The best things to do in Toronto, selected with a local point of view. Find attractions, parks, tours, markets and neighbourhood finds.
First-timers should start with the CN Tower observation deck for city views, then walk the Distillery District and Kensington Market for culture and food. Add Ripley's Aquarium, a Harbourfront walk, and St. Lawrence Market on a Saturday morning. For a full plan, see our 48-hour first-timer itinerary.
Check our Events page for live concerts, sports, and festivals happening this weekend. Regulars include the Distillery District on weekends, Kensington Market, Saturday morning at St. Lawrence Market, and the Toronto Islands by ferry. In summer, look for outdoor festivals along the waterfront.
Toronto is excellent for families. Top picks: Ripley's Aquarium of Canada (the shark tunnel alone is worth it), the Toronto Zoo, Ontario Science Centre, High Park, the ferry to Centre Island, and the CN Tower glass floor. The waterfront and Harbourfront Centre also have excellent free kids programming in summer.
Some of the best free activities include exploring the Toronto Islands (ferry costs $9.38 return), walking the Harbourfront, visiting High Park and the Scarborough Bluffs, browsing the Distillery District and Kensington Market, and checking out the Art Gallery of Ontario on the first Wednesday of the month from 6–9pm. Graffiti Alley is always free.
Toronto is famous for the CN Tower, the Distillery District, world-class food markets like St. Lawrence Market, its multicultural neighbourhoods (Kensington Market, Little Italy, Greektown, Chinatown), and being a major sports city home to the Raptors, Maple Leafs, and Blue Jays.
3–4 days is ideal to see the main highlights including the waterfront, CN Tower, Distillery District, Kensington Market, and a few neighbourhood restaurants. A full week lets you explore more neighbourhoods, do a day trip to Niagara Falls, and enjoy live events or sports.
June to September is peak season with warm weather, patios, festivals like TIFF and Caribbean Carnival, and outdoor events. May and October offer fewer crowds with still-pleasant weather. Winter is great if you love skating, the Christmas Market, and indoor culture.
Downtown Toronto is very walkable — most major attractions, restaurants, and hotels are accessible on foot or via the TTC subway and streetcar. The PATH underground network connects many downtown buildings. The Harbourfront trail is a beautiful flat walk along the lake.
Showing 1–24 of 493 experiences.
The ultimate Ontario aerial experience — a full hour by light aircraft from Toronto over Lake Ontario and along the Niagara Escarpment to Niagara Falls, then back. Two world-class landmarks seen from the air in a single flight with iflyTOTO. Rated 4.2/5 with 59 reviews, this is genuinely bucket-list territory.
Time needed: Expect 1.5–2 hours, including ground briefing and boarding time.
A 1-hour private guided photography tour with a professional Toronto photographer — rated 5.0/5 with 2 reviews. They take you to the city's most photogenic spots at the best times of day and help you capture the images you actually came here for. At CA$400, this is professional guidance delivered as an experience.
Time needed: 1 hour (plus a few minutes for review and wrap-up).
One of the highest-rated tours in Toronto — a classic 60-minute cruise around the inner harbour with live expert narration covering the city's history, architecture, and waterfront landmarks. Stunning CN Tower views from the water, the Toronto Islands up close, and a perspective on the skyline that you simply can't get on land.
Time needed: Allow 1.5 hours including boarding and disembarking.
One of North America's most spectacular waterways — the St. Lawrence River's Thousand Islands region has 1,864 islands ranging from bare rocks to island estates, the Boldt Castle on Heart Island, and the international border running between Canadian and American islands. River cruises from Gananoque or Kingston cover the best of the archipelago.
Time needed: Half day (including drive + 1–3 hour cruise)
Toronto's premier warehouse rave destination — 131 McCormack Street in The Junction is a 20,000-square-foot industrial space that runs some of the city's most ambitious one-night events: underground electronic parties with VOID sound systems, Pride warehouse raves, tattoo and food pop-ups inside the party, and multi-room events that fill the full 20,000 square feet. Not a permanent club — check the event calendar.
Time needed: 3–6 hours, depending on the event and how late you stay.
A 3-day private car tour covering Niagara Falls and Toronto city — fully private transport with a driver-guide, hotel included, and a pace set entirely by your group. The premium road trip version of the classic Toronto–Niagara experience for those who want door-to-door luxury without any group tour compromise.
