2. Join the 1-hour Toronto harbour tour

Website: https://harbourtourstoronto.ca/ 
Address: 145 Queens Quay W, Toronto, ON M5J 2H4, Canada
Contact details: 416-203-7786
Rates: Per head: $23.59

If you’re scared of heights, we suggest you take a remarkable tour around the city aboard the Triton with Toronto Harbour Tours. On this boat tour you’ll pass by the CN tower, First Canadian Place, and much more.

The captain also provides some great narration throughout the trip, offering some really great local and historical insights about Toronto.

Pro tip:

Try booking a boat tour during the late afternoon to catch a pretty view of the sunset. Since the tour is an hour long, you’ll end it with a view of a brightly lit skyline at night – which means you’ll get to enjoy two different cityscapes!

3. Get a glimpse of Asian culture at Toronto Chinatown

Address: Spadina and Dundas (From Queen to College and east and west of Spadina), Toronto, Ontario M5T 2E9 Canada

Toronto is home to one of the most beautiful Chinatown in North America. And contrary to popular belief, you’ll find not just Chinese specialties here, but Asian products in general

Chinatown also boasts a robust art scene, housing vibrant street art and murals made by local artists.

Pro tip:

Make sure to carry cash with you at all times. Sometimes, the best tasting food can only be found at stalls, which only accept cash. 

4. Soak in some history and culture at the Royal Ontario Museum

Website: https://www.rom.on.ca/en
Address: Royal Ontario Museum, 100 Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON  M5S 2C6
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours: Monday: Closed, Tuesday – Sunday: 10am – 5:30pm
Rates: 

• Adult: $26.00
• Child: $16.00
• Senior: $21.00
• Student: $20.00
• Youth: $20.00

The Royal Ontario Museum boasts 13 million artifacts from all across the world, meaning there’s more stuff here than your messy room. Rightly so, the museum’s huge collection landed it in the top 10 cultural institutions of North America. 

You’ll pretty much find anything and everything in this museum, from ancient weapons to Barbie collections. There’s definitely something for everyone to appreciate.

The façade of the museum also features a sculptural wonder called “Michael-Lee Chin Crystal”. Designed by Daniel Libeskind, it’s a real show stopper – so make sure to snap a shot for the books.  

Pro tip:

Before visiting the museum, we suggest downloading the Royal Ontario Museum app to help you navigate the museum and gain additional insight on the exhibits.

5. Visit the Hockey Hall of Fame

Website: https://www.hhof.com/
Address: Brookfield Place, 30 Yonge St. Toronto, ON M5E 1X8
Contact details: [email protected], 416-360-7765
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Rates: 

• General Admission: $25.00
• Youth: $15.00
• Senior: $20.00
• Children: Free

Established in 1943, the Hockey Hall of Fame functions as a museum and a cultural marker, adding new memorabilia from past and present legendary players every so often.

The museum also houses the legendary Stanley Cup trophy awarded to NHL champions. Overall, it’s a fun experience for sports lovers and normal folk alike.

Pro tip:

Make sure to check out the Hockey Hall of Fame’s website for special limited time exhibits. 

6. Bring the kiddos to Toronto Zoo

Website: https://www.torontozoo.com/tz/Membership
Address: 2000 Meadowvale Road, Toronto, Ontario, M1B 5K7
Contact details: [email protected], 416-392-5900
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:30am – 7:00pm 
Rates: 

• Peak Season:
  • Adult: $31.99
  • Senior: $27.99
  • Child: $22.99
  • Free Child(Under Age 3): Free
• Non-Peak Season:
  • Adult: $24.20
  • Senior: $19.35
  • Child: $15.50
  • Free Child(Under Age 3): Free

Toronto Zoo houses over 5,000 different animals and 500 different species, making it the largest zoo in Canada.

Inside the main zoo are specific attractions, such as a kids’ area, botanical garden, and waterside theatre. They even have an aquarium that houses exotic aquatic life from all the 7 seas!

Pro tip:

Make sure to pick up the zoo map or download it online before your visit to easily navigate to the areas and animals you actually want to see.

7. Enjoy the view from the CN Tower

Website: https://www.cntower.ca/plan-your-visit/tickets-and-hours/hours
Address: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9, Canada
Contact details: (416) 868 6937
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:30am – 9:00pm
Rates: 

• Timed General Admission:
  • Adult: $43
  • Senior: $30
  • Youth: $30
  • Child: $14
• SkyPod + Timed General Admission:
  • Adult: $53
  • Senior: $40
  • Youth: $40
  • Child: $24
• Sea the Sky:
  • Adult: $74
  • Senior: $50
  • Youth: $50
  • Child: $23

Standing at a thousand feet, the CN tower defines Toronto’s skyline and is considered one of the city’s most iconic structures to date. 

As one of the seven wonders of the modern world, this place isn’t just about the view but the activities as well. A must-try for us is the edgewalk, where you circle around the tower with nothing holding you but a harness – great for that adrenaline rush!

If being a daredevil isn’t your thing, then go for a great dinner. The tower also has a restaurant that offers a panoramic view of the city.

