20 Best Places to Visit in Toronto: Cost, Hours & Public Transit Directions
Explore the top 20 attractions in Toronto. We have verified the ticket prices, public transit routes, opening hours, and best visit durations for 2026.
Discover Toronto's Top Landmarks
Choosing what to see in a large city can be overwhelming. To help you plan, we cross-checked official databases to compile the exact costs, schedules, and transit instructions for the 20 best places to visit in Toronto.
The Big Three Landmarks
- The CN Tower
Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Why Visit: Canada's most recognizable structure, offering 360-degree views of the city and Lake Ontario.
- Cost: $45 CAD (Adult), $30 CAD (Youth). Booking online in advance is highly recommended to secure a time slot.
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM daily.
- Time Needed: 1.5 – 2 hours.
- How to Reach: Subway to Union Station, then follow the indoor SkyWalk signs.
- Best For: First-time visitors and photographers.
- Nearby Attractions: Ripley's Aquarium of Canada, Rogers Centre.
- Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) 
Photo: edk7 / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
- Why Visit: Canada's largest museum of art, culture, and natural history, housed in a striking crystalline structure.
- Cost: $26 CAD (Adult), $16 CAD (Child). Free admission on the third Tuesday night of every month (4:30 PM
- 8:30 PM).
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM (Closed Mondays).
- Time Needed: 3 hours.
- How to Reach: Subway line 1 or 2 to Museum Station.
- Best For: Families, history buffs, and art lovers.
- Ripley's Aquarium of Canada 
Photo: EuroCarGT / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Why Visit: Home to over 20,000 marine animals, including a massive walk-through shark tunnel with a moving sidewalk.
- Cost: $49 CAD (Adult), $35 CAD (Youth).
- Opening Hours: 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM daily.
- Time Needed: 2 hours.
- How to Reach: Subway to Union Station, walk west along Front St, then south on John St.
- Best For: Families, children, and couples.
Comparison Table: Sights At a Glance
| Attraction | Cost (CAD) | Time Needed | Best For | Transit Stop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN Tower | $45 | 2 hours | Views & Photos | Union Station |
| ROM Museum | $26 | 3 hours | History & Culture | Museum Station |
| Ripley's Aquarium | $49 | 2 hours | Families | Union Station |
| Distillery District | Free entry | 1.5 hours | Art & Coffee | 504 King Streetcar |
| Casa Loma | $40 | 2.5 hours | Architecture | Dupont Station |
| Toronto Islands | $9.11 (Ferry) | 4+ hours | Skyline & Biking | Jack Layton Ferry Terminal |
| St. Lawrence Market | Free entry | 1–2 hours | Food Lovers | 10 min walk from Union |
| Kensington Market | Free | 2–3 hours | Vintage & Street Food | Spadina Station + 510 streetcar |
| Chinatown | Free | 1–2 hours | Food & Shopping | Spadina Station + 510 streetcar |
| Toronto City Hall & Nathan Phillips Sq. | Free | 30–60 min | Architecture & Photos | Osgoode Station |
| Sankofa Square | Free | 20–45 min | People-Watching | TMU Station |
| Graffiti Alley | Free | 30–45 min | Street Art & Photos | Osgoode Station |
| Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) | $30 | 2–3 hours | Art & Culture | St Patrick Station |
| Hockey Hall of Fame | $29.95 | 1.5–2.5 hours | Sports Fans | Union Station (PATH) |
| Harbourfront Centre | Free grounds | 1.5–3 hours | Waterfront Arts | 509 Harbourfront Streetcar |
| Ontario Science Centre (interim) | $15 | Half-day | Families | 509 Harbourfront Streetcar |
| High Park | Free | 2–4 hours | Nature & Families | High Park Station |
| Toronto Zoo | ~$23–35 (dynamic) | Full day | Wildlife & Families | Kennedy Station + Bus 86A |
| Scarborough Bluffs | Free | 1.5–3 hours | Hiking & Photography | Kennedy Station + Bus 201 |
| Evergreen Brick Works | Free | Half-day | Nature & Architecture | Broadview Station + Shuttle |
Note: Toronto Zoo uses dynamic, date-based pricing — check torontozoo.com for the exact price on your visit date rather than relying on a fixed figure. The Ontario Line subway expansion is actively reshaping downtown streetcar routing (particularly 501 Queen) through at least 2027–28, so confirm live TTC service advisories before your visit.
