27 Best And Cool Things To Do in Toronto, Canada, in 2023

Toronto is a large city in the Canadian province of Ontario. There are lots of cool things to do in Toronto with family, friends, and kids.

The CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Art Gallery of Ontario are all well-known landmarks in the city. Kensington Market and the Distillery District are two hidden gems in the city.

Best Things To Do in Toronto

Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum, or ROM, is a famous worldwide museum. The ROM has been around since 1914 and is one of the biggest museums in North America.

The museum’s collection is split up into different exhibitions and galleries, each with its focus. One of the most popular galleries is called “Galleries of Africa: Egypt.” It has mummies, sarcophagi, and statues from the ancient Egyptian civilization. The “Dinosaur Gallery” is also very popular. It has one of the world’s largest collections of dinosaur fossils, including a Barosaurus skeleton that is 90 feet long.

Art Gallery of Ontario

The Art Gallery of Ontario is one of North America’s largest art museums. The museum opened in 1900 and has more than 100,000 pieces of art.

The “Thomson Collection of Canadian Art” is one of the most popular galleries in the museum. It shows the work of Canadian artists from the 18th century to the present day. The collection has a lot of Inuit art, paintings, sculptures, and other types of art.

The CN Tower

The Canadian National Tower is one of the tallest freestanding structures in the world at 553 meters. It is also a symbol of Canada’s engineering and building skills.

From the observation deck, people can see amazing city views and the area around it. When it is clear, you can see up to 100 miles away.

The CN Tower also has the EdgeWalk, the world’s highest hands-free full-circle walk on a 1.5-meter-wide ledge around the tower’s main pod, 356 meters above the ground. It is for more daring people.

The tower also has a few places to eat, like the 360 Restaurant, which has various menu options and uses local and seasonal ingredients.

Niagara Falls Tour

By car or bus, the trip usually takes between 1.5 and 2 hours each way. Along the way, there are a few stops where you can see beautiful views of Lake Ontario and the Niagara River.

Once you get to Niagara Falls, you can explore the area around the falls, which includes the Horseshoe Falls, the American Falls, & the Bridal Veil Falls. There are many ways to see the falls. For example, you can take a boat tour on the Maid of the Mist or the Hornblower Niagara Cruises, which get you close to the falls.

Hockey Hall of Fame

It is thought to have one of the best collections of hockey artifacts and memorabilia in the world, which means that any hockey fan should go there.

The museum has many displays about the game’s history, such as a replica NHL locker room and interactive games that let people see how good they are at hockey. People can also see famous jerseys, sticks, and pucks used by some of the best hockey players in history.

Enjoy the Distillery District

Today, the Distillery District is famous for tourists and locals. It has a mix of trendy shops, galleries, restaurants, and bars.

The architecture is one of the most interesting things about the district. Many of the buildings date back to the 19th century and have charming features from that time.

Toronto Zoo

Almost 5,000 animals from more than 500 distinct species can be found at the Toronto Zoo. The zoo is divided into different geographical areas, such as Africa, the Americas, Australasia, and Eurasia. 

The African Savanna, which has elephants, giraffes, zebras, and lions, and the Tundra Trek, which has polar bears, arctic wolves, and reindeer, are two of the most popular animal exhibits at the Toronto Zoo. The zoo also has many primates, such as lemurs, gorillas, and orangutans. It is the best place to spend the summer with kids and families.

Rogers Centre

The Rogers Centre is home to the Toronto Blue Jays baseball and the Toronto Argonauts football teams.

For baseball games, up to 53,506 people can watch, and for football games, up to 54,000 people can watch. Rogers Centre is popular for concerts, other live performances, and sporting events. Up to 70,000 people can watch concerts and other live performances there.

Toronto Island Park

Center Island, Ward’s Island, and Hanlan’s Point are the three main islands in the park. Center Island is the most popular of the three, which has must-do things in Toronto, Canada, like the Centreville Amusement Park, bike rentals, picnic areas, and beaches. Centreville Amusement Park is a popular place for families to go. It has more than 30 rides and attractions, such as a Ferris wheel, a carousel, and a miniature golf course.

