Over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee), I gave y’all a peak into my November 2024 trip to Toronto, Ontario to see Taylor Swift perform at the end of her Eras Tour. I had always wanted to visit Toronto since I was a kid and my experience there did not disappoint. This Ontario city is a HUGE city in Canada and North America as a whole, so it can be challenging to figure out things to do in Toronto, Ontario. In fact, it can be overwhelming as the city has SO much to offer! While I hope my first trip to Toronto isn’t my last, I am going to outline some things to do in Toronto which I did while there back in November. Come along for the ride!!
For more travel abroad inspiration, check out my exploring 50 Countries Expedition page.
About Toronto, Ontario:
Toronto, Ontario is the most populated city in the country of Canada. Its metropolitan area made up of several neighborhoods has a population of ~6.6 million people. Located alongside Lake Ontario, this city is home to several ethnic groups whom have immigrated from all across the globe and now proudly call this city their home. Notable attractions include the CN Tower, Casa Loma, and St. Lawrence Market and is within a 2 hour’s drive reach of Niagara Falls. The people of Canada are extremely kind, caring, and proud and those that reside in Toronto are a true testament to that.
13 Things To Do in Toronto, Ontario
Before I get into the meat of this post and share what 13 things I did in Toronto, Ontario, I wanted to make note of a cost-effective way to see multiple city sights: City Pass. City Pass allows for visitors in a variety of different cities, including Toronto, to pay a fixed price to get into 3-4+ of the city’s most popular sites to see. Visitors can save 35% by purchasing a City Pass, as opposed to purchasing entry fees individually. We ended up using City Pass to visit a few of the sites that we saw and did while in Toronto. Learn more about City Pass Toronto here.
1 – Climb to the top of CN Tower
As i described upon first walking the Toronto streets, it’s “the space needle of Toronto!” LOL! The CN Tower is an observation and communications tower in the heart of downtown Toronto. It is open to visitors via a timed-entry pass to climb via an elevator to the top of it. Atop of the CN Tower, visitors can see all of Toronto and the Toronto Harbor from up above! A CN Tower admission ticket is also included in a Toronto City Pass. CN Tower also has an onsite restaurant, where guests can enjoy a cocktail in the sky and an incredible gift shop on the ground floor that has some of the best souvenirs that Toronto has to offer!
Note: Upon timed entry to the CN Tower even if you arrive early or on time, all guests must get in line outside of the building upon entry indoors and must go through a security checkpoint.
2 – Learn more about Canada’s aquatic ecosystem at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada showcases the unique aquatic ecosystem of Canada’s waters, specifically focused on the adjacent Great Lakes which Canada shares borders of with the United States. Being honest, I hadn’t visited an aquarium since I was in middle school! And, I was truly in for a treat!! While we were there, Ripley’s Aquarium went ALLL OUT for the then-ongoing Taylor Swift Era’s Tour, which was a BLAST (!!!) for us Swifties. Ripley’s Aquarium truly puts on a great and immersive display to learn more about the local ecosystem and aquatic environment but also to take it all in!
3 – Grab Coffee at Tim Horton’s
When in Toronto, one MUST try Tim Horton’s: a Canadian-based (headquartered in Toronto) coffeehouse and breakfast-based restaurant chain. While there are Tim Horton’s locations in Northern Maine to my knowledge, there aren’t many Tim Horton’s back in my hometown of Washington, DC. There are several Tim Horton’s locations in Toronto and Canada as a whole – you will be sure to find one and in for a local treat!
4 – Shop at CF Toronto Eaton Centre
Downtown Toronto’s major mall is the CF Toronto Eaton Centre. I LOVE malls and enjoyed visiting my first-ever Canadian mall (!!!). CF Toronto Eaton Centre has ALLLL of the best Canadian shopping to offer those from both near and far, including familiar stores found in American malls such as H&M and Aerie as well as some unique to Canada stores. While in town to see Taylor Swift, we got to enjoy a special display of Taylor Swift concert photography throughout her touring years!
