Welcome to Toronto, Canada’s cultural hub and vibrant atmosphere. Explore iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and diverse neighborhoods with this ultimate Toronto travel itinerary.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
Toronto is Canada’s largest city and is also the fourth largest city in North America. Toronto is famous for being home to the most diverse population in Canada, and a world leader in business, finance, technology, entertainment, and so much more. There are so many great things that Toronto has to offer and so many experiences you can enjoy.
This post will go over the best Toronto travel itinerary, Toronto travel guide, the top Toronto attractions, the best things to do in Toronto, one-of-a-kind Toronto vacation spots, Toronto sightseeing tours, the most iconic Toronto landmarks, Toronto travel tips, Toronto trip planning, and so much more.
Toronto is a vibrant bustling city where you can enjoy vibrant neighborhoods, iconic landmarks, cultural diversity, lush green spaces, a thriving art scene, and more. Explore the most iconic landmarks like the CN Tower, Kensington Market, High Park, the Distillery District, the Toronto Islands, the Harborfront, and so much more.
This post is all about the best Toronto Travel Itinerary.
Toronto Travel Itinerary
Toronto Travel Itinerary Day 1 – Exploring Downtown Toronto
CN Tower
Start Your adventure in the centre of the city with a visit to the CN Tower. The CN Tower is also one of the most iconic and famous things in Canada. It is located right in the center of downtown Toronto and is surrounded by skyscraper buildings, the Rogers Centre, the Scotiabank Arena, Lake Ontario, and much more. The CN Tower was the world’s tallest free-standing structure for about 30 years until 2007 when the Burj Khalifa in Dubai was built. The CN Tower is also a Wonder of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Take an elevator to the top of the CN Tower where you can walk along the observation deck that also has a glass floor, and see the panoramic views of the beautiful city. A one-of-a-kind experience would be to do the edgewalk which is where you are harnessed to the top of the viewing platform and you can lean back over the city of Toronto. If you are a thrill seeker this is definitely for you! The CN Tower also has a 360-degree restaurant with a revolving dining room. You can have a nice fine dining meal while enjoying the wonderful views of Toronto as it slowly rotates all around.
The Royal Ontario Museum (R.O.M.)
After seeing the CN Tower head to the Royal Ontario Museum. The Royal Ontario Museum is located in the heart of Toronto with cultural and historical significance. The famous museum has a huge collection of over 13 million artifacts, specimens, artworks, and more. There are so many great displays to see here like dinosaur skeletons, ancient Egyptian mummies, and more. The many diverse exhibits are great for guests of all ages, so explore the treasures of the ROM where history comes to life and every piece tells a unique story.
Kensington Market
Once you’ve explored the Royal Ontario Museum head to Kensington Market. Kensington Market is a historic neighborhood and is a designated National Historic Site of Canada. It offers visitors an experience like no other with colorful murals on the walls, unique boutiques and shops lining the streets, and the many international cuisine options on every corner, the diversity, creativity, sights, sounds, and unique flavors are definitely something to be explored.
Kensington Market is filled with many vintage boutiques, artisanal shops, unique galleries, retro clothing stores, handmade jewelry stands, organic produce, and exotic spice shops, and much more. The bohemian vibe of this area is very special and all the different flavors of the world come together here making it a special unique culinary paradise. Try Jamaican jerk chicken, Mexican tacos, Vietnamese banh mi, Middle Eastern falafel, and more all in the same place. When in Toronto don’t miss this one-of-a-kind magical experience.
Eaton Centre
After exploring the different cultures of Kensington Market head to the Eaton Centre to do some shopping. The Eaton Centre is located in downtown Toronto and has over 250 stores that cover 5 levels. The beautiful Eaton Centre is one of Canada’s largest shopping malls and has some of the best fashion, beauty, and entertainment outlets. This stunning mall has a lot of shops ranging from high-end luxury shops to street favorites, and budget-friendly shops. The Eaton Centre also has many restaurants and different eateries including casual dining options to gourmet and high-end dining options. Around the holidays The Eaton Centre does a beautiful display of decor including a giant Christmas tree over multiple levels and offers a great holiday experience.
Yonge And Dundas Square
Once you’ve experienced the excitement of one of Canada’s premier shopping destinations the Eaton Centre head out to Yonge and Dundas Square. Yonge And Dundas Square is located just outside the Eaton Centre and is Toronto’s Times Square. This is a bustling hub and a vibrant public square surrounded by skyscrapers, theatres, shopping areas, restaurants, and more. There are always things going on in Yonge And Dundas Square from cultural events, community gatherings, festivals, movie screenings, art exhibits, and more.
The square also has a huge electric billboard collection with advertisements that light up the area. This is why it is referred to as Canada’s version of New York City’s Times Square. Surrounding the Square there are many shops, malls like the Eaton Centre, restaurants, entertainment venues like the ED Mirvish Theatre, and more.
