Toronto, Canada’s largest city, grew from a 18th-century British garrison town into a multiethnic metropolis where more than 140 languages hum through streetcar doors. It’s a city of neighborhoods: Victorian lanes in Cabbagetown, indie boutiques along Queen West, and the bold modernism of the Financial District piercing Lake Ontario’s horizon.

From record-breaking CN Tower views to the masterpieces at the Art Gallery of Ontario and Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto layers culture with playful surprises—graffiti-lined alleys, a working sake brewery in a heritage distillery, and ferry rides to car-free islands. Food is a highlight: dim sum before noon, Neapolitan pizza at dusk, and late-night tacos after a concert.

Practical notes: Toronto Pearson (YYZ) is the main gateway, with city-center Billy Bishop (YTZ) ideal for short-hauls. The TTC subway and streetcars make getting around easy; plan for four seasons, from crisp autumn walks to patio summers on the waterfront. Sports fans can catch a Blue Jays, Raptors, Maple Leafs, or Toronto FC game depending on the season.

Toronto

Toronto rewards curiosity. Start downtown for icons—the CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium—then wander east to Old Town and the St. Lawrence Market for peameal bacon sandwiches and fresh seafood counters. South along the lake, the Harbourfront opens to kayak docks, patios, and boat cruises with postcard skyline views.

Art lovers split time between the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) and the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), with Yorkville’s galleries and boutiques nearby. West of the core, Kensington Market and Chinatown offer global bites and vintage stalls; Queen West delivers indie shops, murals, and bars where the night stretches long.

• Where to stay: For a broad selection of apartments and family-friendly homes, browse VRBO Toronto stays. For hotels across budgets and neighborhoods, compare on Hotels.com Toronto.
• Editor’s picks: Splurge-worthy skyline and spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto. Music-lovers sleep above nightly sets at The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar. Great downtown value and pool for families at Chelsea Hotel, Toronto.
• How to get here: Fly into YYZ (most international) or YTZ (close-in). Search competitive fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com; from NYC it’s ~1.5 hours (~$150–$300 roundtrip), Chicago ~1.5 hours (~$180–$320), LAX ~5 hours (~$260–$480). Coming from Europe? Compare on Omio flights (London–Toronto ~7–8 hours, often $450–$800 roundtrip).
• Airport to downtown: The UP Express train takes ~25 minutes to Union Station (about $12–$15 CAD), taxis/ride-shares are ~35–60 minutes depending on traffic (~$50–$85 CAD).

Day 1: Arrival, Harbourfront Walk, Skyline Dinner

Afternoon: Land, ride the UP Express to Union Station, and check in. Stretch your legs along the Waterfront Trail past Harbourfront Centre’s art spaces and sailboats. Grab a pick‑me‑up at Boxcar Social Harbourfront (espresso, natural wines) or a scoop at The Fix Ice Cream Bar if it’s warm.

Evening: Toast your first night with a skyline dinner on the lake aboard the Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey—a relaxed way to see the CN Tower glow and the islands slip by, with DJ entertainment and plated courses.

Seasonal note: Cruises typically run spring–fall. In cooler months, book a window seat at Canoe (54th floor) for refined Canadian dishes and stellar views, then wander King Street West for cocktails at Bar Hop (Ontario craft beer) or Lobby Bar at the Ace for low-key nightcaps.

Day 2: Old Town, St. Lawrence Market, Distillery District

Morning: Start at Dineen Coffee Co. (189 Victorian-era bank turned café) for a cappuccino under pressed-tin ceilings. Dive into the St. Lawrence Market: try a peameal bacon sandwich at Paddington’s Pump, lobster rolls at Buster’s Sea Cove, Montreal-style bagels at St. Urbain, and olives, cheeses, and fruit for later snacking.

Afternoon: Walk to St. James Cathedral’s gardens, then continue to the Distillery Historic District—pedestrian cobblestones, red-brick Victorian industrial buildings, galleries, and design shops. Sample fresh truffles at SOMA Chocolatemaker and do a tasting at Ontario Spring Water Sake Company (Izumi), one of North America’s few sake breweries.

Evening: Dinner at Gusto 101 (wood-fired grill, crowd-favorite mafalde ai funghi) or Cluny Bistro (French with flair). Catch a play in the Theatre District or settle into a set at The Rex—grab a burger and watch local jazz pros riff on standards until late.

Day 3: Museums, Yorkville Boutiques, Cocktail Artistry

Morning: Brunch in Yorkville at Flo’s Diner (classic Canadian breakfasts) or a cardamom latte at Balzac’s. Explore the Royal Ontario Museum: dinosaurs, Ancient Egypt, and the crystalline Michael Lee-Chin Crystal extension by Daniel Libeskind.

Afternoon: Pop into the Bata Shoe Museum (from Qing dynasty silk shoes to Air Jordans) and browse Yorkville’s galleries and Canadian designers. If you’re a shopper, “Mink Mile” on Bloor Street mixes global flagships with local luxury.

Evening: Secure reservations at Osteria Giulia (Michelin-star seafood pasta) or Sotto Sotto (cozy Roman classics favored by visiting performers). Cap the night with cocktails at BarChef—try the multi-sensory Vanilla & Hickory Smoked Manhattan—or sip inventive low-ABV drinks at Civil Liberties (the “no menu” temple of custom cocktails).

