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 unique viewpoint. Whereas this stunning metropolis on the shores of Lake Ontario can’t be totally explored in 24 hours, we perceive that lots of people solely have someday in Toronto. So, we’ve created the right someday in Toronto itinerary that can assist you see the perfect of the town whereas having a couple of adventures to benefit from your brief keep.
1 Day in Toronto Itinerary
Getting round Toronto for this itinerary is straightforward with the TTC (Toronto Transit Fee), the town’s public transit. You’ll both stroll or hop on the streetcar or subway. When you actually need to see lots, Ubers are available. Make certain to get a PRESTO Card so you’ll be able to simply use public transport throughout your one-day keep in Toronto. It’s good for the Subway, Streetcars, and Buses. Now we have a map on the backside of this one-day Toronto Itinerary that you could obtain and comply with 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 someday itinerary for folks 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’ll 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 full of Victorian-era buildings, artwork galleries, boutique outlets, and charming cafes. Seize a espresso to go at Balzac’s And luxuriate in a leisurely stroll, images, and attempting a number of the treats similar to Soma Chocolatemaker for handmade sweets.
The Distillery District is likely 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 take pleasure in. 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 take pleasure in 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 feel wherever we go on the earth begins at an area market. St. Lawrence Market is likely one of the world’s nice markets and a historic landmark that’s situated on Entrance Road East. Open since 1803, it’s at the moment present process an enlargement, however it’s nonetheless open for enterprise. The indoor market gives an array of recent produce, artisanal items, and delectable breakfast choices. Seize a espresso and a pastry from Carousel Bakery, which is legendary 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 better look, and also you’ll see all of the canine trying up with drooling mouths at a large bone. It is a nice stroll (though it’s beneath building in the mean time)
Entrance Road
Carry on strolling as a result of there are extra stops alongside the way in which. Beginning at Union Station, you’ll be able to pop inside to see its stunning structure. Throughout the road is the Hockey Corridor of Fame the place sports activities followers could 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 residence to the Toronto Raptors and Maple Leafs.
When you proceed alongside Entrance Road, you will note the well-known Fairmont Royal York Lodge, The Roger’s Middle, which is residence to the Toronto Blue Jays, and eventually, the CN Tower. Right here is the place you’re heading subsequent.
CN Tower EdgeWalk
No journey to Toronto is full with out a go to to the CN Tower. Standing at 553 meters, it was as soon as the best tower on the earth. Though it has misplaced that title, it’s nonetheless spectacular, overlooking Lake Ontario, the town, Toronto Islands, Centre Island, and proper over Roger’s Centre. If the dome is open, it’s possible you’ll even see a Toronto Blue Jays sport enjoying.
CN Tower
When you’re feeling adventurous, strive 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 remark deck, glass ground, and restaurant whereas permitting you the superior journey of strolling across the whole 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 in the event you aren’t a fan of trains, the Toronto Railway Museum at Roundhouse Park is price taking a stroll by means of. Positioned simply south of the CN Tower, you’ll be able to stroll by means of 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’ll be able to 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 suggest going to an aquarium. Fish need to 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 by means of Toronto’s Chinatown and revel 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 gained’t be capable of see all of them, however Kensington and Chinatown are two cool ones.
Positioned in downtown Toronto, which has an eclectic mixture of meals from around the globe, 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 School
Whether or not you’re within the temper for Mexican, Center Jap, or vegan fare, you’ll discover one thing to thrill your style buds. Seven Lives serves a number of the finest tacos within the metropolis, whereas Rasta Pasta gives a novel fusion of Italian and Jamaican delicacies. With different locations like Tibet Café and Bar, and Soiled Chook Hen and Waffles, there’s something for everybody.
Afternoon
After lunch, you’re simply a few blocks from Queen Road, so make your method again so as to add a couple of extra enjoyable actions to your listing earlier than leaving the leisure district and trend district of Toronto. Don’t fear, you’ll be again.
Go to the Artwork Gallery of Ontario
When visiting Toronto, it’s price trying out the Royal Ontario Museum or the Artwork Gallery of Ontario (AGO). Since you’ll already be within the Queen Road West space, we recommend 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 powerful 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 trendy structure by Frank Gehry is itself a murals, making the AGO a must-visit for artwork lovers.
