An Epic 3 Days in Toronto
Best time to Visit T.O.
There is never a bad time to visit Toronto. Each season has its own events and activities to do and see. In summer, the amusement parks and the beaches open, Canada's Wonderland a Must for thrill seekers or even a day trip for the family and the temperatures stay warm, with an average high of 27°C.
The Fall sees the city transform with beautiful leaf colours, in the parks. The temperatures are still nice in the early part of the season, staying around around 18°C, but come November, it drops down to about 8°C, so don’t forget to pack a jacket.
In winter, the snow begins to fall, and the outdoor skating rinks and Christmas markets open up. Nearby ski hills open, Blue Mountain & Horseshoe Resort both giving opportunities of fun winter activities to check out.
The Springtime brings warmer weather and the opening of popular attractions like the Kensington Market.
The best time to visit Toronto really comes down to what you plan on doing when you’re there!
How to Get Around in T.O.
There is absolutely no need to rent a car when visiting Toronto unless you plan on taking a day trip, in that case Toronto has fantastic public transit, from GO Trains to subways to streetcars and buses. The subway is connected to Toronto Pearson Airport, which allows easier travel to the downtown area. If you are planning on using public transit in Toronto, you can buy day passes or just pay as you go for tickets; it really depends on how much you plan on traveling.
If you are planning on leaving the city, One place I definitely recommend and even though it may not be in T.O., its a MUST for any traveller to visit Niagara Falls, Canada.
First check the GO Trains to see if you can get there or to any other destination by train. If not, then rent a car. I recommend using RentalCars.com for all your car booking needs as it filters through hundreds of sites to make sure you get the best prices!
Best Places to Stay in T.O.
There are plenty of top-notch accommodations in the city, but if you want to be within walking distance of some of the most popular attractions, then the downtown area is where to stay in Toronto.
If you want a hotel with breathtaking views of the city, the Bisha Hotel Toronto, has a stunning rooftop pool with panoramic views.
Staying in Downtown Toronto means you’re never further than a 15-minute walk from attractions. My link below has a list of hotels for anyones tastes. Airbnb also has plenty of accommodation options available in Toronto.
The Perfect 3 Day Weekend in Toronto Itinerary:
Day 1 in Toronto: Downtown Core & West End
The Westside is the liveliest and trendiest part of the city. It's open all hours, and the streets are lined with hip restaurants, bars and local boutiques and because Queen Street West is one of the hippest areas in Toronto and reflects the culture of Toronto perfectly it therefore makes for a great start to your first day. The area is full of restaurants and unique stores and is home to one of the best parks in Toronto, Trinity Bellwoods park.
Make sure to take a look at the side of the buildings because Queen Street West has some of the best murals in Toronto and you’ll want to grab some pictures of these. Continue onto Graffiti Alley which is further east on Queen Street. On the go, be sure to grab some ice cream because the area does have some of the best ice cream in Toronto. My absolute favourite is Bang Bang Ice Cream & Bakery.
And once you’ve gotten that great selfie with the murals you’ll find yourself in no other than, China Town. Toronto’s China Town is one of the biggest in the world and you can definitely see some of the multicultural aspects of Toronto here.
Don't miss just a short 15 minute walk from China Town you’ll find Kensington Market, an area of independent spirit, colourful shop-fronts, vibrant murals, charismatic locals and family-friendly Pedestrian Sunday events and a must stop for your lunch! You can get everything from Mexican Tacos to Caribbean Jerk Chicken to Dutch Fries to Swedish Pastries and Japanese Pancakes and so much more.
Continuing your afternoon, because you’ve only got 3 days in the city I think you have to pick either the Art Gallery of Ontario of the Royal Ontario Museum to enjoy.
But if you aren't a tourist who enjoys or really cares about museums when in a new country, you could always choose to go explore. If art is your thing then the Art Gallery of Ontario is definitely where you want to go.
But for that Iconic photo shot of the CXN Tower, you will need to make your way to Queens Quay West. No trip to this Canadian city is complete without visiting the iconic CN Tower near Union Station in the entertainment district. If you’re planning to eat dinner at the 360 Restaurant, reservations are recommended and expect to pay a hefty price for your night out. If dining at the CN Tower is out of budget, visit the observation deck during the day to admire the city views.
Once you’ve finished with either the museum or the gallery, head on over to Queen’s Park to explore the St. George Campus of the University of Toronto. It’s got a very Harry Potter feel to it and it’s great to walk around.
End your day with checking out the more lit up spots of Toronto. The Eaton Centre is one of the biggest malls in the city with a number of great stores. Check out the amazing architecture of the mall and the statues within it.
On either corner of the Eaton Centre you will find Nathan Phillips Square and Yonge-Dundas Square. Yonge-Dundas Square is essentially Toronto’s version of Times Square, obviously on the slightly smaller side. Nathan Phillips Square is where you can find the giant Toronto sign that you absolutely have to get a picture with!
