First time in Toronto...
 

Next weekend (Labor Day in the U.S.), I'm crossing the northern border and going to Toronto for the first time. Is there anything that I must see? (Note: I am from NYC.) I will be there from 8am Saturday through 5pm Monday. Thanks!

Coming from NYC you might not be too impressed with Toronto's
shopping, restaurants , galleries.
Well, we have a Shoe museum and a very good Museum of ceramic Art ; some Americans enjoy attending a baseball game at the Dome.
If the weather is nice, the stroll around Harbourfront can be fun.
I am not sure there is a "must see"
in the city but others may disagree.
( for most of our European friends
Niagara Falls is a must visit when they come here)

I heard about a tour called The Hippo Tour you catch just west of Union Station (near Pat & Mario's). It is a bus tour that takes you by prominent spots and then becomes amphibious and tours the harbour. It is $38.50 an adult and I believe is 90 min.

My sister-in-law says if there is only one thing make it Ontario Place.

"Ontario Place.' ??? Why??
The "hippo " tour sounds like something kids would like.
Would not be my choice.

A side trip to Niagara is highly recommended... include the Maid of the Mist and Whirlpool Jet Boats on your way to TO... you won't forget it!

Of course, it depends what your interests are -- art, museums, sports, shopping, eating, ethnic neighbourhoods?

The Chinese Lantern Festival is quite beautiful -- 7 pm to 11 pm at Ontario Place -- best when it's fully dark, of course.

If you're interested in theatre and want a pretty side trip, there's Niagara on the Lake, about 1.5 hrs drive from Toronto. The Shaw Festival is on now and it's a charming town.

Since the OP asked for "must-sees", I think it's worth mentioning that most guides would consider the Royal Ontario Museum (if one likes museums) or the CN Tower (If one has kids) to be in the must-see category.

I guess the most "Canadian" thing at that time is the EX -- the Canadian National Exhibition. It's a sort of urban state fair -- I'm having a hard job explaining it, but I know it's a summer ritual for a lot of southern Ontario families.
But if you haven't seen Niagara Falls, go. I think the Maid of the Mist is a blast even for adults.

As much as I love Toronto, I must say that in terms of shopping and dinning, I don't think there's anything here that you couldn't find comparable in NYC. So I must second on taking a trip to Niagara Falls and Niagara on the Lake. It is beautiful there, and perhaps you might want to tour one of the nearby wineries and taste some of the Canadian ice wines. Hope you enjoy your stay!

My personal preference - if you want to do something uniquely "Toronto" and interesting - buy a TTC day pass and 'ride the rails' (check out the the streetcar routes). Each one is unique in its own way and you get to see a wide variety of Toronto neighbourhoods.

With gentle reproof to my friends from Toronto, I think you are doing my (adopted) city a disservice.

I think that TO has excellent and interesting shopping that is different enought from NYC to make it intriguing...I mention Queen Street West (funky) and Yorkville (fabulous) as proof.

For dining, well, we have Susur/Lee, Canoe and all those other fancy-pants places I can't afford as well as the diversity of the Danforth, Little India, Koreatown, Chinatown and Little Italy.

And then The Crystal (ROM) and the Gardiner Museum of Ceramics, the Hockey Hall of Fame and the AGO and The Bata Shoe Museum and The Science Centre, the Islands, the Beach, the Ex and the Zoo. (Some of which have been mentioned, but we should be prouder of their quality: it is equal to what NYC offers in many cases: while some of these have their counterparts in NYC, many do not.)

Not discounting Niagara as a focus for another trip but TO is wonderful all by itself.

I agree, LJ.

True, NY is fabulous and I love it, but each city is unique in its own way. I don't think Doctoressa is asking to be impressed but just looking for the best we have to offer.

Thanks LJ - my thoughts exactly.

for several years we would spend a week in toronto while our kids attended hockey camps. we enjoyed it immensely - i agree with LJ - you will enjoy the shopping in yorkville, queen st, and ROM, ceramic museum. the restaurants are great - there is a big greek population on danforth with very good greek restaurants- which are totally fun. some excellent restaurants near the four seasons hotel, and i will say that the best meal we had there was actually in the four seasons - at truffles. btw - i am a new yorker- i enjoy all cities big and small. all have something to offer and always fun to explore.