What are the best things to do in Toronto?
Top picks in Toronto include CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium / Harbourfront, Distillery Historic District, Royal Ontario Museum. See the full list and itinerary on this Toronto travel guide.
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Toronto Travel Guide
Things to do in Toronto — Explore Toronto
Photo: Dillan Payne · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Toronto
Toronto has an estimated population of over 3.2 million people as of 2024, and is the heart of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) which has 7.1 million people. It also anchors the Golden Horseshoe region, which wraps around Lake Ontario from Toronto to Niagara Falls, home to over 11.1 million residents, approximately a quarter of Canada's entire population. Toronto is the fourth largest city and fifth largest urban agglomeration in North America. Distances between cities in the area can be great as it sprawls along,… (Source: Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA.)
Toronto is a stop in Canada, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise CN Tower, Ripley's Aquarium / Harbourfront, Distillery Historic District instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 110–240 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures
Weather
Diverse — temperate to subtropical
Experiences
Things to do in Toronto
1
CN Tower
2
Ripley's Aquarium / Harbourfront
3
Distillery Historic District
4
Royal Ontario Museum
5
Casa Loma
6
St. Lawrence Market
7
Toronto Islands ferry
8
Day trip to Niagara Falls
Budget travel
Free things to do in Toronto
Ripley's Aquarium / Harbourfront
Distillery Historic District
St. Lawrence Market
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Toronto itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit CN Tower
- Visit Ripley's Aquarium / Harbourfront
- Visit Distillery Historic District
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Royal Ontario Museum
- Visit Casa Loma
- Visit St. Lawrence Market
- 3
Day 3
More highlights
- Visit Toronto Islands ferry
- Visit Day trip to Niagara Falls
Prefer a full 14-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Toronto itinerary guide.
Budget
Toronto trip cost
Budget
USD 50–85
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 110–240
per person / day
Luxury
USD 275–455+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Toronto, Canada. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Toronto
Estimated total (USD)
$3,090
≈ $1,545 per person · $441 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $180/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Toronto mid-range ground costs (budget 50–85 · mid 110–240 · luxury 275–455+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Aroma Espresso Bar
This cafe chain has locations throughout the city. Aroma might be the best of the large coffee chains for espresso coffees and rivals the qu
Balzac's
Balzac's is a small chain of cafes in interesting neighbourhoods. It serves only organic, Fair Trade coffee, cocoa and sugar, and its milk i
Shopping
- The 'PATH' System
- Yorkdale Shopping Centre
In pictures
Toronto gallery
Photos: Dillan Payne, DXR, Jeff Hitchcock from Seattle, WA, USA, Wladyslaw, Larry Koester — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Toronto travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Toronto?
Late spring and early autumn for pleasant temperatures.
How many days do I need in Toronto?
Plan at least 3 days in Toronto for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Toronto?
Stay near the centre of Toronto for easy access to attractions, or near the airport if you have a short layover.
How much does a trip to Toronto cost?
On the ground in Toronto (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 50–85 per person per day, mid-range about 110–240, and luxury about 275–455+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Toronto, Canada. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
