Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Toronto?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Toronto?
The city of Toronto boasts plenty of sights and attractions, making it a popular destination for tourists. Three days 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 vibrant city. Nevertheless, if time is of the essence, we have some nice suggestions for your visit.
How to spend 3 days 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 ($139)
- 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 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.
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:
- 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)
- Toronto: Niagara Falls Day Tour with Boat and Behind the Falls ($79)
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's First Food Tour: Taste the World in Kensington Market ($73)
- Taste of the Continents: International Food Tour ($95)
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours ($71)
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.
Shopping in Toronto is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Shopping is huge here, with plenty of options available that range from large malls to vintage stores or flea markets. Eaton Center on Yonge Street is a major shopping area. Yonge Street is also home to more than 600 retail stores.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Fashion Shopping Tour in Toronto with a Local Stylist ($151)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Toronto.
Is 4 days enough time in Toronto?
Four days is usually not enough time to experience the vibrant city of Toronto, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. 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. You'll likely want more than four days, as many tourists set aside around three to seven days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.
The Toronto Skyline
How to spend 4 days in Toronto
If you have more than 4 days in Toronto, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Don't miss the CN Tower during your trip to Toronto, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Toronto?
Many visitors choose to spend around five days in Toronto. This would give you the chance to experience the city's most popular activities and spend time at the museums, discover the big city activities, dance the night away, and find the best deals at the shops. Since many visitors prefer to spend around three to seven days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the vibrant city.
How to spend 5 days in Toronto
Having 5 days in Toronto will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
After you've explored most of Toronto, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Luxury Niagara Falls Day Trip from Toronto with Cruise and Lunch ($139)
- Guided Day Trip to Canadian Side of Niagara Falls from Toronto ($103)
- Full-Day Trip to Niagara Falls ($73)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Toronto.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Toronto, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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