Toronto is Canada’s most lively city ever to visit. It is high-spirited, with special events and live performances organized for audiences visiting the city worldwide. It includes exciting attractions in the fresh air and old Toronto day trips year-round. Various types of travelers can enjoy every bit of this city.
I can say there’s plenty to observe in the city center. Toronto maple leaves, glass floorings in observation decks, street art near a food market, and Gothic revival architecture surround it. After wading through Toronto’s major attractions and asking my friends from the city and all over Ontario, I’ve come up to help you plan your travel schedules without worry or hesitation.
1. Niagra Falls
It is number one on my list simply because who wouldn’t want to see this world’s beauty? I highly recommend you visit Niagara Falls and the Niagara River. The river’s green color is a tribute to the erosive power of the water, which is caused by rock flour and salts dissolved in it. Niagara Falls doesn’t have any admission prices to consider. You’ll get amazing views and even be able to capture pictures with your family and friends.
2. Royal Ontario Museum
The Royal Ontario Museum in Canada is vibrant, and Toronto is a big part of it. It will take you to a few amazing, eye-catching pieces. You’ll find yourself enjoying the museum’s beauty to the fullest with each piece and glass floor decor. For real museum lovers, this Royal Ontario Museum is perfect. The museum takes up to three or four hours to complete, and here, you can explore American ethnology, ancient Egyptian art, and Chinese and Canadian arts and crafts. Royal Ontario Museum, also known as ROM, has a garden and a spectacular view of the museum’s crystal-shaped facade. In short, this museum has everything to capture the hearts of kids, teenagers, or seniors.
3. Toronto Zoo
Toronto Zoo and its animals welcome you and your families wholeheartedly. You can bring your vehicle and ride through the Toronto Zoo’s wildlife, getting close to the animals and admiring them. It’s also the perfect place to walk since the grounds are well-made. Be sure to make reservations earlier, although the crowds are much lower nowadays. There are a lot of hills at the Toronto Zoo, and the views are immaculate. You could start the tour with the splash pad if you have children. It takes longer than a few hours to cover the whole of the Toronto Zoo, so I suggest you plan on visiting in the morning.
4. CN Tower
CN Tower, known as Canada’s National Tower, will give you a lifetime experience of elite dining, entertainment spots, and top destinations in Toronto. Its height is about 553.33 m (1,815 ft., 5 in) with a glass floor and elevators, giving it an art-decor look. The lookout level at the CN Tower is 114 stories high and offers an entire 360-degree circumference, giving you a birds-eye view of Toronto. Don’t miss out on the souvenirs of Canada and artistic pieces at the gift shops. If you don’t find anything eye-catching, there’s always a North market to visit at the end of the day.
Another top attraction closer to CN Tower is the Toronto City Hall, where you can find amazing corporate government offices. It is home to real estate.
5. Toronto Music Garden
The music garden shows the curves and bends of the Toronto riverscape. Guests must go through six parts of the garden, where many performances occur. The journey takes almost one to two hours. The music, however, happens only at certain times; try your luck! It is known to be the most soothing park on the waterfront, with beautiful seating and areas inspired by a piece of classical music.
Downtown Toronto is just ten minutes away, where you can find amazing food to devour. Little India serves mouth-watering Indian street foods. Don’t miss it!! Another ten minutes away is the Distillery District, where the history of the 19th-century buildings can be seen. You can also find cool boutiques and bars, and it is a good place for art lovers. It also comes under the Toronto National Historic Site.
6. Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands Park is located in Old Toronto, and it is made up of four main islands, which contain long enjoyable trails, a few beaches to chill at, lighthouses, sports facilities, and a small children’s amusement park.
The Island has a variety of food options to choose from, and for something extra special, you could consider going on a cute date with your partner by the beach and watching the beautiful sunset surrounding rides and people. Toronto Islands are only thirty minutes away from downtown Toronto, giving you time to explore the city center, food life, and history. Not only is this fun, but it is also very romantic and perfect for couples, family, and friends. You can also rent a bike on the island from several locations.
7. Lake Ontario
Exploring this gorgeous Lake Ontario should be on your list since the views are spectacular. You get the opportunity to see this natural wonder, which is known to be truly one of Mother Nature’s wonders. A boat ride through the waters of Lake Ontario would be adventurous. You would spend forty-five minutes looking at the beautiful islands and water bodies. Lake Ontario is a massive lake that surrounds a few beaches that you can visit. Cherry Beach is too sandy, which makes it a good picnic spot. The weather is lovely for a nice walk on the beach, and if you own a pet dog, it would love the sand.
8. Art Galleries
The Art Gallery of Ontario is a museum located in the Grange Park neighborhood that attracts a large number of visitors to Toronto. Art galleries are part of seasonal activities and are a perfect example of leisure time. They are like a permanent home to artists and people who admire the artistic history of the city and its life. Several different levels of art pieces will give you a lifetime experience of visiting and praising these pieces. This fun activity is great for people interested and looking for a few things to gift their loved ones.
9. Lawrence Market and Kensington Market
Lawrence Market is where you can find the best vendors selling everything from local food to elite pasta and loaves of bread. It is a two-century city landmark, and thousands of tourists visit it every year. The Lawrence market is popular for serving smoked salmon bagels with cream cheese, which are truly delicious.
Kensington Market is famous for its bohemian party atmosphere, with streets packed all day long. You can find your favorite cuisine at independent stores, amazing-lit bars, and restaurants. Make a good day out of it and enjoy the lovely Kensington marketplaces. North Market Kitchen café is a great place to chill with a musical ambience, cowboy breakfast, handmade Italian soda, local cider, beer, and many more.