Historic & Cultural Neighborhoods
- The Distillery Historic District 
Photo: Mark / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
- Why Visit: A beautifully restored 19th-century Victorian whiskey distillery turned into a pedestrian-only art and dining enclave.
- Cost: Free entry (excluding seasonal events like the Christmas Market).
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM daily.
- Time Needed: 1.5 hours.
- How to Reach: Subway to King Station, then take the 504A King streetcar east to Parliament St.
- Best For: Coffee, local art boutiques, and photography.
- Casa Loma 
Photo: Btpoggensee / Wikimedia Commons (GFDL 1.2+)
- Why Visit: A majestic 18th-century Edwardian castle built by financier Sir Henry Pellatt, featuring secret tunnels and beautiful gardens.
- Cost: $40 CAD (Adult).
- Opening Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM daily.
- Time Needed: 2 – 3 hours.
- How to Reach: Subway to Dupont Station, then walk north 10 minutes up the Baldwin Steps.
- Best For: Castles, gardens, and vintage history.
Natural Escapes
- The Toronto Islands 
Photo: Whpq / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Why Visit: A chain of small car-free islands offering the best view of the Toronto skyline, plus beaches and bicycle paths.
- Cost: $9.11 CAD return ferry ticket (Adult).
- Opening Hours: Ferries run roughly 6:30 AM – 11:30 PM (check seasonal schedules).
- Time Needed: Half-day to full-day.
- How to Reach: Subway to Union Station, take the 509/510 streetcar to Queens Quay, and walk to Jack Layton Ferry Terminal.
- Best For: Biking, picnics, and beach relaxation.
Markets & Multicultural Neighborhoods
- St. Lawrence Market  Photo via Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0 — public domain, no attribution required)
- Why Visit: A historic public market complex dating to 1803, with 120+ specialty food merchants and artisans across a South Market and a fully rebuilt North Market (reopened May 2025).
- Cost: Free to enter; pay only for what you buy from vendors.
- Opening Hours: Tue–Fri 9 AM – 7 PM, Sat 7 AM – 5 PM, Sun 10 AM – 5 PM. Closed Mondays (including statutory holidays).
- Time Needed: 1 – 2 hours (longer on Saturday farmers' market mornings).
- How to Reach: A flat 10-minute walk east from Union Station along Front St, or the 504 King streetcar eastbound to Jarvis St.
- Best For: Food lovers and a low-effort first stop near Union Station.
- Kensington Market
Photo: Arild Vågen / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Why Visit: A National Historic Site neighborhood shaped by successive waves of immigration, packed with vintage shops, indie food stalls, and street art — atmosphere over any single "sight."
- Cost: Free — a public neighborhood, not a ticketed attraction.
- Opening Hours: No single official hours; most independent shops run roughly 10 AM – 6/7 PM, later on weekends. Car-free "Pedestrian Sundays" typically run the last Sunday of warmer months.
- Time Needed: 2 – 3 hours.
- How to Reach: Subway to Spadina Station, then the 510 Spadina streetcar south to Nassau St/College St.
- Best For: Budget travelers, vintage shoppers, and street food fans.
- Chinatown 
Photo: Chensiyuan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Why Visit: One of North America's largest Chinatowns, spanning Spadina Ave and Dundas St W, with restaurants and markets representing Chinese, Vietnamese, and broader Southeast/East Asian communities.
- Cost: Free — a public street district; restaurants and shops charge normally.
- Opening Hours: No fixed district-wide hours; most restaurants stay open into the evening.
- Time Needed: 1 – 2 hours.
- How to Reach: Subway to Spadina Station, then the 510 Spadina streetcar south to the Dundas stop (a short walk from Kensington Market).
- Best For: Food travelers, especially dim sum and late-night eats.
Downtown Landmarks & Public Squares
- Toronto City Hall & Nathan Phillips Square 
Photo: The City of Toronto / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
- Why Visit: A modernist twin-tower City Hall (opened 1965) fronted by Toronto's largest public square, with a reflecting pool that becomes a free ice rink in winter.
