Located on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, Toronto is the capital of the province of Ontario and the most populous city in Canada. It’s a city known for its multicultural nature, renowned food scene, attractions (like CN Tower and the Hockey Hall of Fame), and film production industry. One of the largest film festivals in the world, The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) is held here every year. If I were to describe Toronto, I’d probably say it’s New York’s more relaxed cousin. The city has about double the population of Philadelphia, in a space closer to the size of New York City. So if your biggest gripe with NYC is the population density, Toronto may be the place for you! Below you’ll find transportation info, sightseeing ideas, food/drink recommendations, and a few hotel options for a 2-day Toronto trip itinerary.
Getting Around
Airport
There are actually two different airports in Toronto, so make sure you know which one you’re flying into! The main hub is Toronto Pearson International Airport, which is located about 25 minutes away from Union Station and downtown Toronto via the Union Pearson (UP) Express train. This is where the majority of the major airlines and international flights will fly into. The other, Billy Bishop, is a small regional airport located on the Lake Ontario harbuorfront. It’s mainly used for smaller turboprop planes and air ambulances. If you’re flying with Porter Airlines, Air Canada, and Air Transat, there’s a chance you’ll arrive/depart from Billy Bishop.
For my American readers, like me you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that Toronto Pearson is one of a number of international airports where Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check are available. We were able to get through security (both coming into and leaving the country) in less than 10 minutes, and barely had to talk to anyone!
Public Transportation
Your first glimpse into Toronto’s public transportation system will come when leaving the airport. The UP Express departs from both the Pearson Airport Station and Union Station every 15 minutes. Once inside the train you’ll find racks for storing large luggage by each entrance. While there is plenty of seating, be prepared to probably have to stand during peak transit times!
Once in the city, there are both subway and surface options (streetcars and buses) all of which are all run by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). Payments for all public transit in Toronto, including the UP Express, are made through PRESTO tap to pay. You can use either a fare card, credit card, or your phone, making it very convenient. There seemed to be card kiosks for PRESTO cards at many stations, but in our experience they almost always had a bit of a line so we stuck to using tap to pay.
Getting around Toronto without a car is pretty easy! There are three different subway lines: the 1 (Yonge – University), 2 (Bloor – Danforth), and 4 (Sheppard). There used to be a 3 as well, but it was decommissioned in 2023 after a major train derailment. On the street level you’ll find a number of different bus and streetcar lines. We found the public transit system in Toronto to be very clean and efficient, but be prepared to potentially face delays on the streetcars. They don’t have their own dedicated lanes, so you’re subject to any traffic jams!
Toronto Itinerary | Day 1
Breakfast at Found Coffee
If you only follow one of my food/drink recommendations from this post, make sure it’s Found. Coffee. This specialty coffee roaster ‘with Aussie flare’ serves what was easily my favorite cup of coffee in 2025. It’s called The Doctor, and it’s a double ristretto in a 6 oz cup. Are you a fan of a flat white? Well The Doctor is it’s smoother, stronger sibling. And while you’re there, round out your breakfast with the Smashed Avo toast or a giant cinnamon knot. I personally visited the one on College, but they also have 3 other locations in Toronto: Front, Bellwoods, and Roncevalles.
324 College Street.
Royal Ontario Museum
After filling up on coffee and avocado toast, head north to the Royal Ontario Museum – the largest museum in all of Canada. Here you’ll find over 18 million pieces of art, history, and nature specimens (including dinosaurs!). They also have a cafe and gift shop as well. You can buy your tickets in advance online, just be aware that if you want to see the limited-time exhibitions that requires an additional ticket.
A tip for those who don’t like crowds: get there as soon as it opens, then head straight to the top floor first and work your way down. While everyone else is milling around on the first floor, you’ll basically have the entire 3rd floor to yourself! That’s what we did and it was overall a much more relaxing experience.
100 Queens Park.
St. Lawrence Market
Any time I learn that a city I’m planning to visit has a famous indoor market, I know I have to check it out and compare it to Philly’s Reading Terminal Market. While Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market is significantly larger and includes a lower level, I was surprised to find less crowds and stands to choose from. I still recommend stopping in though! You’ll find a variety of stalls selling meats, cheeses, produce, pastries, and specialty items.
Our personal favorite stand was Future Bakery, where we got a delicious empanada and pecan tartlet. Busters Sea Cove, a seafood spot located along the back wall, also seemed really popular – they had a line the whole time we were there! We had also wanted to try a Montreal style bagel, but unfortunately we got there too late in the day and they didn’t have a lot of options left.
