14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Toronto

Toronto is the capital of the Canadian province of Ontario and the country’s largest city. It is an important center for Canada’s economy, culture, and tourism. Toronto receives about four million international tourists each year. The city has modern architecture, historic sites, museums, parks, islands, markets, and a famous skyline. The city is connected to the world by Toronto Pearson International Airport, which makes travel easy.

The city’s most popular attraction is the CN Tower – a 553-meter-high tower that offers a panoramic view of the entire city. An adventurous experience called “EdgeWalk” is also available here. The Royal Ontario Museum is Canada’s largest museum, with a large collection of history, archaeology, and nature. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada has a huge underwater tunnel and thousands of marine animals. The Toronto Islands are a quiet natural area located 15 minutes by boat from the city, with beaches, picnic areas, and biking facilities.

There is also Casa Loma (a European-style palace), the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Toronto Zoo, High Park, St. Lawrence Market (a foodie’s paradise), the Distillery Historic District (an area full of old brick streets and art galleries), and Kensington Market (a place for multicultural markets and street food).

In this blog, you will find the top 15 tourist attractions in Toronto. Each place has detailed information about its features, location, and best time to visit. If you are planning a trip to Toronto, this list will help you make the right decision.

1. CN Tower

The CN Tower is Canada’s most famous landmark and one of the highlights of Toronto’s skyline. It was built in 1976 and was once the tallest tower in the world. It stands at 553.3 metres (1,815 ft). It was originally a communications tower, but is now a popular tourist attraction.

Tourists can see the entire city of Toronto, Lake Ontario, and even the US border from the Observation Deck if the weather is good. The experience of standing on the Glass Floor and looking down at the city below is simply thrilling. The most adventurous experience is the EdgeWalk, where you can walk on a railing on the outside of the tower – the highest open-air walking experience in the world.

Inside the tower is a revolving restaurant – 360 Restaurant, where you can sit and enjoy the view of the entire city while eating. The CN Tower is open from 10 am to midnight, and tickets can be purchased online or at the ticket counter.

2. Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum is one of Canada’s largest and most popular museums. It is located in downtown Toronto and was founded in 1914. The museum houses over 13 million items, including natural history, archaeology, art, culture, and science. It is a major attraction for local and international tourists.

Some of the most interesting parts of the museum include dinosaur fossils, ancient Egyptian artifacts, and Chinese historical artifacts. There are separate educational galleries and exhibits for children and adults. Special exhibitions are occasionally held to showcase examples of different cultures from around the world. This gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the history of different times and civilizations. Its newest section is called “The Crystal”, which is a unique design made of glass and metal. It is open daily and tickets can be booked in advance online. It is a must-see for those interested in history, science, and culture.

3. Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada is a popular tourist attraction in Toronto. It opened in 2013 and is located right next to the CN Tower. It is home to about 20,000 marine and freshwater animals. The space is very large and has a huge tank of 5.7 million liters of water inside. It is one of the largest aquariums in Canada.

The aquarium has 10 different galleries. The ‘Dangerous Lagoon’ gallery has a long glass tunnel where you can walk under sharks, turtles, and large fish. The ‘Rainbow Reef’ gallery features colorful fish and coral. Rays and sting rays roam around in the ‘Ray Bay’ section. Jellyfish float in the light in the Planet Jellies section, which is very beautiful to see. There is a separate touch zone for children where you can touch small fish and marine animals. The aquarium is open from morning to night. It is a very suitable place for the whole family to visit.

4. Toronto Islands

The Toronto Islands are an archipelago located on Lake Ontario, just a few minutes’ ferry ride from the city of Toronto. They offer a peaceful and natural setting away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are three main islands – Central Island, Ward’s Island, and Hanlan’s Point. These islands are popular for walking, cycling, and picnicking.

Central Island has a small theme park for children, “Centreville Amusement Park”. There are also boat rentals, kayaking, paddle boarding, and beach bathing. Hanlan’s Point has a quiet beach, which is ideal for nature lovers. The island has many open fields, gardens, and waterways that are perfect for walking and taking pictures. There is a ferry service to Toronto Island from the Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. Many tourists come here during the summer, so it is best to book tickets in advance. There are no cars here, so the environment is quiet and pollution-free.