Toronto Travel Itinerary Day 2 – Waterfront And Island Escapes
Harborfront And Toronto Islands
Start day 2 of your Toronto travel itinerary by heading to the harborfront and the Toronto Islands right in the morning. The Toronto Harborfront and the Toronto Islands offer a calm and serene escape from the business of the city. The area provides a picturesque area for outdoor activities, waterfront walks, and stunning views of Lake Ontario and also the Toronto skyline. The Harborfront is located right along Lake Ontario and is a cultural complex that hosts many art exhibits, live performances, concerts, and festivals all through the year.
Close to the Toronto Harborfront is the Toronto Islands. Take a ferry ride to the islands and enjoy the beautiful relaxing oasis. There are many outdoor adventures you can explore here like biking, kayaking, canoeing, enjoying the beaches, the scenic trails, and the lush greenery. There is an amusement park for younger kids called Centreville on the islands and is a great family-friendly place to enjoy.
Ripley’s Aquarium Of Canada
Once you’ve spent some time at the Toronto Harborfront and the Toronto Islands you need to check out the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. Located right in Downtown Toronto the aquarium offers visitors a one-of-a-kind journey through depths of the ocean. It has over 20,000 marine animals, beautiful vibrant colors of marine organisms, and fascinating sea creatures. There are many jellyfish, playful sea turtles, majestic sharks, and schools of fish all over.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada has many themed exhibits as well like the Canadian Waters, Rainbow Reef, Dangerous Lagoon, and more. They each offer a different perspective of the underwater world. One of the coolest things in the aquarium is the underwater tunnel. You can walk through the tunnel that is surrounded by sharks, stingrays, and other fish swimming overhead. This is truly a unique experience that you need to see.
Toronto Blue Jays Game
Right next to Ripley’s Aquarium Of Canada is the Rogers Centre (which used to be the SkyDome). The Rogers Centre is home to the MLB Baseball Team The “Toronto Blue Jays“. The atmosphere at the Blue Jays games is super electric and is a great experience. The Rogers Centre has a retractable roof that opens on beautiful sunny days and makes you feel like you’re outdoors when it’s nice out. Enjoy the game from the stands and sing along to “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” during the seventh-inning stretch and cheer on the Jays!
Other professional teams that are played in Toronto are the NHL Hockey Team the “Toronto Maple Leafs” who play at the Scotiabank Arena in Downtown Toronto. The NBA Basketball Team the “Toronto Raptors” also play at the Scotiabank Arena. The MLS Soccer Team is the “Toronto FC” that plays at BMO Field in Exhibition Place. So no matter the time of year you are visiting Toronto there is always some type of sport going on and the atmosphere at these games is truly amazing. Toronto has the greatest fans!
Nathan Phillips Square
When in Toronto be sure to check out Nathan Phillips Square. This is a public square that is a gathering place for many locals and visitors and is a popular destination for events, festivals, and activities throughout the year. At the center of Nathan Phillips Square is the Toronto sign that is a must-see attraction in Toronto. All around the Toronto sign you will see many attractions like the Peace Garden which is a beautiful oasis of lush greenery, fountains, and sculptures. There is also the Toronto City Hall that is located here, and many other amazing buildings.
The Hockey Hall Of Fame
Finish off your day 2 of your Toronto travel itinerary by going to the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Hockey Hall Of Fame is a museum that is all about the history of ice hockey. It has many exhibits about players, and teams, National Hockey League (NHL) records, important NHL trophies, and lots of memorabilia, which also includes the Stanley Cup. If you are a fan of the NHL you have to visit this amazing museum. And even if you are not a hockey lover it is still an amazing and interesting experience.
Toronto Travel Itinerary Day 3 – Cultural Immersion
Distillery District
Start your day 3 of your Toronto travel itinerary by heading to the unique Distillery District. The Distillery District is a charming neighborhood in Downtown Toronto. Once home to the Gooderham and Worts Distillery, one of the largest distilleries in the world, the area is now a pedestrian-only cute little village surrounded by cobblestone streets, shops, galleries, restaurants, and Victorian-era buildings. The Distillery District is a great place to admire artists’ work, attend exhibits, participate in workshops and classes, explore shops and galleries, and try restaurants, cafes, bakeries, and more. While here you also have to sample some locally brewed beers, fine wines, and fancy cocktails at the unique bars and breweries. The Distillery District also holds an excellent Christmas Market every year which is a great experience.
Queen Street West And Yorkville
After strolling through the Distillery District head to the Queen Street West and the Yorkville neighborhoods. Queen Street West is referred to as “Queen West” and it is a trendy, vibrant neighborhood that is known for its artistic vibe and vibrant street art. This area is a hub for unique shops, galleries, cafes, restaurants, fashion boutiques, vintage stores, designer shops, and more.
