35 Unique Places to See in Toronto
There are so many unexplored places in Toronto. The city holds its hidden gems in places you've always passed by. I have here a list of the well-known places and the unique ones around the city. Let’s go!
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What To Do in Toronto
1. Toronto Islands
- Address: between Bay Street and Yonge Street on Queens Quay.
How to get there: Jack Layton Ferry Terminal
By train: Alight at Spadina Station, take streetcar 510 to Queens Quay Ferry Docks Terminal
Ferry ticket (roundtrip): 7.71 CAD for adults, 5.05 CAD for students and seniors, 3.72 CAD under 14, and free for those under 2.
2. Korea Town
- How to get there: Alight at Christie TTC station. Exit and behold all kinds of Korean food, cafes, and shops in the area.
Another Korean town is right outside Finch Station. There's a whole street of Korean restaurants, parlours, and merchandise. I love this place.
3. Chinatown
- How to get there (a lot of options but I'm near this station): Alight at Spadina TTC Station. Don't exit the subway, find the escalator down, get to the street train and take 510. Alight at Spadina Avenue on Sullivan Street's north side.
4. Kensington Market
- How to get there (a lot of options but I'm near this station): Alight at Spadina TTC Station. Don't exit the subway, find the escalator down, get to the street train and take 510. Alight at Spadina Avenue at Nassau Street south side. Walk 5 minutes to the market.
5. Little Tokyo
- How to get there: Alight at Dundas Station, and walk to Dundas Street West.
This is not an official Tokyo town but a few stores lined up are Japanese restaurants and stores.
6. Distillery District
- How to get there: Alight at Union Station and take bus 121 to Trinity Street.
See Old Toronto and enjoy a bottle of beer.
7. Nathan Philips Square
- Address: 100 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
- How to go there: Alight at Osgoode station and follow the signs to Nathan Phillips Square.
The most popular ice skating public rink in Toronto.
Skate Rental for 2 hrs: 10 CAD
8. Boat Cruises in Toronto Islands
- How to get there: Alight at Union Station, and take Streetcar 510 to Harbourfront.
Ticket Kiosk at Queen’s Quay and Toronto’s Harbourfront. We bought our voucher with GROUPON.
9. Trinity Bellwoods
- How to get there: From Oosgode Station (or on that day from Graffiti Alley), take 501 streetcars to Queen St West at Shaw St, and walk 2 minutes to the park.
A small park right in the heart of the city. Great for picnics and a walking place for pets.
10. Earl Bale Ski Resort
- How to get there: Alight at Sheppard West Station and take the bus.
My first ski experience happened here. It's a great place for beginners as they have the bunny hill to facilitate amateur skiers and little kids too.
11. Allan Gardens Conservatory
- Address: Gerrard Street East, Southside of Carlton St. between Jarvis Ave. and Sherbourne St.
How to get there: Alight at Queen's Park Station, take Bus 506 (towards Victoria Station) and get off at Carlton St at Sherbourne St.
Or alight at College Station then take an eastbound Carlton streetcar to Sherbourne.
It's a small indoor garden enclosed in a glass panel conservatory. A secret garden nearby downtown. I only spent a few minutes here then went straight to Little India, by taking the same Bus 506.
12. Toronto Heli Tours
- Address: Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, 2 Eireann Quay, Hangar 6, Suite 214, Toronto, ON M5V 1A1
- My first-ever Helicopter Ride happened in Canada
- Ride: 70 CAD per pax
- We bought our voucher with GROUPON.
13. O.Noir Dine in the Dark
- Address: 620 Church St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2G2
- Book Yelp or call for reservations.
- Dinner: 90 CAD for two (tax + tip)
14. Graffiti Alley
- How to get there: A lot of options as long you're downtown (Bathurst Station /Oosgode Station/Union Station. Alight at Oosgode station, from the station walk to Queen St West at Simcoe St West and take 501 streetcars to Queen St West at Augusta Ave, and walk two minutes to Graffiti Alley.
Explore the wonder of colours and fusion of arts in Graffiti Alley.
15. Brunch at CN Tower
- Address: 301 Front St W, Toronto, ON M5V 2T6
- Book Yelp or call for reservations.
- Budget: 120 CAD for two-person
- We also bought our voucher with GROUPON.
16. Cherry Beach
- How to get there: From the park, cross the street to Front Street East at Scott Street, right in front of Sony Centre for the Arts, and take Bus 121D to the beach.
I went to Berczy Park to see the cutest fountain I've ever seen and then headed to the beach.
17. Boardwalk Polson Street and Pier
- How to get here: Alight at Union Station. Walk 8 minutes to the park, passing by the Union Go station, tunnel, and the underpass.
Go for picnics or rent a bike to share to go around the area.
18. Ricoleh Coliseum
- How to get there: Alight at Union Station, and take 509 streetcars to Exhibition Place.
Ice hockey Game tickets: 10 CAD each
Watch Canada's famous sport. Book your hockey game tickets online.
