Over the years, I’ve created a lot of content about life in Toronto, but I didn’t have a 3-day guide to Toronto with my ideal itinerary for exploring the city. Now I do. Well, almost—I’m just at the introduction. In this article, you’ll find suggestions for exploring the Queen City, whether it’s your first visit to Toronto or you’re coming back to see us again.
Before going any further, don’t forget to find me on Instagram, Pinterest and Youtube.
A few tips before visiting Toronto
- Bring good shoes, Toronto is a city that you walk around. It’s very easy to end up walking more than 20,000 steps. You don’t want to be stopped in your tracks by a blister.
- Here’s an important tip, especially if you’re from France like me and used to paying to use the restroom. There are free (and clean) restrooms all over the city! You won’t have any trouble finding them. That’s one less thing to stress about during your walks.
- I have a complete explanation of Toronto’s transportation system. This video will help you figure out how to get around the city.
- If this is your first visit to North America, people here use street intersections to find their way around. If someone tells you that something is on King and Yonge, for example, look for the intersection of these two streets on a map. Be careful, the intersection is essential because the streets are extremely long here.
Some resources to help you plan your stay in Toronto
- 25 choses gratuites à faire à Toronto
- Quoi faire quand il pleut à Toronto
- Le budget pour 2 semaines à Toronto
- Comment aller aux Chutes du Niagara de Toronto ?
- Les musées gratuits à Toronto
- Les meilleurs spots photos pour voir la CN Tower
Day 1
I recommend starting your visit to Toronto in my favorite neighbourhood: Old Toronto. Just a few steps from Union Station, it’s easily accessible on foot.
History of the neighbourhood
This neighbourhood was created in 1793, but at the time it wasn’t a neighbourhood, it was a city: the city of York. It was a place of life, exchange, and commerce. When you visit, imagine that at the time, the lake was at the level of Front Street. Next to Rexall on Church and Front, you can see a small monument marking the spot where the lake used to be. At the time, trade was mainly conducted via the lake, which made Old Toronto the perfect location.
What to do around St. Lawrence Market?
Now that you know a little more about the history of the neighbourhood, I invite you to simply stroll through Old Toronto and keep your eyes open. It’s a neighbourhood that’s heavily used by the film industry. You might find yourself in the middle of a film shoot or recognize scenes from your favourite TV shows filmed in Toronto.
You can enjoy the lively atmosphere of the neighbourhood, filled with tourists exploring the city and locals like me doing their shopping. The atmosphere will vary depending on the season, but each season has its own charm.
Here is a short list of things I recommend seeing around St. Lawrence Market. In fact, people tend to refer to the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood rather than Old Toronto in everyday language.
St Lawrence Market
The heart of Old Toronto: St. Lawrence Market. You can admire the building’s architecture and stroll inside to feel like a local. You can also find something to eat there if it’s break time for you. Choose whatever takes your fancy and sit outside at one of the tables, weather permitting. Otherwise, you can soak up the energy of the place at one of the tables inside. If you visit during the Christmas period, you can also enjoy the Christmas market on Market Street.
Upstairs, there is also an art gallery that is open to the public free of charge. Check out their program to see if there is anything that inspires you. I also recommend taking a stroll through the new St. Lawrence Market across the street if you are in the area on a Saturday. It is a farmers’ market. I am not a big fan of the style of this new building, but you did not come here for my architectural opinions.
Berzcy Park
This park is extremely popular with visitors and locals alike. Every time I walk through it, there are people taking pictures with the park’s centerpiece: the dog fountain. Personally, I like walking through this park because people always seem happy to be there and take their time. Sometimes there’s someone playing music, which is nice. It’s a great place to take a quick lunch break, for example (sometimes I get a poke bowl from Poké Bowl a few blocks away and sit here). Before you leave, take a good look at the statues around the fountain. All the dogs have their eyes fixed on the Holy Grail for them: the bone. I’ll let you discover the secret of the fountain by looking for where the cat is looking. Write to me on Instagram if you can’t find it!
Gooderham building
As I write this article in September 2025, the building is undergoing renovation. It is usually a must-see attraction when visiting Toronto. The building is very beautiful and imposing. It is often called the Flatiron or the Flatiron’s little brother after the one in New York. But it should be the other way around. The Toronto building was built before the one in New York! It was built in 1892 and served as an office for the distillery, which I will invite you to discover a little further down. At the time, the building cost $18,000 to construct. Today, it would cost so much more money. And above all, if we are honest, no one would want to build something where every inch cannot be monetized.
I’ll finish with this interesting tidbit I found while researching this article. I discovered that there is a secret tunnel between the Gooderham Building and the King Edward Hotel on King and Victoria!
St James’s Cathedral
We continue our three-day tour of Toronto with a quick stop in front of St. James Cathedral. You can also go inside if you wish. I find it really beautiful, and the park around it is also very pleasant. This cathedral is also an example of how something can be destroyed, collapse to the ground, and be rebuilt… several times! First built of wood in 1807, it was used as a hospital during the War of 1812 against the United States (at the time, Canada was a British colony).
