Explore The Best Tourist Attractions of Toronto in 5 Days

November 20, 2020 Mustafa Natalwala 3749 Views

Toronto is perhaps the most famous city to visit in Canada. Some people even mistake it for the national capital of Canada, which it is not. Toronto is the capital of Ontario province. The best places to visit in Toronto are very different from those you would expect from Europe. The city is a modern marvel. One of the reasons people like to visit Toronto is the people. Canadians are famous for being kind, warm, and polite. You will see evidence of this during Toronto travel. As you explore all the best things to do in Toronto, you will come across some of the nicest people you would ever meet on a holiday. You need at least 3 days to enjoy Toronto. It is a city that gradually grows on you. The longer you stay, the better you enjoy all the fun things to do in Toronto. We have listed a 5-day itinerary for Toronto sightseeing in the section below. You can pick and choose from the section depending on how long you would be staying to explore Toronto attractions.

Among the top places to go in Toronto are the CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, Entertainment District, and so on. Each of these is a modern structure attracting several people to fun things to do in Toronto. There are also a few historical places to see in Toronto like Casa Loma, Campbell House, Fort York, Distillery District, etc. Despite these wonderful historical structures, Toronto is more associated with metropolitan tourist attractions like art galleries, amusement parks, nightlife, museums, shopping, activities, and so on. The city also has several beautiful parks as well. Even if you skip all the gardens and parks, you should definitely visit the ones around Lake Ontario, especially if you are looking for adventurous things to do in Toronto. The Lake area especially comes alive during the weekends. If you are looking to meet locals and mingle with them over cool activities, this is the place to be.

Do check 5-day plan to explore all the best things to do in Toronto in the section below:

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Table of Contents

Explore the Best Tourist Attractions in Toronto in 5 Days (Travel Itinerary)

This section covers the top things to do and see in Toronto in 5 days. The tourist attractions featured in this itinerary are in close proximity to one another and draw out a path that can be visited without much difficulty. You will be able to enjoy various experiences and tourist spots in Toronto as you walk the path outlined by this itinerary.

Day 1

1. Chinatown

You can experience the orient in Canada at this market. It is a great place to work an offbeat breakfast with some street food and find some quirky cheap stuff. Depending on how much you engage with the market, you would need anywhere between 30 to 90 minutes at this Toronto attraction.

2. Art Gallery of Ontario

Popularly known as AGO, this gallery exhibits a variety of artworks from modern and contemporary times. You will need an hour and a half to explore the various things to see in Toronto at this art gallery.

I suggest you should book your ticket of the Art Gallery of Ontario in advance.

3. Campbell House

This Gregorian house was built in the year 1822 and is among the last remaining structures from the House of York. You will need about 30 to 35 minutes to explore the various aspects of this Toronto tourist attraction.

4. City Hall

This is one of the most well-known landmarks among places to visit in Toronto. Though there is not much to explore inside, you can just take 15 minutes of the time from Toronto travel to see the structure.

5. Textile Museum of Canada

You will need about an hour to journey through the history of textile and clothing materials in the country.

6. Yonge-Dundas Square

The square is again a sight you can explore in a matter of minutes. It is a popular meeting spot for locals and is surrounded by several fun things to do in Toronto at night.

7. St. Micheal’s Cathedral

The beautiful cathedral displays the Romanesque and Neo-Gothic styles of architecture. You will need 30 minutes to admire this cathedral when you visit Toronto.

8. St. James’ Cathedral

This cathedral is known for its tall steeple. It is intact the tallest in the country. You will need another 30 minutes to explore this Anglican cathedral during Toronto sightseeing.

9. St. Lawrence Market

This is one of the most popular markets in the city. While people come here to shop as well as eat, exploring the place is among the free things to do in Toronto if you aren’t interested in either of the activities.

10. Distillery District

The district is incredibly huge and among the best things to do in Toronto on weekends. It contains over 40 heritage buildings in it. You can easily spend a couple of hours here exploring the structures and history.

I suggest you should try a guided walking tour of the Distillery District.

Day 2

1. Fort York

This fort is the National Historic Site in the country. The fort dates back as far as the 18th century. You will need more than an hour to explore this fort among places to go in Toronto.

2. Ireland Park

This huge park boasts several beautiful sculptures besides incredible landscapes. You would need 15 to 20 minutes for this park. Then you can move on to other places to see in Toronto.

3. Toronto Music Garden

This garden resulted from the collaboration of an architect and a musician. The entire place is designed around the theme of nature and music. You will need about 30 minutes to explore this Toronto tourist attraction.

4. CN Tower

The tower is one of the most well-known landmarks of the city. It is also among the best places to visit in Toronto. You will need 1 hour for all the cool things to do in Toronto at CN Tower including a view from the top.

5. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

The aquarium boasts over 450 species of flora and fauna from the ocean. You will need about an hour to enjoy things to see in the Toronto aquarium

6. Hockey Hall of Fame

The hockey hall of fame honors the best players, teams, and moments from the history of ice hockey in the country. You will need an hour to learn about the legends at this Toronto attraction.

