring players, teams, NHL records, memorabilia, and even trophies, including a replica of the Stanley Cup. There are even some interactive games where you can shoot pucks and play some games. Anyone not interested in hockey may not want to visit, but for those who love the winter sport, you will not want to miss this truly unique museum.

Other Toronto Museums

Other museums that might interest you include the Bata Shoe Museum, Textile Museum of Canada, Aga Khan Museum, Gardiner Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

toronto sightseeing

St.Lawrence Market for Food, Culture, and Neighborhoods

Named the world’s best food market by National Geographic back in 2012, you know what to go here for. Located in the Old Town district of Toronto, the St. Lawrence Market provides a glimpse into the cities history while offering a variety of ways to tantalize your taste buds. You’ll find food stalls, restaurants, and a farmer’s market selling fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses. You’ll also find Toronto’s official bacon sandwich. In addition to delicious foods, you’ll find arts and craft vendors, as well as the Market Gallery, which offers changing exhibitions dedicated to Toronto’s history, arts, and culture.

Tip: We recommend taking the Bruce Bell Historical Walking Tour. This is what helped to really make this area (and other areas around Toronto) come alive for us. After all, this is where Toronto got its start! Highly recommended!

where to go in toronto

Old Town and the Distillery District

Located not too far from the St. Lawrence Market, the Distillery District is a historic neighborhood of Toronto that is now home to breweries, restaurants, bars, and shops. It’s extremely popular with tourists due to the beautiful brick buildings and facades. In fact, the 13-acre district has more than forty heritage buildings and comprises the largest collection of Victorian-era industrial architecture in North America. It was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1988.

Kensington Market 

Unlike the St. Lawrence Market, which is housed inside of a building, Kensington Market is a multicultural neighborhood and of the city’s most well-known. The neighborhood, which also has a partly covered outdoor market is one of the most photographed sites in Toronto. Most of the neighborhood’s eclectic shops, cafes, and other attractions are located along Augusta Ave., Nassau St., Baldwin St., and Kensington Ave. Aside from delicious restaurants and unique shopping, you never know what you’ll find. On our last visit, I saw a man carrying a slaughtered goat into a restaurant. I don’t think you’d see that anywhere else.

Tip: Take a food tour. There are a variety of food tours in Toronto but the only one we’ve experienced so far is Tasty Tours and it was a great way to get introduced to not only some unique spots but the owners behind them. You can get a taste for the tour in our Best Things to Do in Ontario video. 

West Queen West

When Vogue magazine claims a neighborhood to be the second coolest neighborhood in the world, you know it’s worth checking out. Here you’ll find a vibrant mix of local shops and boutiques, bars, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes.

Best Toronto Neighbourhoods

Where to Go in Toronto

As you can see, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in Toronto. Whether you’re visiting for the first time or simply looking for things to do in Toronto this weekend, the only way to be bored in “The Six” is to stay home and do nothing.

If you do plan on visiting many Toronto tourist attractions, you can walk, take the bus, or hop on the metro. However, we do find another good option is the Double Decker Bus Toronto sightseeing tour. It’s hop-on-hop-off and includes 2 days for $40. Plus, you can a harbour and islands cruise. It’s certainly much more expensive than the metro, but it’s ultra-convenient and gives you an audio tour along the way.

While many of the attractions above are great, one of our favourite free things to do in Toronto is to just walk around the incredibly lively neighborhoods and districts. That’s one of the best parts about being in a big city. There are so many people. So many cultures. So, whether you’re into shopping, museums, or bar-hopping, make sure you take some time to go for a walk.

Where to Stay

Just like attractions and restaurants, there’s an incredible amount of places to stay in Toronto. We’ve stayed at both Bed & Breakfasts as well as beautiful hotels. All of them are great and have their pros and cons. Below are some options:

Baldwin Village Inn Bed and Breakfast: During our 150-day Canada Road Trip back in 2017, we stayed here and loved it. It’s in an incredible location, has spacious rooms, and comes with a delicious continental breakfast. Plus, the owner was a great guy full of stories about the city. Perhaps the only con was the shared bathrooms, but if you’re looking for a beautiful place on a budget, Baldwin Village Inn is a great option.

