4 Days in Toronto Itinerary: What to See + Things to Do

Last Updated on October 17, 2024

Planning to spend 4 days in Toronto? This Toronto guide, written by a local, covers everything you need to know for a visit to this vibrant city!

Toronto is the capital of the Canadian province of Ontario. The city sits right along the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. 

With over 6 million people, it’s the largest city in Canada. But living here, it doesn’t feel that large. Toronto has many boroughs and neighborhoods that feel like their own small communities within a big city.

Throughout my 20s I’ve lived in 5 different cities. But Toronto is the one that most feels like home. This sprawling city is Canada’s biggest, and it’s full of character and culture.

One of the things I love most about Toronto is its multiculturalism. Statistics Canada reports that Toronto is Canada’s most linguistically diverse city. 

On top of English, you will hear Torontonians chatting in Cantonese, Hindi, Italian, Spanish, Tamil, Mandarin, Portuguese, Farsi, Russian and more. And this multiculturalism makes Toronto special. Any person, visiting or local, whatever their interest or taste, can find their community here. 

This 4 days in Toronto guide covers the best of Toronto, from the perspective of a local. With this 4 day Toronto itinerary you’ll experience Toronto neighborhoods, museums, breweries, jazz music, a castle, the Toronto islands, and more!

As someone who has lived in Toronto for a decade, I’m excited to share all of my favourite recommendations with you.

When is the Best Time to Spend 4 Days in Toronto?

When people think of Canada, they often think of cold weather and snow. While it’s true that much of Canada does have a chilly winter, that isn’t the case year-round. 

Spring, summer, and fall are a gorgeous time to visit Toronto if you want to avoid the winter. The summer months, July and August, are the warmest time to visit, with the temperature averaging around 25 degrees celsius. 

The summer is my favorite time to be in Toronto, because Torontonians know how to take full advantage of beautiful weather. The city comes alive with busy patios, street festivals, and vibrant parks. 

During the winter months, which span from early December to late March, the weather averages around -3 degrees celsius. Compared to other big Canadian cities, like Montreal and Ottawa, that’s pretty mild! 

Winter isn’t the best time to visit Toronto if you’d like to enjoy the outdoors – but it’s still possible to enjoy museums and other indoor spots despite the cold. 

How to Get Around Toronto

Toronto is a big city, but you’ll find that it’s pretty walkable. If you need some transport to get you from place to place, you can take the subway, bus, bicycle, or a cab.

Taking public transport in Toronto

No need for a car in Toronto because the public transport system is fantastic. Torontonians (and visitors!) mostly use the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) which connects riders quickly to all of Toronto’s downtown neighbourhoods. 

The TTC provides subway, streetcar, and bus service that will typically get you around faster than a car because of all the city traffic. 

As a tourist, you can buy a day pass, weekend pass, or weekly pass to use. You can also tap on and tap off of of streetcars, buses, and the subway using your credit card. And, be sure to download a TTC app to your phone for schedules and trip planning.

How to get to Toronto from Pearson Airport

The easiest way to reach Toronto from the airport is by taking the UP Express train. This commuter train connects people from Pearson International Airport to Union Station in the downtown core of Toronto in 25 minutes.  It costs just a few dollars each way!

How to cycle around Toronto

Cycling is a great way to get around while spending a weekend in Toronto! Bike Share Toronto provides rentable bikes that can be grabbed from an outdoor station. 

Stations are located all over the city and you can use your credit card to rent bicycles from these stations for unlimited 30-minute trips. Download the bike share app for a map of all the stations where you can grab and drop of a bike.

Taking taxis and cabs in Toronto

Taxis, Ubers and Lyfts are readily available in Toronto. I find that Uber and Lyft are usually cheaper than cabs, but cabs are reliable and safe too, and sometimes faster if you flag one on the street. 

The main cab companies are City Taxi, Beck Taxi, and Co-op Cabs. Most cabs take payment by credit card as well as cash.