19. Prince of Wales Theater
- How to get there: 10 minutes walk from St. Andrew Station.
I watched Phantom of the Opera in this theatre, which is considered one of the longest-running Broadway shows in the world. Book your tickets online ahead of time to get a cheaper deal.
20. Monkey's Paw Bookshop
- Address: 1267 Bloor St W, walking distance from Landsdown Station.
They have a book vending machine, just insert a token (worth 3 CAD) and you get a random old book from their collection.
21. Paint Nite at The Office Pub
We bought our vouchers at GROUPON so we had a cheap deal and every material we used was included in the activity.
22. Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
- Address: 317 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M5T 1G4
I'm not a fan of museums but it's worth a few minutes of my time besides it's free on certain dates.
Admission is free on Wednesday nights from 6 to 9 PM.
(Check Aga Khan Museum free admissions on Wednesday evenings from 4 pm to 8 pm).
Check out this building near St. Lawrence Market
23. St. Lawrence Market
- Address: 93 Front St E, Toronto, ON M5E 1C3, Canada
- Opening hours: 5am-5pm. Closed on Sundays
- Important reminder: Bring CASH
How to get there: Alight at Kings train station. Walk 7 minutes away from the station.
24. Downsview Park
- How to get there: Alight at Downsview Station and a few minutes to the park.
I had my Color Rad Toronto Run here. We bathed in colorful powder as we ran and partied with mosaic-like faces in the park.
25. Rattlesnake Conservation Point
For those who want more adventure try going further away from Toronto. It's just a 1-2 hrs drive from the city. There's no public transport going to the park so you can go with Parkbus for a 35 CAD roundtrip ticket.
26. Rouge National Urban Park
- Address: Zoo Road Welcome Area, Zoo Rd, Toronto, ON M1B 5W8, Canada
By Bus/Subway
- From Union Station, ride the TTC eastbound Subway (Line 2) to Kennedy Station. Connect to Bus 86A Scarborough towards the Toronto Zoo. Get off at the intersection of Meadowvale Road and Zoo Road. Walk 100 metres to the right down Zoo Road and you will arrive at the Parks Canada Welcome Centre and Rouge Valley Conservation Centre.
The most accessible national park from Toronto.
27. Little India
- How to get there: Alight at Queen's Park Station, take Bus 506 (towards Victoria Station), and get off at Gerrard Street East at Ashdale Ave.
or Alight at Greenwood Station and take bus 31 to Gerrard Street East.
I bought an organic henna powder here for my aunt at BJ Supermarket. All kinds of Indian cuisine, apparel, and products can be found here.
28. Berczy Park
- How to get there: Alight at King Station, and walk towards King Street West at Scott Street.
Afterwards, I crossed the street waited right in front of the Sony Centre for the Arts, and took Bus 121D to Cherry Beach.
29. Henderson Brewing Co.
- Address: 128 Sterling Rd, Toronto, ON M6R 2B7
How to get there: Alight at Dundas West station, more than 10 10-minute walk to the brewery.
Beer tour: 5 CAD (plus tax)
30. Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library
- Address: 120 St George Street
- Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm
How to get there: Alight at St. George Station, exit St. George Street and walk 6 minutes to the library
If you're planning to view manuscripts reserve the book online so you'll be able to view it in the reading room. This isn't my thing but I had some spare time and it's a free viewing. Besides, it's a bit interesting because you get to see the past through a book.
31. High Park
- How to get there: Alight at High Park TTC station. Exit, cross the street, and walk a few minutes to the park entrance.
32. Rogers & Keele Value Village
Check out this store if you're looking for second items like clothes, bags, and shoes. Some items even have their price tags. A bigger outlet with better products among the Value Village I've been to in Toronto.
33. Christie Pits Park
- How to get there: Alight at Christie Station and cross the street, you won't miss it, find something right after you exit the station.
I went to check out this Mexican restaurant near the station, Tacos El Asador’s and bought a Mixed pupusa for 4 CAD. The park is clean and everyone just sits there, hanging out with friends or by themselves, like me. A Korean student approached me to chitchat for a few minutes and that made my visit more interesting.
34. Rogers Centre
- Address: 1 Blue Jays Way, Toronto, M5V 1J1.
I watched my first Blue Jays game here for 10 CAD only. Ticket price: 5 CAD - 20 CAD.
Have fun and be safe ^__^
Explore More Road Trips from Toronto:
- Must-Try Foods in Toronto
- What To Do in Niagara Falls
- Road Trip to Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal and Old Quebec
- Amazing Waters of Tobermory
- Montreal for Two Days
- Honeymoon in Hamilton
- Memorable Getaway to Ottawa
- What To Do in London
- Hiking Rouge National Park
Do you want more adventure?
If you still have one more day to spare why not go on a Food trip tour in Toronto.
Where am I going next?
My next adventure is to Los Angeles, California and I have here a survival guide on how to go around the city.
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