As the biggest and most diverse city in Canada, Toronto is full of world-class attractions to keep you entertained all year long. From catching a sports game or your favourite musician’s tour to exploring historic museums, manicured gardens, or sandy beaches, the possibilities are endless!
Whether it’s a blustery cold winter’s day or a scorching August afternoon, there’s sure to be something exciting going on in the city.
Here’s some of the best things to do in Toronto everyone should experience at least once!
1. CN Tower
The city’s most recognizable structure is a must-see at least once, standing at 553.3 metres (1815.4 feet) tall. Take a glass elevator ride up to the top, where you’ll be treated with panoramic views from the main observation level. You can go even higher to the Skypod, which is the tallest observation platform in the Western Hemisphere at 447 meters (1,465 feet) up! For the thrill-seekers, consider booking the EdgeWalk experience, where you can walk 116 storeys above the city with nothing but a harness securing you. If you get hungry, book a meal at the award-winning 360 Restaurant, which serves Canadiana-inspired cuisine with stunning city views completing a full rotation every 72 minutes.
2. St. Lawrence Market
The St. Lawrence Market is Toronto’s iconic downtown destination for fresh produce, meats, cheeses, and so much more. Once named the world’s best food market by National Geographic, you’ll find over 120 vendors at this historic institution which has been around since 1803. It also regularly hosts cooking classes at The Market Kitchen, as well as farmers’ markets on Saturdays – luckily it’s also indoors, so you can visit all year round!
3. Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is home to 13 million artifacts across 40 galleries, and is one of the largest, most comprehensive museums in the whole country. Established in 1912, you can explore everything from natural history to fine arts and design under the same roof. The museum also brings in rotating exhibits, so there’s always something new for you to see.
4. Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey is the most popular sport in Canada, so naturally, there is an entire museum dedicated to it in Toronto! The Hockey Hall of Fame was established in 1943, and you can see a vast collection of hockey memorabilia, jerseys, and the Stanley Cup in all its glory. There’s also a gift shop where you can pick up some authentic NHL and Hall of Fame merch or gifts.
5. Art Gallery of Ontario
With over 90,000 works in its encyclopedic collection, the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is one of North America’s largest art galleries. Established in 1900, one of its most notable collections is art pieces by the iconic Group of Seven, as well as Canadian and Indigenous art. For those on a budget, visit on a Wednesday night between 6 – 9 p.m. for free admission.
6. The Distillery District
Toronto’s bustling Distillery District was once home to the largest distillery in the world, but now is a huge dining, shopping, and cultural hub featuring cobblestone streets, art galleries, restaurants, and boutiques. With its Victorian-era charm, it also hosts major events throughout the year, like the Distillery Winter Village around Christmastime and the Lavazza IncluCity Festival in the summer.
7. Rogers Centre
Ranked the best city for sports and music fans in North America, catching a baseball game or concert atthe Rogers Centre is a must. Home to the Toronto Blue Jays, the dome’s roof retracts during the summer months for an epic game experience. The stadium also hosts the biggest music stars in the world for their tour stops in the city!
8. Kensington Market
Known for its artsy vibes, thrift stores, and unique eateries, Kensington Market is one of the most eclectic neighbourhoods in Toronto, and the perfect way to spend an afternoon exploring. Also a foodie paradise, you’ll find an incredibly diverse selection of cuisines to choose from, ranging from Montreal bagels to authentic Ethiopian food.
9. Casa Loma
One of Toronto’s most enchanting attractions, Casa Loma, is open daily with year-round cultural events tailored to the season. Take a self-guided tour of the property, which you can wander its manicured gardens, secret passageways, tunnels, and towers. During the summers, Casa Loma hosts a multitude of outdoor concerts like ‘Symphony in the Gardens’ and ‘Soul in the City.’ Halloween sees the interactive theatre performance, ‘Legends of Horror,’ and Christmas brings ‘Christmas at the Castle’ filled with dazzling lights.
10. Toronto Islands
Escape from the city with a short ferry ride over to the Toronto Islands, comprised of a year-round residential neighborhood, Centreville Amusement Park, a public marina, and several public beaches. The islands are a popular destination for visitors to Toronto and locals alike where you can kayak, paddle board, bike, or swim at the beach.
11. High Park
High Park is the largest public park in Toronto, boasting hiking trails, sports facilities, a dog park, zoo, playgrounds, and so much more! Spanning 161 hectares (400 acres), it’s a popular destination particularly in the fall and spring seasons for leaf-peeping and cherry blossom viewing. Grab a coffee from a nearby cafe and stroll through the sprawling oasis.
12. Allan Gardens Conservatory
Home to a series of connected Victorian-era greenhouses, Allan Gardens Conservatory sits at the heart of Toronto providing a place of respite from the downtown bustle. Open 365 days a year, you can wander through the various greenhouses holding various types of plants and flowers, including a tropical house, orchid house, temperate house, arid house, and even a children’s conservatory. The gardens also host seasonal floral shows.
13. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Home to over 20,000 animals, Ripley’s Aquarium is one of the largest in the entire country. You can learn about rays, sea turtles, jellyfish and beyond, walk through a mesmerizing tunnel surrounded by sharks, interact with the animals, and so much more. The aquarium also hosts a number of exciting events throughout the year, like their romantic Valentine’s Dinner “under the sea”, paint and jazz nights.
14. TIFF Lightbox
One of the most popular cinemas in Toronto is TIFF Lightbox, a non-profit cultural organization dedicated to highlighting the best of international and Canadian cinema. They’ve always got an exciting program of films to choose from, so head to their calendar to learn more about their curated selection.
15. Canada’s Wonderland
The largest theme park in Canada is found just north of the city at Canada’s Wonderland, which is home to over 200 attractions including including 18 roller coasters, two children’s areas, and Splash Works, its 20-acre water park. It also hosts a spooky Halloween Haunt every fall, as well as WinterFest, a winter wonderland suited for all ages.