The church was damaged and looted by the Americans. In 1818, the church was enlarged and a bell was added, which was also used to warn the city in case of fire. After two decades of tranquility, in 1833, the wooden structure was replaced by a stone structure. Unfortunately, in 1839, it burned down. Almost a year later, it reopened its doors. Nearly 100 years later, the church became a cathedral.
Distillery District
Let’s now venture into the part of this neighbourhood that you’ve probably heard the most about: the Distillery District. It’s a neighbourhood that contrasts sharply with Toronto’s modern downtown core. Here, brick reigns supreme.
On the site where we now find cafés, shops, restaurants, and even Boréal College (a French-language college), the Gooderham and Worts whiskey distillery opened in 1832. After years of seeing thousands of liters of whiskey leave these factories to be exported around the world, the site was closed in the early 1990s. After several project studies, the site opened to the public in May 2003. The owners refuse to rent to chains, so you will only find unique shops there. I could tell you so much more about this place that I love. But I know you have places to visit and that you have better things to do than spend the day reading about it.
Sankofa Square (formerly know as Dundas Square)
Depending on your pace, you may still have some time left after all that. Of course, you can add or remove things as you see fit. All these suggestions are just that… suggestions!
Head to Dundas Square, now called Sankofa Square. I’ll let you read this article if you want to better understand why this change was made. This is where you’ll see all the advertising screens. Events are often held in the large square. It’s a very lively place.
Toronto Sign
Let me share a little personal anecdote with you. I moved from France to Toronto on July 1, 2014. On June 30, 2015, I left for France after a year on a working holiday visa (if you’re interested in visas for Canada, I have a full article on that). At that time, the big Toronto sign that you’ve probably seen in photos didn’t exist. It was installed on July 15, 2015, for the Pan American/Parapan American Games. Imagine my disappointment—I didn’t think I would be coming back to live here. I wanted my photo, and I missed it by two weeks. Today, in 2025, this anecdote makes me smile because I have since returned to live in Canada and even became a Canadian citizen in 2023.
All this to say that once you’re at Dundas Square, you’re not far from the sign where you can take your souvenir photo.
Day 2
I hope your first day went well. I hope your feet aren’t too sore. And most importantly, I hope you’re ready to continue the tour. I’m so excited to take you to one of my favorite places in Toronto. And I know what you’re thinking, “But Astrid, you keep saying that this or that is your favorite place.” Well, guess what? I wasn’t going to make a guide with only things I don’t like… so yes, I love everything in this article!
Toronto Islands
I have a full article explaining how to get to the Toronto Islands, what to do there, which side to go to, and so on. So I won’t repeat myself here! But if you have time, I highly encourage you to explore this little haven of peace. Especially since this year you can take advantage of the city’s free bike-sharing program. It’s so enjoyable.
A little tip: if you’re short on time, I recommend going in the afternoon. That way, you can enjoy a beautiful sunset over the skyline. Weather permitting, of course.
Another tip: take the opportunity to stroll along the lakefront before catching the ferry.
Day 3
It’s already the third day of your trip to Toronto. Time flies when you’re having fun.
It’s hard to choose what to do on this last day, but I want to send you to the west side of the city. Depending on where you’re staying in the city, be sure to check the map before you leave to see if my order makes sense for you.
Kensington Market
Contrary to its name, it’s a neighbourhood, not a market. If I had to sum it up in a few words, I would say that Kensington Market is a place where art can be found on every street corner. Whether it’s on the walls, through someone playing an instrument on the street corner, or artisans selling their wares. You’ll find everything there: from a bakery (yes, really!) to a butcher’s shop, a Mexican restaurant, and a florist. There are even second-hand shops.
In the early 1900s, it was mainly a Jewish neighbourhood. Then, after 1950, it was mainly Portuguese immigrants who settled there. Then, in the early 1970s, the neighbourhood slowly began to transform into what we know today. Over the decades, Kensington Market has been the first home for many newcomers to Toronto.
Explore the city and don’t forget to go up to the public parking lot for a nice photo of the CN Tower.
Queen West
Now I’m going to take you to another neighborhood in the west end of the city. Queen West is one of Toronto’s most popular neighborhoods. Here you’ll find independent restaurants, cafes, and shops. You’ll also notice that as you move away from downtown, you leave the tall glass towers behind.
Take a stroll, soak up the energy of the area, and if you go as far as Ossington Avenue, you’ll find lots of cool places!
Little Italy & Little Portugal
I’m grouping these two neighbourhoods together because they’re quite close to each other. These neighbourhoods were built by Italian and Portuguese immigrants who wanted to create a space for their community. I love how authentic it has remained. You can eat there, take a stroll, or stop for ice cream.
And so your three-day trip to Toronto is coming to an end. I hope you enjoyed visiting the city as much as I enjoyed writing this article. If you’re already planning to come back, let me know in the comments or on Instagram. I’ll put together a list of alternative places to visit!
See you soon in Toronto!
