Best things to see and do in Toronto if you've only got a few days in the city
Daniel Jackson shares his pick of Toronto's top attractions as he explores the city on a four-day city break
Amazing sights, great food, puns on shop signs too rude to print and a great vibe that runs through every street.
I’m in Toronto, Canada, after enjoying the inaugural British Airways flight from Gatwick.
It’s the perfect place for a city break – an upbeat destination full of cultural attractions, great food, hidden treasures and plain old fun.
Short getaways can sometimes be exhausting with all the dashing about, but there’s a gentleness to Toronto that doesn’t run your batteries flat. A tour guide during our stay aptly described it as “New York, if it was run by the Swiss”.
I spent four days seeing what Toronto and the surrounding areas had to offer and here’s my pick of the best...
Hotel X
This brand new behemoth of a hotel is newly opened, overlooking the sprawling Lake Ontario coastline. X pulls off a wonderful balancing act of being a luxury hotel but without appearing stuffy or pretentious – a trap some high-end places fall into.
The staff are friendly and have encyclopedic knowledge of their city, while the in-house Maxx’s Kitchen highlights local produce on its menu. X is in a great location with the city’s entertainment and fashion districts just a short walk away.
READ MORE: How to find a cheap flight to Canada - all the insider tips you need to knowPick 6ix
Rapper and songwriter Drake is one of Toronto’s favourite sons. And somehow he found time away from music to open the rather excellent Pick 6ix restaurant in Yonge Street.
His gift to the city that loves him, it’s a classy joint with a gold theme befitting a rap star. Yet, stylish as it is, the food is the real attraction.
Artistically arranged plates of beautiful seafood, moreish BBQ dishes and the chef nailed the Canadian dish poutine, which is chips covered in cheese curds and gravy.
Cocktail Tour
We did a lot of pavement pounding during our stay.
So, why not combine walking the city streets with the specially curated drinks and nibbles tour suggested by Drink Toronto?
These knowledgeable hosts take you to off-the-grid venues where you can try signature cocktails and small plates of delicacies, tapas style.
The tours have themes, such as West End Wine Discovery and Cocktail Trail.
It’s an innovative way to see the city as well as enjoying quirkier establishments with lots of character. You can book as a group or join in on your own. Check it out at drinktoronto.com .
Canada holidays
Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery
Another famous Canadian son has branched out – retired ice hockey star Wayne Gretzky has moved into the wine making business.
His large winery near Niagara Falls runs tours where you can see the estate and sample the range. Guides talk you through the grape to glass process as you sip away.
Gretzky’s speciality is ice wines grown in Canada’s colder months, which are decadently sweet on the tongue.
I’m now waiting until they start exporting to my local off licence. Book at gretzkyestateswines.com .
Niagara Falls
I’ll admit it’s a little out of the way from Toronto, but it has to be done. In my head, I was thinking ‘A waterfall, how lovely’. But it’s a whole different experience when you’re there.
Seeing the raw power of The Falls is an experience you can’t miss. With stunning views from up top to tunnels running behind – Niagara is simply dramatic.
While you’re there, visit Elements restaurant, which makes burgers epic enough to match the surroundings. And if you can afford it, you can get an aerial view with helicopter rides around the falls. The moment you take off you’ll be glad you did. More info at niagarahelicopters.com .
Just explore
Toronto is a truly multicultural city so if you venture from the tourism hot spots it’s easy to find something unexpected.
Meghan Markle used to walk her two dogs in Trinity Bellwoods Park when she lived in the city. Or walk down Graffiti Alley on the edge of the Fashion District which is an ever-changing homage to street art.
St Lawrence street market is where locals get their fresh groceries, but even for a tourist it’s a fun place for people-watching and to pig out on snacks.
At one point I took a wrong turn and discovered the beautiful lakeside Trillium Park. It has great views of the city.
The CN Tower and Ripley’s Aquarium
Of course, a trip to the CN Tower may seem a little obvious, but with good reason because it’s an experience in its own right.
Even with my mild dislike of heights I was thrilled by the whooshing elevator ride up and the panoramic views.
There’s a glass platform that crazier people than me can sit on to take in the height and snap an amazing selfie.
Next to CN Tower is Ripley’s Aquarium. And if you think that’s just fish in tanks, think again. It’s a rainbow display of sea life in a twisting tour of tunnels. It’s 98 per cent mesmerising, 2 per cent "Woah, that’s a big shark!".