My sister and I look forward to visiting Toronto approx June 25 to July 2.
If you are from Toronto and had visitors, where would you take them? Recent visitors comments welcome as well (most Toronto postings online are old)
Is there one great outdoor activity (we won't have a car)
Favorite eateries--don't need to be upscale, but you could suggest one for a splurge.
What hotel would you suggest that is not Ritz Carlton--sorry not in my price range.

We also plan a day trip to Niagara Falls and wonder--which vendor you recommend. As it is summer we want to be sure to get tour that includes transit and boat ride and behind the falls too if that is worth it. Our neighbor said to go at night to see falls lit up, but I do not know if any tours offer that option.

Thanks for any and all suggestions

Toronto is a great city with many diverse neighbourhoods and a downtown core with many tourist attractions. You will be visiting over the Canada Day weekend and so there will be a lot going on! The harbourfront area and Nathan’s Phillips Square (where city hall is) will most likely have special events happening. This means that there will be more people in the downtown core (tourists and locals enjoying the city) and also that hotel prices may be more expensive.Some suggestions based on things I have done with visitors (but not knowing your personal preferences they may not be suitable for you… maybe you want to do all the tourist things or maybe you want to get to know the city and understand the various neighbourhoods?):

1-Walk the waterfront trail https://waterfronttrail.org/places/communities/toronto/

2-take the ferry to the islands https://www.torontoisland.com

3-visit the St Lawrence market

4-visit the Distillery district

5-go for dim sum- in Chinatown or there’s a place called Pearl with a lakeview at the harbourfront https://www.pearlharbourfront.ca/harbourfront/

6-splurge dinner: Canoe for the view! https://www.canoerestaurant.com

7-Kensington Market combined with Queen west and Chinatown

8-go to a baseball game at the Roger’s centre

9-go up the CN tower (I’m not sure how good the restaurant up there is now, but I’ve taken guests there in the past)

10- there are a lot of museums (ROM, Gardiner, Bata Shoe museum), the AGO, Ripley’s Aquarium… so much choice!



Sorry, I don’t have a recommendation for a Niagara tour.



Regarding which hotel to choose, if major tourist sights are what you’re after, I would suggest staying in a downtown hotel to avoid needing to use transit (many sights are within walking distance). The only downtown hotel I have personally stayed in is the Delta near the Air Canada Centre (if you can afford it, go for a corner room with a big soaker tub with a view to the lake)!

I would start by searching your dates, downtown core & price range on booking.com and finding some possible choices. Then come back and ask which of those hotels would be the better choice. It’s tricky to suggest a suitable hotel without knowing your price range or personal preferences.

Thank you for the great feedback! I am not sure about my budget for hotel either. I love dim sum so Pearl sounds great and thanks for splurge choice to!

Hi joannpadgett—

Just to add to trycke’s suggestions. I do appreciate the beauty of the Toronto Islands but I should mention the lineups for the ferry last year when I went in June (mind you it was a weekend and the weather was gorgeous) were a beast. I’d recommend water taxis so you’re not waiting for several ferries even if the taxis are pricier. I’d aim to see the islands on a weekday if you’re able and not waiting too late in the day.

Best wishes, Daniel