A fantastic city to explore in Ontario, with loads of things to do in Toronto, cater to different tastes of travellers. Toronto offers a wide range of attractions, whether they are natural attractions, cultural attractions or historical attractions. Being a big city, it has everything including high-rise buildings, busy streets and plenty of beautiful places. You will never be left wondering what to do in Toronto. Imagine yourself at the top of CN Tower soaking in the breathtaking view of the city or exploring the colourful chaos of the Kensington Market.
10 Things To Do In Toronto
From populous landmarks like the CN Tower to undiscovered gems like the Scarborough Bluffs, there are various things to do in Toronto:
1. Visit The CN Tower
Photo: Maksim Sokolov / Wikimedia Commons
The CN Tower is an unmissable thing to see in Toronto. It dominates the skyline, and its observation towers provide visitors with unparalleled panoramic views. Speaking of heights, it’s one of the tallest structures in the world, clocking in at an impressive height of 1,815 feet. If you are brave enough, you can try the Edge Walk, which is a walking experience that requires no hands-on outer ledge. There is no more perfect way to begin a trip to Toronto than with a view that reveals the entire place and the great Lake Ontario. It also houses a restaurant with the highest wine cellar in the world.
Location: 290, Bremner Blvd, Toronto
Timings: 10 AM – 9:30 PM
2. Look Back In The History At Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Photo: Jim.henderson / Wikimedia Commons
For any history and culture lover, the ROM has interesting massive exhibits with contents from every corner of the world. This has everything about every aspect from nature to history to arts and design. All kinds of rare dinosaur skeletons remain, including dinosaur bones to cult fashion items, and are the bulk of ROM collections, rightfully one of Canada’s leading museums. It is for the entire family, with interactive elements complementing the exhibits that will amaze both children and adults. The place has a collection of 5 museums dedicated to archaeology, planetology, mineralogy, zoology and geology. Be sure to appreciate the structure dubbed the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal at the Queen’s Park Entrance.
Location: 100 Queens Park, Toronto
Timings: 10 AM – 5:30 PM (Monday Closed)
3. Take A Stroll Around The Distillery District
Photo: Mark / Wikimedia Commons
Once the buildings for Gooderham and Worts Distillery, this hub of 47 buildings is the dining and shopping hub of Toronto. There are many breweries and distilleries present here today also. The place has undergone great urban transformation, creating a unique European-style walking district. This enthusiastic area is an amalgamation of Victorian structures with a modern touch. The Distillery District contains several boutique shops, art galleries, cafes and chic restaurants. The historically rich area with pedestrian streets has become a hub of activity that is good for unwinding, shopping and sightseeing.
Location: 55 Mill Street, Toronto
Timings: Opens 10 AM – 9 PM (Monday-Thursdays); 10 AM – 10 PM (Friday-Saturday)
4. Enjoy A Night At The Ripley’s Aquarium Of Canada
Photo: Antony-22 / Wikimedia Commons
Next to the CN Tower is Ripley’s Aquarium, which features a multitude of marine species. A stroll through the underwater tunnel with sharks and stingrays will create an intriguing experience. It is an ideal destination for you with engaging activities. The best part of this place is that you can sleep with the fish. This includes spending the night with sharks, rays and tropical fish sailing above your head. The aquarium holds yoga sessions and live jazz night events.
Location: 288, Bremner Blvd, Toronto
Timings: 9 AM – 9 PM (Thursdays-Tuesday); 9 AM – 6 PM (Wednesday)
5. Embark On An Adventurous Outing On The Toronto Islands
Photo: chensiyuan / Wikimedia Commons
Who wouldn’t like relaxing on the beach, taking long walks or even having a picnic surrounded by gorgeous views? Toronto Islands come as a saving grace. You can also hire a bicycle and cycle to stroll along the shoreline and soak in the numerous views. You can even go to Centreville Amusement Park if you are travelling with younger kids. Summers seem to be the best season for the islands. The Island has many beaches, parks, gardens, yacht clubs, cafes and an amusement park. You can also indulge yourself in numerous water adventurers like kayaking, swimming and outdoor yoga.
