Photo: Jchmrt · CC BY-SA 4.0
7 Days · in Toronto
Seven Days in Toronto: The Complete City Itinerary
A full week lets you experience Toronto the way residents do, blending marquee sights with slower neighbourhood days. The first five days cover downtown, the museum district, the creative West End, the historic Distillery District, and the castles and beaches of the north and east. Days six and seven then reach the vibrant culture of Little Italy, Graffiti Alley, and Chinatown, the markets of Kensington and St. Lawrence, and the King West dining scene. You'll eat across the city's signature traditions, peameal bacon, roti, tacos, and dumplings, and see its art, architecture, and green spaces. Each day stays geographically tight, so a week feels immersive rather than exhausting.
Day 01
Downtown, the Waterfront & Skyline
Civic squares, the Art Gallery of Ontario, a harbour cruise, and the CN Tower.
Morning
Nathan Phillips Square & City Hall
Start at Nathan Phillips Square with the 3D Toronto sign and the curved towers of City Hall before crowds gather, the perfect orientation to downtown Toronto.
Late Morning
Art Gallery of Ontario
Spend two hours with the Group of Seven, the Henry Moore sculptures, and the Frank Gehry redesign, a short walk west on Dundas.
Lunch
Harbourfront Centre
Lunch along the waterfront with ferry traffic and sailboats beside you, moments from the afternoon cruise dock.
Afternoon
Toronto harbour cruise
Take a harbour cruise past the Toronto Islands for the city's best skyline primer, narrated by knowledgeable guides.
Late Afternoon
CN Tower
Ride to the LookOut Level and step onto the Glass Floor for dizzying views, or brave the EdgeWalk around the pod.
Evening
King West dinner
Close with dinner in King West, toasting your first day among the neighbourhood's busy patios and dining rooms.
Day 02
Museums & the University District
The ROM, the Gardiner, the Bata Shoe Museum, and Queen's Park along University Avenue.
Morning
Royal Ontario Museum
Meet the dinosaurs and explore the Egyptian, Chinese, and mineral galleries beneath the crystal addition; arrive early to beat the groups.
Late Morning
Gardiner Museum
Across the street, tour the Gardiner's collection of ceramics and porcelain; a timed ticket keeps the visit brief.
Lunch
Philosopher's Walk
Picnic or grab a casual lunch on the greens between the museum district and the university campus.
Afternoon
Bata Shoe Museum
Walk to the Bata Shoe Museum for four thousand years of footwear, one of the most unusual collections in the city.
Late Afternoon
University of Toronto campus
Wander the neo-Gothic quads of University College and King's College Circle, then stroll the grounds of Queen's Park.
Evening
The Annex dinner
Dine along Bloor Street in the Annex or nearby Koreatown, with options from Korean barbecue to casual global spots.
Day 03
West Queen West, Trinity Bellwoods & Ossington
Parks, murals, boutiques, and acclaimed independent dining in the West End.
Morning
Trinity Bellwoods Park
Walk the paths of Trinity Bellwoods amid dog walkers, gardens, and the arched gates of the former university.
Late Morning
West Queen West boutiques
Browse independent shops, galleries, and design stores along Queen Street West, and spot murals on the side streets.
Lunch
Ossington taqueria
Grab tacos on Ossington Avenue or choose from the strip's many well-loved casual spots.
Afternoon
Ossington Avenue browsing
Wander Ossington's design shops and cafes up the strip for a stylish, unhurried afternoon.
Evening
Dundas West dinner
Dine along Dundas West and Little Portugal among some of the city's best independent restaurants.
Evening
Cocktail nightcap
End with a drink at an Ossington cocktail bar and the area's laid-back creative energy.
Day 04
The Distillery District, Cabbagetown & the East
Victorian industrial lanes, heritage streets, a skyline park view, and Leslieville dining.
Morning
Distillery Historic District
Explore the cobblestone lanes, galleries, and restored Victorian industrial buildings of this pedestrian-only district.
Late Morning
Cabbagetown heritage streets
Wander Cabbagetown's leafy blocks of preserved Victorian row houses, the largest such district in North America.
Lunch
Parliament Street cafes
Lunch among the cafes and casual spots along Parliament Street at the heart of Cabbagetown.
Afternoon
Riverdale Farm
Visit the free Riverdale Farm, a working city farm with barns and animals tucked into the neighbourhood.
Late Afternoon
Riverdale Park East
Walk to Riverdale Park for a serene view of the downtown skyline across the Don Valley.
Evening
Leslieville dinner
Enjoy Leslieville dining or South Asian food along the Gerrard India Bazaar before heading back.
Day 05
Casa Loma, Yorkville & The Beaches
A hilltop castle, an Edwardian mansion, upscale shopping, and a lakefront beach.
Morning
Casa Loma
Tour Casa Loma, the Gothic Revival castle above the city, with its towers, tunnels, and terraced gardens.
Late Morning
Spadina Museum
Descend the Baldwin Steps to the Spadina Museum, an Edwardian mansion beside Casa Loma with restored period rooms.
Lunch
Yorkville
Lunch in Yorkville among the cafes and patios of this polished shopping district.
Afternoon
Mink Mile shopping
Shop along Bloor Street's Mink Mile past the flagship boutiques and the Yorkville laneways.
Late Afternoon
Woodbine Beach
Relax on the sand at Woodbine Beach and walk the Martin Goodman Trail for lake-and-skyline views.
Evening
The Beaches dinner
Dine along Queen Street East in the Beaches, an easygoing lakeside end to the day.
Day 06
Little Italy, Graffiti Alley & the Conservatory
Street art, Italian culture, a historic glass conservatory, and King West dining.
Morning
Graffiti Alley
Start along Graffiti Alley south of Queen West, a vivid open-air gallery of murals stretching for blocks.
Late Morning
College Street & Little Italy
Walk College Street through Little Italy past cafes, bakeries, and the neighbourhood's Italian heritage.
Lunch
Little Italy trattoria
Enjoy pasta, a panino, or gelato at one of College Street's family-run Italian spots.
Afternoon
Allan Gardens Conservatory
Head to Allan Gardens, a historic cast-iron and glass conservatory filled with palms, ferns, and orchids under a Victorian dome.
Evening
King West / Wellington
Return south to King West, a former industrial stretch now packed with celebrated restaurants.
Evening
Restaurant row dinner
Book dinner along King Street West, home to some of Toronto's most ambitious dining.
Day 07
Chinatown, Kensington Market & Farewell
Dumplings and markets in Chinatown and Kensington, plus flexible time for favourites.
Morning
Chinatown & Spadina Avenue
Explore Chinatown along Spadina and Dundas, one of the largest in North America, with its bustling markets and herbal shops.
Late Morning
Kensington Market
Browse the vintage shops, cheese stores, and cafes of Kensington Market at your own pace.
Lunch
Dim sum or dumplings
Feast on dim sum or hand-pulled noodles at one of Chinatown's many acclaimed restaurants.
Afternoon
St. Lawrence Market
Head east to the St. Lawrence Market, a heritage food hall famed for its peameal bacon sandwiches and its historic South building.
Late Afternoon
Berczy Park & the waterfront
Wander to Berczy Park with its whimsical dog fountain and Flatiron mural, then stroll the nearby waterfront.
Evening
Farewell dinner downtown
End the week with a favourite Toronto meal, a peameal sandwich, a plate of roti, or a steakhouse, before departing.