When you think of a fabulous and quick weekend trip, you probably are thinking to go somewhere tropical, warm, and beachy. You know, island vibes. I’m a warm weather, beach kind of girl, so my idea of a great weekend trip didn’t involve Toronto, yet that is where we ended up. My fiancé and I had $234 in unused flight credits from American Airlines (AA) expiring in June 2023. The question was, where should we go?
After multiple searches on Google Flights flying AA either in May or June 2023, few inexpensive options were available. With options looking bleak, I expanded my search and opened the Google Flights map to see which country we could visit for the low. Since Toronto seemed to be the most inexpensive international option at $700 (without our credits), I placed the flights on hold and called AA to book our flights with the credits, costing a total of $233 per person.
That being said, it is with surprise I can present to you my recommended itinerary for Toronto. As Canada’s largest city, Toronto is diverse and offers something for everyone. What better time to explore this amazing city than on a perfect weekend getaway? Deciding how you want to spend the weekend could be stressful; however, I’ve created an all-inclusive guide on some hot spots in Toronto, most of which I was able to visit in just 2 days! Let’s get into it.
CN Tower & Surrounding Neighborhood
The CN Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in Canada, and it dominates the skyline of Toronto. Standing at a height of 553 meters, it was recognized as the tallest freestanding structure in the world until 2009. Many buildings have surpassed this height since. The tower was originally built as a hub for television and radio broadcasting, but it has since become a major tourist attraction.
The tower features an observation deck at the top offering breathtaking views of Lake Ontario and downtown Toronto. Although I didn’t go inside, I noticed the building’s elevator moving rather quickly up to the top floor (yes, you can see this from the ground). There is also an outdoor Sky Terrace, where guests can experience panoramic views. There is also an opportunity to dine at their restaurant with panoramic views, but you’ll want to make reservations ahead of time. As a note, the restaurant rotates 360 degrees (slowly).
For those seeking a thrill, the CN tower certainly can fill this need. It also features the EdgeWalk, a thrilling experience at the top of the tower. The EdgeWalk is EXACTLY how it sounds. If you choose to participate in this experience, you will be tethered to the building, and walking around the edges, with nothing but the tether keeping you from falling completely off the building.
The area surrounding the tower is also a beautiful sight. There are restaurants, bars, museums, and other activities. Activities include Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada, Roundhouse Park (featuring a collection of railway exhibits), a market, a brewery, and my personal favorite, The Rec Room. The Rec Room can be described as a restaurant/entertainment hub. Think of it as an upscale Dave and Busters. Additionally, if you are a baseball fanatic, the Rogers Centre is next to this area. Beware, if you are visiting during baseball season, Blue Jays fans tend to gather before and after the games at nearby restaurants and bars, so plan accordingly.
Kensington Market & Chinatown
Kensington Market is a unique and vibrant neighborhood located in the heart of Toronto. It hosts an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and businesses that cater to a diverse range of people. From vintage clothing stores and record shops to cozy cafes and trendy bars, there's something for everyone.
While there, we got food from Birria Catrina, the “first and only birria-specialized eater in Toronto”. This business has 3 or 4 taco-related takeout restaurants inside, all of which seemed like great options. Being a small space, it is a very tight squeeze to get to the back of the business, especially when they are busy. Not only is there minimal moving space, but each business inside has a mini kitchen making the establishment warm. The 15-minute wait for food was well worth it as my birria tacos were delish.
A short 5-minute walk from Augusta Ave. to Spadina Avenue lies Toronto's Chinatown, a welcomed surprise on our walk from Kensington Market to a bar by the name of Bar Hop on King Street. Walking through the streets of Chinatown, one can't help but be captivated by the smells and its atmosphere.
On our walk through Chinatown, we saw an array of shops, restaurants, and markets selling everything from traditional Chinese medicine to exotic fruits. The smells and aromas! Just dazzling! Although we had just eaten tacos and my belly was full, I was considering a Chinese dinner; I couldn’t make room. The food scene in Chinatown is particularly noteworthy with its numerous dim sum parlors, noodle shops, and bakeries serving up authentic Chinese cuisine.
