10 Reasons Toronto Should Be Next on Your Travel Bucket List
As the capital of the province of Ontario, the major Canadian city of Toronto plays host to over 43 million tourists from across the globe each year. Known for its iconic skyline, beautiful lake scenery, and quirky districts, there is an abundance of exciting activities and attractions to check out in the city.
Whether you’re heading to the city for a weekend getaway with your partner, or a family vacation, here are ten reasons why Toronto should be next on your travel bucket list.
Friendly Locals
Travelling somewhere new should be something to look forward to, rather than dread. Once you land in Toronto, you may need some assistance to get you from A to B, so why not ask a local for directions? Torontonians are known to be warm and kind people who will do their best to help you get the most out of your experience. Whether it’s help getting to your accommodation, or discovering what the best attractions are to visit in the city, prepare to feel right at home when engaging with the residents of Toronto.
Tasty Food
If you’re a foodie and want to try out new cuisine, Toronto has it all and more. Like with any big city, there are tons of restaurants, bars, and cafes scattered across the centre, which serve up some of the tastiest dishes around. Whether you’re a fan of Indian, Chinese, Greek, or want to try out some of the most popular treats in Toronto, you are sure to find an eatery that tickles your taste buds. No trip to Toronto is complete without trying poutine, and when you factor in that it’s regarded as Canada’s unofficial national dish, you are bound to find a restaurant that serves this classic.
Sports Galore
For the sports fanatics, Toronto should definitely be next on your destination list. With a pro team for every season, there is always a game to check out in the city. What’s more, the games are affordable for all, meaning you won’t have to shell out too much to experience a match. Whether you’re an NBA fan and want to watch the Raptors play, or the Maple Leaf’s taking to the ice is more your thing, make sure that you check out fixtures and ticket prices before you head to the city.
Open Spaces
While many tourists love to immerse themselves in the hustle and bustle of a major city, for those who need a bit of time away, Toronto is home to plenty of green and open spaces. With parks situated on practically every corner, there is lots of stunning scenery to check out. There are many streets lined with big leafy trees that look beautiful in the spring and summer months too. If you’re heading to Toronto for a vacation with the family, having some peace and quiet away from the madness and opting for a picnic in the park can be a great way to create memories with your loved ones.
Great Music Scene
Known for its fantastic live music and concert scene, for those who like to check out some homegrown talent, Toronto is home to many bars and music venues that cater to all genres. Whether you’re a lover of pop, rock, rap, or jazz, Toronto has you covered. The city plays host to some of the biggest stars in music, so if you’re heading to the city for a concert, a trip to the Scotiabank arena is a must. If you prefer music a little less mainstream, there are lots of quirky clubs, theatres, and spaces that accommodate some of the most talented musicians that the city has to offer.
Art Galleries & Museums
If you’re a lover of art and history, Toronto is home to a wide selection of art galleries and museums. No trip to the city is complete without a visit to the Art Gallery of Ontario, which houses more than 90,000 works of art. Regarded as one of the most renowned and recognized art museums in North America, it’s best to check opening times before you head to Toronto to avoid disappointment. The gallery is free to visit too, so if you want to take in some of the most breathtaking exhibitions around, make sure to factor it in your itinerary.
Plenty of Accommodation
Whether you’re on a tight budget or you have the cash to splash, there is plenty of accommodation to choose from throughout Toronto. While many tourists opt for hostels and hotels for their stay, more and more travelers are using companies like Airbnb that provide lodging, homestays, and tourism experiences. In addition to finding accommodation and getting the best deals, it’s important that you book your flights early. Fly Porter offer flights to Toronto daily, so to make sure you get a good deal, there are these options to Toronto worth considering. Fly Porter also provides travel information, such as baggage, seating, and travel regulations.
Thriving Nightlife
If your number one goal is to dance the night away in Toronto, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to be up on your feet all night at a bougie club, or seek out a drag show, there are plenty of bars and clubs that house some of the most exciting entertainment around. With packed clubs, storied music venues, and hipster hangouts to explore, the choice on offer is endless. Some of the most popular haunts to check out in Toronto include The Drake Hotel, Snakes and Lattes, The Beaver, and CODA.
