Top places to visit in Toronto

• CN Tower

  Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry CAD 43

  553m communications and observation tower, an icon of the Toronto skyline with glass floor, observation deck and EdgeWalk.

• Toronto Eaton Centre

  Market · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h

  Flagship downtown shopping mall with a soaring glass galleria and Michael Snow's famous Flight Stop Canada geese sculpture.

• Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

  Wildlife · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · entry CAD 44

  Large downtown aquarium beside the CN Tower with a glass walk-through shark tunnel and over 20,000 aquatic animals.

• Distillery District

  Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 2 h

  Pedestrian-only Victorian-era former whisky distillery, now a heritage arts, dining and shopping precinct with cobblestone lanes.

• Royal Ontario Museum

  Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · entry CAD 26

  Canada's largest museum of art, world culture and natural history, housed in the distinctive crystal-fronted building.

• Casa Loma

  Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · entry CAD 40

  Edwardian Gothic Revival castle and gardens built 1914, now a historic house museum with towers, tunnels and stables.

• Toronto Zoo

  Wildlife · 4.5 rating · about 4 h · entry CAD 33

  Canada's largest zoo, with over 5,000 animals across seven zoogeographic regions on a 287-hectare site in Scarborough.

• St. Lawrence Market

  Market · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h

  Historic public market dating to 1803, famous for fresh produce, artisan food, and the classic peameal bacon sandwich.

• Toronto Islands

  Nature · 4.7 rating · about 4 h

  Car-free island chain in Lake Ontario with beaches, parkland, Centreville amusement park and the best skyline views, reached by ferry.

• Art Gallery of Ontario

  Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · entry CAD 30

  Major art museum with a Frank Gehry-designed facade, holding over 95,000 works including Group of Seven and Indigenous art.

• High Park

  Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2.5 h

  Toronto's largest public park with hiking trails, a zoo, gardens, and famous cherry blossoms in spring.

• Kensington Market

  Market · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h

  Bohemian, multicultural neighbourhood of vintage shops, cafes, murals and global street food, a National Historic Site.

Things to do

• CN Tower EdgeWalk Adventure · 1.5 h · from CAD 225 per person
• Toronto Harbour Cruise Sightseeing · 1 h · from CAD 40 per person
• Kensington Market & Chinatown Food Tour Food Tour · 3 h · from CAD 95 per person
• Toronto Islands Bike Rental Cycling · 3 h · from CAD 25 per person
• Toronto Maple Leafs / Raptors Game at Scotiabank Arena Sports · 3 h · from CAD 120 per person
• Toronto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Sightseeing · 2 h · from CAD 60 per person
• Casa Loma Guided Castle Tour Cultural · 2 h · from CAD 40 per person
• Distillery District Walking & Craft Tour Walking Tour · 1.5 h · from CAD 45 per person

Day trips and tours

• Niagara Falls Day Trip from Toronto 9 h · from CAD 165
• Toronto City Highlights Half-Day Tour 4 h · from CAD 75
• 1000 Islands & Boldt Castle Day Trip 12 h · from CAD 195

Where to stay in Toronto

• Downtown Core about CAD 280 per night

  The heart of the city around Yonge-Dundas and the financial district, ideal for first-timers wanting everything within walking or transit reach.

• Entertainment & Financial District about CAD 350 per night

  Sleek high-rise district near the waterfront packed with theatres, restaurants, sports arenas and luxury hotels.

• Old Town / Distillery District about CAD 250 per night

  Historic, atmospheric area of cobblestone lanes, heritage buildings, boutique stays and the St. Lawrence Market.

• Yorkville / Midtown about CAD 380 per night

  Toronto's most upscale neighbourhood, with designer shopping, galleries and refined hotels near the ROM.

Hotels

• The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto 5-star · CAD 600 to CAD 1,200 per night
• Fairmont Royal York 4.5-star · CAD 380 to CAD 750 per night
• The Planet Traveler Hostel 2-star · CAD 45 to CAD 120 per night
• The Drake Hotel 4-star · CAD 250 to CAD 450 per night
• HI Toronto Hostel 2-star · CAD 50 to CAD 130 per night
• Hotel Victoria 3-star · CAD 150 to CAD 250 per night

Where to eat

• Pai Northern Thai Kitchen Thai, Street Food · about CAD 35 per person
• Banh Mi Boys Vietnamese, Fusion, Street Food · about CAD 18 per person
• Carousel Bakery Canadian, Sandwiches · about CAD 12 per person
• Mother's Dumplings Chinese, Dumplings · about CAD 22 per person
• Seven Lives Tacos y Mariscos Mexican, Seafood, Street Food · about CAD 20 per person
• Khao San Road Thai · about CAD 32 per person
• Richmond Station Canadian, Bistro · about CAD 60 per person
• Planta Yorkville Vegan, Plant-Based, Contemporary · about CAD 55 per person

Getting around

• Bus main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Metro main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Ride Hail main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Tram main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

• Walking main way to get around

  Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.

Safety and scams to avoid

• Fake charity / petition clipboard

  Yonge-Dundas Square, Eaton Centre area

  People with clipboards ask you to sign a petition or donate to a "charity," then pressure you for cash and may distract you for pickpocketing.

  How to avoid it: Politely decline and keep walking; legitimate charities do not demand on-the-spot cash from tourists.

• Unlicensed airport taxi touts

  Pearson (YYZ) and Billy Bishop arrivals

  Touts approach arriving travellers offering a "cheap" ride, then charge inflated flat rates with no meter.

  How to avoid it: Use the official taxi/limo line, the UP Express train, or a booked rideshare from the designated pickup zone.

• Distraction street games / overpriced add-ons

  Tourist strips near the waterfront and Kensington

  Shell-game style hustles or vendors quoting one price then adding charges; also ticket resellers near venues selling invalid tickets.

  How to avoid it: Avoid street gambling games entirely and buy event tickets only from official box offices or authorised platforms.

More in Canada

• Vancouver
• Montreal
• Banff
• Niagara Falls
• Quebec City
• Whistler