Driving in Toronto

Driving in Toronto is big city driving, so it can be overwhelming if you aren’t used to busy roads. The biggest challenge of driving in Toronto is driving alongside streetcars, busses, cyclists, and scooters. But as long as you plan your routes, use navigation in you vehicle, stay aware of the traffic around you, and are patient, you’ll be fine!

Need a car rental for your Toronto adventures? Discover Cars compares the prices for a vehicle from a variety of suppliers to ensure you get the cheapest rate, and you can reserve your car rental in advance. Reserve a car rental here!

Where to Stay in Toronto

When it comes to accommodation, there’s plenty of choice in Toronto. While there are lots of chain hotels and Airbnb’s, I want to highlight some of the city’s local, independent, and unique hotels and hostels.

Many of these hotels aren’t in the downtown core, but don’t let that deter you. Staying in one of these spots will expose you to a more local region of the city. Here are some notable hotels and hostels, for every budget.

Hotels for 4 Days in Toronto

The Annex Hotel – This hotel is in my own Toronto neighborhood! I often drop by for a drink in their chique bar. The hotel offers just a few rooms, each of which is minimalist, with lots of windows and a platform bed. A nice touch is that every room is outfitted with a record player and a small collection of vinyl to choose from. Located in Toronto’s west end, this hotel is close to popular neighborhoods, shopping, and restaurants.

The Gladstone – Built in 1889, The Gladstone is Toronto’s oldest continuously operating hotel. When staying in the hotel or visiting, you’ll notice The Gladstone’s historicity when you use the elevator. The antique elevator still requires an operator! This is a fantastic spot in the city to be, with proximity to artist venues, independent shops, and restaurants. Plus, each room is uniquely designed and decorated by a local artist.

The Drake Hotel – The Drake is known for being an artistic hub, as well as a boutique hotel, restaurant, bar, and music venue. There you’ll often find contemporary art collections and exhibitions on display. The hotel is in the city’s trendy west end, and has friendly staff and a community feel.

Budget accommodation for 4 Days in Toronto

The Parkdale Hostellerie – This budget hotel is in a very hip neighborhood of Toronto, with great access to the downtown core. It offers affordable hotel rooms, as well as suites and hostel dorms. Being a budget traveler myself, I know the value of a good hostel.

Only Backpacker’s Inn – This backpacking hostel is in a residential, lively neighborhood known as Greektown. If Greek food is your thing, this is the hostel for you. Only Backpacker’s Inn has dorm rooms and one private room. Plus, it offers a large rooftop patio, communal kitchen, and lots of common spaces.

Planet Traveler Hostel – This backpacker’s hostel uses green energy through integrated systems like solar panels and water heat recycling, giving travelers an environmentally conscious option for accommodation. And, found just around the corner from Kensington Market, it’s perfectly located. With a rooftop lounge and bar, it’s a great spot for solo travelers to connect with others. 

How to Spend 4 Days in Toronto

Ready to spend 4 days in Toronto? Let’s dive into the itinerary!

Day 1: Explore Downtown Toronto

Your first day in Toronto is all about seeing some famous sites! 

Explore The Distillery District and St. Lawrence Market 

The Distillery District is a historic neighborhood that was once home to a large whiskey distillery called the Gooderham and Worts Distillery. The distillery was founded in 1832, by 1860 was the world’s largest whiskey distillery, but eventually closed in the 1990s.

Today, the neighborhood is known for its  industrial 19th-century architecture, cobblestone streets, and the St. Lawrence Market, an indoor public market that has artisanal shops and plenty of food stalls.

Strolling through this pedestrian-only district you’ll find indie restaurants, lots of boutiques, galleries, and public art. You will definitely notice the Gooderham Building. 

This historic office building is known as Toronto’s Flatiron building. I’m a big fan of the Ontario Spring Water Sake Company, which is eastern North America’s first sake brewery.

Pop in for a tour and sake samples, and buy your own freshly pressed, unpasteurized, and unfiltered sake to bring home. If you happen to be in Toronto during December, check out the neighborhood’s famous Christmas Market.

