It’s no surprise that Toronto is the most diverse city in Canada. The city offers various attractions, ranging from museums and galleries to castles and busy markets that represent the city’s unique culture. Here is a list of the best things to see and do in Toronto, including castles, museums, and other notable landmarks. It’s challenging to pick the best things in a big city like Toronto because there’s so much to see and do. Fortunately, we’ve compiled an itinerary of the city’s most famous sights for your convenience. From the city’s most iconic symbol, the CN Tower, to the food delight at the Distillery District, there are numerous places to explore in Toronto that will ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience.
1. Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is a 90-minute drive around Lake Ontario from Toronto. Still, you’d be mad to skip this fascinating display of water. The three best locations for viewing Niagara on a day trip are above, below, and right in the middle. Take a Hornblower cruise into the splash zone and ride the yellow bug escalator to the top of the Skylon Tower for a bird’s-eye view. Then, for an up-close experience with the roar, descend 150 feet (46 m) via the attraction’s tunnels on the Journey Behind the Falls. Get on an Airbus H130 for a 12-minute flight with even more breathtaking sights, and you’ll never forget it.
2. Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo, the largest zoo in the country at 709 acres (287 hectares), is home to an enormous array of exotic creatures from hundreds of fascinating species. From penguins and pygmy hippos to cheetahs and meerkats, there’s something to enjoy for every animal lover. This zoo has a fantastic layout and is divided into seven main zones from around the globe. The Gorilla Rainforest and The Tundra Trek, which have polar bears, arctic wolves, and the lovely Snowy Owls, are two attractions that are sure to please crowds. There are also beautiful botanical gardens in this zoo.
3. Eaton Centre
The Eaton Centre is a haven for shopaholics and offers a luxury shopping experience; it is not your typical retail location. This mall, with more than 250 high-end and specialty stores, delicious restaurants, and fun events, welcomes over 50 million visitors annually, even more than the massive Mall of America in Minnesota. This lively mall in the downtown area is a step above when it comes to finding a broad selection of stylish clothing, lovely accessories, home furnishings, and more.
4. Old City Hall
The Old City Hall is a magnificent Romanesque-style building built in 1899 that displays a majestic clock tower and amusing gargoyles statues. This marvelous architectural structure houses the city’s historic courthouse and civic hall. It serves as a powerful political image of Toronto. The interior is just as majestic as the exterior, with colorful murals at the entrance, elegant stained glass, polished marble walls, and lovely mosaic flooring. On the first floor is an educational exhibit about the structure’s history.
5. Chinatown
This region has no plenty of dining options. When you visit Chinatown in Toronto, explore the charming stores and airy open-air markets. This thriving district, right in the center of Toronto, is a fantastic exploration of anything and everything Asian. You can choose from exquisite Asian dishes, including Chinese dim sum and traditional Japanese rice bowls. The Chinese New Year celebrations provide exciting activities like thrilling martial arts displays, engaging stage performances, and stunning lion dances. So, if you’re planning a trip, consider going during this time if it works with your schedule.
6. Nathan Phillips Square
Nathan Phillips Square, a charming and spacious urban square located in the heart of the city, frequently offers a variety of entertaining events and activities. This square features a beautiful artificial lagoon that transforms into a famous ice skating rink in the winter. You can get ready to skate on the ice when the weather gets cold. The serene environment of Nathan Phillips Square is perfect for unwinding and relaxing.
7. CN Tower
The stunning CN Tower is a prominent part of the Toronto skyline. The CN Tower, which soars over the cityscape at more than 1,814 feet (553 meters), is the best place to take in the city’s breathtaking views. This iconic building houses the 360 Restaurant, a fantastic rotating restaurant that offers customers stunning panoramic vistas. There is also EdgeWalk, a glass floor that guests may stroll onto for other exciting sights of the city below to get an equally impressive view and test their nerves.
8. Rogers Centre
The Rogers Centre, a large domed sports arena, is located next to the CN Tower. Its stadium can accommodate more than 50,000 spectators and features unique architecture with a practical retractable roof employed during Toronto’s mild weather conditions. Suppose you’re fascinated by the Rogers Centre’s megastructure appearance yet yearn for a closer look. In that case, you may take an exciting and engaging guided tour that lasts for an hour and gives you an attractive look at this fantastic building from behind the scenes.
9. Edwards Gardens
In Toronto, Edwards Gardens is a must-visit for any environmentalist. It is next to the Toronto Botanical Garden and is comparable to the Garden of Eden. Edwards Gardens features a forested environment, an abundance of lush vegetation, lovely flowers, peaceful fountains, seductive waterfalls, and more. A gift shop is conveniently located nearby if you want to pick up a souvenir in this charming urban green space. Edwards Gardens is the perfect place to go if you’re seeking somewhere peaceful to reflect or relax.
10. Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions is like the refined cousin of the carnival funhouse you went to when you were a kid. It’s not your typical museum with a room full of mirrors and a corridor that gradually narrows. The Museum of Illusions aims to educate and amuse its visitors by creating an upmarket art-gallery atmosphere in a modern setting. Many exhibitions show optical illusion works, from the Rotated Room to the Chair Illusion. Handy identifiers let you know exactly where you should be positioned to take a picture that turns out great. The perfect balance between light entertainment and insightful exhibits makes for a fascinating museum experience.
11. Bata Shoe Museum
You wouldn’t think a footwear museum would make the list of top tourist attractions, but the Bata Shoe Museum is an exception. This peculiar building, built like a pair of shoes, has a wide variety of unique and impressive footwear. The Bata Shoe Museum exhibits the fascinating development of footwear over the past 4,500 years, from prehistoric specialized clogs to contemporary slip-on. Take a moment to marvel at the ridiculous platforms of musical artists. Japanese sumo wrestlers wear Elton John and the geta.
12. Medieval Times Torture Museum
Although there are multiple Medieval Times theme parks in the United States, the Toronto location is the only one in Canada. Visiting the museum is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to travel through time. Dinner and a show featuring horse riding skills, bird watching, archery, and more are included in your ticket fee. The medieval torture museum has everything you’ll need for a medieval-themed party. The museum is famous for various celebrations, including birthdays and bachelor and bachelorette parties.
13. Kensington Market
There is no comparison between St. Lawrence Market and Kensington Market; in fact, Kensington Market cannot even be considered a market. Because there were two temples in the vicinity, people started referring to Kensington Market in Toronto as the “Jewish market” at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, Kensington Market is a bustling cultural center that is an excellent example of Toronto’s well-deserved reputation as a multicultural city.
14. Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands are a great place to get away from the city. The islands may not have roads but getting there takes only a few minutes on the ferry. Centre Island, Wards Island, and Hanlan’s Point are popular destinations. In addition to the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse and Franklin’s Children Garden, the area features a fun amusement park. Take part in several exciting outdoor pursuits like canoeing, kayaking, riding the carousel, and touring the area via tram.
15. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Visit the largest indoor aquarium in Canada and see the most colorful marine life at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. Over four hundred beautiful and exciting sea life species and their habitats are shown in this large country aquarium. Experience the unsettling presence of a tiger shark and the mesmerizing motion of jellyfish. Visit the exciting touch pool to get up close with stingrays and bamboo sharks. Among its many exciting attractions is North America’s longest underwater viewing tunnel, where guests may enjoy more than a hundred different interactive activities.
16. Distillery District
The Distillery District’s cobblestone streets will immediately pique your curiosity. Distillery District was formerly a rundown cluster of abandoned warehouses. Still, it has now been transformed into an earlier-era memory box with an air of refined European sophistication. In this area, you may see a beautiful industrial environment in the Victorian style. The Distillery District is home to a wide variety of restaurants, stores, bars, galleries, and theatres, many housed in elegant red-brick buildings.
17. Scarborough Bluffs Park
Scarborough Bluffs Park usually referred to as The Bluffs, is a beautiful part of the natural landscape that can be found in Toronto. Because it is situated on a prominent escarpment with spectacular white cliffs near the shore of Lake Ontario, this park is the best place to relax in a stunning environment. Picnics, hikes along the park’s gorgeous bluff-side trail, and camping trips that last for the night are all great activities that may be enjoyed in Scarborough Bluffs Park. This park is also a great place to bring a picnic. You might see goslings and young geese learning to swim if you visit at the end of April or the beginning of May.
18. Fort York National Historic Site
Fort York National Historic Site, a renowned archaeological site, is a must-see for history lovers. During the War of 1812, Canadian and British soldiers camped here on this beautiful 43-acre (17.4-hectare) site. Fort York National Historic Site maintains its history alive all year long with informative tours, eye-catching exhibits, and thrilling military re-enactments. You can buy cupcakes made with old family recipes in the gift shop.
19. High Park
The magnificence of High Park is spread throughout an enormous green space that totals 162 hectares and 400 acres. This park features walking trails, a zoo, sports fields, a pool and pond, a large playground for youngsters, and an area for dogs to run free without their owners. The beautifully kept gardens, the blossoming of cherry tree flowers in the springtime, and the trendy Shakespeare-in-the-Park plays are some of the highlights of this park.
