10 Best Things to Do in Downtown Toronto (Cool Activities & More)

Looking for the best things to do in downtown Toronto?

Whether you’re looking for cool activities to do with friends or just have a solo date by yourself, there are plenty of fun things to do in downtown Toronto.

Here are some of the best activities and most fun things to do in downtown Toronto!

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Hotels in Toronto

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay while you’re in Toronto, these are some great options:

Annex Hotel: a contemporary 3-star hotel in the Annex with bright and airy rooms.
Yorkville Royal Sonesta: this chic 4-star hotel in the Yorkville neighbourhood offers up stunning views of the skyline.
Bisha Hotel: a cool 4-star hotel in the Entertainment District with a swanky rooftop restaurant and pool offering up CN Tower views.
Radisson Blu: a modern 4-star hotel along the Harbourfront with a rooftop pool and a close-up view of the CN Tower.
Broadview Hotel: a historical 4-star hotel in Toronto’s east end, housed in a Victorian-era building with elegantly modern rooms.
Fairmont Royal York: a luxurious 5-star hotel right by Union Station, newly renovated but still retaining most of its original features. The Queen is known to stay here!

You can also check out my post on the best boutique hotels in Toronto if you’re looking for a more unique stay!

More things to do in Toronto

If you’re looking for even more fun things to do in Toronto, you might enjoy these posts:

Bored and looking for more things to do? Peep out these free things to do in Toronto or rainy day activities in Toronto.
Into more active activities? Try out one of these awesome water activities in Toronto!
Searching for cute date ideas in Toronto? Check out my date ideas during winter, summer, or fall, or my Valentine’s Day date ideas.
Looking for more seasonal activities? Check out my posts on things to do in Toronto during the winter, spring, or summer.
Visiting during the holidays? Here are festive things to do in Toronto!

Or, check out some local tours if you’re looking to do even more fun and unique activities, like these ones:

Downtown Toronto bike tour: explore the best of downtown Toronto via bike on a guided 3.5 hour tour, which takes you through Chinatown, City Hall, and the Entertainment District.
Distillery District walking tour: meander through the Distillery District on a guided 1-hour walking tour and learn about the history behind this super cute historical neighbourhood.
Kensington Market food tour: taste your way through one of Toronto’s most diverse neighbourhoods on this 2.5 hour tour.

Best things to do in downtown Toronto

Gooderham Building in St. Lawrence Market, Toronto

Go food tasting at St. Lawrence Market

St. Lawrence Market is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Toronto, and it’s even a favourite spot for many locals to visit.

It’s the oldest market in Toronto, and it’s home to all kinds of different food shops and vendors.

Cheese from St. Lawrence Market in Toronto

Baked goods and pastries from St. Lawrence Market in Toronto

Grab authentic Montreal bagels from St. Urbain Bagel, then taste authentic perogies from European Delight!

You can also enjoy whatever you get on the outdoor patio if it’s not cold or rainy outside.

You can either grab tickets to a guided group food tasting tour around St. Lawrence Market, or you can meander around and explore yourselves!

There are also plenty of incredible restaurants in the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood, also known as Old Town Toronto (the oldest neighbourhood in Toronto!)

LOCATION: 93 Front St E, Toronto, ON

Walk through the Distillery District

The Distillery District is a designated World Heritage Site, and it’s also one of the cutest neighbourhoods in Toronto.

It’s a historic pedestrian-only neighbourhood filled with restaurants, shops, art galleries, and so much more to explore!

I have blog posts all about things to do in the Distillery District and the best restaurants in the Distillery District.

If you’re interested in doing guided tours to learn more about the history of the Distillery District, you can also do a fun guided walking tour!

And if you’re into spooky things, you can go on the Haunted Night Walking Tour, where you can hear creepy stories about the neighbourhood’s past.

LOCATION: The Distillery District, Toronto, ON

Cocktail Emporium in Kensington Market, Toronto

Explore Kensington Market

Kensington Market is one of my fave neighbourhoods in Toronto – there are so many cool shops and amazing food spots!

Many different ethnic groups have lived here over the decades, which is why you’ll see so many different ethnic stores in the area!

Check out the best things to do in Kensington Market, the best vintage stores in Kensington Market, or the best coffee shops in Kensington Market.

If you’re looking to do fun guided tours in the area, I’d definitely recommend checking out this Canadian food tour in Kensington Market, or this 2-hour Kensington Market and Chinatown walking tour.

LOCATION: Kensington Market, Toronto, ON

Take photos at Graffiti Alley

Graffiti Alley isn’t an official tourist spot in Toronto, but it’s very much populated by tourists and locals alike.

It’s basically a whole alley full of colourful murals and graffiti, and it makes for epic photos!

I love coming back here every now and then to check out new pieces that might have popped up!

I’ve also got a blog post all about cool Toronto murals to check out if you’re looking for more.

LOCATION: Rush Lane (between Portland St. & Spadina Ave.), Toronto, ON

Check out art at the Art Gallery of Ontario

I think the AGO is one of those places you can go to a gazillion times without getting bored (maybe unless you’re an OCAD student).

The top floor is my favourite, because the exhibits are always changing!

You can get a free AGO pass if you’re 25 and under, which gives you access to exhibitions year-round.

Otherwise, you can snag tickets to the AGO online!

If you’re looking for even more fun free activities, check out my post on free things to do in Toronto!

LOCATION: 317 Dundas St. West, Toronto, ON

Wander around the Royal Ontario Museum

Fun fact: the ROM is actually the largest museum in all of Canada, as well as one of the largest in North America.

You could spend a whole day wandering around the entire museum, or just spend a few hours if you’re doing a quick trip to Toronto!

The dinosaur exhibit is one of the best exhibits to see at the museum, and they also have special exhibits every so often.

You can buy your tickets to the ROM online.

LOCATION: 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON

Watch a Toronto Blue Jays game

In the mood for a lil’ sports?

The Toronto Blue Jays start their season every spring, and they have games all throughout the summer.

What I love about Jays games is that they’re actually affordable, so even non-sports fans (like me lol) are willing to actually go out to watch a game.

It’s always super nice when the roof is off, but if it’s rainy or gloomy, the roof will be closed!

LOCATION: 1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto, ON

Visit Ripley’s Aquarium

Ripley’s Aquarium is one of the most fun places to visit in Toronto.

I’ve been several times since they opened, and I always have an awesome time exploring and discovering things I never noticed before.

The jellyfish room is my favourite spot in the entire aquarium!

Grab your tickets online and spend a couple of hours exploring the aquarium.

LOCATION: 288 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON

Do the EdgeWalk at the CN Tower

I’ve been to the CN Tower many times in my life, but I never tried the EdgeWalk until a few years ago.

Basically, you get to dangle off the edge of the CN Tower, and it’s a thrilling experience.

You also get to go to the top of the CN Tower for free with your EdgeWalk ticket, which is pretty sweet.

LOCATION: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON

Stand up paddle boarding at the Toronto Islands

Wander around the Toronto Islands

The Toronto Islands are a nice little escape from the city, without actually leaving the city.

There are plenty of fun things to do on the Toronto Islands, and you can spend a whole day just exploring around the different islands!

Go stand-up paddle boarding (one of the best water activities in Toronto), swimming (at the nude beach), or just chill and have a picnic on the beach.

If you’re interested in doing a guided tour, you can also do a fun 3.5 hour bike tour of the Toronto Islands, where you get to ride all around the islands and learn about the island’s 200 year history.

It also includes your ferry tickets, bicycle and helmet, plus water and snacks, which makes life a little easier!

LOCATION: Toronto Islands, Toronto, ON

Best things to do in downtown Toronto:

Go food tasting at St. Lawrence Market
Walk through the Distillery District
Explore Kensington Market
Take photos at Graffiti Alley
Check out art at the Art Gallery of Ontario
Wander around the Royal Ontario Museum
Watch a Toronto Blue Jays game
Visit Ripley’s Aquarium
Do the EdgeWalk at the CN Tower
Wander around the Toronto Islands

These were some of the best and most fun things to do in downtown Toronto, whether you’re looking for cool activities to do with friends, or just have a nice solo date!

What are the best things to do in downtown Toronto in your opinion? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram!