Explore Toronto In One Day

Do you have only one day in Toronto? That’s not a problem. In this itinerary I’ll outline all of the highlights, while providing you with an experience of a mix of sights, food, and culture.

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It’s common knowledge that Toronto isn’t exactly a remote or off-the-beaten-path in Ontario, but you can’t have an Ontario travel blog without providing an itinerary for at least one day in Toronto. It’s true that as an Ontarian, Toronto isn’t my favourite place to visit, but there are certain things that I love about it. In this post, I’ll share my favourite way to spend a full day in Toronto.

Let’s get started exploring Canada’s largest city!

Driver’s Tip: If you aren’t staying in the city, I highly recommend taking the train in, as parking is difficult to find, it’s very expensive, and the traffic is insane!

St. Lawrence Market

Since I typically take the train into Toronto, the St. Lawrence Market is the first major attraction I come across.

The St. Lawrence Market is Toronto’s largest market and has over 120 stalls full of fresh produce, meat from local farmers, and fresh fruit and flowers. Foodies can easily spend several hours browsing the market, but I recommend budgeting at least one, if not two hours, to explore.

Driver’s Tip: Stop at the world famous Stack’d Kitchen for a corn beef sandwich

Head to the Distillery District

Once you’ve had your fill of the market, take a leisurely walk to the Distillery District. The walk is a pleasant walk and will take approximately half an hour.

Gooderham Building

On your way, you’ll pass what’s arguably the most photographed building in Toronto, the Gooderham Building or also known as the Flatiron Building.

Built in 1892, the Gooderham Building is recognizable for its wedge shape architecture. This is the ideal area of Toronto to capture the perfect Instagram photo.

Berczy Park Dog Fountain

Directly across the street from the Gooderham Building, dog lover’s will find the Berczy Park Dog Fountain. This is the perfect spot to take a short break and admire the statues.

The park itself is triangular in shape, which follows the grid of the streets. Visitors can search for the one lonely cat hidden among the 27 dog sculptures.

Visit The Hockey Hall of Fame

While in Canada, do what the Canadian’s do! Engross yourself in hockey!

While on your way to the Distillery District, you will pass the Hockey Hall of Fame. In my opinion, this is a must visit when spending one day in Toronto.

Whether you’re a hockey lover or not, old or young, you will love this inter-active museum.

The Distillery District: A Toronto In One Day Must Visit!

When you reach what’s known as the Distillery District, you will find a community of cobblestone streets, art galleries, and cute boutiques. The Distillery District opened in 2003 and it has become widely regarded as being Canada’s premier arts, culture, and entertainment destination.

Founded in 1832, Gooderham & Worts began as a windmill in the wilderness and grew to become the largest distillery in the world and the largest corporate taxpayer in Canada. To honour its heritage, I recommend stopping at Izumi for a sake tasting flight and the Spirit of York for a tasting of its premium spirits.

Izumi is small but quaint and offers self-guided tours of its facilities. The Spirit of York is large and elegant, offering visitors a spot for relaxation while enjoying the taste of the premium spirits offered. Guided tours are offered on Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are recommended.

Driver’s Tip: Before heading back into downtown Toronto, grab a coffee and a sweat treat at Balzac’s Coffee.

Take a Leisurely Stroll Back Along The Waterfront

Once you’ve completed your visit to the Distillery, take a leisurely stroll back to Toronto’s downtown, while enjoying the views of Lake Ontario. Along Toronto’s waterfront, you’ll pass parks and gathering places for all to enjoy.

There are many restaurants, food trucks, and places to grab a bight in the waterfront area.

Driver’s Trip: While in Canada, try some of Canada’s traditional food and stop at BeaverTails where you’ll have a choice of over 120 toppings.

Climb The CN Tower

As an Ontario resident, climbing the CN Tower isn’t my favourite thing to do when I’m spending the day in Toronto. Having said that, it’s the top tourist attraction in the city and I recommend that all tourists visit the CN Tower at least once during a visit to Ontario.

Browse the Shops and Enjoy Dinner On Queen Street

If you’ve followed the itinerary to this point, it will now be early evening. If you haven’t scheduled an evening event and aren’t ready to leave, I recommend browsing the shops on Queen Street.

Queen Street is the hub for Canadian music, fashion, visual arts, and nightlife. With its many restaurants and cocktail lounges, Queen Street, is the perfect destination for you to rock the night away.

Cheer On The Blue Jays/Maple Leafs/Raptors

Sports-lovers visiting Toronto are in luck! Depending on the time of year, you will have the opportunity to join the excitement of Canadians as they cheer on their professional teams.

Toronto is home to the Blue Jays, good for summer visitors. The Maple Leafs for Winter visitors and the Raptors for basketball lovers. Tickets for all teams need to be purchased in advanced, as Canadians love their sports and the games sell out fast.

Live Theatre

If sports isn’t your thing, Toronto’s live theatre culture is a close rival with New York. With a large range of venues from broadway to smaller venues, the Toronto Theatre District is one the largest globally, following behind New York and London’s West End.

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