Best Things to Do in Toronto, Ontario: 4 Day Itinerary Guide

Best Things To Do In Toronto, Canada

In order to organise the trip, a list of the best places in Toronto, located from north to south, is given on the map. The visitors are given the opportunity to customise their itinerary by selecting and choosing whatever they want the most.

Day 1: Midtown & Uptown Highlights (Culture + History)

1: Casa Loma

• Best Time to Go: Visiting on weekday mornings is the most appropriate time because the castle is less busy and rather quiet in the morning before the tourists arrive.

1. How Long to Stay: About 2-2.5 hours is sufficient to view the highlights.

Why It’s Special

Casa Loma is the sole castle in Toronto and is full of historic rooms, shocking tunnels, and breathtaking gardens. The city has spectacular views taken at the upper levels. To have a greater experience, there are themed escape rooms within the castle.

2: Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)

1. Best Time to Go: The weekdays are not so active, and the museum is pleasant throughout the whole year with permanent and special exhibits.
2. How Long to Stay: Most of the visits take about 3-3.5 hours.

Why It’s Special

The ROM is the largest museum in Canada, which was opened in 1914. It has an extensive collection of history, art, and world cultures, and rotating exhibits. It is both informative and entertaining to everyone.

3: University of Toronto: St. George Campus

1. Best Time to Go: The campus has year-round walk opportunities, but it is the spring and summer that have the most vegetation.
2. How Long to Stay: A stroll will take about 1 hour.

Why It’s Special

The most respected university in Canada is characterised by its beautiful architecture and serene grounds. Courtyards, gardens, and old structures make the visiting place very charming.

4: Bloor-Yorkville

1. Best Time to Go: Any time of the year is fine, but during festivals and cultural events, the area is particularly bustling.
2. How Long to Stay: Ideally, at least 3+ hours to have a look around shopping, dining, and attractions.

Why It’s Special

Being a luxury neighbourhood, Bloor-Yorkville is a place that is mixed in values with the high-end stores and fancy restaurants, and cultural landmarks. It is sophisticated and energetic with the help of the beautiful streets, works of art, and events.

5: Eataly

1. Best Time to Go: Eataly is an easy-to-visit place at any time when walking in the neighbourhood of Bloor.
2. How Long to Stay: Between 30 minutes and 1.5 hours, depending on whether a meal is included.

Why It’s Special

Eataly, which is smaller than its New York counterpart, provides a great quality of authentic Italian food. The favorites are fresh focaccia and creamy tiramisu. There is also a second setup at Don Mills.

Day 2: Downtown Core (Shopping + Landmarks)

6: Toronto Eaton Centre

1. Best Time to Go: Weekends are the busiest days of the mall, and weekdays are easier to shop.
2. How Long to Stay: To have a 1-3 hour plan, based on shopping and eating plans.

Why It’s Special

The Eaton Centre is one of the largest malls in Canada, which is situated in downtown Toronto. It has four rates of stores and restaurants providing global brands with both casual and fine eating within a single location.

7: Yonge-Dundas Square

1. Best Time to Go: During the evening, it is very energetic with lights, music, and events.
2. How Long to Stay: It is sufficient to take about 2 hours to taste the atmosphere.

Why It’s Special

Yonge-Dundas Square, also known as the Times Square of Toronto because the square is full of billboards, performers, and stores, and it is energetic. It is a tourist destination because of its central location next to the Eaton Centre.

8: Toronto City Hall & Nathan Phillips Square

1. Best Time to Go: The square is open throughout the year, and events in the winter and summer are added to be in the square, making it more interesting.
2. How Long to Stay: An average of 30 minutes to 1 hour will suffice.

Why It’s Special

Toronto City Hall has distinctive architecture, and Nathan Phillips Square is where concerts, markets, and some seasonal events are organised. It has been made to be one of the most photographed spots in the city by the Toronto Sign.

9: Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)

1. Best Time to Go: Working on any day is okay, but weekdays are usually less busy.
2. How Long to Stay: Approximately 2-3 hours is sufficient to have a good time viewing the primary exhibits.

Why It’s Special

The AGO is one of the best art museums in North America, and it has more than 90,000 works. The gallery has paintings and sculptures, photography, and installations, among others, and has something to offer all art lovers.

10: Queen Street West

1. Best Time to Go: The area is active all year round, and evenings and weekends provide most of the energy.
2. How Long to Stay: Allow 3 or more hours or even a half-day on foot.

Why It’s Special

Queen Street West is a character street that has its own shops, overly cool cafes, international restaurants, and colourful street art. The murals are a must-see in Graffiti Alley, and at night, the nightlife has plenty of bars and clubs.

Day 3: Waterfront & Major Icons

11: High Park

• Best Time to Go: High Park is beautiful throughout the year, and it has cherry blossoms in spring and the fall leaves change colour.

• How Long to Stay: The time allocated should suffice (2-3 hours), but there is much more to explore in case one likes sightseeing.

Why It’s Special

High Park is a 399-acre park that contains trails, ponds, and a free zoo. There is a variety of sports facilities, such as tennis courts and baseball fields, to make this a complete combination of nature and sport.

