Toronto is the capital city of Ontario and Canada’s biggest urban centre. It is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, and you will notice this diversity walking around the city. Between its many entertainment and dining options, sports events, and festivals, there is always something to do in the city, but your first visit must include some essential tourism attractions.
While locals often debate where the boundaries of Downtown Toronto are, the official city lines are drawn from Bloor Street to Don Valley Parkway on the East end and Bathurst Street on the West end. This guide will follow the above borders, recognising that the sheer scale of the Downtown and the variety of attractions will actually take multiple days to explore. The attractions in this guide are organised according to their proximity to one another (from East to West), to make planning easier. It is important to note that while Casa Loma is on the perimeter of Downtown, the remaining attractions are a healthy distance away from the city core.
If you are planning to see three or more attractions, consider the Toronto CityPASS. The pass includes one-time admission to five attractions and costs $210.48 per adult and $141.81 per child (4-12). However, currently the passes are discounted to $129.96/adult and $92.92/child.
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Downtown Toronto
The Distillery Historic District
A pedestrian neigbourhood that dates back to the city’s whisky history. Originally known as the Gooderham & Worts Distillery, the 47 buildings that compose the neighbourhood were abandoned for quite a few years since the prime distilling days of Toronto. The newly revamped neigbourhood opened in 2003 and is home to 40+ shops, a few restaurants, art galleries, and event spaces. Various pop-up events, like outdoor movie cinema and the winter Christmas market, take over The Distillery District throughout the year.
thedistillerydistrict.com
Map link
St Lawrence Market
The city’s oldest market, dating back to 1820, St Lawrence Market is a fully-functional market space spanning across two floors. For over 100 years, this building has served the local community and travelling visitors, offering farm-fresh produce and ready-prepared meals. The space also houses an art gallery on the second floor and technically includes St Lawrence Market North, open on Saturdays for the farmer’s market.
stlawrencemarket.com
Near Front St E and Jarvis St | Map link
Bonus: Make sure to look up at the Gooderham Building, created by the whisky distilling family you would’ve learned about at The Distillery Historic District (currently under renovation). Just behind the building is Berczy Park and the Berczy Park Dog Fountain, a local favourite.
Tip: Tour the market with a local food tour company, Culinar Adventures Co. (CAC), to taste the best of the market and learn about its history. CAC offers food tours in multiple corners of the city. * Secret Food Tours, on the other hand, offers an expedited Market tour combined with a visit to the Distillery.
Hockey Hall of Fame
Museum and hall of fame for Canada’s hockey legends. Inside, visitors will find the infamous Stanley Cup through the years, special and permanent exhibits, NHL records, a change room replica, and endless historic memorabilia. The space is large, with multiple halls and elaborate displays showcasing the history of hockey beyond Canada. Within the museum walls are also multiple theatres and a TSN SportsCentre Studio.
Make sure not to miss the Great Hal,l where you can take a picture with the Stanley Cup, visit the walls, and be mesmerised the the rooms’ stained glass oval ceiling. Visitors have in-and-out privileges, allowing them to fully enjoy the interactive areas (everyone can shoot their shot).
hhof.com
30 Yonge St, Toronto, however, the main entrance is from the lower level of Brookfield Place | Map link
Admission: Adults $25, youth $15, seniors $20, children under 3 are free
Above: Exterior of Hockey Hall of Fame and Brookfield Place, entry into the museum is through Brookfield Place. Below: images from the Hockey Hall of Fame. All images by Kateryna Topol.
CN Tower
553.3 metres tall, the CN Tower is one of the tallest buildings in North America. It is synonymous with Toronto and acts as a directional beacon, seen from nearly everywhere in the city. Finished in 1976, the top of the tower includes a glass floor, multiple observation decks, and the 360 Restaurant. The two levels included in general admission include a 360° view of the entire Toronto, Lake Ontario, and the Toronto islands. From up above, you will get a different perspective of the Rogers Stadium dome, spot the yellow umbrellas at the Waterfront, see the Steam Whistle Roundhouse in its full circular beauty, and witness planes take off from the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.
Upon entry, you will be invited to take a souvenir photo, which will be available for purchase at the end of the tour at the gift shop. The lower level has an outdoor terrace and an area where you can lean over the edge of the tower. One of the newer experiences offered at the top is the Brave the EdgeWalk, which allows a small group of people, walk the edge of the tower 116 storeys above ground (tethered to the building).
cntower.ca
290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto | Map link
Admission: GA starting at Adults $45, youth and seniors $32, children 3-5 are free, add $12 for top floor access. Visitors have an upgrade option to include timed entry and priority line bypass.
Included in Toronto CityPASS.
Tip: Pop into the Steam Whistle Brewery to try some local beer and pretzels.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
The aquarium is located at the foot of the CN Tower and can be purchased as a combo ticket for the two attractions. The building holds 5.7 million litres of marine and freshwater species from around the world. Visitors experience the aquarium in a loop, passing through various rooms and spending a good part of it in the shark tunnel, which has a moving walkway. Many of the aquariums are floor-to-ceiling, transporting you to the ocean floor. The Rainbow Reef aquarium contains some of the most colourful fish in the centre, from neon stripes to black and white polka dots, this tropical fish highway in this room can be observed for hours. The shark tunnel is another favourite with multiple sharks, turtles, and a variety of fish floating around and over your head.
