Last updated on April 6th, 2024
Toronto from Toronto Islands Ferry
Visit Toronto – CN Tower Area
The CN Tower is the most popular attraction in Toronto, but it’s not the only thing to see in the CN Tower Area. You can easily walk to the CN Tower Area from Union Station. Once you get to the CN Tower, take the Edge Walk on a 5 foot ledge attached to the outside of the tower at a height of 116 floors – weather permitting. Stay inside instead for views of the city while dining.
Beside the tower to its west is Rogers Centre, which is home to the Toronto Blue Jays (MLB) and Toronto Argonauts (CFL). Immediately to the east of the CN Tower is Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada. The Scotiabank Arena is two blocks east of the tower. It’s home to the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL) and the Toronto Raptors (NBA). Two blocks south is Harbourfront Centre where you can walk along the waterfront or enjoy activities at the centre.
Toronto Eaton Centre
Visit Toronto Eaton Centre
At the north end of the downtown area you will find the Toronto Eaton Centre. The Toronto Eaton Centre has lots of shopping and an amazing food court that is open late every night. Across from the Eaton Centre is Toronto City Hall on Nathan Phillips Square. In winter, try ice skating in Nathan Phillips Square 24 hours a day. Skate rentals are reasonably priced. The lockers even return your quarter when you are done. There is no charge to skate.
The PATH, A Weekend Ghost Town
Visit Toronto – the PATH
The PATH links miles of underground shopping and food courts under downtown Toronto. It’s the largest underground complex in the world. You can use the PATH to reach the CN Tower, Blue Jays Baseball, Raptors Basketball, Union Station, Ripley’s Aquarium, the Harbourfront Centre, the Hockey Hall of Fame, City Hall and the Toronto Eaton Centre. In winter, use the PATH to visit Toronto and stay warm at the same time.
CN Tower, Lake Ontario, © Can Stock / Mark52
Toronto Museums and Festivals
- the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Ontario Science Centre and the Bata Shoe Museum
- BCE Place (Brookfield Place) with the elaborate architecture of the Allen Lambert Galleria. The Hockey Hall of Fame is here too.
- Royal Alexandra Theatre
- Toronto International Film Festival
- Historic Campbell House
- Caribana (Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade)
Centre Island, Toronto Islands
Visit Toronto Parks, Beaches and Gardens
- Toronto Islands – Take a short ferry ride to the Toronto Islands on Lake Ontario. Have a barbecue, ride the bike paths and catch views of the city. Visit the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, Franklin Children’s Garden and Centreville Amusement Park.
- Casa Loma – extravagant residence built by Sir Henry Pellatt in the early 1900s which includes 5 acres of gardens.
- The Toronto Beaches – Balmy Beach Park, Woodbine Beach, Scarboro Beach Amusement Park and Kew Beach/Gardens.
- High Park – extensive park and gardens, Grenadier Pond, a small zoo, Jamie Bell Adventure Playground and sports facilities all located downtown near the waterfront.
- Walk through the ravines. Try the Ravines Reach of the Don River.
Kensington Market
Visit Toronto – Markets
- St Lawrence Market
- Kensington Market – not as much a market as a series of shops and interesting small restaurants lining the streets.
View from CN Tower Dining Lounge
Visit Toronto – Hotels
Downtown hotels are close to major attractions, the popular Eaton Centre food court, the PATH and the highly efficient subway / streetcar system.
- One King West Hotel & Residence
- The Fairmont Royal York
- Westin Harbour Castle, Toronto
- InterContinental Toronto Centre
Nathan Phillips Square Ice Skating
Visit Toronto – More Sights
- Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) – Canada’s largest fair, held annually in late August.
- Medieval Times – eat chicken medieval style without utensils, while watching battles being waged in the arena by knights in armor.
- Black Creek Pioneer Village
- Ontario Place – Park, marina, IMAX theatre, Molson Amphitheatre.
- Toronto Zoo
Casa Loma, © Can Stock./ sainaniritu
Savor the Tastes of Toronto
- Toronto Eaton Centre – choose from Asian, Mediterranean, Greek, Indian. Try gelato and freshly made crepes.
- Chinatown – along Dundas Street West and Spadina Avenue. Try Hakka – a combination of Chinese and Indian.
- Little Italy and Portugal Village – at College and Grace
- Little India – on Gerrard Street between Greenwood and Coxwell
- Koreatown – along Bloor Street between Christie and Bathurst Streets in the Annex.
- the Distillery District – pedestrian only village of heritage buildings with shops, cafes and restaurants.
- Frans Restaurant – it never closes.
- Bars on College Street, including lots of live music. El Mocambo Taverna has hosted the Rolling Stones and U2.
Brookfield Place
Visit Sights near Toronto
- Niagara Falls – Travel 2 hours by rental car, MegaBus.com, Via rail / bus or with a day tour.
- Niagara-on-the-Lake – a small, picturesque town of about 15,000 people. Take a shuttle to Niagara on the Lake from Niagara Falls.
- Canada’s Wonderland – gigantic amusement park.
- African Lion Safari
Scarborough Bluffs Park, © Can Stock / Iryna
Toronto Weather
Toronto weather is warm and humid in summer. The Toronto weather in winter is cold with some snowfall. Lake Ontario creates increased snowfall in the winter and also brings cool breezes in the summer. Snowfall usually does not stay for long periods in winter. You can expect Toronto weather in summer to have highs around 85 F (30 C). Thunderstorms are common during the summer. July and August are busy tourist months with good weather, however June and September are excellent options.
Get to Toronto
The way to get to Toronto is through Toronto Pearson International Airport. A cab ride to downtown from the airport takes a little over half an hour if you avoid rush hour. A better alternative is the Union Pearson Express train. The Union Pearson Express takes less than half an hour to get from the airport to Union Station on the lakefront in the heart of downtown. The UP Express is inexpensive, but the cheapest option is the 192 Airport Rocket.
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The 192 Airport Rocket
The 192 Airport Rocket was the standard route downtown before the UP Express was built in 2015. It’s an express bus that takes you from the airport to Kipling Subway Station, which is half way to downtown. From there you take the #2 Line subway and finish off with the #1 Line that runs in a U-shape through downtown to the lakefront. The 192 Airport Rocket and the subway both run frequently, so the entire trip from the airport takes about an hour and costs only a few dollars.
Toronto Streetcar, walk into the street to board
Toronto Streetcars
For transportation about the city, you can’t beat the one day pass for 2 adults or a family on the Toronto Streetcars and Buses. The group price is very inexpensive. Simply show the pass to a driver or subway station attendant and your group rides as much as you want for the day. Be careful when using the Toronto Streetcars as they often stop in the center lane of traffic to pick up and drop off passengers. Car drivers know it’s illegal to drive down the outside lane when streetcars stop, but it’s still quite dangerous and exciting to ride the Toronto Streetcars.
Visit Toronto – Background
Toronto is the largest city in Canada. More than 6 million people live in the urban area. The city is on Lake Ontario. Toronto is often mistaken as being the capital of Canada, but Ottawa is the national capital. City city was founded in 1793 as the town of York. Today Toronto is a cultural diverse metropolitan city with nearly half its inhabitants being immigrants. Districts include the Old Town and the well known areas of Scarborough and Etobicoke. Yonge Street is the financial center of Canada and the longest street in the world.
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