Locations to go to in Toronto – High 35+ Toronto Sights

In case you are in search of locations to go to in Toronto, we acquired your again!
Toronto is all about artwork, tradition, multicultural experiences, meals, inexperienced city areas, museums, sports activities, and pleasant locals (like us, eh). So what’s to not love?

As , Highway Journey Ontario is predicated in Toronto and locals (one among us born and bred), we’ve put collectively the highest locations to go to in Toronto + hidden gems. A whopping 30 of the most effective Toronto sights to familiarize you with town we name dwelling.

Often, we plan day journeys and weekend getaways from Toronto –– however whether or not you’re a Canadian, an area Torontonian, right here for a recreation, a live performance, a present or a vacationer passing via, you’ll discover that there’s a lot to find on this metropolis. Oh, and when you’ve explored all the things on this record, why not take into account an epic day journey from Toronto?

Toronto Historical past

• Toronto, essentially the most densely populated metropolis in Canada and the capital of Ontario, has gained a popularity for being the nation’s most famed metropolis. This can be why many people Torontonians imagine that Toronto is Canada.
• Regardless of its immense dimension, acclaim, and the sentiment of its residents, Toronto just isn’t the capital of Canada – that honour is reserved for Ottawa, the place the nation’s federal authorities is predicated.
• The title Toronto has a protracted historical past, relationship again to 1675 when it appeared on maps as a water channel between Lake Simcoe and Couchiching. Over time, the title made its manner south to a fort on the banks of the Humber River generally known as Fort Toronto. This was the primary settlement within the space and finally lent its title to the fashionable metropolis of Toronto.
• The Mohawk individuals referred to the channel connecting Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching as “Tkaronto,” that means “the place there are timber standing within the water”. This channel, now generally known as “The Narrows,” has been documented since 1615, when Samuel de Champlain recorded it.
• If you wish to sound like an area, don’t pronounce the second “T” like “Turonno”

Getting To Toronto

Aircraft

Toronto has two worldwide airports: Toronto Pearson Worldwide and Billy Bishop Toronto Metropolis Airport. Toronto Pearson is Canada’s busiest airport and gives connections to every continent.

The quickest and most budget-friendly manner of travelling from the airport to Toronto is with the UP Categorical (Union-Pearson Categorical), which departs from Terminal 1. Alternatively, you possibly can take a taxi, Uber, or public transportation.

Billy Bishop Toronto Metropolis Airport is minutes from Toronto’s downtown core and positioned on the Toronto Islands. Travellers can take a short ferry or stroll via the underground tunnel underneath Lake Ontario. Each Porter Airways and Air Canada supply flights from this airport.

Practice

You may get to Toronto by prepare from different components of Ontario and neighbouring provinces utilizing GO Transit, VIA Rail, and AMTRAK + VIA Rail if coming from the USA.

Automotive

Driving to Toronto from close by areas is simple, with Highways 2, 401, 407, and the Queen Elizabeth Method + Gardner Expressway. Moreover, should you want to cross the border, Niagara Falls, Fort Erie, and Windsor are the closest factors of entry.

Bus

Located between two Toronto Subway Stations and accessible via the underground PATH, the Grey Coach Terminal, now generally known as the Toronto Coach Terminal, is town’s central hub for Coach Canada, Greyhound Canada, and Ontario Northland bus strains.

Getting Round Toronto

Full disclosure, it takes an hour to get from Toronto to Toronto by automobile in any course. Our fifth season is building. Driving is a nightmare as nice and mandatory as building is for a repeatedly rising metropolis. One of the best ways to get round Toronto is by strolling, biking, or utilizing the streetcar (tram) and subway (prepare).

Toronto Transit Fee (TTC)

Toronto Transit Fee (TTC) which operates town’s trains, buses and streetcars, gives Day Passes – out there in any respect subway stations. This enables limitless rides on all TTC transit inside 24 hours. This move is very inexpensive for many who plan to make just a few journeys throughout their keep.

Bike Share

For individuals who wish to discover town in fashion, Bike Share has a number of bike stations scattered across the metropolis so guests can discover town shortly and successfully.