Stackt Market
Stackt Market Toronto is a vibrant and innovative space that has taken the city by storm. Located downtown, this marketplace offers a range of exciting retail and food options, as well as a variety of cultural experiences to enjoy. The market is made up of dozens of shipping containers that have been repurposed into shops, restaurants, and event spaces.
During the summer, Stackt Market hosts a Backyard Series, involving specialty events occurring on different dates. Although we were able to go on Sunday, we had just missed the Asian Market on Saturday, the first installment of the series. According to someone who works there, the Asian Market was packed and they had to turn people away. Aside from the Backyard Series, Stackt Market also serves as a hub for local artists, musicians, and other creatives to showcase their work through various events held throughout the year.
Rooftop Bars
Rooftop bars have become a popular trend in many cities around the world. They offer a unique experience with stunning views of the city skyline and a fun atmosphere. Toronto certainly has no short supply of fantastic options for spectacular views and vibes of the downtown skyline.
We met a friend at Lavelle Rooftop Bar, and it did not disappoint. We didn’t have reservations but were able to sit at the bar with no problem. The vibes were good, and the music was on point. Our bellies were still full of the tacos we had earlier but I found room for some spicy salmon sushi. Their habanero mango colada was also very good. They had indoor and outdoor seating, complete with cabanas and high-top tables with views of the skyline. Although we didn’t add it to our itinerary, Harriet Rooftop Bar was highlighted as a “must-visit” rooftop experience by a few locals we spoke to.
Niagara Falls
Just two hours away from Toronto is Niagara Falls, one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in North America. This unique and awe-inspiring waterfall straddles the border between Canada and the United States. We didn’t go to Niagara Falls on this trip due to various factors, but I would not pass up the opportunity to encourage you to add it to your itinerary.
You can experience Niagara Falls in various ways. You may opt to go on a ferry to see it up close and personal, from above on viewing decks, via a helicopter ride, or behind the falls where you can see the inner makings of how everything works underground. There are many tour operators that provide full day experiences leaving from Toronto or you can create your own experience.
If you are considering going to Niagara Falls from Toronto, but are unsure of how to get there without going on a tour, you have plenty of options. You could rent a car, but you will be dipping and dodging potholes and uneven streets throughout your time in the city. Uber is widely available in Toronto and can take you on the 1.5-hour ride to Niagara Falls for a whopping $342 CAD (that's what we were quoted when we considered going). A great option, perhaps the cheapest, smoothest and most direct, is taking the Go Train.
Go Train can take you from Toronto’s Union Station to Niagara Falls for about $40 round trip. You can take a direct route via train to Niagara Falls for two hours, or you can take the less direct route, which involves taking the train and a bus ride, for a total of about 3 hours (give or take depending on traffic). The only challenge with Go Train is that the round trip train rides are only offered on weekends. And, well, this itinerary is suggested for a weekend trip.
Toronto Island
Another location we didn’t get to visit, but locals recommended is Toronto Island. To begin your experience, you would need to take a short 15-minute ferry or water-taxi off the coast of downtown Toronto. The island boasts several attractions that cater to people of all ages. For those who love the outdoors, there are plenty of activities, including hiking trails, bike rental shops, and beach areas where one can relax and enjoy the scenery. The Centreville Amusement Park offers fun rides for kids while adults can enjoy a game of golf at The Island Club or explore the history-rich Gibraltar Point Lighthouse.
No matter if you want to plan a weekend or an extended trip to Toronto, I’d highly recommend making your way there. This diverse city is full of delicious foods and unique experiences for everyone. I’m beyond grateful to have experienced Toronto and will be adding more locations to my Canada “must visit” list, including Montreal and Banff (because duh).
Til' next time friends,
Eb EnRoute
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