20. The Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum is considered one of the top tourist attractions in Toronto, and any museum enthusiast should go there. You’ll be taken aback by the fascinating outside architecture. There are also excellent permanent collections, art, natural history, and cultural displays worldwide. Suppose you happen to be in Toronto on a Friday. In that case, you can catch a Friday Night Live performance at the Royal Ontario Museum at various times of the year. With delicious food, booming music, and exciting activities, the museum is transformed into one giant party for this occasion, and it’s not something you want to miss.
21. Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey is synonymous with Canada as maple syrup, so it’s no surprise that the Hockey Hall of Fame is headquartered in Toronto. For devoted fans of the exciting sport of ice hockey, the Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum is absolute heaven. Look at the original Stanley Cup, kept in a bank vault, and the most extensive collection of hockey artifacts, memorabilia, and famous hockey equipment and gear worldwide. There are also interactive games that are both enjoyable and educational, as well as a replica of an actual NHL locker room.
22. Toronto Harbour
The stunning Toronto Harbor may be found on the west shore of Lake Ontario. The winter months in Toronto can be too cold for people to enjoy walking along the promenade, so the summer is the busiest season in this location. This delightful neighborhood is home to some of the city’s most spectacular sights, including stunning island parks and fascinating waterways. The Toronto Islands and the Music Garden, located close by, are famous tourist destinations. There are various seafood restaurants and steakhouses to choose from if you’re looking for a delicious meal. The region surrounding Toronto Harbor is also home to several exciting festivals and cultural celebrations, most of which are held during the warmer months of the year.
23. Toronto Street Art
In Toronto, you can explore the city’s vast street art scene. Toronto is home to a dynamic and ever-evolving graffiti and street art scene. It’s a constant cycle of new art being created and then painted over by its predecessors. It’s impossible to explore Toronto without stumbling across at least a few examples of the city’s flourishing graffiti scene. Graffiti Alley, Underpass Park, and the Dundas West Open Air Museum are some of the best spots for seeing street art in Toronto. Suppose you are interested in public art and will be in the area in January or February. In that case, you may want to learn more about Winter Stations. Located on Toronto’s east end, close to Woodbine Beach, Winter Stations is a free annual public art exhibition. Several unique and interactive displays have been designed to endure the harsh winter weather off Lake Ontario. All the Winter Stations are built from the recycled materials of the beach’s lifeguard stations, and many also carry strong messages.
24. Casa Loma
Initially constructed in 1914, this castle has become a winter wonderland in Toronto. The mansion’s over a hundred rooms have been turned into a museum where guests may experience the real living inside it. Visitors flock to the court every December to experience the seasonal magic of the season among the dazzling displays of lights, decorations, and performances. Prepare yourself for holiday treats, Santa’s workshop, decorations, a holiday market, and a lot of fun! Usually, December and January are the months in which events are scheduled.
25. St. Lawrence Market
Food lovers must go to the famous St. Lawrence Market, which has been open since the 1800s. There are over one hundred qualified merchants and sellers displaying and selling their goods at this popular attraction, making it one of the best markets in the world. Fine cuisines, satisfying dinners, and yummy sweets from across the globe may all be found in this massive bazaar. Try Indian fudge, Polish perogies, and Toronto’s renowned peameal bacon. Walking tours are the best way to see everything and ensure you don’t miss a tasty treat.
26. Yonge-Dundas Square
Yonge-Dundas Square is one of Toronto’s most well-known public spaces in the city’s central business district. Located in this exciting area is the world-famous Yonge Street, considered the longest street in the world! Yonge-Dundas Square is a popular destination for live entertainment, movie-going fun, concerts, and engaging community activities thanks to its professional concert stage, attractive splash-water features, and rows of tourist attractions. Yonge Street is constantly in a good mood, and you can always enjoy high-end shopping, superb meals, fine art galleries, and trendy bars.
27. Entertainment District
Once a boring suburb, this region is home to some of Toronto’s best nightlife, including many popular restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. The Entertainment District features various exciting activities, such as lively nightlife and world-class sports venues, to keep anyone entertained. The area’s excellent hotels provide guests with first-rate comfort and service. Remember that most of the exciting events in the Entertainment District take place along King Street.
28. The Art Gallery of Ontario
For those interested in art, another one of Toronto’s attractions that should not be missed is the Art Gallery of Ontario. A few steps east of Kensington Market’s graffiti sits Toronto’s most revered art collection, with approximately 100,000 pieces ranging from Renaissance and Inuit to modern and Canadian classics like Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven. The most significant piece of art at the AGO is the building itself, a dancing glass masterpiece by well-known Toronto architect Frank Gehry.