Toronto, Canada’s largest city, rises on Lake Ontario with a skyline punctuated by the CN Tower and a mosaic of vibrant neighborhoods. Founded as York in 1793, it grew from a British colonial outpost into one of North America’s most diverse cities—over 50% of residents were born abroad, and you taste that in every block.

Expect world-class museums (the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario), Victorian brick lanes in the Distillery District, and the bohemian bustle of Kensington Market. When you need a nature break, the Toronto Islands and the Beaches offer breezy boardwalks and skyline views.

Practical notes: winters are cold but navigable thanks to PATH, a 30+ km underground walkway. TTC transit is easy to use with a PRESTO card (adult fares about $3.35 per ride with a 2-hour transfer). Most travelers need an eTA to fly to Canada (not U.S. citizens); tipping is customary (15–20%), and prices include a 13% HST sales tax.

Toronto

Toronto rewards curiosity. Wander from the Financial District’s glossy towers to cobblestoned Distillery District galleries, then detour into Chinatown’s dumpling houses and Kensington’s taco stands. Street art bursts through laneways like Graffiti Alley, and summer patios bloom citywide.

Top sights include the CN Tower, Harbourfront Centre, St. Lawrence Market, the ROM, AGO, Casa Loma, and the Toronto Islands. Food is a headliner: Thai on Queen West, aburi sushi downtown, Italian on College Street, Greek along the Danforth, and South Asian flavors in Little India and Scarborough.

• Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO (Toronto) or compare hotels on Hotels.com (Toronto). Favorites: The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto (spa and lake views), The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar (live music in the heart of Queen/University), and Chelsea Hotel, Toronto (family-friendly with a pool).
• How to get here: Fly into YYZ or downtown Billy Bishop (YTZ). Search fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com (flights). Typical nonstop times: NYC 1.5 hours ($120–$250), Chicago 1.5 hours ($140–$280), LA ~5 hours ($220–$450), London ~7 hours ($450–$900) depending on season.

Day 1: Arrival, Harbourfront, and the CN Tower Skyline

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, grab a light bite at Dineen Coffee Co. (heritage tile floors, excellent cappuccinos) or Sam James Coffee Bar (minimalist, dialed-in espresso).

Afternoon: Check in, then stroll Harbourfront Centre and the Roundhouse Park rail yard. If you’re ready for heights, the CN Tower’s LookOut and Glass Floor deliver lake-to-horizon views; time sunset for golden light and city sparkle afterward.

Evening: Dinner in the Entertainment District: try Pai (bold Northern Thai; order khao soi), Miku (aburi sushi and sashimi platters), or Canoe (Canadian tasting menus with a skyline backdrop). Nightcap options: BarChef (avant-garde cocktails with aromatics) or live jazz downstairs at The Rex if you’re staying there.

Day 2: PATH, Old Town, and the Distillery

Morning: Warm up with a flat white at Early Bird on Queen West, then explore downtown indoors on a guided PATH tour to get your bearings.

Discover Toronto's Underground - PATH walking tour

Afternoon: Head to historic St. Lawrence Market for tastings with a local guide—think peameal bacon on a bun, bagels, artisanal cheeses, and butter tarts—then wander to the red-brick beauty of the Distillery District for galleries and small-batch chocolate.

Toronto: St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Food Tastings

Evening: If it’s hockey season, check game times at Scotiabank Arena; otherwise, pop into the Hockey Hall of Fame by day. Dinner nearby: Terroni Adelaide (Southern Italian pastas and pizzas in a landmark bank building) or Richmond Station (seasonal Canadian fare; try the famed station burger). For dessert, stroll to Craig’s Cookies for warm, gooey creative flavors.

Day 3: Niagara Falls Day Trip

Make today your signature Canadian day out: thundering waterfalls, whirlpools, and historic parkways. Most tours run 9–10 hours with morning pickup and an evening return to Toronto; pack a light rain shell for mist and comfortable shoes.

Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto

You’ll typically stop at viewpoints for the American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls, the Niagara Whirlpool, and Niagara-on-the-Lake. In warm months, consider adding the boat cruise to feel the full roar of the falls up close.

Evening (back in Toronto): Late bites in Chinatown or Koreatown: go for hand-pulled noodles and dumplings, or a comforting ramen at Konjiki or Santouka. If you have energy, toast the day with a craft beer at Bellwoods Brewery on Ossington.