5. Casa Loma

Casa Loma is a historic mansion that is a popular tourist attraction in Toronto. It was built in 1914 by a wealthy businessman named Sir Henry Pellatt. Casa Loma looks like a European castle, with 98 rooms, secret tunnels, grand staircases, and beautiful gardens. It was once the largest private home in Canada.

Inside the mansion, visitors can see a variety of old furniture, antiques, and historical artifacts. There is an old library, a royal dining room, and a large ballroom. In addition, you can climb the tower to see a magnificent view of the entire city of Toronto. In the summer, its outdoor garden is also beautifully decorated, which is ideal for taking pictures. Casa Loma hosts various special exhibitions, concerts, and Halloween events throughout the year. It is open daily and tickets can be purchased online.

6. St. Lawrence Market

St. Lawrence Market is one of Toronto’s oldest and most famous markets. It was established in 1803 and is still a popular shopping and dining destination in Toronto. The market is home to local farmers, butchers, fishmongers, bakeries, cheese shops, and a variety of food and craft shops.

The market is divided into three main sections – South Market, North Market, and St. Lawrence Hall. The South Market offers a variety of food, drinks, and gifts every day of the week. The North Market hosts a farmers’ market every Saturday. St. Lawrence Hall is used for various events and exhibitions. Tourists can come here to enjoy local delicacies such as pemmel bacon sandwiches, fresh cheese, and homemade pastries. It is easily accessible from Union Station.

7. Art Gallery of Ontario

The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is one of Toronto’s largest and most important art museums. It was founded in 1900 and currently houses over 120,000 works of art. The gallery is located on Dundas Street West in Toronto and is easily accessible by TTC subway or streetcar. The gallery features Canadian and Indigenous art, paintings by European masters, modern and contemporary art, and the famous works of the Group of Seven. It houses the Thomson Collection, which includes early European art, furniture, small sculptures, and Rubens’s “The Massacre of the Innocents.” Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room and contemporary art installations are special attractions for visitors.

In 2008, a section of the gallery was redesigned by world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, called Galleria Italia. It is a stunning gallery made of wood and glass. The gallery is open daily and can be entered by purchasing tickets online. Visitors can enter for free on the first Wednesday evening of every month. It is a great place of learning and inspiration for students and art lovers.

8. Distillery District

The Distillery District is a historic and popular area of Toronto. It was part of the Gooderham & Worts Distillery, founded in 1832, which was once the largest whiskey distillery in the world. Today, it is a pedestrian-only zone, where old brick buildings have been converted into restaurants, cafes, shops, and art galleries.

The area is known for its unique art scene, street performances, and theater. There are many small galleries, designer shops, and local craft stores. Live music, food festivals in the summer, and the famous “Toronto Christmas Market” in the winter make this area even more attractive. Getting to the Distillery District is very easy; it is only a few minutes from the city center. Tourists can come here to take pictures, buy local products, or just walk and enjoy the historical atmosphere.

9. High Park

High Park is one of Toronto’s largest and most important city parks. It covers nearly 400 acres and is located west of the city, near Bloor Street and Keele Street. It was created in 1873 on land donated by a wealthy man named William Howard. The park features natural woodland, landscaped gardens, walking paths, playgrounds, picnic areas, and a small zoo, but the best part is that there is no admission fee.

High Park has many popular attractions. Every spring, thousands of visitors come to see the “Sakura trees” during the Japanese cherry blossom season. Grenadier Pond is also a large reservoir, where ducks, swans, and various waterfowl can be seen. The “High Park Zoo” has bison, alpacas, Highland cows, and sheep, which are a special attraction for children. The open-air theater called Shakespeare in the Park also hosts theatrical performances during the summer.

The park also has plenty of sports facilities – including tennis courts, soccer fields, swimming pools, and a large children’s adventure playground. The park also has a restaurant, Grenadier Restaurant, which is within walking distance of the TTC Subway (High Park Station).

10. Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo is Canada’s largest zoo, located in Scarborough, east of Toronto. It was established in 1974 and covers an area of about 710 acres. It is home to more than 5,000 animals from more than 450 species. Visitors can see lions, giraffes, hippos, polar bears, snow leopards, kangaroos, red pandas, and many other rare animals. A special attraction is the “Tundra Trek” section, where the environment of animals from cold regions is recreated. There is also the Indo-Malaya Pavilion, where plants and animals from warm climates can be seen. Until 2018, there was a giant panda here, but it is no longer there.

There are special sections for children called the “Kids Zoo”, “Splash Island”, and the “Zoomobile”. There are also places to eat, rest zones, and gift shops for visitors. It attracts many visitors in the summer. You can avoid the crowds by buying tickets online in advance. You can easily get here by TTC or by car. This is a great place to visit with the family.

11. Hockey Hall of Fame

The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in downtown Toronto, at Brookfield Place. It was founded in 1943 and is now one of the most popular hockey museums in the world. It preserves the history of hockey, the contributions of famous players, and championships. It mainly highlights the historical importance of ice hockey and, in particular, the NHL (National Hockey League).

The museum houses the Stanley Cup, which is a major attraction for hockey fans. It also houses hundreds of memorabilia, player jerseys, sticks, awards, and video archives. Visitors can participate in an interactive game zone, where they can try to score a goal or play virtual hockey. The Hockey Hall of Fame is open daily, and tickets can be purchased online. It is very close to Union Station, so it is easy to visit.

12. Nathan Phillips Square

Nathan Phillips Square is a popular open space located in front of Toronto City Hall. It was built in 1965 and is one of the largest public squares in the city. It covers an area of approximately 4.85 hectares (12 acres). The square was designed by renowned architect Viljo Revel and landscape architect Richard Strong. It features a reflecting pool, an open air stage, the “TORONTO” sign, and the “Freedom Arches”. Many major events in the city are held here.

In the winter, the reflecting pool is transformed into an ice skating rink. In the summer, it hosts a Farmers’ Market, art fairs, concerts, and various festivals. The winter light festival called “Cavalcade of Lights” is very popular, where a large Christmas tree is lit and fireworks are displayed. The square is lively with various events and crowds throughout the year. Visitors can tour for free and take pictures in front of the famous “TORONTO” sign. The “Peace Garden” and other artworks make the square even more charming.

13. Kensington Market

Kensington Market is a popular and historic area located near downtown Toronto. It is primarily a residential and commercial area where immigrants have lived for many years. In the 1900s, it was home to the Jewish community, and later, Portuguese, Chinese, Caribbean, Latin American, and South Asian communities began to live here. As a result, the area gradually became a unique cultural mix.

The market area has a variety of shops and markets. Vintage clothing stores, natural and organic food stores, craft galleries, bookstores, and record shops. There are many small cafes and restaurants along the street, where Mexican tacos, Jamaican jerk chicken, falafel, Korean barbecue, and other dishes are available. One of the attractions here is the colorful graffiti painted on the walls, which is the work of local artists. Various festivals and events are held here several times a year, such as Pedestrian Sundays, Kensington Jazz Festival, etc. Kensington Market is a UNESCO-recognized National Historic Site.

14. Eaton Centre

Eaton Centre is a large shopping mall. It is located between Dundas and Queen Streets and is one of the most popular shopping areas in the city. Thousands of people come here every day to shop, eat, or explore. It opened in 1977, and today it is one of the busiest shopping centers in Canada.

The mall has more than 200 stores and restaurants. You will find international fashion brands, electronics, bookstores, cosmetics, and a variety of food options here. Major stores include Apple, H&M, Sephora, Uniqlo, Zara, and more. Inside the mall, there is a four-story open-air shopping gallery, a fountain in the middle, and a glass roof that brightens the space with natural light.

A special attraction of this mall is an art installation called “Flight Stop,” where 60 artificial Canada Geese can be seen flying under the roof. Eaton Centre is connected to the underground PATH, so it is easy to travel even if it is cold or rainy.