Stroll Via Grafitti Alley
A go to to Graffiti Alley is a should for any Toronto itinerary, particularly in the event you’re spending simply someday 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 filled with road artwork that winds by means of the alleyways simply south of Queen Road.
This ever-evolving out of doors gallery showcases a number of the most spectacular road 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 images buffs and artwork lovers; Graffiti Alley gives a novel and colourful glimpse into the 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 method north, stroll as much as Nathan Phillips Sq. to snap a photograph on the Toronto signal. Positioned proper within the metropolis centre, it’s residence to Toronto Metropolis Corridor and New Metropolis Corridor on the intersection of Queen Road West and Bay Road. There’s all the time one thing occurring 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 the town centre. It’s Toronto’s reply to Occasions Sq. in New York. It’s not as huge, however it’s full of life. It’s surrounded by nice eating places, incredible buying on the Eaton Centre, Metropolis TV stands proudly overhead, and there’s all the time an occasion happening. You might simply have dinner right here, or you can hop on the subway to see one other Toronto neighborhood.
Yorkville
To actually say that you just’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 reside proper right here, so whenever you come out of the subway, search for on the excessive skyscraper on the nook of 1 Bloor Road, and also you’ll see our rental on the 63rd ground!
From right here, you’ll stroll alongside Bloor West, taking within the high-end outlets, that are often known as the Million Greenback Mile, all the way in which to the Royal Ontario Museum at Bloor Road West and Avenue Highway. You gained’t have time to go to the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), one of many prime Toronto points of interest, however seeing it from the surface is a should. After doing a fast tour of the museum, take a stroll by means of Yorkville in quest of a spot for dinner.
Night
It’s been an enormous day and I guess you’re hungry.
Dine in Yorkville
Eating in Yorkville is a deal with. Our favorite is the Cibo Wine Bar or Trattoria Nervose if you’re searching for 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 even seize dinner or you may make your approach to the Pilot. There isn’t a scarcity of eating on this Toronto Neighborhood.
Night time
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 reside exhibits at Massey Corridor and Roy Thompson Corridor, and you may catch reside 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 couple 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 fashionable bars or golf equipment. The AP Restaurant is the best rooftop in Toronto, situated on the Manulife Centre, which overlooks the downtown core and may be very near Yorkille. It is a nice possibility 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 celebration, BarChef within the Queen West gives revolutionary cocktails which might be each scrumptious and visually beautiful. For one more metropolis skyline at night time, go to the Rooftop Lounge on the Thompson Lodge.
Calm down at Harbourfront
When 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’ll be able to watch glass blowing, reside music, and occasions taking place. It’s a sizzling spot within the summertime. It’s a enjoyable place to hang around day or night time. You’ll be able to go for a stroll from Sugar Seaside within the east finish to Toronto Music Backyard within the west. There are additionally loads of nice eating places.
When you’ve got greater than someday in Toronto, Harbourfront is an incredible place to hang around. It’s the gateway to the Toronto Islands, and in the event you hop on a brief ferry trip, you will be worlds away from the hustle and bustle. The Toronto Islands are additionally top-of-the-line locations to get that iconic picture of the Toronto Skyline.
The way to Get to Toronto
Attending to Toronto is handy whether or not you select to journey by prepare, aircraft, or bus. When you’re flying, Toronto Pearson Worldwide Airport (YYZ) is the town’s major airport you’ll be able to take the Up Specific to Bloor Road or Union Station. Taxis and Ubers can be found as properly.
Billy Bishop Toronto Metropolis Airport (YTZ) on Toronto Island gives regional flights and is only a brief ferry trip from downtown.
For prepare vacationers, VIA Rail supplies comfy and scenic routes from numerous 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 reasonably priced and straightforward to make use of in the event you 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, The way to Get From Toronto to Niagara Falls, The place to Keep in Niagara Falls
The place to Keep in Toronto
If you’re not heading residence, or have had a cocktail too many, it’s possible you’ll need to keep in Toronto to prime off the night time. We suggest reserving method upfront for the perfect costs. Toronto lodge costs are getting uncontrolled, however in the event you can plan forward, you may get some good offers.
If you’re searching for a unique sort of day journey and wish some out of doors choices, standard spots embody the Toronto Islands, the place you’ll be able to take a water taxi out of the middle island to take pleasure in a picnic or views from Hanlan’s Level. Excessive Park is standard 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