Top 10 Things to Do in Toronto: The Ultimate Guide

Toronto, the capital city of Ontario, is a vibrant and diverse metropolis that offers an array of experiences for locals and tourists alike. From cultural attractions to natural wonders, there’s something for everyone in this dynamic city. After essentially living part-time in Toronto (I’m there monthly for work) we finally decided to spend a weekend exploring the city and compiling a list of Top 10 Things to Do in Toronto.

Note, Niagara Falls is obviously on of the top things to do in Ontario, but we’re focusing on the actual city of Toronto for this one.

Google Map of Toronto

As always, we tag all of our top destinations, those we make it to AND those that are recommended and vetted by us (can’t make it to EVERY restaurant unfortunately). The Google Map is saved for you below, or you can check out of our maps on our Travel Map page.

Toronto Food & Dining

1. Explore Toronto’s Cultural Food Scene

If you’ve been following our bog, you’ll know food is always on our top list of things to do in any city. With the cultural diversity of Toronto, you definitely don’t want to miss out on the food scene here. Toronto is commonly touted as one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Canada. The neighborhood of Scarborough is actually named but the US Economist as the “best ethnic suburb” of Toronto – featuring everything from north and south Indian, Lebanese, etc.

In just 2 days in Toronto, we managed to eat Mexican, South Indian, Thai, Canadian, Turkish, and Italian. Here are some of our favorite ethnic food spots:

• Thai: Pai – get the assorted platter or the laab salad (our favorite)
• Canadian: Maple Leaf Tavern, Aloette – it’s all good (and part of the Alo restaurant chain, which has a Michelin star), Paddington’s Pump – pemeal bacon sandwich
• South Indian: Saravanaa Bhavan – get the vegetarian thali
• Pizza: Pizzeria Badiali – the vodka was their superior pizza, get the hot honey for dipping
• Lebanese: Mystic Muffin – famous apple cake and perfectly fried falafel sandwich

1 (Continued) Try One of Toronto’s Michelin-Starred Restaurants

In addition to it’s incredibly ethnic food scene, Toronto has 82 Michelin-recognized restaurants. So, if it’s in the budget to treat yourself to a nice meal, we highly recommend checking out on of their Michelin-rated restaurants. Keep in mind not all Michelin-recommended restaurants are super expensive, Michelin also has a bib-gourmand list specifically for affordable, but high quality food. You can view the complete list here on a Toronto guide website or on the Michelin website itself.

Our recommendation is to check out Quetzal, a Mexican restaurant with one Michelin star. From our Michelin restaurant research, Quetzal is one of the more affordable (~$100 CAD/person without drink pairing) fine dining experiences and well worth the money. Many of the other options were $200-$300 CAD/person. Their scallops were mind-blowing good and they customize the tasting menu based on your dietary needs or mood for the evening (so not every table is eating the same, pre-set tasting menu!).

2. Window Shop and Eat at St. Lawrence Market

Hours of Operation:

• South Market: Open Tuesday to Thursday, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Friday, 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Saturday, 5:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• North Market: Open Saturday, 5:00 AM – 3:00 PM

St. Lawrence Market, nestled in the heart of Toronto’s historic Old Town, is a culinary haven that has been enchanting locals and visitors for over two centuries. This iconic market offers a vibrant tapestry of gourmet delights, artisanal crafts, and a vibrant sense of community. If you’re a bucket-list type person, this is where you’ll want to try Canadian peameal bacon. We specifically recommend grabbing a breakfast (or you could make it a lunch) sandwich from the iconic Paddington’s Pump.

Toronto Sports

3. Catch a Blue Jays or Leafs Game

If you want to do an activity that true locals participate in, then you’ll definitely want to check out a Jay’s or Leaf’s game (or both). The Leafs haven’t been great this year, but when in Canada, you may as well experience their sport, right? The Jays stadium in the Roger’s Centre is very cool. If you don’t want to watch in the stadium, you can snag a reservation at the restaurant that has windows looking into the stadium.

Toronto’s Top Museums and Landmarks

4. Go to the Top of the CN Tower

• Hours of Operation: Open daily, 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM
• Ticket Price: Prices vary depending on the experience (Observation Level, SkyPod, EdgeWalk, etc.)

No visit to Toronto is complete without a trip to the iconic CN Tower. This architectural marvel offers breathtaking views of the city and Lake Ontario. The glass floor and EdgeWalk experience are not for the faint of heart, but the view is worth the thrill.

Alternatively, a great way to experience the CN Tower is by booking a reservation for lunch or dinner at the 360 Restaurant. While it’s not the best Canadian food or meal you can find in Toronto, it includes admission to the top of the tower, a private elevator ride, no line, and a good meal, for about $75 USD/person (that’s a minimum spend amount, with tip). Considering admission to the tower is typically around $50 CAD, we found this dinner experience well worth our money and time, with stellar views of Toronto at night.

5. Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame

• Hours of Operation: Open daily, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
• Ticket Price: Adults – $20 (General Admission)

The Hockey Hall of Fame is a must-visit for hockey fans, or anyone visiting Toronto. It was one of our favorite stops in Toronto. Plus, when in Canada, you can’t miss a museum about their famous past time. The hall of fame is very well put together, with history and activities for all ages. There’s a shoot out and goalie station where you can put your hockey skills to the test. Plus, a life-size changing room to walk through for the full experience.

Top Toronto Neighborhoods to Explore

8. Enjoy Booze, Food, and Music in the Distillery District

• Hours of Operation: Open daily, hours may vary by establishment
• Ticket Price: Free to enter; individual businesses may have their own charges

This historic neighborhood is a pedestrian-only area filled with cobblestone streets, art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants. If you’ve got a couple hours, or want to spend an entire afternoon or evening with food, music, and drinks, there’s no place better to hang out than the Distillery District. It’s a great place to explore the city’s cultural and culinary scenes while enjoying the preserved industrial architecture. If vibes are your thing, this is the place to be.

9. Walk around Kensington Market

• Hours of Operation: Open daily, hours vary by shop and restaurant
• Ticket Price: Free to enter

Kensington Market is a bohemian enclave bursting with vintage shops, international cuisine, and colorful street art. Explore its narrow streets and eclectic offerings, and you’ll feel the heartbeat of the city’s artistic and multicultural soul. We took an evening stroll through the area after a delicious dinner at Quetzal, but this would be a great area for lunch, dinner, a bar crawl, or window shopping.

10. Enjoy an Outdoor Activity on the Toronto Islands

• Hours of Operation: Ferries run seasonally, typically from 6:30 AM – 12:00 AM
• Ticket Price: Round-trip ferry ticket: Adults – $8.19

We didn’t now until we actually spent a weekend exploring the city, that Toronto has it’s own set of islands just a ferry ride away. The ferries run every 20-30 minutes, one to each of the islands. Though, the islands are so close you can walk between them (there are bridges). The Toronto islands are known for it’s amusement park, bike rentals, boat rentals, beaches, and trails. Our favorite part was the skyline views from the other side.

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