Your Trip to Toronto: The Complete Guide SEE FULL GUIDE prev next Free Things to Do Things to Do With Kids Skiing Near Toronto Toronto's Best Beaches Toronto's Best Parks Best Museums in Toronto Theater in Toronto Shopping in Toronto 36 Hours in Toronto: An Itinerary Toronto Day Trips Tours to Take in Toronto The Best Food to Try in Toronto Toronto's Most Iconic Restaurants Toronto's Best Breweries The Best Time to Visit Toronto Weather & Climate Airports in Toronto Neighborhoods to Know Public Transportation in Toronto Top Things to Do Your Trip to Toronto: The Complete Guide close Overview Canada Toronto 30 Top Things to Do in Toronto By Jessica Padykula Jessica Padykula Instagram Twitter Jessica Padykula is a contributing writer who covers all things Toronto. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 03/25/22 Fact checked by Jillian Dara Fact checked by Jillian Dara Instagram Emerson College Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. TripSavvy's fact-checking Walter Bibikow/Getty Images Toronto is filled with fun, interesting, unique, and exciting things to do whether you're on vacation or even if you call Toronto home. From the top of the CN Tower to the largest collection of hockey memorabilia in the world, these are 30 of the best activities and attractions the city has to offer. 01 of 30 See the Skyline from the Water francisLM / Getty Images Toronto has a fantastic skyline, and the best way to enjoy it is from Lake Ontario. There are many ways to get out on the water during your visit to Toronto, whether you rent a kayak or take a stand-up paddleboarding tour. You can find rental shops like The Boat House on Toronto Island if you want to splash around in a kayak, or if you're feeling ambitious, you can embark on a five-hour paddling tour from Kew-Balmy Beach to Bluffers Park with Oceah Oceah. 02 of 30 Go Thrifting Andre Bernardo / Getty Images Sometimes the best souvenir is found in a thrift shop, and Toronto has many to choose from. You can find costume jewelry at Courage My Love or peruse the past two hundred years of fashion at Gadabout, which sells items from the 19th century. And if you're looking for menswear, Kingpin's Hideaway boasts a fine collection of vintage suits, ascots, and fedoras. 03 of 30 See a Show at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Chris Fore/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 View Map Address 189 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5B 1M4, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-314-2901 Web Visit website Opened in 1913 as vaudeville theatres, the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre is the world's last double-decker theatre. The two auditoriums were built on top of the other and are beautiful and unique in design. While the Elgin Theatre is glitzy with a gold and red scheme, the Winter Garden Theatre is inspired by nature with columns sculpted to look like tree trunks and plants hanging from the ceiling. You can check the event calendar if you want to buy tickets to a performance, but there are also tours available, on which you will be able to learn more about the history of the theatre and get up close to artifacts like an original silent film projector from the early 19th century. 04 of 30 Eat and Shop in Little India Getty Images/Krzysztof Dydynski View Map Address 1426 Gerrard Street (east), From Glenside Ave. to Coxwell Ave., Toronto, ON M4L 1Z6, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-465-8513 Web Visit website Toronto has a sizeable South-Asian community celebrated every day in the Little India neighborhood surrounding Gerrard Street. Here you can find more traditional Indian Cuisine at restaurants like Leela Indian Food Bar or try Desi Burger, which serves spicy burgers alongside sweet, creamy, and fruity drinks like faloodas and mango lassis. Shopping-wise, you can peruse beautiful sarees and kurtis at Nucreation or maybe find new copper dishes for your home at Kohinoor Kitchen Ware. Continue to 5 of 30 below. 05 of 30 Visit Niagara Falls Starcevic / Getty Images View Map Address Philosopher's Walk, Toronto, ON M5S, Canada Get directions If you haven't ticked Niagara Falls off your bucket list yet, you can't leave Toronto without taking a day trip to the magnificent waterfall, which is about 80 miles south on the other side of Lake Ontario. Around the main waterfall, there is plenty to do in town, whether you want to hit the casinos or go shopping. If the weather's right, consider taking a boat ride to get up close and personal with the waterfall's misty spray or enjoy the view from a distance at a restaurant with a view like Top of the Falls or Fallsview Dining. 