72 hours in Toronto: from culture and cuisine to nature and adventure, your travel to-do list

From the heights of the CN Tower to the shallows of Lake Ontario, Toronto has everything from bucket-list sights and captivating culture to breathtaking nature, charming neighbourhoods and award-winning cuisine.

To help you plan the ultimate break, Canadian Affair are the experts in travel to Canada, offering personalised itineraries fine-tuned to interest, budget and preference.

Here’s a taste of how to make the most of three days in Ontario’s compelling capital…

Start your trip off with an overview of the city at the CN Tower. This 550+ metre-high landmark is one of the most iconic attractions in Toronto, boasting fine dining at 360 The Restaurant at the CN Tower, EdgeWalk, Glass Floor and panoramic views. On a clear day, you can see Niagara Falls and into New York State.

Return to ground level and make your way to the nearby St Lawrence Market. Voted by National Geographic as one of the 10 great food markets around the globe, it's a place to shop, learn about Toronto's history and of course, to taste and discover great food.

Next, take a wander to Kensington Market, a little further into Downtown Toronto (3km away from St Lawrence Market). It’s a beautiful – and walkable – neighbourhood filled with colourful houses, vintage shops and independent cafes that draw in the city’s artists as well as tourists.

Nearby Graffiti Alley is a great place to wander through and see murals. Next hit up Chinatown, for a bite to eat between sights. The neighbourhood was established in 1878, making it one of the city’s oldest, and hosts a cluster of buzzy restaurants. Settle into one spot or join a food tour.

For a final dose of culture, hit up the nearby Art Gallery of Ontario. With a collection of more than 90,000 works of art spanning from 100 AD to present day, as well as permanent and temporary exhibitions, they stage a wealth of cultural events and workshops.

On day two, start with a coffee and bagel in hand on the fringes of Lake Ontario, strolling through Toronto Music Garden. It’s an enchanting space in front of the harbour where music meets landscape architecture. The gardens’ design was inspired by Bach’s First Suite for Unaccompanied Cello, with sections of the garden representing different dance movements through sculpture.

From the harbourfront you can cross over to Toronto Island Park. The park is made up of several small islands and you can while away time visiting the lighthouse, amusement park or navigating the William Meany Maze. There’s spots to rent bicycles and gardens for picnics, or you can spend the afternoon relaxing on one of the many beautiful beaches.

Catch a ferry back to the harbourfront and head east a couple of kilometres to the Distillery Historic District. The buildings in the pedestrian-only district date back to the 19th century and once housed a large whisky distillery. Today it’s known for its burgeoning influx of indie restaurants, art installations, pubs and boutiques that amalgamate a historical setting with a contemporary urban space. Settle in for a meal or check out some of the distilleries and breweries for a taste of Toronto nightlife.

Toronto has no shortage of museums. You could start the day at one Downtown, like the Royal Ontario Museum, the largest museum in Canada, which combines natural history with world cultures. Or close by is the Textile Museum of Canada – a little less known but no less impressive. There’s a huge collection of embroidery, clothing and hand-woven rugs here as well as more niche designs.

For more fascinating fashion, head to the Bata Shoe Museum, for a truly unique journey through the history of footwear. From key styles and shifts through the centuries to nostalgic deepdives on specific decades (think 80s high tops and power heels) and sneaker/artist collaborations, it’s part style, part culture and will trigger some serious shoe envy. Thus sartorially inspired, from here head to Yorkville, one of Toronto’s chicest neighbourhoods, packed with designer boutiques and cool galleries.

A visit to one of the district’s rooftop patios is a must – at Kasa Moto you can enjoy contemporary Japanese fare, and extraordinary flavours like ginger citrus and wasabi sour cream – both sophisticated and delectable. Or enjoy an appropriately stylish bite at Skylight, rooftop hideaway situated at the W Toronto, where you can tuck into delicious mezze and enjoy beautifully crafted cocktails.

Yorkville boasts a thriving food scene with some of Toronto’s best and buzziest eateries. Head to Mogouyan, where must-try dishes include their Dan Dan noodles, braised beef noodle soups and garlic seashell scallops, while their MGY Mango martini is infused with a Chinese liqueur. At Buca Osteria & Bar, the focus here is seafood, from dry-cured swordfish to linguine with mussels, while they also serve up modern Italian dishes like Tagliata Di Wagyu. Or for haute cuisine, make a reservation 156 Cumberland, an intimate, minimalistic venue serving elegantly-plated dishes that combine Korean flavours with global inspiration, where the beef short ribs are to-visit for.

From here, head to the Fashion District to take in a play. Founded in 1970, and committed to producing Canadian plays, the Factory Theatre’s mission is to enthrall audiences with the imagination of local playwrights and develop the next generation of diverse theatre artists, making this the perfect finale to a culture-packed trip.

For more travel ideas and inspiration, special offers and to book your trip, visit Canadian Affair