While there is no doubt that the best Niagara Falls experience is to be had on the Canadian side, considering it is the site of one of the world’s most beautiful border crossings, you’d be remiss to visit without crossing to Niagara Falls, USA. Crossing …
Niagara Falls is Canada’s most popular tourist destination, and its also visited by many more tourists from the United States and further abroad each year. The Falls straddle the border of Canada and the US, and are known for having the highest flow of water …
Casa Loma is Toronto’s very own castle. Yes, you heard me correctly – there is a castle in Toronto. In fact, Casa Loma is the largest castle in all of North America! The massive palace contains over 90 rooms and dates back to the first half of the 20th century. The gothic mansion that once belonged to one of Toronto’s most wealthy men is a fascinating attraction. I really encourage you to stop by when you’re in the city. I was looking forward to taking a trip to the castle when I first heard about its existence, and it definitely lived up to the expectations in my mind. In this post, I’ll take you through Casa Loma – the house on the hill.
First things first, Casa Loma never housed royalty. It was the mansion of the notable Toronto businessman, officer and philanthropist Sir Henry Pellatt and his wife Lady Mary. Rising from rags to riches through investments in the stock exchange at the turn of the 20th century, Pellatt engaged EJ Lennox to design his very own castle on a hill above Toronto. That castle became a hub for social events, balls and other happenings among Canada’s most wealthy, following construction of the castle being completed in 1914. After spending some 3.5 million Canadian dollars on the residence of his dreams, Pellatt only lived in Casa Loma for less than a decade. Losses of his fortune, coupled with the economic pressures of the First World War resulted in Pellatt having to sell Casa Loma in 1923. His wife died less than a year later.
After a short stint as a hotel, the City of Toronto acquired the castle in 1933, in recovery of back taxes. Casa Loma then became an eyesore for the city as it progressively fell into disrepair. Just as it seemed inevitable that the castle would be demolished, it was acquired by the Kiwanis Club in 1936, which began work on refurbishing and restoring it for use as a tourist attraction. Ownership of the castle passed to the Liberty Entertainment Group, which has continued Casa Loma’s legacy as a truly iconic Toronto landmark. Its even been used as a filming location in numerous Hollywood flicks.
Fittingly, Henry Pellatt visited Casa Loma on his 80th birthday, January 6, 1939, when he was honoured by the Queen’s Own Rifles regiment, under which he had served many years prior. He died two months later.
I visited Casa Loma right when it opened at 9.30am and it was the perfect time to get there. I was able to explore the castle without too many crowds, while it definitely started to fill up by the time I left. If you’ve got the flexibility to do so, I’d recommend doing the same. While its not essential, I also recommend booking your ticket in advance – it just means you don’t have to line up to do it when you get there. Tickets are available on the Casa Loma website, however you should look into the Toronto CityPass if you’re planning to hit up other attractions in the city. Casa Loma is included on the CityPass lineup and this great deal allows you to visit a number of Toronto’s best spots within a period of 9 consecutive days.
Your admission to Casa Loma includes a complimentary audio tour (available in multiple languages). Since Casa Loma is a self-guided attraction, I highly recommend taking the audio tour. You’ll get a lot more out of your visit than you would just wandering around the castle, as you’ll learn about the life of Sir Henry Pellatt, the castle’s lesser known features and a lot more.
Assuming you’re taking the audio tour, count on spending about 3 hours to get the full Casa Loma experience. There’s also a cafe on site where you can get a bite to eat before leaving.
You’ll enter Casa Loma on the first floor. As you begin your journey in the Great Hall, you’ll notice the sixty foot high ceilings in this grand chamber, with the second floor hallway above overlooking where you stand. As is the case with much of the castle, you’ll find all kinds of furnishings throughout, such an exact replica of a chair from Westminster Abbey used in the coronation of British monarchs dating back centuries. You’ll also get your first glimpse of the man behind Casa Loma, as a portrait of Sir Henry sits above the fireplace.
