Having lived in Toronto for 20 years, we now have explored each nook of the fourth largest metropolis in North America. While touring full-time, we had the chance to pop in and go to Toronto as vacationers, getting a unique viewpoint. While this stunning metropolis on the shores of Lake Ontario can’t be absolutely explored in 24 hours, we perceive that lots of people solely have sooner or later in Toronto. So, we’ve created the proper sooner or later in Toronto itinerary that will help you see one of the best of town whereas having a number of adventures to benefit from your quick keep.
1 Day in Toronto Itinerary
Getting round Toronto for this itinerary is simple with the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission), town’s public transit. You will both stroll or hop on the streetcar or subway. If you actually wish to see lots, Ubers are available. Make positive to get a PRESTO Card so you possibly can simply use public transport throughout your one-day keep in Toronto. It is sweet for the Subway, Streetcars, and Buses. We have a map on the backside of this one-day Toronto Itinerary that you could obtain and observe together with.
Morning
This itinerary goes to take you to the highest Toronto sights that vacationers will wish to see. Since it is just a sooner or later itinerary for folks coming into Toronto for a day journey or for individuals who have a short while, we’re sticking to the downtown core and hottest sights. If that is your first go to to Toronto, you will wish to see all of those locations earlier than you department out.
Explore the Distillery District
Starting in the East End of Toronto, head to the close by Distillery District, a pedestrian-only village crammed with Victorian-era buildings, artwork galleries, boutique retailers, and charming cafes. Grab a espresso to go at Balzac’s And take pleasure in a leisurely stroll, pictures, and making an attempt a number of the treats comparable to Soma Chocolatemaker for handmade candies.
The Distillery District is among the prime year-round vacationer sights in Toronto, with an superior Christmas Market in the winter and loads of eating places, boutique retailers, and breweries to take pleasure in. When you go to Toronto, this isn’t to be missed. Morning is a pleasant to go to earlier than the crowds get too busy.
When you end in the Distillery District, begin strolling into city alongside the Esplanade the place you care going to take pleasure in your subsequent cease and to seize some breakfast.
Start with a Coffee at St. Lawrence Market
Who doesn’t love beginning at a market? I feel wherever we go in the world begins at an area market. St. Lawrence Market is among the world’s nice markets and a historic landmark that’s positioned on Front Street East. Open since 1803, it’s at the moment present process an enlargement, however it’s nonetheless open for enterprise. The indoor market affords an array of contemporary produce, artisanal items, and delectable breakfast choices. Grab a espresso and a pastry from Carousel Bakery, which is legendary for its peameal bacon sandwich.
Flatiron Building
Continuing West alongside Front Street is a very cool stroll by some enjoyable landmarks, comparable to Toronto’s Flatiron Building and the lovable canine fountain in Berczy Park. Take a better look, and also you’ll see all of the canines wanting up with drooling mouths at a large bone. This is a nice stroll (though it’s below building in the mean time)
Front Street
Keep on strolling as a result of there are extra stops alongside the best way. Starting at Union Station, you possibly can pop inside to see its stunning structure. Across the road is the Hockey Hall of Fame the place sports activities followers might wish to go inside for a fast go to to see the Stanley Cup or stroll towards Bay Street to see Scotiabank Arena, which is residence to the Toronto Raptors and Maple Leafs.
If you proceed alongside Front Street, you will notice the well-known Fairmont Royal York Hotel, The Roger’s Center, which is residence to the Toronto Blue Jays, and eventually, the CN Tower. Here is the place you might be heading subsequent.
CN Tower EdgeWalk
No journey to Toronto is full and not using a go to to the CN Tower. Standing at 553 meters, it was as soon as the very best tower in the world. Although it has misplaced that title, it’s nonetheless spectacular, overlooking Lake Ontario, town, Toronto Islands, Centre Island, and proper over Roger’s Centre. If the dome is open, you might even see a Toronto Blue Jays sport taking part in.
CN Tower
If you’re feeling adventurous, strive the EdgeWalk, an outside stroll on a 1.5-meter ledge encircling the highest of the tower. This is the easiest way to see the CN Tower because it offers you entry to the statement deck, glass ground, and restaurant whereas permitting you the superior journey of strolling across the total exterior and seeing Toronto from excessive above. Read about our full expertise CN Tower Edgewalk – Taking on The World’s Highest Sky Walk
Toronto Railway Museum
Even when you aren’t a fan of trains, the Toronto Railway Museum at Roundhouse Park is price taking a stroll by way of. Located simply south of the CN Tower, you possibly can stroll by way of Canada’s railway historical past.
