Ontario pairs cosmopolitan buzz with one of the world’s great natural spectacles. In Toronto, glass-and-steel towers shadow historic markets, indie coffee bars, and neighborhoods where you can lunch in Chinatown and dine Thai royal recipes by night. Downriver in Niagara Falls, millions of gallons thunder over the escarpment as mist paints rainbows across the gorge.

Founded as York in 1793, Toronto grew from a British garrison into a global capital of finance, arts, and cuisine with over 180 languages spoken. Niagara Falls has lured travelers since the 19th century—honeymooners, daredevils, and poets—who came to measure themselves against its roar. Today, you can descend behind the falls, cruise into the spray, and toast the day with Ontario icewine.

Practical notes: Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAD); tipping is customary (15–20%). Non‑visa nationals flying to Canada usually need an eTA. Toronto’s TTC transit runs on the PRESTO card. Dress in layers—Niagara’s mist cools even on warm days—and book popular attractions in advance in peak season (June–September).

Toronto

Toronto is a city of neighborhoods: Greek grills on the Danforth, Portuguese bakeries along Dundas, Ukrainian delis in Bloor West, and art-house cinemas in the Annex. Spend mornings with market vendors and afternoons wandering brick-lined laneways that open onto Michelin‑mentioned kitchens and vinyl shops.

• Top sights: CN Tower, St. Lawrence Market, Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Distillery Historic District, Harbourfront.
• Why go now: a booming food scene (from Thai at PAI to Spanish plates at Bar Isabel), new waterfront trails, and perennial favorites like a Jays game at Rogers Centre.
• Fun fact: Toronto’s PATH is the world’s largest underground shopping complex—over 17 miles of tunnels.

Where to stay (Toronto): For five-star polish near the CN Tower, consider The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto. For music lovers, The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar pairs cozy rooms with live sets downstairs. Great value and family-friendly pools await at Chelsea Hotel, Toronto. Prefer apartments? Browse VRBO Toronto stays or compare on Hotels.com.

Getting in: Fly into Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Billy Bishop (YTZ). Search fares on Trip.com. If you prefer an open-jaw (arrive Toronto, depart nearby Buffalo), compare multi‑city options on Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival, Harbourfront Stroll, and Distillery Night

Morning: Travel day.

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag at Harbourfront—walk the Waterfront Trail past HTO Park’s urban “beach” and Queens Quay. Coffee at Boxcar Social Harbourfront for Canadian roasters and a lakeside patio.

Evening: Head to the Distillery Historic District, a Victorian-era whiskey complex reborn as galleries and boutiques. Dinner at Cluny (modern French bakery-brasserie) or Madrina (Catalan tapas and vermouth). Nightcap at SpiritHouse or sake and cocktails at Izumi’s tasting bar when open.

Day 2: CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, and St. Lawrence Market Classics

Morning: Ride up the CN Tower for sweeping views; brave the glass floor. Next door, Ripley’s Aquarium’s Dangerous Lagoon tunnel puts sharks overhead. Brunch at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen—famous blueberry buttermilk pancakes—then espresso at Dineen Coffee Bar’s Beaux-Arts space.

Afternoon: Graze through St. Lawrence Market: Carousel Bakery’s peameal bacon sandwich, Buster’s Sea Cove lobster roll, Kozlik’s mustards. Walk to Old Town for Georgian façades and St. James Cathedral. Browse Hockey Hall of Fame if you’re a fan.

Evening: Northern Thai hits at PAI (try khao soi and pad gra prow). For dessert, NEO Coffee Bar rolls or gelato at Butter Avenue. Cocktail theater at BarChef (molecular mixology) or the award-winning Civil Liberties—tell the bartender your mood and let them riff.

Day 3: Art & Neighborhoods—AGO, Kensington Market, and Chinatown

Morning: Start at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)—Canadian masters and the Galleria Italia’s light-filled timber wave. Grab a croissant at Sud Forno or a flat white at Sam James Coffee Bar (Osgoode lane kiosk for quick caffeine).

Afternoon: Wander Kensington Market’s vintage shops, Latin grocers, and murals; detour through Graffiti Alley for street art. Lunch at Seven Lives (Baja-style tacos) or Rasta Pasta (Jamaican-Italian mashups). Explore Chinatown on Spadina; snack on soup dumplings at Mother’s Dumplings or noodles at Swatow.

Evening: Dinner at Richmond Station (Top Chef alum Carl Heinrich’s seasonal Canadian fare) or Bar Isabel (Galician octopus, charcuterie). Jazz at The Rex if you’re staying there, or check Paradise Theatre’s indie screenings in Bloorcourt.

Day 4: Culture & Greens—ROM, Yorkville, and the Brickworks

Morning: Royal Ontario Museum’s crystal façade guards dinosaur halls and world cultures. Coffee at Pilot Coffee Roasters (Yorkville) and window-shop luxury boutiques on Cumberland.

Afternoon: Streetcar east to the Distillery or take a rideshare to Evergreen Brick Works (a reclaimed quarry and eco hub). Walk the Beltline trail and Don Valley outlooks. Late lunch at Gusto 501 (multi-level Italian, rooftop in season) or Maha’s Egyptian brunch on Greenwood (be patient; it’s worth it).

Evening: Catch a Blue Jays game if in season. Otherwise, dinner in Little India at Lahore Tikka House or in Leslieville at Ascari (handmade pasta). Finish with soft-serve from Ed’s Real Scoop.

Niagara Falls

Just 130 km from Toronto, Niagara Falls humbles with sound and spray. The Canadian side claims the best panoramas of Horseshoe Falls, and nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake offers vineyards, theater, and 19th‑century streetscapes.

• Top sights: Journey Behind the Falls, Hornblower boat cruise, Skylon Tower, White Water Walk, Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens, Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries.
• Good to know: Expect mist; bring a light waterproof layer. Peak crowds midday—come early or near sunset for fewer people and golden light.
• Fun fact: During peak flow, over 168,000 cubic meters of water spill over the falls each minute.

Where to stay (Niagara Falls): For rooms with a view, Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa. Solid budget near Clifton Hill: Days Inn by Wyndham Niagara Falls Near The Falls. Families will love the indoor water park at Great Wolf Lodge Niagara Falls. Compare options on VRBO or Hotels.com.

Getting there from Toronto (Day 5 morning): Drive the QEW (about 1.5–2 hours, toll‑free) or use GO Transit (train + bus combo; ~2 hours; roughly CAD 16–30). Rideshares and private shuttles are available; allow extra time on weekends. Prefer open-jaw flights (arrive Toronto, depart Buffalo)? Price routes on Kiwi.com.

Day 5: Toronto → Niagara Falls, First Look and Skylon Views

Morning: Depart Toronto after breakfast (aim for 8–9am). If you’re driving, stop at the Beamsville Bench for coffee and a vineyard peek. Check into your Niagara hotel by midday.

Afternoon: Orient at Table Rock Centre, where the brink of Horseshoe Falls rumbles meters away. Walk the Niagara Parkway to capture American and Bridal Veil Falls across the gorge. Drop into the Niagara Parks Power Station for exhibits and the Tunnel (seasonal) if time allows.

Evening: Ride up Skylon Tower for sunset and city lights. Consider this guided combo to pair Skylon with the area’s headliners:

Niagara Falls Tour: Boat Cruise, Journey Behind Falls and Skylon

Dinner at AG Inspired Cuisine (seasonal Niagara produce, house-cured charcuterie) or Prime Steakhouse (classic cuts with Fallsview panoramas). Casual option: Tide & Vine Oyster House for East Coast oysters and lobster rolls.

Day 6: Into the Mist—Boat Cruise and Journey Behind the Falls

Morning: Fuel up at Blue Line Diner (a local hockey haunt) or Scoops for hearty breakfasts. Then don your poncho for the iconic boat cruise—feel the thrum at the base of Horseshoe Falls.

Afternoon: Continue the immersion with tunnels and platforms right behind the curtain of water. Book a small‑group tour that strings these experiences together efficiently:

Best of Niagara Falls Canada Premium Tour: Behind Falls and Boat

Warm up with a stroll through the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens (seasonal) or the Butterfly Conservatory. Coffee and gelato pick‑me‑up at Italian Ice Cream on Victoria Ave.

Evening: Stroll Clifton Hill for neon arcades, a Niagara SkyWheel ride, and kitschy fun; then escape to Niagara Brewing Company for craft ales. Dinner at Massimo’s Italian (house-made pastas, Fallsview) or the Flour Mill Scratch Kitchen (heritage ambiance, steak and seafood). Stay late for the nightly illumination of the Falls and seasonal fireworks.

Day 7: Niagara-on-the-Lake Wines, Return to Toronto, Departure

Morning: Check out and head 25 minutes north along the Niagara Parkway—Churchill called it “the prettiest Sunday drive in the world.” Visit two wineries: Peller Estates (try icewine) and Two Sisters (elegant Cabernet Franc). Snack on wood‑fired pizza at Oast House Brewers or cheese boards at Ravine Vineyard.

Afternoon: Drive or shuttle back to Toronto (about 1.5–2 hours) for your flight. If timing allows, grab a final bite at St. Lawrence Market or a latte at Dineen before you go. Search flight times and fares on Trip.com.

Evening: Departure day.

Alternative (if you prefer not to change hotels): Stay all 7 nights in Toronto and join a full-day Niagara tour with boat cruise and winery stop. Two solid options departing Toronto:

Niagara Falls Day Tour Includes Boat Cruise, Winery Stop & Lunch

Niagara Falls Canada Day Tour From Toronto + Boat Cruise Option

Extra Niagara tour idea (if schedules align):

Niagara Falls Tour with Boat Ride & Journey Behind the Falls

Wherever you split your time, this 7-day Ontario itinerary balances Toronto’s energy with Niagara’s elemental drama. Expect standout meals, storied neighborhoods, and a front-row seat to nature’s grand theater—plus practical pacing that makes every day count.