If you follow the main route through the castle, you’ll move into the Library and connected Dining Room. Its a massive ballroom style space. One of the cool things to see here is the optical illusion caused by the hardwood floor – depending which way you look across the room, the floorboard pattern will seem to change direction!
Beyond the Dining Room is the Conservatory. This really pretty room is something of a cross between an indoor greenhouse and function room. Lady Pellatt was known for hosting tea parties here among many exotic plants and flowers. The opulence is on full display with floors of Italian marble and an elaborate stain glass ceiling that cost $12,000 (at the time) alone.
The last room of note on the first floor is Sir Henry’s Study, where he spent much of his time working on business deals. Fun fact: the side of the fireplace contains a secret passage that leads up to the second floor (and another goes down to the basement!) – it really is like Hogwarts!
Casa Loma’s second floor contains an assortment of bedrooms, most notable those of Sir Henry and Lady Mary Pellatt themselves. Upon ascending the stairs, you’ll come to Sir Henry’s bedroom. While the only original piece of furniture in the room is the Phoenix lamp beside the bed, you’ll get a sense of what the room would have looked like in Sir Henry’s day (by the way, that tiger skin carpet is real). Just like his study, the bedroom contains a number of hidden chambers where he kept valuable possessions, and at one point he was even working on a electronic circuit that could control all the castle’s lights from inside the bedroom (that never came to fruition, but is a tribute to the innovative mind of Henry Pellatt).
Lady Mary’s room is actually considerably larger than Henry’s. Its made up of a suite of chambers and also contains a large balcony that look out over the castle grounds. The adjoining sitting chamber especially bears a sense of regality, basking in sunlight. Lady Pellatt was actually confined to a wheelchair for much of her time in Casa Loma – the elevator that was installed for her convenience was the first private electric elevator in Canada.
The Guest Suite is the largest of the guest rooms in the castle. This self-contained unit had its own bathroom and dressing room, and is just as opulent as the rest of the castle. One of the most distinguishable pieces on display here is the Chinese Peacock screen dating back to the 1930s.
Rounding out the Second Floor are the Windsor Room (set aside for Sir Henry’s aspirations for hosting Royalty) and the Round Room, which is built into the base of the castle’s western tower.
The majority of Casa Loma’s third floor is taken up by the Queen’s Own Rifles Museum. As Canada’s largest militia unit in Sir Henry’s time, Pellatt was heavily involved with the organisation, starting as a rifleman and rising through the ranks to become its colonel. In this dedicated space, you’ll find all kinds of memorabilia including weapons and medallions, as well as paintings of all its commanding officers (including Sir Henry).
Also on the third floor, you’ll find the Servant’s Chambers. Casa Loma was so big and extravagant that it required a staff of forty to keep things running – eventually part of Sir Henry’s financial decline. While their chambers were much more modest compared to the rest of the castle, Henry was generally known to be a generous employer.
While you’re on the third floor, you should definitely ascend the towers. Casa Loma has two – the Scottish Tower and the Norman Tower. They’re distinctly different – the Scottish Tower to the castle’s east is enclosed and round (it gave me serious Harry Potter vibes), while the western Norman Tower opens up to an outdoor rooftop where you can get some amazing photos, both of the castle and looking out at Downtown Toronto on the horizon. Oh by the way, you can do Escape Rooms in the towers at night! HOW COOL IS THAT?!
Don’t miss the Castle Gardens on your visit. You can access them from the Great Hall. The main terrace that overlooks the gardens is another spot where you can take some perfect photos of the surrounding area. Maintained initially by the Garden Club of Toronto, there’s all manner of colourful flowers throughout the castle grounds, in addition to picturesque fountains, greenery and a function area for wedding celebrations!
There’s even more to see in Casa Loma when you head downstairs from the ground floor entrance. This is actually where you’ll pick up your audio guide to start touring the castle. In that hall you’ll also find numerous movie posters for films shot at Casa Loma! Branching off from here is also where you’ll access the castle’s cafe and souvenir shop.
Just beyond the audio tour desk, you can go into what was eventually going to be the castle’s indoor swimming pool. It was never completed however, and instead now houses a movie theatre that shows a documentary chronicling Henry Pellatt’s life. While I saw this movie after touring the castle, it wouldn’t be a bad spot to start exploring.
