This is the ultimate Toronto travel guide!
Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the capital of the province of Ontario. It reminds me a lot of Chicago and New York City with its skyscrapers, largely international community, note-worthy food scene, and serious winters. It’s a city that’s easy to enjoy no matter your age or who you are with.
In this travel guide, I will share my tips for where to stay, what to eat and drink, and things to see and do in Toronto, Canada!
Looking for more of Canada to explore? Don’t miss my guide to Montreal HERE!
Table of Contents
STAY
The best areas to stay for walkability are Downtown Yonge, Entertainment District, and Financial District; however, there are many luxury hotels among the main shopping neighborhood, which is Yorkville.
HOTELS & RESORTS WITH PERKS
As a Fora travel advisor, I can hook you up with room upgrades, perks, resort credit, free breakfast, and more at the following hotels. The best part is there is no additional cost to you. Fill out the form on this page to get started!
Kimpton Saint George Hotel
Park Hyatt Toronto
Fairmont Royal York
Bisha Hotel Toronto
The Hazelton Hotel Toronto
Shangri-La Toronto
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
1 Hotel Toronto
St. Regis Toronto
The Ritz-Carlton Toronto
MORE HOTELS
The Anndore House
Ace Hotel Toronto
One King West Hotel & Residences
EAT AND DRINK
If there is one thing that you must do in Toronto it should be to enjoy the many cuisines from around the world. Here are a few meals that I loved:
LUNCH & DINNER
Chubby’s Jamaican Kitchen | Not only does this bi-level spot channel all the island vibes, but the food is incredible. Must order a side of fried okra!
Trattoria Nervosa | I’m still thinking about the kale salad and the lamb and veal lasagna here. Our server was incredible too!
PAI | I have a weakness for good thai food and this place did not disappoint! They can make most dishes vegan too, which was great for traveling with my mom.
Darna | Come to this middle eastern restaurant hungry and order family style. My favorites were the shish barak, kufta tahini, and kufta warak enab.
On my list for next time: Byblos, Gusto 101, Gusto 501, Piano Piano, Bar Isabel, Fat Pasha, Sugo.
DRINKS
Oretta | Come for amazing aperitivo deals M-F from 4-7p + there are so many pretty places to sit in here.
Bar Raval | The creative cocktails and curated wine menu are not to be missed at this Gaudí-esque bar. You know I had to check out this slice of Barcelona!
COFFEE & BREAKFAST
Dineen Coffee Co., Balzac’s Coffee, Boxcar Social, Sam James Coffee.
Follow me on Instagram for even more foodie content!
SEE AND DO
THE GOOD: Toronto offers everything you expect of a big city like NYC or Chicago – dining, nightlife, shopping, entertainment, museums, sports, skyscrapers, transit, and more.
THE BAD: It is cold more months than not so be prepared!
SIGHTS TO SEE
St. Lawrence Market
Gooderham Building
Nathan Phillips Square
CN Tower
Casa Loma
Sugar Beach
THINGS TO DO
Maple Leafs Hockey Game
Bata Shoe Museum
Royal Ontario Museum
Niagara Falls Day Trip
Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries
AREAS TO EXPLORE
Distillery District
Yorkville
Kensington Market
Harbourfront Centre
Toronto Islands
I hope you enjoyed this Toronto travel guide and are planning to visit soon!
TIPS
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Toronto is during the spring (starting in April) and summer months (ending in September). My trip was in March, which I thought was still a bit too cold to fully enjoy the walkability of the city.
CURRENCY & LANGUAGE
CAD is the local currency. The official language spoken in Toronto is English.
GETTING AROUND
To/From YYZ Airport: It is approximately a 25 minute drive in a car, taxi, or ride share to the downtown area. There is also the UP Express rail that connects the airport to Union Station and takes 30 minutes.
You do not need to rent a car in Toronto, as there are several public transportation options (streetcars, buses, and subways), and taxis, Uber, and Lyft are widely available. Most neighborhoods are pedestrian-friendly, so you should take advantage of exploring by foot if weather permits.
Tip: Save locations to a list on Google Maps – your hotel, bars and restaurants, sights, etc. for planning your days efficiently. This will help you see which sights, bars, and restaurants are in the same areas.
PACKING
My complete guide to how to pack for travel is saved HERE!
P.S. Don’t forget your passport!
Jetset with Jasmine contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you!