Set in the historic John Street Roundhouse, it’s a tremendous show of classic railway automobiles and locomotives with an awe-inspiring backdrop of the Toronto skyline. It is a brief journey, so you possibly can simply add it to your one-day in Toronto itinerary with out losing any time.
Ripley’s Aquarium is down right here, however we don’t advocate going to an aquarium. Fish need to have freedom two swim in their pure habitat.
Enjoy a Lunch at Kensington Market
It’s time to hop on the Spadina Streetcar and make your option to Kensington Market for lunch. Get off at Queen Street to stroll by way of Toronto’s Chinatown and luxuriate in one in every of Toronto’s neighborhoods. Toronto has many neighborhoods, comparable to Little Italy, Little India, a number of Chinatowns, and even Greek Town in the East End. You gained’t be capable to see all of them, however Kensington and Chinatown are two cool ones.
Located in downtown Toronto, which has an eclectic mixture of meals from all over the world, classic retailers, and people-watching to draw guests all summer season lengthy. Kensington Market is a big metropolis block spanning from Spadina to Bathurst Street and Dundas to College
Whether you’re in the temper for Mexican, Middle Eastern, or vegan fare, you’ll discover one thing to thrill your style buds. Seven Lives serves a number of the finest tacos in town, whereas Rasta Pasta affords a singular fusion of Italian and Jamaican delicacies. With different locations like Tibet Café and Bar, and Dirty Bird Chicken and Waffles, there’s something for everybody.
Afternoon
After lunch, you might be simply a few blocks from Queen Street, so make your method again so as to add a number of extra enjoyable actions to your checklist earlier than leaving the leisure district and trend district of Toronto. Don’t fear, you’ll be again.
Visit the Art Gallery of Ontario
When visiting Toronto, it’s price testing the Royal Ontario Museum or the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). Since you’ll already be in the Queen Street West space, we recommend going into the AGO. What makes this distinctive is its Group of Seven exhibit, which is a everlasting exhibit of Canada’s most revered artists.
One of the biggest artwork museums in North America, the AGO boasts a formidable assortment of over 90,000 works spanning from the primary century to the current day. The gallery’s intensive Canadian assortment, that includes works by the Group of Seven and Indigenous artists, is a spotlight. The trendy structure by Frank Gehry is itself a murals, making the AGO a must-visit for artwork lovers.
Stroll Through Grafitti Alley
A go to to Graffiti Alley is a should for any Toronto itinerary, particularly when you’re spending simply sooner or later in town. Located in the guts of downtown, Graffiti Alley stretches for a number of blocks alongside Rush Lane, between Spadina Avenue and Portland Street, and it is stuffed with road artwork that winds by way of the alleyways simply south of Queen Street.
This ever-evolving out of doors gallery showcases a number of the most spectacular road artwork in Toronto. You’ll discover a dazzling array of murals, tags, and large-scale graffiti items created by native and worldwide artists. It’s excellent for pictures buffs and artwork lovers; Graffiti Alley affords a singular and colourful glimpse into town’s thriving city artwork scene. Don’t miss this hidden gem whereas exploring Toronto’s downtown core.
The Toronto Sign at Nathan Phillips Square
As you begin to make your method north, stroll as much as Nathan Phillips Square to snap a photograph on the Toronto signal. Located proper in town centre, it’s residence to Toronto City Hall and New City Hall on the intersection of Queen Street West and Bay Street. There is at all times one thing happening right here, comparable to ice skating in the winter and out of doors festivals and markets in the summer season. When visiting Toronto, it’s obligatory to get your selfie in entrance of the Toronto signal.
Yonge and Dundas Square
As you proceed alongside Queen Street, stroll in direction of Yonge and Dundas Square, the guts of town centre. It is Toronto’s reply to Times Square in New York. It’s not as huge, however it’s vigorous. It’s surrounded by nice eating places, unbelievable purchasing on the Eaton Centre, City TV stands proudly overhead, and there’s at all times an occasion going down. You might simply have dinner right here, or you might hop on the subway to see one other Toronto neighborhood.
Yorkville
To actually say that you simply’ve seen Toronto, it would be best to make your option to Yorkville. From Dundas, it’s simply three stops on the subway to Bloor Street. We used to dwell proper right here, so once you come out of the subway, lookup on the excessive skyscraper on the nook of 1 Bloor Street, and also you’ll see our rental on the 63rd ground!
