The best things to do in Toronto, selected with a local point of view. Find attractions, parks, tours, markets and neighbourhood finds.
Showing 313–336 of 494 experiences.
The 3km promenade along Lake Ontario's edge — from Harbourfront Centre past Sugar Beach to Corus Quay and the islands ferry terminal. In summer it's Toronto's front porch: cyclists, rollerbladers, families, and the constant sound of water.
Time needed: 1–2 hours to walk the main stretch; up to half a day if you stop for snacks or beach time.
Toronto's biggest and most spectacular nightclub — REBEL is a 45,000-square-foot waterfront complex with a 65-foot main stage, multi-level mezzanines, and city skyline views. Drake, Cardi B, Tiësto, Steve Aoki, and every major touring act has graced this stage. For headline shows, there is nothing else like it in Canada.
Time needed: 3–5 hours, depending on event and headliner.
The Royal Ontario Museum's blockbuster exhibitions supplement its permanent world-class collection — major touring exhibitions covering Egyptian pharaohs, Viking sagas, ancient Chinese dynasties, dinosaurs, and fashion history have made the ROM one of North America's most visited museums. The permanent dinosaur gallery — with enormous mounted skeletons filling a full atrium — is alone worth the admission.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on crowds and how much of the permanent collection you explore.
Toronto's best free outdoor tennis — Ramsden Park's 10 clay courts are some of the city's highest-quality public courts, bookable online for free through the City of Toronto system. The park setting in Rosedale is lovely, and hitting balls in dappled shade on summer afternoons is one of Toronto's quiet pleasures.
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Game day Toronto — when the Raptors or Leafs play, the Entertainment District transforms: Maple Leaf Square becomes Jurassic Park (Raptors watch party), the arena bars fill 2 hours before tip-off, and the post-game street energy on King West is uniquely Canadian. Even without a ticket, being in the area during a playoff game is an experience.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on the game and crowds.
Toronto's premier large indoor concert and nightclub venue — Rebel holds 5,000 on the waterfront and books the acts bridging mid-size touring and arena status. The sound system is one of the best in the country, and the waterfront location adds spectacular views.
Time needed: 3–4 hours for most headline events or DJ nights.
Toronto's temple to agave spirits — Reposado pours Canada's largest selection of mezcal and tequila (100+ bottles) alongside tacos, guacamole, and a thoughtful cocktail program built entirely around agave. The dim, intimate Ossington room makes it the city's best tequila destination, hands down.
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Toronto's joyful Haitian rum bar — Jen Agg's Rhum Corner brings Caribbean warmth to Dundas West with a selection of over 70 rums, Haitian punch drinks, Creole bar snacks, and a soundtrack that makes the room feel like Port-au-Prince on a Friday night. Cross the street to Black Hoof and Cocktail Bar for the full Jen Agg trifecta.
Time needed: 1.5–3 hours, especially if you’re settling in with friends or doing a rum flight.
The shark tunnel moving walkway under 5.7 million litres of water is an experience your kids will talk about for years. The jellyfish gallery glows neon at night. This is a serious aquarium.
Time needed: 2–3 hours, especially if you linger in the tunnel or during peak times.
Beyond the main ticket — Ripley's Aquarium offers special access experiences including sleeping over in the Dangerous Lagoon (among the sharks), guided 'Keeper' experiences learning from staff, and Glass-Bottom Boat tours of the main tank. The daily shark feeding is free with admission and genuinely spectacular.
Time needed: 2–4 hours, longer if you book Deep Dive or overnight experiences.
A working 19th-century farm in the heart of downtown Toronto — Riverdale Farm has horses, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, and ducks in a heritage farm setting one block from Cabbagetown's Victorian streets. Free entry, daily open, and completely authentic. Children are able to feed and pet animals on weekends.
Time needed: 1–2 hours
The best unobstructed Toronto skyline view from inside the city — a broad hillside park in Riverdale facing directly west across the Don Valley toward the CN Tower. At sunset, the entire Financial District and CN Tower glow orange across the valley.
Time needed: 1–2 hours
The Riverdale Park farmers market is a weekend institution for Cabbagetown and Riverdale residents — a small but beautifully curated selection of Ontario producers selling fresh vegetables, farm meats, artisan bread, and cut flowers on the slope of Riverdale Park with city views.
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Toronto's best tobogganing hill — Riverdale Park West's slope gives a clear run with the downtown skyline as a backdrop. On a good snow day, hundreds of Torontonians gather with sleds and toboggans for the kind of collective winter joy that only comes from hurtling downhill together. The CN Tower visible from the top seals the deal.
Time needed: 1–2 hours (more if you’re waiting for turns on busy weekends)
Walk the halls of Canada's most iconic sports dome — the Rogers Centre behind-the-scenes tour covers the Blue Jays clubhouse, the dugout, the field level, and the historic retractable roof mechanism. Seeing the empty stadium from field level and understanding how the dome roof operates are highlights worth experiencing.
Time needed: 1–1.5 hours
A 15-minute private helicopter tour over Toronto exclusively for two — rated 4.6/5 with 72 reviews, this is the most reviewed private helicopter experience in the city. The full Toronto skyline, Lake Ontario, and the Islands from the air, in complete privacy. The definitive Toronto date night or special occasion.
Time needed: 40–60 minutes total, including check-in and safety briefing; 15 minutes in the air.
One of Toronto's most livable and walkable neighbourhoods — Polish pierogies, boutique shopping, neighbourhood pubs, and a genuine community energy. The annual Roncy Rocks street festival in September is a day-long block party.
Time needed: 2–3 hours (longer if you stop for lunch or coffee).
Canada's first and only urban national park — 79 square km of wilderness within Toronto's city limits. The Rouge Valley trails, historic Kwis Kwis (Mast Trail), Glen Rouge Campground (camp in a city!), and beach access make this exceptional.
Time needed: Half day to a full day, depending on your route and stops.
A family-run adventure farm north of Toronto with a petting zoo, wagon rides, corn maze, pony rides, and a gem mining sluice — one of the most activity-packed farm experiences in the GTA for younger kids.
Time needed: 3–4 hours, especially on weekends when all activities are running.
Home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and one of Canada's premier concert halls — Roy Thomson Hall's distinctive curved glass exterior houses a world-class acoustic chamber that has hosted Leonard Bernstein, Glenn Gould tribute concerts, and the TSO's full season of classical, pop, and film score performances.
Time needed: 2–3 hours (full concert experience).
Home of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra — a stunning glass-and-concrete concert hall that has hosted Leonard Bernstein, Glenn Gould's legacy concerts, and the world's finest classical musicians. The acoustics were completely redesigned in the 2000s and are now world-class.
Time needed: 2–3 hours for a typical concert, including intermission.
Built in 1907 and still the most atmospheric theatre in Canada — the Royal Alexandra is a Beaux-Arts jewel box that has hosted every major theatrical production in North American history. The red velvet, brass, and ornate plasterwork create an experience before the curtain even rises.
Time needed: 2.5–3 hours depending on the show
Canada's largest botanical garden — RBG sprawls across 2,400 acres in Burlington with multiple themed gardens (the Rock Garden, Hendrie Park's roses, the Laking Garden's irises and peonies), an arboretum, and the largest natural sanctuary in any Canadian city. Each season transforms the experience. 45 minutes from Toronto.
Time needed: At least half a day; a full day if you want to see multiple gardens, hike trails, or don’t want to rush.
Canada's largest museum, housed in one of the world's most striking buildings — the Daniel Libeskind Crystal bursting from the original 1914 edifice like a geometric explosion. Inside: 40 galleries of dinosaurs, ancient civilisations, world art, and natural history. Free for everyone on the third Tuesday night of each month, 4–8:30pm. Pre-book tickets online.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on crowds and your attention span.
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.
WTF Toronto creates guides using independent editorial research, official sources, local knowledge and firsthand experience where available. Commercial relationships are disclosed where applicable.