Toronto

UP Express to Union Station(25 minutes)

$12.35 CAD direct from Terminal 1. Fastest and most reliable transfer

Harbourfront walk(1.5 hours)

Walk along Queens Quay from Union Station. Views of the Toronto Islands, sailboats, and the CN Tower looming above. Free

Dinner at Canoe(2 hours)

54th floor of the TD Tower — panoramic views, modern Canadian cuisine. Elk tartare ($22), Ontario trout ($38). Book at canoerestaurant.com. A splurge-worthy first night

CN Tower(1.5 hours)

$43 CAD general admission. Glass floor at 342m, SkyPod at 447m ($15 extra). Best at sunset. EdgeWalk ($225) if you dare

St. Lawrence Market(1.5 hours)

Peameal bacon sandwich at Carousel Bakery ($8 CAD) — the quintessential Toronto breakfast. 120+ vendors. Open Tues-Sat. Saturday farmers' market from 5AM

Lunch at Byblos(1.5 hours)

Eastern Mediterranean on Duncan Street. Grilled octopus ($24), lamb shoulder ($42). Excellent cocktails. Book ahead

Distillery District(2 hours)

Pedestrian-only Victorian industrial buildings — galleries, boutiques, Mill Street Brewery (flights $12 CAD). Free to walk. Year-round public art

Royal Ontario Museum(3 hours)

$23 CAD. Dinosaurs, Egyptian mummies, bat cave. Daniel Libeskind crystal addition. Free Friday evenings (third Friday = ROM After Dark, $18)

Yorkville boutique walk(1 hour)

Toronto's poshest neighborhood — designer shops, galleries, and the Village of Yorkville Park with its 650-ton granite boulder

Kensington Market afternoon(2.5 hours)

Bohemian neighborhood. Jamaican patties at Randy's ($3 CAD), empanadas at Emporium Latino ($4), vintage shopping, graffiti murals. Pedestrian Sundays (May-Oct) close streets to cars

Dim sum dinner in Chinatown(1.5 hours)

Adjacent to Kensington. Rol San on Spadina ($15-20/person) for late-night dim sum, or Mother's Dumplings ($8-12)

Ferry to Toronto Islands(15 minutes)

$9 CAD round trip from Jack Layton Terminal. Centre Island has beaches and Centreville amusement park. Ward's Island is quieter with cottage gardens. Bike rentals on the island ($10-15/hour)

Toronto Islands beach & picnic(3 hours)

The skyline view from Hanlan's Point beach is Toronto's best photo opportunity. Pack a picnic or grab food from the Centre Island cafe

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada(1.5 hours)

$39 CAD. 20,000+ animals, the Dangerous Lagoon tunnel has sharks swimming overhead. At the base of the CN Tower. Less crowded on weekday evenings

Dinner at Pai Northern Thai(1.5 hours)

On Duncan Street — the khao soi ($18 CAD) and pad thai ($16) are Toronto's best Thai. Expect a 30-min wait at peak times. Worth it

Graffiti Alley walk(1 hour)

Rush Lane between Portland and Spadina in Queen West — a kilometer of ever-changing street art. Free. Best photographed in afternoon light

Queen Street West shopping(1.5 hours)

Independent boutiques, record shops (Rotate This, Sonic Boom), and Drake General Store. The stretch from Spadina to Bathurst is the sweet spot

Dinner on College Street (Little Italy)(2 hours)

Terroni for Neapolitan pizza ($16-20 CAD) or Sugo for pasta ($14-22). The summer patios on College Street are Toronto at its best

GO Bus from Union Station to Niagara Falls(2 hours)

$15 CAD each way. Or rent a car (1.5 hours). Stop at Niagara-on-the-Lake wine country on the return if driving

Hornblower boat ride(45 minutes)

$32 CAD. Sail into the mist at the base of Horseshoe Falls. You will get soaked — ponchos provided. The Canadian side has far superior views to the American side

Journey Behind the Falls(30 minutes)

$24 CAD. Walk through tunnels carved behind the falls to observation platforms. The sound and power are overwhelming

White Water Walk(30 minutes)

$16 CAD. Boardwalk alongside the Class 6 Whirlpool Rapids downstream. The water speed here reaches 48 km/h

Lunch at AG at the Sterling Inn(1 hour)

Farm-to-table 10 min from the falls. Much better than tourist-trap Clifton Hill restaurants. Seasonal menu $18-30

Breakfast at Tim Hortons(30 minutes)

A Canadian rite of passage. Order a double-double (two cream, two sugar, $2 CAD) and a breakfast sandwich ($5). Don't overthink it — it's about the experience

Last walk through Kensington or St. Lawrence Market(1.5 hours)

Pick up maple syrup ($12-18 CAD), ice wine ($25-40 for a half bottle), or Canadian-made souvenirs

UP Express to Pearson(25 minutes)

$12.35 CAD from Union Station. Allow 2 hours for security at YYZ

UP Express(25 minutes)

$12.35 CAD

Dinner at Canoe (54th floor)(2 hours)

Elk tartare $22, trout $38

CN Tower(1.5 hours)

$43 CAD. Glass floor, SkyPod $15 extra

St. Lawrence Market(1.5 hours)

Peameal bacon $8 CAD at Carousel Bakery

Lunch at Byblos(1.5 hours)

Grilled octopus $24, lamb $42

Distillery District(2 hours)

Mill Street Brewery flights $12 CAD

ROM(3 hours)

$23 CAD. Dinosaurs, mummies, bat cave

Kensington Market(2.5 hours)

Randy's patties $3, vintage shops, murals

Chinatown dim sum(1.5 hours)

Rol San $15-20/person

Ferry to Islands(15 minutes)

$9 CAD. Bikes $10-15/hour

Island beach & picnic(3 hours)

Skyline view from Hanlan's Point

Ripley's Aquarium(1.5 hours)

$39 CAD. Dangerous Lagoon shark tunnel

Dinner at Pai(1.5 hours)

Khao soi $18, pad thai $16

Graffiti Alley(1 hour)

Rush Lane — kilometer of street art

Queen Street West shopping(1.5 hours)

Rotate This records, Drake General Store

Little Italy dinner(2 hours)

Terroni pizza $16-20 or Sugo pasta $14-22

GO Bus to Niagara(2 hours)

$15 CAD each way

Hornblower boat(45 minutes)

$32 CAD. Into the mist

Journey Behind the Falls(30 minutes)

$24 CAD

Lunch at AG Sterling Inn(1 hour)

Farm-to-table $18-30

Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)(2.5 hours)

$25 CAD (free under 25). Frank Gehry redesign. Group of Seven Canadian landscape paintings, Henry Moore sculptures. The Galleria Italia (wood-and-glass corridor) is architecturally stunning

Lunch at Oddseoul(1 hour)

Korean-inspired on Dundas West. Fried chicken bao ($14), kimchi fries ($12). Casual and creative

Ossington Avenue evening(2.5 hours)

Toronto's best cocktail strip. Bellwoods Brewery ($7-9/pint), Bar Raval (Spanish pintxos in a Gaudi-inspired interior, $6-12 each), and PrettyUgly for cocktails ($16-18)

Little India on Gerrard Street East(2 hours)

Explore sari shops, spice stores, and sweet shops. Thali lunch at Lahore Tikka House ($8-12 CAD) — butter chicken, naan, and mango lassi

The Beaches boardwalk(1.5 hours)

Walk the 3 km boardwalk along Lake Ontario. Sandy beach, volleyball courts, and the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant (an Art Deco palace, sometimes open for tours)

Leslieville afternoon(2 hours)

Queen Street East — independent cafes, vintage shops, and Ed's Real Scoop ice cream ($5-7 CAD, inventive flavors like burnt marshmallow and roasted strawberry)

Brunch at Lady Marmalade(1.5 hours)

On Dundas East — huevos rancheros ($16), shakshuka ($17). One of Toronto's best brunches. Expect a 20-min wait on weekends

Free afternoon(4 hours)

Options: High Park (free, 161 hectares with a zoo, cherry blossoms in spring), Evergreen Brick Works (free, former quarry turned farmers market), or revisit a favorite neighborhood

Drive to Niagara-on-the-Lake(1.5 hours)

Rent a car or book a wine tour ($100-150 CAD). Along the QEW and Niagara Parkway

Inniskillin Winery(1 hour)

Pioneers of Canadian ice wine. Tastings $15-25 CAD. The ice wine ($30-50/half bottle) is liquid gold

Trius Winery lunch(1.5 hours)

Restaurant at the winery — seasonal menu $24-38 with wine pairings. The Trius Red is an Ontario icon

Niagara-on-the-Lake town walk(1.5 hours)

One of Canada's prettiest towns. Queen Street has chocolate shops, bookstores, and the Royal George Theatre (Shaw Festival, $40-100 for shows). The Prince of Wales Hotel is worth a peek

Korean BBQ lunch on Bloor Street(1.5 hours)

