The Best Toronto Itinerary: 2 or 3 Days
If you’re looking for a Toronto Itinerary, then look no further.
I was born and grew up in Toronto, and still live nearby. I travel back there frequently and am up to date on how the city keeps changing, the key things that visitors shouldn’t miss, and all the fun things to do. Toronto is an exciting city that is well worth a visit.
I like living where I do, because I enjoy being close enough to Toronto to keep doing all the exciting things there are to do there.
Toronto may not be on the same level as New York City, Paris or San Francisco – but it is a nice city, and there’s often more to do than what people realize.
I’m going to walk you through the best 2 and 3 day itineraries for Toronto so you get to see the absolute best things it has to offer.
About This Itinerary
✅ It can be done year round, but there might be additional things you want to do if you’re in Toronto in winter
✅ 2 days is enough time for the highlights, but not enough time to do everything in Toronto. So, the focus is what is unique to Toronto that you can’t do anywhere else
✅ It’s suitable for all age groups. I go to Toronto with kids often. However, there are optional add-ons for people looking for a bit more adventure or excitement
✅ Ideally, don’t start the itinerary on a Monday, because a few of my recommendations for the first day are closed on Mondays.
✅ If you want to do Niagara Falls, you need at least 3 days in the area. It takes at least a full day to get to Niagara Falls and back. I recommend adding 1 more day to your Toronto itinerary if you want to see Niagara Falls as well.
2 Days in Toronto
Grab a 2 or 3 dat TTC pass, which allows you to use the subway, street car and buses unlimited.
Day 1 in Toronto: Exploring Neighbourhoods of Toronto
1. Dundas Square
around 10 minutes
Grab breakfast at your hotel or one of the many great breakfasts places in Toronto.
Afterwards, take the subway to Dundas station. There are a few different exits; look for the one that takes you out to Dundas Square.
Dundas Square is like the Toronto version of Times Square. It’s big, flashy, with massive screens and music. Sometimes there are events or special things going on in the square.
2. Walk to Nathan Phillips Square
8 minutes
After you’re done, you’re going to walk west along Dundas street West. Turn left on Bay street, and then continue south.
You’ll soon find yourself at Nathan Phillips Square.
3. Nathan Phillips Square
10-15 minutes
At Nathan Phillips Square, you’re going to want to get lots of photos in front of the Toronto sign.
There are some nice old buildings here, including the Old court house, and Old City Hall (pictured right behind the Toronto sign.)
I recommend taking photos from different angles, and walking around. In the winter, there is skating on Nathan Phillips Square, and in the summer, several events are put on here.
3. Walk to Osgoode subway station
4 minutes
Afterwards you’ve seen enough of Nathan Phillip’s Square, walk 4 minutes west, along Queen Street West towards the Osgoode subway station.
4. Take public transit to the Kensington Market
15-20 minutes
Once you’re at Osgoode station take the subway northbound (towards Vaughan.) You’re not going to ride it all the way to Vaughan – you’re going to get off at Spadina station.
Spadina station is about an 10 minute ride from Osgoode station.
The Spadina station is very large, but well marked. From reading the signs, you’ll know where to go. You’re heading to the area where the streetcars are – it might be a 5 minute wait.
- You’re going to get on the 510 streetcar heading south. (Since just got off the subway ride, then you do not need to pay extra for this ride -your fare is included in the journey.)
- Ride the 510 streetcar for about 10 minutes until you reach College street, and then get off. You are now on Spadina avenue.
- Walk west along College towards the Kensington Market. It will take 5-10 minutes before you’ve reached the north part of the Kensington Market.
3. Explore the Kensington Market (+ optional Chinatown)
Anywhere from 1-3 hours
I recommend grabbing lunch somewhere in the Kensington Market; its the ‘foodie’ area of Toronto and there are countless great places to eat.
There’s a reason why most Toronto food tours take place here.
There are no chains here. Many of these restaurants are family-owned, hole in the wall restaurants.
After you eat lunch, you might be just in time for the Donut Adventure Tour which runs in the Kensington Market at 1pm.
If you don’t do the donut adventure, then I at least recommend popping into Bunner’s (my favourite bakery) for a sweet treat.
Book your Kensington Market Donut Adventure for 1:00pm here (optional)
The Kensington Market is very close to China town, so if you’d like to see that, then head there afterwards.
Chinatown is only about an 5 minute walk from the Kensington Market. Head back east towards Spadina avenue, and then walk south. You’ll then be in Chinatown.
4. Take public transit to the Royal Ontario Museum
10-15 minutes
You’ll want to leave the Kensington Market/China town by around 3-3:30pm, because the Royal Ontario Museum is only open until 5:30pm. I want to give you at least 2 hours to explore it.
Take the 510 streetcar going the opposite way you came, back to Spadina station.
Once you’re back at Spadina station, take the subway southbound. Get off at Museum station. This entire trip from Kensington Market to Museum station will take 20 minutes max.
Pro Tip: You could also walk to the Royal Ontario Museum in about 30 minutes from Kensginton/Chinatown if you prefer. But, keep in mind you’ll also be doing lots of walking around the museum.
