How to Have a Perfect Long Weekend in Toronto, Ontario

Toronto is Canada’s largest metropolis and the seventh-largest city in North America. It’s also one of the most diverse and vibrant destinations in the world. With a Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Italy, Little Portugal, Little Tibet and even a Little Tokyo, you can eat your way around the world without leaving the city limits.

There’s far more to do in Toronto than eat and drink (though the city’s craft cocktail scene is top-notch). Toronto is home to professional basketball, baseball and hockey as well as a collection of theaters, museums and art galleries. It’s got sandy beaches, sprawling green spaces and a collection of islands a short ferry ride from downtown. There’s even a castle in town.

Suffice it to say that whatever you’re looking for can be found in Toronto. Here’s how to sample the best of the city in just three days.

As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.

Friday: Get the Best View in Toronto

Start your day in downtown Toronto at Evviva, where breakfast is served all day, and the vegan menu is tantalizingly extensive. Order the maple latte and a granola-yogurt parfait with fresh berries, or fluffy challah French toast and a tall glass of OJ. After breakfast, head around the corner to the iconic CN Tower.

There’s no better way to get a lay of the land than with a visit to the top of the iconic building, the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere. The 1,815-foot tower sits in the heart of downtown and offers a bird’s-eye view of this gorgeous city. On a clear day, you may be able to see as far as Niagara Falls.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take the world’s highest full-circle, hands-free walk — on the ledge of the roof above the CN Tower’s restaurant, 116 stories above the ground.

Next, take a walk through Old Toronto on your way to the St. Lawrence Market, where you can decide what to eat next after perusing the offerings of the 100-plus food vendors in residence. Unless you’re a vegetarian, start by considering the Carousel Bakery‘s delicious “Peameal Bacon Sandwich.”

After lunch, walk a few blocks to the Hockey Hall of Fame, where you’ll find the world’s finest collection of hockey memorabilia, including the Stanley Cup, hockey’s holy grail. Got skills? Show ’em off while going one-on-one with lifesize, animated versions of some of hockey’s greatest goalies and shooters.

For dinner, head to Akira Back, a Japanese restaurant named after its celebrated chef. You’ll find a broad variety of Korean-inflected Japanese dishes here. The tuna pizza and wagyu tacos regularly draw rave reviews.

Saturday: Explore West Queen West

Toronto is home to more than a dozen museums, some of which are works of art themselves. Start your Saturday with breakfast at the Art Square Café & Lounge, an eatery that’s located inside an art gallery. It’s best known for its Turkish coffee, savory crêpes and relaxed vibe.

Spend the rest of your morning at the Art Gallery of Ontario, which houses more than 90,000 works of art and was designed by Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry.

Or dive into Islamic art and culture at the Aga Khan Museum, which offers a window into Muslim civilizations from the Iberian Peninsula to China. The stunning contemporary building, designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize-winning architect Fumihiko Maki, boasts a sleek granite façade and an open-roof interior courtyard.

For a deep dive into history and culture, consider the Royal Ontario Museum, Canada’s most visited museum. The nearly 100-year-old institution has a collection of more than 13 million items and is an architectural landmark itself. Once you see the prismatic, glass-and-steel Michael Lee-Chin Crystal that now defines its exterior, you’ll understand why.

For lunch, head to the Good Son in West Queen West, a restaurant and bar best known for its burgers and creative, wood-fired pizzas, including one that combines smoked pork cheek and roasted pineapple. Spend the balance of the afternoon wandering this neighborhood, described as “one of the coolest in the world” by “Vogue.”

Take a stroll down Graffiti Alley to check out some of the best street art you’ll ever see, then pop into the independent art galleries you’ll pass as you make your way to Trinity Bellwoods Park, a thriving green space that’s perfect for people-watching.

For dinner, reserve a table at Richmond Station, where “Top Chef Canada” winner Carl Heinrich updates the tasting menu weekly. Recent featured dishes have included poached gindara black cod and sunchoke pudding.

Sunday: Take a Trip to the Toronto Islands

Start your day with breakfast at Saving Grace, an intimate spot on trendy Dundas Street West that serves up decadent, Indian-influenced renditions of classic brunch items, like cardamom-pear pancakes and scrambled eggs served with spicy potato hash, a drizzle of yogurt and tomato-chutney roti.

If you’re traveling during summer, make your way to one of the city’s 11 beaches after breakfast. For stunning views, head to Bluffer’s Park, where craggy bluffs covered in verdant scrub protect aquamarine waters. As one of the most beautiful spots in Toronto, this beach can also get pretty crowded.

Those seeking solace should visit Rouge Beach, a quiet, wildlife-filled area where the Rouge River and Lake Ontario converge.

Prefer something a little less sandy? Hop on the ferry for the short ride to Toronto Islands, a collection of 15 picturesque islands just a few minutes from downtown.

Connected by a network of bridges, the islands stretch out over 3 miles. This is a residential area that’s also home to an amusement park, a functioning farm where you can interact with animals and four of Toronto’s 11 beaches. Cars are prohibited, but bikes are welcome and available for rent.

Island and beach hopping may not sound nearly as appealing during the cold weather, but it’s worth remembering Toronto can be a winter wonderland. And there are few better ways to enjoy a winter wonderland than by lacing up your skates. If you’re game, the scenic Harbourfront Centre Rink, a naturally frozen rink nestled along the shore of Lake Ontario, can’t be beat.

For lunch, carry on to Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie, a cozy, unpretentious French bistro that serves classics like beef tartare, coq au vin, steak frites and rich, cheesy French onion soup. Cocktails are available, and the bistro’s 200-bottle wine list has even gotten a nod from “Wine Spectator.” Before you leave, snag some macarons or artisanal bread for the trip home tomorrow.

Spend the rest of the day exploring the Distillery Historic District. This collection of Victorian industrial buildings was once known for its spirits, but nowadays it’s a charming hub for boutique shopping, dining and art.

For an exceptional Mediterranean-inspired meal, book a table at Byblos Downtown for dinner.

The menu features creative dishes infused with Lebanese and Moroccan influences. Among the most interesting offerings: the “Hummus Royale,” which comes with wagyu beef; pillowy Turkish manti dumplings and fragrant roast lamb shoulder with a pomegranate glaze. Save room for something sweet, like blood-orange sorbet or hazelnut chocolate mousse dressed with a drizzle of coffee syrup.