Undoubtedly the coolest part of the basement level however is the Tunnel. Built 18 feet underground and 800 feet long, the tunnel links Casa Loma to its Stables, taking inspiration from the escape tunnels contained in many European castles of the medieval period. You’ll take the tunnel to reach the last part of your tour, while along the way looking at photos depicting “the dark side of Toronto” – an era of poverty and social protest during Pellatt’s lifetime. You’ll also see the Furnace Room, responsible for heating Casa Loma in its heyday.
Upon emerging from the other end of the castle, I was stunned to find that I was a whole city block north of Casa Loma. That’s how far the tunnel takes you as you arrive at the Hunting Lodge. Along with the Stables, it is the oldest part of Casa Loma and served as Sir Henry and Lady Mary’s home while the actual castle was being constructed. In addition to the lodge, you can visit the Stables, Potting Shed and Greenhouse, as well as the Garage (which contains a number of vintage cars from the early 1900s).
While its somewhat at odds with the rest of the property, the upper floor of the Stables hosts the Backstage Celebrity Gallery. This Madame Tussauds-eque exhibit contains wax figures of celebrities that have appeared in films shot in Casa Loma (as well as the Canadian President, Justin Trudeau). I love celebrity wax museums, so it was a good cap on the tour for me.
Once you’re done with this part of the property, you can head back through the tunnel to return to the castle.
Casa Loma is so cool! Make sure you visit it when you’re in Toronto. While its definitely a popular tourist attraction, I’ve actually seen it skipped on a fair few itineraries. Don’t make that mistake, as it will be a few hours well spent. If you’ve been to Casa Loma, what did you enjoy the most? Drop your fun facts about the Pellatt family and their residence below!
Ahh island getaways – we all love them! But what if I told you that you could get away to the islands on your next trip to Toronto? The Toronto Islands are a collection of 15 small islands in Lake Ontario only a few minutes …
The Royal Ontario Museum features on most Toronto itineraries. While the city is filled with museums, this is the museum to check out if you’ve only got time for one. Affectionately referred to as the ROM, the Museum opened in 1914 and provides a multifaceted …
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is arguably the most touristy attraction in all of Toronto. Its immensely popular with visitors of all ages and gets really crowded during peak vacation season and school holidays. While your first reaction may be to write it off as a tourist trap, knowing most major cities have attractions like these, the reality is that its a state of the art aquarium and I found visiting to be really worthwhile.
The aquarium houses over 16,000 sea creatures and is one of the three Ripley’s Aquariums in the world (with the other two being in South Carolina and Tennessee). While the Toronto aquarium is not the largest aquarium in Canada (you’ll find that one in Vancouver), this conveniently located experience is a great way to spend an hour or two indoors when in the city. In this post, you’ll learn about some of the creatures you’ll see on a trip to Ripley’s.
Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada opened in 2013 and is an easy walk from anywhere in downtown Toronto. I highly recommend booking tickets in advance, particularly if you’re on a tight schedule, as during the busy hours of the day the lines to get in can be quite lengthy. The CN Tower next door draws in masses of tourists, so its only natural that many head here before and after. Luckily, the Aquarium is open really late – it closes at 11pm. That means you’ve got plenty of time to see other attractions when most people are sightseeing. I entered the Ripley’s Aquarium at around 8pm on a Tuesday. While there were still a decent number of people at this time, it was nothing compared to the packed crowds I’d read about.
The overall experience takes around 1-2 hours, so you could even arrive later and have less people to contend with.
If you’re planning on seeing a number of Toronto’s popular attractions while in town, buy the Toronto CityPass instead of a single ticket. You’ll be able to get into many attractions over the course of 9 consecutive days. You can learn more on the CityPass website.
While Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada doesn’t seem THAT big from the outside, looks are quite deceiving. The aquarium covers two floors and is comprised of a range of galleries showcasing different aquatic environments and species. Your journey will begin with an introduction to the fish of Lake Ontario, before taking you on an aquatic adventure through the seas.
You’ll enter the aquarium with the familiarity of Canadian Waters. This opening exhibit takes you through the aquatic environments of the world’s second largest country, starting with the species in Lake Ontario just a mere walk away. Forming part of the Great Lake Basin, these environments make up 20% of the world’s freshwater. One of the most interesting species you’ll come across here is the prehistoric paddlefish. These unique fish have a large “paddle” (technically called a rostrum) which extends up to a third of their length and is used to detect the plankton upon which they feed! You’ll also come across plenty of American Lobsters, Cod and Wolf Eels. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Pacific Octopus while exploring Canada’s waters (I sadly couldn’t see it in its tank).
The Canadian Waters section of the aquarium also houses a very impressive two storey tank containing a Pacific Kelp Forest.
Next, you’ll transition into a very different part of the world. The Rainbow Reef recreates the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific Ocean and is filled with a myriad of brightly coloured corals, anemones and fish. Here you’ll learn how the amount of diversity living in these fragile ecosystems has resulted in coral reefs being referred to as the “rainforests of the sea”. There’s so many beautiful and colourful aquatic species in the 200,000 litre tank that this is actually the most diverse gallery in the entire aquarium.
One of the easiest species to see is the batfish (no relation to Batman), which in the wild actually move in small schools and aggressively feed on smaller fish. I guess fish are food, not friends for these guys. Perhaps its no wonder that the Sailfin Tang that swim in the same waters have the ability to extend their fins to look larger when they feel threatened!
Okay admit it, you came to Ripley’s for the shark tunnel. Well look no further, because its the next stop. You’ll have every chance to stop as well, since there’s a travelator that you can stand on and watch as the sea life swims around you. That travelator is the longest moving sidewalk in North America by the way – fitting since it passes through the aquarium’s largest gallery. The main shark species that you’ll find in the waters of the Dangerous Lagoon are sand tiger sharks. While they look just as ferocious as ever, they’re actually rather docile compared to many species. Make no mistake though, they’re still the top of the food chain and are highly efficient predators that can float motionlessly while hunting prey.
Within the shark tunnel, you’ll see a range of species that make their home in the Atlantic off the East Coast of North America. The Green Sawfish are really cool, though you might be surprised to learn they are closer relatives of stingrays than sharks! Their saws (or again, rostrums) stick out ahead of them and are lined with teeth that can kill prey in an instant. Mind you, they were lazing around while I passed through, so I’m thinking they were quite well fed.
Take your time in this gallery. If you’re patient, you’ll even see a few Green Turtles, one of the largest sea turtle species on the planet.
After passing through the Discovery Centre play area (don’t miss your chance to spot Nemo the Clownfish), you’ll next reach the Gallery. This section contains a number of small tanks dedicated to species that have mastered the ability to blend into their surroundings, as well as other unique adaptations. While you’ll find electric eels, lionfish, piranhas and more, my favourite species to watch in this part of Ripley’s Aquarium was the seahorse. These distinct creatures are known for their ability to swim upright and it really is fun to see that in action. The aquarium also houses a number of baby seahorses – did you know that they’re raised by their father (unlike most animals)?
Just beyond this section, you’ll come across a relatively new Shipwrecks exhibit, which provides a historical summary of some famous shipwrecks. My understanding is that this is a temporary exhibit that moves around various venues.
Up next, you’ll come to Ray Bay, another massive gallery where you can see four different kinds of stingray! The stingrays you’ll see here range from spotted eagle, cownose, roughtail and southern stingrays, all of which have their own special adaptations that help them thrive in the ocean. If you want to know the differences between them all, the aquarium staff will be happy to point them out to you. You’ll also learn about their different survival techniques in action – for example, spotted eagle rays can jump out of the water to avoid being caught by predators, while southern stingrays bury themselves in sand on the ocean floor, drawing in unsuspecting shellfish that become their dinner.
The last organism filled exhibit is one of the more memorable at Ripley’s Aquarium. Planet Jellies almost transports you to another world as you come across four species of jellyfish. The gallery holds them in one of the world’s largest kreiser tanks, which are special kinds of horizontal cylinders designed to hold jellyfish. These special tanks are designed in a way to ensure jellyfish safety, as the fragile species can be destroyed by bubbles and other elements of regular fish tanks.
The centrepiece of the gallery is the selection of vibrantly coloured Pacific Sea Nettles. Okay, so they look vibrantly coloured and seem to change hue at will. Spoiler alert: its all an illusion created by backlighting. Its still an extremely photogenic spot. The jellies wouldn’t know though – they have no eyes (or brain) and rely entirely on special organs designed to sense the presence of light!
You’ll also find the incredible upside-down jellyfish here. Unlike most jellies, these guys lay on the seafloor and take in sunlight through the algae found on their tentacles! So cool!
As you make your way back upstairs, you’ll pass through a rather cool section called Life Support Systems that shows you how the aquarium runs all its tanks through an array of complex pumps and filters. 95% of the aquarium’s water supply is treated and recycled. Continuing onwards into the Shoreline Gallery, you’ll pass the top of the stingray exhibit, which serves as a touch pool area filled with some smaller rays. Once you’ve spent some time here, you’ll filter out through the gift shop and be ready to take on another Toronto adventure.
With so many species to see at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, you’re bound to learn something new about the many creatures that fill our oceans and other aquatic environments. While I’ve been to many aquariums around the world, I liked this one a lot. If you’ve been, let me know something you learnt on your visit.
Hockey is Canada’s national sport. To say its a major part of Canadian culture would be a huge understatement. It should therefore come as no surprise that the Hockey Hall of Fame is Toronto is a very popular attraction, both for local sports fans and …
The CN Tower stands high above the city of Toronto. Its the defining feature of the city’s skyline, and it has even been recognised as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World (as named by the American Society of Civil Engineers). It used …
Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the capital of the province of Ontario. Its not the Canadian capital – that honour goes to Ottawa, but its definitely my favourite city in the entire country. Its situated on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, one of the five great lakes of North America, and traces its roots to being a trading post settlement from the 17th century. Today its a vibrant and cosmopolitan city. Its culturally diverse, prosperous and filled with exciting things for visitors to do. It may be Canada’s financial and commercial capital, but there’s also a lot of fun to be had in Toronto. In this post, I’m going to show you some of the best attractions to visit on a short trip to the city. I’ll also be giving you a few tips to help make things easy for you.
I spent time in Toronto in early July. That’s right around the best time to visit. Its the height of the Canadian summer, meaning you can expect sunny days and good vibes. It also means high prices and crowded attractions, but that tends to be the trade off when travelling. If you come to Toronto at this time of year, you’ll get daily temperature in the high 20s Celsius. Fall and Spring are also decent times to visit – cooler, but the city won’t be as packed.
In the winter (December to February), it can get quite cold and miserable. The days are short and its not unusual for temperatures to get below freezing during this time. While Toronto has a lot of indoor attractions, I feel like if you’ve got the flexibility, you should aim to come to Toronto in the warmer months.
Being the major city that it is, Toronto is extremely well connected to the world. Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is the largest airport in Canada and is located around 27 kilometres north-west of Downtown Toronto. The two terminal airport receives flights from all over North America, as well as a range of international destinations further afield. Once you fly in, you can get into the heart of the city by taking the UP express train from the airport through to Union Station, which just so happens to be one of the grandest stations in all of North America. The train ride is around 25 minutes, with trains departing every 15 minutes. A one way ticket will cost you around $12.35 CAD.
The Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) is a much smaller airport on the Toronto Islands. If you’re arriving on a short domestic flight or from somewhere in the US north-east you might be able to fly in here, and take a brief ferry ride to get downtown.
Note that most countries require a visa or Electronic Transit Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. Being an Australian citizen, I was eligible for an eTA, which is valid for 5 years (or until you get a new passport) and costs $7.00 CAD. Apply at least a week in advance on the official website (the process is quite straightforward) if you are eligible. As always, make sure you check specific requirements for entry (including any covid related restrictions) well before your trip.
