Toronto is a beautiful, huge city with many things to see and do. From flying over the cities to getting lost in its parks, art galleries... It is a very modern city that leaves no one indifferent. There are many things to do in the city and two nights/three days is recommended.
In this post I explain what to see and do in Toronto, where to stay and I add some travel tips so you can prepare your trip.
15 ESSENTIAL THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN TORONTO, CANADA
1. Visit Cama Loma
Casa Loma is a gigantic mansion, its construction resembles a small castle, European style. It is currently a tourist attraction in the city. It was built by billionaire Henry Mill Pellatt who was trying to copy Balmoral Castle. It has an area of 6,011 m² and 98 rooms and was built in 1914. However, when Henry Mill Pellatt went bankrupt in 1933, the city of Toronto appropriated the mansion. In 1937, it was opened to the general public as a museum.
2. Royal Ontario Museum
The first thing that catches your attention about the wonderful Royal Ontario Museum is its entrance, as it is a huge and modern structure that is impossible not to see. The museum is known as the ROM and it is a place full of contrasts between the modern and the old in its building. It has a large collection of art, archaeological pieces and pieces from very diverse cultures. The Egyptian and Chinese pieces were without a doubt my favorite park. On the other hand, it is also the ideal place to learn more about the history of Canada, its culture and people. A full morning will be enough to explore it and although it is not huge, it is a very complete and interesting museum.
3. The CN Tower, an icon of the city of Toronto
It is the main icon of Toronto, and it usually appears in a large part of the photographs of the city or on postcards.
It is a broadcasting tower and has a height of 553.33 meters. The tower has an observatory at metro 447.
It has 150 floors and 9 elevators.
The tower houses a restaurant with 360 degree views.
To be able to eat in the restaurant you must book well in advance. It is usually full and with a waiting list.
4. Toronto from the air
There is the option of seeing the city from the air, it is a spectacular experience and a highly recommended activity.
5. Stroll through High Park
High Park is a municipal park in Toronto that is 161 hectares. It is a huge park with promenade areas, where you can go walking or cycling, with sports facilities, cultural facilities, educational facilities, gardens, playgrounds and a zoo.
6. Don't miss the Art Gallery of Ontario
It is a museum that houses more than 80,000 works of art. It is a huge gallery, with 45,000m2, so you will lose a few hours walking through its galleries. It includes the largest collection of Canadian art, a comprehensive body of Renaissance and Baroque European art, as well as African and Oceanic art, and an Impressionist, Modern, and Contemporary collection. The museum also contains many important sculptures, such as a specific Henry Moore sculpture center, and represents other forms of art such as film and video art, graphic arts, installations, architecture, and ship models. There is an extensive library, spaces for students, a space for resident artist workshops, a restaurant, a cafeteria, an express bar, a research center, and a space for events.
7. Enjoy the local atmosphere at the St. Lawrence Market
St Lawrence Market is Toronto's main public market, located in the historic center between modern and old. It is easily recognizable thanks to its vintage-style architecture both outside and inside. It was recognized by National Geographic as the best food market in the world in 2012. It is a meeting place within one of the most picturesque neighborhoods in Toronto. From its entrance you can enjoy the wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses and more foods from Canadian and international culture. The St Lawrence market is divided into four sections: South market, North market, Antique area, Farm market It's a way to eat fresh and well, and I don't know why but I always love getting lost in the markets.
8. Stroll through Chinatown
Toronto's China Town began to develop in the 19th century. It is a place enclave of the city with a great ethnic variety. You can walk through its streets, shop at its street stalls and enjoy an oriental afternoon.
9. Go to Nathan Phillips Square
Nathan Phillips Square is the central square of Toronto, at the intersection of Bay Street and Queen Street. It was inaugurated in 1965 in honor of Nathan Phillips, mayor of the city from 1955 to 1962. In winter they put up an ice skating rink.
10. Fall in love with the Yorkville neighborhood
It is a nice residential neighborhood in the city, it is quiet, with mostly old low buildings, many in colonial and French style, mixed with the new glass and concrete buildings that are so characteristic of the city of Toronto. Its streets are full of small cafes and family restaurants of all kinds. It is a good area to stay.
Toronto is a very cosmopolitan city, the modern and the old mix in total harmony. It is not necessary that you stay more than 2 nights, you can perfectly visit the city during this time. If you decide that from Toronto you want to visit Niagra Falls, SOMETHING MANDATORY, for me without a doubt, you can add one more night so as not to rush everywhere. I will tell you more about Niagra Falls in the next entry. Don't miss it!!
11. Take a getaway to Niagara Falls
Without a doubt, the Niagara Falls are an essential stop in your days in Toronto.
I will tell you how to visit them for free and with organized excursions in the post: Visit Niagara Falls from Toronto
Niagara Falls Tours from Toronto:
12. Take a bike tour of Toronto
In the city of Toronto there is no free tour to date, but an option to take a different and fun guided tour is to take a bike tour of the city:
13. Visit the Distillery District, one of the best things to do in Toronto
Distilleries were very important in Canada and the Distillery District is one of the most important places to visit in Toronto. There are several old distilleries in the neighborhood that you can visit, the oldest being the Gooderham & Worts distillery, but the best, without a doubt, are the old buildings and the good atmosphere.
14. Stroll the Toronto Harbourfront
The Harbourfront is one of the most exclusive areas of Toronto. It is located south of the Entertainment District, and that is where the ferries leave for the Toronto Islands.
The neighborhood has an industrial past, converted into a modern area with restaurants, cafes, shops and a seaport.
15. Visit the University of Toronto
The University of Toronto building is impressive. And it is the largest and most important university in Canada.
The university has the largest number of Nobel Prize winners among universities in Canada.
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PLAN YOUR TRIP STEP BY STEP
I hope you enjoy your trip to Toronto and that this article has been useful to you. You can continue reading many more related articles on the blog.
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A hug and see you soon!