Toronto was one of those cities that amazed me from the very beginning. I wasn’t expecting such a dramatic skyline when I arrived, but the CN Tower stood out like a beacon.
From my very first foray into Toronto nightlife during the annual film festival, I was surprised to find the city full of energy. It wasn’t what I was expecting from one of Canada’s most hip cities. Here were 10 awesome Toronto attractions I discovered during my visit.
Toronto’s 10 Coolest Tourist Attractions
Toronto, the largest city in Canada, exudes an undeniable cool and hip vibe that captivates visitors from around the globe. What makes Toronto so remarkable is its eclectic blend of cultures, vibrant neighborhoods, and an endless array of unique activities and attractions.
One of Toronto’s standout features is its cultural diversity. The city is a mosaic of cultures, and this diversity is palpable in its neighborhoods like Kensington Market and Chinatown. This multiculturalism lends itself to a rich culinary scene, with endless options for foodies to explore, from international street food to gourmet restaurants.
Toronto is a city of creativity, with a thriving arts and music scene. The Distillery District, adorned with cobblestone streets and art galleries, showcases local talent, while the city hosts numerous music festivals and concerts year-round. The Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario are also must-visit spots for art aficionados.
For those seeking outdoor adventures, Toronto offers stunning parks like High Park and the Toronto Islands, where you can escape the city’s hustle and bustle. The CN Tower, a symbol of the city, offers breathtaking views of Toronto’s skyline.
In a nutshell, Toronto’s cool and hip reputation is well-deserved, thanks to its diverse culture, unique activities, and captivating tourist attractions that make it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an unforgettable experience.
1. St Lawrence Market
The St Lawrence Market is one of Toronto’s two main hotspots for culinary and shopping enthusiasts. Plus it always wins awards and recognition for its foodie highlights. You’ll find fresh food and some amazing local restaurants in the area surrounding St Lawrence, but if you ask me, I really loved the more alternative Kensington Market.
2. Kensington Market
More to my style, the Kensington Market and surrounding streets were full of unique vendors and cool things to do. There was plenty of street art, and even some hidden bars. Not far from Chinatown, it’s also a great place to find some ethnic restaurants—especially considering just how multicultural Toronto is.
3. CN Tower
Formerly the world’s largest freestanding structure, the CN Tower is impressive from the ground—but probably even more so from above. I had the chance to do the Edgewalk—walking outside along the top of the CN Tower tethered to the building by a single rope. Terrifying. Exhilarating. Exciting. Amazing.
4. Art Gallery of Ontario
Like most capital cities, Toronto has its fair share of art. But I also think it has some of Canada’s best collections of artworks (admittedly, I’ve only ever visited Toronto and Montreal). The Art Gallery of Ontario on Dundas Street (a sight onto itself) is the best place to start the search for artistic inspiration.
5. Bata Shoe Museum
Because Toronto is as quirky as it is amazing, there’s even an entire museum dedicated to shoes. The Bata Shoe Museum celebrates the history of footwear, and though I ran out of time on my first visit to Toronto, it’s top of my list for things to see next time. (Sidenote: I heard it wasn’t the most interesting of museums, but the topic alone is enough to get me inside so I can see it for myself.)
6. Toronto’s Chinatown
I think my favorite part about most big cities in North America is the fact that there’s very often a Chinatown neighborhood. Toronto’s got three. Walking along Dundas Street and Spadina, you’ll find fresh food markets and plenty of cheap but delicious restaurants. Keep an eye out for strange fruits & vegetables, or your typical Chinatown street sellers. Toronto’s Chinatown a great place for photography and wandering.
7. Toronto Islands
My image of Toronto before I visited was just of a very large and phallic tower, a handful of gays and lots of snow. Turns out there’s much more and Toronto actually sits along the edge of Lake Ontario. And because of that, there are several islands just off the coast with their own special appeal. Tourists and day-trippers usually visit for the scenery, and you’re able to rent kayaks or cycle there—among other nature-y activities.
8. The Distillery District
The historic Distillery District is home to craft stores, boutique shops and trendy restaurants. A bit more high class than some of the other neighborhoods of Toronto, but it makes for a fun night out regardless.
9. Queen West District
It’s where all the hipsters hang out. From my short visit and talking with some of my local friends, the area around West Queen West is arguably the most hip neighborhood in Toronto.
I took a food tour through the area sampling macarons, cupcakes, coffee and some of the city’s more popular food trucks. My kind of neighborhood!
10. Yonge-Dundas Square
The equivalent to Times Square (sorry—you knew there’d be at least one reference to NYC in an article about Toronto), Yonge-Dundas Square is the big, bright center of Toronto. It’s where you’ll find some of the most public events in Toronto. In the summer they even use the event space in the downtown square as a place for public screenings of films. Cool!
Great post! We recommend skipping the Bata Shoe Museum unless you are REALLY into shoes. We would also add the Bluffs and the Beaches to the list. Be sure to check out the Gay Village on Church Street as well.
Enjoy! :)
Hey Mindy & Legeia! Thanks for the comment. And yep, I had a lot of fun in the Gay Village (obvs) Didn’t know abou the Bluffs and the Beaches so will add it to my list for hopefully a visit soon!
The Bluffs are WAAAY out of the way but they’re pretty cool. As a local, the last time I saw the Bluffs was like 10 years ago. The Beaches is a good alternative except that all of the restaurants are crap there (excluding Tori’s Bakeshop which is super cute). There’s a cool rep movie theater there too called The Fox.
Great post but I think I’ll do a blog rebuttal post! :)
Kensington, the Edgewalk and the Islands are definite musts though.
Go for it! I only had the handful of days there and these were all the things I was most interested in seeing. Let me know when you publish!
Winters are harsh, but Toronto is too busy to shiver. Most tourists visit in the summer months, when prices are usually at their peak. Consider a trip in the fall, when foliage is spectacular. Prices have fallen by that time, and crowds thin out at the major attractions. If you plan a Spring trip, keep in mind that mild weather sometimes does not arrive until late May. You’ll be searching for airfares to and from Canada’s busiest airport.
Going to TBEX and can’t wait to check out Toronto – it’s been over 20 years since I’ve been there! Thanks for sharing your tips!
Very cool Lance! I won’t be at TBEX unfortunately. Be sure to check out my other guide to Toronto here.
Toronto is a city where I lived for 7 years, I went away for 10, and suddenly, I found myself back in Toronto last April. It was both glorious and a little bittersweet. But I was happy to be back in The Big Smoke once again.
For ice-hockey fans, I highly recommend the Hockey Fall of Fame, about which I’ll write soon.
Thanks for highlighting one of my fave cities, Adam!
Toronto left a lasting impression on me, Henry, so no need to convince me that the city is great! Didn’t go to the Hockey Hall of Fame but sounds like it might be interesting!
Moving to Toronto in June, just waiting for my visa to come through now. Can’t wait and this post has made me even more excited! Thanks for sharing, will bookmark immediately!
Awesome to hear that Emma! I’ve got a handful of other posts about Toronto here on this website too – so be sure to look at them as well. Check out my Toronto city guide if you want the full run-down!