Hop-on-hop-off-bus

An environment friendly and common approach to see most of the metropolis’s sights is on one of many many sightseeing excursions just like the hop-on-hop-off bus tour, which gives vacationers with an affordable and handy manner of visiting Toronto’s hottest sights.

Many tour operators supply narrated excursions in languages aside from English, together with Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Japanese, to say just a few.

High Issues to See in Toronto (Day 1)

Earlier than we get began, Toronto is the normal territory of many countries, together with the Mississaugas of the Credit score, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. It’s now dwelling to many numerous First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Like most of our itineraries, we use the CN Tower as our start line. Since Toronto is a giant metropolis, we’ll logistically divide locations based mostly on their proximity to one another, from the CN Tower, and what you’ll be able to match inside a day.

1. CN Tower (The most well-liked of all locations to go to in Toronto)

Eager to get a birds-eye view of Toronto? Then head on over to the well-known CN Tower. Standing at 553.3 meters excessive, it’s the tallest free-standing constructing within the Western Hemisphere and the ninth tallest on the planet.  

Whereas this Toronto vacationer attraction might be seen from virtually anyplace within the downtown space, the most effective view is unquestionably from the Sky Pod. At 447 meters excessive, you’ll have the ability to see so far as Niagara Falls on a transparent day. For those who’re in search of a extra death-defying expertise, stroll alongside the 365-meter-high “Edge Stroll.” 

 After the sightseeing, why not seize a chunk to eat on the 360-degree revolving restaurant?

2. Rogers Centre

Rogers Centre (aka SkyDome, its former title that almost all of us nonetheless name it) is a multi-purpose stadium dwelling to the Toronto Blue Jays. Opened in 1989, this iconic stadium is the world’s first totally retractable roof stadium and is a logo of Toronto’s sporty facet.

The Rogers Centre has hosted quite a few main occasions, together with the 1993 World Collection and the 2009 World Baseball Basic. Many cultural and musical occasions happen yearly if a recreation isn’t on.

3. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

In downtown Toronto, close to the CN Tower, sits the underwater world that’s Ripley’s Aquarium. With over 20 000 marine and freshwater specimens, there is no such thing as a scarcity of mesmerizing water animals to identify. 

The underwater tunnel is the proper place to look at these creatures – you’ll really feel as should you’ve been transported to a wholly completely different world. There are additionally interactive shows, contact tanks and lots of different instructional alternatives, making the Ripley Aquarium one of many must-see locations in Toronto for households.

4. Toronto Railway Museum

Toronto Railway Museum is a superb place to find the historical past of Toronto’s railroads and railway business. The museum has two everlasting exhibitions – one is devoted to the Railways of Toronto, and the opposite is to the Working Railway.

It additionally options many fascinating shows, together with a Nineteen Forties Pullman Station, a railway submit workplace, and collections of artifacts from the times of steam.

5. Steam Whistle Biergärten

Steam Whistle Biergärten, positioned within the historic Roundhouse Park, gives a big selection of Steam Whistle’s craft beer, native spirits and scrumptious eats. The 20,000-square-foot courtyard with an enormous fire and loads of seating is open every day from Could to October and hosts numerous occasions all through the summer time months.

The beer choice contains house-made lagers, IPAs, ciders and extra. It additionally has a full bar providing wine and cocktails. As well as, there’s a collection of meals gadgets resembling wood-fired pizzas, sandwiches, salads and extra.

6. Amsterdam Brewhouse

Amsterdam BrewHouse is a superb and common beer-inspired place to go to in Toronto that’s positioned by the lake and gives gorgeous views of Lake Ontario. Amsterdam Brewhouse has a big selection of craft beers, wines, and spirits and an array of scrumptious meals choices to pair it with.

With as much as 15 completely different beers on faucet, together with some hard-to-find seasonal specialties. Amsterdam Brewhouse has an ideal ambiance and, through the summer time, can have lengthy lineups of individuals making an attempt to get in, making it one of the vital common locations to go to in Toronto.