06 of 30 Find Solitude on the Philosopher's Walk Katrin Ray Shumakov / Getty Images View Map Address Philosopher's Walk, Toronto, ON M5S, Canada Get directions At the University of Toronto, the Philosopher's Walk is a scenic footpath that will take you past some of the city's cultural landmarks like the Royal Ontario Museum, Royal Conservatory of Music, and Trinity College. Here, you'll also find the Queen Alexandra Gateway, built in 1906. With students bustling about, it's a great place to enjoy Toronto's academic atmosphere and get away from the crowds of tourists in the city's other popular hotspots. You'll find historical memorial plaques and a book quote on every bench along the path. 07 of 30 Hang Out in High Park diegograndi/Getty Images View Map Address 1873 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6R 2Z3, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-338-0338 Web Visit website Stop by Toronto's largest public park to take advantage of hiking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, landscaped gardens, and an explosion of cherry blossoms in the spring. High Park is easily accessible by public transit and home to an outdoor public pool, a wading pool for kids, an ice rink, baseball diamonds, and Grenadier Restaurant. 08 of 30 Shop for Delicious Foods at St. Lawrence Market Kristjan Veski / TripSavvy View Map Address Toronto, ON M5E 1C3, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-392-7219 Web Visit website The city's largest market is a definite must-do on any trip to Toronto and was even voted best food market by National Geographic. The South Market is home to over 120 specialty food vendors selling everything from fresh produce and baked goods to prepared foods, dairy, meat, and seafood. Saturdays in the summer, you'll find a bustling farmers' market at the North Building. Continue to 9 of 30 below. 09 of 30 Visit the Royal Ontario Museum Kristjan Veski / TripSavvy View Map Address 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-586-8000 Web Visit website Canada’s largest museum showcases everything from art and archaeology to natural science in over 30 galleries. Whether you’re interested in ancient Rome, Chinese temple art, dinosaurs, or Japanese culture (to name but a few), something at the Royal Ontario Museum will likely pique your interest. 10 of 30 Stop by the Art Gallery of Ontario Kristjan Veski / TripSavvy View Map Address 317 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T 1G4, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-979-6648 Web Visit website Wandering through the Art Gallery of Ontario, whether the permanent collection or a special exhibition, never gets old. Toronto is lucky to have one of the largest art museums in North America, with an array of more than 90,000 works of art. The collection comprises Canadian, European, contemporary art, photography, and more. 11 of 30 Shop Until You Drop Kristjan Veski / TripSavvy View Map Address 220 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5B 2H1, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-598-8560 Web Visit website No matter what you’re looking for, be it clothing and accessories, housewares, vintage finds, books, art, kids’ stuff, or something for your pet, Toronto has it. The city is filled with diverse shopping areas, including Bloor-Yorkville, Yonge and Eglinton, the CF Toronto Eaton Centre, Kensington Market, Leslieville, and Queen Street West. 12 of 30 Wander the “Second Coolest Neighborhood in the World” Kristjan Veski / TripSavvy Toronto’s eclectic West Queen West neighborhood was named by Vogue in 2014 as the second coolest neighborhood in the world thanks to its vibrant mix of independent shops and boutiques, bars, a large concentration of art galleries, restaurants, and cafes. Start your exploration at Queen and Bathurst, heading west to Dufferin to take in everything this ‘hood offers. Continue to 13 of 30 below. 13 of 30 Stroll Through Allan Gardens Conservatory Kristjan Veski / TripSavvy View Map Address 160 Gerrard St E, Toronto, ON M5A 2E5, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-392-7288 Web Visit website Slip into a tropical oasis in the middle of the city with a visit to Allan Gardens Conservatory, where you’ll find six greenhouses filled with plants worldwide. The conservatory is open 365 days and always free to enter. Some highlights include the two tropical houses filled with a variety of orchids, bromeliads, and begonia and the Palm House filled with various palms, bananas, and tropical vines. 14 of 30 Spend a Day in the Distillery District Kristjan Veski / TripSavvy View Map Address 55 Mill St, Toronto, ON M5A 3C4, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-364-1177 Web Visit website No visit to Toronto would be complete without a few hours (or even a whole day) spent exploring the historic Distillery District. Wander among Victorian-era buildings on pedestrian-only cobblestone streets filled with shops, cafes, and restaurants. The area is also home to several art galleries, theaters, and artist workshops to explore. 