Toronto

Best time to visit Toronto

• Spring (March to May): Visit Toronto in spring to admire pink cherry blossoms in spots like High Park and Cedarvale Park, and enjoy mild weather with fewer crowds.
• Summer (June to August): Summer sees the city in full swing, with bustling streets and festivals including Pride Toronto and the Toronto Jazz Festival. Hotels can be busy, so booking ahead is preferable. 
• Fall (September to November): Fall is one of the best times to visit Toronto, with autumnal color and mild weather usually into October.
• Winter (December to February): Winter is cold and often snowy, but there’s still plenty to do, from seasonal skating rinks to events like DesignTO Festival.

How many days to spend in Toronto

Explore Old Toronto’s city center in two to three days. Extend your Toronto visit to four to five days to fully appreciate the diversity of Toronto’s neighborhoods and attractions. With a week or more, you can add on a day trip to stunning Niagara Falls or scenic Niagara-on-the-Lake.

The vibe of Toronto

Known as one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with over 150 languages spoken by its residents, Toronto feels at once cosmopolitan and approachable. Each of Toronto’s many neighborhoods has a unique personality, from quirky cool to Victorian elegance. Explore the mouthwatering cuisine and cultural heritage of Toronto’s many immigrant communities as you eat your way across town, from Polish enclave Roncesvalles to The Danforth, home to one of the largest Greek neighborhoods in North America. For a calm retreat from the bustle, enjoy a peaceful stroll on the shores of Lake Ontario, or watch the sunset over the city’s skyline from Trillium Park.

What is Toronto famous for?

Toronto’s ties to the film industry and its popularity as a shooting location have earned it the nickname “Hollywood North.” Though its skyline is iconic in its own right, Toronto has stood in for cities like Baltimore in The Shape of Water, Boston in Good Will Hunting and even Chicago in Chicago. Toronto’s lively performing arts scene features one of the largest English-language Theatre Districts in the world and a number of theater festivals, including Toronto Fringe Festival and the Shaw Festival in nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake. For sports fans, Toronto is home to the most American professional league teams in Canada, including the Blue Jays (MLB), Raptors (NBA) and Maple Leafs (NHL), as well as soccer, lacrosse and Canadian football teams.

Events in Toronto

From international film festivals to agricultural fairs, Toronto hosts a dazzling array of events. Toronto International Film Festival (September) and Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival (April-May) draw global talent, while Toronto Black Film Festival (February) and Inside Out Film Festival (May-June) showcase bold new filmmakers. In September, Toronto International Festival of Authors and Word on the Street Festival bring the written word to life. Revel in Toronto’s diversity at Toronto Pride (June), Toronto Caribbean Carnival (August), Oktoberfest (October) and KUUMBA (February). And celebrate Canadian agriculture and crafts at the Canadian National Exhibition (August-September) or the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair (November).

Food in Toronto

Toronto’s food scene is as diverse as the city itself, defined more by endless variety than by one signature dish. A sizable Chinatown and communities from across Asia, however, make all varieties of Asian food perennially popular. Indulge in Japanese bites and drinks at a stylish restaurant in Little Tokyo, or savor Tibetan-style dumplings with a momo (dumpling) crawl in Little Tibet. Toronto’s fine dining has been widely recognized, and Toronto was the first city in Canada to be a Michelin Guide destination. Delicious local produce gives Toronto’s global cuisine a local spin. Sample some of the area’s finest artisanal foods at St. Lawrence Market and the Saturday Farmers Market at Evergreen Brick Works.

Nightlife in Toronto

From rooftop bars to underground lounges, Toronto’s nightlife has you covered. Catch a show or dance all night at a nightclub in the Entertainment District, or go from rooftop bars to classy cocktail lounges along King Street West. For intimate speakeasies and quirky dive bars, follow buzzy Queen Street West through West Queen West and Parkdale. Next to the University of Toronto, the Annex draws a young crowd to its pubs and live music venues. Church-Wellesley Village is the center of LGBTQ+ nightlife in Toronto, including Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, one of the longest-running queer theater companies in the world.

Shopping in Toronto

Toronto is studded with unique shops and boutiques selling everything from luxury fashion to locally made gifts. The Eaton Centre on Yonge Street has over 200 shops and restaurants so you’re sure to find something to take home. Queen Street West is Old Toronto’s high street, with major retailers in the center of town giving way to trendy boutiques in West Queen West. Yorkville, with its charming Victorian houses, is also a luxury shopping destination, with a carefully curated selection of clothing and home goods. Keep an eye out for pop-up markets across the city, as they’re a fantastic way to score handmade crafts and vintage pieces.