10. Ontario Science Centre
The Ontario Science Centre is a wonderful place, and it’s even better to see the wonders of the galaxy in the Space Hall. They have a giant-screen theatre and a fun science arcade. Out of the 500 interactive exhibitions, you can observe and explore the eye-catching ones and go on an adventure and innovation history. Get your family together and spend some hours making observations and testing cool theories. Another place to visit near the science centre is North York. You can drive 15 minutes from the Ontario Science Centre to North York, a district home to the Ontario Science Centre. It offers mouth-watering food at top restaurants and cafés.
11. Centreville Amusement Park
I love this park because it is situated on Centre Island. Visiting the park is popular with locals and tourists alike. The people are super friendly, and you could spend the whole day obsessing over the fun rides and amazing views. It is on 600 acres of parkland across the beautiful city harbour of downtown Toronto. As one of the popular Toronto attractions, the best times to visit are the seasons and weekdays. Try to make it early since you don’t wanna be all lined up waiting for the queue to end. Plenty of restaurants are available to dine in and eat hamburgers, fries, pizza, ice cream, and many more.
12. Bata Shoe Museum
The Bata Shoe Museum is home to the world’s largest showroom with global choices to choose from. The collection of shoes and sandals is unbelievable; they serve as a mission to let people know and acknowledge the understanding of this footwear. The makers’ beautiful role defines humanity’s social and cultural factors.
You’d be amazed to hear about the history of footwear and the small gestures of footwear. For instance, shoe technology and artistry show the battle between humans and nature in the way clothing is made to protect humans. After a long day at the museum, you could always hop into the car and drive to Rogers Centre, fifteen minutes away from a stadium just southwest of the CN tower, to enjoy concerts, baseball or football, and other sports.
13. Graffiti Alley
Graffiti Alley is an interesting spot to explore. If you’re in the fashion district neighbourhood, just a twenty-minute walk from the Toronto city hall, you can find and admire the street art along a stretch of the back alley. You’d love to see the work of talented graffiti artists, which makes it a unique part of Toronto. It has its street sign and a beautiful memorial garden in the middle of the alley. Grab a cup of coffee and enter the beautiful alley; it is also a fun spot to take pictures with your friends. It is very inviting, with positive vibes and lovely colors; however, it is in the back alley, which seems sketchy.
14. Ripley’s Aquarium
Ripley’s Aquarium is a 10-minute drive from High Park. If you’re in the neighbourhood, visit the waters of the world just at the base of the CN tower. Buy a Toronto City Pass to explore the city’s beauties at a discount. The aquarium is filled with 20,000 aquatic animals; you can get up close with them and have the time of your life. It was a bit expensive, but it was worth it. You’ll see so many different kinds of fish, sharks, and other ocean animals. I highly recommend visiting the aquarium, as the exhibitions are interesting and unique.
15. Casa Loma
No trip to Toronto is complete without the world-famous Casa Loma, included in the Toronto City Pass. This magical city castle offers beautifully decorated interiors and the exterior architecture of 1911 history. It is one of the largest private residences in Canada. 300 men completed it in three years. This beautiful castle is self-guided so that visitors can experience it at leisure. It is situated in the neighbourhood of South Hill, a few minutes away from the old city hall. Due to its architectural decor and history, Casa Loma is sometimes used for movie shootings. It is also a popular destination for weddings and photoshoots.
16. High Park
High Park, located in the city centre, offers various things, such as baseball games, ice skating, concerts, food, an art gallery, and more. The interactive restaurants, people, and displays will keep you busy throughout the day. Going along with friends for adventure, like nature hiking, is popular in Toronto. You can walk up to 50 trails for refreshments and fun games with your family; most forest areas are zigzagged. The best time to visit the park is late warm spring weather when you can see the trees and flowers blossoming.
You should visit on a weekday morning to avoid crowds after work and on weekends. High Park is one of the areas with green space, almost 2% of the total 13% green space. Visiting the park for psychological relaxation will help.
17. Black Creek Pioneer Village
Engage yourself in the 1860s history of Black Creek pioneer village, making your way into the re-created country village of Toronto. Visitors can visit historic buildings, rare and heritage-bred animals, and gardens that grow beautiful flowers and plant life. They also have fun engaging in hands-on activities throughout the village.
It is situated in the North York province of Toronto. The village is a typical destination for children’s field trips, operated by historical interpreters and artisans housed in restored buildings. People typically spend two hours. Housed people will demonstrate and explain how people lived, worked, and played in mid-19th century rural Toronto, Ontario.
18. Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame commemorates the history of ice hockey. It is located in Brookfield Place and is a lovely museum to visit with your family and friends. It was founded by James T. Sutherland. and established in 1943. Hockey Hall is a must-see for any hockey fan. The museum has so much information about hockey’s history. In addition to the Stanley Cup, other famous trophies are housed in the amazing rooms of this hall. If you enjoy walking around and looking at jerseys, you will enjoy this place.
A word of acknowledgement
We love Toronto, and you will, too! Have fun exploring the different food markets in the city with your loved ones. Since Toronto is one of the most popular cities in Canada, make sure to book your stays, air tickets if needed, and tourist attractions in advance. Summer and winter months welcome a huge crowd throughout the days. You could rent a car or a bike to travel across the city, exploring Toronto’s beautiful nature and buildings. It won’t disappoint you. My favourite is always to get a cup of nice coffee, walk with friends, and talk about life. What’s your favourite? Explore the city and know it yourself!
Last Updated on March 23, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty