How to Spend 24 Hours in Toronto

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.