Toronto's Koreatown between Bathurst and Christie. Korean Village ($25-35 for table BBQ) or Buk Chang Dong Soon Tofu ($12-16 for bubbling tofu stew)

Casa Loma(1.5 hours)

$32 CAD. A 98-room Gothic Revival castle built by a millionaire in 1914. Secret passages, towers, and 5-acre garden. A unique Toronto oddity. On the Davenport escarpment with city views

Annex neighborhood walk(1.5 hours)

University of Toronto's Gothic campus, BMV Books (Toronto's best used bookstore, on Bloor), and Honest Ed's legacy block (now the well-designed Mirvish Village)

Drive to Stratford(2 hours)

Via Highway 401 West. Or VIA Rail from Union Station ($30-45 CAD, 2 hours)

Stratford Festival matinee(3 hours)

One of the world's great theater companies — Shakespeare, musicals, and contemporary plays. $40-120 CAD. Book at stratfordfestival.ca (April-October season)

Walk along the Avon River(1 hour)

Swans on the river, manicured gardens, and stone bridges. The park and dam are picturesque

Dinner at The Prune(1.5 hours)

On Albert Street — farm-to-table Ontario cuisine. Seasonal menu $22-36. Intimate dining room

Late brunch at Mildred's Temple Kitchen(1.5 hours)

On Liberty Street in Liberty Village. Blueberry buttermilk pancakes ($17), eggs benny ($18). Beautiful industrial-chic space

Return to favorite spot(3 hours)

Kensington Market, Toronto Islands, or a Smithsonian-style deep dive at the ROM

Farewell dinner at Alo(2.5 hours)

Toronto's finest — French tasting menu ($145 CAD) in a beautiful room above Spadina Ave. Book weeks ahead at alorestaurant.com

Tim Hortons double-double(20 minutes)

One last $2 CAD ritual

Last shopping — maple syrup & ice wine(1 hour)

St. Lawrence Market for maple syrup ($12-18), LCBO for ice wine ($25-40)

UP Express to Pearson(25 minutes)

$12.35 CAD. Allow 2 hours for security

UP Express(25 minutes)

$12.35 CAD

Dinner at Canoe (54th floor)(2 hours)

Elk tartare $22, trout $38

CN Tower(1.5 hours)

$43 CAD

St. Lawrence Market(1.5 hours)

Peameal bacon $8 at Carousel Bakery

Distillery District(2 hours)

Mill Street Brewery flights $12

ROM(3 hours)

$23 CAD

Kensington Market(2.5 hours)

Randy's patties $3, vintage shops

Ferry to Islands(15 minutes)

$9 CAD

Ripley's Aquarium(1.5 hours)

$39 CAD

Dinner at Pai Thai(1.5 hours)

Khao soi $18

GO Bus to Niagara(2 hours)

$15 CAD

Hornblower boat(45 minutes)

$32 CAD

Journey Behind Falls(30 minutes)

$24 CAD

AGO(2.5 hours)

$25 CAD. Group of Seven, Gehry redesign

Lunch at Oddseoul(1 hour)

Fried chicken bao $14

Ossington evening(2.5 hours)

Bellwoods Brewery, Bar Raval, PrettyUgly

Little India(2 hours)

Lahore Tikka House thali $8-12

Beaches boardwalk(1.5 hours)

3 km along Lake Ontario

Leslieville(2 hours)

Ed's Real Scoop ice cream $5-7

Brunch at Lady Marmalade(1.5 hours)

Huevos rancheros $16, shakshuka $17

Free afternoon(4 hours)

High Park, Evergreen Brick Works, or revisit favorites

Inniskillin Winery(1 hour)

Ice wine tastings $15-25. Bottles $30-50

Lunch at Trius Winery(1.5 hours)

Seasonal menu $24-38

Town walk(1.5 hours)

Queen Street shops, Shaw Festival

Korean BBQ(1.5 hours)

Bloor St. Korean Village $25-35

Casa Loma(1.5 hours)

$32 CAD. 98-room castle, secret passages

Annex & U of T campus(1.5 hours)

BMV Books, Gothic architecture

Stratford Festival matinee(3 hours)

$40-120. Shakespeare, musicals

Avon River walk(1 hour)

Swans, gardens, bridges

Dinner at The Prune(1.5 hours)

Farm-to-table $22-36

VIA Rail to Ottawa(4.5 hours)

$45-80 CAD from Union Station. Book at viarail.ca. Scenic ride through Ontario countryside

Parliament Hill(1.5 hours)