Uptown you will find the Yorkville area. The Yorkville neighborhood is more of a upscale and sophisticated atmosphere that has luxury boutiques and high-end restaurants. It also has elegant architecture, upscale shopping, a great nightlife scene, charming tree-lined streets, luxury brands, and local artists. There are also many fine-dining restaurants to enjoy in Yorkville and great gourmet eateries.
Art Gallery Of Ontario (AGO)
After exploring Queen Street West and Yorkville head to the Art Gallery Of Ontario. The AGO is one of the largest art museums in North America. It houses over 90,000 works of art from all styles and cultures. The AGO has galleries that are dedicated to Canadian art, European art, Indigenous art, and more. There are always new and exciting things to discover at the AGO, and there is also a variety of educational workshops for everyone.
Toronto Travel Itinerary Day 4 – Nature And Parks
High Park
Start day 4 of your Toronto travel itinerary by heading to High Park. High Park is Toronto’s largest public park and a natural oasis in the city. It covers 400 acres and has many recreational activities, natural beauty, and cultural attractions. The lush landscape of High Park features hills, wooded areas, beautiful trails, and wonderful ponds. High Park also has the High Park Zoo which is filled with a variety of animals, and the Grenadier Pond which offers fishing and birdwatching. There are also many recreational activities here like hiking, biking, playing tennis, and a large sports field. Whether you’re looking to explore cultural attractions get active in the outdoors or just relax and enjoy nature High Park is a great place for everyone.
St. Lawrence Market
After enjoying the serene peaceful atmosphere of High Park you need to check out the St. Lawrence Market. The St. Lawrence Market is a vibrant market located in Downtown Toronto. It is renowned for its very diverse selection of fresh foods, artisanal products, and wonderful culinary delights. At the market, you’ll find vendors selling everything from fresh produce, to gourmet cheeses, to fresh meats, to freshly baked breads and pastries, fresh seafood, and many international delights. At the St. Lawrence Market, you will also find events, tastings, live music performances, art exhibits, souvenir shops, and so much more.
Things To Do Near Toronto
Niagara Falls
When visiting Toronto if you have time you need to visit Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls is about an hour’s car drive from Toronto and is well worth the trip. The amazing Niagara Falls is known all over the world as a natural wonder. Niagara Falls waterfalls consist of 3 beautiful waterfalls. The largest is the Horseshoe Falls which is also known as the Canadian Falls, the second largest is the American Falls which has a great view from the Canadian side, and the smallest is the Bridal Veil Falls which is right next to the American Falls. These waterfalls are truly breathtaking to see all year round. In the winter the still water freezes over while the moving water flows over, it is an amazing sight to see.
Niagara Falls also has attractions that you can enjoy while here like a Helicopter ride for a bird’s eye view of the falls, the Journey Behind The Falls where you see the falls from behind, and the Ferris Wheel and Zipline also offers great views of all 3 beautiful waterfalls. You can also enjoy the 2 casinos located here and the amazing strip Clifton Hill with many attractions, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, and more.
Check out this post on “21 Unique Things To Do In Niagara Falls Canada” to see more about Niagara Falls.
Niagara-On-The-Lake
Another great place to visit near Toronto is Niagara-On-The-Lake. Niagara-On-The-Lake is a must-see little town just outside of Niagara Falls. It lies right on the shore of Lake Ontario and off the Niagara River. Niagara-On-The-Lake is known for its summer Shaw Festival and is also known as a wine country with wineries at every corner and lots of amazing restaurants around too. Queen Street is the main street in this little town and it has cute little boutiques to visit, famous ice cream and gelato shops, restaurants, and amazing flower displays all over. Enjoy some world-famous wineries while in Niagara-On-The-Lake as well.
Where To Stay In Toronto
Toronto has many great places to stay and for all budgets. The Fairmont Royal York Hotel is a great luxury hotel to stay in. The hotel has spacious rooms that come with a robe. Also has a huge indoor pool, 3 different restaurants, a bar, and more. It’s located right across the street from Union Station and with the location it is easy to get anywhere in Toronto. It is also a walking distance to all the sports arenas and the CN Tower.
Another great place to stay while in Toronto is the DoubleTree by Hilton Toronto Downtown. This hotel is located in the city centre and has a beautiful indoor heated pool, 3 on site restaurants, a fitnes centre, family rooms, and more. Located close to a subway station, and super close to the Eaton Centre. The hotel also offers breakfsat which is a bonus and the rooms are spacious and luxurious. The CN Tower, the Scotiabank Arena, the Rogers Centre, and the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada are all within walking distance as well.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly place to stay in Toronto then you need to check out the Hotel Ocho. This hotel is within walking distance of Kensington Market, the harborfront, the CN Tower, and downtown. Great rooms for a great price.
This post was all about the ultimate Toronto Travel Itinerary.
Other posts you may like
>> OFF THE BEATEN PATH: EXPLORING HIDDEN BEACHES IN MALLORCA