5. Explore the Royal Ontario Museum
2+ hours
I wouldn’t normally put a museum as a ‘must do’ on an itinerary – but the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is one of the best museum in Canada, and absolutely worth adding to your Toronto itinerary.
There’s an impressive dinosaur exhibit, lots of historical artifacts from Canada and around the world, and so many fascinating things to learn.
You can save money and time by buying your ROM tickets online in advance, for express entry.
5. Dinner
Toronto has so many great food options, so you have your pick of where to get dinner. Here are some options for grabbing dinner in the city:
- Eat in the area of the ROM, if you’re super hungry. There are tons of restaurants along Bloor street, or on Yorkville Avenue just north of it.
- Head to the Entertainment District downtown near Union Station, which is known for lots of restaurants, bars and pubs. Simply hop on the subway and rid it south to Union Station
6. Optional Evening Activity
If you still have some energy for the evening on day 1, you could:
- Do the Toronto haunted walk (starts at 7:30 or 8pm each night.) Participants must be at least 10 years old
- Enjoy nightlife in the Toronto Entertainment district
- See the city by night on this tour, which drives you around in a vehicle. Starts at 7:30pm
Day 2 in Toronto
If you want to make day 2 super simple, book this small group tour. It brings you to all the attractions that I had planned for today, in addition to a few more. If you don’t want to book the tour, then continue reading below to see how I recommend exploring the city on your own.
1. Walk towards the St. Lawrence Market
10 minutes
Take the subway to King station.
From there, walk to the St. Lawrence Market. Walk east on King st. East, turn right on Church, and then left on Front street East.
We’re walking here not just for the market itself, but also for the things you’ll see on the way. For example, the Flatiron Building – located at Front and Church. (Pictured above.)
2. Shop in the St. Lawrence Market
20 minutes
Take a look around the St. Lawrence Market. This is a historic food market in Toronto, whose building was once a jail.
There are two floors of vendors selling fresh produce, bread, dried fruit, baked foods, cheeses, candies, and many other things.
On the floor there are many places where you can find Canadian souvenirs.
If you’re hungry, there are lots of places to sit down for a meal here. In the summer, there is lots of outdoor seating. Otherwise, there’s indoor seating on the lower floor.
3. Continue on to the Distillery District
15 minutes
The Distillery District is a 15 minute walk from the St. Lawrence Market. Simply walk east along The Esplanade street, and you’ll soon find yourself there.
The Distillery District is enclosed with walls, but entrance is free. (As long as you aren’t visiting during the annual Christmas market – then you need a ticket.)
4. Explore the Distillery District
The Distillery District a completely car-free neighbourhood, with cobbled streets, boutique stores, art galleries and antique buildings.
If you didn’t grab something to eat at the St. Lawrence Market, then there are a few good places to eat at the Distillery District.
Our favourite is Mill Street Brewery; we go there every time we come to the Distillery District. They have a great menu with hearty dishes; lots of ‘bar food’ but also some decently healthy options too. I love their Buddha bowl, and the sweet potato fries are really good.
Entrance to the Distillery District is free – the only exception is during their special Winter Village, held during the Christmas season.
5. Take public transit back to the heart of Toronto
20-30 minutes
You are in the eastern part of Toronto, and now you want to head back downtown to the heart of the city.
You could walk, but it would take around 40 minutes. The easiest way is to hop on the King street street car (504 A.)
I’ve gotten lost here a few times, so here is a map above. Grab the 504A King street street car from the Distillery Loop.
Get off the streetcar at King and Bay (about a 15-20 minute ride).
After that, take a 10-15 minute walk south on Bay street to the harbour.
5. Toronto Harbour Cruise (late April through to early November only)
around 1 hour in total
A cruise of the Toronto harbour is definitely worth it in the warmer months, because it gives you a chance to see the city skyline.
I recommend booking the Toronto Harbour and Islands Sightseeing here. (Be sure to book it in advance.) It’s a 50 minute boat tour, where you get to relax and see the city and the islands.
The cruise is also narrated, so you can learn a few interesting tidbits about the city as well.
If you don’t want to take a 50 minute narrated boat cruise, then there are simpler options to get this view.
Head to the harbour, and hop on a water taxi. It’s $12.50 per adult, one way and it takes you to Centre Island (which is where I took the photo above.) They leave frequently, so you can hop back on a water taxi after only being there a short time.
If your visit is during the cold months, then here are other options:
Casa Loma (Toronto’s only castle.) Very cool, but maybe not if you’re from Europe since you’re used to much older castles
Bata Shoe Museum (my personal favourite attraction in Toronto) right down the street from the ROM
Museum of Illusions (fun for brain teasers, tricks and photo ops) This is very close to the Distillery District, you could walk there in 15 minutes
2. Head up the CN Tower.
I have timed your visit to the CN Tower so that you’ll be arriving late afternoon, when crowds start the die down. (It’s open late, so you have plenty of time to get here.)
It also gives you the option of having dinner here, in the 360 restaurant, if you wish. (I would recommend it.) It’s such a cool view, and the highest restaurant in the Western hemisphere.
