Toronto Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Toronto is a city of neighbourhoods, each with its own character, food and culture.

• CN Tower — The city’s iconic landmark, with observation decks offering views across the skyline and Lake Ontario.
• Royal Ontario Museum — One of Canada’s largest museums, covering world cultures and natural history, including dinosaur galleries.
• Art Gallery of Ontario — A major art museum with Canadian and international collections in a building redesigned by Frank Gehry.
• St Lawrence Market — A historic food market famous for its local produce and peameal bacon sandwiches.
• Distillery District — Pedestrian streets of restored Victorian industrial buildings with galleries, cafés and shops.
• Toronto Islands — A short ferry ride from downtown, with beaches, cycling paths and classic skyline views.
• Kensington Market — A bohemian neighbourhood of vintage shops, street art and international food.

Toronto has four distinct seasons. Summers, from June to August, are warm and sometimes humid, with long days ideal for festivals, patios and the islands. Winters, from December to March, are cold and snowy, while spring and autumn are mild and changeable, with beautiful autumn colours around October.

May to October is the most popular time to visit, when outdoor life is at its best. Long-established events include the Toronto International Film Festival in September and the Caribbean Carnival in summer. Winter suits travellers who enjoy skating, museums and indoor culture, and the city’s underground PATH network helps in the cold.

Toronto Pearson International Airport is located in Mississauga, north-west of downtown, roughly a 30 to 45-minute drive depending on traffic. It is Canada’s busiest airport, with two terminals linked by an automated train.

The UP Express airport rail link runs directly to Union Station downtown and is usually the fastest option. Public transit buses connect with the subway, while taxis, limousines and ride-hailing services are available from designated areas outside arrivals. Traffic on the main highways can be heavy at rush hour.

Toronto’s neighbourhoods offer very different experiences, all well connected by transit.

• Downtown and the Entertainment District — Close to the CN Tower, theatres and sports venues; ideal for first-time visitors.
• Yorkville — An upscale area with boutiques, galleries and fine dining near the Royal Ontario Museum.
• Queen West — Trendy and creative, with independent shops, bars and restaurants.
• The Annex — A leafy area near the University of Toronto with cafés and a relaxed feel.

• Money: Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere; sales tax is added at checkout, and tipping is customary in restaurants.
• Getting around: The subway, streetcars and buses cover the city well; contactless cards can be used to pay fares.
• Weather: Pack layers in spring and autumn, and a warm coat, hat and boots in winter.
• Etiquette: Queuing and politeness are valued; stand on the right on escalators.
• Connectivity: Free Wi-Fi is common in cafés and public spaces, and eSIMs are widely available.