Discover Toronto Beyond the Usual Tourist Trail:
If you want to know about the Ultimate List of Best Things to Do in Toronto for young adults. Toronto is a cool city with all the tourist attractions. It is a modern city with a busy business district, but located beside Lake Ontario, it has a calm and relaxed neighborhood feel. To this day, I remember the one day I spent downtown, sipping some coffee from a tee tiny coffee shop and roaming the underground, not so visible walkways called PATH, which stretches thirty kilometers beneath the bone chilling core of downtown, as a means of bypassing the freezing, harsh winter.
If you want to see all the Unique things to do in Toronto or the Free things to do in Toronto, then the best way to do it is by foot. Toronto has so much vibrant history to offer its visitors, and you will really appreciate the mix of old and new in the architecture throughout the city.
Neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little Italy, and the Distillery District really show you the diversity and depth of Canadian culture in the city. My favorite place in Toronto is the Distillery District. It’s all pedestrian, so you get to see the galleries, shops, and bars, all Victorian Industrial style. The St. Lawrence market and St. Lawrence Hall are nearby areas to visit and also help create a character to the city for visitors who love the local culture of the city.
If you are looking for what to do in Toronto, or the top ten things to do in Toronto, Canada, then Kayak Stays are the best option for the tourists usually tailor their itineraries around the major attractions. Amazing display of modern architecture compiled with old, City Hall, Brookfield Place, and the buzzing Scotiabank Arena demonstrate Toronto’s blend of commerce, sports, and design.
If you are a Sports Enthusiasts, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Toronto’s legendary Maple Leafs and Raptors do the job. If you are a History Buff, relax, and take a tour of Fort York, the birthplace of Toronto. The huge, tranquil, green campus of the University of Toronto with its collection of collegiate buildings is a great contrast to the big city business districts, and the ever present buzz of Toronto that many travelers say is remindful of an even Greater New York City.
Whether you want to find things to do in Toronto, Canada with family, or discover places to visit in Toronto for free, this amazing city is good for short trips, long stays lasting up to 10 days, or longer road trips across Ontario and the East Coast. The city’s combination of waterfront views, galleries, shopping, architecture, and exciting nightlife makes every visit feel new.
During my Ontario trip in the fall of 2016, I used a flexible must see/do list, but the things I remember most are the small, simple things. Visiting various restaurants, shopping at local shops, and quietly pretending I was a local for a while so I could enjoy the city.
This Toronto city guide style of travel highlights the best things to do, travel tips, the best food, where to stay, and describes some of the best day trips to take which you can easily book through Kayak. This Toronto city guide style of travel highlights the urban exploration and special tourism experiences in the commercial hub of Canada known for the most diverse economy population with almost 7 million people in the surrounding areas.
Things to Do in Toronto for Young Adults:
1: Kensington Market has a lot of Toronto’s creative energy:
To see the real Toronto, Kensington market is a good place to visit. It shows the difference between the modern Toronto with the interesting mix of the old and new. Kensington Market is home to many attractive sites.
Once you step into Kensington Market, you feel as if you walked into an art gallery filled with outdoor beauty. There are unique vintage shops, bakeshops and art shops fill every street and empty space. I remember visiting a small café after viewing many of the local art shops and café. It was very personable, unlike many of the other cafes and shops provided in the big tourist cities of Canada.
This area has many trailers of the food world. They provide a variety of choices from Tibetan dumplings to tacos within a few minutes of travel. This is a good place to visit for young people looking to travel on a budget.
This place is popular for all the hip bars, and trendy restaurants, Ossington includes a lot to do in one location: nightlife, shopping, and dining all in one. Stores sell everything from art prints to vintage clothes, handmade goods and just walking them all is a good time. Each shop is special and one of a kind. Crossing each shop off of your list doesn’t feel like a chore.
2: Toronto’s Historic Mansions:
Visiting Casa Loma and Spadina House displays a different elegance of Toronto’s past. Unlike the surrounding streets, there is a spacious tranquility.
Casa Loma is a beautiful castle-like maionsn displaying intricate gardens, secret pathways, and grand period rooms. Casa Loma is nothing short of beautiful, so you are sure to admire the scenery even if you have no passion for the past.
If you go bit further down the road, the Spadina Museum presents a more personal display of the preserved early 20th century. This display is in a much larger setting, making the experience seem longer and more memorable.