Time needed: Three full days (depart/return times are flexible based on your plans).
Three days covering Ontario's greatest hits — Toronto city, the breathtaking 1000 Islands, and Niagara Falls — in one well-organized tour. Rated 4.9/5 with 46 reviews, this is consistently one of the highest-rated multi-day packages departing Toronto. Accommodation, transport, and guided commentary included.
Time needed: Full 3 days and 2 nights—each location gets real visit time.
Dinner 351 metres above Toronto — 360 The Restaurant makes a full rotation while you dine, giving you views in every direction over a 90-minute meal. The food quality (Canadian-focused menu) has improved significantly and the experience of watching the city slowly rotate below your table remains genuinely extraordinary.
Time needed: 1.5–2.5 hours
An epic 5-day tour covering Eastern Canada's greatest cities — Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, and Niagara Falls — in one expertly organized journey. Rated 5.0/5 and available from CA$1,751, this is the definitive Eastern Canada experience for visitors who want to see the country's full cultural and natural range in a single trip.
Time needed: 5 full days — early starts and late finishes most days.
A 5-day tour covering the best of Eastern Canada from Toronto — an extended journey through Ontario and Quebec taking in the major cities, Niagara Falls, and the landscapes between. At CA$1,663, this is the most comprehensive Ontario and Eastern Canada experience available as a single package.
Time needed: 5 full days, early mornings to evenings.
A classic 60-minute sightseeing cruise around Toronto Harbour — affordable, relaxed, and one of the best ways to see the CN Tower and skyline from the water without committing to a longer tour. Rated 4.1/5 with nearly 300 reviews, this is the go-to for visitors who want the harbour experience at a friendly price.
Time needed: About 75 minutes, including boarding and disembarking.
The Art Gallery of Ontario's most beloved cultural event — First Thursdays (every first Thursday of the month) extends hours to 9pm with live music, cash bar, and the full Frank Gehry-designed gallery open. The AGO's collection of Canadian art, Henry Moore sculptures, and European masterworks is exceptional any day of the week.
Time needed: 2–3 hours, longer if you catch live sets or get absorbed in exhibitions.
North Toronto's dedicated stand-up comedy room with a rotating roster of local and touring headliners. Absolute Comedy is a proper comedy club — intimate room, professional sound, and a crowd that comes specifically to laugh.
Time needed: 2–3 hours for a typical show including breaks.
Drive your own vehicle through 7 game reserves with 1,000+ exotic animals — lions, white rhinos, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, and Asian elephants roam in expansive habitats while you drive past in your car. Add the boat tour, the elephant show, and a tour bus ride to make it a full day. 1 hour west of Toronto near Hamilton.
Time needed: 4–6 hours for the drive-through, shows, boat tour, and extras.
Toronto's most civilized two hours — the Windsor Arms' Tea Room has served traditional afternoon tea since 1927: three-tiered finger sandwiches, fresh scones with clotted cream, pastries, and an extensive tea selection in a heritage hotel that hasn't lost its elegance. The gold standard for Toronto luxury experiences.
Time needed: 2 hours
A stunning contemporary building housing one of the world's finest collections of Islamic art and culture. The architecture by Fumihiko Maki alone is worth the trip. Free every Wednesday, 4–8pm. Tickets are available in person at Guest Services. Serene, beautiful, and undervisited.
Time needed: 2–3 hours
The most architecturally distinguished building in Toronto — the Aga Khan Museum (Fumihiko Maki) sits beside the Ismaili Centre in a 17-acre campus of formal Persian gardens, reflective pools, and limestone buildings that constitute the finest contemporary architectural ensemble in Canada. The Islamic art collection inside is extraordinary.
Time needed: 2–4 hours, more if you linger in the gardens or catch a special exhibit.
The extraordinary geometric park surrounding the Aga Khan Museum — reflecting pools, Islamic geometric garden patterns, and Canadian landscape design at their finest. The park alone, without entering the museum, is worth the journey to Don Mills.
