When to Go

Toronto is most pleasant from late spring through early fall, when there are outdoor concerts, frequent festivals, and open-air dining. On the other hand, some hotels drop their prices up to 50% in the off-season. Fall through spring is prime viewing time for dance, opera, theater, and classical music. The temperature frequently falls below freezing from late November into March, when snowstorms can wreak havoc on travel plans. Winters can be cold, though Toronto's climate is one of Canada's mildest, thanks to the regulating properties of Lake Ontario. Still, snowfalls are frequent, and substantial enough to lure skiing enthusiasts to the resorts north of the city. A few underground shopping concourses, such as the PATH in the Financial District downtown, allow you to avoid the cold in the winter months.