One day in Toronto

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Toronto is vibrant, sophisticated and fun. There are so many great things to do in Canada’s largest city, but where do you start? Here’s a jam-packed one day in Toronto itinerary.

What to see if You Have One Day in Toronto

If you plan to spend a day in Toronto, Ontario, you’ve made a wise choice! Since no fewer than 25% of Hollywood movies are filmed in this city, clearly there are plenty of things to see. 

Top Toronto attractions include the CN Tower, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Royal Ontario Museum, Harbourfront and the Rogers Centre – one of the world’s first stadiums featuring a completely retractable roof.

If the sun is shining, you can visit the Toronto Islands, which are easily reachable via ferry or water taxi from the Toronto Harbour.

If you only have a day, you’ll have to make some hard choices. Maybe either the Royal Ontario Museum or the Art Gallery of Ontario. Explore trendy Queen Street West or swanky Yorkville. The Islands may have to go.

I’ve tried to add in enough options that you can pick and choose – or try to squeeze it all in. If you have two days in Toronto, you can easily spread this itinerary out.

How to Get Around

On Your Own

It’s easy enough to visit most of Toronto’s top points of interest just by going and getting a ticket, though at top sights such as the CN tower and Ripley’s you’ll be waiting in line, so best to buy a ticket beforehand.

You can walk between many of these Toronto attractions, though it will slow you down. Other options for getting around are taxis, Uber, Bike Share Toronto. There are a lot of cabs in the city and it’s usually easy to flag one down.

CityPASS

If you plan on seeing a number of Toronto attractions, an option that allows you to save 36% is CityPASS. CityPASS admission saves you money if you plan to visit the CN Tower, Casa Loma, the Royal Ontario Museum, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and the Toronto Zoo OR the Ontario Science Centre.

Public Transport

The Toronto Transit Commission, known as the TTC, is a quick and easy way of travelling around downtown. You can buy a TTC Day Pass for $13.00. Pick it up at any subway station. It includes taking the street car and buses as well as the subway.

You can walk between many of these Toronto attractions, though it will slow you down. Other options for getting around are taxis, Uber, Bike Share Toronto. There are a lot of cabs in the city and it’s usually easy to flag one down.

Hop On Hop Off Bus

You can also do a hop on hop off bus. For 48 hours, prices start at $45 CAN. 

Other options for getting around are taxis, Uber, Bike Share Toronto or on foot.

Toronto Day Tours

If planning isn’t your thing, you can make it easy with a 5-hour Ultimate Toronto Tour that includes hotel pickup, a trip up the CN Tower, a Harbourfront Cruise (in season), a visit to the St. Lawrence Market, Toronto’s castle-y Casa Loma and more. Priced from $189.

Things to Do in Toronto

Start at Harbourfront

Toronto’s Harbourfront overlooks Lake Ontario and is a bustling tourist hub in the warmer months. From May to October you can take a cruise on the Tall Ship Kajama, a three-mast cargo schooner, or, if the weather is unforgiving (hey, it’s Canada), you can visit the PowerPlant, the city’s leading contemporary art gallery. 

Bonus: Entrance to the PowerPlant is free.

What can you do at Harbourfront?

Harbourfront is a 10-acre spread of various indoor and outdoor spaces, and throughout the year there are plenty of events. In fact, it hosts some 4,000 events each year. There are theatres, outdoor stages, lakeside restaurants and a skating rink in winter.

There used to be better shopping, and I don’t know what happened there, but I’m hoping it will one day be revived. For artisanal souvenirs, check out the Harbourfront Centre Shop for Canadian-made design objects, jewellery and wearable art.

Harbourfront Centre is at 235 Queens Quay West. You can take the 509 Harbourfront streetcar from Union Station.

CN Tower

Visit the CN Tower

The lofty CN Tower is Toronto’s top tourist sight, at least the 1.5 million people a year seem to think it’s worth a visit.

Famous for being the tallest freestanding manmade structure in the world – until the even higher Burj Khalifa in Dubai knocked it off its pedestal in 2008 – Toronto’s CN Tower can withstand winds of over 400km/h and an earthquake of 8.5 on the Richter scale.

That’s safer than the White House.

Soar up the glass-fronted elevator, enjoy the sprawling views of Toronto and Lake Ontario, and stand on the glass floor and look down.

Where to Eat at the CN Tower

You can splurge on a meal at the 360 Restaurant – I still think longingly of the tenderloin I had there years ago. You can easily guess why the restaurant is called 360 – it makes a complete panoramic rotation every 72 minutes letting you admire the city 300m below.

Try the EdgeWalk

Daredevils can do the CN Tower’s newest attraction, the EdgeWalk. It’s a death-defying (except apparently it’s safe) outdoor walk from an impossible height.

And I am totally going to do it … as soon as pigs can fly. (Kidding. I really do want to do it.)

The CN Tower is located at 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9.

Ripley’s Aquarium

Stop at Ripley’s Aquarium

Another Toronto attraction is Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, which is right at the base of the CN Tower. With its many fishy galleries including Canadian Waters and the wonderfully threatening Dangerous Lagoon, Ripley’s Aquarium is good family fun.

Most people just wander through, but if you want to dive in further,  you can check out programs such as a Stingray Experience or a Sleep with the Sharks sleepover … which I’ll do right after I sign up for the CN Tower’s EdgeWalk. (Yeah, right.)

Check out my Toronto Aquarium review.

Slide on Over to the Hockey Hall of Fame

From the Ripley’s Toronto Aquarium you can walk to the Hockey Hall of Fame, a museum devoted to all things ice hockey. Located near Union Station, the Hockey Hall of Fame is where the Stanley Cup lives when it’s not jet-setting around the world.

Hockey Hall of Fame is at Brookfield Place, 30 Yonge Street, in a beautiful old banking building.

Experience Lake Ontario

See the Toronto Islands

The Toronto Islands are a 20-minute ferry ride from the lakeshore. To reach them you can catch a ferry from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal between Bay Street and Yonge Street at Queens Quay. You can also hop a private boat taxi for about $10 per person just west of Harbourfront.

There are three stops at the Islands. If you’re a first time visitor, aim for Centre Island, especially if you’re looking for things to do in Toronto with children, because there are Swan Boats and other kid-friendly activities there.

What can you do on the Islands?

On the Islands you can stroll around, rent a bike, eat a hot dog or even visit Toronto’s only nude beach at Hanlon’s Point.

Check out a Toronto: Harbour and Islands 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise here.

The truth is, you’re probably only going to want to visit the Islands on a nice day, and if you’re spending just 24 hours in Toronto, and none of those hours are sunny, read on for better things to do.

Or have a look at my Things to do in Toronto in the Winter article.

Eaton Centre – Photo from Toronto Tourism

Shop at the Toronto Eaton Centre

No matter how short your time is in Toronto, it’s hard to resist a wee bit of shopping – it’s an all-weather sport. The most popular shopping destination in the city is the Eaton Centre, a glass-covered mall housing a huge array of shops.

At 220 Yonge Street, the Toronto Eaton Centre runs from Queen Street in the south to Dundas Street in the north.

While it used to be a bit tired, the Eaton Centre has undergone a total revitalization with the addition of high-end department stores Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue, so get those credit cards ready.

And don’t miss Canada’s own department store in the mall, Hudson’s Bay at the south end. (Interesting note: the Bay bought Saks in 2013. Think about that next time you’re having an iconic shopping experience at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York.)

Where to Eat in the Eaton Centre

If you’re looking for a good restaurant at the Eaton Centre, check out Leña Restaurante at the corner of Richmond and Yonge at Saks. This South American all-day restaurant is getting rave reviews.

There is also a massive food fair deep in the bowels of the mall at the north end for quick and affordable bites.

By the way, I’m told that the Eaton Centre attracts more visitors than Disneyland. (I’m having trouble believing that but there’s no arguing with rumour.)

Moreover, the Eaton Centre is on Yonge Street, which is a tourist destination in its own right (even if the street is kind of ugly).

Stroll Yonge Street

At 1,896 km in length, Yonge Street is the world’s longest street according to the Guinness Book of World Records. It’s not the most elegant shopping destination in the world, but it’s always busy and it’s definitely long.

Okay, honestly, it’s not my favourite street in the world, but it connects the downtown core and the Eaton Centre to the shopping area at Bloor Street, so you may find yourself walking it whether you want to or not. (Am I making this day in Toronto sound fun or what?)

Visit Nathan Phillips Square

If Yonge Street isn’t your cup of tea, on the west side of the Eaton Centre at Queen Street West is Bay Street. At Queen and Bay you’ll find Nathan Phillips Square, the courtyard to our space-age-looking Toronto City Hall.

You can skate in Nathan Phillips Square in the winter and attend events here year round. When the Toronto Raptors beat the Golden State Warriors (sorry, California) in the 2019 NBA Championship, the Victory Rally was held here.

Check out Hip Queen Street West

If you walk farther west on Queen West, you’ll find plenty of hipster hangouts and shops around Queen and Spadina Avenue.

If you keep going all the way to West Queen West (yes, we really call it that) you’ll find the happening hubs of the Drake Hotel and the Gladstone Hotel. If you’re only spending a day in Toronto, however, and trying to fit it all in, it’s best to hop on the streetcar to get there.

Photo credit: Danielle Petti

Don’t Miss the Art Gallery of Toronto – the AGO

If you don’t detour to Queen West there is still plenty to see downtown. Our booming Canadian city is rich in culture, and one of the top things to put on your one day in Toronto itinerary is to get your fill of art.

The Art Gallery of Ontario, (AGO) found right next to pretty Grange Park, holds 80,000 artefacts going back to the first century AD and includes famous artists like Cézanne, Goya, and Matisse.

Hosting both permanent and traveling exhibitions, the AGO is located at 317 Dundas Street West, about a 10-minute walk west from the Eaton Centre. Check out prices and book your ticket online.

Hang Out in Funky Kensington Market

From the Art Gallery of Toronto you can visit Kensington Market, one of the liveliest neighbourhoods in the city. To get there head west on Dundas to Kensington Avenue and turn right.

This fun pedestrian-friendly area fights hard to keep its local flavour, and you’ll find fishmongers, fruit and vegetable stands, health stores, cafes and vintage shops galore. (Plus the not uncommon whiff of pot.)

Where to Eat in Kensington Market

You’ll definitely want to take a break in one of the many indie coffee shops in Kensington like Wanda’s Pie in the Sky, or grab a casual meal.

A good vegetarian option is the Urban Herbivore at 64 Oxford Street, right across from Wanda’s. You’ll probably see my husband there, as he’s a regular. If you do, say hi.

To get deeper into Kensington and neighbouring Chinatown, have a look at this Kensington Market and Chinatown Tour. 

There be dinosaurs inside

Go to the Royal Ontario Museum

Now head north to Bloor Street and University Avenue. If you’re fascinated by science, history and nature, stop in at the Royal Ontario Museum (the ROM).

Children love the dinosaurs in the Libeskind Crystal Wing. And who doesn’t? It’s one of the best dinosaur collections in North America. 

Built in 1912, and home to a controversial modern addition that looks like a very stylish meteor has crash-landed into the traditional brick building, the ROM is full of art, natural history displays and cultural treasures. It’s also conveniently located across the street from the luxury ‘hood of Yorkville.

Check out skip the line tickets for the Royal Ontario Museum here.

Yorkville 
 

Spend time in Yorkville, Where the Rich People Play

Another shopping destination of note if you’re visiting Toronto is Yorkville. This swanky neighbourhood is bordered by Bloor Street, Avenue Road and Bay Street.

Here you’ll find many of the city’s high-end designers, especially on Bloor Street. In fact, the stretch of Bloor Street between Yonge and University is referred to as the Mink Mile (by whom, I don’t know, certainly not by me).

Yorkville and Cumberland Avenues are a delight to walk around with their blue chip art galleries, haute boutiques, 5-star hotels, restaurants and bars. You can also access the upscale Yorkville Village mall from Hazelton Avenue or Yorkville Avenue.

Where to Eat in Yorkville

Hungry? One option in Yorkville is Planta, an upscale ‘plant-based’ restaurant, which, I assume, means ‘vegan only more expensive’. Correct me if I’m wrong. And if my husband wants to know where he should take me on my birthday, Planta will do nicely. It’s at 1221 Bay Street.

(Update: He took me to Sofia for my birthday instead.)

Sofia Restaurant, at 99 Yorkville Avenue) is one of the hot new additions to Yorkville. The decor is slick, ornate and exuberant.

Another great restaurant option in Yorkville is AloBar at 57A – 162 Cumberland, which is tucked into a little courtyard. We went there last New Year’s Eve, and the small plates were divine.

If it’s too early for dinner, and you’ve managed to get through all the places you want to see in Toronto in a day so far, you could hop in a cab and visit Casa Loma, though it’s a lot to fit in in a day.

Photo Credit: Casa Loma provided by Toronto Tourism

Explore Toronto’s Castle – Casa Loma

Not quite as central, but certainly eye-catching is Casa Loma. This Toronto landmark, at One Austin Terrace near Davenport Road and Spadina Road, was built in 1911 by the fabulously wealthy Sir Henry Pellatt, a businessman who had always dreamed of living in a massive Edwardian castle.

He commissioned the famous architect E.J. Lennox to design the most palatial residence that North America had ever seen. At the time, it took 300 people, 3 years, and $3.5 million to mount the majestic assortment of 30 restrooms, 98 rooms, and 25 fireplaces atop of the hill overlooking the city.

Casa Loma’s decline

For Sir Henry Pellatt and wife, Lady Mary, the effort wasn’t too great as he controlled a quarter of the economy of Canada. Yet only 10 years later, the couple’s fortune was ruined by the loss of the electricity monopoly in favour of the government. Yikes.

The takeaway here is that you might be better visiting a castle than actually buying one, as you never know where the future will lead. Then again, with real estate prices ballooning in this city, it could be an excellent investment. And speaking of investing,  I hope you invest some enjoyable time exploring Toronto, at least for a day.

Toronto in Two Days

If you really want to take time and explore any of these attractions in detail, you’ll probably want to spread this itinerary out over two days in Toronto – or even three.

You could also add in the St. Lawrence Market, a fun and lively food market on Front Street East, or Chinatown, which rubs shoulders with Kensington Market.

Another fun place to visit in Toronto is the Tiff Bell Lightbox complex at 287 King Street West. This is where all the Toronto International Film Festival magic happens. Five floors of the building are a purpose-built cultural centre and you can catch a film, see an exhibition or grab a bite to eat here.

Toronto in Three Days

If you’re spending three days in Toronto, you’re really getting to know the city. You could also add in a visit to the University of Toronto, a leafy campus with plenty of Romanesque and Gothic Revival architecture built between 1857 and 1929.

The university is spread out but the heartbeat of campus is King’s College Circle on the Front Campus south of Bloor Street and north of College.

High Park: Another place I’d recommend is the largest park within the city of Toronto, High Park, especially if you’re here during cherry blossom season in the spring. There are wooded trails, ducks and swans along Grenadier Pond and a restaurant that makes excellent french fries and gravy.

Blossoms in High Park

What to do in Toronto at Night

The choices for things to do in Toronto in the evening are endless. Sports fans can check out what’s on at the Rogers Centre – you might catch a Blue Jays game – while stage fans can see a Broadway show in one of the city’s many theatres.

You can opt for dinner in one of Toronto’s unique ethnic neighbourhoods such as Greektown on the Danforth, or Little India farther east. Admittedly, Little India is pretty far if you only have one day, but you can get there by streetcar. 

Closer is Little Italy, which runs west from College and Bathurst Street. Here, in addition to Italian restaurants you’ll find plenty of lively bars and a young fun vibe.

For ultra hipster bars and restaurants hit up Ossington Avenue between College and Dundas.

The bars and nightclubs in the Entertainment District around King Street downtown are more mainstream.

Another great place to visit in Toronto is the Distillery District, a pedestrian-only collection of cobbled lanes and heritage buildings, restored to loving perfection. There are a number of restaurants here you can choose from.

Check out a Toronto night tour, where you’ll see the sunset from the CN Tower, cruise through Toronto’s hottest districts and get plenty of photo ops. Check it out here.

There are so many things to do in Toronto, and so many different sides to the city that no matter how much you try to squeeze in, you’re not going to see it all in one day, but hopefully this 24-hour itinerary will help you have a day in Toronto to remember.