Location: Toronto Island, Lake Ontario
Timings: 8 AM – 11:30 PM (Ferry)
6. Visit The Art Gallery Of Ontario (AGO)
Photo: Owen Byrne / Wikimedia Commons
Canadian and international art is well represented at the famous Art Gallery of Ontario. It has notable collections from Rembrandt, Auguste, Rodin and Picasso and has become one of the major tourist attractions. Gaining fame around the world, the building’s architect was renovated by Frank Gehry, a Toronto-based architect. The Art Gallery has more than 90,000 items dating back to 2000 years. Positioned around Chinatown and Kensington Market, AGO allows a good day to enjoy art and explore the local culture.
Location: 317 Dundas Street W, Toronto
Timings: 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM (Saturday-Sunday); 10:30 AM – 5 PM (Tuesday and Thursdays) 10:30 AM – 9 PM (Wednesday and Friday) and Monday (Closed)
7. Explore The High Park
Photo: Xander Ashburn / Wikimedia Commons
High Park is located in the heart of Toronto and visiting this place is the best thing to do. It is perfect for a relaxed and quiet walk in nature or even a picturesque hike. The place has manicured lawns and themed gardens. Situated near the downtown core, this is the city’s largest park, mainly used for hiking and a picnic for a family. Besides, it even has a tiny zoo. High Park is perfect for escaping nature without the hustle and bustle of urban life. The park has an outdoor swimming pool, tennis court, ice skating rinks and playground.
Location: Bloor Street W, Toronto
Timings: 24*7
8. Enjoy The Magnificent Kensington Market
Photo: Arild Vågen / Wikimedia Commons
A renowned treasure in the city of Toronto, a bohemian neighbourhood, Kensington Market is diverse in vintage shops, independent boutiques and multi-cuisine food from Ethiopian to Vietnamese to Jamaican. It has Victorian-style houses throughout its neighbourhood. Every corner of the market has an interesting audience, perfect for bonding with Toronto’s multifaceted nature. During summer, the market’s Sundays make it a fully pedestrian space with mere traffic noise. It allows for beautiful weather and weekend entertainment.
Location: Kensington Market, bordered by Spadina Avenue, Bathurst Street and College Street
Timings: 9 AM – 12 AM
9. Indulge In The Vibrant St Lawrence Market
Photo: Wladyslaw / Wikimedia Commons
St Lawrence Market is a historical site and a part of Old City Hall. It is also popular among locals due to the availability of fresh fruits, vegetables, locally sourced meat and several international food varieties. It serves as the cherry on top of every meal. It is a place where one can feast on great food, such as the traditional Canadian peameal bacon sandwich. St. Lawrence Market is also known as a great spot to enjoy the beauty of the local area. In addition, it is the best place to engage with the locals and to meet and greet with enthusiastic vendors.
Location: M5E 1C3, Toronto
Timings: 9 AM – 7 PM (Tuesday-Friday); 7 AM – 5 PM (Saturday); 10 AM – 5 PM (Sunday) Monday (Closed)
10. Hike Up The Scarborough Bluffs
Photo: Laslovarga / Wikimedia Commons
The trip to Ontario can be made even better through a visit to the Scarborough Bluffs. It is a 15 km long stretch offering calm, deep turquoise waters, which has everything like cliffs, beaches and well-developed views. Located along Lake Ontario’s Shores, Scarborough Bluffs, together with its good views and nature, represents an amazing landscape. This is great for picnics, hiking, and photography. There is, however, one suggestion to pack some food up and enjoy the peaceful places aside from all the chaos.
Location: 1 Brimley Road, S, Bluffers Park Road, Scarborough
Timings: 5 AM – 7 PM
The city offers a range of things to do in Toronto, including activities to suit all kinds of travellers. Needless to say, it offers a lot to experience. The city has a pulse and so much to offer, be it the cultural quarters and museums to natural escapes and family-oriented attractions. If you are heading towards Toronto for a holiday, book your trip with TripXL. It provides the perfect way to organise all your travel so that the only thing left is to savour the multifaceted things to do in Toronto.
Cover Photo: Wladyslaw / Wikimedia Commons