Free guided tours of Centre Block (book at parl.ca). The Peace Tower views are spectacular. Changing of the Guard (daily 10AM, late June-August)

ByWard Market(1.5 hours)

Ottawa's equivalent of St. Lawrence Market. BeaverTails pastry ($6 — a flat doughnut in the shape of a beaver's tail). Maple fudge, poutine, and craft beer

National Gallery of Canada(1.5 hours)

$20 CAD. Moshe Safdie building. The Canadian galleries (Tom Thomson, Emily Carr) and Louise Bourgeois' giant spider sculpture 'Maman' outside

Otherly or Body Blitz Spa(2 hours)

Body Blitz ($65 CAD) on King East — therapeutic water circuit with Dead Sea salt pool, hot and cold pools. Women-only. Or Otherly float spa ($85 for 60 min)

Junction neighborhood evening(2 hours)

Up-and-coming strip on Dundas West past Keele. Indie restaurants, vintage shops, and Hole in the Wall bar for cocktails ($14-16). Less touristy, more local Toronto

Drive to Prince Edward County(2.5 hours)

Highway 401 East to Belleville, then south. Or VIA Rail to Belleville + taxi

Huff Estates Winery(1 hour)

Tastings $10-15 CAD. Excellent Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The sculpture garden and inn are beautiful

Lunch at The Drake Devonshire(1.5 hours)

Lakeside hotel restaurant in Wellington. Seasonal menu $18-32. The rooftop has Lake Ontario views

Sandbanks Provincial Park beach(2 hours)

The largest baymouth barrier dune formation in the world. Swimming, dune walking. Park entry $18/vehicle. The sand is silky and the water shallow for 100+ meters

Fifth Town Artisan Cheese(45 minutes)

Organic goat and sheep cheeses. Tastings $10. The sustainable building (green roof, rainwater harvesting) is itself interesting

County Cider Company(1 hour)

Ontario apple cider tastings $8. The waffle bar ($12) pairs cider with toppings on the patio

Lunch at The Agrarian(1.5 hours)

In Bloomfield — everything sourced from within 100 km. Set menu $45. The best meal in the county

Lavender fields & farm stands(1.5 hours)

Prince Edward County Lavender ($5 entry, June-August bloom). Drive the back roads stopping at honour-system farm stands for berries, corn, and preserves ($3-8)

Scarborough dim sum breakfast(1.5 hours)

Yang's Fried Dumplings ($6 for 6) or Casa Imperial for proper dim sum ($15-20). Scarborough has Toronto's best Chinese food — better than downtown Chinatown

Danforth Greektown(1.5 hours)

The largest Greek community outside Greece. Moussaka at Mezes ($14), grilled octopus at Asteria ($18). Walk the strip from Broadview to Pape

Roncesvalles Little Poland(1 hour)

Pierogi at Chopin ($8-12 for a plate), Polish sausage at European Quality Meats ($5-8). The neighborhood has maintained its Polish character

Dinner in Little Ethiopia(1.5 hours)

Danforth and Greenwood area. Injera with doro wot (chicken stew) at Rendez-Vous or Enat Buna ($12-16). Eat with your hands, tearing injera bread

Don Valley Ravine walk(2.5 hours)

Enter at Evergreen Brick Works and walk south through the forested ravine. You forget you're in a city of 6 million. The Crothers Woods section has old-growth forest

Afternoon at Type Books & coffee(2 hours)

On Queen West — one of Canada's most beautiful independent bookstores. Browse, buy, and read at a nearby cafe (Fika on Bloor for Swedish pastries, $4-6)

Drive to Bracebridge/Gravenhurst(2 hours)

Highway 400 North. The drive itself is beautiful — Canadian Shield granite and pine forests

Muskoka Steamships cruise(1.5 hours)

$32 CAD. Cruise Lake Muskoka on a restored 1887 steamship past millionaire cottages and forested islands

Lunch at Bracebridge waterfront(1 hour)

Muskoka Brewery tap room ($7-9/pint, great pale ales) and the Bracebridge Falls — a waterfall right in town

Dorset Lookout Tower(1 hour)

$5 CAD. Climb the 30m tower for 360-degree views of lakes and forests. Spectacular in fall colours (late September-October)

Farewell dinner at Alo(2.5 hours)

French tasting menu $145 CAD. Book at alorestaurant.com

Tim Hortons farewell(20 minutes)

Double-double $2 CAD

Last shopping(1 hour)

Maple syrup, ice wine at LCBO

UP Express to Pearson(25 minutes)

$12.35 CAD