Hilton Toronto: During our last visit to Toronto, we stayed at the Hilton Toronto, where they put us on the 29th floor with views of the CN Tower from our bedroom. Obviously, the room and hotel are beautiful and the breakfast was pretty good as well. One morning we even had scrambled eggs with smoked salmon. It’s also in a great location, which is just a 10-minute walk from the CN Tower and the Toronto Eaton Centre.

Making Waves Boatel: Want to stay in an ultra-unique bed and breakfast? Well, look no further. This is the only “boatel” in the city. With Making Waves Boatel, you can stay on a yacht right down in the Toronto harbour, walking distance to the CN Tower. How cool is that? Plus, if you grab our Canada Saver Card, you can save 10% on your accommodation!

***

What do you think? Have you been to Toronto? What would you add?

For more things to do in Ontario, check out these articles below:

  • Things to Do in Ontario
  • Things to Do in Ottawa
  • Things to Do in Niagara Falls
  • Ontario Facts
  • Day Trips from Toronto

LIKE IT? PIN IT!

Complete Guide to Visit Toronto
Complete Guide to Visit Toronto

About Matthew G. Bailey

Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. You can also find him at LiveLimitless.net.

 

GET YOUR FREE TRAVEL PLANNING KIT!
Grab your FREE Trip Planning Guide and Canada Packing Checklist, including lists for camping, hiking, and winter excursions!
We respect your privacy.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cynthia says

    April 5, 2021 at 10:04 am

    Great suggestsions! Thank you!

    Reply
  2. Deborah Beckers says

    April 16, 2021 at 10:47 am

    Great suggestions. Walking the different neighbourhoods (especially Queen Street) is one of my favourite things to do!

    Reply
  3. Alphee Spurles says

    April 30, 2021 at 1:30 am

    First visited Toronto when I as five years old. I remember the street car terminal on Queen St. I thought my Dad was going to drive a street car in 1963. Oh well.

    Reply
  4. Angie says

    April 30, 2021 at 6:16 am

    This is just one of your great city lists. Can’t wait to take one of these lists for a real life excursion!

    Reply
  5. Michael Montague says

    May 9, 2021 at 4:27 am

    Post Pandemic, Toronto is a must-visit location!

    Reply
  6. Anowarul Islam says

    May 10, 2021 at 3:04 am

    Great suggestions! Why not include entry fees for first-time visitors?

    Reply
    • Matthew G. Bailey says

      May 10, 2021 at 9:47 am

      Fees for the different attractions? We have considered it. Just worried that they may change them

      Reply
  7. Elizabeth Monkhouse says

    May 10, 2021 at 11:57 am

    Great information! So many sights and good descriptions of each.

    Reply
  8. Corrie Weames says

    May 11, 2021 at 5:26 pm

    Great suggestions!

    Reply
  9. Terri Baker says

    May 12, 2021 at 6:21 am

    There are so many hidden gems in Toronto. A great place to explore with the entire family

    Reply
  10. Manal Elmiladi says

    May 12, 2021 at 9:01 am

    Amazing list I have already added some to mine

    Reply
  11. Laurie Constant says

    May 13, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    Hopefully things will open up this summer so we can take advantage of this great list!

    Reply
  12. Timothy Gowans says

    May 13, 2021 at 3:43 pm

    Soon, we can go again!

    Reply
  13. Leo South says

    May 13, 2021 at 3:45 pm

    You can do Toronto Islands for a few hours, but it’s best to budget an entire day. If you have little ones, you can go to Centreville and ride the rides, go to the mazes, and then spend the balance of the day at the beach. If attending in the summer, know that the ferry gets busy mid-day, so try to leave earlier (or take a $10 water taxi). Hanlan’s Point has a nude beach in the far west end of the islands, and Ward’s Island at the far eastern end is a delight to poke around and view the various cottages. A great place to unwind anytime between May and October.

    Reply
    • Matthew G. Bailey says

      May 13, 2021 at 4:00 pm

      Awesome, thanks for the tips. It’s a pretty cool thing to have for a major city. We took a Canada Day tour in 2019 by boat, but it was disappointing to see people throwing cigarette butts and other garbage in the water. Hard thing to stop but it kills us to witness it.

      Reply
  14. Kathryn says

    May 13, 2021 at 6:45 pm

    If you like zoos there’s the High Park Zoo. A small zoo within the city of Toronto, not to be confused with the Toronto Zoo (which while accessible by transit) feels like it’s in another city. The High Park Zoo takes donations and is located in the west end of Toronto running from Bloor to the Queensway and from Parkside to Ellis. Accessible from the Bloor subway stops at Keele and High Park or by streetcar (Queen, Dundas).

    Reply
    • Matthew G. Bailey says

      May 13, 2021 at 7:35 pm

      Interesting, thanks for sharing

      Reply
  15. angela eagle says

    May 15, 2021 at 6:20 am

    we also have a great travelers hostel for those who need or want a cheaper place to stay

    Reply
    • Matthew G. Bailey says

      May 15, 2021 at 9:35 am

      Whats the name?

      Reply
  16. Jessica Maxwell says

    May 25, 2021 at 2:33 pm

    The ROM is my favourite museum to visit in Toronto!!

    Reply
  17. Chen Sing says

    June 14, 2021 at 12:19 pm

    I went to ripleys and it was great!

    Reply
  18. Peter R. Hess says

    February 15, 2022 at 11:01 am

    I feel really happy to have seen your webpage and look forward to so many more. Helpful and Informative blog. Thanks for sharing these information with us.

    Reply
  19. Maureen Anderson says

    March 12, 2022 at 9:28 am

    Please do a section on London/Windsor area.

    Reply
    • Matthew G. Bailey says

      March 12, 2022 at 10:10 am

      will do!

      Reply
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
\n

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Search this blog
Disclaimer:

This page and website in general may contain affiliate links. Please review our full Terms and Conditions as well as our Privacy Policy for more information. Note that any pricing, operating hours, or other such information provided on this website may have changed since the initial publication.

Categories
Connect With Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Email Newsletter

Enter your email below and be the first to know about new articles on Must Do Canada as well as exclusive deals, giveaways, and promotions.

Thanks for subscribing. We've sent you a confirmation email. Please check your inbox and hit confirm.

Categories
  • accommodation
  • Alberta
  • Annapolis Valley
  • Banff
  • British Columbia
  • Calgary
  • Camping
  • Canada Road Trips
  • Canmore
  • Cape Breton
  • crowsnest pass
  • Drumheller
  • Edmonton
  • Facts about Canada
  • Fall
  • Festivals and Events
  • Food and Drink
  • Golden
  • Halifax
  • Hiking
  • History and Culture
  • Indigenous Tourism
  • Indoor Attractions
  • Jasper
  • Kootenays
  • Lethbridge
  • Manitoba
  • Montreal
  • National Parks
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
  • Northwest Territories
  • Nova Scotia
  • Nunavut
  • Okanagan
  • Ontario
  • Ottawa
  • Outdoor Attractions
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Products
  • Quebec
  • Quebec City
  • Regina
  • Road to 150
  • Saskatchewan
  • Saskatoon
  • Small Towns
  • Summer
  • Tips
  • Toronto
  • Travel Guides
  • Travel Knowledge
  • Uncategorized
  • Vancouver
  • Vancouver Island
  • Victoria
  • Winnipeg
  • Winter
  • Yukon

Footer

© 2022 Must Do Canada. All Rights Reserved.

Things to Do in Canada

About
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Work With Us
  • Get in Touch
Resources
  • Facts about Canada
  • Canadian Languages
  • Canadian Money
  • Canada Flags
  • Things to Do in Calgary
Tips
  • Best Canada Road Trips
  • Best Road Trip Essentials
  • Fall in Canada
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
x

Travel Across Canada Every Week

Join our weekly newsletter for the latest articles, videos, top photos, and more!

Awesome! Thanks for subscribing. Please check your inbox and confirm :)