5 – Dine at Simona
An Italian and Mediterranean restaurant in a gorgeous atmosphere looking over the Toronto Harbour, Simona is a lovely place to dine at while in Toronto! Like many Toronto restaurants during the Taylor Swift Eras Concert Tour, Simona had exclusive Taylor Swift specialty cocktails and friendship bracelets on their menu. We ended up getting some specialty Eras tour-themed cocktails, friendship bracelets, and enjoyed some of Simona’s delicious menu for a great lunch looking over the waterfront!
6 – Take in the views via a Toronto City Cruise
One of my highlights of our Toronto adventure was a Toronto City Cruise with City Cruises Toronto. Also included via a timed-entry with City Pass Toronto, the covered city cruise (as we were there in chilly mid-November!) took us all alongside the Toronto Harbour. Taking in the views of nearby Harbour islands and the Toronto city skyline from Lake Ontario, truly a Toronto City Cruise was a GREAT way to spend a part of an afternoon and simply be mindful and to enjoy the moment.
7 – Try a local cafe
Downtown Toronto has several lovely local cafes and they’re each worth a try! I ended up trying Hailed Coffee and Mos Mos Coffee & Cookie Shop which were both near my hotel and had a GREAT experience at both.
8 – Dine at Frenchy
If you love French cuisine, then you will LOVE dining at Frenchy! Frenchy is an elegant bar and brasserie located in the heart of downtown Toronto. The interiors are impeccable and the food is delicious and offers diners that elevated fine dining experience.
9 – Try Beaver Tails
A unique Canadian dessert and snack, beaver tails should definitely be on your must-try list while in Toronto! We ended up splitting a beaver tail at a dessert shop right by the Toronto Harbour. We were indeed in for a treat!!
10 – Stroll + Eat at St. Lawrence Market
St. Lawrence Market for centuries has been Toronto’s local community’s heart and culinary focal point. Everyone who walks through the market’s doors can shop and buy locally made and owned groceries from its vendors as well as grab a delicious lunch or take something for the road. Whether you simply walk through St. Lawrence Market and take it all in (it is such a unique experience that any Toronto visitor must take part in!) or grab some groceries or something to eat, you won’t be disappointed!
11 – Dine at a rooftop bar
A rooftop bar is a must when in Toronto! SO many restaurants offer the opportunity to grab a drink and a bite to eat while taking in the city’s stunning skyline. We ended up dining at Kost for brunch and LOVED getting to take in the city skyline from up above, *even* if it was freezing and windy!
12 – Admire the Grand Millennial’s Paradise of Casa Loma
Known as “hill house” in Spanish, Casa Loma is Toronto’s majestic castle where Sir Henry Pallatt once lived. Now, with its gorgeous gothic style architecture and heavenly grand millennial interior design, Casa Loma is open to the public and included (without timed-entry) via a City Pass. I was truly in awe as a grand millennial at Casa Loma’s stunning interiors and exteriors. The castle has an onsite restaurant, gardens, and courtyard that overlooks downtown Toronto on a hill. Indeed, a fairytale of a place!
13 – Take a day trip to Niagara, Ontario
Toronto is Canada’s biggest metropolitan city, but there’s SO MUCH MORE to see in Canada! We ended up taking a day trip to the nearby Niagara, Ontario – specifically Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake – with Niagara & Toronto Tours and had a GREAT time. Read more about our experiences in Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake here and here.
Wrap-Up:
Toronto truly is an amazing city! Before visiting, I had heard so many incredible things about this melting pot of a place. Not only does Toronto highlight the kind and caring nature of the Canadian people, but it also shows off Canada’s historical significance and mark in our world. Indeed, I think everyone should visit Toronto at some point in their lifetime if given the chance. You won’t regret it!!
XOXO – Katie <3
