Toronto, Ontario, Canada-6-day-itinerary

A six-day trip shouldn’t repeat itself, and this version doesn’t send you back to Kensington Market on day six pretending it’s a new discovery. Six distinct days, six distinct moods.

Day 1: Downtown Landmarks

Morning, the CN Tower, tickets from about 45 CAD adult online, 32 senior or youth, 16 kids 3-5. Ripley’s Aquarium sits right next door but rings up as a separate ticket starting around 33 CAD. Afternoon, walk to the Hockey Hall of Fame, tucked inside Brookfield Place downtown rather than standing alone, worth knowing so you’re not wandering looking for a freestanding building. Lunch at St. Lawrence Market, one of the continent’s great food halls, the peameal bacon sandwich from Carousel Bakery is the one dish worth planning around, though skip this stop on a Monday when the South Market building is closed.

Evening, catch a performance at one of the historic downtown theaters. Stay somewhere central with real city views, worth the splurge on night one to set the tone for the trip.

Day 2: Kensington And Chinatown

Morning, Kensington Market for the vintage shops and international food stalls, Cuban coffee is a specific, worthwhile detour if you spot it. Chinatown, centered on Spadina Avenue and Dundas Street West, sits right next door but is genuinely distinct, dense with its own restaurant scene rather than an extension of Kensington’s.

Afternoon, lunch at an Indian or Mexican spot in the area, then a small local art gallery if you want something quieter than the market crowds. Evening, Greek food with live music closes the day well.

Day 3: Museums

Morning, the Royal Ontario Museum, dynamic pricing roughly 20 to 31 CAD adult, kids 4-17 free and 18-24 half price from June 19 through September 7. The Art Gallery of Ontario next, general collection often free or pay-what-you-can for under-25 visitors, special exhibitions ticketed separately.

Afternoon, lunch at a Northern Thai kitchen, then the Toronto Reference Library, a genuinely striking building worth the detour even if you’re not there to read. Evening, an upscale Greek dinner focused on seafood, a good change of pace if you did a more casual Greek spot on Day 2.

Day 4: Toronto Islands

Morning, the ferry from Jack Layton Terminal to the Toronto Islands, round trip about 9.57 CAD adult, 6.15 student or senior, 4.51 kids 2-14, no timed slot needed. Rent a bike or just walk the paths between beaches and gardens. This remains the best value stretch of the entire week, a skyline view worth more than most paid downtown attractions.

Afternoon, lunch with a view somewhere on the islands, then Centreville Amusement Park if you’re traveling with kids who want rides rather than scenery. Evening, French food with live music back on the mainland closes the day.

Day 5: Casa Loma And Yorkville

Morning, Casa Loma, the early-1900s mansion with gardens and secret passages, tickets from about 32 CAD. Note this is a separate destination from High Park, which sits well across the city and deserves its own dedicated visit rather than getting lumped in as a quick afterthought on castle day.

Afternoon, lunch somewhere relaxed and healthy, then Yorkville Avenue for upscale boutiques and gallery windows worth browsing even without buying. Evening, one more round of Greek food if you’ve genuinely liked it all week, or branch out to something you haven’t tried yet.

Day 6: High Park And The Waterfront

Morning, High Park properly this time, on its own day, with walking trails, a small zoo, and a cherry blossom display in spring worth timing a visit around if the season lines up. Afternoon, walk the waterfront path for lake views and public art. Evening, a final dinner wherever in the city you enjoyed most this week, there’s no rule saying the last night has to be somewhere new.

Practical Notes

Tap PRESTO or contactless for 3.30 CAD per TTC ride across subway, streetcar, and bus. Favor subway lines over streetcars whenever your route allows it, the streetcars bunch and stall in traffic while the subway stays fast and predictable. Expect crowds at popular attractions and on the islands ferry during peak summer weekends.

Skip treating poutine as Canada’s answer to Toronto cuisine here specifically; it’s available but it’s a Quebec import, and the city’s real food identity runs through its diaspora kitchens side by side rather than one national dish standing in for the whole place.