After living in Toronto for 20 years, we have explored every nook and cranny of the fourth-largest city in North America. While we were traveling full-time, we had the opportunity to visit Toronto as tourists and get a different angle. Although this beautiful city on the shores of Lake Ontario cannot be fully explored in 24 hours, we understand that many people only have one day in Toronto.
That’s why we have compiled the perfect one-day itinerary for Toronto so that you can see the best of the city while enjoying some adventures to make the most of your short stay.
One-day itinerary in Toronto
It is easy to get around Toronto for this route with the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission), the city’s public transit. You will walk on foot or take the tram or metro. If you want to see a lot of things, Uber is readily available. Be sure to get a PRESTO card so that you can easily use public transportation during your one-day stay in Toronto. It is good for the subway, trams and buses. We have a map at the end of this one-day Toronto itinerary that you can download and follow.
Tomorrow
This route will take you to the main attractions of Toronto that tourists will want to see. As this is only a one-day itinerary for people who come to Toronto for a day trip or for people who are short on time, we stick to the city center and the most popular attractions. If this is your first visit to Toronto, you’ll want to see all of these places before settling in.
Explore the distillery district
Start in Toronto’s East End and head to the nearby Distillery District, a pedestrian village with Victorian-era buildings, art galleries, boutiques, and charming cafes. Grab a takeaway coffee at Balzac and enjoy a quiet walk, take photos, and try some of the treats like Soma Chocolatemaker for handmade chocolates.
The Distillery District is one of Toronto’s most popular tourist attractions all year round, with a fantastic Christmas market in winter and many restaurants, shops, and breweries. If you are visiting Toronto, don’t miss this. The morning is a nice visit before the crowds get too busy.
When you’re done in the Distillery District, head along the Esplanade to the city, where you’ll want to enjoy your next stop and have some breakfast.
Start by having a coffee at the St. Lawrence Market
Who doesn’t like to start in a market? I think wherever we go in the world, it starts in a local market. One of the largest markets in the world, the St. Lawrence Market is a historical monument located on Front Street East. It has been open since 1803 and is being expanded, but is still open for commercial operations. The covered market offers a selection of fresh products, artisanal products and delicious breakfasts. Grab a coffee and pastries at the Carousel Bakery, famous for its Pea and Bacon Sandwich.
Flatiron Building
Continuing west along Front Street is a really cool walk through fun sights, like the Flatiron Building in Toronto and the cute dog fountain in Berczy Park. Take a closer look and you will see all the dogs with drooling Mouths looking up at a huge BONE. It’s a nice walk (even though it’s under construction right now)
Front Street
Go there because there are more stops along the way. From Union Station, you can look inside to see the beautiful architecture. Across the street is the Hockey Hall of Fame, where sports fans will want to see the Stanley Cup for a short visit or head to Bay Street to see the Scotiabank Arena, home to the Toronto Raptors and Maple Leafs.
Continuing along Front Street, you will see the famous Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Roger’s Center, home to the Toronto Blue Jays, and finally the CN Tower. Here’s where to go next.
