Ten Things to do in Toronto

As a former Torontonian, I thought it’d be time to share my favorite things to do in this amazing city. The Canadian capital has an energetic spirit, eclectic restaurants and is surrounded by stunning nature just waiting to be explored. Despite that, Toronto is usually not what most people choose for their vacation. Winters are harsh, and the proximity to New York City makes people opt for the big apple instead. However, the 6ix (as the locals refer to it) is quite the treasure. Below, you’ll find my favorite things to do in Toronto.

Keep in mind that these are my personal preferences, which can be narrowed down to exploring beautiful nature and great food. If you ask someone else about their personal preferences in the city, you’ll probably get different answers.

This is also not a generic list of tourist-traps that you can find in just about every guide. The things and activities I’m sharing are narrowed down highlights from a personal four month long visit while I was studying there.

Visit the Toronto Islands

The Toronto Islands is an area made up of 15 islands just off the coastline of downtown Toronto, only 13 minutes from the harbour by ferry. There are beautiful beaches, plenty of sport facilities and large fields for picnics. It is also a perfect spot to get those gorgeous photos of the city skyline. This is probably also the easiest and cheapest way to take a boat ride while in the city.

There are a few restaurants and cafes in the area. The easiest way to get to the islands is by the ferry which departs every 15 minutes during weekend in peak season. For the full schedule, click HERE.

There aren’t any cars on the islands, so you’ll have to use other modes of transportation to get around. This is actually North America’s largest car-free community. The lack of cars makes the area very peaceful and quiet. There are people living on the islands, and those residential streets are made up of small paved pathways which looks very idyllic. It is also the perfect setting for a romantic walk.

Visit the Scarborough Bluffs

The Bluffs are perfect for a hiking adventure. Make sure to bring your camera and comfortable shoes. Also, don’t come here if you’re afraid of heights. The views are absolutely breathtaking.

This area is easily accessible by car, it is, however more of a hassle if you intend to use public transit. You will have to take the TTC (The Toronto Subway system) and then a bus. Exact directions depend a lot on where you are departing from, but I suggest using the travel planner on Google Maps for reliable assistance.

Visit Algonquin Park

Algonquin Park is technically not in Toronto, but it is within reasonable distance for a day trip or overnight if you’re particularly into hiking in the woods. The Muskoka region in Ontario is known for its natural beauty and stunning fall foliage. I can highly recommend coming here to see true Canadian nature and wildlife.

My visit to Algonquin Park was on a stunning, crisp fall day in September, and I can still remember how fresh and clean the air felt over there on that particular day.

If you want to learn more about visiting Algonquin Park, I recommend you to take a look at my specific post about it HERE.

Have Blueberry Maple pancakes

If there is one thing Toronto is good at, it’s Blueberry Maple Pancakes. The portions are HUGE and you will definitely roll out from the restaurant in a food coma. I have two favorite restaurants for Blueberry Pancakes, these are Mildred’s Temple Kitchen and School Restaurant, both in the Liberty Village area of Toronto. They serve up the most amazing pancakes which makes them a must when visiting the city.

Go shopping

There are plenty of options for shopping in Toronto, especially if you live outside of North America. You will find so many brands and items here that aren’t available at home. My favorite shopping centres in Toronto are the following:

• Yorkdale – Impressively large high-end shopping center. Has stores that suits everyone but primarily caters to large wallets. It is a prime location for luxury boutiques such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton. My favorite shops here are Hudson’s Bay Department store and Uniqlo. Just a block from Yorkdale, you’ll find one of my favourite dessert places in Toronto, Demetre’s.
• Vaughan Mills – This mall is primarily focused on outlet shopping although you can find many regular stores there as well. A few of my favorite stores here include Bass Pro Shops (ever seen a larger store for outdoor recreation?) Tommy Hilfiger, HomeSense and Bath & Body Works
• The Eaton Centre – Very convenient as it’s right in the middle of the city and it has most of the stores that you’d need. The food court is huge as well. I specifically like their bookstore Indigo, for all their beautiful stationery items.
• Chinatown- For the cheapest Canadian souvenirs and stores you wouldn’t find at home.

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Visit Cacao 70 for Chocolate Fondue

This is probably one of the best treats I’ve had in my life so far.It is a restaurant that is entirely focused around chocolate and desserts involving it. Cacao 70 has several location across Canada, and it’s a dream for every chocolate lover out there. You’ll find an example of their menu here.

Visit the Distillery District during Christmas

The Distillery District is a unique part of town that is perfect for sightseeing. This is especially true around Christmas when Toronto’s traditional Christmas market opens up here. They also have a Cacao 70 here, so it’s the perfect way to hit two birds with one stone.

Have Korean BBQ

If there’s one thing that Toronto is really good at, it’s the East Asian food. This includes Korean Barbecue, which I’ve found to be difficult to have in Europe. I hadn’t heard of this dish prior to visiting Toronto, and now it’s a must do for me whenever I have the chance. My favorite spot for Korean BBQ in Toronto is Little Piggy’s in Koreatown.

Have dinner at the CN Tower

This is the one thing that you’ll probably find on every list of Toronto recommendations. The CN Tower is probably the most iconic building you can visit here. It dominates the skyline as it soars 553 metres above ground and offers jaw-dropping views. Visiting its restaurant is a great way to spend an evening.

It is also the most cost-effective way to see the views as admission to the viewing platform is included with the restaurant visit. Make sure to book a reservation for sunset and be early, as there is a security screening at the entrance. I also recommend that you take a look at all the Canadian souvenirs before exiting the building.

Have a beavertail

The beavertails are honestly one of the best things that Canada’s come up with. It essentially tastes like a oval pancake shaped churro with different toppings, It’s very sweet and definitely not healthy at all. You can, however not say that you’ve visited Canada without having a proper beavertail.

Take a day trip to Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls is only a two hour car ride from downtown Toronto, which makes it a perfect day trip. There are several ways to get to the falls from the city, but I highly recommend renting a car for the day, so you can combine it with visiting the beautiful little city of Niagara-on-the-lake and some of the vineyards of this region as well.

What are your favorite things to do in your city? Please let me know in the comments!