As Canada's largest city, Toronto is a famous destination for tourists from Canada and across the globe. Its rich history (from its origins as the British settlement of York, which certainly feeds into the comparison as Canada's version of New York City), its burgeoning arts, culture and food scene, its iconic landmarks (we're looking at you, CN Tower and Royal Ontario Museum!) and its many vibrant immigrant communities mean there's no shortage of amazing things to see and do on a trip to Toronto. The hardest part of planning a two-day trip? Deciding which of the many restaurants, hotels and attractions to see!
Before heading to the famous Royal Ontario Museum, take a detour into one of the quirkier museums in town: the Bata Shoe Museum. Yep, a museum dedicated to shoes. Their collection boasts 13,000 artifacts, so you could easily spend more than an hour checking out the displays. You'll learn about footwear from across history and the globe, ranging from Chinese bound foot shoes to chestnut-crushing clogs. And, of course, you'll get to see plenty of designer footwear from famous names as well. All in all, it's a stop that will likely surprise you!
The Royal Ontario Museum is one of the single largest museums in all of North America, so while it's a must-visit, it might turn into an overwhelming one. They have galleries dedicated to basically every topic, from dinosaurs and Chinese architecture to biodiversity and First Peoples art and culture... and basically everything in between. And that isn't even getting into any of the many rotating exhibits that you might find on display as well. Whether you're into fine art, world culture, natural history, fossils, meteorites, historic costumes, or even if you're looking for a solid children's museum, you'll find it at the Royal Ontario Museum. If you're short on time, pick a few galleries that interest you the most and stick to those!
The Ivy at Verity is a swanky boutique hotel right in the middle of the city (within walking distance of the adorable Distillery District, St. Lawrence Market, and more!) making it an ideal location to rest your head and catch some Z's. There are four rooms in the hotel, each with private balconies, deep soaking tubs, a selection of pillows, and more. The continental breakfast is a great touch, too. And did we mention that the building was once a chocolate factory in the 18th century?
A stroll around St. Lawrence Market is the perfect way to start the next morning. There are three buildings to explore. The South Market houses 120 specialty vendors who sell meat, baked goods, fruits and veggies, and a variety of unique, non-food options as well, along with a gallery space for local artists. The North Market turns into a farmers' market on Saturdays (a tradition dating back to 1803) and an antique fair on Sundays. The actual St. Lawrence Hall (built in 1850) now serves as retail and office space for the city. Some must-visit vendors include Kozlik’s Mustard Emporium, St. Urbain Bagels, and the storied Carousel Bakery.
Pay homage to Canada's unofficially official national pastime at the Hockey Hall of Fame. This is where you'll find the world's largest collection of hockey memorabilia, and it's also where the Stanley Cup lives. Read the names of the inducted HoF members, re-live classic moments in hockey history, experience their interactive exhibits (like the game that pits you against some of the greatest goalies and shooters of our day), and bask in the glory of the sport. Definitely don't leave without posing for a picture with the Stanley Cup; it's the most essential Canadian photo op in history.
End your Toronto adventure at Hanlan's Point Beach. It's most famous for the stretch that's legally designated as "clothing optional", so if you want to bare it all and experience the freedom of nude sunbathing, this is your spot. There are portions where clothing is not optional as well if you just want to dip your toes in the water. Whichever way you choose to enjoy the beach, it's a marvellous last stop for your trip through Toronto!
The best times to visit Toronto: Spring and fall are the best times to visit Toronto as far as price goes (things will be cheaper, but the temperatures won't be too hot or cold). Summer brings great weather (temperatures usually stick around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, so not too hot) but higher prices, and it can get quite cold in the winter (especially in January.) The city doesn't get a ton of rain. There's enough major league sports teams in Toronto that you can catch some kind of game whenever you're in town, which is a plus!
Banner Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Wladyslaw