92 – 95 Front Street East.
Explore the Distillery District
Formerly the home to dozens of abandoned Victorian-era industrial buildings, the Distillery District is now a thriving destination for shopping, galleries, drinks and dining. Throughout the year a number of special events, including a Christmas Market, are also held here.
Sake lovers should make their way to IZUMI Brewery, eastern North America’s first sake brewery. Take a tour of the facility or just grab a tasting flight at their small bar. I wish they shipped to the US (or that I had brought a checked bag) because everything was so easy to drink. Alternatively, beer drinkers and live music fans can head to Old Flame Brewing Co for a larger, more laid back experience. I’ve also heard great things about Demetres Desserts, but we didn’t get a chance to stop in ourselves.
Mill Street, between Parliament and Cherry Streets.
Pinxtos and Cocktails at Bar Raval
If the gorgeous mahogany interior at Bar Raval isn’t enough to draw you in, then be sure to go for the quality of the food and cocktails. Never heard of pinxtos before? They’re basically the Spanish version of tapas! I wish we’d gone in hungrier, because the two plates we had (jamon croquettas and patatas bravas) were delicious. And in terms of the cocktails, the Michelin Guide actually awarded one of their bartenders with an Exceptional Cocktails award in 2025, so you know they’re good. We loved it here so much that it made its way onto my favorite bars in the world list! They’re open daily, and while they don’t take reservations they do have an option on their website to be added to the waitlist.
505 College Street.
Toronto Sign at Nathan Phillips Square
To be honest, I didn’t think that the Toronto sign was all that interesting to look at during the day, so definitely end your night here instead. It’s a fairly newer addition to the city, having only been installed in 2015 for the Pan American games. The sign was only meant to be temporary, but because of its popularity the city decided to keep it. Apparently in the first year alone, the sign was tagged in over 120 million photos on social media!
100 Queen Street W.
Toronto Itinerary | Day 2
Light Breakfast at Library Specialty Coffee
Don’t be put off by the interior of this minimalist coffee shop that seems like it’s seen better days. The coffee and bacon cheddar scones at The Library Specialty Coffee are so good! I stopped into the Dundas location, but they have one on Queen Street as well. There isn’t much in terms of seating (the floor tiles at the front door even say ‘Standing Room Only’!) so plan to take your goodies to go. Interested in the 2 other coffee shops I visited during this trip? Check out Will Travel for Coffee: Toronto.
281 Dundas Street W.
CN Tower
Named after Canadian National, the railway that built the tower, CN Tower is a Toronto icon. This over 1,800 ft tall communications and observation tower is the tallest free-standing structure in the Western Hemisphere! From it’s completion in 1975 until 2009 it was actually the tallest building in the entire world (it was surpassed by the Burj Khalifa in Dubai). Millions of people make their way up to the observation deck every year. No Toronto itinerary is complete without a stop at CN Tower!
On the ground floor is where you’ll find the gift shop. Then you’ll take the elevators up 33 stories to the Main Observation deck for 360 degree views of Toronto. If you want to go all the way to the top, make sure to buy the additional ticket! When picking times for your tickets online, giving yourself 30 minutes between your tower ticket and reservation for the top is plenty. I’d read online that you need 60 – 90 minutes to explore the tower, so I did our main reservation at 3 pm and the top at 4 pm. We ended up having to kill 30 minutes walking around in circles. Thrill seekers can even experience the EdgeWalk, where you walk around the exterior of the tower’s main pod while attached to a harness!
290 Bremner Boulevard.
Get a Taste of Northern Thailand at PAI
Did you know there is a difference between Northern and Southern Thai food? Northern Thai food is milder, spice wise, than its southern counterpart. At PAI, they serve classic Northern Thai dishes and creative cocktails in a laid back space. If it’s busy enough for there to be a waitlist, you can opt to sit at the communal table to shorten your wait! We grabbed drinks at the bar while waiting, and I really appreciated not having to pay before heading to our table as our bar check followed us to our seats. It was a bit of a struggle for us as Sixers fans to sit in the communal seating area, because the room is full of Raptors memorabilia – including a photo of the infamous Kawhi shot at the buzzer.
18 Duncan Street.
Take a Stroll along the Harbourfront
Wandering around the harbourfront area is a great way to walk off lunch! Along with docks and waterfront bars/restaurants you’ll find community spaces, a scenic garden, and boat taxi companies (including a pirate themed one!). On nice days there are also plenty of seating areas to relax, read a book, or maybe even have a picnic. The area also hosts concerts and theatre performances year-round. Over 6 million people visit the Harbourfront Centre every year.