I suggest you should book your Entrance Ticket to the Hockey Hall of Fame in advance.

7. Royal Bank Plaza

The Royal Bank Plaza is one of the most popular places to visit in Toronto for shopping. You will need anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour at this place, depending on how much you shop.

Day 3

1. Evergreen Brick Works (Don Valley Brick Works)

It is known as Don Valley Brick Works. You will need about 30 minutes to explore this environment center among places to go in Toronto.

2. Necropolis

This cemetery was first established in 1850 and features gothic architecture. It is the most historic cemeteries in the city. You won’t need more than 30 minutes for this place.

3. Riverdale Farm

The seven-and-a-half acre large farm is among the top free things to do in Toronto. There are parts of the farm that are chargeable, but you can still enjoy an hour or more here without any fees.

4. Allan Gardens

This is among the oldest gardens of the city named after George Allan, the politician who had it built. You need only 15 to 20 minutes for this garden before you can move to other Toronto tourist attractions.

5. Ontario Legislative Assembly Building

This is a government building as well as a historical landmark of the city. You will need about an hour to explore this Toronto attraction.

6. Justina M. Barnicke Gallery

This gallery exhibits works of contemporary and modern art from various artists. It also has a few historical works on display. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this gallery when you visit Toronto.

7. Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art

You will be surprised at the variety of artwork created on ceramic. There are enough exhibits at this Toronto attraction to keep you occupied for an hour or more.

Day 4

1. Bata Shoe Museum

If you are fond of shoes, then this museum is for you. You can check out the history of footwear here. You will need about an hour to explore the various exhibits here. It is among the most interesting places to visit in Toronto.

I suggest you should book a Skip-the-Line Admission Ticket to Bata Shoe Museum in advance.

2. Royal Ontario Museum

This is one of the best museums of natural history in the world. You will need about an hour and a half to enjoy this museum. It is among the biggest Toronto tourist attractions for history buffs.

I suggest you should book your Entrance Ticket to the Royal Ontario Museum in advance.

3. Yorkville

This is one of the finest shopping districts among places to go in Toronto. You will need an hour and a half to thoroughly experience this shopping district.

4. Spadina House

You can relive several decades of the city’s history through various exhibits in this house museum. You would end up spending an hour at this Toronto attraction.

5. Casa Loma

This Gothic castle is one of the most beautiful structures among things to see on a Toronto sightseeing tour. You will need an hour and a half to explore the various aspects of this castle.

I suggest you should book your entry ticket of Casa Loma in advance.

Day 5

1. Edwards Gardens

If you fancy a leisurely stroll surrounded by beautiful flowers and greenery, then Edwards Gardens is the place to go in Toronto. You can spend either 15 minutes here or an hour. That depends on how long your strolls go.

2. Ontario Science Centre

This huge science museum is a great place to spend an hour and a half during Toronto travel. There are several exhibitions to explore and so many fun things to do in Toronto which you can experience here.

3. Scarborough Bluffs Park

This park sits on the shores of Lake Ontario. It is one of the most picturesque places to visit in Toronto. You can easily spend 2 to 3 hours relaxing at this place or enjoying adventurous things to do in Toronto.

4. Toronto Zoo

The zoo houses more than 5000 animals to see and some to interact with. You should keep aside at least 2 hours to explore the zoo and various cool things to do in Toronto available here.

If you are enjoying Toronto travel and planning to stay more than 5 days, you can check out other tourist spots and activities listed below. We have listed out almost all the best things to do and see in Toronto and divided them into categories. You can discover that as you read below.

Things to do in Toronto

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Toronto

Royal Ontario Museum
Casa Loma
Hockey Hall of Fame
Fort York National Historic Site
Black Creek Pioneer Village
Aga Khan Museum
Gardiner Museum
Toronto Old City Hall
Spadina Museum
McMichael Canadian Art Collection
Museum of Contemporary Art
Queen’s Park
Textile Museum of Canada
Powerplant Contemporary Art
BAPS hrs Swaminarayan Mandir
Gibraltar Point Lighthouse
Osgoode Hall
Museum of Illusions
St. Michaels Cathedral Basilica

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Toronto

Toronto Islands
Scarborough Bluffs Park
Riverdale Farm
Evergreen Brick Works
Rouge National Urban Park
Humber River
Tommy Thompson Park
Don River
Credit River
Boyd Conservation Park
Rouge River

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Toronto

Art Gallery of Ontario
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Toronto Zoo
High Park
Roger’s Center
CF Toronto Eaton Center
Canada’s Wonderland
Ontario Science Center
Centreville Amusement Park
Ontario Place Corporation
Gooderha Building
Toronto Botanical Garden
Graffiti Alley
Wet n Wild Toronto
Toronto Music Garden
Legoland Discovery Center
Christie Pits Park
Jack Darling Memorial Park
High Park Zoo
Leviathan Amusement Park
Casino Woodbine
Fantasy Fair
Reptilia Vaughan
Yukon Striker
Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Colborne Lodge

