Having lived in Toronto for 20 years, we’ve explored each nook of the fourth largest metropolis in North America. Whereas touring full-time, we had the chance to pop in and go to Toronto as vacationers, getting a distinct viewpoint. Whereas this lovely metropolis on the shores of Lake Ontario can’t be totally explored in 24 hours, we perceive that lots of people solely have sooner or later in Toronto. So, we’ve created the proper sooner or later in Toronto itinerary that can assist you see the very best of town whereas having a number of adventures to take advantage of your brief keep.
1 Day in Toronto Itinerary
Getting round Toronto for this itinerary is straightforward with the TTC (Toronto Transit Fee), town’s public transit. You’ll both stroll or hop on the streetcar or subway. In the event you actually need to see lots, Ubers are available. Be certain that to get a PRESTO Card so you may simply use public transport throughout your one-day keep in Toronto. It’s good for the Subway, Streetcars, and Buses. We have now a map on the backside of this one-day Toronto Itinerary you can obtain and observe together with.
Morning
This itinerary goes to take you to the highest Toronto points of interest that vacationers will need to see. Since it’s only a sooner or later itinerary for individuals coming into Toronto for a day journey or for individuals who have a short while, we’re sticking to the downtown core and hottest points of interest. If that is your first go to to Toronto, you’re going to need to see all of those locations earlier than you department out.
Discover the Distillery District
Beginning within the East Finish of Toronto, head to the close by Distillery District, a pedestrian-only village stuffed with Victorian-era buildings, artwork galleries, boutique outlets, and charming cafes. Seize a espresso to go at Balzac’s And revel in a leisurely stroll, pictures, and attempting a number of the treats similar to Soma Chocolatemaker for handmade goodies.
The Distillery District is without doubt one of the prime year-round vacationer points of interest in Toronto, with an superior Christmas Market within the winter and loads of eating places, boutique outlets, and breweries to get pleasure from. Whenever you go to Toronto, this isn’t to be missed. Morning is a pleasant to go to earlier than the crowds get too busy.
Whenever you end within the Distillery District, begin strolling into city alongside the Esplanade the place you care going to get pleasure from your subsequent cease and to seize some breakfast.
Begin with a Espresso at St. Lawrence Market
Who doesn’t love beginning at a market? I believe wherever we go on the earth begins at a neighborhood market. St. Lawrence Market is without doubt one of the world’s nice markets and a historic landmark that’s positioned on Entrance Road East. Open since 1803, it’s at present present process an growth, however it’s nonetheless open for enterprise. The indoor market presents an array of recent produce, artisanal items, and delectable breakfast choices. Seize a espresso and a pastry from Carousel Bakery, which is known for its peameal bacon sandwich.
Flatiron Constructing
Persevering with West alongside Entrance Road is a extremely cool stroll by some enjoyable landmarks, similar to Toronto’s Flatiron Constructing and the lovable canine fountain in Berczy Park. Take a more in-depth look, and also you’ll see all of the canine trying up with drooling mouths at an enormous bone. It is a nice stroll (though it’s underneath development in the meanwhile)
Entrance Road
Carry on strolling as a result of there are extra stops alongside the best way. Beginning at Union Station, you may pop inside to see its lovely structure. Throughout the road is the Hockey Corridor of Fame the place sports activities followers might need to go inside for a fast go to to see the Stanley Cup or stroll towards Bay Road to see Scotiabank Area, which is house to the Toronto Raptors and Maple Leafs.
In the event you proceed alongside Entrance Road, you will note the well-known Fairmont Royal York Resort, The Roger’s Middle, which is house to the Toronto Blue Jays, and eventually, the CN Tower. Right here is the place you might be heading subsequent.
CN Tower EdgeWalk
No journey to Toronto is full with no go to to the CN Tower. Standing at 553 meters, it was as soon as the very best tower on the earth. Though it has misplaced that title, it’s nonetheless spectacular, overlooking Lake Ontario, town, Toronto Islands, Centre Island, and proper over Roger’s Centre. If the dome is open, chances are you’ll even see a Toronto Blue Jays sport taking part in.
CN Tower
In the event you’re feeling adventurous, attempt the EdgeWalk, an outside stroll on a 1.5-meter ledge encircling the highest of the tower. That is the easiest way to see the CN Tower because it provides you entry to the commentary deck, glass ground, and restaurant whereas permitting you the superior journey of strolling across the total exterior and seeing Toronto from excessive above. Examine our full expertise CN Tower Edgewalk – Taking up The World’s Highest Sky Stroll
Toronto Railway Museum
Even if you happen to aren’t a fan of trains, the Toronto Railway Museum at Roundhouse Park is value taking a stroll via. Positioned simply south of the CN Tower, you may stroll via Canada’s railway historical past.
Set within the historic John Road Roundhouse, it’s an incredible show of classic railway vehicles and locomotives with an awe-inspiring backdrop of the Toronto skyline. It’s a brief journey, so you may simply add it to your one-day in Toronto itinerary with out losing any time.
Ripley’s Aquarium is down right here, however we don’t advocate going to an aquarium. Fish should have freedom two swim of their pure habitat.
Take pleasure in a Lunch at Kensington Market
It’s time to hop on the Spadina Streetcar and make your approach to Kensington Marketplace for lunch. Get off at Queen Road to stroll via Toronto’s Chinatown and luxuriate in one in every of Toronto’s neighborhoods. Toronto has many neighborhoods, similar to Little Italy, Little India, a number of Chinatowns, and even Greek City within the East Finish. You received’t be capable to see all of them, however Kensington and Chinatown are two cool ones.
Positioned in downtown Toronto, which has an eclectic mixture of meals from all over the world, classic outlets, and people-watching to draw guests all summer season lengthy. Kensington Market is a big metropolis block spanning from Spadina to Bathurst Road and Dundas to Faculty
Whether or not you’re within the temper for Mexican, Center Japanese, or vegan fare, you’ll discover one thing to thrill your style buds. Seven Lives serves a number of the greatest tacos within the metropolis, whereas Rasta Pasta presents a novel fusion of Italian and Jamaican delicacies. With different locations like Tibet Café and Bar, and Soiled Chook Rooster and Waffles, there’s something for everybody.
Afternoon
After lunch, you might be simply a few blocks from Queen Road, so make your approach again so as to add a number of extra enjoyable actions to your checklist earlier than leaving the leisure district and vogue district of Toronto. Don’t fear, you’ll be again.
Go to the Artwork Gallery of Ontario
When visiting Toronto, it’s value testing the Royal Ontario Museum or the Artwork Gallery of Ontario (AGO). Since you’ll already be within the Queen Road West space, we advise going into the AGO. What makes this distinctive is its Group of Seven exhibit, which is a everlasting exhibit of Canada’s most revered artists.
One of many largest artwork museums in North America, the AGO boasts a formidable assortment of over 90,000 works spanning from the primary century to the current day. The gallery’s intensive Canadian assortment, that includes works by the Group of Seven and Indigenous artists, is a spotlight. The fashionable structure by Frank Gehry is itself a murals, making the AGO a must-visit for artwork lovers.
Stroll By Grafitti Alley
A go to to Graffiti Alley is a should for any Toronto itinerary, particularly if you happen to’re spending simply sooner or later within the metropolis. Positioned within the coronary heart of downtown, Graffiti Alley stretches for a number of blocks alongside Rush Lane, between Spadina Avenue and Portland Road, and it is stuffed with avenue artwork that winds via the alleyways simply south of Queen Road.
This ever-evolving out of doors gallery showcases a number of the most spectacular avenue artwork in Toronto. You’ll discover a dazzling array of murals, tags, and large-scale graffiti items created by native and worldwide artists. It’s excellent for pictures buffs and artwork lovers; Graffiti Alley presents a novel and colourful glimpse into town’s thriving city artwork scene. Don’t miss this hidden gem whereas exploring Toronto’s downtown core.
The Toronto Signal at Nathan Phillips Sq.
As you begin to make your approach north, stroll as much as Nathan Phillips Sq. to snap a photograph on the Toronto signal. Positioned proper within the metropolis centre, it’s house to Toronto Metropolis Corridor and New Metropolis Corridor on the intersection of Queen Road West and Bay Road. There may be all the time one thing happening right here, similar to ice skating within the winter and out of doors festivals and markets in the summertime. When visiting Toronto, it’s obligatory to get your selfie in entrance of the Toronto signal.
Yonge and Dundas Sq.
As you proceed alongside Queen Road, stroll in direction of Yonge and Dundas Sq., the center of town centre. It’s Toronto’s reply to Occasions Sq. in New York. It’s not as huge, however it’s vigorous. It’s surrounded by nice eating places, unbelievable purchasing on the Eaton Centre, Metropolis TV stands proudly overhead, and there’s all the time an occasion going down. You might simply have dinner right here, or you would hop on the subway to see one other Toronto neighborhood.
Yorkville
To actually say that you simply’ve seen Toronto, it would be best to make your approach to Yorkville. From Dundas, it’s simply three stops on the subway to Bloor Road. We used to stay proper right here, so while you come out of the subway, lookup on the excessive skyscraper on the nook of 1 Bloor Road, and also you’ll see our condominium on the 63rd ground!
