Guidebook for Toronto
Sightseeing
There is no other place like it in Toronto, and in fact few places like it in any city in North America. Reminds you of markets in France or Italy not in what is sold, but in the small-vendor-focus.
1698 locals recommend
Kensington Market
There is no other place like it in Toronto, and in fact few places like it in any city in North America. Reminds you of markets in France or Italy not in what is sold, but in the small-vendor-focus.
20 mins by transit. Farmers and all types of intl' and local (specialty) foods. Toronto landmark. Best time to go is Saturday late morning. Get a peameal sandwich from Paddingtons! Awesome-ness!
1398 locals recommend
St. Lawrence Market
93 Front St E20 mins by transit. Farmers and all types of intl' and local (specialty) foods. Toronto landmark. Best time to go is Saturday late morning. Get a peameal sandwich from Paddingtons! Awesome-ness!
The gay village. Bars, clubs, shops, coffee, restaurants, etc. 12 minute walk.
115 locals recommend
Chelsea Area
The gay village. Bars, clubs, shops, coffee, restaurants, etc. 12 minute walk.
One of the biggest Chinatown's in North America (and one of 7 in GTA). Local businesses reflect a mix of Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese influences making this area a great (and cheap!) place to eat. Many restaurants are open late. By day, Spadina is a hub of activity as residents and tourists elbow for cheap housewares, fruits and vegetables. On weekends, the Bright Pearl is just one of many popular options for some traditional dim sum.
740 locals recommend
Chinatown
292 Spadina Ave.One of the biggest Chinatown's in North America (and one of 7 in GTA). Local businesses reflect a mix of Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese influences making this area a great (and cheap!) place to eat. Many restaurants are open late. By day, Spadina is a hub of activity as residents and tourists elbow for cheap housewares, fruits and vegetables. On weekends, the Bright Pearl is just one of many popular options for some traditional dim sum.
A former distillery turned into a major attraction with cobblestone streets, shops, cafes, restaurants, events. Regular free open air concerts during the summer months. 10 minutes by bus.
1704 locals recommend
Distillery Historic District
55 Mill StA former distillery turned into a major attraction with cobblestone streets, shops, cafes, restaurants, events. Regular free open air concerts during the summer months. 10 minutes by bus.
Great campus to explore in the summer. The grounds are well maintained and the buildings are incredible. Great architecture with stained glass, spiral stairs, and classrooms that just aren't built like that anymore. Highly recommended for a walk!
445 locals recommend
University of Toronto
27 King's College CirGreat campus to explore in the summer. The grounds are well maintained and the buildings are incredible. Great architecture with stained glass, spiral stairs, and classrooms that just aren't built like that anymore. Highly recommended for a walk!
The Ontario Parliament building is home to the Province of Ontario's Legislature and the seat for MPP'S ( Members of Provincial Parliament ). Made of pink sandstone, its a grand Romanesque Revival building, where numerous exhibits can be found throughout the first floor hallways focusing on the culture, history and parliament of Ontario.
Try attending the free 1/2 hour tour, which starts depart from the information counter inside the front doors of the Legislative Building. Look up tours hours at this link: http://discoveryportal.ontla.on.ca/en/visit-us/tours/building-tour
22 locals recommend
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
111 Wellesley St WThe Ontario Parliament building is home to the Province of Ontario's Legislature and the seat for MPP'S ( Members of Provincial Parliament ). Made of pink sandstone, its a grand Romanesque Revival building, where numerous exhibits can be found throughout the first floor hallways focusing on the culture, history and parliament of Ontario.
Try attending the free 1/2 hour tour, which starts depart from the information counter inside the front doors of the Legislative Building. Look up tours hours at this link: http://discoveryportal.ontla.on.ca/en/visit-us/tours/building-tour
Toronto's most well known structure! A panoramic view of the city and a revolving restaurant. Book lunch/dinner; it includes the elevator ride. Great on a clear day.
3509 locals recommend
CN Tower
290 Bremner BlvdToronto's most well known structure! A panoramic view of the city and a revolving restaurant. Book lunch/dinner; it includes the elevator ride. Great on a clear day.
Parks & Nature
Popular recreation destination. Access by ferries from the Ferry Terminal at foot of Bay Street. Rent bikes, canoes, kayaks, paddle boats. Amusement park, picnic areas, gardens, frisbee golf course.
1035 locals recommend
Toronto Islands
Popular recreation destination. Access by ferries from the Ferry Terminal at foot of Bay Street. Rent bikes, canoes, kayaks, paddle boats. Amusement park, picnic areas, gardens, frisbee golf course.
7-10 min walk. Big park with botanical garden in the middle in historial glass structure. Each wing displays plants + flowers from different regions (tropical/dessert etc). Free. Well worth a visit.
268 locals recommend
Allan Gardens
160 Gerrard St E7-10 min walk. Big park with botanical garden in the middle in historial glass structure. Each wing displays plants + flowers from different regions (tropical/dessert etc). Free. Well worth a visit.
