Toronto sits on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, a metropolis knit together by streetcar lines, leafy neighborhoods, and a skyline crowned by the CN Tower. Founded in the 18th century and shaped by immigration, it’s now among the world’s diverse cities—where you can eat Sri Lankan kottu for lunch, Mexican street corn for a snack, and Neapolitan pizza for dinner within a few blocks.

History buffs will love Old Town’s lanes, the Distillery District’s Victorian-era red-brick warehouses, and grand museums like the Royal Ontario Museum. Food lovers can graze at St. Lawrence Market (a top global market), sip third-wave coffee, and book destination dining by award-winning chefs. Outdoor time comes easy: walk the Harbourfront, ferry to the Toronto Islands, or catch a ballgame under the Rogers Centre’s retractable roof.

Practical notes: Toronto is walkable with excellent transit (TTC) and PRESTO fare capping for budget-friendly rides. Winters can be brisk—use the PATH underground network—while summers bring patios and island beaches. Book popular tickets and restaurants in advance, especially weekends and during festivals like TIFF in September.

Toronto

Toronto thrives on neighborhoods. Stroll Kensington Market’s murals and vintage shops, sip espresso in Yorkville, browse Queen West galleries, and linger on the Harbourfront promenades. If you love architecture, pair Casa Loma’s Gothic Revival drama with the ROM’s crystal and AGO’s Galleria Italia.

• Top sights: CN Tower, Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), Distillery District, St. Lawrence Market, Kensington Market, Harbourfront Centre, Toronto Islands, Hockey Hall of Fame, Casa Loma.
• Dining highlights: Canoe (modern Canadian with skyline views), Richmond Station (seasonal Canadian from a Top Chef winner), Pai (Northern Thai), Bar Raval (Spanish tapas, stunning woodwork), Miku (aburi sushi), Aloette (bistro comfort), Kōst (rooftop views), Rodney’s Oyster House (seafood institution).
• Coffee and sweets: Dineen Coffee Co. (heritage lobby), Sam James Coffee Bar (espresso purist), Early Bird (brunch and lattes), Sorry Coffee Co. (Yorkville), Soma Chocolatemaker (bean-to-bar), Bang Bang (ice cream sandwiches, seasonal hours).

Where to stay (book early): For 5-star comfort and a top spa, consider The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto. Music lovers and value-seekers adore The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar on Queen West. Families appreciate the central pool and roomy options at Chelsea Hotel, Toronto. Prefer an apartment? Browse citywide stays on VRBO Toronto or compare hotels on Hotels.com Toronto.

Getting there: Fly into Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Billy Bishop (YTZ) on the islands. Search fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com; from many U.S. hubs it’s 1–5 hours ($150–$500 round-trip in shoulder seasons). Coming from Europe? Compare routes via Omio flights. Pearson to downtown takes ~25 minutes on the airport train or 30–45 minutes by taxi, depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Harbourfront Stroll, and Skyline Supper

Afternoon: Arrive and settle into your hotel. Stretch your legs along the Harbourfront promenade—watch sailboats and ferries trace Lake Ontario with the CN Tower overhead. If you need a pick-me-up, pop into Boxcar Social (Harbourfront) for espresso or a Canadian craft pour-over.

Evening: For a relaxed first night, book 360 Restaurant atop the CN Tower (prix fixe, spectacular revolving views) or grab steins and comfort plates at Steam Whistle Biergärten beside the historic Roundhouse. Nightcap at BarChef (molecular cocktails; reserve if possible), or sip an Ontario lager at Steam Whistle’s taproom before an early sleep.

Day 2: Old Town, St. Lawrence Market, and the Distillery’s Brick-Lined Lanes

Morning: Join a guided tasting walk to decode Toronto’s food scene with the Toronto: St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Food Tastings. Expect peameal bacon on a bun at Carousel Bakery, mustards at Kozlik’s, and more, plus history spanning from Indigenous trade routes to modern-day food halls.

Afternoon: Walk 10 minutes to the Distillery District, a pedestrian enclave of 19th-century Gooderham & Worts buildings. Browse galleries and boutiques, sample single-origin truffles at Soma Chocolatemaker, and admire public art. If you’re peckish, split a baguette-and-brie board at Cluny Bistro’s café or tacos and mezcal at El Catrin (vivid muraled dining room).

Evening: Dinner at Richmond Station (seasonal tasting menu or the famous station burger) or Miku (aburi-style torched sushi, waterfront views). Post-dinner, see what’s on at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, or wander to The Poet for Persian-inspired cocktails and tea-inflected sips.

