Toronto, Canada-6-day-itinerary

Six days in Toronto is enough time to actually settle in, and this version doesn’t rush day one straight off the plane. Land, check in, breathe, then start.

Day 1: Arrival And The Tower

Land at Pearson and take the UP Express into Union Station, 28 minutes, 9.25 CAD with PRESTO or 12.35 cash, running early morning to just before 1am. Check into a downtown hotel, the Fairmont Royal York is a genuinely grand historic option right by Union Station itself, worth a look inside even if you stay elsewhere.

Once settled, the CN Tower, general admission from about 45 CAD adult online, 32 senior or youth, 16 kids 3-5. EdgeWalk is a separate add-on running close to 200 CAD including tax if the harness walk around the tower’s exterior appeals to you specifically; skip it if the observation deck view already scratches the itch.

Lunch at a Northern Thai kitchen near the tower, then walk to Union Station itself for the clock tower and the architecture, genuinely worth a slow ten minutes even as a transit hub. Evening, Vietnamese sandwiches and noodle bowls in the Entertainment District close the day well after a long travel day.

Day 2: Kensington And Chinatown

Morning, Kensington Market for the vintage shops, street art, and multicultural food stalls. Lunch at a French bistro nearby if you want something quieter than the market crowds.

Afternoon, Chinatown, centered on Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street West, one of the largest in North America and distinct enough from neighboring Kensington to treat as its own stop. Later, find Graffiti Alley, running south of Queen Street West between Spadina and Portland, for the ever-changing murals.

Day 3: Art And Shopping

Morning, the Art Gallery of Ontario, spanning centuries of Canadian and international art, general collection often free or pay-what-you-can for under-25 visitors, special exhibitions ticketed separately.

Lunch at St. Lawrence Market, over 120 vendors, unless it’s a Monday, when the South Market building is closed. Afternoon, the Distillery District, cobblestone and free to wander, upscale shops and cafes in converted 19th-century whiskey distillery buildings. Evening, Greektown along the Danforth for a change of cuisine and a slower dinner.

Day 4: ROM And Casa Loma

Morning, the Royal Ontario Museum, over 13 million objects spanning dinosaur fossils to ancient artifacts. Dynamic pricing runs roughly 20 to 31 CAD adult, kids 4-17 free and 18-24 half price from June 19 through September 7.

Afternoon, Casa Loma, the 1914 mansion with opulent decor, gardens, and secret passages, starting around 32 CAD. The guided tour through the interiors is worth the upcharge over just wandering the grounds solo.

Day 5: Water And Green Space

Morning, walk the waterfront path for skyline and lake views, a stretch that runs the length of the harbourfront and rewards an unhurried pace. Lunch at a seafood spot with fresh local catches. Afternoon, High Park for walking trails and picnic areas, and if you haven’t yet, this is a good day to squeeze in the ferry to the Toronto Islands too, round trip about 9.57 CAD adult, 6.15 student or senior, 4.51 kids 2-14, no timed slot needed, and consistently the best value few hours of the whole trip.

Day 6: Last Day

Morning, a slower final day. Lunch at a Neapolitan-style pizzeria, then one more wander through Kensington Market’s street art if you didn’t get enough of it on Day 2, this time along a different stretch than before so it doesn’t feel repetitive.

Getting Around All Six Days

Tap PRESTO or contactless for 3.30 CAD per TTC ride across subway, streetcar, and bus, not any separately branded transit card, PRESTO is the one that works across the whole system. Favor subway lines over streetcars whenever your route allows it, the streetcars bunch and stall in traffic while the subway stays fast and predictable. Toronto is genuinely bike-friendly too, with enough dedicated paths along the waterfront and through parks to make renting one worthwhile for at least one of these six days.

Pack layers and something waterproof regardless of season, the weather shifts fast enough to catch you off guard. Tipping runs 15 to 20 percent, standard at restaurants and bars. If your visit lines up with September, TIFF runs the 10th through the 20th, and the CNE runs mid-to-late August into early September, both worth checking against your dates before you finalize which six days to book.