AKA The 6ix

Recommended Stay Time

5 Days

Currency

Canadian Dollar

USD	CAD	EUR	CAD
1	1.34	1	1.51

Transportation

The city of Toronto is roughly 630 km, and if you want to properly fit in with it’s 2.7 million residents, taking the metro or streetcar is the fastest and cheapest way to make your way around Toronto.

Toronto has a great public transport system called the TTC (Toronto Transit Commission), and it provides easy access all over the city

For myself however, I normally use Uber for transportation because I do not live downtown and do not have a normal commute there. Splitting an Uber with a few friends, or even with a few strangers, (called Uber Pool) can be a reasonably inexpensive and easy way to make your way around the city.

Hotel

As downtown toronto is quite expensive, finding living accommodations a long time in advance is important. I prefer airbnb’s, as they are extremely convenient and usually well priced. However there are several amazing hotels in the downtown Toronto area, all of which are perfectly located in the centre of the city, close to many attractions.

Activities

CN tower

The CN tower is the most famous tourist attraction in Toronto. It measures 553 m tall, and up until only a few years ago it was the tallest free standing building in the world. The CN tower popularity increased even further when Canadian artist Drake used the CN as his ‘Views’ album cover in 2016.

While on the topic of Drake, he alone had brought massive amounts of popularity and attraction to Toronto for this album, and many lyrics on several of his songs. The most famously quoted is the line “Running through the six with my woes”, from his song ‘Know Yourself’. The “six” refers to the two area codes in Toronto, 416 and 647 – both containing the number 6.

Therefore, visiting the CN tower is a must for many Drake fans. But this is not the only reason to visit the CN tower, there are plenty of other things to do as well. To go up the tower, see the glass floor and other attractions within the tower, a ticket will cost 38$CAD.

You can also visit the 360 restaurant, which is at the top of the tower. This restaurant shows a beautiful 360 rotating view of the city and its surrounding skyline. However, due do its uniqueness it is a more pricey restaurant. Sports games (Toronto maple leafs, blue jays, Toronto football club)

A great and inexpensive way to go out and experience an authentic Toronto event is one of Toronto’s home sports teams.

My favourite is the Toronto Blue Jays games in the summer, because you can get tickets for as cheap at 10$ and the entire game is an incredibly lively and fun atmosphere. The crowds turn into parties, and everyone has a great time. Unless the Yankees are playing, then it’s an entirely different, serious atmosphere.

However, if you are visiting Toronto in the colder months (which I do not recommend unless you have extensive experience and preparation to brace the Canadian cold), attending a Toronto Maple leafs hockey game is the most Canadian thing you can do.

Toronto Island

Since I’m recommending visiting Toronto in the warmer months, Toronto island is a great day to escape the heat without having to drive hours away to other beaches.

Toronto Island are reachable by taking a ferry for about 10 minutes over Lake Ontario. The ferry to get over cost about 10$, and it is the only fee you will pay in order to enjoy this island.

On the island is where you’ll find the Toronto beaches, where there are always events like music festivals, art exhibitions, amusement parks, etc.

My favourite time to go to these beaches is on Canada day, which is July 1st. The entire beach turns into a party, and later at night you can see the fireworks with a view of the CN tower.

Trinity Bellwoods park

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The last and entirely free activity I recommend is a massive park right in the middle of Toronto. It’s called Trinity Bellwoods park, and it is an incredibly lively and busy place on warm Canadian days. You can sit beneath the big trees, have a picnic, or drink a beer. All around you you’ll find people playing guitars, passing around a soccer ball, and anything else you can imagine.

Food

All of the following restaurants can be found on one long street in Toronto, King Street West, where you’ll find incredible restaurants and a great night life.

1. Baro (Spanish)

Baro is an amazing Spanish cuisine restaurant that is reasonably priced for the high quality food. The restaurant is very busy so I recommend making reservations to ensure you get the chance to eat here. It is also a more fancy restaurant, so dress well. Additionally, there is a secret bar and club above the restaurant called “Escobar” where you need a secret password in order to enter. (It’s Pablo). Highly recommend experiencing this bar as it is one of the coolest vibes in Toronto and only the locals know about it.

2. Buca (Italian)

Similar to Baro, Buca is an incredibly tasty restaurant that is fairly priced. It’s authentic Italian cuisine, and also a family run restaurant. I also recommend making a reservation for this restaurant.  

3. Cactus club

This is a new and extremely popular restaurant and it’s only occupied by the locals. Cactus club is an amazing restaurant with bistro food. It’s a more dress restaurant, but quite inexpensive. At night, this restaurant becomes an amazing club with great music.

4. Belfast love

This is a more casual, cheaper, pub-like restaurant that is delicious. Although it is always busy, it’s a huge restaurant and there is normally space. This is a more casual attire, and turns into an amazing bar at night.

Packing

Since Toronto can be hot in the summer, I recommend packing clothes to fit the weather. Shorts, tee-shirts, summer dresses, bathing suits sandals and hats. Also, since you may be walking around the city, I also recommend packing running shoes for comfort. Additionally, since the Toronto nightlife and restaurants can be dressy, I also recommend packing some nicer clothing for a night out in Toronto.  

Time of Year

To get the best experience, and to have to most opportunities to enjoy Toronto, I recommend visiting in the summer months. End of May to September is when the weather is best, with the highest temperature getting to 30°/33°. Although Toronto in the winter is beautiful, it can be very harsh, with temperatures getting to a low as -25°.

Written by Mackenzie Bryan