Looking for Things to Do in Toronto Ontario?

The beautiful and diverse city of Toronto, which is the capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada offers its visitors a wide range of options of attractions, whether it’s luscious parks, interesting museums and obviously the widely known CN Tower, not to mention the world-famous nearby Niagara Falls.

There are plenty of things to do for tourists, whether they love fine dining, musicals, visiting historical areas such as the Distillery District, shopping or simply exploring and admiring beautifully restored buildings.

Several of these attractions are within walking distance of each other, making the city of Toronto easy to explore. It is also equipped with an efficient transport system and even an underground walkway connecting all the main shopping and entertainment areas, making it easier to explore Toronto even during the winter months. In the warmer months, you can enjoy the stunning beaches, parks and waterfront.

Read more below to see our top attractions in the beautiful city of Toronto.

Enjoy the view from the CN Tower

One of the most famous buildings in the city of Toronto, the CN Tower is a whopping 553m tall and it’s hard to miss when visiting as it can be seen from nearly everywhere in the city.
You can either admire the building from the ground or pay a visit up to one of their restaurants or viewing points, where you can appreciate excellent views over the beautiful Lake Ontario and the whole city.
The CN Tower was built in the 70s and used to be the tallest freestanding building in the world, but not anymore sadly. Standing at 447m above ground, the Sky Pod is the tallest viewing area of the tower, from which you can even see the Niagara Falls and the New York State, if catching a clear day. You can easily reach it by catching two elevators.

There is also the LookOut level, positioned at 346m and equipped with floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as the new Glass Floor, which gives tourists a beautiful wide view over the city. The older Glass Floor is located one floor below where the Outdoor Sky Terrace is now located.

Tourists seeking a bit more of adrenaline, they can experience the “Edge Walk”, which is a hands-free walk on a 1.5m wide ledge around the outside edge of the main pod, standing a whopping 365m above ground. Thankfully visitors are secured with safety harnesses and ropes.

Also worth a visit, the revolving 360 Restaurant offers excellent fine dining options and breathtaking views over the beautiful city of Toronto, standing at 351m. Open for lunch and dinner, diners can also access the LookOut and Glass Floor levels for free.

For those looking for a little more adventure, or perhaps a lot more adventure, there is the “Edge Walk.” This involves a hands-free walk on a 1.5-meter-wide ledge around the outside edge of the main pod, at an elevation of 365 meters. Participants are attached to a safety harness and rope.

Being very centrally located, it is often advisable for visitors to stay near the CN tower so they can explore Toronto much easier.

Address: 301 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario

Explore the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)

The Royal Ontario Museum, also known as the ROM, is one of most recognised museums of Canada, hosting outstanding collections that include natural history, art, and culture from around the world and from all eras. It also often features world-renowned and international exhibitions.

Back in 2007, a more modern wing called the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, made of glass and sharp angles, was added to the very traditional building, which was considered fairly controversial. It is now considered one of the most known and recognisable buildings in the city.

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

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Based near the CN Tower, the Ripley’s Aquarium is one of the newest yet incredible attractions, hosting a wide variety of marine creatures and is considered a great activity for families visiting Toronto.

The highlight of the attraction is the huge underwater tunnel, equipped with a moving sidewalk too. This incredible feature allows you to observe the marine life around and above you, and feel fully immersed as if you were in the ocean with sharks and sawfishes, an amazing experience for all ages.

Another excellent feature is the jellyfish display, curated with special lighting, as well as hands-on experiences such as the touch tanks with smaller sharks and stingrays. Lastly, for those interested in engineering, the building allows visitors to look into the Life Support System and filtration equipment as it’s fully open.

Address: 288 Bremner Boulevard, Toronto, Ontario

Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)

One of the largest museums in North America, the well-known Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) hosts nearly 100,000 pieces from all around the world, ranging from European masterpieces to contemporary art, as well as a considerable collection of Canadian Art, including works by the Group of Seven. Additionally, it often hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year.

Its building is very unique looking, blending older and modern architecture, and it’s located on the west side of the city center and next to the Ontario College of Art and Design, whose stilts it stands above the street resemble pencils.

Day Trip to Niagara Falls

The ideal day trip from Toronto, going to Niagara Falls is a must-do if in the area, and easy to reach in little over an hour.

Organising a tour from Toronto is easy and convenient, and often include hotel pickup and drop-off and a Hornblower Niagara Cruise, taking you close to the majestic waterfall, that is the main Horseshoe Falls.