Pro tip:

If you can, try to visit at sunset or at night time. Apart from capping off the day with gorgeous sunset colours, the CN tower shines brightest at night when Toronto is lit up with city lights.

8. Connect with nature at the Allan Gardens Conservatory

Website: https://www.toronto.ca
Address: 19 Horticultural Ave Toronto, ON M5A 2P2
Contact details: 416-392-7288
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00am – 5:00pm

Located near the heart of Toronto, the Allan Gardens Conservatory is home to one of the world’s most beautiful gardens. It’s also the place to see the iconic glass domed Palm House.

The conservatory also holds shows like the Winter Flower Show and is home to an arboretum located on the outside. With hundreds of trees and flowers, the gardens are a dream come true for any green thumb.

Pro tip:

You’ll want to make sure that you get a picture with the Palm House, one of the garden’s most popular attractions featuring an Edwardian design. 

9. Get a taste of time travel in the Distillery District 

Website: https://www.thedistillerydistrict.com/
Address: 55 Mill Street, Toronto ON, M5A 3C4
Contact details: [email protected], 416-364-1177
Operating hours: Monday – Thursday, Sunday: 10:00am – 6:00pm, Friday – Saturday: 10:00am – 8:00pm

Fun fact: the Distillery District used to be the largest distillery in the world, but it’s now home to trendy shops, galleries, and restaurants. You’ll typically find this area filled with avid shoppers and foodies!

Walking around this place also provides a hit of nostalgia, as the district is home to 19th century buildings and archaic streets.

Pro tip:

Explore the district by walking through alleys and obscure roads. These places usually house the most well-preserved parts of the district that tourists don’t go to, making it great for pictures. 

10. Get your shoe game on at the Bata Shoe Museum

Website: https://batashoemuseum.ca/
Address: 327 Bloor St W, Toronto Ontario M5S 1W7
Contact details: [email protected], (416) 979 7799
Operating hours: Monday – Saturday: 10:00am – 5:00pm, Sunday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Rates:

• General Admission:
  • Individual: $14
  • Senior: $12
  • Student (with ID): $8
  • Children ages (inclusive): $5
  • Children under 4: FREE
• Family Packages:
  • Family Package 1: $24(1 adult and up to 4 children under 18)
  • Family Package 2: $35 (2 adults and up to 4 children under 18)

The Bata Shoe Museum houses an incredible collection of 15,000 shoes, making it a great destination for any history and fashion lover. 

Unique footwear featured here include knight’s boots, Chinese Lotus shoes, contemporary designer sneakers, and even the Dalai Lama’s slippers.  

Pro tip:

Visit their new exhibition In Bloom: Flowers and Footwear, which focuses on footwear with flower motifs and designs. 

11. Explore Islamic culture by visiting the Aga Khan Museum

Website: https://agakhanmuseum.org/visit/tickets-hours.html
Address: 77 Wynford Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1K1
Contact details: [email protected], (416) 646-4677
Operating hours: Monday: Closed, Wednesday: 10am–8 pm, Tuesday, Thursday – Sunday: 10am–5:30 pm
Rates:

• Full Price:
  • Adult: $10
  • Child (6-13): $10
  • Senior: $10
  • Student: $10
• Group (10+):
  • Adult: $10
  • Child (6-13): $8
  • Senior: $10
  • Student: $10
• Friends Admission:
  • Adult: Free
  • Child (6-13): Free
  • Senior: Free
  • Student: Free

The Aga Khan Museum is the first museum in North America dedicated to Islamic art, housing thousands of beautiful artworks.

Featuring artworks highlighting Islamic civilisations, notable figures, and even contemporary Islamic communities around the world, the museum’s repertoire tells riveting stories about the experiences the Islamic people face daily.

Pro tip:

Visit the Bellerive room, which pays homage to the statesman Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan, whose artifacts make up the majority of the museum’s collection. The room features ceramics which highlight islamic craftsmanship.

12. Shop ‘til you drop at St. Lawrence Market

Website: http://www.stlawrencemarket.com/
Address: 92- 95 Front St East Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1C3
Contact details: (416) 392-7219, [email protected]
Operating hours: North / Farmer’s Market: Saturday – 5:00am-3:00pm, South Market: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 9:00am-7:00pm, Saturday: 7:00am-5:00pm, Sunday: 10:00am-5:00pm, Mondays: Closed, Saturday Farmers Market: 5:00am-3:00pm

St. Lawrence Market is one of the most popular destinations for foodies. Once called the world’s best food market, it’s considered as the best place to bag some produce, try delicious food, and sample gourmet selections. 

The market is filled with good food and engaging activities, like a visit to the Market Gallery which is filled with art exhibits about Toronto and its people. On the other hand, if you’re a foodie then maybe a food tour like the St. Lawrence Market Tour is for you.  

Pro tip:

Visit the food stall Uno Mustachio in the basement section of the market and try their eggplant parm. We also recommend trying some organic empanadas at Manotas and clam chowder at Buster’s Sea Cove.