The top tourist destinations in Toronto are the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, Casa Loma, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada and the Toronto Islands, with Niagara Falls, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Wasaga Beach and Blue Mountain as the best day trips. Below are 13 places worth your time, with addresses where the official sites list them, links to each one's website and a note on getting there. Planning where to sleep first? Start with our guide to the best hotels in Toronto.
We aren't affiliated with, or paid by, any attraction on this list. This is an editorial guide to help you plan your trip.
Toronto Attractions at a Glance
| Place | Where | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| CN Tower | Downtown | Skyline views, EdgeWalk |
| Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) | Queen's Park | Museum, families |
| Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) | Dundas Street West | Art lovers |
| Casa Loma | Austin Terrace | Castle, gardens |
| Ripley's Aquarium of Canada | Next to the CN Tower | Rainy days, kids |
| Toronto Islands | Waterfront | Parks, skyline views |
| Distillery Historic District | Mill Street | Shopping, dining |
| St. Lawrence Market | Front Street East | Food |
| Toronto Zoo | Scarborough | Half or full day |
| Niagara Falls | Day trip | Waterfall, boat rides |
| Niagara-on-the-Lake | Day trip | Wine, theatre |
| Wasaga Beach | Day trip | Beach, trails |
| Blue Mountain Resort | Day trip | Skiing, hiking, spa |
Top 9 Attractions in Toronto
1. CN Tower
The CN Tower's website calls it the highest viewing platform in the Western Hemisphere. You can visit the Main Observation Level, the Lower Observation Level and The Top, which is 33 storeys higher than the main level. For a bigger thrill there is EdgeWalk, a hands-free walk around the outside of the main pod, 116 storeys up. The 360 Restaurant offers a four-course menu of Canadian ingredients. The tower is celebrating 50 years since 1976.
Getting there: Staying nearby? See our downtown Toronto limo service for hotel and venue pickups.
2. Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Canada's leading museum describes itself as home to 18 million artworks, artifacts and specimens from around the world, across 40 gallery and exhibition spaces. It is an easy rainy-day pick and a strong choice for families.
3. Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
The AGO calls itself one of the most distinguished art museums in North America and holds more than 90,000 works of art. Opening hours vary by day and the gallery is closed on Mondays, so check the website before you plan around it.
4. Casa Loma
Toronto's castle on a hill was built between 1911 and 1914 for financier Sir Henry Pellatt. According to Destination Toronto, it has 98 rooms, an 800-foot tunnel to the stables, secret passages and five acres of gardens. The estate has also been a hotel and nightclub during Prohibition and a sonar research site in World War II.
5. Ripley's Aquarium of Canada
The aquarium is home to about 20,000 aquatic animals, with sharks among the headline exhibits. It sits in the same downtown area as the CN Tower and Rogers Centre, so the two pair well on one day.
6. Toronto Islands
A short ferry ride takes you to car-free parkland with skyline views. The City of Toronto lists ferry routes to Centre Island and Ward's Island, which are roughly a 35-minute walk apart. On busy weekends and holidays, waits can exceed 30 to 60 minutes at peak times (about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. heading out and 5 to 9 p.m. coming back), so go early. Check current fares on the city's site.
7. Distillery Historic District
A pedestrian village of heritage buildings with roots going back to 1832 and an arts district that opened in 2003. It has more than 40 boutiques, plus cafés, restaurants, galleries and theatres, and it hosts seasonal events such as Oktoberfest.
8. St. Lawrence Market
A public market for fresh produce, prepared food and local vendors. The South Market is open Tuesday to Sunday and closed Mondays, and the North Market holds a Saturday farmers' market, per the market's website. Hours change, so confirm before you go.
9. Toronto Zoo
The zoo is laid out in zones including Africa, Americas, Australasia, Canadian Domain, Eurasia Wilds, Indo-Malaya and Tundra Trek. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is in the east end, so it works best as its own half-day or full-day outing.
Getting there: Based east of downtown? Our Scarborough limo service covers the area.
Best Day Trips From Toronto
Four destinations are worth leaving the city for. *The 90-minute figure comes from Niagara-on-the-Lake's tourism site; traffic and season change it, so build in extra time.
10. Niagara Falls
Niagara Parks lists Journey Behind the Falls, the Whirlpool Aero Car (over 100 years old), White Water Walk, Niagara City Cruises, the Butterfly Conservatory, the Zipline to the Falls and the Niagara Parks Power Station and Tunnel, among others. The attractions are reached along the 56 km Niagara River Parkway.
Getting there: Skip the parking and driving. See our Niagara Falls limo service for honeymoons, wine tours and group trips.
11. Niagara-on-the-Lake
A heritage town known for wineries, the Shaw Festival and boutique shops along historic streets. The town's tourism site describes it as a 90-minute escape from Toronto.
Getting there: A winery day works best with a designated driver. Ask about our hourly chauffeur service.
12. Wasaga Beach
Wasaga Beach Provincial Park offers 7 km of sandy shore across four beach areas and was established in 1959. Besides swimming, it is set up for biking, kite boarding, canoeing and hiking, and in winter the Wasaga Nordic & Trail Centre offers cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Getting there: See our Wasaga Beach limo service.
13. Blue Mountain Resort
The resort calls itself Ontario's only year-round mountain resort and spa. Winter is for skiing and snowboarding, and the rest of the year brings hiking, biking, golf, dining, shopping and spa services in a walkable village.
Getting there: See our Blue Mountains limo service for ski weekends and group stays.
How to Plan Your Days
- Day 1, downtown: the CN Tower and Ripley's Aquarium are neighbours, so pair them with the Toronto Islands ferry in the afternoon.
- Day 2, culture: the ROM and the AGO, then dinner at the Distillery District.
- Day 3, local flavour: St. Lawrence Market in the morning and Casa Loma for the afternoon.
- Add a day trip: Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake combine well, and Wasaga Beach or Blue Mountain suit a Georgian Bay weekend.
Getting Around Without the Hassle
The downtown attractions are close together, but airport arrivals, bags and day trips are where a private driver saves the most time. We track your flight and meet you at arrivals, see our Toronto airport transfers, and for multi-stop days our hourly chauffeur service keeps the car with you all day. Not sure what it costs? Read our Toronto limo pricing breakdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top tourist attractions in Toronto?
The most visited landmarks include the CN Tower, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Casa Loma, Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, the Toronto Islands, the Distillery Historic District, St. Lawrence Market and the Toronto Zoo.
What are the best day trips from Toronto?
Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake are the classic choices, with Niagara-on-the-Lake's tourism site describing it as a 90-minute escape from Toronto. Wasaga Beach and Blue Mountain Resort on the Georgian Bay side are popular for beaches, hiking and skiing.
How many days do you need in Toronto?
Three days covers the downtown highlights comfortably. Add one day for each day trip, such as Niagara Falls or Blue Mountain.
Is Toronto easy to see without a car?
Most downtown attractions are close together, and the Toronto Islands ferry leaves from 9 Queens Quay W. Day trips such as Niagara and Blue Mountain are much easier with a private driver, since you skip the parking and can enjoy a winery or a ski day.
Can I hire a chauffeur for a full-day sightseeing tour?
Yes. Our hourly chauffeur service lets you plan a day around several stops. Tell us your itinerary and hours and we confirm the plan and price in writing before you book.
Details were checked against each attraction's own website in October 2026. Hours, prices, ferry schedules and exhibits change, so confirm anything important before you go. We are not affiliated with any place named in this article.
