Well hello to you my reader chums! Toronto to me was like a low-key New York. Boasting giant skyscrapers, bustling crowds and endless things to see and do, it had a more residential feel than the Big Apple. I loved its various attractions, restaurants and central location to other exciting nearby sights and green spaces. 

If you're planning a city break to Toronto in Canada for a few days, here is my guide to the best things to see and do in the city.

Wander around the city - get your bearings

My biggest piece of advice for any new city is to wander around and get your bearings. Everyone has their own opinion on cities and sometimes reading travel guides, you feel like you have to follow them to a tee, rather than explore how you wish. The first thing is to leave your accommodation and gather which areas you like, what's near your accommodation and any sights you want to see on your trip. Wandering around can also help you understand how easy the city is to navigate. I found Toronto very walkable and sometimes, it's easier to walk than get the street car (if you're able to) because the traffic in Toronto can be incredibly busy.

Go up the CN Tower

Probably one of the most iconic sights in the city, heading up the CN Tower is one of the tourist things you should do. I was kind of hesitant at first because I thought like many tourist attractions it was overhyped, however, I loved it. And, as we visited just before sunset, we got to watch the city turn from day to night.

Explore the Distillery District

I loved the Distillery District; it had a unique overall look and vibe with charming independent shops, restaurants and bars. It reminded me of the Coal Yard in London with that industrial design and interesting retail scene. It's a place you can spend a few hours wandering around, enjoying some food and treating yourself to some interesting souvenirs. 

Hire a bike and explore the Toronto Islands

My favourite part of my trip to Toronto was visiting the Islands as it was a glimpse of nature amid a busy city. Getting to the islands is so simple, taking a quick boat, which is fast and cheap - only £5 each! When you get to the islands, it's up to you what you fancy doing, but there is the option of hiring bikes or a quadricycle which is what we hired. Doing this meant, we could see more of the islands quicker, take in all the views and stop off wherever we like. The islands are bursting with greenery,  endless trees, plants and water features. The islands also have some gorgeous coffee shops and outdoor eateries. 

Wander around Kensington Market

Kensington Market is a hub for quirky shops and places to eat, whether you're looking to buy a trinket or have some lunch out. I didn't spend too long here but enjoyed a mooch in some of the independent shops. I thought it would be bigger than it was, however, the few streets it covered featured vintage shops and fun cafes.

Eat everything at St Lawrence Market

This market was completely different, more of a foodie paradise. St Lawrence Market is the place to go for fresh produce, souvenirs or to grab some food and go. It had a heart of the city atmosphere and more to explore than first meets the eye. I'd definitely say to save this destination for a lunchtime slot!

Explore various neighbourhoods

One thing I loved about Toronto was its diverse appeal and its neighbourhoods reflect that. From Little Italy, Chinatown, and Little Portugal to endless types of cuisines, you can find pretty much any cultural food across the city in one way or another.

Day trip to Niagara Falls

A highlight of my time in Toronto has to be seeing the exceptional Niagara Falls! I've had this as a bucket list item for ages and finally seeing the Falls in real life was everything. As it's about a 2-hour drive to the Falls, I recommend doing a day trip to give yourself time to get there and back, enjoy the Falls experience and have some food. We booked a bus to and from the city and the journey was very smooth - only taking just over 2 hours. Niagara Falls is beautiful in so many ways and I adored wandering along and taking in the views. Another favourite part of the day was the Niagara Falls Cruise and honestly, I cannot get over how fun this was. As a 20-minute journey, the boat drives into the Falls and you get absolutely drenched - a hilarious experience, perfect on a hot day.

I hope you enjoyed this post. When do you plan on visiting the city?

Thank you for reading <3