- Cost: Free.
- Opening Hours: The square is open 24/
- City Hall's public rotunda generally keeps weekday business hours; free guided tours typically run weekdays around 10 AM and 1 PM. The 27th-floor Observation Deck opens to the public only during the annual Doors Open Toronto weekend.
- Time Needed: 30 – 60 minutes.
- How to Reach: Subway to Osgoode Station, a short walk to the square.
- Best For: Architecture fans, photographers, and winter skating.
- Sankofa Square 
Photo: Pedro Szekely / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0), taken before the square's 2023–2025 rename from Yonge-Dundas Square
- Why Visit: Toronto's answer to Times Square — a lively plaza with dancing fountains, digital billboards, and free year-round programming, steps from the Eaton Centre. Renamed from Yonge-Dundas Square after a City Council decision (approved December 2023, official rebrand event August 2025).
- Cost: Free.
- Opening Hours: Open 24/7 as a public space.
- Time Needed: 20 – 45 minutes, longer during free concerts.
- How to Reach: Subway to TMU Station (renamed from Dundas Station in December 2025), which exits directly onto the square.
- Best For: First-time visitors and people-watching.
- Graffiti Alley (Rush Lane) 
Photo: Dillan Payne / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Why Visit: A roughly 1km laneway in the Fashion District covered in ever-changing murals — the origin point of the city's official StreetARToronto mural program.
- Cost: Free.
- Opening Hours: Always accessible as an open public laneway (best visited in daylight).
- Time Needed: 30 – 45 minutes.
- How to Reach: Subway to Osgoode Station, walk west on Queen St W to Spadina Ave, then south onto Rush Lane. Note: Ontario Line construction has caused ongoing streetcar reroutes near Queen St through at least 2027 — check ttc.ca before your visit.
- Best For: Photographers and street-art fans.
Art, Culture & Family Attractions
- Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) 
Photo: Richie Diesterheft / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
- Why Visit: One of North America's largest art museums, housed in a Frank Gehry-redesigned building, with deep Canadian art holdings alongside European masters.
- Cost: $30 CAD (Adult), $15 CAD (Youth 10–17), free under
- Free admission the first Wednesday of each month, 6–9 PM.
- Opening Hours: Closed Mondays. Tue–Thu 10:30 AM – 5 PM, Wed & Fri 10:30 AM – 9 PM (extended evening hours), Sat–Sun 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM.
- Time Needed: 2 – 3 hours for highlights, 4+ for a thorough visit.
- How to Reach: Subway to St Patrick Station, then a 5-minute walk north on McCaul St.
- Best For: Art and design lovers, and rainy-day plans.
- Hockey Hall of Fame 
Photo: Daniel Vorndran (DXR) / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Why Visit: Home to the actual Stanley Cup on permanent display, plus interactive shooting/goaltending simulators and deep hockey-history exhibits.
- Cost: $29.95 CAD (Adult 14–64), $24.95 CAD (Senior 65+), $19.95 CAD (Youth 4–13), free for children 3 and under.
- Opening Hours: Extended summer hours June 26 – Sept 7: daily 9 AM – 5 PM. Otherwise daily 10 AM – 5 PM.
- Time Needed: 1.5 – 2.5 hours.
- How to Reach: Inside Brookfield Place at 30 Yonge St, connected to Union Station via the underground PATH walkway (about 5 minutes).
- Best For: Hockey and sports fans, and families with kids.
- Harbourfront Centre 
Photo: abdallahh / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
- Why Visit: A waterfront arts-and-culture campus with free contemporary art exhibitions, festivals, concerts, and craft studios on Lake Ontario.
- Cost: Grounds and most exhibitions are free; ticketed performances vary by event (roughly $15–$50).
- Opening Hours: Vary by building and season — check harbourfrontcentre.com/plan-your-visit for the current schedule on your visit date.
- Time Needed: 1.5 – 3 hours, depending on programming.
- How to Reach: The 509 Harbourfront streetcar runs directly from Union Station to the Centre (about 3–5 minutes).
- Best For: Art and culture lovers, and families.
- Ontario Science Centre (Interim Harbourfront Location) 
Photo: abdallahh / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0). Shows the Harbourfront Centre building, where the Science Centre's interim location opened June 2026.
