How to Spend 1 Day in Toronto

Canada’s largest and most international city, dynamic Toronto mingles historical neighborhoods with hipster enclaves, sky-high landmarks with Victorian architecture, and vibrant cultural offerings with much-loved sports teams. Here’s how to plan the perfect 1-day stay.

Morning: A City Tour on Wheels

Make the most of your morning in Toronto, and opt to sightsee on wheels. Find a perch atop a hop-on hop-off bus, and set out to discover the city’s top attractions without worrying about navigation. Crane your neck to see the CN Tower, drive past the turrets of Casa Loma, glimpse the avant-garde exterior of the Royal Ontario Museum, and wend your way along the waterfront. For a more up-close experience, a guided bike tour of downtown also provides a fitting introduction.

Afternoon: Explore Toronto’s Neighborhoods

After an overview of Toronto’s key attractions, narrow your scope and spend your afternoon getting to know one or two of the city’s most characterful neighborhoods. Discover Toronto’s Old Town and enjoy a tasty lunch when you tour 19th-century St. Lawrence Market, one of the city’s most popular attractions. Follow a guide on a stroll through Chinatown, go for a food-themed best-of tour of Kensington Market, or see the trendy Distillery District by Segway.

**Night:**It isn’t a full day in Toronto without a cruise of the harbor, and evening is the perfect time to head out on the water. Watch the sun setting over the city, see the lights come on, and—depending on the itinerary you select—enjoy dinner and dancing as part of your boat tour. Or, for an especially festive end to your trip, book an evening helicopter journey for sky-high views.