15 of 30 Head to the Toronto Islands basslinegfx / Getty Images View Map Address 9 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2H3, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-234-2345 Web Visit website Escape the city via ferry with a trip to the Toronto Islands. Whether you bring your bike (which you can take on the ferry) and explore on two wheels, relax by the water, hang out on the beach, have a picnic, or take the family to Centreville on Centre Island to check out the rides, there’s always something fun to do. 16 of 30 Hit the Beach joelblit / Getty Images View Map Address Cherry Beach, City Of Toronto, ON, Canada Get directions Web Visit website Toronto is blessed with some great beaches, as evidenced by how busy they can get come summertime. Cherry Beach, Sunnyside, Ward’s Island Beach, Bluffer’s Beach, and Kew-Balmy Beach are some of the best for swimming or sunbathing. Depending on which beach you visit, there’s also the option for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. Continue to 17 of 30 below. 17 of 30 Take in the Views From the CN Tower Kristjan Veski / TripSavvy View Map Address CN Tower, 301 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2T6, Canada Get directions When you head to the LookOut level of the CN Tower, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views over the city. High-speed elevators whisk visitors to the top in just 58 seconds. Depending on your threshold for thrill-seeking, you can go one step further than the CN Tower’s LookOut Level or Glass Floor and try EdgeWalk. This adventure is the first of its kind in North America and has you doing a hands-free walk around the tower's main pod, 116 stories above the ground. 18 of 30 Explore Kensington Market Kristjan Veski / TripSavvy View Map Address 160 Baldwin St, Toronto, ON M5T 3K7, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-323-1924 Web Visit website One of the most fun and eclectic neighborhoods to explore in Toronto has to be Kensington Market. Brimming with various vintage stores, a diverse array of restaurants and bars, food shops, and cafes, it’s easy to spend a whole day wandering, shopping, and eating through the vibrant area. 19 of 30 Check Out the Aga Khan Museum bukharova/Getty Images View Map Address 77 Wynford Dr, North York, ON M3C 1K1, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-646-4677 Web Visit website Aga Khan Museum is dedicated to showcasing the art and culture of the Islamic world and how Muslim civilizations have contributed to world heritage. In addition to a vast permanent collection, the museum also offers workshops, rotating exhibitions, and special events. 20 of 30 Go to Evergreen Brick Works Kristjan Veski / TripSavvy View Map Address 550 Bayview Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 3X8, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-596-7670 Web Visit website Evergreen Brick Works is a year-round destination boasting a farmers’ market, skating rink, children’s garden, nature trails, ongoing events for the whole family, art, the Evergreen Garden Market, a bike shop, workshops, and much more. Continue to 21 of 30 below. 21 of 30 Hear Live Music at Horseshoe Tavern Kristjan Veski / TripSavvy View Map Address 370 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2A2, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-598-4226 Web Visit website One of the best places in the city to see live music is the legendary Horseshoe Tavern, which has been going strong since 1947. The much-loved music venue has seen everyone from The Rolling Stones and The Tragically Hip to Blue Rodeo, Wilco, and Arcade Fire grace the stage. There’s usually something going on here every night of the week. 22 of 30 Hang Out at Harbourfront Centre Kristjan Veski / TripSavvy View Map Address 235 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2G8, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-973-4000 Web Visit website Harbourfront Centre’s 10-acre waterfront site is home to more than 30 spots to explore, including theaters, art galleries, parks, gardens, restaurants, and more. The multifaceted year-round venue attracts over 12 million repeat visitors each year and is well worth checking out at any time of year. Go skating by the lake in the winter, or head out for a paddleboard or kayak ride in the summer. 23 of 30 Visit Casa Loma AndresGarciaM / Getty Images View Map Address 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto, ON M5R 1X8, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-923-1171 Web Visit website There’s a castle right in the middle of Toronto. The former home of Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt, Casa Loma is one of the city’s most unique attractions and houses decorated with suites, secret passages, an 800-foot tunnel, towers, stables, and beautiful five-acre estate gardens. There are usually events here throughout the year, both at the castle and on the castle grounds. 