How to Have a Perfect Long Weekend in Toronto, Ontario

Toronto is Canada’s largest metropolis and one of the largest cities 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 are far more things 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 guidelines 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 with an extensive menu of delights. Order the maple latte and a granola-yogurt parfait with fresh fruit 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 this 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 120-plus food vendors in residence. Start by considering the Carousel Bakery’s delicious, famous 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, stroll over to Akira Back, a Japanese restaurant named after its celebrated chef. Find Korean-infused Japanese dishes, including fresh seafood and Waygu beef.

For an unforgettable nightcap, indulge in sips at the nearby BarChef, a moody cocktail bar with a creative menu including over 5,000 housemade bitters. Or if you’re with the kiddos, enjoy an excellent scoop at Ice Creamonology, with its wild array of flavors.

Saturday: Explore West Queen West

Start your Saturday with a pastry and well-balanced espresso or tea drink at Carbonic Coffee. Then spend the rest of your morning at a world-class museum. Toronto is home to many distinct museums, many of which occupy buildings that are works of art themselves.

The Art Gallery of Ontario, boasting a collection of more than 120,000 artworks and was designed by Toronto-born architect Frank Gehry, is a go-to choice. The Aga Khan Museum offers a more specific artistic deep-dive, with window into Islamic art and artifacts 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 an exploration of history and science spanning artworks, cultural artifacts, and natural history specimens from around the world, consider the Royal Ontario Museum, Canada’s most visited museum. More than 100 years old, the institution has over 40 exhibition spaces and a collection of more than 18 million items. Once you see the prismatic, glass-and-steel Michael Lee-Chin Crystal that intersects with the museum’s original historical exterior, you’ll already be hooked.

For lunch, head to The Good Son in West Queen West, a restaurant and bar with stacked burgers and creative wood-fired pizzas. Spend the balance of the afternoon wandering the buzzy neighborhood.

Take a stroll down Graffiti Alley to check out some stunning street art, 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, founded by “Top Chef Canada” winner Carl Heinrich and offering a rotating seasonal menu bolstered by the finest local produce.

Sunday: Take a Trip to the Toronto Islands

Start your day at Susie’s Rise & Dine, a charming diner that mixes North American food breakfast flavors with Asian influences for an incredible brunch. Make sure to try the Big Trouble breakfast sandwich with scrambled eggs, char siu glazed sausage, cheese, and crispy hashbrowns on a scallion milk bun.

If you’re traveling during summer, make your way to one of the city’s beaches after breakfast. For stunning views, head to Bluffer’s Park. This popular beach boasts a wide swimming and sunbathing area and dramatic views of the Scarborough Bluffs, craggy white cliffs covered in verdant greenery.

Want to float away for a bit? Hop on the ferry to the Toronto Islands, a collection of 15 picturesque Lake Ontario escapes just a few minutes from downtown.

Connected by a network of bridges, the islands stretch out over 3 miles. The islands are home to four sandy beaches, miles of trails, and the Centreville Amusement Park, which also has a petting zoo. Cars are prohibited on these peaceful archipelago, but bikes are welcome and available for rent.

Island and beach hopping may not sound nearly as appealing during the cold weather, though the islands offer snowshoeing. The city of Toronto, though, is a true winter wonderland. Lacing up your skates at the scenic Harbourfront Centre Rink, a naturally frozen rink nestled along the shore of Lake Ontario, cannot be beat.

For lunch, carry on to Cluny Bistro & Boulangerie, a cozy French bistro that serves classics like beef tartare, steak frites, and rich, cheesy French onion soup. Cocktails are available, and the wine list is extensive. Before you leave, snag some macarons or artisanal bread for the trip home tomorrow.

Spend some time exploring the surrounding Distillery Historic District. This collection of Victorian industrial buildings once housed a distillery, but nowadays make up a charming hub for boutique shopping, dining, and galleries. Amble through Corktown, one of Toronto’s oldest neighborhoods, and see more incredible architecture at the historic St. Paul’s Basilica, before making your way to a last night dining destination.

Snag a table for excellent Eastern Mediterranean shared plates and wines at Byblos Downtown. If you prefer a walk-in spot, enjoy the city’s best ramen at Ikkousha Ramen in Queen Street West. Raise a toast to a perfect weekend in Canada’s biggest, most bustling city.