12: Union Station / PATH

1. Best Time to Go: Union Station and PATH are the most reviewed places when the walkways underground are functioning during the weekdays.
2. How Long to Stay: Between 20 minutes and 1 hour or more in the case of PATH discovery.

Why It’s Special

The central transport centre of Toronto is the Union Station, which is grandly architectured, and connects trains, buses, and the airport express. The PATH extends here to a length of 30 km, creating the world’s biggest underground shopping centre, a haven that one can spend on during cold or wet weather.

13: Harbourfront Centre & Area

1. Best Time to Go: Summer is the most active season with festivals and eating, and water sports.
2. How Long to Stay: Around 1–3 hours.

Why It’s Special

The area is along the waterfront of Toronto, and it provides boardwalk walks, skyline scenes and cultural activities. Kayaking, paddleboarding, lakeside dining, it is an epicentre of fun and relaxation outdoors.

14: Toronto Islands

1. Best Time to Go: Ideal times are spring and summer, but weekends and holidays are busier.
2. How Long to Stay: Plan for 2–4 hours or longer.

Why It’s Special

A brief ferry trip takes one to the Toronto Islands, which have breathtaking skyline sightseeing, beaches, gardens, and trails. There are activities such as biking, picnics, and even a small amusement park among the families.

15: Scotiabank Arena

1. Best Time to Go: Best to be consumed at scheduled concerts, shows, or sports.
2. How Long to Stay: Time varies according to the occasion one has been to.

Why It’s Special

Scotiabank Arena is the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Raptors teams and hosts international concerts and live performances, which is why sports fans should not ignore this large stadium.

Day 4: If Time Allows

16: CN Tower

1. Best Time to Go: Sunny days and evenings give the most beautiful prospects.
2. How Long to Stay: Approximately 2.5 hours when visiting on the inside, or less when viewing on the outside.

Why It’s Special

The most recognisable landmark of Toronto has panoramic views of the LookOut Level and SkyPod. It has such attractions as the Glass Floor, the adrenaline-pumping EdgeWalk, and the 360 Restaurant, which revolves. It is even more interactive with exhibits.

17: Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

1. Best Time to Go: The mornings of the weekdays are the most quiet to explore.
2. How Long to Stay: Budget 1.5-2.5 hours to tour it all.

Why It’s Special

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada presents the marine life of the world through interactivity. When visiting the site, the visitor can experience the ocean by touching the stingrays and jellyfish or walking through the well-known underwater tunnel.

18: Distillery District

1. Best Time to Go: It is best during the annual Christmas Market when everything is most celebratory.
2. How Long to Stay: Plan for 2-3 hours.

Why It’s Special

The Distillery District is a historic neighbourhood with cobblestone streets and alleyways with pedestrian-only traffic, numerous art galleries, boutiques, restaurants and breweries. It can be even more memorable with guided tours and seasonal events.

The Best Time To Visit Toronto, Canada

Its prime season is late spring to early fall, i.e. May-September. The weather is very comfortable at the time, and the city is actually vibrating with life.

1. In May, you’ll find it starting to warm up. You’ll also enjoy the sunset without all the big groups, so it is a good place to go and have a more casual atmosphere.
2. Summer kicks in during June, and the days extend, and this is ideal every time you want to wander around exploring.
3. The months of July and August are the highest summer months, considered hot, sunny, and full of festivals and other events. When you are a lover of a spirited and high-energy environment, this is the moment.
4. It begins to chill off in September, the summer crowds have thinned, and the weather is still ideal to simply chill and venture around the city at your own pace.

How to Get There

The majority of the visitors use Pearson International Airport (YYZ), and there is convenient access to the downtown area using the Union Pearson express train, taxis, or rideshares. A smaller yet very convenient option is Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ), directly on the waterfront, that caters to flights whenever they are available.

What Food To Try

1. Peameal Bacon Sandwich

Toronto is famous for this sandwich, and it’s a must-try.
Where to Try: Carousel Bakery at St. Lawrence Market; everyone swears by it.

2. Poutine

You can’t leave Canada without trying poutine,  fries, gravy, and cheese curds.
Where to Try: Smoke’s Poutinerie (they’ve got tons of fun variations).

3. Butter Tart

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, butter tarts are a Canadian classic dessert.
Where to Try: Bakerbot Bakeshop or Wanda’s Pie in the Sky in Kensington Market.

4. Dim Sum

Since Toronto has one of the largest Chinatowns in North America, dim sum is a must.
Where to Try: Rol San Restaurant in Chinatown or Dynasty Chinese Cuisine on Bloor Street.

Where to Stay

1. Downtown Yonge: Walking and central with stores and cafes. It houses Yonge-Dundas Square and is best suited to first-time visitors.
2. Bloor-Yorkville: The affluent area of Toronto, which has designer shopping, restaurants, museums, and galleries. It is also frequented in TIFF and is well served by the subway.

Entertainment District: Vibrant and full of life, featuring theatres, sports bars, clubs and restaurants along King Street West. There are a lot of attractions to walk to.