Shopping in Toronto

St. Lawrence Market
Toronto Eaton Center
Bloor Yorkville Street
Chinatown
Queen Street West
Kensington Market
Yorkville Village
Distillery History District
The Path
Yorkdale Shopping Center

Beaches & Islands in Toronto

Hanlan’s Point Beach
Sugar Beach
Woodbine Beach
Bluffers Park
Cherry Beach
Ashbridges Bay
Bluffer’s Park Beach
Scarborough Bluffs

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure in Toronto

Edge Walk at CN Tower
Hiking
Ice Skating
Island Ferry Cruise

Sightseeing in Toronto

CN Tower
Nathan Philips Square
Yonge Dundas Square
Queen Street West
Toronto City Hall
Harbourfront Center
Yonge Street
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Edwards Garden
Allan Gardens
Waterfront Toronto
Trinity Bellwoods Park
Jack Layton Ferry Terminal
Downsview Park
Bloor Street West
Danforth Avenue
Centennial Park
Roundhouse Park
Earl Bales Park
Kariya Park
Riverdale Park East
Humber Bay Park East
Trillium Park
CN Tower Skypod
Corktown Common
Front Street West
Riverdale Park West
Distillery Historic District
Kew Gardens

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Toronto

Le Swan
Grey Gardens
Mother Tongue
Pukka
Annex Food Hall
Pinky’s CaPhe
Parallel
Chubby’s Jamaican Kitchen
Terroni
DaiLo
Grand Electric
Sotto Sotto
Honest Weight
Canoe Restaurant & Bar
Planta
Tenesse Tavern
Cava
Richmond Station
Mildred’s Kitchen Temple
Dandylion
Patois
Donna’s
Rasa
Gusto 101
Yasu
Barberian’s Steak House
Buca
Constantine
Alo
La Banane
Miku
Starving Artist
Earlscourt BBQ
Black Camel
The Stockyards
Civil Liberties

Where to Stay in Toronto?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Toronto. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Toronto.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Toronto

How to Reach Toronto?

By Air

Toronto Pearson International Airport receives flights from several cities across Europe, Asia, North America, South America, and Africa. It is the best option for Toronto travel, regardless of your city of origin. Once you are at the airport, you have the option of train, monorail, bus, and cab to reach the places to visit in Toronto. The monorail service runs around the clock. The trains are active between 5:30 a.m. till 1 a.m. The tickets can be purchased at the airport or online. If you choose to take the bus, you can either pick express buses or regular public buses. Your choice actually depends on where you want to reach. Overall, public transport is great for almost all things to do in Toronto. Finally, if you want a little bit of private transport, you can get a cab. You can also rent cars from the airport if you are cleared to drive in Canada. If you don’t want to spend too much, use public transport to travel between Toronto tourist attractions.

By Road

You can get a bus to reach Toronto from almost every major city in Canada. You can also get the train to visit Toronto from Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and many other cities.

Even the road to Toronto is quite convenient. Major routes used for Toronto travel include 401, 404, and 407.

By Water

Ferry rides run between the city and Toronto islands. Other than that, there is no other water transport means to visit Toronto.

Image Reference

Chinatown – The City of Toronto / Flickr
Art Gallery of Ontario – Reg Natarajan / Flickr
Campbell House – Billy Wilson / Flickr
City Hall – cmh2315fl / Flickr
Textile Museum of Canada – Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine / Wikimedia Commons
Yonge-Dundas Square – Dennis Jarvis / Flickr
St. Michael’s Cathedral – michael_swan / Flickr
St. James’ Cathedral – Haydn Blackey / Flickr
St. Lawrence Market – Open Grid Scheduler / Flickr
Distillery District – Benson Kua / Flickr
Fort York – The City of Toronto / Flickr
Ireland Park – Benson Kua / Flickr
Toronto Music Garden – Taxiarchos228, CC BY-SA 3.0 / Wikimedia Commons
CN Tower – Arnaud Regnier / Flickr
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada – EuroCarGT / CC-BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
Hockey Hall of Fame – Steve Harris / Flickr
Royal Bank Plaza – Andrés García / Flickr
Evergreen Brick Works (Don Valley Brick Works) – Dennis Jarvis / Flickr
Necropolis – Alyx Dellamonica / Flickr
Riverdale Farm – Sean Marshall / Flickr
Allan Gardens – John Bauld / Flickr
Ontario Legislative Building – Filip Maljković / Flickr
Justina M. Barnicke Gallery – Peter Macdonald / Flickr
Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art – michael_swan / Flickr
Bata Shoe Museum – Ali Eminov / Flickr
Royal Ontario Museum – Daniel MacDonald / Flickr
Yorkville – Howard Poon / Flickr
Spadina House – rhdouglas / Flickr
Casa Loma – saebaryo / Flickr
Edwards Gardens – Property#1 / Flickr
Ontario Science Centre – Dennis Jarvis / Flickr
Scarborough Bluffs Park – Sean Marshall / Flickr
Toronto Zoo – Hungarian Snow / Flickr