Time needed: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
Ontario's most famous wilderness park — Algonquin spans 7,653 km² of lakes, rivers, and old-growth forest. Day-trippable from Toronto for a hike on the Highway 60 corridor (Lookout Trail, Bat Lake Trail, Track and Tower Trail), wildlife viewing (moose, beaver, loons), and the Algonquin Logging Museum. 2.5–3 hours from Toronto.
Time needed: Full day (8–10 hours with travel).
Toronto's flagship waterfront brewery bar — Amsterdam Brewhouse sits directly on Queens Quay with a massive outdoor patio facing Lake Ontario and the CN Tower. Twenty-plus Amsterdam beers on tap, a full food menu, and one of the best patios in the city make this a non-negotiable summer stop.
Time needed: 2–3 hours, longer in prime patio season or with groups.
One of Ontario's most beloved farm experiences — apple and pumpkin picking, a massive corn maze, wagon rides, and a farm market stocked with homemade pies, cider, and jams. Fall weekends here are peak Ontario.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on crowds
One of Ontario's most scenic pick-your-own farms — Andrews' in Milton sits on rolling Niagara Escarpment farmland with panoramic countryside views. Strawberries in June, sweet cherries in July, peaches in August, and apples through October. The farm also grows cut-your-own sunflowers and sweet corn, making late summer visits spectacular. The farm market sells preserves, pies, and local produce.
Time needed: 2–3 hours (longer if you picnic or linger for photos).
The Annex and Harbord Village have the highest concentration of independent bookshops in Canada. Monkey's Paw, Another Story, Seekers Books, and BMV Books all within walking distance. A full afternoon of browsing awaits.
Time needed: 2–3 hours, or longer if you actually like to read inside.
Toronto's flea market scene spans from the massive Toronto Flea at Christie Pits (Sundays) to the specialist Corktown Flea and the Leslieville Sunday market. Vintage clothing, furniture, collectibles, food vendors, and the city's best people-watching all in one place.
Time needed: 1–2 hours (longer if you love to browse or line up for snacks).
First-timers should start with the CN Tower observation deck for city views, then walk the Distillery District and Kensington Market for culture and food. Add Ripley's Aquarium, a Harbourfront walk, and St. Lawrence Market on a Saturday morning. For a full plan, see our 48-hour first-timer itinerary.
Check our Events page for live concerts, sports, and festivals happening this weekend. Regulars include the Distillery District on weekends, Kensington Market, Saturday morning at St. Lawrence Market, and the Toronto Islands by ferry. In summer, look for outdoor festivals along the waterfront.
Toronto is excellent for families. Top picks: Ripley's Aquarium of Canada (the shark tunnel alone is worth it), the Toronto Zoo, Ontario Science Centre, High Park, the ferry to Centre Island, and the CN Tower glass floor. The waterfront and Harbourfront Centre also have excellent free kids programming in summer.
Some of the best free activities include exploring the Toronto Islands (ferry costs $9.38 return), walking the Harbourfront, visiting High Park and the Scarborough Bluffs, browsing the Distillery District and Kensington Market, and checking out the Art Gallery of Ontario on the first Wednesday of the month from 6–9pm. Graffiti Alley is always free.
Toronto is famous for the CN Tower, the Distillery District, world-class food markets like St. Lawrence Market, its multicultural neighbourhoods (Kensington Market, Little Italy, Greektown, Chinatown), and being a major sports city home to the Raptors, Maple Leafs, and Blue Jays.
3–4 days is ideal to see the main highlights including the waterfront, CN Tower, Distillery District, Kensington Market, and a few neighbourhood restaurants. A full week lets you explore more neighbourhoods, do a day trip to Niagara Falls, and enjoy live events or sports.
June to September is peak season with warm weather, patios, festivals like TIFF and Caribbean Carnival, and outdoor events. May and October offer fewer crowds with still-pleasant weather. Winter is great if you love skating, the Christmas Market, and indoor culture.
Downtown Toronto is very walkable — most major attractions, restaurants, and hotels are accessible on foot or via the TTC subway and streetcar. The PATH underground network connects many downtown buildings. The Harbourfront trail is a beautiful flat walk along the lake.
Planning a seasonal outing? Read the Toronto Halloween 2026 guide for haunted attractions, farm days, ghost walks, and practical October plans.
WTF Toronto creates guides using independent editorial research, official sources, local knowledge and firsthand experience where available. Commercial relationships are disclosed where applicable.