WHAT TO DO IN TORONTO: MY 48 HOUR STOPOVER

Toronto is the capital of the province of Ontario and is the most populated city in Canada. There are so many things to do, you will find that there is something for everyone. If you’ve been thinking about visiting Toronto, now is a great time! Through Air Canada, customers can book a stopover in Toronto before arriving in their final destination in either Asia or Europe. This allows travelers to check another country off their bucket list with ease! The perfect travel hack.

I recently had the opportunity to experience a 48-hour Toronto stopover with Expedia where I visited a few of the top attractions and ate at the best restaurants. This guide will walk you through how a Toronto stopover works, things to do in Toronto and inspire you to visit Toronto on your next vacation!

TRANSPORTATION

I flew from NYC to Toronto with Air Canada. The flight was a short hour and a half. From the Toronto Pearson Airport, I purchased a ticket on the UP Express which was very easy to find. The train takes 25 minutes to Union Station which is in downtown Toronto. While in Toronto, I mostly walked or used Uber to explore the city.

WHERE TO STAY

Toronto Marriot City Centre Hotel – Centrally located near Union Station and just steps from the CN Tower makes this hotel the perfect location. What I loved most about this hotel is that it’s connected to the baseball field named Rogers Centre where the Blue Jays play! They offer rooms with city views and views of the field which I highly suggest guests booking if there is a game. I stayed in the 1 bedroom bi-level suite and truly enjoyed my experience.

WHAT TO DO IN TORONTO

CN TOWER

The CN Tower is Toronto’s most iconic landmark and a must-do in Toronto! It was once considered the tallest building in the world until 2007. I visited the observation deck, but if you’re not scared of heights, you can experience the world’s highest hands-free external walk on a building called the EdgeWalk. Inside the CN Tower is also a 360 restaurant which is great for a romantic dinner. Adult tickets for the observation deck is $38 and $28 for children.

RIPLEYS AQUARIUM

Located right next to the CN Tower is the Ripleys Aquarium. Great for families and kids to learn about sea animals.

CITY HALL & TORONTO SIGN

The iconic City Hall & Toronto sign is a must-see during your Toronto stopover. Sunset or during the night is best as the Toronto sign lights up at night.

DISTILLERY DISTRICT

The Distillery District is a great area to explore, walk around, take photos, or enjoy a beer. It’s set in a quaint 19th-century building that once housed a large whiskey distillery. You can find art, galleries, outdoor sculptures, bars, and restaurants.

TORONTO ISLANDS

One of the highlights of my trip is visiting the Toronto Islands. Toronto Islands is a must-do while in Toronto, especially during sunset. It’s a chain of 15 small islands in Lake Ontario with stunning views of the city skyline and also has a lot of fun activities for the family. Visitors can kayak, swim, bike, hike and explore the amusement park.

How to get there: purchase ferry tickets at The Jack Layton Ferry Terminal. The ferry boat takes about 15 minutes and goes to three different Islands: Centre, Hanlan’s and Ward’s Island. The main island is Centre Island.

ROYAL ONTARIO MUSEUM

If you enjoy history museums, I suggest spending a few hours at the Royal Ontario Museum. Tickets are $23 for adults and $14 for children. It’s also free on nights during the third Monday.

ART GALLERY OF ONTARIO

I love visiting art galleries, especially since Yayoi Kusama currently has the Infinity Mirrored room – Let’s Survive Forever at the Art Gallery of Ontario. Tickets are $25 for adults and free for anyone under 25 years of age.

CASA LOMA

Most people do not know that there’s a castle in Toronto! Casa Loma is a historic attraction and worth a visit. The tour of the castle is self-guided, the castle also has a stunning garden and can be a great location for weddings!

SUGAR BEACH

If you’re looking to spend time on the beach, head to Sugar Beach to relax and get some sun. This beach has cute pink umbrellas which makes it quite Instagrammable.

GRAFFITI ALLEY

If you love art, head to Graffiti Alley to enjoy beautiful murals and art designs.

DUNDAS SQUARE

Dundas Square is a public square where many locals go for nightlife. It’s in at the southeast corner of the intersection of Yonge Street and Dundas Street East.

BEST RESTAURANTS IN TORONTO

ORETTA – 633 King St W

An Italian restaurant that has a gorgeous interior, pink couches and a beautiful bar in the center of the restaurant. Can’t go wrong with any of their pasta!

EARLY BIRD COFFEE & KITCHEN – 613 Queen St W

There are a few locations but Early Bird Coffee & Kitchen Queen St W is the largest. It’s great for breakfast, lunch or just a quick bite and coffee. I recommend the avocado toast and dining on their outside patio upstairs.

ANSWER TEA – 439 Spadina Ave

I have a huge obsession with bubble tea/boba so if you do too, visit Answer Tea and take a photo of their beautiful floral wall.

TERRONI – 57A Adelaide St E

For the BEST pizza, definitely make your way to Terroni on Adelaide St. This restaurant has an Italian family-style restaurant to feel that I loved. The pizza is probably one of the best I’ve ever had so do not leave Toronto without trying this spot! Pizza to order: Natalina

TABULE – 810 Queen St E

For the best Middle Eastern food, I recommend trying Tabule! I visited the Queen St E location which has a very cute outdoor patio area. What to order: Baba Ganoush, Kefta Banadura and Kanafeh for dessert!

CHUBBY’S JAMAICAN KITCHEN – 104 Portland St

One of the restaurants I wish I had time to visit! It’s located near Graffiti Alley and quite Instagrammable with its tropical interior. Make sure to order the Calabash Bay drink which is served in a pineapple.

BARO – 485 King St W

Creative Latin dishes and a rooftop to enjoy!

MILKY’S COFFEE – 760 Dundas St W

Stop by Milky’s for coffee and photos of their beautiful wall.

I had a great time exploring Toronto in 48 hours. I saw most of the major attractions, ate at amazing restaurants and already want to go back. If you have plans to visit Asia or Europe, consider spending a few days in Toronto for a stopover. If you’ve been looking for a travel hack, this is it!