Swing by Nathan Phillips Square

On your way to the CN Tower, make a stop in Nathan Phillips square. Nathan Phillips Square is an urban plaza on Queen Street. It is right by Toronto City Hall at the intersection of Queen Street West and Bay Street, and is named after Nathan Phillips, mayor of Toronto from 1955 to 1962.

Stopping by the square, you’ll see new and old Toronto city hall, and you can get a photo with the famous “Toronto” sign!

Go to the Top of the CN Tower

The CN Tower is at the very center of the downtown core of Toronto and it’s the world’s 9th tallest free-standing structure. It’s truly an icon of the city, and it’s often visible from miles away because of its height. 

A classic visit to the tower means taking a high speed elevator up to the tower’s observation decks. Once you reach the deck, you’ll get to peer down at the city below through a glass floor.

For something a little more thrilling, opt for the Edge Walk – the world’s highest hands-free walk. Wearing a suit and strapped into a harness, you can circle around the exposed top of the CN Tower. 

For something more chill, consider having a meal in the 360 Restaurant. At the top of the tower, this restaurant provides more than just dinner… You’ll be treated to panoramic views!

Visit Steamwhistle Brewery

This Toronto brewery is right by the CN Tower. Steamwhistle was founded in 2000 by three former employees of Upper Canada Brewing. 

They brew pilsner beers in a historic brick railway roundhouse. You can stop by for a tasting, a tour, or to check out the shop. 

See a Show at the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre

The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre is the last-operating vaudeville-era double-decker theater in the world. This 100-year old historic theatre complex is a National Historic Site, and an important part of Toronto’s theater scene. 

The theater hosts a variety of film screenings, concerts, dance shows, fashion shows, fundraisers, comedy and lecture series. 

If there aren’t any shows that appeal to you, you can also opt to take a guided tour of the beautiful and historic premises. The tour includes a look inside the Winter Garden Theatre, which is one of the only surviving Edwardian stacked theaters left in the world.

Day 2: Explore Chinatown and Kensington Market

This 4 days in Toronto itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a visit to two of Toronto’s best neighborhoods: Chinatown and Kensington Market. These two neighbourhoods are adjacent to eachother, making it easy to explore them both in one day.

I personally love walking around Chinatown and Kensington market on a Sunday afternoon. You’ll often catch my partner and I doing this, particularly during the summer months!

Start the Day in Chinatown

Chinatown has historically been home to immigrants from Hong Kong and China. It’s one of the largest Chinatowns in North America, with history dating back to the late 1870s, when the first Chinese business opened there. 

It’s one of the best neighborhoods in Toronto to explore on foot, because you can pop into various shops and wander by street vendors. This is also the best area for Asian cuisine! You’ll find Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese food and more.

Most businesses in the neighborhood, including medical centres and banks, offer services in Chinese languages, and you’ll notice that street signs in Chinatown include Cantonese. 

The stretch of Spadina Street at the core of Chinatown is typically busy during the day with local shoppers visiting street markets. Be sure to check out some of Indigenous businesses in Toronto, that are in this area!

Spots to check out in Chinatown:

• Art Gallery of Ontario is on the edge of Chinatown, and displays a variety of genres, including the works of emerging First Nations artists.
• Bau-Xi Gallery is one of Canada’s top commercial art galleries featuring Canadian and international artists.
• Tap Phong Trading Company is actually a cookware and dinnerware supplier, they provide many of Toronto’s restaurants with their wares. I love browsing this shop for gems like unique dishware and cute pots for my house plants.  

Next, Explore Kensington Market

This famous Toronto neighborhood is known for its laid-back, artsy vibe. It’s long been one of the best neighborhoods in Toronto! And, it’s a designated National Historic Site of Canada. 

In Kensington Market you’ll find eclectic shops, vintage clothing stores, ethnic restaurants, bars, street food, artisan markets, street performers and street art.

At the north end of Augusta Avenue in Kensington is an oddity that’s been an icon of the neighborhood for years: the garden car. This repurposed car can be seen in the summer bursting with foliage.

