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North America

Toronto Bucket List: 48 Hours in Ontario’s Vibrant Capital

ByDaniella September 7, 2023November 9, 2023

Welcome to Toronto, Canada! The capital of the province of Ontario is a beautiful metropolitan city along the shores of Lake Ontario. With a population of nearly 6.5 million, Toronto boasts soaring skyscrapers, green parks, and fantastic dining alleyways. Whether you are visiting in the winter or summer, Toronto is a vibrant destination that makes for an unforgettable weekend in Canada. Here’s a quick, fast-paced, and walkable itinerary for 48 hours to add to your Toronto bucket list.

Table of Contents

Follow along with the map! Hot pink correlates to day 1 and the dark blue is for day 2

 Day 1

 

(1)   CN Tower

There’s no better way to start your first day in Toronto than by hanging out by the most recognizable landmark of the city! Toronto’s CN Tower is a 553-meter-high communications tower that offers various activities such as an observation deck, and if you dare, a walk along its outer edge. Don’t worry, harnesses are supplied! If you’d much rather stay steady on your feet, look up at this tower and enjoy the area.

 

(2)   Harbourfront

Next, take a stroll along Toronto’s Harbourfront area, which comes alive during Canada’s short but powerful summer months. If you’re lucky, experience a food or art festival, or visit the Music Garden. Harbourfront is not known for having amazing restaurants or world-renowned shops, but it’s a great place to hang out and enjoy the vibe.   

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The Harbourfront area which is beautiful in the summer
(3)   Harbor Cruise

Haven’t gotten enough of Lake Ontario? Time to get off your feet and explore the lake by boat. Toronto Harbour Tours Inc. hosts a fantastic 50-minute small-group tour of the harbor and neighboring Toronto Islands. Enjoy the skyline and majestic trip through the lake.

 

(4)   St. Lawrence Market

Next, head to St. Lawrence Market, another major landmark. This market features 120 different merchants and farmers in historic Old Town. Visiting during the winter? No worries! The St. Lawrence Market complex is indoors, so you’ll stay warm while browsing all the different shop stalls.  

 

(5)   Distillery District

Finally, end your day with a relaxing walk through Toronto’s Distillery District, a pedestrian-only zone that opened up in 2003. With brick buildings and cobblestones, there’s quite a selection of restaurants, galleries, shops, and more! Only spanning a couple of diagonal blocks, the Distillery District is quaint, but a must-see on your Toronto bucket list and a cozy end to an action-packed day in the city.  

Toronto’s small but mighty Distillery District

Day 2

 

(6)   University of Toronto

Start off day 2 in Toronto by hitting the books! The University of Toronto is an amazing global university founded in 1827 as King’s College. It’s on the grounds surrounding Queen’s Park and will genuinely leave your jaw dropped. Do note, however, that there are 3 campuses. The main urban one is St. George, while Mississauga and Scarborough are in the outskirts of Toronto.

University of Toronto’s St. George Campus
(7)   Graffiti Alley

Next, stroll down Graffiti Alley, a laneway John Street and Bathurst Street that showcases mural artwork. It’s only about 400 meters long, but every single brick is covered in vibrant art, giving you plenty to look at.  

 

(8)   The Bentway

We bet you’ve heard of the High Line in New York, but not enough people talk about The Bentway! This incredibly unique urban space is a piece of art, a park, a gathering space, and more. It was built under an expressway, and if you’re lucky enough to visit Toronto in the winter, this area turns into an ice skating rink as well.

The Bentway Park
(9)   Watch a Maple Leafs Hockey Game

We are totally saving the best for last in this Toronto itinerary! What’s a trip to Canada without a professional hockey game? Head over to the Scotiabank Arena to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs play. They compete as a member of the Eastern Conference in the NHL, and most importantly, are a joy to watch glide on the ice. This activity is even better if you prefaced it with your own skate around the The Bentway.

 

That’s all for your Toronto bucket list. Hope you enjoy one of Canada’s charming and electric cities in the span of a weekend. Looking for other destinations in North America? Check out our guides here. Happy Sampling!

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Hi, I'm Daniella

I’ve been traveling since I was just a little girl and love exploring the world! My specialty is travel planning and figuring out what to prioritize when you only have a short amount of time to explore a destination.

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