Toronto is really easy to get around. The city is on a grid system, so you never really need to worry about getting lost. Most of the major attractions are all clustered together downtown by the waterfront, making getting around on foot quite doable for much of your stay. I don’t think I used Uber at all while in Toronto – everything was so close.
While some attractions (I’m looking at you Casa Loma) are a bit further out, the city’s public transport system has you covered there. The TTC (Toronto Transit Commission) operates a series of buses, trams and subway trains that can get you anywhere you want to go throughout the city. The subway in particular is highly efficient, with trains departing regularly. A day pass will set you back $12.50 CAD, but consider how often you’ll need to take public transport, a single ticket may work out cheaper if you’re a walker.
As a first time visitor to Toronto, you should aim to stay somewhere near the Entertainment and Financial districts of Downtown. Not only are these parts of the city a short walk to Lake Ontario (you may well have lake views from your hotel), but they’re also where all the quintessential Toronto attractions are located.
I’d be lying if I tried to tell you Toronto wasn’t an expensive city. With that said, you can find accommodation here to suit any budget. For a rough idea, you can expect to pay the following per night for a double room in high season:
On my recent trip to Toronto, I stayed at the One King West Hotel and it was AMAZING. It was definitely an upscale option, but its prime location, spacious rooms and great staff were worth every dollar. The restaurant and bar in the lobby were great (though if you’re in Toronto, you’re going to want to venture out to some of the excellent food spots in the surrounding neighbourhoods). The hotel’s towers offer stunning views of the city and the lake from your room. One King West offers all the luxuries of a modern hotel and I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for an upper end experience.
The official currency of Canada is the Canadian Dollar. Credit cards are widely used and ATMs can be found everywhere in Toronto.
I highly recommend looking into the Toronto CityPass which will get you admission to a number of the attractions on this itinerary. If you plan on following this guide, you’ll save money by purchasing the CityPass rather than buying tickets for each participating attraction individually.
Toronto is an extremely safe city. I never felt uncomfortable at all while staying in and around the city. You should of course be aware of your surroundings in case of petty theft and pickpockets (like everywhere in the world), but you’re unlikely to face any problems during your stay.
As Canada’s largest city, there’s no way you’ll be able to see everything in Toronto in only two days. You will however be able to enjoy most of the city’s best attractions and also taste some great Canadian dishes. As mentioned above, getting from A to B in Toronto is extremely straightforward, so you should be able to follow this guide fairly easy. It definitely works best in the summer months though, when you’ll have longer daylight hours to fit everything in.
The first day of this itinerary is completely concentrated on the Downtown and waterfront districts of Toronto. You can do the whole of this day’s itinerary on foot (other than a ferry ride or two) and its a great way to see the most famous parts of the built up metropolis. Before you dive in though, head to your local Tim Hortons to start your day the way Canadians do.
Is there anything more Canadian than a visit to the Hockey Hall of Fame? This impressive museum is housed inside the former Bank of Montreal building downtown and is a really fun and interactive showcase of Canada’s most popular sport. A dedicated NHL fan could spend the whole day here, reading every last plaque, watching each piece of footage and taking part in the interactive activities, but even someone that doesn’t follow the sport (like myself) will have a great time here for an hour or two.
Inside the Hockey Hall of Fame, there are countless exhibits focusing on individual players, teams and classic moments throughout the game’s history. One of the highlights is definitely the chance to see the actual Stanley Cup up close for an amazing photo opportunity. There’s lots of interactive stations throughout the experience as well – you’ll have the chance to take or defend shots at the goalposts, do virtual commentary with legendary announcers, and host a Sports Centre update (which is WAY harder than it looks!). There’s also an excellent 3D film included with your admission that takes you onto the ice alongside some of the greatest plays in the history of the game.
As lunch time hits, grab a bite to eat at St Lawrence Market. The market building is less than a ten minute walk east of the Hall of Fame, and along the way you’ll pass some really cool landmarks ranging from the Dog Fountain to Toronto’s own Flatiron Building. Once you arrive at St Lawrence Market, you’ll be at a public market that dates back over two centuries. Inside the massive building, there’s over 100 stalls and vendors selling all kinds of produce. There’s even an antiques market that opens on Sundays in another building nearby.