From right here, you will stroll alongside Bloor West, taking in the high-end retailers, that are generally known as the Million Dollar Mile, all the best way to the Royal Ontario Museum at Bloor Street West and Avenue Road. You gained’t have time to go to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), one of many prime Toronto sights, however seeing it from the skin is a should. After doing a fast tour of the museum, take a stroll by way of Yorkville in search of a spot for dinner.
Evening
It’s been an enormous day and I guess you might be hungry.
Dine in Yorkville
Dining in Yorkville is a deal with. Our favorite is the Cibo Wine Bar or Trattoria Nervose if you’re on the lookout for Italian eating places. Sassafraz is on the nook of Cumberland and Belair, and it’s a Yorville Staple. Hemingways is our favorite rooftop bar the place it’s also possible to seize dinner or you may make your option to the Pilot. There is not any scarcity of eating in this Toronto Neighborhood.
Night
There are so many choices for nighttime in Toronto. It is a world metropolis with skilled theatre performances at locations such because the Royal Alexandra, Princess of Whale and Mirvish Theatre. There are numerous dwell exhibits at Massey Hall and Roy Thompson Hall, and you may catch dwell music on the legendary Horseshoe Tavern on Queen Street West, Lees Palace on Bloor West, Cameron House, or the Opera House on Queen Street East. Byt let’s spotlight a number of choices for these visiting from out of city.
Experience Toronto’s Nightlife
End your excellent day with a nightcap at one in every of Toronto’s trendy bars or golf equipment. The AP Restaurant is the very best rooftop in Toronto, positioned on the Manulife Centre, which overlooks the downtown core and could be very near Yorkille. This is a superb possibility if you wish to keep in the identical neighborhood you’ve simply explored. So is the One Eighty, which additionally has probably the greatest views of Toronto, just a bit south.
If you wish to head again all the way down to the Entertainment District to get together, BarChef in the Queen West affords modern cocktails which can be each scrumptious and visually beautiful. For one other metropolis skyline at evening, go to the Rooftop Lounge on the Thompson Hotel.
Relax at Harbourfront
If you like a quieter finish to your day, take a stroll alongside the Harbourfront Centre. There are loads of indoor actions at Harbourfront Centre. There is a craft studio the place you possibly can watch glass blowing, dwell music, and occasions occurring. It’s a sizzling spot in {the summertime}. It’s a enjoyable place to hang around day or evening. You can go for a stroll from Sugar Beach in the east finish to Toronto Music Garden in the west. There are additionally loads of nice eating places.
If you’ve greater than sooner or later in Toronto, Harbourfront is a tremendous place to hang around. It is the gateway to the Toronto Islands, and when you hop on a brief ferry trip, you might be worlds away from the hustle and bustle. The Toronto Islands are additionally probably the greatest locations to get that iconic picture of the Toronto Skyline.
How to Get to Toronto
Getting to Toronto is handy whether or not you select to journey by prepare, airplane, or bus. If you’re flying, Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is town’s main airport you possibly can take the Up Express to Bloor Street or Union Station. Taxis and Ubers can be found as properly.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) on Toronto Island affords regional flights and is only a quick ferry trip from downtown.
For prepare vacationers, VIA Rail offers comfy and scenic routes from numerous Canadian cities, with Union Station serving because the central hub in downtown Toronto.
Bus choices join Toronto to quite a few North American locations, together with Niagara Falls. The bus is inexpensive and straightforward to make use of when you plan to go to Niagara Falls. If you might be planning a visit to Niagara Falls learn our guides to Niagara at The 30 Best Things to Do in Niagara Falls, How to Get From Toronto to Niagara Falls, Where to Stay in Niagara Falls
Where to Stay in Toronto
If you aren’t heading residence, or have had a cocktail too many, you might wish to keep in Toronto to prime off the evening. We advocate reserving method in advance for one of the best costs. Toronto resort costs are getting uncontrolled, however when you can plan forward, you will get some good offers.
If you might be on the lookout for a unique sort of day journey and wish some out of doors choices, standard spots embrace the Toronto Islands, the place you possibly can take a water taxi out of the middle island to take pleasure in a picnic or views from Hanlan’s Point. High Park is standard for cherry blossoms and most locals desire to benefit from the laid again life in Trinity Bellwoods Park.
For extra planning of your Toronto Travels, Read These informative journey guides