Toronto is Canada’s largest city and one of the world’s most diverse urban centers, a place where over 180 languages are spoken and neighborhoods feel like mini-passports. Founded as the town of York in 1793 and renamed Toronto in 1834, it rises on a lakeshore deepened by Indigenous history, Victorian brick, and modern glass. The CN Tower still pins the skyline, but the city’s soul lives in its markets, music, and micro-districts.

Expect a layered itinerary: art at the AGO and ROM, cobblestones in the Distillery District, and ferry views of the Toronto Islands. Toronto is a four-season destination—breezy patios in summer, fiery foliage in fall, bright lights and hockey in winter, and festivals in spring. If it’s cold, Toronto’s PATH—30+ km of underground tunnels—turns the downtown into an indoor city.

Practical notes: the TTC (subway, streetcar, bus) is efficient—grab a PRESTO card. Tipping is usually 15–20% at restaurants and bars. Travelers from visa-exempt countries flying to Canada may need an eTA; U.S. citizens need only a passport. Book popular restaurants ahead, and dress in layers—Lake Ontario can make evenings breezy even in July.

Toronto

Toronto rewards curiosity. One minute you’re tasting a peameal bacon sandwich at St. Lawrence Market; the next, you’re sipping a cortado in a sunlit café in Queen West or biking under maple canopies on the Islands. Distillery District’s 19th-century brick warehouses shelter galleries and chocolatiers, while Kensington Market throws street art and global snacks into a joyful maze.

• Top sights: CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), Casa Loma, Distillery District, St. Lawrence Market, Toronto Islands, Graffiti Alley, Hockey Hall of Fame.
• For food lovers: St. Lawrence Market’s iconic sandwiches, Thai at Pai, refined Canadian at Canoe, Michelin-starred tasting at Edulis, tacos at Seven Lives, and elegant French at Scaramouche.
• Local vibes: Ossington’s wine bars, West Queen West galleries, Leslieville bakeries, and live jazz at The Rex.

Where to stay: Browse city-wide stays on VRBO or Hotels.com. Top picks: The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto (spa + lake views, next to the CN Tower), The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar (budget-friendly, live music), and Chelsea Hotel, Toronto (family-friendly pool and central location).

How to get there: Fly into YYZ (Toronto Pearson) or YTZ (Billy Bishop). Search competitive fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: New York ~1.5 hours, Chicago ~1.5 hours, Miami ~3 hours, L.A. ~5 hours, Vancouver ~5 hours, London (overnight) ~7 hours.

Airport transfer: From Pearson, the UP Express train to Union Station takes ~25 minutes (about $12–13 CAD one-way). Taxis and rideshares take 35–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Skyline Introductions, and Harbourfront Stroll

Morning: Fly in and enjoy an in-flight coffee—save your appetite for Toronto. If you arrive early, grab a simple airport bite and hydrate; you’ll hit the city’s dining scene later.

Afternoon: Ride the UP Express to Union Station and check in. Shake off travel with a caffeine stop at Dineen Coffee Co. (heritage room, balanced espresso) or Quantum Coffee (tech-forward pour-overs). Stretch your legs under the soaring glass of Brookfield Place, then peek into the Hockey Hall of Fame’s grand façade.

Evening: Dinner with a view at Canoe (elevated Canadian—think PEI mussels, Ontario venison) or the easier-to-book Aloette (burger, lemon meringue pie, smart wine list). Walk the Harbourfront boardwalk for lake breezes and skyline photos. Nightcap at Bar Raval (Gaudí-style woodwork, Spanish vermouths) or BarChef (inventive cocktails, candlelit vibe).

Day 2: CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, and a Sunset Dinner Cruise

Morning: Brunch at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen (blueberry pancakes and flaky biscuits) or Lady Marmalade (eggs bennies on cheddar scones). Head to the CN Tower; if you’re bold, consider the EdgeWalk in season. Ripley’s Aquarium next door is great for families—don’t miss the moving walkway under sharks.

Afternoon: Stroll the Harbourfront Centre and ride the ferry to the Toronto Islands in warm months. Rent bikes and follow boardwalk trails to Ward’s Island cottages and Gibraltar Point beach. If it’s chilly, swap in the Art Gallery of Ontario (Frank Gehry wing, Canadian Group of Seven) instead.

Evening: Board a luxury vessel for a skyline-lit dinner on the water.

• Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour — multi-course dinner, DJ, and unforgettable photo angles of the CN Tower.

  

Prefer to stay on land? Eat at Pai (Northern Thai; order the khao soi) or Richmond Station (Top Chef-owned; rotating Canadian menu). Post-dinner drinks at Boxcar Social (espresso by day, wine/whisky by night) overlooking the water.

Day 3: Museums, Yorkville Boutiques, and Casa Loma

Morning: Start at the Royal Ontario Museum—dinosaurs, ancient Egypt, and the dramatic Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. Coffee at Balzac’s Yorkville (quiet courtyard) before window-shopping on Bloor Street for Canadian designers.

Afternoon: Head to Casa Loma, Toronto’s real-life castle with secret passages and panoramic terraces. If time allows, stroll the Spadina Museum gardens next door. Late lunch at Fat Pasha (Israeli platters, roasted cauliflower) or Eataly’s counters for quick bites.

Evening: Treat yourself to Edulis (Michelin-starred tasting, seasonal Canadian seafood—book far ahead) or Scaramouche (lobster pasta and skyline views). For something buzzy and central, try Kiin (royal Thai) or Ki Modern Japanese for sushi omakase. Catch a Mirvish Theatre musical or a Raptors/Leafs game if in season.

Day 4: Queen West, Graffiti Alley, and Kensington Market

Morning: Breakfast at Emma’s Country Kitchen (buttermilk pancakes, house-made jam) then walk West Queen West boutiques and galleries. Snap Toronto’s street-art canvas in Graffiti Alley—ever-changing murals make great photos.

Afternoon: Wander Kensington Market’s vintage shops and global snacks. Try Seven Lives (Baja fish taco), Rasta Pasta (jerk chicken), or Sanagan’s Meat Locker sausage rolls. For coffee and sweets, head to Little Pebbles (Japanese pastries) or Nadege for delicate macarons.

Evening: Dine on the Ossington strip: Bar Isabel (Spanish pintxos and octopus), Union (farm-to-table bistro), or Paris Paris (wine bar with shareable plates). Finish at Civil Liberties (award-winning cocktails; no menu—tell them your vibe) or Bellwoods Brewery for Ontario craft ales.

Day 5: Full-Day Niagara Falls with Winery Stop

Let someone else handle the logistics while you soak up the thunder of the Falls and a taste of wine country.

• Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto Includes Boat Tour and Winery — typical pick-up 7:30–8:00 a.m., return early evening. Includes a Hornblower cruise in season (May–Nov), time at Table Rock, a picturesque stop in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and a winery tasting.

  

Tip: Bring a light waterproof layer for boat spray, and pack snacks for the bus. Back in Toronto, keep dinner simple at Gusto 101 (house-made mafalde ai funghi) or Terroni Adelaide (reliable southern Italian classics).

Day 6: St. Lawrence Market, Distillery District, and PATH

Morning: Feast your way through one of the world’s great markets or join a guided tasting walk.

• Toronto: St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Food Tastings — learn local history between bites (look for the peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel Bakery and award-winning mustard vendors).

  

Afterward, wander to the Distillery District’s cobblestone lanes for galleries, boutiques, and hot chocolate at SOMA Chocolatemaker. Cluny Bistro is a handsome French option for lunch (steak frites, seafood towers).

Afternoon: Dive into Toronto’s underground city with a local guide—especially great in winter.

• Discover Toronto's Underground - PATH walking tour — see major landmarks and hidden passages connected by the world’s largest underground shopping complex.

  

Evening: Catch live music at The Rex (swing to modern jazz; multiple nightly sets). Dinner nearby at Khao San Road (bold Thai curries) or Pai if you missed it earlier. For dessert, Bang Bang Ice Cream sandwiches on Ossington are worth the detour in warm months.

Day 7: Island Morning or The Beaches, Then Departure

Morning: If it’s sunny, take an early ferry back to the Toronto Islands for a quiet cycle and skyline photos without the crowds. In cooler weather, head east to the Beaches neighborhood for a boardwalk stroll and coffee at Bud’s or Remarkable Bean.

Afternoon: Pick up last-minute maple treats at St. Lawrence Market or browse the Eaton Centre before your flight. From downtown, leave ~1.5–2 hours before departure for Pearson via the UP Express; add time for rush hour.

Evening: Fly home with a camera full of lake sunsets and market memories.

Coffee, breakfast, lunch, and dinner picks throughout the week:

• Coffee/breakfast: Dineen Coffee Co. (heritage espresso bar), Balzac’s (Distillery and Yorkville), Quantum Coffee (King West), Mildred’s Temple Kitchen (brunch legend), Lady Marmalade (creative bennies), Bonjour Brioche (buttery croissants in Leslieville).
• Casual lunches: St. Lawrence Market (Carousel peameal bacon sandwich; Kozlik’s mustards), Seven Lives (tacos), Banh Mi Boys (bao and banh mi), Eataly counters (pasta, pizza al taglio).
• Dinners: Pai (Northern Thai), Richmond Station (Canadian seasonal), Canoe (skyline view), Edulis (tasting menu; book early), Scaramouche (city views), Bar Isabel (Spanish), Gusto 101 (Italian), Terroni Adelaide (Southern Italian), Kiin (royal Thai flavors).
• Drinks: Civil Liberties (no-menu cocktails), BarChef (theatrical sips), Bar Raval (vermouths and gin tonics), Paris Paris (natural wine), Bellwoods Brewery (Ontario craft).

Getting around: TTC day passes can be good value for heavy sightseeing days; streetcars are great for Queen/King West. Taxis and rideshares are plentiful. In summer, bike-share docks make island-hopping and waterfront rides easy.

Looking to compare stays and lock in availability? Check VRBO Toronto and Hotels.com Toronto for options across neighborhoods, or book specific favorites like The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar, and Chelsea Hotel, Toronto. For flights, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

In a week, you’ll have traced Toronto from cobblestones to skyline: markets, museums, island breezes, and the thunder of Niagara. Come hungry, pack layers, and leave room for surprises—Toronto always has one more neighborhood to explore.