Are you planning a Canadian vacation? There are plenty of fun and exciting things to do in Toronto. Don’t finalize your itinerary until you check out this list.
Canada truly offers the best of all worlds, from breathtaking natural vistas to the most cosmopolitan cities. Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or considering a move North, a vacation in Toronto will convince you that Canada is a great place to explore, have fun and eat well!
Here are eight things to do in Toronto which will give you a taste of the wide range of experiences you will find there. However, before heading off to Toronto, make sure you purchase visitors to Canada insurance so that you are financially prepared for any emergencies that may arise.
1. Niagara Falls
It may be touristy, but Niagra Falls is also one of the true wonders of the natural world. It’s definitely worth the hour and a half trip from the city to experience the sheer power of these majestic falls and get drenched in their powerful spray.
Luckily, there are all kinds of convenient tourist packages and public transportation options which will allow you to get to the Falls easily. It’s a beautiful drive, too- you will see vineyards, mansions, and castles as well as the gorgeous landscape.
2. Golf
If you travel the world to try out the best golf courses from New Jersey to Scotland, Canada is another place where you need to test out your swing.
Why not fly into Lester B. Pearson International Airport and then head to Royal Woodbine Golf Club, five minutes from Pearson, for a challenging round. You can even arrive at the course in style by getting a limo from this company to pick you and your clubs up from the airport!
Toronto is home to more than 100 courses of varying price and difficulty, so golf aficionados will have no problem finding places to enjoy the sport and the scenery.
3. Black Creek Pioneer Village
Step back in time with a visit to Toronto’s Pioneer Village. Staffed by actors in costume, its programs and exhibits focus on experiential learning and encourage people to draw connections between the mid-1800s and contemporary life.
You can check out what life, agriculture, and commerce used to be like over a hundred years ago by visiting their historic recreations. You can learn how to cook they way they used to back in the day, using locally grown produce.
Nighttime offers festivities at the Black Creek Brewery plus haunted tours. You can participate in an immersive game based on the “escape room” concept called “Where Dark Things Dwell,” where you will enter a world of the occult, curses, and witchcraft.
4. The Entertainment District
If you want to party, Toronto offers The Entertainment District, one of the most concentrated party scenes in the world. The area is situated between Queen Street West to the north, Spadina Avenue to the west, Simcoe Street to the east and Lake Shore Boulevard West to the south.
This neighborhood includes the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, and more bars and restaurants than you could ever try in a year! You will find a wide range of cuisines, music, and entertainments to suit every taste.
It will give you a real sense of the city’s great diversity and appetite for good food and good fun.
5. Bad Dog Theatre
Some of TVs funniest comedians are Canadian. Toronto’s thriving theatre and comedy scene gives you a chance to check out the latest talent- you may even see a performance by the next Mike Meyers or Jim Carrey!
Bad Dog Theatre presents improvisation shows where you can not only enjoy the antics of the people on stage, but you can join in on the fun yourself. Their Drop-In Workshops encourage anyone interested in giving improv a try to come on up on stage.
6. Toronto Zoo
Toronto’s zoo is the largest in Canada, and one of the country’s top attractions. Although its giant pandas have moved on to the Calgary Zoo, there are still a host of amazing and adorable creatures to observe.
With a strong emphasis on conservation and preserving endangered species, many rare animals have been born at the zoo. Recently, the zoo has welcomed the births of a rare baby pygmy hippopotamus, several clouded leopard cubs, two baby rhinoceroses, and a rare baby lowland gorilla.
Depending on your timing, you may even be able to witness the blooming of the zoo’s rare corpse flower, the smelliest flower on earth!
7. St. Lawrence Market
If you travel to the Caribbean, you want to eat like the islanders eat. If you travel to Canada, you need to sample some of the local food.
Because Toronto is such an international city, you will find restaurants offering food from all corners of the globe. If you visit the St.Lawrence Market, you will be able to sample flavors from Asian countries like Singapore, Thailand, and China, in addition to European influenced food.
For a purely Canadian, treat, you have to try the famous Peameal Bacon on a Bun with grilled Canadian back bacon with honey mustard sauce. The Market’s Carousel Bakery sells more than 2,600 Peameal Bacon sandwiches in one day.
On a cold day, nothing will warm you up more than some authentic Canadian poutine.
8. Casa Loma
No visit to Toronto is complete without a trip to Casa Loma, the city’s majestic castle which has been a private residence, a hotel, and a speakeasy since it was built in 1903. It’s got a billiard room, a hunting lodge, and even a curling room, for one of Canada’s most curious pastimes.
You may recognize the castle and its grounds as they have been the backdrop for many movies filmed on its premises, including Xmen, Beauty and The Beast and one of the Harry Potter films.
Things to Do in Toronto: Too Many to Count!
We don’t have room here for a comprehensive list of all the fun things to do in Toronto. if you are traveling with kids, you can check out a number of museums and sporting events which will engage visitors of all ages. If you are a gourmand, you can enjoy food from the many international populations which have made this terrific city their home.
Whether you are on a budget or you want to experience the city at its most luxurious, there is a huge range of hotels and lodging options which will satisfy every desire.
For more advice on getting the most out of your travels to Toronto or any other interesting destinations, check out my blog.