The aquarium hosts a range of special events like “Sharks after dark,” “Friday night jass,” and “Paint and waves,” among others. Much of the experience is curated for the children, with shark tunnels and playground submarines taking the kids into the pools. And at the end, everyone can gently pet a stingray before returning to the above-ground world.
ripleys.com
288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto | Map link
Admission: Timed entry for adults $46, youth and seniors $30, children 3-5 $13.50.
Included in Toronto CityPASS.
City Hall and the Spirit Garden
The City Hall actively houses the current municipal government and has served as a filming location to make Hollywood films and series, including The Handmaid’s Tale. The building resembles a floating spaceship, which visitors can view from an observation deck across the square. In front of the City Hall is a shallow fountain which turns into an ice rink during the winter, illuminated by the infamous Toronto sign.
To the left of the City Hall is a newly built Spirit Garden, designed to foster teaching, learning, sharing and healing for Indigenous communities and visitors. The garden incorporates elements from multiple Indigenous peoples, including First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Wendat. This beautiful garden is a great place to iteratively learn about the Indigenous communities of Canada.
100 Queen St W, Toronto | Map link
Free
Canadian Opera Company (COC)
COC, or Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, is a purpose-built structure for opera and ballet performances, which ensures spectacularly clean sound. The building is a glass box, allowing for a preview into the world of opera from the streets of the city. The company works to create a welcoming environment for all guests, following the slogan that “opera is for everybody”. The intricately designed stage allows for two operas to be on stage consecutively, each one is a showcase of high production value, fully occupying the open space.
A range of performances is available seasonally. This fall, attendees can see “Orfeo ed Euridice,” “Bluebeard’s Castle and Erwartung,” “Rigoletto,” “The Barber of Seville,” and “Werther”.
Opera members also have access to the Henry N. R. Jackman Lounge, which offers a more intimate pre-show cocktail hour atmosphere. On the opening night, the lounge brings together theatre fans and the cast in one room for a short presentation from the director.
coc.ca
145 Queen St W | Map link
Ticket costs vary show-to-show; COC offers a handful of free performances per month.
COC Ticket offer
Get 15% off tickets this fall with code KTCOC15. Some restrictions apply; the code is valid for 25/26 mainstage performances, expires on December 31, 2025.
Above: Images from the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Canadian Opera Company (COC). The middle is a scene from Romeo and Juliet. Images by Kateryna Topol.
Art Gallery of Ontario
The city’s biggest art gallery, dating back to 1900 and recently renovated with Frank Gehry’s vision. The gallery spans five floors of contemporary and classic art, figurines, and sculptures. Annually, the visitors can access a series of travelling and temporary exhibitions in addition to rotating permanent galleries.
The gallery hosts a range of events, from social to educational and hands-on adult workshops. On the premises is also the AGO Bistro (ground floor), Espresso Bar (past admission check), and Norma Ridley Members’ Lounge located in the original gallery building, which some say is a little haunted.
ago.ca
317 Dundas St W, Toronto | Map link
Admission: Adult $30, youth $15, children under 9 free; Special exhibitions might cost extra.
Free on Wednesday evening. Youth between 14 and 24 can access a free annual pass.
Images from the Art Gallery of Ontario by Kateryna Topol.
401 Richmond Building
The building is a cultural and art hub in the heart of the city. It is a heritage-designed industrial building housing a handful of public art galleries, artist studios, a bookstore, and a cosy coffee shop. If you visit the city in May, make sure to check out the CONTACT Photography Festival schedule, with art shows happening all across the city.
401richmond.com
401 Richmond St W | Map link
Free
Bonus: Keep walking West to get to Toronto’s colourful Graffiti Alley for some sightseeing and photo ops.
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
The museum is a heritage building spanning exhibitions across 6 floors. In the simplest terms, there is a lot to see at the museum, “18 million artworks, artefacts, and specimens from around the world,” kind of a lot. With some rooms having multiple rows of displays, you can easily spend the entire day at the ROM. The exhibits include permanent collections across ages and special plus travelling exhibitions.
rom.on.ca
100 Queens Park, Toronto | Map link
Admission: Adult $25.50, senior $15.50, student and youth $19.25, child $15.50.
Free on the 3rd Tuesday night of every month. Special exhibitions might cost extra.
Included in Toronto CityPASS.
Images from the Royal Ontario Museum by Kateryna Topol.
Gardiner Museum
Located across the street from the ROM, the Gardiner Museum is a smaller museum dedicated to mostly ceramics. The building itself is quite beautiful, with a few outdoor installations and a handful of carefully curated galleries inside. The top floor also houses Clay Restaurant, where the terrace overlooks the ROM.
gardinermuseum.on.ca
111 Queens Park, Toronto | Map link
Admission: Adults $15, seniors $11, children under 18 are free.