Day 4: Museums, Campus Greens, and Yorkville

Morning: Breakfast at Goldstruck Coffee in Yorkville (silky cappuccinos, pastries), then dive into the Royal Ontario Museum—dinosaurs, Egyptian antiquities, and the striking Michael Lee-Chin Crystal. Families can pair it with the nearby Gardiner Museum (ceramics workshops).

Afternoon: Stroll the University of Toronto’s collegiate quads and the Philosopher’s Walk. Pop into the quirky Bata Shoe Museum for footwear stories across millennia. Yorkville boutiques reward window-shopping; pause at Zaza for a macchiato.

Evening: Treat yourself: Scaramouche (elegant dining; coconut cream pie is a classic), Edulis (seasonal tasting menus; book well ahead), or Bar Isabel (Spanish-leaning plates—grilled octopus is a standout). For a casual rooftop, Hemingway’s keeps it lively late.

Day 5: Kensington, Queen West, and Ossington Nights

Morning: See the city at your own pace with a hop-on hop-off pass—convenient for linking the CN Tower, AGO, and shopping strips with narration along the way.

City Sightseeing Toronto Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Afternoon: Explore Kensington Market’s independent spirit: vintage shops, spice stores, and murals at every turn. Lunch on fish tacos at Seven Lives or fresh pasta at Cafe Diplomatico nearby on College. Walk south to Graffiti Alley for giant, ever-changing street art, then browse Queen Street West boutiques.

Evening: Dinner on the Ossington strip: Bar Raval (Gaudí-esque, standing-room tapas and gin tonics), Bar Sybanne (Mediterranean share plates), or Pizzeria Libretto (VPN-certified Neapolitan pies). Cocktails at Civil Liberties (bespoke, no menu) round out a very Toronto night.

Day 6: Toronto Islands, Leslieville, and The Beaches

Morning: Grab brunch at Lady Marmalade on Broadview (Mexican-inspired benedicts, baked huevos), then ferry from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal to the Toronto Islands. Rent bikes, circle Centre Island’s paths, detour to Ward’s Island cottages, and photograph that iconic skyline from the boardwalk.

Afternoon: Back on the mainland, head east to Leslieville for indie shops and cafés—try Bonjour Brioche for flaky croissants or Pilot Coffee for cold brew. Continue to The Beaches for the boardwalk, Kew Gardens, and—on warm days—lake dips.

Evening: Feast in Greektown on the Danforth: mezes, grilled octopus, and souvlaki at neighborhood staples. If there’s a show, the Danforth Music Hall has excellent acoustics; otherwise, gelato and a stroll cap the evening.

Day 7: Art, Gardens, and Last Bites

Morning: If it’s a weekend, swing by Evergreen Brick Works for the farmers market and ravine trails; weekdays, opt for Allan Gardens Conservatory’s Victorian glasshouse. Coffee at Boxcar Social (Summerhill) pairs well with a riverside walk.

Afternoon: Art fix at the AGO—Canadian masters, contemporary installations, and Frank Gehry’s airy redesign. Lunch at Aloette (buttery drop biscuits, wedge salad, and fried chicken sandwich are hits) or Mildred’s Temple Kitchen in Liberty Village (if you’re a pancake person). Pack, then make your way to the airport or station.

Evening (departure): Depart in the afternoon. If you’re lingering, a final waterfront stroll or a quick shop at CF Toronto Eaton Centre helps you squeeze in a last taste of the city.

Where to Stay and How to Book

• Apartments & vacation homes: Browse VRBO (Toronto) for family-friendly condos (many with pools) in the Entertainment District or Harbourfront.
• Hotels: Compare on Hotels.com (Toronto). Specific picks: The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto, The Rex Hotel Jazz & Blues Bar, Chelsea Hotel, Toronto.
• Flights: Shop itineraries on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Aim for Billy Bishop (YTZ) for quick downtown access; YYZ has the most options.

Getting around: Use the TTC subway, streetcars, and buses (tap a PRESTO card; about $3.35 per adult ride with 2-hour transfers). Rideshares and bike shares fill gaps. In winter, leverage PATH to traverse downtown warm and dry.

Over seven days, you’ll taste Toronto’s neighborhoods, museums, markets, and waterfront—with Niagara Falls as your day-trip crescendo. Keep this itinerary handy; it blends must-see icons with streets locals love, helping you experience the city’s flavor, not just its postcards.