Toronto

Day 1: Downtown icons, Old Town flavours, and a Mirvish night

Toronto’s polite hustle is most obvious downtown, where glass towers meet the lake. Today blends skyline thrills, heritage streets, and a theatre finish.

• Morning: Beat the queues at the CN Tower; go straight up if skies are clear (winter’s crisp days often give the sharpest views). If it’s blustery or icy, duck into the PATH underground network via Union Station and walk warm and dry to Roundhouse Park and the railway museum.
• Midday: Stroll 10–15 minutes to St. Lawrence Market for a peameal bacon sandwich and cheese tastings; Saturdays are buzzy, Mondays the South Market is closed. Wander Old Town to the Gooderham (Flatiron) Building and Berczy Park’s whimsical dog fountain for photos.
• Afternoon: Explore the cobblestones of the Distillery Historic District, popping into galleries and cafes (wear flat shoes; surfaces are uneven). In November–December the Christmas Market lights things up; otherwise consider a Soulpepper matinee or a short guided history tour.
• Evening: Dine on King Street West, then catch a show with Mirvish Productions (Royal Alexandra or Princess of Wales theatres; arrive 30 minutes early—latecomers are held). Summer alternative: sunset along the waterfront or the Toronto Music Garden; winter alternative: post-show nightcap in a cosy pub on King or Adelaide.

Day 2: Neighbourhood mosaic in the West End

Today slows the pace to the city-of-neighbourhoods rhythm: markets, street art, parks, and independent design. Expect frequent coffee stops and plenty of walking.

• Morning: Meander Kensington Market’s lanes for vintage shops, global snacks, and coffee (Pedestrian Sundays, May–Oct, turn it into a street party). Arrive via the 510 Spadina or 506 College streetcar and embrace side streets for murals and house-shop architecture.
• Midday: Slide into nearby Chinatown for dim sum (Rol San or House of Gourmet) or a Cantonese roast lunch; small bakeries sell still-warm egg tarts for dessert. Walk five minutes to Graffiti Alley (Rush Lane) for an ever-changing open-air gallery—best light is early afternoon.
• Afternoon: Choose culture or retail: the Art Gallery of Ontario (free Wed evenings; check timing) or indie boutiques along Queen West. In summer, picnic or people-watch in Trinity Bellwoods Park; in winter, warm up on Ossington at cafes, chocolatiers, or a microbrewery.
• Evening: Dinner along Ossington/West Queen West (book weekends). For nightlife, try a live-music bar on Queen, cocktails on King, or, if you prefer polish, hop north to Yorkville for dessert and a late stroll past the luxury storefronts.

Day 3: Nature and culture, then east for skyline and supper

Balance green space with big culture, then finish in the east with views and Greek hospitality. Pick the season’s best: islands in warm months; museums when it’s cold.

• Morning: Summer: ferry to the Toronto Islands (start early; bike hire at Centre Island, beaches and skyline views abound—bring snacks). Winter or wet weather: head to the Royal Ontario Museum or Casa Loma (note stairs and tunnels; check accessibility details) and wander the Annex’s bookshops and cafes.
• Midday: Return to the mainland for a waterfront amble via Harbourfront Centre and the Toronto Music Garden; food trucks and patios in summer, galleries year-round. Alternatively, lunch in Yorkville and window-shop along Cumberland and Yorkville Avenue.
• Afternoon: Ride part of the 501 Queen streetcar east to Leslieville for indie shops and coffee, then continue to Riverdale Park East for the city’s best golden-hour skyline (pack a layer; it gets breezy). If you’re a photographer, slot in a stop at Chester Hill Lookout en route.
• Evening: Head to Greektown on the Danforth for a leisurely mezze dinner; in August, Taste of the Danforth turns the street into a festival. Nightcap with a final skyline photo at Polson Pier (best after dusk), or, in deep winter, retreat to a snug pub like the Oxley or the Caledonian.

Notes for smooth days:

• Use a PRESTO card on the TTC; Yonge Street splits east/west addresses, which helps navigation.
• Streetcars are perfect for sightseeing (the 501 is a city-long ride); let people off before boarding and move to the back.
• Fridays in summer see a cottage exodus after 3 pm—avoid driving north then.
• Locals say “Toronno” (soft second “t”); it’s a tiny detail that earns big smiles.

By Air

• Toronto Pearson (YYZ): 27 km NW of downtown. UP Express train to Union Station in ~25 minutes (every 15 minutes). Taxi/ride-hail ~25–45+ minutes depending on traffic. TTC bus/subway ~45–60+ minutes. Main global gateway.
• Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ): On the harbour, minutes from downtown. 6‑minute pedestrian tunnel; free shuttle to Union Station ~10–15 minutes; taxi ~5–10 minutes. Primarily short‑haul Canada/US Northeast.
• Hamilton (YHM): ~80 km SW. Limited low‑cost/seasonal flights. Drive ~50–75 minutes; GO Transit bus + train via Hamilton to Union ~70–90 minutes.
• Region of Waterloo (YKF): ~95 km W. Limited low‑cost service. Drive ~75–100 minutes; indirect transit via Kitchener + GO services (usually 2+ hours).
• Buffalo Niagara (BUF, USA): ~160 km SE. Often used for US flights. Drive ~1.5–2.5 hours (allow for border). Cross‑border coaches to Toronto ~2.5–3.5 hours.

By Train

• Union Station is the central rail hub.
• VIA Rail (Corridor): Frequent services to/from Montreal (~5–5.5 h), Ottawa (~4–4.5 h), Kingston (~2.5–3 h), London (~2–2.5 h), Windsor (~4–4.5 h).
• GO Transit (regional): Frequent Lakeshore services (Hamilton–Toronto–Oshawa); regular services on Kitchener, Barrie, Stouffville and Richmond Hill lines; additional/seasonal trains to Niagara Falls.
• Amtrak Maple Leaf: Daily New York City–Toronto via Albany and Buffalo (~12–13 h); border checks at Niagara Falls, NY/ON.
• VIA “The Canadian”: Transcontinental service (Vancouver–Toronto; ~4 days), limited frequency.

By Bus

• Union Station Bus Terminal (81 Bay St, CIBC Square) is the main hub, adjacent to Union Station.
• Operators include FlixBus, Megabus, Ontario Northland, Rider Express (routes subject to change).
• Typical journey times: Ottawa 4.5–6 h; Montreal 6–7 h; Niagara Falls 1.5–2.5 h; Buffalo 2.5–3.5 h; New York City 10–12 h; London 2–3 h; Kitchener‑Waterloo 1.5–2 h.
• For cross‑border buses, carry required travel documents for Canada/USA.

By Car

• Main approaches: Highway 401 (E/W), QEW (Niagara/Buffalo), 400 (Barrie/Muskoka), 404/Don Valley Parkway (N), 403 (Hamilton), 427 (airport link). 407 ETR is a tolled, camera‑tracked motorway (extra fees on hire cars).
• Typical off‑peak drive times: Niagara Falls 1.5–2 h; Buffalo 2–2.5 h (+ border); Ottawa 4–5 h; Montreal 5–6 h; Detroit 3.5–4.5 h (+ border); London 2–2.5 h; Kitchener‑Waterloo 1–1.5 h.
• Congestion is heavy weekdays 07:00–10:00 and 15:30–18:30; summer Fridays see heavy northbound “cottage traffic.”
• Winter driving (Dec–Mar) can involve snow/ice—allow extra time.