7. Harbourfront Centre

Harbourfront Centre is a non-profit cultural group and landmark on Toronto’s waterfront based in 1972. The Centre presents over 4,000 occasions year-round with entry to main Canadian and worldwide artists in music, theatre, dance, literature, visible arts, household programming and extra.

With 4 galleries, a craft & design retailer, a public promenade, an out of doors stage and several other out of doors websites for festivals and particular occasions, there’s a good likelihood that one thing will probably be occurring throughout your go to.

Issues To See In Toronto | East Of The CN Tower

8. Scotiabank Area

Scotiabank Area, previously generally known as the Air Canada Centre, is an indoor enviornment dwelling to the Toronto Raptors (2019 world champions! “WE THE NORTH!”) and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The world is owned and operated by the Maple Leafs Sports activities and Leisure enterprise division, which additionally owns each groups.

9. Fairmont Royal York

The Fairmont Royal York is a historic, AAA/CAA four-diamond luxurious lodge and is among the metropolis’s iconic landmarks. The lodge has over 1,000 rooms and suites and gives numerous companies and facilities, together with upscale eating, assembly and banquet services, a health centre and spa, salon companies, and occasion areas.

10. Hockey Corridor of Fame

Talking of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Canadians love their sport – particularly ice hockey! In case you are a fan of this sport or wish to study extra about it, you need to head to the Hockey Corridor of Fame. This museum holds all sorts of memorabilia – from gamers’ jerseys and kits to the well-known Stanley Cup. 

Coming to this museum is among the finest issues to do in Toronto with youngsters. Moreover looking the exhibitions, you’ll be able to take a look at your ice hockey abilities. This corridor of fame gives interactive video games the place you’ll be able to shoot pucks at a digital goalie – or attempt to be the goalie should you’re up for it. And sure, you’ll be able to attempt these video games out even should you’re an grownup.

11. Gooderham Constructing (Flatiron Constructing) + Berczy Park

The Gooderham Constructing and Berczy Park are two superior downtown landmarks en path to St. Lawrence Market and The Distillery District. The Gooderham Constructing, generally generally known as the Flatiron Constructing, is a notable Victorian Period constructing within the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood that has existed since 1892.

Behind the Flatiron Constructing is Berczy Park, which is on this record just because it has the best 2-tiered fountain with canine and cat sculptures.

12. The Cathedral Church of St. James

The Cathedral Church of St. James is the oldest Anglican church in Toronto. Established in 1797, it was the primary Anglican church in Higher Canada and served as the unique seat of the diocese of Toronto.

The constructing is an instance of Gothic Revival structure, constructed from native stone within the 1830s and incorporates a 137-foot-high tower and spire, making it a outstanding landmark within the metropolis.

13. St. Lawrence Market

This public market on the southwest nook of Entrance and Decrease Jarvis Avenue is full of distributors. The sights, scent, and grand inside contribute to an enthralling ambiance. If you end up in St Lawrence Market, pattern some scrumptious meals or deal with your self (or a buddy) to a present or two. 

This spot is a Toronto must-do, even should you’re simply visiting Toronto for the weekend.

14. Distillery District

Whether or not you like a craft beer, a glass of wine or good outdated G&T, you’ll discover it on this industrial Toronto neighbourhood. Taking a segway tour is an effective way to discover the realm. However should you’re planning on sampling some (boozy) items, then a walking tour is perhaps the smarter possibility. 

Distillery District is thought for its hip, broody ambiance, which makes it the proper place for a bunch of occasions. Throughout the hotter months, there’s the Music Metropolis Summer time sequence and a weekly Sunday market. In any other case, there’s a bunch of boutiques, artwork galleries, eating places, and cafes ready to be found.

Toronto Locations To Go to | North Of The CN Tower (Day 2)

King Avenue

From the CN Tower, we head North to King Avenue. Throughout the downtown core, King Avenue is a significant cultural and leisure hub (Leisure District). It comprises many outlets, eating places, bars, golf equipment, reside theatres, film theatres, live performance halls, the Toronto Worldwide Movie Pageant and different companies.

