Toronto is the city you visit if you're a foodie, student or if you're here for a good time, not a long time! The free-spirited, hipster and fun atmosphere make for awesome night life and the perfect place to meet cool, new people!
2-3 days is an ideal amount of time to spend in this buzzing city as a tourist. You can definitely get a taste of Toronto in this short amount of time so take what you like from the following recommendations!
Contents
Day 1:
Day 2:
Day 1:
High park
Start the day off with a run/stroll in High park. There's no better way to get some fresh air and a bit of exercise than exploring this 400 acre park filled with dog walkers leading 7-8 dogs each!
High park is super easy to get to, just catch the 505 or 506 street tram from anywhere along Dundas street, Downtown Toronto. It only takes about 20 minutes.
Breakfast
Indulge in an eggcellent feast at Eggspectations! Whether you like eggs or not, this is hands down the best place to enjoy breakfast, brunch or lunch in Downtown Toronto! From pancakes and omelettes to burgers and steaks, this restaurant will definitely meet your eggspectations and you'll be guaranteed a cracking time!
See my latest blog post 'Top 10 places to eat and drink in Toronto' for more food & drink recommendations!
Now, we're heading to the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) OR the AGO (Art Gallery of Ontario), or if you're super keen why not visit both?
Both display exceptional exhibits. My personal fave was the dinosaur exhibit at the ROM #goraptors
Kensington Market
The run-down, hipster part of town with the most personality! From tattoo parlours, sushi restaurants and health food shops to local designer clothing stores, vintage shops and vegan cafes, Kensington market is very similar to Fitzroy in Melbourne or Newtown in Sydney.
If you enjoy Vegan food then here you will find 'Bunners Vegan and Gluten free bake shop', 'The Vegan Extremist' and 'Sugar and Spice' health food store.
If Vegan food isn't your jam, worry not! There is plenty of choice here including The Burgernator, 'Livelhood cafe' or 'Wanda's pie shop', each as friendly and unique as each other! Finish off with a selection of over 60 flavours of ice cream at Dolce Gelato. See my latest blog post "Top 10 places to eat and drink in Toronto' for more info on Kensington Market and other lunch options!
Walk back to the city centre via graffiti alley to see the quirky wall art designed by local Torontonians!
Climb the CN tower
Spend the afternoon climbing the CN tower for a 360 degree view of the city skyline OR you can choose the cheap yet just as scenic option and head to 'Kost'. A bright and fancy restaurant offering panoramic views of the city, Kost is the place to come if you'd like to enjoy a delicious meal while gazing across Toronto's city skyline.
In summer, they open up the balcony and place sofas outside so you can even enjoy a glass of bubbly and get your tan on with the best view in the background! So instead of shelling out $38 (plus more to get to the highest level) at the CN tower, why not spend that dosh on a scrumptious meal with the view included?
Cocktails
Tonight we are spending your one and only night at...*drumroll pls...SCADDABUSH! A rustic, Italian restaurant and bar inspired by passion and generosity your foodie goals will definitely be achieved here!
If their hand stretched pasta and vast selection of wine haven't won you over then the only reason you need to come here is for their famous Bellinis! Massive, tasty and worth it is all I will say!
If you're not already exhausted from your packed day of sightseeing and would like to experience true #torontonightlife then the best place for a dance, sing-along and wild night out full of glitter, sparkles and glamour is Toronto's number 1 drag queen bar 'Crews and Tango'.
Otherwise, head over to Toronto's very own Times Square. They do say that Toronto is the New York of Canada and this street full of bright lights and animations sure looks like a miniature version of Times Square! Look out for Duck Man going wild on the drums!
Still not convinced? Check out my latest blog post 'Top 10 places to eat and drink in Toronto' for more yummy ideas for making your final night a killer!
Day 2:
Niagara falls
First thing's first, we are shaking off last night's glitter (or going strong on the waters) because we are heading to Niagara falls! You will need to call up Safeway tours in advance to book your spot on the bus and let them know where you would like to be picked up from. If you're staying in Downtown Toronto then the best place to be picked up from is Chinatown centre, opposite the HSBC building. The earliest time the bus will pick you up is at 9am (8am on weekends) and will take about an hour and a half to get to Niagara casino. From there, just walk outside, down the hill and you will be at the falls!
You can catch the bus back (departing from the same place as drop off) at 1:30pm, 3pm or 5pm. Niagara falls town is similar to Las Vegas with the all you can eat buffets, American eateries and casino but really the only thing to do here is see the falls so you won't need a whole day.
Niagara falls are simply spectacular but try not to visit on a rainy day as half of it will be covered by fog! However, watching the birds soaring so far below into the mist and fierce splash of the cascades is such a breathtaking experience.
Summer is an ideal time to visit the falls as blue skies will increase the likelihood of seeing the whole thing and the boat rides are open so you can get up close to the spray (or shower!...bring a poncho!) You will have plenty of time to take your pictures, gaze at the waterfall and even learn about the history of the falls in the information centre nearby.
Hop back on the bus at 1:30pm and you'll be dropped back at Chinatown centre at around 3pm, leaving plenty of time to wander around St Lawrence market!
St Lawrence market
Ranked the number 1 food market in the world, St Lawrence market is one of the main attractions in Toronto! From live or cooked fresh lobsters to homemade pasta to Norwegian sweet brown cheese to rows and rows of olives and egg custard tarts, St Lawrence market has it all!
Over 120 local vendors sell all the seafood, meat, cheese and deli varieties you can imagine! If you visit on a Saturday they put on a special farmer's market.
The best way to get there is to catch the underground subway to King st and it's about a 9 minute walk from there.
If you decide to walk to St Lawrence market, stop at the Hockey hall of fame on the way and be taken through the ages of Canada's number one sport!
Watch the Raptors play basketball
Spend the evening watching Canada's only basketball team in the NBA play a fierce game of basketball! Located at Scotiabank arena, watching the Raptors in a close game against the Atlanta Hawks was ranked my number 1 experience in Toronto.
If the kiss cam, mascot dance off and free stuff thrown into the crowd isn't enough to convince you, the enthusiasm of the cheerleaders, athleticism of the players and anticipation of the actual game makes for a super exciting and entertaining night!
So there is your jam-packed 2 day itinerary to give you the best taste of Toronto city!
If you're lucky enough to spend more time here...
Other things to do ion Toronto
Castle Loma
Toronto Islands (better in Summer)
Watch the Maple Leafs play in an ice hockey game
Evergreen Brickworks: Hike up to the lookout, visit the Saturday Farmer's market or learn about the historic kiln building!
Eat at one of the 10 best places to eat/drink, found in my latest blog post 'Top 10 places to eat and drink in Toronto'.
Whether you choose to eat to your heart's content or splash around at Niagara, take what you like from this itinerary to make the most of your weekend in Toronto!