Ceramics exhibition at the Gardiner Museum; images by Kateryna Topol.
Bata Shoe Museum
As the name suggests, this is a museum dedicated to shoes and their role within history and popular culture. The collection includes 15,000 objects, excluding temporary and travelling exhibitions. The building itself is a work of art, designed by renowned Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama. Much like the rest of the galleries and museums, Bata Shoe also hosts various community events and workshops.
batashoemuseum.ca
327 Bloor St W, Toronto | Map link
Admission: By donation.
On the left, an exhibition at the Bata Shoe Museum. On the right, view from the top of the Baldwin Steps. Images by Kateryna Topol.
Uptown Toronto
Casa Loma
The castle is a Gothic Revival-style mansion and garden in midtown Toronto, built by Sir Henry Pellatt in 1914. Your self-guided castle tour will lead through historically preserved rooms, a ballroom library, two observation tours, exhibition rooms, horse stables, and a picturesque garden. On-site is also BlueBlood Steakhouse, one of the city’s most romantic restaurants.
Multiple events are hosted at the castle throughout the year, including Legends of Horror in October, performances and comedy in the garden through the summer, escape rooms, Easter Brunch, and many more.
casaloma.ca
1 Austin Terrace, Toronto | Map link
Admission: Adult $40, youth and seniors $35, children 4-13 $25. All tickets are subject to a $6.67+ fee.
Included in Toronto CityPASS.
Tip: Walk to the left of the main castle entrance to a pathway to the Baldwin Steps with a wide open view of Downtown Toronto.
Casa Loma Castle, Toronto. Images by Kateryna Topol.
Museum of Contemporary Art
More commonly known as MOCA, for many years the Museum of Contemporary Art resided Downtown, but a few years back moved into a bigger space up North. MOCA is an inclusive and inviting contemporary art space on a mission to “rotating exhibitions and programmes that prioritise twenty-first-century artistic production, primarily through commissioning new work”. The museum presents both visual and performative arts, occasionally inviting the public to join in through workshops, seminars, and after-hours parties.
moca.ca
158 Sterling Rd #100, Toronto | Map link
Admission: Adults $14, seniors and students $10, children under 18 are free.
Tip: If you’d like to make a day out of this trip, nearby you will also find Bandit Brewery and Henderson Brewing Co, Daniel Faria Gallery, and a short distance away Steadfast Brewing Company, Sounds Good cocktail bar and restaurant (where they spin vinyl), and Tommy’s Wine Bar, set inside an old convenience store.
Toronto Zoo
The zoo, located in the Rouge National Urban Park, is focused on animal conservation and public education. Across the park will find birds, marine and mammal wildlife, and plenty of other species from around the world. From lions and monkeys to armadillos and polar bears, the Zoo has a lot to offer.
Among various public programs are sleepway youth programs, bush camping, and various (facilitated) animal encounters. Visitors have an option to explore the park on the Zoomobile for an additional $10.
torontozoo.com
2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto | Map link
Admissions: Tickets start at $29.20 for adults, $24.82 for seniors, $20.44 for children 3-12.
Included in Toronto CityPASS.
Aga Khan Museum
The museum is focused on shining a spotlight on Muslim cultures and their connection with the rest of the world. In addition to temporary and travelling exhibitions, the museum houses a collection of over 1,200 beautiful pieces of art and artefacts. The building itself is an architectural masterpiece designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Fumihiko Maki, surrounded by greenery and glass-like pools spread across 17 acres of land.
On the property is a Diwan restaurant and Courtyard Café, serving Middle Eastern, North African, and South Asian cuisines. The restaurant is managed by Chef Mark McEwan and is a local dining destination.
agakhanmuseum.org
77 Wynford Dr, North York | Map link
Admissions: Adult $20, senior $15, students $12, children 6-13 $10.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
This breathtaking complex includes a first traditional hand-carved Hindu Mandir (Hindu place of worship), Haveli, and the Heritage Museum. The Mandir was constructed in record time of 18 months by over 400 volunteers, but looking at it, one might think it took decades.
The Mandir and the Heritage Museum showcase the history and culture of the Indo-Canadian diaspora. Many festivals and celebrations take place here, but you can also just visit to see the beautiful building.
baps.org
61 Claireville Dr, Toronto | Map link
Admission is free; all visitors must cover their shoulders and will be required to take off their shoes.
Visiting hours are irregular to accommodate rituals; make sure to check the schedule.
Getting to Toronto
If you are landing at the Toronto Pearson Airport, UP Express is the best way to get to Downtown Toronto (25 minutes to Union Station). However, TTC can be a better option if your accommodations are sufficiently North of the lake.
If you are landing at the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, Porter Airlines offers a regular complimentary shuttle to the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, across from Union Station.
City cabs, airport limos (by advanced reservation) and rideshare are also available across the city (Uber, Lyft, Hopp).
Rideshare offers
- Use code JRLQKU to get 60% off on your first ride with Hopp (max $15 per ride).
- Use code KATERYNA824182 to get 60% off your next two rides with Lyft (max $12 per ride).
* The writer occasionally works for Culinary Adventures Co.
