Planning a trip to Toronto and wondering where to invest your time and money? Toronto offers a broad spectrum of activities from fun dining experiences, to the theatres, to hanging 356 metres high off the side of the CN Tower. It can get overwhelming being flooded with all the amazing options which is why we have curated our list of the top 10 destinations you must see while in Toronto, including specific activities, prices, and dates and times.
10. SAINT LAWRENCE MARKET
Lighting up the corner of Jarvis St. and Front St. East since 1803, Saint Lawrence Market is home to a variety of merchants and farmers who provide you with the best variety of organic produce, poultry, meat, seafood, coffee, flowers, and a myriad of other specialty items. With a plethora of ready-to-eat items also available, you have the opportunity to stroll through the endless vendors with a specialty coffee in one hand, and a famous porchetta sandwich in the other!
The historical site brings together the diverse melting pot of culture in the downtown community to share culinary delights and artisan products. The Farmer’s Market takes place every Saturday from 5AM to 3PM and the South Market takes place from Tuesday to Friday from 9AM to 5PM and Saturday’s from 5AM to 4PM.
For a look at their directory click here and for more information visit their website.
9. PRINCESS OF WHALES THEATRE
The Princess of Whales Theatre is a modern 2000 seat live theatre infusing the downtown core with remarkable productions from classic to contemporary. Upcoming shows include & Juliet, Singin’ in the Rain, Mean Girls, and Hamilton.
Coming soon exclusively for the summer is & Juliet, with shows starting on June 22nd until August 14th every Tuesday to Sunday except Canada Day. The show runs for 2 hours, and 30 minutes and tickets are available for purchase here.
Currently at Ed Mirvish Theatre running from Tuesday to Sunday until the coming fall is Harry Potter and The Cursed Child. The show runs for 3 hours and 20 minutes, and tickets start at $69 available for purchase here.
Experience the amazing shows the theatre has to offer while you’re in town. For more information visit the Mirvish website.
8. ROM
Take a trip back in time at The Royal Ontario Museum located at the corner of Bloor St. West and Queens Park. The ROM is home to a collection of 13 million artworks, cultural objects, and natural history specimens showcased in 40 galleries oriented around art and culture, natural history, conservation, and repatriation.
The ROM is open on Tuesdays to Sundays from 10AM to 5:30PM and general admission ranges from $14 to $23. Currently featured at the ROM is the Fantastic Beasts: The Wonder of Nature exhibition open until January 2023 with tickets including GA ranging from $21 to $35. The exhibit explores a culmination of science, nature, and imagination and the links between animals in the natural world to the magical creatures of the wizarding world, advocating for the care of our planet.
The galleries and exhibits will immerse you in cultures around the globe and throughout history. To book your tickets online click here and for more information on upcoming exhibitions and galleries visit their website here.
7. ago
If you’re a fan of exploring art and culture, take a trip down to the Art Gallery of Ontario located at the corner of Dundas St. West and University Ave. The AGO offers a variety of works ranging from traditional masterpieces to cutting edge contemporary pieces.
Admission is free every Wednesday from 6PM to 9PM and if you’re 14 to 25 years-old, sign up on their website and get a free AGO annual pass. If not, an annual pass is $35 just $10 more than a $25 single use admission ticket. To book your ticket or sign up for a membership click here.
The AGO holds many events and limited time exhibits, for a sneak peak of what you can expect, see their calendar. Currently featured is the I Am Here: Home Movies and Everyday Masterpieces exhibit which will be on display until August 14 and recently joining the AGO until October 10th, go see, Faith and Fortune: Art Across the Global Spanish Empire. For more current exhibitions visit their website.
6. the distillery district
Located at Front St East and Lake Shore Blvd East the Distillery District is a historic village filled with 19th century brick lined architecture. Featuring a variety of shops, dining stops and art galleries, this pedestrian only site is the perfect place for your next photo-op.
The neighbourhood has over 40 one-of-a-kind boutiques with trendy products that will make you stand out and over 20 casual to fine dining destinations. The site offers everything from artisanal coffee and casual street foods to oyster houses and top-notch bars and pubs.
The streets are filled with a variety of contemporary art studios and live performances around every corner. Currently the Distillery District is holding their summer Busker Series every weekend from 12PM to 4PM until August 28th.
This destination is completely free excluding all the money you’ll want to drop on the amazing merchandise, cuisine, and art. For more information about upcoming events click here and for the directory click here.
5. bloor-yorkville
Bloor-Yorkville is an iconic neighbourhood in Toronto known for its luxurious merging of style, culture, art, beauty, and wellness offering over 700 world class designer boutiques, fine dining, luxury hotels, and galleries.