If you have more time, I recommend a food tour here at St Lawrence Market, so that you can taste a range of the very dishes available. If your inner foodie is overwhelmed with all the choices though, stop by the Carousel Bakery – its where you’ll find Toronto’s iconic pea-meal bacon sandwich.
After lunch, head down to the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal on the waterfront, for an afternoon on the Toronto Islands. The walk takes about 15 minutes, and there’s regular ferries that head out to all three of the islands. The islands are all connected by land bridges, so it doesn’t really matter which one you get the boat to, but ideally you’d aim to start at Hanlan’s Point. Once you’re there, you can stroll along the beautiful landscape and beaches, enjoying the city views and making your way to the hub of island activity at Centre Island, then continuing on to quieter Ward’s Island.
I spent about 3 hours on the Toronto Islands. I wasn’t expecting much when I headed out, but it actually was one of my favourite things I did in Toronto. There’s a huge amount to do out here, and its really a great way to relax in nature. Centre Island is definitely where the action is, with its small amusement park, outdoor pop-up bars, petting zoos and hedge mazes, so I’d recommend spending the majority of your time there. Over on Hanlan’s Point, in addition to the beaches, you can check out the Gibraltar Point Lighthouse and even relax on a clothing-optional beach. The main reason to go to Ward’s Island is to stroll along the Lakeshore Avenue Boardwalk before heading back to the city.
Back in downtown Toronto, finish your first day in the city with its most iconic attraction. The CN Tower was constructed in the 1970s, and for a period of time held the distinction of being the world’s tallest man made structure. While it now no longer can claim that honour, it does stand at over 500 metres in height, and on a clear day you can see all the way to Niagara Falls from the tower’s observatory.
The CN Tower is a short walk from the waterfront, but make sure you book your entry ticket in advance. If you don’t have a pre-booked time, you’ll have to wait in a separate line, especially towards the end of the day when lots of people come to the tower for sunset. Once you’re up the super-fast elevator to the observatory, take it all in. The 360 degree views of the city are awe-inspiring. In addition to looking out across the city skyline, there’s a reinforced glass floor you can cross to see the ground way below, or you can even pay extra to head up to the SkyPod (though the views aren’t THAT much better so its not essential if you’re content with the main level).
Consider making a booking at the restaurant if you’re feeling like some fine dining and cocktails with a view. Otherwise there’s a basic cafe and bar in the main observatory. When you’re done with the tower, head back towards the waterfront for a night time stroll along the lake to finish up.
The places you’ll be headed on your second day in Toronto are a little more spread out, but its still fairly easy to get around. Our itinerary begins further north of the main downtown area, and its a bit too far to walk (unless you feel like an hour on foot to get started). Head to one of the many metro stations in the heart of the city and take the number 1 line to Dupont Station. The train ride will only take around 12 minutes, and once you arrive, you can walk a few blocks north until you hit the Baldwin Steps, ascending to Toronto’s very own castle.
Did you know there was an actual castle in Toronto? While Casa Loma may never have actually housed royalty, it remains a must see when visiting the city. The 98 room residence was built for Sir Henry Pellatt, one of the most influential Canadian industrialists. Construction was (mostly) completed in 1914 and cost over $3.5 million, however less than a decade later Pellatt was forced to abandon his castle as he couldn’t afford the upkeep. Casa Loma was sold and today functions as a museum, with its preserved halls welcoming guests looking to tour this residence of Canada’s social elite. The castle has also been used for filming in various movies such as X-Men and Chicago.
There’s plenty to see at Casa Loma. While exploring the grounds and rooms of the castle is fascinating enough, you’ll also get great views of downtown Toronto on the horizon from both castle towers. Admission to the castle also includes the Queen’s Own Rifles Museum on the third floor. Make sure you also pass through the tunnel to the stables a few blocks away, where you’ll see various vehicles from the time in the Automotive Museum and even take a walk through a Madame Tussaud like exhibit!
