See Toronto Your Way.
We put together for you three itineraries packed full of local insider tips to match your personal travel style. To truly get the most of Toronto you need to experience the diversity of city – the neighbourhoods, the waterfront, the people, the culture and the foods.
Throughout this post you will find links to other blog posts for more detailed information. This is by no means a complete list and I apologize to the shopaholics, foodies and outdoor types – if you don’t see a link here then it’s coming soon in another blog post.
First-Timer – Sightseeing
The Hop-on-hop-off Sightseeing bus is the best way to see the city in a short amount of time. You can Hop-on-and-Hop off at 21 great stops around the city to explore Toronto’s neighborhoods or visit the castle (Casa Loma), the Art Gallery of Ontario or the Royal Ontario Museum. The bus takes 2 1/2 hours to go around if you don’t get off at any stops. TIP: Be sure to stop at Old Town (Church and 
Jarvis) and visit the historic St. Lawrence Market. While at the market try a Canadian Peameal Back Bacon Sandwich at the Carousel Bakery and pick up some maple butter or maple cookies to take home to friends. Also a recommended stop is the pedestrian-friendly Distillery District with its cobblestone street full of unique stores featuring reclaimed and re-purposed products, antique and art galleries. Finish you day off with a harbor cruise (part of the bus ticket) before your diner at the iconic CN Tower with a breathtaking view of the city and Lake Ontario. Cap off the evening with a stroll down
the dock to Ireland Park for the ultimate nighttime photo of the Toronto skyline. TIP: book dinner reservations early to get a tome around sunset so that you can see the city by daylight, sunset and watch the city light up at night. Make sure you save time to have a walk on the glass floor to look down 1500 feet. For for those more adventurous, take a 30 minute walk around the outside CN Tower known as the EdgeWalk for a once-in-a-lifetime thrilling experience – ask us – Diane’s done it! ASK US: We have discounts tickets for you for the sightseeing bus and many other attractions.
The Family
After breakfast head over to the Tiki Taxi ($10 each) docked just around the corner from the Boatel and grab a water taxi over to Toronto Island for a bike ride around the car-free island. You can rent bikes on an hourly basis or rent our bikes for the day. Stop off at the beach for a swim (in July and August when Lake Ontario warms up) and stop to see the haunted lighthouse. While at the Island search for the plaque near Hanlan’s Point, commemorating Babe Ruth first home run as a pro
professional ballplayer in Toronto September 5, 1914, at the former stadium on the Toronto Islands. The view of the city is stunning from Toronto Island and there are hundreds of picnic tables to enjoy lunch you have packed for the family to enjoy.
After a ferry ride back to the mainland, the kids and adults can indulge in a BeaverTail – no you’re not eating a real beaver’s tail, but the famous dough pastries covered in decadent toppings. Everyone will enjoy a Graffiti Walking Tour (check out the Tour Guys) to learn the behind the scenes history of Toronto’s famous Graffiti Alley.
While on Queen Street stop at a Poutinerie or at one of Toronto’s many food trucks to experience the French-Canadian “Poutine” (French fries with gravy and cheese curds). Toronto Aquarium is open until 11:00pm and is a great way to spend the evening exploring the underwater world from around the globe. For some family fun try dinner at Mid Evil Times cheering on your favorite gladiator. ASK US: about for a map of Toronto Island and discounts for the Aquarium.
Sports Fans
Sports fan can rejoice because Toronto has it all – Our Toronto Blue Jays (Canada’s national baseball team), Toronto Argos (CFL football team), Toronto Maple Leafs (National Hockey League), Toronto Marlies (American Hockey League), Toronto Raptors (basketball) and Toronto FC (Football Club better known, soccer), Toronto Rock (National Lacrosse League) and now the Toronto Wolfpack which is the new rugby team. Toronto also boasts a Toronto Ladies Roller Derby League.
ASK US: We’re baseball fans so ask about availability of our season tickets for a baseball game at the Rogers Centre.
Toronto fans are passionate about their teams which you will notice by the apparel worn on the streets. If you can’t get tickets to a game, don’t worry you can join the local fans in one of the hundreds of sports bars around the city including Toronto’s oldest pub the Wheat Sheaf Tavern located at Bathurst and King Streets, or Real Sports, located across the street from the Air Canada Centre (ACC) which I’m sure hold the record for the most TV screens in the city. Warning this place is loud when sports fan reunite here for a playoff game!
Tour the Rogers Centre – take a behind the scenes tour of the home of the Toronto Blue Jays. Ask us for details and discounts.
Fans can get up close and personal with the Stanley Cup and other hockey memorabilia at the Hockey Hall of Fame located at Front and Yonge street. ASK US about discount tickets for the HHOF.
As Innkeepers we are passionate about Toronto and we have spent alot of time exploring the city and visiting all these places so that we can write and tell you about them. Please feel free to ask us questions.