The best things to do in Toronto, selected with a local point of view. Find attractions, parks, tours, markets and neighbourhood finds.
Showing 481–494 of 494 experiences.
The GTA's largest standalone outdoor waterpark, just west of Toronto. Wet'n'Wild Toronto has thrilling slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, family splash areas, and seasonal events.
Time needed: Plan for 4–6 hours if you want to hit all the slides and actually relax; less if you skip the queues or for families with smaller kids.
Every February, internationally commissioned contemporary art installations transform Woodbine Beach's lifeguard stands into sculptural artworks — a unique winter public art event that turns a deserted winter beach into an international art destination. Free, outdoor, and genuinely remarkable.
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Each February, international artists transform the lifeguard stations along The Beaches boardwalk into large-scale sculptural art installations — one of Toronto's most underrated annual events. The boardwalk in winter, with Lake Ontario stretching to the horizon and dramatic art rising from the sand, is genuinely spectacular. Free, outdoors, and up for about a month.
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Toronto's signature winter dining festival — Winterlicious runs two weeks every January/February with 200+ restaurants across the city offering specially priced prix-fixe menus at $23, $33, or $43 per person. Restaurants that are ordinarily $150+/person become accessible, and the restaurant scene comes alive in winter's slowest month.
Time needed: 1.5–2.5 hours per meal, depending on the restaurant and menu.
East Toronto's beloved Saturday morning ritual — Withrow Park's farmers market is small, curated, and deeply local. Heirloom tomatoes, pasture-raised eggs, organic herbs, artisan bread, and Ontario honey from farms you can actually visit. The surrounding Riverdale neighbourhood adds excellent café stops.
Time needed: 45 minutes–1.5 hours
Toronto's most active beach community — Woodbine Beach and Ashbridges Bay together make up the eastern anchor of The Beaches waterfront. Woodbine has a supervised swimming beach, volleyball courts, and a snack bar. Ashbridges Bay has the city's premier beach volleyball facility (40+ sand courts), boat launch, and barbecue areas.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on crowds and activity.
Canada's largest Thoroughbred racing venue — Woodbine runs live racing from May through November with a grandstand, paddock, infield, and one of the most storied racing circuits in the country (E.P. Taylor Stakes, Queen's Plate). A $2 minimum bet makes it accessible. The Woodbine Racetrack experience is classic Toronto summer.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on the number of races and if you’re eating.
Toronto's LGBTQ+ institution since 1989 — Woody's and Sailor is where the city's drag scene lives. Multiple times a week, the drag talent that defines Toronto nightlife performs here. The seasonal decor changes (full-time interior designer on staff), the crowd is welcoming, and the history on these walls is the real story of Toronto's village.
Time needed: 2–4 hours, especially if you stay for a drag show.
Toronto's most charming indoor-outdoor farmers market inside a historic TTC streetcar barn. Every Saturday morning, 60+ local producers sell produce, cheese, bread, honey, and prepared food. One of the best free Saturday experiences in the city.
Time needed: 1–2 hours
Canada's most profitable mall per square foot, housing the densest concentration of luxury brands in the country. Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany, Gucci, Bottega Veneta — all under one roof in North York.
Time needed: 2–4 hours depending on crowds and shopping stamina.
Home of Soulpepper Theatre in the Distillery District — the Young Centre is a purpose-built theatrical complex inside the historic Victorian industrial architecture of the Distillery. Soulpepper's classical and contemporary programming is among the most respected in Canada.
Time needed: 2–3 hours (typical show length plus arrival and intermission).
Canada's largest professional theatre company for young audiences — the Young People's Theatre on Front Street produces full professional productions designed for children aged 4–18. Productions range from classic stories to new Canadian work, with actors who take the audience as seriously as any adult theatre company.
Time needed: About 2 hours (typical show length with intermission).
The iconic Canadian comedy club chain that launched Jim Carrey, Norm Macdonald, and a generation of Canadian comedians. Yuk Yuk's Toronto is the flagship — a traditional stand-up comedy club with a proper two-drink minimum, rotating headliners, and the energy of a room built entirely around the laugh.
Time needed: About 2–2.5 hours, including pre-show drinks and final curtain.
The closest thing to jumping out of a plane — iFLY's vertical wind tunnel creates genuine skydiving conditions with coaches helping you fly in a controlled environment. Two tunnel flights after a brief training class. Works for ages 3–103. Impossible not to grin the entire time. One of the GTA's most spectacular physical experiences.
Time needed: 1.5–2 hours including training, gearing up, and flight time.
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.