Allow at least 2 hours to see all of Casa Loma. Your admission includes a complimentary audio tour. I highly recommend following it, as you’ll learn all about its history and the story of Sir Henry Pellatt. After your tour, grab a quick bite at the on-site cafe before moving on.
After lunch, you’re off to Canada’s largest museum. The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is instantly recognisable due to its piercing “Crystal” design that was added to the exterior of the original building in 2007. Today the museum contains a collection of over six million fascinating objects across four floors and numerous exhibits. The various halls of the museum can be divided into two broad sections – World Cultures (displaying items from cultures across the world including art, religious artefacts and more), and Natural History (where you’ll find skeletons of extinct dinosaurs and collections from nature).
The ROM is a roughly half hour walk south from Casa Loma. Alternatively, you can get back on the same subway line you took in the morning and head back to Museum station (a 4 minute ride) which is just minutes away from the museum’s entrance. Once inside, spend at least two hours to get a cursory look at everything – if you want to go through comprehensively, you’d need to spend most of the day here. I recommend taking the free highlights tour before checking out some of the halls that interest you in more detail. One of my favourite exhibits was the highly immersive Bat Cave, which recreates the experience of walking through a Jamaican bat habitat.
Moving into the late afternoon, head back downtown before taking a walk some 20 minutes east to the Distillery District. This cobblestone lane zone is filled with old industrial structures that have been converted into restaurants, bars, galleries and studios. Spread out across 47 repurposed buildings, there’s countless options for dinner in the Distillery District, all while taking in the area’s original architecture, which dates back to its days as the whisky distillery of Gooderham & Worts.
While there’s so many options here, as a first timer you can’t go wrong with the Mill Street Brew Pub. They do INCREDIBLE poutine and they have delicious local beers on tap. If you’re after something different though, try Izumi Sake Brewery, the first sake brewery in North America. The Spirit of York Distillery is another popular option for gin, whisky and vodka drinkers. You should also spend a bit of time after dinner admiring the street art throughout the area. The Distillery District is full of good energy and I really liked this part of the city.
After dinner, its back to the base of the CN Tower to take a tour of the aquarium next door. The Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is a really modern aquarium, having only opened in 2013. The admission is definitely on the pricey side, but I really enjoyed the hour or so I spent in this super touristy attraction. The aquarium contains over 16,000 marine organisms and is broken up into different zones, each representing distinct aquatic environments. You’ll start with a tour through the local waters of the Ontario Lake Basin, before venturing through kelp forests, jellyfish pools, and of course, the Dangerous Lagoon shark tank. The latter is the aquarium’s most popular zone, with a travelator whisking you through the tank as sharks, stingrays and the like swim overhead.
The aquarium is extremely popular, especially for families with children. For this reason, it gets seriously packed during the day. That’s why I’ve recommended stopping by in the evening after dinner – you’ll have more time to see the fish without jostling for room in the crowds in front of each tank.
As you leave the aquarium, take a few photos of the lit up Rogers Centre (formerly the Toronto Skydome) nearby, before walking a few blocks through the heart of the city to Nathan Phillips Square. This public square in front of the City Hall building is an iconic spot to wrap up a night in Toronto. Its most famous for the lit up Toronto sign, so stand across the massive fountain pool and take your photos. Many will be doing the same, so people watch here before calling it a night.
While there’s much more to do in Toronto itself, if you have more than two days in the area, I’d recommend getting out of the city and making the trip to Niagara Falls. Its one of the natural wonders of the world, and is a really enjoyable experience that I’ll be posting about another time. If you’ve got enough time to do that while also spending more time in Toronto itself however, your options are limitless. One attraction I didn’t get to do (which is included in the CityPass) is the Toronto Zoo, which tends to attract favourable views. You could also check out the Art Gallery of Ontario, or one of the city’s many other galleries and museums.
There’s so much to do in Toronto. I hope this post has given you a starting point, particularly if you only have a short amount of time to spend in the city. Is there anywhere I’ve missed that you would recommend? If so, be sure to let me know! I loved my time in Toronto, and definitely will return in the future.