Things to Do in Toronto
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Toronto, Canada, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Toronto. Canada's biggest city, dwarfing the capital, nobody seems to mind, a lakeside metropolis serving as provincial capital rather than national one, home to a freestanding tower that held a world record for decades, and sitting right on the shores of the Great Lake that gave the surrounding province its name. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Toronto: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the view. Three main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
Toronto's Provincial (Not National) Capital Status
Toronto is the capital of Ontario, Canada's most populous province, despite not being the national capital, Canada's national capital is actually the much smaller city of Ottawa, a few hours away, worth knowing this context, Toronto's status as the country's largest and most economically significant city, despite lacking the national capital title, mirrors a pattern seen in a few other countries where the biggest city and the political capital aren't the same place.
The Ontario Legislative Building, in Queen's Park, is worth a visit for context on Toronto's role as provincial capital specifically, worth combining with a wander through the surrounding park.
Hours Tours run on a set schedule, check current times
Address Ontario Legislative Building, Toronto
The CN Tower
Toronto's skyline is dominated by the CN Tower, a tall freestanding communications and observation structure, one of the tallest freestanding structures in the world for decades after it opened, worth the entry fee for the observation deck, sweeping views over the city, Lake Ontario, and on clear days, out toward Niagara Falls in the distance.
The glass floor, suspended over 300 metres up, is worth trying if you don't mind heights, worth booking timed entry ahead given the tower's consistent popularity, particularly during peak tourist season.
Hours Daily, roughly 9am–10pm
Address CN Tower, Toronto
Lake Ontario
Toronto sits on the shores of Lake Ontario, the lake that gave the surrounding province its name, worth a proper walk along the waterfront, the Toronto Islands, a short ferry ride from downtown, offer beaches and skyline views worth the trip, a good, relaxed way to spend an afternoon away from the busier city centre.
It's worth timing an island visit for good weather, this is one of the better ways to see the Toronto skyline from a distance, worth allowing a proper half-day given the ferry crossing and time to explore the islands themselves.
Best time Clear, warm days
Address Toronto Islands, Toronto
Best time to visit Toronto
May through September gives the most comfortable weather for the amount of walking and island time this list involves, mild without winter's real, serious cold.
Toronto's museums and the CN Tower work well year-round, worth visiting even outside the warmer months if the weather isn't your priority.
Getting around Toronto
Toronto's subway and streetcar network covers the city well, central areas including the CN Tower and waterfront are walkable.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Toronto worth visiting?
- Yes, easily, the CN Tower and Lake Ontario waterfront together give it real character, and the provincial capital context adds an interesting piece of Canadian political geography.
- How many days do you need in Toronto?
- Three days covers the CN Tower, the Toronto Islands, and Queen's Park comfortably.
- Is Toronto expensive?
- Moderate to expensive, broadly in line with other major North American cities, though the ferry to the islands and walking the waterfront remain affordable.
- What is Toronto famous for?
- Being Canada's largest city and the capital of Ontario, despite not being the national capital, the CN Tower, and its position on the shores of Lake Ontario.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