There is a small village, cottages, gardens, and beaches on Ward’s Island.

Hanlan’s Point is the third island. It is known for its beach where people don’t have to wear clothes, which brings in a lot of people during the summer. There are also some walking paths and a lighthouse on the island.

Read more: 16 Best Places in Canada to Visit in Summer.

Toronto Botanical Gardens

The garden is divided into 17 themed gardens, each with its distinct design and style. The Knot Garden, Greenhouse Garden, Perennial Border, and Water Garden are among the most popular gardens. The Toronto Botanical Gardens is adjacent to Edwards Gardens, one of North America’s largest rose gardens, with over 12,000 rose bushes.

It also has a rock garden, a rhododendron garden, and a trial garden where new plants are tested.

Kensington Market

There are lots of things to do nearby Toronto, like Kensington market. There are shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars, among other things. Visitors can look around vintage clothing stores, record shops, and bookstores or check out the many street vendors selling handmade crafts and jewelry.

People go to Kensington Market to see the colorful street art and murals. Visitors can walk around the neighborhood independently to find these colorful works of art and learn about the area’s history.

Roy Thomson Hall

The building’s architecture is well-known because of its unique curved glass facade and shell-shaped roof canopy. The curved glass facade lets a lot of natural light into the lobby and looks amazing when lit at night. The roof of the canopy comprises more than 6,000 steel tubes. These tubes act as an acoustic reflectors, bouncing sound waves back toward the audience and making it a great place to listen.

There are approximately 2,630 seats in the hall and additional seating on the stage for larger performances.

St. Lawrence Market

The North Market, the South Market, and St. Lawrence Hall are the three buildings that make up the market. St. Lawrence Hall is a beautiful old building often used for events and shows. It is the right place for affordable or cheap things to do in Toronto, Canada.

Over 100 vendors sell fresh fruits and vegetables, meats, seafood, baked goods, and other unique foods at the North Market. At the South Market, there are a number of restaurants and food stands that serve food from all over the world. You can take your lunch from here with an affordable budget.

The market is known for its high-quality food made from local ingredients. Many of the vendors sell only organic or handmade goods. Visitors to the market can try a wide range of foods and goods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, exotic spices, handmade chocolates, and Canadian maple syrup.

Helicopter Tour

Several tour companies provide helicopter tours of Toronto. These tours can be short and scenic or longer and cover more ground.

One popular tour is the Toronto City Tour, which gives you a bird’s-eye view of the city’s most famous landmarks, such as the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and the Toronto Islands. This tour usually lasts between 15 and 20 minutes and gives you amazing views of the city skyline and water.

Kayaking or Canoeing

A popular outdoor thing to do in Toronto is Kayaking or Canoeing around the center island in summer. Centre Island is just a short ferry ride from the city’s downtown area.

Paddling along the eastern side of Centre Island is a popular way to get around the island by kayak or canoe because it gives you a great view of the city skyline and the nearby Toronto Islands. This route also takes you by some of the most popular places on the island, like the Franklin Children’s Garden and the Centreville amusement park.

Paddleboarding on Lake Ontario

Another amazing outdoor thing to do in Toronto is paddleboarding. You can do it in lake Ontario.

Along the water, some rental shops offer stand-up paddleboards for rent and lessons for beginners. Once you have your equipment, you can launch your paddleboard from one of the city’s many beaches and head out onto the lake.

Visit Casa Loma

Sir Henry Mill Pellatt, a notable Canadian financier and businessman, built this castle in the early twentieth century. The castle is over 64,000 square feet and was built in the Gothic Revival style.

Casa Loma has been an important part of Toronto’s history. During World War II, the castle was used as a place to study how to use sonar to find ships. After the war, Casa Loma became a museum, and it has been a popular place for tourists to visit ever since.