Toronto Zoo
We’re a nation of animal lovers, so for those who want to explore the wildlife of Toronto, what better way to do so than by visiting Toronto Zoo? Spread across 287 hectares, the zoo is the largest across the whole of Canada. With seven zoogeographic regions to explore, getting up close with some of the most endangered species in the world is an experience that you will never forget. To ensure you get the most out of your trip, planning your visit in advance is key. Toronto Zoo caters to all age groups, so if you’re looking for something to do as a family, you’ve come to the right place.
The Skyline
From the moment you arrive in Toronto, prepare to be mesmerised at the skyscrapers and skyline. To capture Toronto’s skyline in all its glory, you must head to the CN tower. Known as the one of the most iconic attractions in the city, the CN tower gives you the opportunity to take some fantastic snapshots of Toronto’s skyline. Bear in mind, you will have to pay for the experience, and for those who have a fear of heights, it’s best to keep your feet firmly on the ground! This attraction is very popular with tourists and locals, so to avoid disappointment, visiting in the early morning is advised.
No matter the reason for your Toronto trip, with so much to see and do in this bustling city, you are spoilt for choice. Whether you’re a sports lover who wants to soak up the atmosphere at a game, or you prefer to wander around an art gallery or museum, you are bound to find something that catches your attention when in Toronto.
22 Comments
Amanda
I live in Toronto! Great post girl!! 🙂
Rosey Marie
We lived very close to Canada and never went. Now that we’ve moved, I regret that missed opportunity.
Rika
I’ve always wanted to visit Toronto. That poutine looks so good 🙂 I’ve never had one, would love to try it someday.
Beth
I’d love to visit Toronto one day! It looks like there is a lot of things to do there.
Jenn @ EngineerMommy
I’ve always wanted to visit Toronto actually. This post shows that there is so much to see and do in Toronto!
Monica Young
We love visiting Toronto, so many cool things to do, one of our favorite things is visiting restaurants, so many good restaurants in town
Tiffany La Forge-Grau
Toronto has always been an interesting city to me. When I visit Canada I plan to visit it!
Ruth I
I’ve been wanting to visit Toronto! There are lots to see and food to eat there. I love all the photos!
Kathy
I have always wanted to go to Toronto. Now seeing these photos, I definitely would love to go sometime. It looks like there is a lot to do there.
Melissa Dixon
It sounds like there is a lot to see and do there. I have yet to visit but I think I may need to change that.
Lynndee
I certainly would love to visit Toronto someday. My brother lives in Quebec and we hope to visit them soon and then we’ll all go and explore Toronto together.
Ryan K Biddulph
The eats look fab, Erin. Toronto has long been on my travel list.
Ryan
Chef Dennis
Toronto is such a wonderful place and these reasons you listed are enough for us to go back here! Thank you for sharing.
terristeffes
Toronto has been on my list forever, but I bumped it up due to the neat information in this post. Thank you!
terristeffes
Toronto has been on my bucket list forever but now I have moved it up the list. Love it.
Tasheena Nicole Johnson
WOW! So much to see and do. I can’t wait to visit with my family this summer.
Monica
I need to travel more. Toronto looks like the perfect place!
Melissa Chapman
I would love to eat the fare and the restaurant scene ust be worth the trip. I am not a big jazz fan but live music and those clubs look awesome.
Amber
I’ve always wanted to go to Toronto. It looks like an amazing area. I’d be all about trying the food!
Tim
Do they Canucky fried chicken? Seriously though, I’ve never had poutine, but I really want to try it.
Tim
Do they Canucky fried chicken? Seriously though, I’ve never had poutine, but I really want to try it.
Erin
You’re a Canucky fried chicken, you weirdo. Lol. Tell you what, after you get your passport, we’ll go up to Toronto and you can have poutine. It’s pretty tasty.