Three-Day Toronto Tour

Our Local Expert Says:

Fresh Pizza from St. Lawrence Pizza is great to grab on the go. Two levels of stalls brim with produce, artisanal cheeses, bread and meats. Make a picnic to take to the waterfront, or grab what you need for an decadent dinner-in.

Description:

The St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood is close to the financial district and it is home to an eclectic mix of people. The absolute must see in the neighbourhood is the market itself. It's consistently ranked in the top markets globally and is divided into North and South markets. The South market is the main area and has a main floor and basement. A St. Lawrence (and Canadian) staple is the peameal bacon sandwich which can be found in a number of locations with the perennial favourite being Paddington's Pump. Also worth tasting at the market is the fresh pasta and pizza from St. Lawrence Pizza.

Our Local Expert Says:

A trip to the top is a great thing to combine with an afternoon Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre.

Description:

Until 2007, the CN Tower was the tallest free-standing structure in the world. Located right next to the Rogers Centre, this downtown landmark is one of Toronto's premiere tourist attractions. Take an elevator trip all the way up to the sky pod (in the - the 2nd highest observation deck in the world! On a clear day, you can see the mist across Lake Ontario from the famed Niagara Falls. Watching others navigate their way across the glass floor in this observation space is as much fun as standing on it yourself, and on nice days, when the roof is open on the Rogers Centre - you can catch a glimpse of a teeny, tiny Major League ball game happening hundreds of meters below.

All of that observing may leave you with a hunger gap. If you want to go all out, a dinner at the award-winning 360 restaurant is a must for the full CN Tower experience, paired with a bottle of wine from the world's highest wine cellar. But if you are in the area around brunch time, you can't beat the amazing crepes from Cora's. For a fun, delicious lunch or dinner, head to Planet Hollywood where you can dine and check out film and TV celeb memorabilia at the same time.
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Description:

The Royal Alexandra Theatre (named, with her permission, for Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII and great-grandmother of Canada's current Queen, Elizabeth II) was built in 1907 and has been operating as a theatre ever since. Bought and restored in the early 1960s by the Mirvish family, whose name is now synonymous with big-budget theatre in Toronto, the Alex was also the hub around which the city's entertainment district was developed. Today, the 1500-seat theatre is home to a variety of touring Broadway plays and musicals, as well as the occasional home-grown production.

Description:

Bloor Street, one of the city's major arteries, becomes the Danforth east of the Bloor Viaduct. The Danforth is essentially the heart of Greektown. Home to dozens of fabulous Greek restaurants spanning all price brackets, the Danforth also hosts a variety of unique shops, churches, and parks. And, with the subway running just underneath, you can wander as far as your interest takes you, then hop back on the subway into town. Every August, it plays host to the Taste of the Danforth, a festival that springs up around dozens of cookstalls and fabulous food out on the street.

Description:

Yorkville has come a long way since the 1960s when it was the heart of Toronto's hippie scene and looked-down-upon by polite society. It is now a very trendy, very upscale neighbourhood, and a delightful place to spend an afternoon window-shopping. Yorkville is bounded to the south by Bloor Street, which is where you can find Chanel and Cartier and other such big names. Within Yorkville itself, you will find some of the city's most expensive luxury hotels, boutique shops, classy restaurants and an abundance of spas. On Cumberland Avenue, there is a modern park, where you can catch some sun on the Big Ugly Rock (you'll know it when you see it) and watch the world go by. During the film fest, this is also a prime spot for star-gazing, as the expensive hotels play host to all the visiting celebrities. And it's also worth taking a walk up Hazelton Avenue, which is leafy and tree-lined and home to a variety of art galleries as well as old houses full of character.

Description:

Count on New Generation to serve you a quick, hearty meal in a hurry. If time allows, linger in a booth over tea, miso and a packed Bento Box or sashimi platter. Servings are generous and the quality is high at this reasonably priced sushi joint. There is no excuse for leaving hungry. Travellers will notice that New Generation-referred to by locals as "New Gen"-is just one sushi spot among many along Bloor Street. With its complimentary ice cream, attentive service and consistently good entrees, it is worth seeking out.

Our Local Expert Says:

Special group tours can be arranged in English, French, Cantonese, Mandarin and Spanish.

Description:

With the addition of the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal in 2007, Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum became a major point of architectural interest (and debate) in the city. It is also home to six million Canadian and international artifacts that spread across three levels of gallery space. One of the largest museums in North America, the ROM is a primary research and tourism destination for visitors and locals alike. Blending arts and science, old and new, the ROM's collection is devoted to exploring the relationship between nature and humanity and is divided into three gallery spaces: World Culture, Natural History and Hands-on. In addition, a continuous roster of exciting temporary shows pass through the museum's special exhibition galleries. The kid-friendly second level features a special, interactive space (the CIBC Discovery Gallery), where young patrons can participate in a Dinosaur Dig, get close to replica clothing and armour, and get an inside look at a (child-size) tipi.

You may want to continue your cultural experience with a nice dinner at the nearby Pho Hung Vietnamese restaurant for some delicious Pho - the delicious and filling beef soup that makes this... read more

Our Local Expert Says:

Diplomatico has a nice patio and reasonable prices. Call ahead to ensure you get seated right away. This is a perfect place for people watching.

Description:

It's a running joke here that Canada has two seasons: winter and patio. And, rumour has it that Café Diplomatico started the trend. Opened in 1968 by a pair of Italian brothers looking to create an Italian-style restaurant where ex-pats could enjoy their coffee, this Little Italy hotspot is now a city favourite. The restaurant has expanded over the years, but is still run by the same family. The food is excellent and reasonably-priced, the atmosphere is unpretentious, and in the summer there are even flat-screen TVs mounted outside so you can enjoy your brunch in the sun and still catch the World Cup games.

Our Local Expert Says:

Check out Kensington on the last Sunday of each summer month, when the streets are shut down to car traffic and there are open-air concerts and art displays. These Pedestrian Sundays are definitely the most lively and interesting day of the week.

Description:

Kensington Market is one of Toronto's most diverse neighbourhoods. It is designated as a national historic site in the city and is best to explore by foot or bike. The Market itself has a variety of goods and is home to a happening art scene. In the 1960s and 70s, it became Toronto's home for counter-cultural thinking and a meeting point for eco-politics. Visitors to Kensington can relax and let the neighbourhood move them along - through the bakeries, butchers, bulk vendors, cafes and vintage clothing shops that line every square inch of storefront space.