Tours often include stops at some of the key sightseeing spotsin the area, including Whirlpool Rapids, the Floral Clock, and the beautiful little town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Other transport options include the Go Train, going to Niagara Falls from Union Station in summer, from late June to the start of September, as well as the Thanksgiving weekend in October. If you fancy biking along the Niagara Parkway, you are allowed to take your bike on the train on weekends.

And if you are not strapped for time, you could spend a night at Niagara Falls to explore the town and see the falls lit up at night.

Dining and Enjoying the Entertainment District

Covering a wide area of the city center and including a lot of attractions such as the CN Tower, Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, and many museums, the Entertainment District also hosts a wide range of excellent restaurants, as well as shows and performances. Most of the action is centered around King Street, between Spadina Avenue and University Avenue.
Often compared to New York’s Broadway, the Entertainment District is the ideal place to enjoy Toronto’s nightlife. It hosts major theater productions, including musicals, concerts, and other performing arts.

The most famous venues are Roy Thomson Hall, home to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal Alexandra Theatre, which hosts the most current musicals.

See the Animals at the Toronto Zoo

Another great activity for all ages is the Toronto zoo, which hosts an impressive collection of around 5,000 creatures, including pygmy hippos, lions, tigers, giraffes, penguins, orangutans, and many more. The zoo is organised according to regions of the world and also includes sections such as the Gorilla Rainforest; the Tundra Trek, featuring polar bears; and the Great Barrier Reef. It also offers a Discovery Zone, which during the summer it turns into a splash pad, very popular with the crowd.

The zoo is located by the Rouge River, roughly 40 kilometers northeast of the city center.

Address: 361A Old Finch Road, Toronto

Tour Casa Loma

Casa Loma is a stunning building resembling a medieval castle, surrounded by beautifully kept grounds. Built in 1914 for Sir Henry Pellatt, an interesting Canadian multi-millionaire who was one of the first people to discover the financial potential of exploiting the Niagara Falls, it has more than 100 rooms including more than 30 ballrooms. It is now a museum where visitors can be taken back to the old European elegance and splendor. The castle offers secret passages, an 800ft tunnel, towers, stables and 5 acres of beautiful gardens.

Address: 1 Austin Terrace, Toronto

Explore St. Lawrence Market

The St. Lawrence Market hosts a variety of vendors selling everything from food products, flowers, and much more. Originally built in 1850, The St. Lawrence Hall was once used as a public meeting place and a concert venue.

It is the perfect stopover after wandering in the surrounding areas shopping or sightseeing, as it has several eating and drinking spots. During the warmer months, you can enjoy the outdoor patios and elevated spaces as well.

Although restored in the 60s, it is still just as charming and it has been often used for film and TV shoots, due to its beautiful decorations, grand staircase and chandeliers.

The nearby stunning Gooderham building on Church Street is another local highlight. To find it, head north (away from the lake) up to Front Street and then head west for a block and a half. Located in front of the towers of downtown Toronto, it is one of the most iconic pictures of the city.

Address: 92 Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario

City Hall & Nathan Philips Square

The new City Hall, located in the spacious Nathan Philips Square, hosts a beautiful bronze sculpture, The Archer, by Henry Moore, and was designed by the gifted Finnish architect Viljo Revell back in 1965.
During the winter months, the man-made pond in the square located in front of the City Hall is used as a skating rink and where the popular Toronto sign is located. We recommend visiting it during the Christmas Holidays to enjoy the beautiful lights and decorations.

Address: 100 Queen Street West, Toronto, Ontario

Watch the Action at Yonge Dundas Square

Inspired by New York’s Times Square, this square is a very popular gathering spot for Torontonians, due to its functional seating areas, dancing fountains, and a stage where concerts take place in the summer.

In the evenings, the Yonge Dundas Square comes to life with its flashing neon signs and the fun vibe throughout, a perfect spot for people watching and enjoying a night out, whether eating or drinking.

This popular square can be easily accessed via Toronto’s subway system, or you can park in the large underground parking lot directly beneath the square.

Explore Kensington Market

Kensington Market is a very popular area of Toronto, ideal for a stroll and for soaking in its bohemian and multicultural feel. Best enjoyed during the warmer months, visitors can explore its shopping opportunities, listen to street-side musicians, or simply enjoy its atmosphere.

The retailers sell a variety of items from Tibetan blankets to jewelry, bags, purses, and vintage clothing, and there are even a couple of cheese shops. The market is decorated with beautiful street art and there are several food outlets offering a multicultural festival of choices that include Jamaican, Mexican, Tibetan, or more basic options like pizza or smoothies. You can also find natural food stores, tattoo shops, and fruit and vegetable stands.

Dine and Shop in the Distillery District

Another great location to explore, dine and shop, Toronto’s Distillery District is actually a restored historic area, now turned into a trendy entertainment and shopping district. This district hosts pretty boutiques, galleries, artists’ studios, and restaurants, which blend perfectly with its older look and has become a great place to enjoy all year around.

One of the most popular events taking place here is the annual Toronto Christmas Market, which hosts a variety of wooden stalls, decorated for Christmas to sell unique gifts. It also hosts a huge Christmas tree and offers cozy outdoor areas, with couches and large fire pits to gather around.

Visit the Aga Khan Museum

One of the most important institutions dedicated to Islamic Arts in North America, the Aga Khan Museum is housed in a spectacular light-filled modern building surrounded by large reflecting pools.

Here you can find manuscripts, ceramics, and textiles, with pieces dating from the 9th right through to the 19th century and the first permanent collection dates back to the 50s and was first set up by the late Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan and the Princess Catharine Aga Khan.
It also hosts visiting exhibitions showcasing collections from all around the world.

The museum’s restaurant is one of Toronto’s top dining destinations.

Soak In Nature at High Park

This vast green space is filled with nature trails, natural ponds, streams and more. Extending for 165-acre, this country property was originally owned by the Howards, and deeded to the City of Toronto in 1873. This deed stated that the park was to remain “for the free use, benefit and enjoyment of the citizens of Toronto and it be called High Park.”

High Park also hosts a zoo, with several animals, including bison; reindeer; llamas; wallabies; and Toronto’s famous Capybaras, Bonnie and Clyde, who escaped from their enclosure and quickly rose to fame on social media a few years back.

Visitors can explore swimming and wading pools, playgrounds, picnic areas, and even take a scenic train tour. During springtime, for a week or maximum 10 days, the sakura cherry trees burst into bloom as if to announce the beginning of warmer weather. Very popular with Torontians and tourists, it is one of the main attractions in the park and best seen near the duck pond.

Every year, during the summer months, the Canadian Stage Company puts on a performance at the open-air theater in the park known as “Shakespeare in High Park.”

Visit Toronto Islands

You can visit the beautiful Toronto Islands by taking a ferry trip from Queen’s Quay Terminal, which are located about a kilometer offshore.

Once there, you can explore the islands on foot but also you can enjoy rowing, sailing, swimming, and other outdoor activities. In summer, the Toronto Islands are the venue for numerous open-air events

Perfect for kids and families, the Centreville Amusement Park is located on Centre Island, one of the Toronto Islands and features a variety of children’s rides.

Hockey Hall of Fame

If you are a hockey fan, a trip to the Hockey Hall of Fame in downtown Toronto is a must.
Here you can learn everything you need to know about the all-time hockey greats: the players, the teams, and the games. You can also see the Stanley Cup, along with a collection of important memorabilia, and an interactive display allows you to test your own hockey skills.

Address: Brookfield Place, 30 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario

Graffiti Alley

For those familiar with the long running TV comedy series, Rick Mercer Report, you will know this location quite well. This is where he filmed his controversial news rants. However, if you have never seen the show, you can still enjoy this beautiful area, very popular with tourists taking pictures in front of the painted doorways and windows.

Graffiti Alley runs parallel to, and between, Queens Street West and Richmond Street West from Spadina Avenue to Portland Street.

Edward Gardens

Located in the district of North York, this luscious estate garden is home to wildflowers, peaceful waterfalls and extensive rockery. The arboretum has been installed next to the Children’s Teaching Garden, perfect for kids to explore the beautiful environment and learn more about nature.

Next to this park, you can also find the Toronto Botanical Gardens, featuring more than 3.7 acres of land and including 17 unique gardens like the Pollinator Garden with Urban Bee Hives, the Kitchen & Herb Garden and the striking Carpet Beds, which hold 15,000 plants and carry on the tradition of Victorian carpet bedding.

Scarborough Bluffs

Last but not least, one must not miss a visit to the Scarborough Bluffs, located on the east side of Toronto along Lake Ontario. The nine-mile stretch of cliffs is home to 11 different parks.
Visitors can explore and soak in the area’s natural beauty and its scenic views from the top of the bluffs over the lake. The top activity here is obviously hiking, although you can choose to hike the 300-foot cliffs or simply drive up. There’s also a sandy beach with picnic areas at Bluffer’s Park.