Toronto Travel Guide: 5 Essential Experiences You Can’t Miss

5 Places You Absolutely Have to Visit in Toronto: Beaches, Center Island, Royal Ontario Museum, Ripley’s Aquarium, and Niagara Falls.

Toronto Downtown. Photo by Author.

1. Beaches

When you think of Toronto, stuck in the middle of the North American continent, nestled between the US and Canada, you might not immediately think of fantastic beaches. But, surprise! You’d be mistaken. All thanks to Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes, it’s so large that it feels like an ocean. This means Toronto boasts some really cool beaches, offering a slice of seaside charm you wouldn’t expect to find here.

Some of my favorites:

• Sunnyside Beach : It’s not the biggest beach, but it’s got a cool café that makes you feel like you were just transported to the tropics. A nice wooden boardwalk allows for lengthy walks.
• Woodbine Beach: This beach offers plenty of room to enjoy and comes with a park and a pier. You can relax on the sand, explore the park, or take a walk on the pier for some beautiful views of the lake.
• Scarborough Bluffs: One of the largest beaches in the area, surrounded by cliff views and forest. It really makes you feel immersed in nature. Just a 40-minute drive from downtown Toronto.

2. Center Island

Sunset on the beach. Image by Author.

No visit to Toronto is complete without an excursion to Center Island, a small island on Lake Ontario just a short distance from the shore. The island is easily accessible by ferry or water taxi. Exploring the island by bike — whether a single, tandem, or quad — is a great way to get familiar with it, though some locations are only reachable by foot.

Tip: If it’s your first time there, a good strategy is to explore the island by bike first, so you can discover locations to visit later on foot.

A pier next to the bike rental station offers beautiful views of the lake, filled with numerous sailboats.

Last but not least, the beaches. They are numerous, spacious, and often crowded. While the sand and water may not rival Hawaii, you’ll definitely feel like you’re on vacation.

Here’s how to get there:

• The ferry is cheaper but slower and less frequent, typically running every 40 minutes.
• The water taxi is more expensive but faster, taking about 10 minutes to reach the island and operating as frequently as every 5 minutes during peak times.

Tip: There are three docks where you can arrive and depart, allowing you to enter from one side of the island and leave from another.

3. Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)

Image by Author.

If you’ve ever wanted to visit a museum where the mighty T-rex meets artifacts from Korean history, the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is the place to go. While many museums focus on a specific topic — such as Natural History, Art, or Civilization — the ROM has it all.

Spread over two buildings and four floors, the museum requires at least a full day to fully explore and enjoy.

If you get hungry, the cafeteria offers decent food.

4. Ripley’s Aquarium

Image by Author.

This aquarium, situated right next to the massive CN Tower, is home to thousands of animals from hundreds of species. While the entrance fee is not cheap at 50 CAD per person plus tax, the experience is worth it.

Special mention goes to the hyper-long underwater tunnel, which passes through a gigantic aquarium filled with fish, rays, and sharks. You can use the automated pedestrian escalator to travel through the underwater tunnel if you don’t like walking.

The aquarium can get crowded, so be sure to choose a good time to visit.

5. Niagara Falls

Impressive Niagara Falls. Image by Author.

Just a short two-hour drive from downtown Toronto lies one of the most famous waterfalls in the world: Niagara Falls, shared between the US and Canada.

You can admire the falls from the shore, then take a boat cruise to get closer to the action. Boats depart every 15 minutes, and the ride lasts about half an hour. During this time, you’ll enjoy fantastic views, get very wet, and then head back. You’ll notice that tourists from the American side wear blue ponchos, while those from the Canadian side wear red ones.

If you have time, make sure to visit the iconic Rainforest Cafe nearby, the only one in Canada. Enjoy lunch surrounded by a jungle setting with animatronic animals. For the full experience, request a table away from the entrance.