From right here, you’re going to stroll alongside Bloor West, taking within the high-end outlets, that are often known as the Million Greenback Mile, all the best way to the Royal Ontario Museum at Bloor Road West and Avenue Street. You received’t have time to go to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), one of many prime Toronto points of interest, however seeing it from the skin is a should. After doing a fast tour of the museum, take a stroll via Yorkville in the hunt for a spot for dinner.
Night
It’s been an enormous day and I wager you might be hungry.
Dine in Yorkville
Eating in Yorkville is a deal with. Our favorite is the Cibo Wine Bar or Trattoria Nervose if you’re in search of Italian eating places. Sassafraz is on the nook of Cumberland and Belair, and it’s a Yorville Staple. Hemingways is our favorite rooftop bar the place you can too seize dinner or you can also make your approach to the Pilot. There is no such thing as a scarcity of eating on this Toronto Neighborhood.
Evening
There are such a lot of choices for nighttime in Toronto. It’s a world metropolis with skilled theatre performances at locations such because the Royal Alexandra, Princess of Whale and Mirvish Theatre. There are numerous stay exhibits at Massey Corridor and Roy Thompson Corridor, and you’ll catch stay music on the legendary Horseshoe Tavern on Queen Road West, Lees Palace on Bloor West, Cameron Home, or the Opera Home on Queen Road East. Byt let’s spotlight a number of choices for these visiting from out of city.
Expertise Toronto’s Nightlife
Finish your excellent day with a nightcap at one in every of Toronto’s trendy bars or golf equipment. The AP Restaurant is the very best rooftop in Toronto, positioned on the Manulife Centre, which overlooks the downtown core and may be very near Yorkille. It is a nice choice if you wish to keep in the identical neighborhood you’ve simply explored. So is the One Eighty, which additionally has top-of-the-line views of Toronto, just a bit south.
If you wish to head again all the way down to the Leisure District to get together, BarChef within the Queen West presents revolutionary cocktails which can be each scrumptious and visually beautiful. For an additional metropolis skyline at evening, go to the Rooftop Lounge on the Thompson Resort.
Loosen up at Harbourfront
In the event you favor a quieter finish to your day, take a stroll alongside the Harbourfront Centre. There are many indoor actions at Harbourfront Centre. There’s a craft studio the place you may watch glass blowing, stay music, and occasions taking place. It’s a scorching spot within the summertime. It’s a enjoyable place to hang around day or evening. You may go for a stroll from Sugar Seashore within the east finish to Toronto Music Backyard within the west. There are additionally loads of nice eating places.
In case you have greater than sooner or later in Toronto, Harbourfront is an incredible place to hang around. It’s the gateway to the Toronto Islands, and if you happen to hop on a brief ferry experience, you will be worlds away from the hustle and bustle. The Toronto Islands are additionally top-of-the-line locations to get that iconic photograph of the Toronto Skyline.
How one can Get to Toronto
Attending to Toronto is handy whether or not you select to journey by prepare, aircraft, or bus. In the event you’re flying, Toronto Pearson Worldwide Airport (YYZ) is town’s major airport you may take the Up Categorical to Bloor Road or Union Station. Taxis and Ubers can be found as effectively.
Billy Bishop Toronto Metropolis Airport (YTZ) on Toronto Island presents regional flights and is only a brief ferry experience from downtown.
For prepare vacationers, VIA Rail gives snug and scenic routes from varied Canadian cities, with Union Station serving because the central hub in downtown Toronto.
Bus choices join Toronto to quite a few North American locations, together with Niagara Falls. The bus is inexpensive and simple to make use of if you happen to plan to go to Niagara Falls. If you’re planning a visit to Niagara Falls learn our guides to Niagara at The 30 Finest Issues to Do in Niagara Falls, How one can Get From Toronto to Niagara Falls, The place to Keep in Niagara Falls
The place to Keep in Toronto
If you’re not heading house, or have had a cocktail too many, chances are you’ll need to keep in Toronto to prime off the evening. We advocate reserving approach upfront for the very best costs. Toronto lodge costs are getting uncontrolled, however if you happen to can plan forward, you may get some good offers.
If you’re in search of a distinct form of day journey and need some out of doors choices, common spots embody the Toronto Islands, the place you may take a water taxi out of the middle island to get pleasure from a picnic or views from Hanlan’s Level. Excessive Park is common for cherry blossoms and most locals favor to benefit from the laid again life in Trinity Bellwoods Park.
For extra planning of your Toronto Travels, Learn These informative journey guides