“I like B.C. because it’s so beautiful, but I think Toronto’s the greatest place because every corner of the world is here.” 

-Rupi Kaur

When I was much younger, my family and I would go out of the country for vacation at the end of each school year. That went on until I was in third grade, and it only stopped when we moved to a different place and had to get a “feel” of our new community first. And even though it has been decades since I traveled out of the country, the desire to take a long-haul flight has not left me completely. In fact, if I were to create a bucket list of places I want to visit, Canada would be at the top of my list. In particular, Toronto.

There’s so much to see and do in Canada’s largest city while you’re on vacation, you might find yourself searching through the real estate in Toronto as you consider a move. Whether that’s part of the picture or not, if you’re on a limited schedule it’s important to make the most of the time you have. 

Toronto is sometimes compared to New York City as driving downtown can be hectic but you can easily get around many areas on foot, there are 24/7 taxis, Uber, and public transport. If the latter is your option, you might want to get a weekly pass through the Toronto Transit Commission that covers all subway lines, streetcars, and busses. When it comes to dining, as such a multicultural city this is a top foodie destination, often ranked by publications like Food & Wine to be among the world’s best. Visitors can expect to find cuisine from across the globe and opportunities for shopping abound as well. Venues include everything from stores with unique vintage finds to luxury designer items.

In between shopping and dining, be sure to put some of these things to do in Toronto on your touring itinerary.

Head to the Top of CN Tower

One of the best ways to start your exploration of the city is to get a perspective of the layout from above. A 58-second ride up the CN Tower, the tallest free-standing structure in the western hemisphere at over 1,800-feet-high, definitely delivers. From the top, you’ll get a jaw-dropping panoramic view over Lake Ontario and the boats that sail across the sparkling blue waters in the summer as well as the ferries that travel back and forth between the Toronto Islands and the mainland. If you’re daring enough, you can take the heart-pounding EdgeWalk along the outside ledge of the tower too.