3: The Waterfront and Lake Ontario:
Toronto is one of the best cities to visit to enjoy nature with one of the best examples being the Waterfront along Lake Ontario. Toronto is one of the best cities to spend time outside and appreciate nature.
There is an open space and relaxed atmosphere which is really different from the Financial District and is a great area to walk and spend time outside.
Planning a day walking along the lakefront is a great way to spend time and appreciate nature. The area gets more packed with markets, concerts, and events during the summer.
After a busy day in the Downtown core, the Waterfront is one of the best places to go to enjoy the slow and calm nature with the skyline in the background. The ferry is a really helpful and easy way to get to the Islands. Toronto has one of the best beaches and there are some amazing views of the CN Tower from the Islands.
4: Is the CN Tower Even Worth It?
As one of the tallest buildings in the world, the CN Tower is also the most recognizable building in Toronto and is a former broadcast tower. It is one of the biggest place to visit in all of Canada.
People come to the CN Tower for the amazing views of the city and Lake Ontario from their observation decks. The EdgeWalk is a one of a kind experience, for those who like a thrill, a hands free walk around the edge of the building is the most extreme experience you could do in Toronto.
In addition, I get the argument some travelers make about how valuable this attraction is? The Standard tickets are over $30, and adult tickets can be around $47 depending on what experiences you want to do? Many visitors think it can be slightly overpriced for staying a short amount of time.
Furthermore, it is one of the top things to do in Toronto for a first time visitor. The CN Tower is an iconic part of the city and even with the free observation points around the city, there is a point in visiting the tower as the view will be one of a kind.
5: Authenticity In St Lawrence Market:
A lot of the best places to visit in the Toronto area have St Lawrence Market at the very top of the list. There are various other places you can get very touristy and be very commercial, but this historic market has a lot of local appeal.
You can find small bakeries, food vendors, and much more. I recommend it for anyone looking for an affordable and filling meal option.
This market is a great place to visit because it is so authentically connected to the everyday lives of locals and tourists as well.
The story of the city of Canada reflects itself in the market as well. You can see old transport systems like the wagon routes of the Hamilton and Buffalo Railway. Most tourists show interest in the major sites of the city, but this market tell the story of how the city of Toronto expanded and developed over the years.
6: Museums and Cultural Attractions You Should Visit:
In Toronto you can visit tons of museums and attractions to fill every day of your trip.
When in Toronto the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is a great option as North America’s largest visual culture museum. Another good option is the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) which combines culture with art and history to appeal to just about everyone.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is located near the CN Tower and is often most preferred by families traveling to Toronto with children. The Toronto Zoo, which is also one of the largest zoos in the world. If you’re with kids or want a little more interactivity in your museum experience, try The Ontario Science Centre.
If you’re traveling for art, visit the McMichael Canadian Art Collection to see Canadian Art in the city. This venue is a nice option, for a peaceful day in nature
If you’re interested in specialized museums, The Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art is one of the few of it’s kind, and if you want to learn more about the history of shoes, visit the Bata Shoe Museum. Fan of global Islamic art? You’ll love the Aga Khan Museum.
If you’re curious about Canada’s culture and spending more time in Toronto, this is your chance. You can check out all the museums, galleries, and heritage sites for free or at a discount with the Canada Strong Pass. It covers all the participating exhibits and institutions from coast to coast.
7: Parks and Green Spaces in the City:
Need a break from the usual busy city life? Parks and Green spaces in Toronto are a perfect spot to take a deep breathe
In the spring/summer, the city is more beautiful than ever. There are very few traffic jams and it’s the perfect time to be walking in the city.
Depending on the time of year, you can find lots of beautiful foliage and plant life with Toronto’s other big public park: High Park, Do you like cherry blossoms? Be ready for some great views because it’s a popular spot to check out with all of the locals.
Not a lot of people know about this place, but it’s definitely a lovely site for a stroll. There are more beautiful gardens and landscaping dedicated to various types of music and even a large portion of landscaping dedicated to one of Bach’s cello pieces: “Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major.” It is just a quiet spot to relax at the nearby waterfront.
