Toronto, Ontario, Canada-6-day-itinerary

6 Days in Toronto: Built Around the Neighbourhoods, Not Just the Sights

Six days is enough time that you don’t have to treat every neighbourhood as a 45-minute drive-by. This version gives Kensington, Chinatown, and Little Italy real time instead of squeezing them into a single rushed afternoon, and still covers the standard sights along the way.

Where to stay: downtown puts you closest to the CN Tower, nightlife, and most restaurants; the Fairmont Royal York or Hotel X Toronto both work here. Queen West has The Drake Hotel and Gladstone House if you want to be near boutiques and live music. Yorkville is the upscale pick, Four Seasons Toronto or The Hazelton Hotel, if fine dining and quieter streets matter more to you than being in the thick of it.

The basics: currency is the Canadian dollar. English runs daily life; French shows up on packaging and signage but isn’t spoken much day to day. Tipping 15-20% is expected at restaurants and for taxi or rideshare service. Pack layers regardless of season, summers get hot and humid, winters get properly cold.

Getting around: PRESTO card, 3.30 CAD tap fare across subway, streetcar, and bus. Bike Share Toronto is worth using between neighbourhoods on a nice day since it beats waiting for a streetcar that’s stuck behind traffic anyway.

Day 1: Downtown and the waterfront

Morning, the CN Tower, general admission around 45 CAD, breakfast at 360 Restaurant if you want the novelty of eating while it revolves (it’s pricier than eating elsewhere, so decide if the view’s worth it to you). Afternoon, the Distillery District, free to wander. Evening, the Harbourfront for street performers and a drink at Amsterdam BrewHouse.

Day 2: Museums

Morning, the AGO, general collection often free or pay-what-you-can for under-25s, worth checking current terms. Afternoon, the ROM, dynamic pricing 20-31 CAD for adults. Evening, check what’s playing in the Entertainment District if a show interests you.

Day 3: Kensington, Chinatown, Little Italy

This is the day this itinerary is built around. Morning in Kensington Market for vintage shops and brunch at Rasta Pasta. Afternoon in Chinatown on Spadina and Dundas, distinct from Kensington next door despite the two often getting lumped together, for dim sum and browsing. Evening in Little Italy for dinner at Terroni or Pizzeria Libretto, then gelato to close it out.

Day 4: Sports and marine life

Morning, a Blue Jays game at Rogers Centre if the schedule fits, or a stadium tour if it doesn’t. Afternoon, Ripley’s Aquarium, from about 33 CAD, ticketed separately from the CN Tower next door even though they’re adjacent. Evening, live music at The Horseshoe Tavern or Lee’s Palace.

Day 5: Islands and High Park

Morning, the ferry to the Toronto Islands, about 9.57 CAD round trip, for the best skyline view you’ll get all trip. Afternoon, High Park for trails and its own small zoo enclosure, not to be confused with the much larger Toronto Zoo out in Scarborough, which is a separate 45-60 minute trip and doesn’t fit into a day already built around the Islands. Evening, Canoe for dinner with a view if you want one splurge night.

Day 6: Shopping and departure

Morning, Yorkdale Mall for luxury brands or the Eaton Centre for a broader mix of stores. Afternoon, St. Lawrence Market for a final meal, Carousel Bakery’s peameal bacon sandwich is the one worth the queue, just check the south building’s open (it’s shut Mondays).

Watch for CityPASS-style resellers hovering near CN Tower and Casa Loma pushing marked-up “skip the line” tickets. Buy straight from the official sites and you’ll pay less for the same access.