Day 4: Waterfront Play, Boat Views, and a Helicopter Thrill

Morning: Coffee at Kōst’s rooftop café in the Bisha Hotel for sunrise CN Tower views, or grab pastries at Forno Cultura (Queen West) then stroll or bike the Martin Goodman Trail along the water. If traveling with kids, the Wave Decks and HTO Park’s urban beach are fun stops.

Afternoon: Get your bearings from the lake on the Toronto Harbour and Islands Cruise (indoor/outdoor decks and live narration; seasonal, typically spring–fall).

Then elevate the skyline with the year-round, weather-dependent 7‑Minute Helicopter Tour over Toronto—short, spectacular, and ideal for photographers.

Evening: Dine by the lake at Miku (aburi-style sushi and crackling salmon oshi), or grab a table at Amsterdam BrewHouse for lakeside craft beers. Night owls can catch a set at The Cameron House (roots, folk, and indie) or a comedy show at The Second City.

Day 5: Full-Day Niagara Falls Tour (from Toronto)

Leave the city buzz for one of the world’s great natural spectacles on the Niagara Falls Day Tour Includes Boat Cruise, Winery Stop & Lunch. Expect an early downtown pickup, a narrated drive past the Niagara Whirlpool, time at Table Rock to feel the mist, and—when in season—the thrilling Niagara City Cruises boat into the Horseshoe Falls’ spray. Many departures add a Niagara-on-the-Lake stroll and a winery tasting.

Bring layers and a waterproof phone pouch for the boat, and budget ~9–10 hours door to door. Back in Toronto, keep dinner easy: Terroni (Adelaide) for Southern Italian or Kinka Izakaya for skewers, sashimi, and high-energy vibes.

Day 6: Kensington Market, Chinatown, AGO, and Queen West After Dark

Morning: Fuel up at Jimmy’s Coffee (Baldwin St.) and grab breakfast sandwiches at Egg Bae in Kensington Market. Wander vintage shops, Latin grocers, and spice stores, then cross into Chinatown for fresh fruit stands and bakeries—try Hong Kong–style egg tarts.

Afternoon: Spend a few hours at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), home to the famed Thomson Collection and the sculptural wooden Galleria Italia by Frank Gehry. Walk south to Graffiti Alley for color-drenched murals and then browse Queen Street West’s indie boutiques and record shops.

Evening: Share pintxos and Iberian plates at Bar Raval (Gaudí-inspired woodwork), or book Enoteca Sociale (Roman pastas, superb amaro list). Catch a set at the Horseshoe Tavern (where legends cut their teeth), then sample inventive scoops at Bang Bang Ice Cream if it’s warm out.

Day 7: Casa Loma, Last Bites, Departure

Morning: Climb the turrets of Casa Loma, Toronto’s early-1900s hilltop castle with underground passages and gardens. For a final taste, grab smoked fish bagels at Schmaltz Appetizing or a classic breakfast at Avenue Diner (since 1944).

Afternoon: If time allows before your flight, dip into the Eaton Centre for souvenirs or the Hockey Hall of Fame for a quick skate through NHL lore. Head to Union Station for the UP Express back to the airport and start plotting your return.

Practical Food & Drink Shortlist (to mix into your week)

• Breakfast & coffee: Dineen Coffee Co. (heritage ambience), Balzac’s Yorkville (Parisian vibes), Jimmy’s Coffee (local fave), Lady Marmalade (creative brunch in Riverside), Maha’s (Egyptian brunch; arrive early).
• Lunch: St. Lawrence Market’s Buster’s Sea Cove, Paddington’s Pump, and St. Urbain Bagel; Seven Lives (Baja tacos) near Kensington; Pho Hung (Spadina) for a warming bowl.
• Dinner: Richmond Station (Chef Top Chef winner; seasonal Canadian), Gusto 101 (Italian grill), Osteria Giulia (elegant Ligurian), Miku (aburi sushi), Kiin (royal Thai), Enoteca Sociale (Roman soul).
• Drinks & music: BarChef (theatrical cocktails), Civil Liberties (bartender’s choice), The Rex (jazz nightly), Bar Hop and Amsterdam BrewHouse (craft beer), The Cameron House and Horseshoe Tavern (live music lineage).

Optional Add-Ons if You Have Extra Time

• CN Tower: Timed tickets recommended; the glass floor thrills all ages.
• Ripley’s Aquarium: Year-round hit with families; the shark tunnel is a must.
• Toronto Islands: Best May–October for beaches, bike rentals, and skyline picnics.

Another scenic hour on the water (seasonal alternative): If you prefer a shorter narrated loop, consider the 1‑Hour Toronto Harbour Tour with Live Narration instead of the longer cruise on Day 4.

Book flights early on Trip.com or Kiwi.com (and Omio if flying to/from Europe), and lock in your base at Hotels.com or VRBO. You’ll be steps from streetcars, museums, and memorable meals.

In seven days, you’ll see why Torontonians adore their city’s blend of global flavors, lake breezes, and creative energy. From the thunder of Niagara to quiet café corners, this itinerary balances marquee sights with neighborhood discoveries—leaving plenty to come back for.