What and Where to Eat in Toronto:
Toronto is so much more than a city of famous landmarks and museums. Toronto’s food scene is an even better reason to visit the city. If you’re planning a trip then dedicate some relaxation time for food, find somewhere to eat that’s not the same place everyone eats, and casual dining experiences. Even if you’re busy sightseeing, Toronto will be an easy place to sneak in some good food.
After a long day of travel, I wanted a casual, safe meal and chose Bâton Rouge for my first meal in Canada. I think I will always associate calm, fast service, and an ideal meal with starting travel in a new busy city with a soft, cozy restaurant. If you are speaking of high end dining, Toronto is full of great eateries , but I believe some of the best eateries that make great food will also help you to relax and settled.
After a taste of the calm Toronto I love, I dug deeper into the “real” Toronto to discover something more than standard sightseeing. I stepped into St Lawrence Market next, which is one of my new favorite food attractions. Imagine an entire culinary experience built into a single place. This market is great for the food stalls, fresh harvests and family own food stores.
You can find everything you can think from baked desserts and treats to sandwiches and international snacks. It is interesting to see how the market brings together international foods with local snacks, with Asian, European and Middle Eastern flavors complimenting Canadian treats. It is the epic center of a multicultural melting pot of all the worlds.
If you want to try a bunch of fun and new foods, then Toronto is the city to do it and you don’t even need a plan. You can find some of the best food places to eat where it is a small restaurants and the owners of these places are super nice. You can find the most delicious food in the places that the tourists don’t go. Toronto is the place to eat food from small places, street food, and food from family businesses.
Toronto is also the place where you can have fun and see all the sites and combine all of it easily with markets where you can buy food that will cost heavy in your pocket. No matter where you are in Toronto, you can easily find food. Toronto also has sites to see that compliment everything else you can do and see throughout the rest of Canada.
On the way back to the US, our trip turned into a mini food journey beyond Toronto. We stopped for lunch at Bar Bill Tavern in East Aurora, New York State. This spot is famous for wings, and after hearing about it from a lot of people, I finally understood. Those interested in what I would call a foodie stop, it is a road trip food stop worth planning.
What is interesting is how this stop relates to the theme of the trip — great food. Even the popular wings restaurant stops outside the city became a part of the travel story. Great food is related to the journey and traveling.
Toronto also does a great job of mixing popular restaurants with restaurants that are lesser known. Some people will only look for popular places to eat, but the best places require some travel to the lesser known popular restaurants and talking to locals. The places that aren’t widely advertised are often the best.
Travelers planning a trip to Canada or simply passing through New York should take note of Toronto’s food routes. It proves that eating your way through a city can be better than traditional sightseeing.
Things to do in Toronto Canada with Family:
You’re in Toronto, and you’ve got to hit up the CN Tower. It’s the tallest freestanding building in the whole world, that’s right, the WHOLE world, at a whopping 553.3 metres tall. It towers over the competition as the largest building since 2007.
The elevator ride leaves you unbelievably dizzy with its insane speed. Those who enjoy a view can purchase tickets to two decks residing at 342 and 346 metres. Those that are even more intriguing can access the SkyPod, which is 447 metres tall, for even more mind blowing views.
However, the Edge Walk is a great for the adventurous and those needing a little increased heart rate and blood pressure at only 356 metres. The view from the observation deck is stunning and is a great conclusion to the CN tower, being not only a tourist attraction, but also a structural marvel and excellent example of modern design.
The CN tower’s exquisite views and placement right in the heart of Toronto attract millions of visitors per year. Those who have family oriented travel and experiences in mind will love the tower and all of its views from the top.
7: Free Guided Tour at Royal Ontario Museum:
The Royal Ontario Museum (known as the ROM) is an amazing museum and great place to take your family when you’re visiting Toronto. This museum is a massive collection of art, world culture, and natural history. The standard ticket is $20, but when you take advantage of the free guided tour, you are getting yourself an even greater deal.
Beyond just looking at the displays, museum guides tell families interesting stories and facts about things like ancient civilizations and dinosaurs, as well as explaining the significance of rare artifacts. On my visit, children remained captivated during the tour because the guides broke down and explained the difficult concepts for the kids to understand.
There is always a temporary exhibition at the ROM. One of the most popular was the glass artist Chihuly and his colorful glass installations which put a fun, contemporary spin on the historical displays.