Day 2 in Toronto: Harbour Front & The Toronto Islands / Baseball or Hockey Game
Your second day in Toronto is where you will get to visit some of the more well known landmarks of the city.
St. Lawrence Market is a fantastic place to start your day. In fact, in it was voted the best market in the world by National Geographic. It’s a great place to grab something small for your breakfast, I suggest the Peameal Bacon Sandwich from Carousel Bakery. It’s also the one Anthony Bourdain had during his visit to Toronto and one he absolutely loved! Do note the bakery is cash only.
Next, from St. Lawrence Market you can walk to Ripley’s Aquarium/CN Tower/ Rogers Centre which will take about 20 minutes. You could save the BlueJay game for the evening and enjoy real vendor street food, hogs & sausages like you've never had before!
While walking from St. Lawrence Market you’ll first come across the Gooderham Building which is Toronto’s flat-iron building and then you'll make your way to the Hockey Hall of Fame and Union Station.
The CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium are located right next to each other and also right next to the Rogers Centre. They do both require tickets. If you are planning on visiting both attractions I’d highly recommend just getting the combination ticket for $58 dollars unless you’ve already gotten the CityPass, (I will have the link for that below).
Aquariums aren’t for everyone, so, if they aren’t your thing, then before heading to the CN Tower area check out the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Once you’re ready to have some lunch, start heading towards Harbour Front to explore the Harbour and grab some lunch! A must eat is the Beaver Tails. You can find some right by the harbour but make sure to walk around and explore the parks and the beaches and all of the sculptures and events going on before heading to the Ferry Terminal.
The Toronto Islands are approximately a 10-15 minute boat ride away. There are 3 islands that the boats go to but they’re all accessible and you can walk between all of them so it doesn’t really matter which one you go to. Once you’re on the island you’ll have plenty of things to do including paddle boarding, canoeing, an amusement park, multiple beaches and so much more!
On the other hand, for more romantics, you could stay and watch the sunset around the harbour, you definitely won’t regret it! This is also where you can join the scenic harbour cruise and get that sunset iconic shot of the Toronto Shore Sunset Skyline.
If you have any luck scoring any Toronto BlueJays baseball tickets or Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey tickets (depending on the season you're visiting T.O.) I highly suggest you tick that off your list.
🌭 Where to Eat before going to a Game"
Day 3 in Toronto: A little further out
🚗 I suggest a day trip a little further out. You can rent a car for your last day in Toronto and see places further away. you can do both of these suggestions or just do Niagra Falls (A Must).
🏰 If you are a castle lover your first stop can be the epic Casa Loma, a 20-minute drive away. Today, the City of Toronto owns the property, bought in 1933 for the cost of its back taxes. Once the city took ownership, they planned to demolish it. However, the Kiwanis Club proposed to operate it as a tourist attraction, securing its future in Toronto. Four years later, the estate opened to tourists and remains one of the only real castles in Canada.
Your three days in Toronto will allow you to check one thing off of I think everyone's bucket list, Niagara Falls!
With a three-hour road trip to Niagara Falls, don't let that dampen your excitement. You will be blown away by the spectacular scenery. Enjoy the walk along the Niagara River to the Niagara Falls viewpoint. Not wanting to get soaking wet on the "In the Mist" or also known as "The Maid of the Mist" cruise you can chose to tour the Journey Behind the Falls instead. Traveling 150 feet below Table Rock, You will find the experience behind the falls as just interesting too, but be prepared, loud, and wetter than you may imagine.
The visitors center gives plastic ponchos to guests, which are needed when venturing onto the observation decks. You should not miss the tunnels behind the falls. Here, you can just imagine how long it must have taken to drill these out of the rock.
For any Amusement park lovers or Go Karting enthusiasts or even families and maybe even after a change of clothes, you must head over to Clifton Hills, a theme park with something for everybody.
Staying A Night at Niagara Falls:
If its at all possible to stay your last night over in Niagara Falls, DO IT!
Being a top tourist attraction, don’t expect hotel bargains at Niagara., but do try to spend a night at a hotel with views of the Falls. Watching the falls change colour at night with their illuminating light show & waking up to a sunrise with a falls view is just breath taking.
That amazing sunrise ending your 3-day Toronto itinerary as you journey back to Toronto Pearson International Airport for your flight home is just how you will want to remember Canada!
If you plan to visit Ripley's Aquarium, CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma or The Toronto Zoo, consider purchasing the Toronto City Pass. The pass includes admission to five attractions, saving you money.
Additional places to pick & chose from to suit your exact tastes:
You can even put a lock on the Love Locks sign while walking through the the Distillery Village..
See a Musical:
For Coffee Lovers:
The Must - Tim Hortons Coffee
You can not go to Toronto, let alone Canada and not grab a Timmie from Tim Hortons!
The home for unique & authentic travel
