Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Toronto?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks 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 weeks 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 week enough time in Toronto?
One week provides ample opportunity to explore the entirety of Toronto at your own pace to spend time at the museums, discover the big city activities, dance the night away, and find the best deals at the shops. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options.
How to spend a week 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.
It's worth around 3 hours for Royal Ontario Museum. Entry is admission costs approximately $23 CAD for adults, with discounted rates available for seniors, students, and children; occasional free admission days are offered. It's known for its extensive collection of natural history, world cultures, and art combined with its unique modern architectural design.
Hockey Hall of Fame is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for families. Known for its extensive collection of hockey artifacts and interactive exhibits celebrating the history of ice hockey, entry is $20 CA.
Make sure to set aside around 2 hours for Art Gallery of Ontario, which is $25 CAD. It's great for families and is known for its vast collection of Canadian and international art, as well as its iconic Gehry-designed architecture.
CN Tower is worth visiting for around 2 hours, which is great for families and couples. Known for its incredible height, panoramic city views, and the thrilling EdgeWalk experience around the tower’s main pod, entry is C$38.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Niagara Falls Guided Day Tour From Toronto with Boat & Tower ($72)
- Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Dinner & Illumination Tower ($88)
- Toronto Premium Driving Tour with CN Tower and Harbour Cruise ($140)
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 ($44)
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.
It's worth around 2 hours for Distillery District. Entry is free. It's known for its beautifully preserved Victorian industrial buildings, vibrant arts scene, and lively pedestrian-only streets filled with shops, cafes, and cultural events.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto with Boat Cruise and Lunch ($147)
- Luxury Small-Group Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto with Hornblower Cruise ($166)
- Niagara Falls Day Tour from Toronto with Journey, Skylon, & Boat ($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 #1 International Food Tour ($95)
- Toronto: St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Food Tastings ($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.
You'll want to have around 2 hours for St. Lawrence Market. It's a nice activity for families and is known for its wide variety of fresh food vendors, artisanal goods, and historical ambiance. It's free.
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.
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.
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 ($140)
- Guided Day Trip to Canadian Side of Niagara Falls from Toronto ($102)
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.
Toronto is such a huge city that you can easily spend another day in one of the neighborhoods that you haven't visited. Look for those hidden gems and local spots where most tourists don't go. Or, pick another neighborhood with local charm that you haven't fully explored yet.
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.
Because this is a world-class shopping destination, you'll need yet another day to find the best deals. Each area of Toronto offers a different vibe and atmosphere, and along with it, different styles of shops.
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 2 weeks enough time in Toronto?
With two weeks at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Toronto has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Toronto as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the famous sights and museums, the big city activities, and the nightlife scene at your own pace. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
The Toronto Skyline
How to spend 2 weeks in Toronto
With 2 weeks in Toronto, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the city has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time perusing the musuems, experiencing the city's neighborhoods, hopping around the bars and clubs, and browsing the shops. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this city looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Luxury Niagara Falls Day Trip from Toronto with Cruise and Lunch ($140)
- Guided Day Trip to Canadian Side of Niagara Falls from Toronto ($102)
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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