15. Roy Thomson Corridor

Roy Thomson Corridor is dwelling to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and hosts many different performances and particular occasions all year long. The acoustics and structure of the corridor have made it a well-liked venue for each classical and common music acts, in addition to comedy and stage performances.

Canadian architect Arthur Erickson designed the constructing, which might seat 2 630 and was accomplished in 1982.

16. Princess of Wales Theatre

The historic Princess of Wales Theatre is a 1,000-seat theatre inbuilt 1893 and is the oldest in Canada. Canadian impresario George William Ross initially owned the constructing, however Mirvish Productions owns it.

Though the theatre was initially constructed as a vaudeville home –– This kind of gentle leisure was common from the mid-Eighteen Nineties to the early Thirties and comprised a variety of performers, together with magicians, acrobats, comedians, skilled animals, jugglers, singers, and dancers, every act lasting for about 10-Quarter-hour)

It has since hosted quite a few theatrical productions, live shows and occasions and is among the most famed theatres within the metropolis.

17. TIFF Bell Lightbox

TIFF Bell Lightbox is an leisure venue, the headquarters of the Toronto Worldwide Movie Pageant, and a multi-screen cinema advanced with 5 screens. It opened on September 12, 2010, because the everlasting dwelling of the Toronto Worldwide Movie Pageant.

When the TIFF isn’t taking up Toronto in September, The TIFF Bell Lightbox additionally options common movie screenings, lectures, discussions, festivals, workshops, and year-round installations.

The advanced contains two eating places, a lounge, galleries, a present store, and studying and rental areas.

Queen Avenue

As we proceed north, we hit Queen Avenue on the centre of the Vogue District. It is among the busiest streets within the downtown space, lined with an eclectic mixture of shops, from high-end style boutiques, thrift outlets, bars and eating places.

18. Campbell Home Museum

Campbell Home Museum homes numerous artifacts regarding Sir William Campbell’s and his household’s lives. The museum just isn’t solely an exquisite historic landmark with a grandiose Georgian-style dwelling; it was inbuilt 1822 by William Campbell, one among Toronto’s foremost architects and builders.

The museum gives quite a lot of excursions, the place you’ll be able to discover the home and find out about its historical past. As well as, many occasions and packages are held all year long that provides instructional and interactive actions.

It’s also rumoured that the home may be haunted.

19. Osgoode Corridor

Osgoode Corridor is an iconic constructing within the coronary heart of Toronto inbuilt 1829. The primary Regulation Society of Higher Canada initially occupied it, however at the moment it serves as a historic landmark and museum.

The constructing is Neo-Classical structure, with two massive towers on both facet of the primary entrance. The constructing’s facade is adorned with a number of sculptural particulars, such because the determine of Woman Justice above the doorway and the grand pillars that flank the entranceway.

Guests are welcomed with an impressive grand staircase main as much as the primary entrance.

20. Toronto Metropolis Corridor + Toronto Signal + Nathan Phillips Sq.

For those who ever questioned the place to seek out that multi-coloured ‘Toronto’ signal you’ve seen on social media? Properly, Nathan Phillips Sq. is the place you’ll discover it! However that’s not the one motive to go to Toronto’s city plaza.

This sq. hosts a number of occasions all year long, resembling a New 12 months’s Eve celebration and the Cavalcade of Lights Pageant. Situated within the heart, you’ll discover a sizable, man-made pond (in the summertime) that doubles as an ice skating rink within the winter months.

21. Toronto Outdated Metropolis Corridor

Toronto Outdated Metropolis Corridor is an architectural landmark constructed from 1889 to 1899 and was as soon as the house of town’s municipal authorities for practically a century. The constructing is one among Canada’s most outstanding examples of Richardsonian Romanesque structure and is a Nationwide Historic.

22. Eaton Centre 

The Eaton Centre is town’s solely mega purchasing vacation spot. With 230 nationwide and worldwide retailers, it gives buyers an abundance of purchasing alternatives and leisure choices. As well as, the Eaton Centre caters to its guests with numerous eating picks.

23. Yonge-Dundas Sq.

Yonge-Dundas Sq. is an iconic landmark in Toronto, corresponding to the long-lasting Occasions Sq. in New York Metropolis –– however on a smaller scale. The realm is at all times bustling with vacationers and locals, having fun with the open area and eclectic ambiance. The vivid LCDs illuminate the sq. and seize the electrifying power of downtown Toronto.

24. Artwork Gallery of Ontario

Calling all artwork lovers. The Artwork Gallery of Ontario (AGO for brief) and its 95 000 artwork piece collections are calling your title! From modern artwork to Renaissance masterpieces, you’ll get to admire numerous artworks from throughout the globe. 

Once you’re not ambling via the galleries, you’ll be able to partake in one of many fascinating workshops and seize a chunk to eat on the AGO Bistro.

25. Graffiti Alley

It is a Toronto must-see for vacationers and locals alike. Working parallel to Queens Avenue West and Richmond Avenue West lies an alleyway with a kaleidoscope of colors. That is the place to go if you wish to see a extra different facet of the artwork scene!

26. Kensington Market

Mixed in with Chinatown, Kensington Market is a historic, bustling, eclectic and diverse community home to immigrants and locals for more than 100 years. The area is full of colourful shops, cafes, restaurants, and markets of all kinds, making it one of the city’s most vibrant and interesting places to explore.

This is one of our favourite spots in the city and a great place to find unique original items, whether new or used and grab a bite or a beer at Kensington Brewery.

Toronto Attractions | Further North Of The CN Tower (Day 3)

27. University of Toronto Campus

If you want a Harry Potter-type experience, start the day at the University of Toronto Campus.

In 1827, King’s College was established, making it the first university of higher learning in Upper Canada. The University of Toronto is home to twelve distinct colleges, with two satellite campuses in Scarborough and Mississauga.

28. Royal Ontario Museum

At first glance, the Royal Ontario Museum presents a contradictory sight. Jutting out from the building’s midsection is the museum’s most recent addition – an architectural masterpiece resembling a crystalline structure made of glass and aluminum. On either side stands the original museum’s walls which were done in Italianate and Neo-Romanesque architecture. 

Once you step through the front doors, you’ll be transported into a natural history, art and culture world. Ever seen an Egyptian sarcophagus or a real-life meteorite collection? You can see that and so much more at this must-see attraction in Toronto.

29. Yorkville

Recently named one of the hippest and most vibrant neighbourhoods in Toronto, Yorkville is known as a quiet, posh residential area which has evolved into one of Toronto’s trendiest hotspots. From high-end boutiques to outdoor art and trendy cafes and eateries.

One of the most popular and iconic spots in Yorkville is the Mink Mile. This stretch of Bloor Street is lined with some of the most luxurious stores in Toronto, such as Coach, Burberry, and Harry Rosen.

30. Bata Shoe Museum

At the Bata Shoe Museum, you can explore their unique collection of more than 13,000 shoes and footwear-related artifacts. The museum is home to some of the world’s oldest and most unusual footwear.

From ancient Egyptian sandals to modern high-heeled stilettos, you can learn about the history of shoe making and its social importance. With interactive displays to guided tours with experienced curators, this is a great stop for shoe and fashion enthusiasts.

31. Casa Loma (One of the top Toronto Attractions)

Ever dreamed of building your own ostentatious, medieval-style castle? Perhaps you won’t get to do it in this lifetime, but you can certainly imagine what it would be like during a tour of Casa Loma. 

This 98-bedroom castle was built in the early 1900s for Sir Henry Pellatt, a Canadian multi-millionaire. Once you’re not exploring the key passageways, towers and adorned suites, you’ll be able to stroll in regards to the sprawling 5-acre backyard.

Locations To Go In Toronto | East Of The CN Tower

32. Fort York Nationwide Historic Web site

Fort York Nationwide Historic Web site is dwelling to the nation’s largest assortment of unique Warfare of 1812 buildings. It was established as way back as 1793 to guard the harbour from an American invasion.

The fort is open to the general public seven days every week and gives quite a lot of actions, together with guided excursions, instructional packages and interactive displays. Throughout the summer time months, common re-enactments of battles happen in and across the fort, permitting guests to expertise a chunk of historical past first-hand.

33. BMO Subject

BMO Subject, positioned at Exhibition Place in Toronto, is dwelling to the Toronto Soccer Membership (Toronto FC) and the Toronto Argonauts (CFL). With 30,000 individuals, the sector can host different large-scale occasions, resembling out of doors live shows.

34. The Exhibition Place, aka The Ex

The Ex is an age-old summertime attraction in Toronto and is the most important honest in all of Canada. it covers 200 acres of land with over 800 exhibitions and video games, together with bowling, bumper automobiles, carnival rides, video arcades, and a lot extra

In addition they have basic honest meals like cotton sweet, candied apples, popcorn, and excessive meals gadgets resembling fried crickets or hotdog-flavoured ice cream.

The place To Go In Toronto | South Of The CN Tower

35. Toronto Islands

The place to go in Toronto? Properly, all it’s a must to do is look out on the small cluster of islands off the shore of downtown Toronto. This small archipelago is one among North America’s largest city car-free communities (effectively, moreover the handful of service autos).

There are many issues to do whereas visiting the Toronto Islands, resembling rowing, crusing, biking and strolling. Throughout the summer time, the Toronto Islands host many out of doors occasions like music festivals. There’s additionally the Centreville Amusement Park should you’re in search of some exhilarating enjoyable. 

When you can simply tour the islands by yourself, taking a guided bike or boat tour of the Toronto harbour and several other islands is an effective way to make sure you don’t miss out on something. Once you’re on any islands, look again on the mainland – on clear days, you’ll take pleasure in a shocking view of the Toronto skyline.

Extra Time In Toronto, Extra Toronto Sights (Day 4 and Past)

36. Allan Gardens – Toronto Botanical Backyard

With virtually 4 acres of land and 17 gardens the scale of cities, there’s lots to be seen. There are additionally quite a few trails to meander alongside – you possibly can simply spend a complete day amongst the flowers. 

The Toronto Botanical Backyard is run by a non-profit group that goals to teach and encourage guests via its splendidly designed backyard areas. It’s best to pop into the seasonal cafe for a candy deal with while you’re not admiring the flowers. 

37. Ontario Science Centre 

The Ontario Science Centre is among the must-do Toronto actions – it’s effervescent with curiosity, inspiration and creativity. Be ready; lots is occurring at this Toronto attraction. 

You’ll have the ability to work together with displays, get hands-on with science experiments or observe a reside presentation. In case your child desires to change into an astronaut or scientist at some point, ship them on over to the spectacular KidSpark – a spot of enjoyable and studying. 

Over and above this, there are a number of out of doors shows too! You’ll by no means have a boring second at this attraction.

38. Rouge Nationwide City Park

It is a good spot to go in Toronto if you wish to escape town bustle. With no entrance charges and solely an hour’s drive sitting between you and this Toronto must-see, what’s stopping you from having fun with this tranquil spot? 

This city nationwide park boasts an array of animal species and terrains. You may sunbathe on the seashores of Lake Ontario, paddle alongside the river, or discover the dense forests. Different actions embrace tenting, mountaineering alongside the paths, fishing within the marshland and studying about a few of Canada’s oldest recognized indigenous websites. 

For those who’re trying to get additional away from town, take into account heading additional north, the place you’ll be able to hike in Huntsville or spend the weekend tenting.

The place To Keep In Toronto + Map

Remaining Ideas: High Toronto Locations to Go to

In terms of high locations to go to, you’ll be able to see why Toronto must be high of the record. This metropolis is really unbelievable and has one thing for everybody – whether or not you’re a foodie, sports activities fanatic or artwork lover. We is perhaps a tad biased, however we really need you to like our metropolis as a lot as we do.

If of every other hidden gems in Toronto and assume they need to be included on this record, drop a remark beneath – We’d love to listen to from you!