Plants grow out through the roof, doors, windows, and trunk. The garden car is a piece of public art and considered a statement of protest against the damage that cars cause to the environment.

Spots to check out in Kensington Market: 

• Wanda’s Pie in the Sky for pies and other delicious sweets. 
• Rasta Pasta for Jamaican-Italian fusion fare. 
• Pow Wow Cafe for Indigenous Canadian cuisine. 
• Ronnie’s Local 069 or Thirsty and Miserable for a craft beer. 
• Cafe Pamenar for a cup of coffee or tea. 
• Courage My Love for vintage shopping. 
• Golden Patty for delicious Jamaican patties.

Pop Into The Art Gallery of Ontario

The Art Gallery of Ontario (known by Torontonians as the “A.G.O.”) features a collection of close to 95,000 works. There, you’ll discover both Canadian works, and art from the global art scene.

You can view pieces by emerging First Nation artists, or some of the gallery’s large permanent collection by the famous Canadian Group of Seven. And, you’ll find European masterpieces too. Hot tip: The AGO is free on Wednesday evenings after 6:00 PM.  

Listen to Jazz at Poetry Jazz Cafe

For a relaxed evening, head to the Poetry Jazz Cafe on Queen Street West. This is one of the best spots in Toronto to listen to live jazz, blues, and soul music. 

And on some evenings, you’ll catch performances of live spoken word. They serve beer, wine, and an array of cocktails. Be sure to check their website for the performance calendar, and arrive early. 

Day 3: Harbourfront and the Toronto Islands

On your third day in Toronto, you’re hanging out by the lake! Start your day exploring the Harbourfront neighborhood, before heading to the Toronto Islands.

Start Your Morning Walking Around Harbourfront

Harbourfront is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the most southern neighborhood of Toronto, a long stretch of urban lakefront at the edge of Toronto’s downtown core. It’s known as a particularly touristy neighborhood, but for good reason. Walking along the waterfront you’ll have beautiful views of Lake Ontario.

From the Harbourfront, you can catch ferry connections to the Toronto Islands. And in the summer months, Harbourfront has many community activities and free concerts. You’ll also find urban parks, trails, and restaurants. This is one of the best neighborhoods in Toronto for watching the sunset over the lake!

Spots to check out at Toronto’s Harbourfront: 

• Amsterdam Brewery for some local craft beers. Sit on their waterfront patio for views of the lake.
• HTO park for sunbathing and people watching, and the famous waterfront wavedecks, a collection of curvy docks. 
• Harbourfront Centre is the neighborhood’s arts and culture hub.
• Jack Layton Ferry Terminal is where you can catch the ferry to the Toronto Islands. You’ll have incredible views of the cityscape from the ferry deck. 

Take a Ferry to the Toronto Islands

Toronto rests on the shores of Lake Ontario. Just off the coast of the city there are a collection of small islands called the Toronto Islands.

They are a haven for Torontonians in the summer months because there you can lounge on beaches, go swimming, cycle nicely paved trails, or have a picnic under the trees. There’s plenty of well-marked signage to help you navigate the islands. 

Centre Island is the most easily accessed one. Ferries leave from Toronto Harbourfront every 15 minutes, and it takes just 20 minutes to reach the Islands. Once there, you can pick up a rental bike for the day and explore everything from the Centreville Theme Park to Gibraltar Point Lighthouse.

If you’d like to swim, head to Hanlan’s Point. Ward’s Island can be walked to from Centre Island, and it’s nice to visit because the view of the city from Ward’s is gorgeous.

You can read more details about taking the ferry on the Toronto Islands website. Or, you can grab a water taxi. There are two main water taxi companies that run small boats going from Toronto’s waterfront to the islands.

They are Toronto Harbour Water Taxi and Tiki Taxi. The taxis cost $12 per person, and that’s going each direction. I love taking the taxis because they are a lot faster.

