The best things to do in Toronto prove there’s always something worthwhile to do—whatever the season. With neighborhoods radiating from Lake Ontario, the city offers culture, food, parks, and history: museums and galleries, waterfront paths and islands, markets, architecture, Indigenous and contemporary art, and distinctly Torontonian public spaces. Below are 26 top picks to explore across the city.
1. Evergreen Brickworks
A repurposed 19th-century factory turned nature and community hub with trails, wetlands, markets, art, and year-round events. Farmers’ markets, seasonal programming, and scenic trails make it a favorite for families, foodies, and outdoor lovers.
2. The Bentway
A creative public corridor beneath the Gardiner Expressway featuring art installations, performances, skating, walking paths, and events. It links neighborhoods and offers surprising urban programming—from summer markets and concerts to a winter figure-eight skating trail.
3. Toronto Music Garden
A Harbourfront garden designed with Yo-Yo Ma and Julie Moir Messervy that interprets Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 in landscape form. It’s a peaceful waterfront walk with an amphitheater that hosts free summer concerts.
4. Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
One of North America’s largest collections, spanning European masters, Indigenous and Canadian artists, and contemporary work. Frank Gehry’s expansion is a highlight; plan time to see the Group of Seven, photography, and rotating exhibitions.
5. Harbourfront Centre
A cultural and recreational waterfront complex with year-round programming: concerts, workshops, festivals, winter skate nights, and lakeside events. Check the calendar—there’s often something family-friendly or performance-oriented.
6. Casa Loma
A Gothic-style early 20th-century castle with turrets, tunnels, gardens, and period rooms built by Sir Henry Pellatt. Part historic house museum, part event venue—great for architecture fans and families.
7. St. Lawrence Market
A historic, bustling market famous for produce, meats, cheeses, and prepared foods. Browse the South Market’s old‑school building and the North Market’s farmers’ and antiques markets for local flavor and architecture.
8. Hockey Hall of Fame
An immersive, interactive celebration of hockey with artifacts, simulations, a replica NHL dressing room, and the Stanley Cup photo op. Ideal for fans and families who want hands-on exhibits and game history.
9. High Park
Toronto’s largest public park with varied landscapes, themed gardens, a zoo, pools, sports facilities, playgrounds, and hiking. Cherry blossoms, nature programs, and family-friendly spaces draw locals year-round.
10. BAND (Black Artists Network in Dialogue) Gallery
A newer hub dedicated to developing and exhibiting Black artists’ work across media—photography, textiles, sculpture—and producing public art and community programming that amplifies Black creative voices.
11. Allan Gardens Conservatory
Victorian-era greenhouses housing tropical, orchid, temperate, arid, and children’s conservatories. Open year-round and free, it’s a warm, plant-filled refuge in winter and a compact botanical stop any season.
12. Aga Khan Museum
A modern museum dedicated to Islamic art and cultures, set in a 17-acre park and designed by Fumihiko Maki. Its permanent collection and rotating exhibitions highlight the artistic and scientific contributions of Muslim communities.
13. Bata Shoe Museum
A five-story museum devoted to footwear history and culture from around the world, built on Sonja Bata’s collection. Expect celebrity shoes, historical pieces, and thoughtful exhibitions on cultural and social meanings of footwear.
14. CN Tower
Toronto’s signature landmark with observation decks, a high-altitude restaurant, and the EdgeWalk—an exterior walk around the tower’s rim. SkyPod and various ticketed experiences offer panoramic city and lake views.
15. Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA)
A cutting-edge contemporary art institution in a converted factory space showcasing established and emerging artists across media. Free hours and dynamic exhibitions make it a go-to for contemporary practice.
16. TIFF Bell Lightbox
The Toronto International Film Festival headquarters and a year-round cinema complex with five theaters, screenings of classics and restorations, a film library, and special programming—perfect for cinephiles.
17. Toronto Islands
An 820-acre car-free island chain a short ferry ride from downtown: beaches, parks, Centreville amusement park, cafés, kayak rentals, and serene trails. Popular day-trip destination for swimming, picnics, and skyline views.
18. Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Canada’s largest museum with natural history, global cultures, and 13 million objects. Highlights include dinosaur galleries, world art and artifacts, Indigenous collections, and rotating special exhibits for all ages.
19. Distillery District
A pedestrian neighborhood of restored 19th-century brick industrial buildings filled with boutiques, galleries, eateries, and craft breweries. Its Victorian streetscape and seasonal events make it a charming late-afternoon or evening stroll.
20. Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library
Part of the University of Toronto, this rare books and special collections library holds medieval manuscripts, incunabula, and a Shakespeare First Folio. Public exhibitions and on-request viewings reveal remarkable printed treasures.
21. Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre
The world’s last remaining Edwardian double-decker theater complex, restored and hosting Broadway musicals, opera, film festival screenings, and guided tours that spotlight historic vaudeville scenery and ornate interiors.
22. Gardiner Museum
An intimate museum dedicated to ceramics, from historical porcelain to contemporary clay. The building, European porcelain galleries, and a learning center make it a focused, rewarding stop for art lovers.
23. Rouge National Urban Park
North America’s largest urban park, about 30 minutes from downtown, with hiking, boardwalks, riverside vistas, and trails. Parks Canada works with First Nations advisors; it’s ideal for nature, birding, and longer hikes.
24. Trillium Park
A 7.5-acre waterfront park that transformed a former parking lot into rolling hills, native plantings, stacked boulders, and skyline views. Design elements reference First Nations history and include marker trees and cultural features.
25. The Beaches
An east-end neighborhood with Kew-Balmy and Woodbine beaches, a summer jazz festival, a main street of boutiques and eateries, and seasonal public art. Perfect for swimming, long boardwalk walks, and a relaxed seaside vibe.
26. Toronto Zoo
Canada’s largest zoo with over 5,800 animals across pavilions representing global regions and biomes. Focused on conservation and species care, it’s an expansive family destination with frequent notable animal events.
Plan ahead for seasonal hours and tickets; many Toronto attractions have special programming, rotating exhibits, and events that make repeat visits worthwhile. Whether you’re into Indigenous and contemporary art, hockey lore, architecture, or waterfront recreation, Toronto offers a rich mix of experiences.
