Toronto Itinerary: 3 Days In Toronto

In this article, you’ll find a 3-day Toronto itinerary with the city’s main attractions. 

Our Toronto itinerary will take you to the capital of Ontario, one of Canada’s most popular and lusted-after travel destinations. Toronto is a huge city much like New York, but filled with a special Canadian charm and friendliness.

No trip to Canada is complete without visiting Toronto and this post will show you what to do in Toronto in 3 days, so you can fully see and immerse yourself in the city.

Before you arrive, I recommend you double check how you plan to get from Toronto Pearson Airport to Downtown, since there are many options and prices vary considerably from one another.

3-Day Toronto Itinerary

As one of the most beautiful cities in Canada, along with Vancouver and Montreal, Toronto is not only a concrete jungle full of things to do but also a place with lots to see and admire.

You will surely be surprised by the different offerings of things to do in Toronto and how diverse this city is. Spending 3 days in Toronto is the perfect amount of time to see and experience some of the highlights of the city.

However, there is plenty to do and see in Toronto, and finding the top ones can be a challenge.

This 3-day Toronto itinerary will help you narrow your focus with the highlights of Toronto to make your visit the best it can be.

3-Day Toronto Itinerary: Day 1

Visit Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

The first place to visit on your 3-day Toronto itinerary is the famous Ripley’s Aquarium, located right in the Downtown area.

A visit here promises a few hours of fun and discovery while you explore the 135,000 square feet of marine life.

There are over 100 different species of marine life to see with highlights like a shark tunnel, glowing jellyfish, and more.

For adults and children, it is the perfect place to visit on your weekend in Toronto, with activities and fun for all ages.

Plus, if you travel to Toronto in the colder months, this is the perfect place for when you start craving some indoor activities.

Go To The Top of The CN Tower

One of the top things to do on your Toronto weekend trip is to visit CN Tower, the city’s most iconic attraction.

The tower is located close to the Harbourfront area, surrounded by some of the city’s best hotels and other attractions, including the famous Art Gallery of Toronto, one of the many free museums in Toronto. It is also Canada’s most famous landmark and something people see right away and know “that is Canada”.

It is a 533m tall tower located right in the heart of the Downtown area. This structure dominates the skyline and really cannot be missed. In addition to being an amazing piece of architecture, it also offers a few fun experiences.

One of the most popular things to do is to take the elevator up to the top of the tower and walk around the observation deck. The view from the top of the tower is unbelievable and shockingly high.

If you are afraid of heights, prepare to get a little dizzy! From up here you can walk around and see the Toronto skyline from all angles and truly see how big the city is.

The fun doesn’t stop here. You can also get your adrenaline pumping by joining an edge walk of the CN Tower.

You get strapped to the outside of the CN Tower with a harness and lean over the edge. It is a beyond exhilarating experience that is perfect for adrenaline junkies. 

A final thing to do in the CN Tower is to have a meal at 360 Restaurant. It is located at the very top and spins slowly, providing all diners an ever-changing view of Toronto. Dining here is also great if you are looking for something fancier.

Explore Nathan Phillips Square

After some adventures in the CN Tower a walk to Nathan Phillips Square is in order. This is a huge square in downtown Toronto that is always full of vibrant life and energy.

During summer you can find a fountain, various streetcars selling food, and plenty of people walking around and exploring. In winter the fountain turns into a public ice-skating rink.

Marvel at Yonge-Dundas Square

Yonge-Dundas Square is the Times Square of Toronto, offering a ton to see. In the square, you will find flashing billboards in all directions and something new to see everywhere you turn.

There are street performers, shops, restaurants, and anything else you could wish for during your 3 days in Toronto. This is the perfect place to explore and see one of the city’s most lively areas.

If you are visiting Toronto on the weekend this square is especially busy with both locals and tourists. Be sure to stay vigilant for pickpockets.

Toronto in 3 Days: Day 2

Venture To Toronto Islands

On the second of your 3 days in Toronto, you should head off to the Toronto Islands. They are just a short 10-minute ferry ride away and well worth the journey.

A visit here offers a welcome escape from the city’s concrete and skyscrapers to some green space and natural beauty. It is the perfect place to spend the morning and some of the afternoon during your 3 days in Toronto to see and experience something a little different.

There are 3 main islands – Centre, Ward’s, and Algonquin – all of which offer something unique to experience.

Out of them all, there are more things to see in Centre Island. There are beaches, picnic areas, sport gear rentals, and even an amusement park. The other two islands, Ward and Algonquin, don’t offer as many activities but are great for strolling around and finding green space to relax on.

Since these islands are almost car-free, you can easily walk everywhere or rent a bike and explore as you wish. If you are visiting in the winter, these islands offer skiing and skating too!

View The Flatiron Building 

The Flatiron Building, which is also known as The Gooderham Building, is one of the cool places to visit in Toronto and one of the city’s most photographed buildings.

It is an oddly shaped, red brick building that stands out amongst the new architecture that makes up Toronto.

It can be found at 49 Wellington Street East and is just a 20-minute walk from the Distillery District. Making a quick stop here before heading to the distillery district to capture some photos is a must.

Walk around the Distillery District

The Distillery District is among the best places to visit in Toronto. It is a hip, urban area full of art and culture, making it a very popular place to visit for tourists and locals.

This pedestrian-only walking district is known for its cool bars, trendy cafes, and modern art shops. There are a ton of things to do and see, so you should definitely stroll around explore aimlessly.

It is best explored and visited in the evening for a drink at one of the many restaurants and bars and to see the area in its full light. You will feel the urban vibe from the red brick buildings and hip cafes!

In the Christmas season, this area turns into a Christmas market where you can find stands and shops set up for a magical experience.

3-Day Toronto Itinerary: Last Day

Morning at St. Lawrence Market 

The last of your 3-day Toronto itinerary starts at St. Lawrence Market, a food market very popular with locals and tourists alike. It is open all week except for Sundays and is a great place to venture to for fresh food and local goods.

If you are looking to bring home local food from your travels or just want to sample something Canadian, this is the place for you.

Be sure to look out for anything with maple syrup as this is a Canadian staple.

Enjoy a Sports Match 

Toronto is the home base to various sports teams in major leagues. You can find a home arena for ice hockey, basketball and baseball, which means you can watch different games no matter what part of the year you visit.

Even if you are not into sports, attending a major league sports match is super fun and exciting.

The crowd in Toronto is always very passionate about their home team and you will feel the excitement in the air. It is the perfect thing to do to see the Toronto locals get excited!

A rundown on some of the teams to see is as follows. For hockey fans, the Toronto team is called The Toronto Maple Leafs.

This is probably the city’s most popular team because hockey is Canadians’ favorite sport by far.

Getting a ticket to one of these games can be very hard but super worth it because the games are full of drinking, music, and lots of cheering. For basketball fans, the local team is the Toronto Raptors.

This team has recently gained popularity due to their win and games are always exciting and hosting special celebrity guests.

For baseball fans, the team is the Toronto Blue Jays, which host outdoor games full of sun, drinks, and fun.

As you can see 3 days in Toronto can offer you a ton to do and see. From the CN Tower to secret Islands to sports matches, Toronto has different things to offer.

Even though it is a big city, there is still a tight-knit feel and everyone in Toronto is very proud of their city.

Whether you are visiting in summer or in winter, prepare to fall in love with Toronto’s very special charm.

About The Author: Samantha Karen is the founder of the travel blog Sam Sees World. She is a traveler on a mission to explore the world seeking the new and unknown so she can inspire others to explore this wondrous world.