Toronto is the capital city of the Canadian province of Ontario and is a fantastic city to visit in Canada! Toronto is one of the top cities in the world popular for business, innovation and quality of life.
There are so many great things to do in Toronto that you can expect to have a busy few days. If you are planning a short stay or a mini-trip to Toronto, this Canadian city offers a lot to do and explore.
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3 Days In Toronto
Table of Contents
Planning Your Trip
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Where to Stay in Toronto
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Toronto, so you will not be short on options. Book your stay in the box below.
DAY 1
Explore Old Town Toronto
Although Toronto today seems enticing and exciting, there was a time when everything was not the same. Visiting the old town would act as a gateway to the older times and give you exposure to that time.
To enjoy the best of this area, plan a visit to The Distillery Historic District. An area dedicated to a world immersed with art and culture, it is a hub for galleries, boutiques, restaurants and cafes, as well as a new wave of distilleries and craft breweries. Walking within the victorian-styled lanes gives a glimpse of how the times have changed and makes you travel back to the British era.
Visit St. Lawrence Market
One of the major heritage sites in Toronto (downtown), St. Lawrence Market holds a special place within the lives of Torontonians. Divided into three buildings- St. Lawrence Hall, the South Market and the North Market, on the southwest corner of Front Street and Jarvis Street, the area sees a regularly high footfall of visitors.
Established in 1814, this public market saw many changes to its structure and still managed to maintain its original vibe. The major visitors come for some fresh, quality produce and often between them are chefs who will personally travel to the market to buy ingredients for their creations.
DAY 2
Step Back in Time at Casa Loma
If you wish to take a step in the historical time of 1911-1914, you can easily pay a visit to Casa Loma. A Gothic Revival-style real-life castle stands erect to be admired by fellow visitors and gives a tour of the rich Edwardian era. This castle contains 98 rooms, many artifacts, period decor and secret passageways, all ready to entice the visitors and make them understand its importance yet admire its beauty.
Spending some time here would help you live the luxurious time of that era and still help you be a spectator of the main art.
Admire the beautiful CN tower
Everybody knows the magical view of the Toronto skyline but what stands out most amongst this is the CN tower. Dominating the city’s skyline, the marvel stands at a height of 553 metres and overlooks the beautiful view of serene and calm water.
To unveil and live your adventurous side, you can buy a ticket and try out the ‘Glass Elevator’. This superfast elevator brings you to the top of what was once the world’s tallest building before being surpassed by Burj Khalifa in 2010. For 34 years this marvel was considered as world’s tallest building and attracted the attention of a whole lot but even today the title is held by other building, it has not affected on the footfall of the visitors.
If you want to experience a memory-worth moment, we’ll suggest to visit at the end of your trip here. Doing this would present you with the opportunities of spotting the areas where you have visited during your stay and where you will be visiting once you come back here. But, even if you visit it in between your trip, it would help you plan out your left trip and add on the areas that might have gotten missed!
DAY 3
Toronto Islands
One of the major attractions in Toronto includes a visit to the Toronto Islands. Locally known as ‘the Island’ or ‘Toronto Island Park’, it is an amalgamation of 15 smaller islands which are linked together by connecting bridges just off the shore.
Amongst these 15 islands, this collection has some favourite spots for visitors who enjoy their leisure time at- Wards Island, Centre Island, and Hanlan’s Point. Each of these gives them a glimpse of a simpler yet adventurous time and promises a different experience every time.
There are many things to do here but some of them are:
- Enjoy beach hopping
- Explore the nearby farms
- Rent a bike and enjoy some picnic-time
- Test the pristine blue waters by going kayaking or on a ferry ride
Nathan Philips Square
One of the exceptional locations in Toronto includes the mention of Nathan Philips Square. A tourist favourite location, this point has the largest illuminated three-dimensional city sign which attracts most of the tourist crowd to capture and live their selfie moments.
This public square is directly located opposite Toronto’s City Hall building and is the hotspot for many free outdoor celebrations like New Year, concerts, shows, art exhibitions and many more such activities.
As per the legends, the City hall and the square have the same brilliant mind behind their beautiful structure. Famous Finnish architect, Viljo Revell, had some amazing ideas and designed these marvels for the world to look upon.
For the citizens, Nathan Philip Square opened its gates in 1965 and was designed in dedication to former Toronto Mayor, Nathan Phillips, who was mayor of Toronto from 1955 to 1962.
One of the key features of the square is that it holds a beautiful garden and a reflecting pool as its crown. The pool, in winter, turns into a skating ring where vendors put up their stalls and attract fellow skaters and passersby.
Before You Leave for Toronto
Before you set off on your way to Toronto, there are a number of things you will need to get organised to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best insurance for your trip to Canada. All of this is discussed in detail below.
How to Get to Toronto
Getting to Toronto is easy, as it is a major transportation hub with multiple options for travel. If you prefer flying, Toronto Pearson International Airport is the primary gateway, serving numerous domestic and international flights. From the airport, you can take a taxi, ride-sharing service, or airport shuttle to reach your final destination in the city. If you are traveling by train, the popular VIA Rail provides excellent connections to Toronto, allowing you to enjoy scenic views along the way. Additionally, several bus companies offer transportation services to and from various cities in Canada and the United States. For those who prefer driving, Toronto has well-maintained highways and roads, making it accessible from neighboring cities and regions. Whichever mode of transportation you choose, getting to Toronto is a breeze, ensuring a smooth and convenient journey to this vibrant Canadian metropolis.
Where to Stay in Toronto
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Toronto, so you will not be short on options. Book your stay in the box below.
What to Pack for Your Trip to Toronto
When packing for your trip to Toronto, it’s important to consider the diverse weather conditions and activities the city has to offer. Be sure to pack clothing suitable for all seasons, as Toronto experiences hot summers and cold winters. In the summer, lightweight and breathable clothing, along with comfortable walking shoes, are essential for exploring attractions and enjoying outdoor activities. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. For the winter months, pack warm layers, including a heavy coat, hats, gloves, and scarves, as temperatures can drop below freezing. Don’t forget to bring your umbrella or a waterproof jacket, as Toronto can have unpredictable rainfall throughout the year. Lastly, if you plan on visiting cultural attractions or fine dining establishments, consider packing some dressier outfits. With these essentials packed, you’ll be well-prepared for a memorable trip to Toronto.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you are no doubt going to see around here, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Canada
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support. It is also nomad-friendly, unlike most other insurance companies, meaning you do not need to worry about being out of your home country for too long.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered!
So there you have it, your guide to the Best 3 Days In Toronto. If you are visiting this incredible city and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! If you have already been, let us know how it was!
Also, remember to share this with your friends and family that you are going to share this amazing experience with. Sharing is caring and we want to ensure that everyone is fully prepared to maximise their experience completing this stunning walk.
If you are planning a Canada trip soon then check out our other Canada content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from your stay and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers.
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