Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Toronto?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Toronto?
Many visitors spend at least 3 or as many as 7 days in Toronto during their trip. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because your journey calls for making the most of every moment. The city offers the chance to spend time at the museums, discover the big city activities, dance the night away, and find the best deals at the shops.
Toronto is the capital of Ontario, and its a large city that has climbing skyscrapers and a diverse population. The city is filled with amazing restaurants, great parks, countless museums, and plenty of entertainment options.
Do you have one or two days to visit Toronto? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Toronto?
The city of Toronto boasts plenty of sights and attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists. One day is probably not enough time here. You might feel rushed to see the main attractions of Toronto such as the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, the nightlife scene, and shopping. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more time. Most travelers schedule at least 3 or as many as 7 days to fully experience the cultural city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.
How to spend a day in Toronto
Toronto is famous for it's world-class attractions, museums, and landmarks. You'll want to spend at least a day exploring one or more that you're interested in the most. The city is filled with landmarks and museums such as the CN Tower and the Royal Ontario Museum. Ripley's Aquarium is a highlight for many visitors. It's near the CN Tower and has an underwater tunnel. The city is also filled with art galleries and cultural sights. Another must is a visit to Casa Loma and, of course, the Toronto Zoo.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Dinner & Illumination Tower ($73)
- Best of Toronto Small Group Tour with CN Tower and Harbour Cruise ($140)
- Toronto Small Group Night Tour with CN Tower ($103)
This city is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. It's a diverse nightlife scene, with upscale lounges, dive bars, live music, and high energy nightclubs. Popular areas for nightlife include King Street, the Ossington Strip, College Street, and Kensington Market.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Pub Crawl Toronto ($43)
- Toronto Bar Hunt: Take On Toronto Bar Crawl ($12)
Toronto is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. It's a pedestrian-friendly city that is great for exploring on foot. The waterfront area has a walkway and there are cycling trails around town as well.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Toronto?
A weekend trip is usually not enough time to experience the cultural city of Toronto, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. Or, perhaps you'll want to return another time to take it all in. You don't want to miss the chance to spend time at the museums, discover the big city activities, dance the night away, and find the best deals at the shops. Many tourists set aside at least 3 or as many as 7 days for their visit. However, if your schedule only gives you a couple of days, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your weekend adventure in Toronto below.
The Toronto Skyline
How to spend 2 days in Toronto
If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Toronto, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
With its diverse attractions, Toronto awaits with plentiful neighborhoods, attractions, and activities. Set aside a day to explore the city's historical and cultural sites as well as the special neighborhoods that give the city its own personality. It's an iconic big city with high reaching skyscrapers and diverse neighborhoods.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto with Boat Cruise and Lunch ($136)
- Luxury Small-Group Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto with Hornblower Cruise ($213)
- Toronto to Niagara Falls Early Bird Small Group Tour w/Boat Ride ($228)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this city, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. The food scene is as diverse as the city itself. You'll find classic Canadian favorites like peameal bacon sandwiches and beavertails, as well as almost any international cuisine you could want. Make sure you try the dim sum, roti, and street hot dogs.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Toronto Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour ($65)
- Toronto's First Food Tour: Taste the World in Kensington Market ($73)
- Taste of the Continents: International Food Tour ($95)
Public transit in Toronto is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. Union Station is the hub of the city's transportation system, which includes subways, buses and streetcars.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Toronto, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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