The museum’s daily tours create an amazing experience by promoting understanding of the ROM’s collections. However, the engaging, one-of-a-kind museum exhibits and artifacts alone tell rich stories about diverse cultures, and the museum displays interesting, and modern architecture. Visitors with an interest in history, culture, and the arts will love the ROM’s considerate design of exhibition spaces, interactive learning zones, and helpful staff. This is one of the best places in Ontario for education and quality family time.
8: Visit the Bata Shoe Museum:
Ever thought of visiting a shoe museum? This museum is all about shoes. It tells you about the journey shoes have taken throughout the entire world showing the different cultures and time periods of shoes.
Canada is home to this cool shoe museum. It’s a place everyone in the family can have fun. Historically, men have worn different types of shoes and this museum has every type of shoe a man has worn in a period of time. It even has traditional shoes used by the First Nations and tells you about how these shoes were made and their traditions.
Shoes have always been apart of the different fashions, and shows the different levels of society. This museum merges shoe history, fashion history, and anthropology into one engaging museum experience.
This museum is a great place for all you crafty people who love the presentation and design of shoes. This museum will show you the material of the sheo, the different designs and fabrics that have been used throughout the world, and how the design of shoes relates to the fashions we wear today.
Toronto is where you can find this creative and fascinating shoe museum that tells you all it’s history. If your family enjoys different tourism experiences, this museum is a good place to visit.
9: Marvel at the Architecture:
Toronto’s different neighborhoods offer a great way to learn about the city. Which start from glass skyscrapers to timeless building designs, there is beauty everywhere. These neighborhoods show you evolution at its best.
The downtown area has cooler newer commercial and office buildings that stretch high up and cover each with a glistening facade creating a stunning skyline. A few blocks away from those areas, stores and restaurants reflecting family vibes, as well as small and independent shops that sit next to older simple buildings made from red bricks.
Families who enjoy walking can take informal architecture walks to personally explore new and preserved areas of a city that can present a unique streetscape with a block of modern buildings and another block of historic buildings.
Toronto is a great example of a new city with a great multicultural history. Its continuously evolving urban neighborhoods and city businesses create a style of construction that is interesting to observe and gives the city a unique vibe.
Families can explore the culturally rich city of Toronto at their own pace with self-guided walking tours. While observing the city’s urban lifestyle, families can view its many landmarks, houses, and streets with wonderful views and city lanes with a lot to see and appreciate.
10: Sunset Cruise on the Tall Ship Kajama:
If your looking for a relaxing cruise in Toronto, the sunset cruise on the Tall Ship Kajama is perfect for the whole family. The old sailing ship provides beautiful views of the city while sailing close to the Toronto Islands.
Departing from the Harbor, the busy skyline slowly transforms while the city is lit by the setting sun. This cruise is offered between the first week of May to the first week of October, and the duration is an unbelievable 1.5 hours. The boarding process even provides a 30 minute buffer time before the ship is scheduled to leave.
The sunset looks beautiful with all of the city’s colors, while the setting sun causes the metal and glass of the city to shine with pink, orange, and golden hues. The view of the city is even better while on the water.
There’s also great views of the Toronto City Airport, and the view of a small plane approaching the landing strip is something special.
A licensed bar is on the ship with food and snacks served during the cruise making this sailing an ideal evening or dinner time activity. For the family seeking a peaceful cruise experience, this tour is perfect for making memories with beautiful photography of the sunset and the waterfront.
This cruise is known for combining a historic experience with beautiful sightseeing views of the city and many other romantic sights.
11: Festivals at the Harbourfront Centre:
If you’re visiting Toronto with the fam in the summertime, then you’re check out what festivals are at the Harbourfront Centre. It’s on the Waterfront and has tons of different food, music, and cultural festivals to check out.
You can expect to see an exciting new thing just about every weekend here during the summer. My favorite time here was for the vegan festival that was done in partnership with the Vegetarian Society. There were so many fun and delicious vegan international food options and displays.
While there is a great food, there are talks and performances that are fun and relaxing. People are spreading ideas about living a healthy life while also being ethical.
There are also community open air events that allow for engaging with Toronto in a fun and welcoming way. Food and festival activities create great spaces for locals and tourists as well.
Toronto’s waterfront is well known to tourists, and there is nothing better and more welcoming for locals and tourists with an open air event and festival.