This summer Yorkville welcomes their annual Summer Music in the Park where live music will flood the streets every Friday to Sunday until September 5th. Yorkville is also host to the annual Exotic Car Show returning on June 19th for their 12th run and the TD Toronto Jazz Festival returning this summer for their 35th anniversary from June 24th to July 3rd.
Admission is free for all the events so mark your calendars and join in on the fun. For more information and the directory visit their website.
4. stackt market toronto
Stackt Market Toronto is located at the corner of Bathurst St. and Front St. and is made entirely of shipping containers. This eclectic culture infused marketplace is open every day from 11AM to 11PM offering a mix of events, shops, microbreweries, top chefs and casual to fine dining.
There’s variety of bars and pubs exclusively located at Stackt with patio seating and a view of the CN Tower. Head down to the Belgian Moon Brewery for beer and award-winning fried chicken, St Remy Sangria bar for the world number one French Brandy and BAR À VIN by Pays d’Oc IGP for the taste of Southern France.
If you’re in the mood for a quick snack check out Pandoughra’s Box for fresh baked goods featuring flavours inspired from around the world or Marben Market for luxury groceries for the unique flavours of their pot pies, garlic miso sausage rolls and more.
Be sure to head down, walk around, shop and eat while you’re in town. For a directory of their stores click here.
3. CASA LOMA
Casa Loma is a historic site located in Midtown Toronto, home to magnificent grounds and host to public and private events. Originally built in 1914 with a long history, the gothic revival mansion stands tall in the heart of midtown Toronto offering a luscious garden, a cutting-edge theatre, seasonal outdoor event spaces, tours of the interior, exhibits, and onsite dining.
Currently, Casa Loma is holding the Symphony in the Gardena performed by the Casa Loma Symphony Orchestra in the glass pavilion every Monday until September 5th. General admission tickets are sold at $30 and VIP tickets including a curated prix fixe menu at their onsite restaurant, Blue Blood Steakhouse are being sold at $235. Every performance has a different theme, for a list of the shows view the full program here.
Other events include the Murdoch Mysteries escape game running daily at 5:15PM, 7:15PM and 9:15AM with 60 minutes on the clock to save Murdoch. General admission starts at $40 going up to $46 at prime time.
Hailed as one of Toronto’s top tourist attractions and hospitality venues racking up over 650,000 annual visitors, this is one site you shouldn’t miss. For more information about Casa Loma visit their website.
2. the cn tower
For one of the best views in the city stop by the CN tower located by Union Station and look over Toronto from 553.3 meters high. Completed in 1976, the historic tower lights up the city skyline and is open to visitors every day from 10AM to 9PM.
The site offers general admission, the SkyPod observation platform, and the EdgeWalk for the highest full circle hands-free walk in North America. For a dining experience beyond comparison, you can book a reservation at the 360 The Restaurant at the CN. The restaurant overlooks the city and completes a 360-degree rotation every 72 minutes serving regional Canadian cuisine with a wine cellar to match.
Tickets for general admission range from $14 to $43, for SkyPod and GA the prices range from $21.50 to $50.50, and for the EdgeWalk experience tickets start at $195. To get your tickets click here and to reserve a table or check out the menu click here.
1. center island
After a stroll around harbourfront, check out the docks and take a ferry or Water Taxi to Centre Island. The TTC makes the trip simple, if you are getting off the subway at Union Station, hop on the 501 streetcar and it will take you directly to the Toronto Ferry Docks. A ferry will take you to the island and the trip only takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
Tickets are available online on the City of Toronto website with prices ranging from $4.10 to $8.70 or purchase them on-site. For the departure times see the Toronto Islands ferry schedule.
Once you arrive take your pick of the attractions, the site offers fountains, formal gardens, a beach, a boat house, a swan ride, a pier to Lake Ontario, a lighthouse, cherry trees, dining, and much much more. You can have a picnic on the island, go to the Centerville Amusement Park, visit the petting zoo, and even just walk around. The entire island is wrapped in a beach, so don’t forget to take your trunks and sandals!
When you work up an appetite you can stop by Carousel Café, or the new Toronto Island BBQ & Beer Co. near the docks and just east of the ferry terminal you can also take the bridge to Olympic Island, home to Lagoon theatre and great scenery for a picnic.
This destination has something to offer for everyone, so make a day out of it and explore all Centre Island has to offer. For more information visit their website.
This concludes our list of the top 10 places to visit when in Toronto. As you can see, Toronto has a large variety of unique activities so be sure to take advantage and see as much as you can. Thanks for reading and hope this helps plan your visit.