Bad Weather? Take a Boat Tour on Lake Ontario Instead

From Toronto’s waterfront you can also opt to take a tour of some of Lake Ontario. Most tours will bring you along the channel of water known as the Toronto Harbour, as well as all through the Toronto Islands. There are lots of great Toronto boat tours to choose from, just be sure to book in advance!

Go to a Toronto Blue Jays Baseball Game [Spring, Summer, and Fall only]

The Toronto BlueJays is a professional baseball team that competes in Major League Baseball (MLB). 

The team has a dedicated stadium in downtown Toronto, where locals and tourists alike can go to experience a baseball game from early spring to late fall. During the summer, the games are especially festive. 

The stadium roof is retractable, so when the weather is good the stadium is opened up to the fresh air and blue skies. 

You can enjoy some hotdogs, beers, and cheer along with the crowd. A Blue Jays game is a truly Torontonian experience! Tickets can go for as little as $20, and can be bought here.

Day 4: Explore Casa Loma & Queen Street West

On your last day of your 4 day Toronto itinerary, you’ll see a castle and explore one of Toronto’s trendiest neighborhoods. 

Take a Tour of Casa Loma

Kick off the last day of your 4 days in Toronto by visiting Toronto’s one and only castle. Casa Loma was built and owned by Canadian soldier and financier Sir Henry Pellatt. Completed in 1914, the castle was once the largest private residence in Canada. 

It has 98 rooms, several towers, and five acres of gorgeous estate gardens. Today, Casa Loma is open to the public for tours. You can also see permanent installations, like a classic car collection. 

Tours of the castle and gardens are available daily, and they last about 2 hours. Book your tour for the morning! Casa Loma is a bit out of the way, so you’ll need to rely on public transport or taxis to get there.

Explore Queen West

Queen West is known for being a trendy and hip enclave of Toronto, and many people think of it as one of the best neighborhoods in Toronto. It’s a popular shopping district, so you’ll find many boutiques, as well as tattoo shops, restaurants, and bars. This is the perfect neighborhood for an afternoon walk.

Pop into some shops, enjoy a cocktail or a coffee. To snap some Instagram worthy pictures, take a stroll through the famous graffiti alley.

Spots to check out on Queen Street West:

• The Cure Apothecary specializes in all-natural beauty products.
• Drake General Store sells Canadiana themed artisanal products and gifts.
• At Le Labo, you can create personalized fragrances for candles, lotions, and more.
• Grab a coffee from Early Bird Espresso.
• Drom Taberna for a drink and Eastern European fare. 
• On Third Thought for gelato and wine.

After exploring Queen West, swing by Trinity Bellwoods Park to hang out in the grass. Head to the north end of the park for an epic view of the CN Tower!

Spend the Evening at Bar Raval

Some in Toronto call Bar Raval the city’s most beautiful bar in the city. It’s adorned with Gaudi-esque carved wood, and has a cozy and social atmosphere. In the morning, they serve coffee and pastries, and from afternoon to late night, they serve cocktails, wine and pintxos.

They don’t take reservations, so you’ll likely have to wait to get in. Head to Bar Raval on your final evening in Toronto to enjoy some delicious snacks and cocktails. 

4 Days in Toronto FAQ

Final Thoughts: Spending Four Days in Toronto

With 4 days, you have plenty of time to explore some of Toronto’s best neighbourhoods, shopping, restaurants, museums, and more. After this Toronto itinerary, you’ll feel like you’ve experienced the beauty and diversity of this North American city. 

Heading out of the city after 4 days in Toronto? Check out these 12 Epic Short Trips From Toronto, and my day trip guide for What to Do in Caledon, Ontario.

Looking for more to do in Ontario, Canada? Read my other posts: 

• 14 Must-Visit Indigenous Businesses in Toronto
• First-Timer’s Guide to Exploring Algonquin Provincial Park
• 8 Must-Do Toronto Boat Tours
• Why You Need to Visit an Alpaca Farm in Ontario
• Your Essential Guide to Visiting Point Pelee National Park