The outside of the castle is made of limestone, and it has many turrets, spires, and gargoyles that make it look unique. The inside of the castle is just as impressive, with intricately carved woodwork, stained glass windows, and beautiful chandeliers.

The National Ballet of Canada

The National Ballet of Canada is a ballet company in Toronto, Canada, that is known all over the world. Since its start in 1951, the company has become one of North America’s largest and most respected ballet companies, known for its dedication to dance excellence and new ideas.

There are more than 70 dancers in the National Ballet of Canada’s company. The company also puts a lot of effort into training and education. Its school, the National Ballet School, from which many of its best dancers have come.

The company performs at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts and is on tour worldwide. The National Ballet of Canada has performed extensively in North America, Europe, and Asia, earning wonderful reviews and critical praise.

Skating

There are many amazing and fun things to do in Toronto in winter; one is skating in Nathan Phillips Square. This public square becomes a big skating rink in winter, with music playing and bright lights shining on the ice.

The Natrel Rink at the Harbourfront Centre is another popular outdoor rink on Lake Ontario’s shores. This rink has a beautiful water view and hosts special events like DJ skate nights and skate lessons all winter.

The Christmas Market

Another one of the best things to do in Toronto in winter visits the Christmas Market. The market is in the historic Distillery District, which turns into a magical winter wonderland during the holidays.

More than 500 Christmas Market vendors sell handmade gifts, crafts, and holiday treats. Local musicians and singers perform live, there are displays of holiday lights, and there are holiday-themed activities like wreath-making workshops, cookie-decorating classes, and visits with Santa Claus.

The impressive Christmas tree, which is over 50 feet tall and has thousands of lights and ornaments, is one of the best parts of the Christmas Market.

Riverdale Farm

The farm is famous for people who want to see some green space. Many animals include cows, sheep, pigs, horses, goats, and several heritage poultry breeds. Riverdale Farm features several gardens, including a vegetable, herb, and flower garden. Visitors can enjoy this beauty free of charge.

Chinatown

There are two lively Chinatowns in Toronto. One is in the city center, and the other is in the suburb of Markham. Both are interesting culturally and have a lot of things to do nearby. In downtown Toronto, Chinatown is in the Kensington Market neighborhood, which is known for its multicultural feel, unique shops, and delicious food. Visitors to Chinatown can look around the many shops and restaurants serving a wide range of traditional Chinese food and other Asian and international flavors. Dumpling House, Rol San, and Swatow Restaurant are some of the most popular places.

Elton John at Scotiabank Arena

Scotiabank Arena is a popular place in Toronto that hosts various events, from sports games to concerts and other shows. There are a few things to consider while deciding whether to attend a hockey game or an Elton John concert at this venue.

If you like sports, especially hockey, going to Scotiabank Arena to watch a game can be exciting and memorable. Hockey is a popular sport in Canada, and the arena has been home to some of the most exciting and intense games in the world for a long time.

Humber River

It is about 100 km long and flows through several cities in the Greater Toronto Area, such as Etobicoke, North York, and York. People like to hike, ride bikes, and have picnics near the river and in the surrounding parks and trails. Along the river, several parks, such as Humber Bay Park and James Gardens, with beautiful views of the river and its surroundings.

Sugar Beach

The beach has a long stretch of white sand and pink umbrellas, which make it look fun and friendly. It is made to look like a sugar refinery, with big sculptures of granulated sugar all over the beach. The beach is part of a larger project called the East Bayfront, which aims to improve the city’s waterfront and build a new urban community.

CF Toronto Eaton Center

The mall covers an area of over 1.7 million square feet, making it one of the largest shopping centers in North America. It has more than 250 stores, ranging from high-end luxury brands to more affordable stores. It also has a large food court with many different places to eat.

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)

It is one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious film festivals. Every year, it draws thousands of movie fans, people who work in the industry, and famous people worldwide. One of the best things about the festival is seeing some of Hollywood’s biggest stars walk the red carpet and watch their newest movies.

During the festival, which happens every year in September, filmmakers and movie fans from all over the world gather to celebrate the art of cinema.

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