How To Spend 24 Hours In Toronto

From vintage markets to dumpling houses and world-renowned exhibits, you can have it all in the vibrant city of Toronto. For time-strapped travelers, here’s how to experience the best of Toronto in 24 hours.

When spending a day in Toronto, there is a whole world at your fingertips. Dine on authentic lamian noodles and made-to-order dumplings in Spadina Avenue’s Chinatown, or barter for vintage clothes on Augusta Avenue in Kensington Market. For something uniquely Canadian, watch the puck drop at a Leafs game at the Air Canada Centre or take a trip up the CN Tower to watch the sunset over the city.

Set your sights on new heights at the CN Tower

Just as the CN Tower is a staple of the Toronto skyline, it’s also a stalwart part of any Toronto itinerary. Take a pit stop at the bottom to get a photo of the building towering over the downtown cityscape, then head to the top for uninterrupted views of the horizon. If you can’t pull yourself away from the view, stay a while at the rotating restaurant just below the observation deck.

Soaring at 553.3m (1,815 ft) in height, the CN Tower has become an iconic symbol of Toronto

Kensington Market is home to a mix of global cuisines, but one of the market’s best-kept secrets is the string of vintage shops that line the eponymous Kensington Avenue. From pre-loved denim to historic period costumes and Canadian cowboy boots, it won’t be hard to unearth a vintage gem. Most shops occupy the ground floor of homes or tiny storefronts.

A Jewish neighborhood in the 1920s, Kensington Market is now Toronto’s bohemian area

Slurp lamian noodles in Chinatown

Toronto’s Chinatown is one of the city’s most culturally vibrant neighborhood. At the heart of the cuisine is the slate of hand-pulled noodles and dumpling joints. Watch chefs fold, twist and stretch Lanzhou-style noodles then douse them in a rich stock before topping them with beef, cilantro, carrots and cucumbers. GB Noodles is a local favorite, where they weave and pull lamian noodles to order; a stop here is half-show and half-indulgence.

For authentic Chinese cuisine, head to Toronto’s Chinatown where you will find dishes of hand-pulled noodles and dumplings

Float away in Yayoi Kasuma’s infinity mirror at AGO Museum

Yayoi Kusama’s traveling exhibition was so beloved by Torontonians that the museum’s members banded together to keep the temporary exhibit for their permanent collection. Each visitor gets just a minute to immerse themselves in the famed artist’s exhibit, which is covered in mirrors and crowned by chandeliers of mirrored baubles. It’s visually and viscerally beautiful, giving visitors an otherworldly experience. While your visit is short, make sure to set aside a chunk of time for photography: you won’t want to forget the shimmering silver walls.

Located in Toronto’s Grange Park neighborhood, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the most prominent modern art galleries in North America

Take the Red Rocket from Chinatown to the Scotiabank Arena

Hop aboard the Red Rocket, and travel through the city centre on Toronto’s city-traversing streetcar. The most scenic route (510A) takes riders from Spadina station through to Chinatown, and then drops off passengers at the famed Scotiabank Arena – just in time to cheer on the Toronto Maple Leafs at a hockey game. Be sure to avoid the Red Rocket during rush hour; while it zooms by the city’s must-see destinations, it’s also an express route for workers heading home.

Take in all of the sights from street level on Toronto’s Red Rocket tram

See the puck drop watching Canada’s game

Hockey is at the heart of Canadian culture, so bundle up and hit the rink to watch the puck drop at a Leafs game. Crowds are fierce, enthusiasm is strong, and don’t forget to grab an order of truffle poutine and a cold local beer to snack on. If budget is an issue, attend a game of the Maple Leafs feeder team, the Toronto Marlies, for an equal amount of fun.

Ice hockey is Canada’s official national winter sport and at the heart of Canadian culture. Experience the game for yourself and watch the Toronto Maple Leafs in action

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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