Day 3: Museums, Yorkville Boutiques, and Art-Filled Avenues

Morning: Coffee at Dineen Coffee Co. (handsome tiled lobby), then the Royal Ontario Museum for dinosaurs, ancient Egypt, and the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal’s bold geometry. Brunch near Yorkville at Bar Reyna (Mediterranean—try the lamb borek) or at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen in Liberty Village if you crave blueberry pancakes and fluffy biscuits.

Afternoon: Head to the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). Don’t miss the Group of Seven galleries and Indigenous art collections; the Frank Gehry redesign is a treat. Stroll Grange Park and browse Queen West galleries, popping into Sam James Coffee Bar for a cortado.

Evening: Book Canoe for a modern Canadian tasting menu with Hudson Bay and boreal pantry influences; city lights shimmer beneath. Prefer something casual? Aloette’s wedge salad and lemon meringue are cult favorites. End at Bar Raval (standing-room tapas, Gaudí-esque woodwork) for vermouth or a gin & tonic.

Day 4: CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, Harbourfront, and Islands (Seasonal)

Morning: Early entry at Ripley’s Aquarium (shark tunnel, jellyfish in neon hues) to beat the crowds, then a quick walk to the base of the CN Tower for EdgeWalk thrill-seekers or glass-floor photos. Snack on butter tarts from nearby Prairie Boy Bakery or grab a light bite at Boxcar Social.

Afternoon: If the weather is fair, ferry to Centre Island for bike paths, skyline photos, and a lakeside amble; rent bikes or just wander the boardwalks. In cooler months, explore Harbourfront Centre’s galleries or the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery and watch winter skating on the outdoor rink.

Evening: Northern Thai at Pai (get the khao soi or pad gra prow), or seafood towers at Rodney’s Oyster House in a brick-and-beam setting. Nightlife runs along King West—consider Mother Cocktail Bar (intimate, inventive) or a classic at Library Bar inside the Fairmont Royal York.

Day 5: Full-Day Niagara Falls Tour (Boat Cruise + Winery)

Leave the city for a world wonder on the Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto Includes Boat Tour and Winery. It’s typically 9–10 hours door-to-door: 1.5–2 hours each way, time for the Niagara City Cruises boat (late spring–fall; alternate experiences in winter), viewpoints at Table Rock, plus a tasting at a Niagara-on-the-Lake winery (icewine is the regional star). Expect mist, rainbows, and a satisfying, scenic day.

Day 6: Kensington Market, Chinatown, Queen West—Then a Dinner Cruise

Morning: Coffee at FIKA (Swedish-inspired nook) or Cafe Pamenar, then wander Kensington Market’s vintage shops and murals. Snack through the neighborhood: fish tacos at Seven Lives, Montreal-style bagels at NU Bügel, and churros at Pancho’s. Pop next door to Chinatown for produce stands and dim sum at Rol San or steamed buns at Mother’s Dumplings.

Afternoon: Walk Graffiti Alley (just south of Queen West) for ever-changing street art, then browse indie design shops along Queen and Ossington. If you like hops, sample IPAs at Bellwoods Brewery (patio when weather cooperates). Take a breather at Trinity Bellwoods Park to people-watch.

Evening: Dress for the water and board the Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour for skyline views, a multi-course meal, and a DJ as you glide past the islands and the glittering city.

Day 7: PATH, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Dive into Toronto’s winter-friendly underworld with the Discover Toronto's Underground - PATH walking tour, a guided look at the 30+ km network that links offices, shops, and transit while hitting downtown landmarks above and below street level.

Afternoon: Grab a quick farewell lunch: peameal bacon at St. Lawrence Market (closed Mondays) or a bowl at Kinton Ramen. Swing by Soma for chocolate to-go, then make your way to the airport for an afternoon departure.

Evening: —

Where to Book and How to Get Around

Flights: Compare fares to YYZ/YTZ on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From Europe, check Omio flights. Typical flight times: NYC 1.5 hours, Chicago 1.5 hours, Miami ~3 hours, LAX ~5 hours, London ~7 hours.

Hotels & Apartments: See options at Hotels.com Toronto and VRBO Toronto, or book specific stays: The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar, Chelsea Hotel, Toronto.

Transit: TTC subways, streetcars, and buses cover most sights; PRESTO fare capping keeps daily/weekly costs in check. Rideshares and taxis are plentiful. The UP Express runs Pearson–Union Station in ~25 minutes.

Optional add-ons if you have extra time: Casa Loma’s hilltop castle; the Hockey Hall of Fame (great with kids); a hop-on, hop-off spin for an overview with the City Sightseeing Toronto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour (easy for first-timers).

In a single week, you’ll sample Toronto’s neighborhoods, taste the city’s global pantry, and stand in Niagara’s mist. From markets and museums to lake breezes and skyline nights, this itinerary balances big-ticket icons with local gems—so you leave already planning your return.