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.
Toronto may not be as well known as New York City, Paris or San Francisco – but its a really intersting city, and there’s more to do than people realize. Most visitors I know tend to visit the CN Tower and Niagara Falls when they visit Toronto, but miss some of the other really key things that make the city worth visiting.
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
✅ You can easily swap day 1 with day 2, if you’re starting the itinerary on a day when things are closed. 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-day TTC pass, which allows you to use the subway, street car and buses unlimited.
Day 1 in Toronto: Exploring Neighbourhoods of Toronto
1. Visit Sankofa Square (formerly known as Dundas Square)
around 10-20 minutes
Sankofa Square is like the ‘Time Square’ of Toronto. Some people love it, some hate it. Its right downtown though and its worth seeing to get a feel of Toronto.
Grab breakfast at your hotel or one of the many great breakfasts places in Toronto, and then take the subway to TMU Station. There are a few different exits; look for the one that takes you out to Sankofa Square.
Sankofa Square is big, flashy, with massive screens and music. Sometimes there are events or special things going on in the square, live performances or festivals.
Things to see/do in Sankofa Square:
- The entrance to the Eatons Centre is right in Sankofa Square, its one of the largest malls in Canada.
- There are LOTS of restaurants in this area, if it happens to be lunchtime, you have your pick here. There’s Indian, bubble tea, sushi, Middle Eastern, and too many options to name. You can also go downstairs into the Eaton Centre foodcourt and find tons of more options
- Sankofa Square is right on Young Street, which is known as “Toronto’s main street.” Walking up and down Young Street can be a fun way to become acquainted with Toronto
2. Walk from Sankofa Square to Nathan Phillips Square
Around 10 minutes
After you’re done at Sankofa Aquare, you can walk west along Dundas street West/ Turn left on Bay street, and then continue south.
You’ll soon find yourself at the Nathan Phillips Square, where the big TORONTO sign is and in front of the old city Hall.
Pro Tip: Another option for getting from Sankofa Square to Nathan Philips Square is to walk through the Eaton Centre. I prefer to walk outside, but if you’ve never seen the Eaton Centre or big malls like this then it might be fun to walk through the mall, and exit on the other side, which will bring you a block away from the Nathan Philips 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
5 minutes
Afterwards, you’ve seen enough of Nathan Phillips 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.
Most people I’ve known who plan a trip to Toronto completely miss the Kensington Market, but its one of the most unique places to see in the city.
Part of what makes Kensington Market so special is that its almost completely unchanged from the ‘old days.’ There are no chain restaurants here, or any high-rise buildings. Many of these restaurants are family-owned, hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
It has a completely different vibe from the rest of Toronto. I would recommend visiting the Kensington Market to enjoy the food, so if you had lunch at Sankofa Square/Eaton Centre, then maybe swap out Kensington Market with the ROM (next on the itinerary) and come back when you’re hungry.
Optionally, there is a Donut Adventure Tour (2 hours long) 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.
Things to See/Do in the Kensington Market
- Chinatown is only about a 5-minute walk from the Kensington Market, so I’d recommend seeing that if it interests you. To get there, head east towards Spadina avenue, and then walk south. You’ll then be in Chinatown.Lots of great restaurants there too
4. Take public transit to the Royal Ontario Museum
10-15 minutes from Spadina
If you want to do the Royal Ontario Museum on the same day, then keep in mind that its only open until 5:30pm. And you need around 2 hours to explore it.
To get there from Spadina, 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.
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 (1 hour and 15 minutes, $33 per person and starts at 7:30 or 8pm each night.) Participants must be at least 10 years old
- Enjoy nightlife in the Toronto Entertainment District, known for its bars and pubs, and outdoor patios in the summer
- See the city by night on this tour (2.5 hours long, and $100 per person) 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. (4 hours long, $189 CAD per person) and 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 beautiful red Flatiron Building – located at Front and Church. (Pictured above.) You can get photos of it from the other side of the street.
2. Walk through 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 unique 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 year-round.
3. Continue on to the Distillery District
15 minutes
The Distillery District is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Toronto, and still has its cobbled streets and Victorian buildings. Its just 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 the entrance is free. (As long as you aren’t visiting during the 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, although they tend to be pricier.
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.
There are some great cafés and bakeries in the Distillery District too.
Entrance to the Distillery District is free – the only exception is during their special Winter Village, held during the Christmas season.
If you don’t want to do a bunch of walking around, then read my post for other options for getting to the Distillery District from downtown Toronto.
5. Take public transit back to the heart of Toronto
20-30 minutes
If you’re at the Distillery District, then you’re in the eastern part of Toronto. Here’s how to get back to the city centre.
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 streetcar 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 – by taking a water taxi!
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.)
The water taxis 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 for how to spend the afternoon:
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.
There are a whole bunch of things to see and do in the area surrounding the CN Tower – there’s the Scotiabank arena and the Roger’s Centre (our major sports venues), Ripley’s Aquarium, lots of restaurants, and the Roundhouse Museum which has old trains outside, that you can climb and get photos.
There are tons of city views from the Toronto Roundhouse area, of the towering skyscrapers, and of the CN Tower.
I should mention that this area with the CN Tower, Ripleys and Roundhouse is just a short walk form Union Station; from Union you can take a streetcar, Go Bus, or even train to the airport. It’s a good place to stay, if you want to have convenient transportation – read my post on hotels near Union Station (all of them would be 10 minute walk from the CN Tower, Ripleys, Scotiabank arena, Roger’s CEntre and the Roundhouse.)
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
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.
- Casa Loma, Toronto’s castle (young by European Standards, but for us Canadians
- Hockey Hall of Fame, downtown Toronto
- Ripley’s Aquarium, which would be fun if you’re visiting with kids
- Bata Shoe Museum, a museum about the history of footware from current day to ancient times
- Museum of Illusions
- Toronto Haunted Walk (something for the evening, on either of the days you’re here)
- Toronto Beaches, a colourful neighbourhood east of the city
- Toronto Zoo, located far out east of the city centre (1 hour public transit from downtown Toronto)
Read more details about some of these below!
Option # 2: Canada’s Wonderland
Canada’s Wonderland is the largest amusement park in the country, and has record-breaking rollercoasters. The Leviathan (turqoise coloured rollercoaster) is in the top 10 of the largest roller coasters in the whole 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.
- Niagara on the Lake – not the same as Niagara Falls! It’s about 20 min drive from Niagara Falls, and known for its wineries, theatre scene, boutique shops, and horse drawn carraiges
- Elora and Fergus – two small cute small towns, about an hour’s drive from the city. Click the link to see my YouTube video about visiting them
Read my post on the best small towns in Ontario, or day trips from Toronto (which includes small towns, hiking spots, other cities to visit)
Option # 4: Day trip to Niagara Falls
You were probably already going to visit Niagara Falls if you haven’t already. 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 in Niagara Falls.
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.
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.