24 of 30 Head to the Hockey Hall of Fame Kristjan Veski / TripSavvy View Map Address 30 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M5E 1X8, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-360-7765 Web Visit website Stadiums, Sports Attractions & Ski Resorts 4.3 Love hockey? Then you might want to visit Toronto's Hockey Hall of Fame, home to the most extensive collection of hockey memorabilia in the world and the Stanley Cup. Visitors can also go one-on-one against life-size, animated versions of some of today's greatest goalies and shooters and watch hockey-themed movies. Continue to 25 of 30 below. 25 of 30 Walk Around the Toronto Zoo John Knight / Getty Images View Map Address 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto, ON M1B 5K7, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-392-5900 Web Visit website Canada’s premier zoo is home to over 5,000 animals covering 450 species, including a wide range of creatures from around the world. The zoo is divided into seven geographic regions: Indo-Malaya, Africa, the Americas, Australasia, Eurasia, Canadian Domain, and the Tundra Trek. Animals are indoors in tropical pavilions or outdoors in environments that align with their natural habitat. 26 of 30 Explore Historic Fort York a_berent / Getty Images View Map Address 250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3K9, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-392-6907 Web Visit website Established in 1793, Historic Fort York contains Canada's most extensive collection of original War of 1812 buildings and an 1813 battle. It's the ideal attraction for history buffs of all ages. Fort York is open year-round and offers tours, exhibits, period settings that take you back in time, and seasonal demonstrations. 27 of 30 See Some Undersea Life at Ripley’s Aquarium Ripley's Aquarium Toronto View Map Address 288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9, Canada Get directions Phone +1 647-351-3474 Web Visit website Located at the base of the CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada contains 135,000 square feet of interactive, underwater exhibits. This is the country's largest indoor aquarium and is home to many aquatic creatures, including jellyfish, sea turtles, countless colorful tropical fish, ancient giant lobsters, stingrays, and sharks. See the creatures swim above you via the underwater gallery. 28 of 30 Go on Some Rides at Canada’s Wonderland bukharova/Getty Images View Map Address 1 Canada's Wonderland Drive, Vaughan, ON L6A 1S6, Canada Get directions Phone +1 905-832-8131 Web Visit website Located just outside Toronto, Canada’s Wonderland is a sprawling amusement park featuring over 200 attractions and the 20-acre Splash Works water park. There are rides and attractions here for every age and level of thrill-seeking, including an area just for kids and some of the most thrilling rollercoasters in the country. Continue to 29 of 30 below. 29 of 30 Hike or Camp in Rouge Park Rouge Park View Map Address Zoo Rd, Toronto, ON L6B 1A8, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-264-2020 Web Visit website You might be surprised to learn that you can camp right in Toronto. Rouge National Urban Park is a massive green space containing one of the region’s largest marshes, beautiful beaches, the city’s only campground, and numerous scenic hiking trails. The park offers guided walks, children’s programs, fishing, watersports, bird watching, and more. 30 of 30 Learn About Footwear at Bata Shoe Museum Lonely Planet/Getty Images View Map Address 327 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1W7, Canada Get directions Phone +1 416-979-7799 Web Visit website A thousand shoes and related items are on display (from a collection consisting of over 13,000 artifacts) at the Bata Shoe Museum. The exhibition showcases over 4,500 years of history and includes Chinese bound foot shoes and ancient Egyptian sandals, to celebrity footwear, and nearly everything in between. Free Things to Do Article Sources TripSavvy uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy. Ontario Heritage Trust. "Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre." Retrieved April 5, 2021 National Geographic. "Top 10 Food Markets." September 13, 2011 Vogue. "Global Street Style Report: Mapping Out the 15 Coolest Neighborhoods in the World." September 5, 2014 Harbourfront Centre. "The Heart of Toronto's Waterfront for 35 Years." Retrieved April 5, 2021 Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email