12: Going to TIFF or the TIFF Bell Lightbox cinema for a movie:
It is located in the bustling city of Los Angeles during the Toronto International Film Festival are two unexpected gems for tourists big and small. At TIFF, there is fun in every corner as one of the largest audience festivals in the world is taking place.
As one of the world’s largest festivals, there is a ton of fun for just about everyone, from film enthusiasts to actors to everyone in between, and it is even more exciting in the big city during the festival.
The city becomes one big theater during the annual celebratory film festival. Families and friends enjoy award-winning films, undiscovered independent films, and international arthouse films throughout the festival.
The Toronto festival headquarters feature a central location, comfortable seats, and advanced movie technology. The festival only enhances the experience of classic, modern, and indie films regularly screened at the theater.
TIFF is Toronto’s best arts and film festival experience. The film industry is huge and TIFF surrounds its location with a huge part of the buzz. It is also home to huge and unforgettable memories for all movie fans.
13: Go hiking at Scarborough Bluffs:
Scarborough Bluffs has beautiful scenic views of Lake Ontario. The Bluffs reach 90m making it the tallest along the Eastern Lakes shore. The cliffs provides a natural escape from the busy downtown center. Bluffers Park has the only beach on the east side of Toronto. It’s nice to hang out on the beach after a long picnic and swim. The downtown core is a busy area, this place provides escape from the city. It is also a great area to take pictures and go hiking with your family.
The hiking trails of the cliffs refelct a great views of Lake Ontario and the city. These cliffs are great for a family day out to go for hiking and site seeing. If you are looking for peace and quiet. Scarborough Bluffs is a good location. In addition, Ontario has many natural formations and scenery. It is great to observe the mix of land and water as it forms a natural park. The Bluffs have a beach and lakeside trails making it a great place to go.
14: Explore the Toronto Islands by Kayak or Bike:
The Toronto Islands are a great escape from the busy city life because of the ferry that can take you across the harbor. It is located in the central area of Toronto. Once you arrive you can spend all day riding all the natural trails. It is a great area to have a calm walk or an adventurous trip by kayak. You can rent a kayak and other boating equipment at a rental place that is located really close to the ferry dock in the center of the island.
North America’s biggest urban-car-free zone is the Toronto Islands. It’s only a short trip from the downtown core of Toronto, but the change of environment is striking. On the Islands, you can find all kinds of family-friendly activities. From walking and cycling to renting a boat or a paddle board, there is more than enough to keep you busy.
The Islands are surrounded by nature, and the outdoor activities combined with the waterfront views and separated family-friendly fun make the Islands a must-see summer spot for tourists and locals.
If you are looking for a nice beach day, Woodbine Beach is a great place to go! It has soft sand, grassy open spaces, and a great tree line for all kinds of family beach day fun and/or activities.
You can also take beginner stand-up paddle boarding lessons or even take a paddle board yoga class right on Lake Ontario. With each activity, families are rewarded with stunning views of Toronto like you have never seen before!
The mix of water activities, recreation, fitness, and lakeside relaxation makes the beach a great place to spend a whole day outside. Anyone into adventure, summertime enjoyment, and scenic water activities will love every second.
Where to Stay in Toronto:
Moreover, there are various visitors who want an authentic experience, Kayak Stays may be more appealing than the big chain hotels.
While in Ontario, I booked a private room with a French-Canadian and Brazilian couple in the Corso Italia neighborhood. They also had a lovely and calm German shepherd. It helped me understand life in Toronto outside of my own.
This area has a very wonderful and diverse mix of cultures, which comes with new and exciting restaurants and cute local little shops. My hosts made sure to tell me about their personal favorites, including their daily coffee shops and the best biking paths.
Most tourists tend to lean toward neighborhoods like West Queen West or The Junction because of their access to all the trendy restaurants, nightlife, and artistic stores.
Transportation is an absolute breeze from the bus stop and at the Landstone metro station, traveling to downtown is no issue.
However, those families that prefer a little more luxury, Thompson Toronto tends to be the top pick. It is a stylish little boutique hotel at the corner of Bathurst St and King St W.
They have amazing modern rooms with a diner style breakfast and a rooftop view to the CN tower.
Toronto has more than enough accommodations for every type of traveler, whether they prefer a hotel, a vacation rental, or a local guest room.