Food Scene
A 5 minute walk. Set in a 1868 gothic heritage building, this is the place to check out if you like your steak and architecture! It has a charming, old country feel to it and they know their steaks!
63 locals recommend
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar - Thunder Bay
735 Hewitson StA 5 minute walk. Set in a 1868 gothic heritage building, this is the place to check out if you like your steak and architecture! It has a charming, old country feel to it and they know their steaks!
Want to try something different? Blind staff serves French-Italian fare in total darkness & surprise dishes to test your taste buds. A very unique experience. Gets great reviews.
42 locals recommend
Onoir
620 Church StWant to try something different? Blind staff serves French-Italian fare in total darkness & surprise dishes to test your taste buds. A very unique experience. Gets great reviews.
Set in a Cabbagetown cottage, this affordable Italian turns out antipasti and pizza plus housemade pasta and salumi backed by a strong wine list in a rustic Italian ambiance.
45 locals recommend
F'Amelia
12 Amelia StSet in a Cabbagetown cottage, this affordable Italian turns out antipasti and pizza plus housemade pasta and salumi backed by a strong wine list in a rustic Italian ambiance.
20 min transit. Amazing Lebanese and middle eastern Arabic food in downtown Toronto just outside Eaton Centre. Love this place and can eat there any time. Expect a 10 min wait for table or get takeout
26 locals recommend
Paramount Fine Foods
165 E Liberty St20 min transit. Amazing Lebanese and middle eastern Arabic food in downtown Toronto just outside Eaton Centre. Love this place and can eat there any time. Expect a 10 min wait for table or get takeout
20 min by transit. Branch of a chain of upscale casual eateries serving eclectic Canadian fare & wines in mod settings. Great for people watching - tends to be pretty busy most evenings.
28 locals recommend
JOEY Eaton Centre
1 Dundas St W20 min by transit. Branch of a chain of upscale casual eateries serving eclectic Canadian fare & wines in mod settings. Great for people watching - tends to be pretty busy most evenings.
2 min walk. Great coffee that's not too pricey, and they have non-diary options for lattes. Friendly staff and lots of regulars from the neighborhood.
58 locals recommend
Red Rocket Coffee
1364 Danforth Ave2 min walk. Great coffee that's not too pricey, and they have non-diary options for lattes. Friendly staff and lots of regulars from the neighborhood.
Entertainment & Activities
Farmers market on selected days in summer and kid-friendly petting zoo open during weekdays and weekends. Great for a walk thru the beautiful cabbagetown Victorian houses & Riverdale park. Relaxing!
247 locals recommend
Riverdale Farm
201 Winchester StFarmers market on selected days in summer and kid-friendly petting zoo open during weekdays and weekends. Great for a walk thru the beautiful cabbagetown Victorian houses & Riverdale park. Relaxing!
Essentials
A quick 5 min walk. Groceries, convenience items, subway in the back and some other prepared foods in the front section.
228 locals recommend
Rabba Fine Foods
361 Front St WA quick 5 min walk. Groceries, convenience items, subway in the back and some other prepared foods in the front section.
Arts & Culture
20 min by transit. Collection includes more than 80,000 works spanning 1st century to now. Over 480,000 sq ft making it one of the largest galleries in North America. Stunning architecture.
2262 locals recommend
Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St W20 min by transit. Collection includes more than 80,000 works spanning 1st century to now. Over 480,000 sq ft making it one of the largest galleries in North America. Stunning architecture.
Queens Quay West, Toronto, ON, M5J 2G8
30 min by transit. This cultural experience along the beautiful Toronto Waterfront is not to be missed. Beautiful boardwalk along Lake Ontario, unique arts, craf
512 locals recommend
Harbourfront Centre
235 Queens Quay WQueens Quay West, Toronto, ON, M5J 2G8
30 min by transit. This cultural experience along the beautiful Toronto Waterfront is not to be missed. Beautiful boardwalk along Lake Ontario, unique arts, craf
Walk: 25 mins. Transit 15 min. Architecture: breathtaking Exhibits: World renowned Attention to detail: Immaculate I never tire of going there; something for everyone. Plan to spend hours.
2332 locals recommend
Royal Ontario Museum
100 Queens ParkWalk: 25 mins. Transit 15 min. Architecture: breathtaking Exhibits: World renowned Attention to detail: Immaculate I never tire of going there; something for everyone. Plan to spend hours.
Shopping
20 min by transit. Downtown shopping mall. With a striking glass galleria and iconic "Flight Stop" geese, Toronto Eaton Centre is a celebrated Canadian landmark. Over 230 retailers & 2 food courts.
2460 locals recommend
CF Toronto Eaton Centre
220 Yonge St20 min by transit. Downtown shopping mall. With a striking glass galleria and iconic "Flight Stop" geese, Toronto Eaton Centre is a celebrated Canadian landmark. Over 230 retailers & 2 food courts.