Queens Quay W.
Toronto Railway Museum
While not the biggest attraction the city has to offer, train lovers will likely want to make a quick pitstop at the Toronto Railway Museum. If you’ve done any research, you’ll likely notice that most reviews mention how small the inside portion of the museum is (which is the part you have to pay for). Because of those reviews, we didn’t actually go inside ourselves. The biggest draw, the trains themselves, can all be found within within in Roundhouse Park free of charge. And from May through October, you can even ride a mini train around the park! The park itself is surrounded by the CN Tower, Ripley’s Aquarium, and the Blue Jay’s stadium, making it an easy pitstop between visiting other attractions.
255 Bremner Boulevard.
Dinner at and/ore
When dining at and/ore, you have a choice between two unique concepts: Above or Below. Above’s menu is a la carte sharable plates, while Below is a 6 course tasting menu where you’re basically eating in a cave! Both menus feature seasonal Canadian ingredients, so you can’t go wrong. We opted for Above, and 4 or 5 plates is plenty of food for 2 people in our opinion. I’d definitely love to go back and try Below next time. The interior was beautiful, the staff was so friendly, and the food was delicious!
1040 Queen Street W.
Post-Dinner Drink ‘Experience’ at BarChef
I’ll preface this by saying under normal circumstances, I’d never recommend a place that sells cocktails that are $40-ish. Because while I’m used to New York City and Philly cocktail prices, even I know that’s obnoxious. So while BarChef is pricey, you go there for the experience of their ‘Modernist Cocktails’. They’re actually made back in the kitchen, because they’re served on elaborate displays paired with bites of food meant to compliment the drink. I had the Rose Gold Margarita, which was delicious, and Jasper’s cocktail was served on a tray full of dry ice smoke! They also have another location in New York City. If you’re still hungry after dinner, there’s a small snack and charcuterie menu as well.
472 Queen Street W.
Additional Toronto Itinerary Ideas
Something above not catching your fancy, or just want to add more to your trip? Below are a few more ideas for things that, while we haven’t been to yet, are on my list for future visits to Toronto!
Attractions
- Casa Loma – This is the one thing I wish we’d had time to include in our visit! This Gothic Revival castle-style mansion and garden is a popular museum and event venue.
- Ripleys Aquarium of Canada – this modern aquarium in the heart of Toronto is home to over 20,000 animals!
- Catch a Sporting Event! – Toronto has a number of major sports teams! The Maple Leafs (NHL) and Raptors (NBA) play at Scotiabank Arena, the Blue Jays (MLB) at the Rogers Center, and Toronto F.C. (MLS) and the Argonauts (CFL) are at BMO Field.
- Art Gallery of Ontario – Toronto’s other art museum, housing over 90,000 pieces of art.
- Hockey Hall of Fame – home to the Stanley Cup and hockey artifacts from over the years.
Food & Drinks
Egg Club Dundas – 88 Dundas Street E.
Take-out breakfast spot specializing in egg sandwiches on Japanese milk bread.
Maha’s Brunch – 226 Greenwood Avenue.
This wildly popular Egyptian brunch restaurant in the Leslieville neighborhood is walk-in only.
The Wood Owl – 1380 Danforth Avenue.
A cozy wood-filled wine bar with a small seasonally inspired food menu.
Actinolite Restaurant – 971 Ossington Avenue.
New Canadian farm-to-table restaurant serving a seven course tasting menu.
After Seven – 10 Stephanie Street.
Japanese speakeasy hidden behind a yogurt shop in the Art District.
Hotels
Where We Stayed
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown
108 Chestnut Street.
The big draw of this hotel for us was its central location near Nathan Phillips Square, which made it easy to get around the city. Hilton Honors members receive a fresh hot cookie at check-in, which is a bonus. The rooms aren’t anything special, but they’re quiet and clean. We were happy to not hear anyone through the walls or loudly walking in the hallways. There is a restaurant on site as well as parking, but we didn’t make use of either.
Alternative Hotel Options
Not sold on the Hilton? Below are some other nearby hotels that we considered while planning our weekend in Toronto.
Hyatt Regency Toronto – 70 King Street W.
For views of CN Tower and closer access to the Rogers Centre.
The Westin Harbour Castle – 1 Harbour Square.
For high-rise views of Lake Ontario and the city skyline.
Le Germain Hotel Toronto Mercer – 30 Mercer Street.
For if you’re looking for something a little more high-end.
Did I miss any must-see Toronto itinerary spots? Let me know in the comments!
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