There are different ways to experience the CN Tower:
- Simply go up the tower and admire the city views from the observation decks.
- Do the Edge Walk (for those looking for an adrenaline rush)
- Eat at the 360 Restaurant. Eating here gives you free admission to the tower, but you must eat first. They cater to every eating preference imaginable – vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, allergies, etc.
Read my post about the CN Tower for more details on the above.
Optional (But Recommended) 3rd Day in Toronto
Beyond the ‘musts’ which I outlined in the first two days, then a 3rd day in Toronto will depend on your specific interests, because there are a lot of things to do.
Option # 1: See more city attractions in Toronto
- Casa Loma
- Museum of Illusions
- Hockey Hall of Fame
- Ripley’s Aquarium
- Bata Shoe Museum
- Toronto Beaches
- Toronto Haunted Walk (something for the evening, on either of the days you’re here)
- Toronto Zoo
- Ontario Science Centre
Read more details about some of these below.
Pro Tip: If you’re planning to visit the ROM, Casa Loma, the Zoo and the CN Tower, then it might be worth it to buy a Toronto City Pass to save money.
Option # 2: Canada’s Wonderland
Canada’s Wonderland is the largest amusement park in the country, and has record-breaking rollercoasters.
The Leviathan is in the top 10 of the largest roller coasters in the world.
There’s also a waterpark attached to it, a great go-karting, and lots of shopping, dining and arcades. We go to Wonderland almost every year. It gets busy, but its a lot of fun.
You can get to Wonderland using public transit from the city, and there are also many hotels nearby.
Option # 3: Explore other parts of Ontario
Toronto is a great city, but most tourists overlook other parts of Ontario when they come here. There’s so much to see outside of Toronto.
Whether you’re in Ontario in winter, summer or other seasons, I definitely recommend seeing places outside of Toronto if you’re able to rent a car.
Some of the best small towns in Ontario include: Niagara on the Lake, Elora and Fergus and Kleinburg – and all of these are within an hour or so of downtown Toronto.
Option # 1: Day trip to Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is easy accessed from downtown Toronto, by either public transit, tours or from renting a car.
It takes just under 2 hours to get there, and you could spend anywhere from a full day to a weekend there.
Where to Stay in Toronto
- Budget: Pembroke Inn. Cozy apartment just a 15 minute walk from the Dundas square station
- Mid-range: Heart of Downtown Condo Located in the heart of downtown with a balcony with city views
- Luxury: Radission Blu Downtown Toronto Rooftop pool withs of the CN Tower, just a short walk to several attractions
Pro Tip: Staying near Union Station puts you in a good location for getting to and from the airport, and to other places in Ontario such as Niagara Falls. Read my post on hotels closest to Union Station.
Additional Things to Add to Your Toronto Itinerary (If you have more time)
2. Casa Loma
Casa Loma is a beautiful castle built in the early 1900s in Toronto, by a man for his wife. He ran out of money and wasn’t able to finish the castle, so it was sold to the City of Toronto.
Its a beautiful castle, and you can get some nice views of the city from the top towers. My favourite part is going down to the ‘dragon’s den’ in the basement.
3. Hockey Hall of Fame
If you’re a sports (especially hockey) fan, then I recommend checking out the Hockey Hall of Fame. It’s right downtown, a short walk from the CN Tower and other attractions.
You’ll be able to see information on Canadian and international NHL hockey stars, as well as hockey history artifacts.
Grab your Hockey Hall of Fame admission ticket here
2. Toronto Beaches
If you’re in Toronto in summer, I recommend making a day of heading out to The Beaches neighbourhood.
It’s a trendy, laid back neighbourhood with colourful buildings and cafés.It has such a different ambiance from downtown Toronto.
There are a few different beaches you can visit there, such as Woodbine Beach (probably the best one, because of the boardwalk and amenities) Cherry Beach, and Kew-Balmy Beach.
Toronto Itinerary FAQ
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about visiting Toronto, and how much time to spend there
Can you see Toronto in 2 days?
You can see Toronto in 2 days, it is just barely enough time to see the best of the city though. If you come to Toronto for only 2 days, then wear your best walking shoes and prepare for a fun-filled, busy couple days. (It doesn’t include Niagara Falls – add a third day for that.)
How many days in Toronto is enough?
As someone who lives close to Toronto and go there frequently, I think you need 2 full days in Toronto at the very minimum. That doesn’t include Niagara Falls
Is 3 nights enough in Toronto?
Three nights gives you 3-4 days in Toronto which is a decent amount of time to see and experience a lot of what the city has to offer
Final Thoughts on 2-3 Days in Toronto
I hope that this Toronto itinerary has been helpful for helping you plan an amazing 2-3 days in Toronto.
Living near Toronto, I’ve had so many people visit, and miss some of the key attractions. Although its a busy 2-3 days, it allows you to see the best of Toronto and what it has to offer. You can leave knowing that you really got to experience Canada’s largest, most cosmopolitan city.
I’ve poured my heart into the itinerary, consulted other Toronto experts, and truly hope that you enjoy it. I’d love to hear from you if you did the itinerary and would like to offer any comments or feedback.