- Why Visit: A hands-on science and technology experience — note this is a brand-new interim venue (opened June 29, 2026) at Harbourfront Centre, not the original Don Mills building, which closed permanently in 2024 over structural concerns. A new permanent facility is under construction at Ontario Place, targeted for
- Cost: $15 CAD per person; free for children 2 and under.
- Opening Hours: Sun–Fri 10 AM – 6 PM, Sat 10 AM – 8 PM.
- Time Needed: Half-day (smaller than the original building — a shorter visit is realistic).
- How to Reach: The 509 Harbourfront or 510 Spadina streetcar from Union Station to the Harbourfront Centre stop.
- Best For: Families with kids, and anyone curious about its new waterfront chapter.
Parks, Wildlife & Outdoor Escapes
- High Park 
Photo: Fabian Roudra Baroi / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Why Visit: Toronto's largest public park, with woodland trails, Grenadier Pond, a free mini-zoo (Canada's oldest, est. 1893), and famous cherry blossoms in late April/early May.
- Cost: Free (park and zoo). Optional Trackless Train ride $9 CAD adult, seasonal.
- Opening Hours: Park is effectively open daytime through late evening; High Park Zoo posted hours are 9 AM – 7 PM daily.
- Time Needed: 2 – 4 hours.
- How to Reach: Subway to High Park or Keele Station (Line 2), both open directly onto the park. Note: High Park Station currently has no elevator access.
- Best For: Nature lovers, families, and cherry blossom photographers.
- Toronto Zoo  Photo via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
- Why Visit: One of the largest zoos in the world by land area and the largest in Canada, organized into distinct zoogeographic regions. Note: the giant pandas left in 2018 and returned to China in 2020 — they are not currently at the zoo.
- Cost: Uses dynamic, date-based pricing (roughly $23–$35 CAD) — check torontozoo.com for the exact price on your visit date.
- Opening Hours: Vary by season, roughly 9:30 AM – 6 or 7 PM; check torontozoo.com/plan for the current schedule.
- Time Needed: Full day (4–6 hours) recommended; half-day minimum for highlights.
- How to Reach: Subway to Kennedy Station (Line 2), then bus 86A direct to the zoo entrance (seasonal schedule — confirm at torontozoo.com/tz/transit).
- Best For: Families and wildlife enthusiasts wanting a full-day outing.
- Scarborough Bluffs
Photo: The Cosmonaut / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.5 CA)
- Why Visit: A dramatic ~15km stretch of layered cliffs along Lake Ontario; Bluffer's Park at the base has a marina, swimming beach, and the classic photo/hiking spot.
- Cost: Free to enter; parking fees may apply at Bluffer's Park.
- Opening Hours: No specific gate hours; official safety notice: stay behind the fences, the bluffs' edge is unstable.
- Time Needed: 1.5 – 3 hours, or a half-day combining the beach and a hike.
- How to Reach: Subway to Kennedy Station (Line 2), then the seasonal weekend bus 201 to the Bluffs — confirm current schedule at ttc.ca, as this route has been renumbered before.
- Best For: Photographers, hikers, and an off-the-beaten-path escape.
- Evergreen Brick Works 
Photo: Jaydenfromcanada / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Why Visit: A former industrial brick quarry converted into a green public space with nature trails, historic industrial architecture, and a farmers' market — one of Toronto's best examples of post-industrial urban renewal.
- Cost: Free general admission.
- Opening Hours: Daily, 9 AM – 5 PM. Closed Dec 25, 26, and Jan
- Time Needed: Half-day.
- How to Reach: Subway to Broadview Station (Line 2), then the free Evergreen Shuttle Bus from the Broadview Subway Station Parkette (every 30–45 min, 7 days a week).
- Best For: Nature and architecture lovers wanting a relaxed, free outdoor break.
Editorial Fact-Checking & Citations
- Source Type: Attraction
CN Tower Official Website
Facts and coordinates checked against official documentation.
- Source Type: Attraction
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
Facts and coordinates checked against official documentation.
- Source Type: Official Tourism
Destination Toronto (Official Tourism)
Facts and coordinates checked against official documentation.